Very Important Guidelines For Riding The Wednesday Chain-Gang

The Hastings Wednesday Winter Chain Gang is a fast training ride and not a race

 The winter chain gang is starting soon so a few reminders.  Meeting time is 19:20 and we will set out in two or more groups.  The quick “ultras” just before 19:30 and the other groups soon after to beat the barriers at the crossing (or have train times changed?). You must have lights (if very bright angled at “dip” please) and a helmet and not use tri bars, which should really be removed for group riding.  Only experienced riders on fixed wheel please, they change pace differently from those on gears so be aware of who is riding fixed.


Specifics for the Chain Gang

1.      Groups must back off and not bunch on the approach to the bridge by the Star Inn – you cannot go two abreast across the bridge when a car is there, one fast rider can be very tight with a van coming the other way ………

2.      When waiting at the Pevensey turn to regroup please pull off on to the concrete in front of the gate and do not spread all across the road.

3.      Be aware of the bad pothole on the way back from Pevensey about a third of the way up Spooky hill – there are others too so find them in the light and memorise where they are and always call them out as you pull out wide


Please identify any new riders and let me know who they are and where they are from. Old hands need to brief new riders as to what happens and what is expected.  Can Stuart Hodd, John Vidler, Neil Smith and Steve Curtis in particular keep an eye on who is riding.  Juniors are not allowed without prior approval from me.


The Hastings Wednesday Winter Chain Gang is a fast training ride for several groups of riders who should be aiming to ride “through and off”, everyone taking a turn on the front even if only briefly.  Riders need to know what they are doing and observe the good practices of fast group riding. There were concerns on the conduct of the runs early last winter (in previous years too) but by mid season changes were made and new riders mostly got the hang of what was required. The general guidance on club runs and group riding applies but for very fast training ride road race level skills and techniques are required.  However the chain gang is not a race and there are no winners or losers.


Some of the most important basics are:

Predictability

Communication

Concentration


Predictability: ride in a straight line at a uniform pace with smooth acceleration and slowing down.

Do not swerve suddenly e.g. round a pot hole but smoothly change line giving warning if there is a pot hole or other danger

Do  not look over your shoulder when riding at speed in close company, you will veer off line, keeps eyes ahead may be with the briefest of glances under your arm

Do not suddenly pull off out of line if you rapidly up the pace, someone may be coming past from behind and you will cut them up

Do not pull up suddenly if you drop a bottle or light, and do not yo yo by frequently stopping pedalling, people behind will get irritated and may run in to your back, drop a gear and spin your pedals smoothly


Communication: call directions and warnings out loud, and relay them through the group

Call “inside or outside” when going past a rider – if a slower rider is keeping their line in the middle of the road others will sometimes go inside but must call clearly

Short sharp clear calls alert others to what is going on and ensure that everyone’s attention is raised

Warn of oncoming cars so riders pull in tight together, no more than two abreast

Warn if cars may try to come through from behind – it will stop others suddenly pulling out in to the middle of the road in front of overtaking traffic

Do not get upset if you think you are being shouted at

OK yes you may well be shouted at a times, probably by an old hand who thinks you have done something that could be dangerous.  Talk about it later



Concentration: you have to react very quickly when riding at speed in close proximity to others, so stay alert

Keep both hands firmly on your bars and keep looking ahead

Listen for all the calls and think if you need to relay the call on

Anticipate any potential problems (and alert others)

If in a group riding through and off hard it is not a time for social chit chat ……..



Chris Parker

07902 630574 – the robust mobile in my pocket so usually gets answered but runs out of memory if you send long texts

07597 557432 – the iPhone that lives in my rucksack and can deal with long texts and from which I make calls, if I have battery

ChrisParkerPett@aol.com the email address that I can usually pick up any time