Escape from the Chaingang Weds Jan 11th

Do you ever worry about the big questions in life? Things like why are we here, is the world going to end soon, and closer to home - is the sort of cycling I do good or bad for my heart, that kind of thing?
To get some answers I had a go at taking my resting pulse in bed this morning - without proper instruments I can't claim any accuracy - 40 or 47 bpm, give or take 10 or 20. Anyway the interesting thing was it seemed possible to slow it down quite a bit by breathing more deeply and slowly which was quite reassuring in a way. Either that or I carelessly missed some beats. I'm sure now about one thing at least - relaxing in bed doesn't strain the heart overly much.

Great turn out of 21 riders and the return of lots of our regulars. Lashings of Christmas pud doesn't seem to have put a dent in most of you, why!? I've gained 5 pounds! Stored carbs - like a camel.
Speed out was more than 21mph, Pete Tadros, Ivan and Matt doing most of the work with John and Shaun escaping up South Cliff, but somehow we dragged them back. John escaped again at Cooden Beach, the second time I nearly buried myself trying to catch him, and actually eased up half way across, lucky for us he'd slowed up a bit too. Of course by then our chasing group was up to speed and rolled on and past and over, like a humungous juggernaut being carried by a relentless juggernaut transporter.

Just before the halfway stop I thought Ivan had opened a good gap so I tried to help but ran out of gas quickly, everyone was itching to go, in the end John then Swavek prevailed lapping the roundabout in honour, 3rd time lucky, good game! And a 21.5 mph average, not bad at all against a westerly wind.

On the way back we averaged 24 and something mph, I think in three groups that all finished pretty close together, good effort. Spotted two traffic cops on motorbikes and a panda car, so it's a good thing that we never ever jump red lights. Everyone rode home sensibly and we'll see you next week friends, take care of yourselves, cheers!

Dave learns some roadcraft, Chaingang Nov 9th

Simon and I were having a nice chat spinning along Bexhill seafront when some hooligan in a Fiat top and killer whale leggings jumps out and attacks, with big Mike, I mean big Shaun hot on his wheel.

I've done my turn on front - so I sit up and let them go. Three or four more flash by to give chase. Wait to see if anymore? No - OK - now its time to dig in hard as the gap is getting too big. Here we go again, busting a gut to get back on, survival of the suffering-est.

After Cooden Beach I was hanging onto just Matt and Shaun, in fact Matt lost ground at Herbrand Walk and had to chase hard to get back on. They were strong, I felt like I was going to blow up but somehow hung on. Finally Shaun went clear, just rode away from us, then stopped to wait at the Star pub. Mercy? No, a dim headlight and " I get bored riding on my own, I like to be sociable" Maybe mercy then, or a cat toying with an injured mouse before the inevitable kill.

Matt did the rest of the hard work till the end, where Shaun feigned a jump to get 2nd wheel, then actually went, I jumped after and hung on some more until he tired, then came round in the last yard, feeling cheap. "Poachers!" shouted Matt as he rolled up in third place. "Dave isn't it?" Shaun says to me. "No, Chris" I say. "You really should do some road" says Shaun.

Return leg - bunch left early while I was still chatting to Ivan and Malc who had a mechanical with his cleat, I excused myself swiftly and had to chase like a dog for 2 or 3 miles to get back on, just as the bunch reached Spooky Hill where a move often goes. No blood left in my brain by this point so rest is a blank until closing on Matt and Shaun again as we approach Bexhill.

Matt is doing the work again, Shaun sitting on 2nd wheel, and I'm hiding behind Barry, I mean Shaun. This time Barry slows a smidgeon, just gently eases me out the back, then stands up and crunches the pedals to sprint, later he'll generously explain that this is a bit of tactical roadcraft to use against an opponent, but at the moment I'm in such a zombie state I don't really notice, just follow the wheel, the wheel!

Shaun's gears slip on the second stroke and he bangs his knee hard on the frame, I'm thinking S***! last two times I did that I went right over the bars and my elbows and knees were well bloodied up. And I'm right on his wheel! But its OK this time - he keeps it going, then gets tired and then thats when I make my move and come round, after the efforts done, in the last yard, feeling . . . well, you get the picture,

don't you, Dave?

23 riders. Average speed out : 21.7mph with a bit of a tailwind.

Back: 21.5mph and for sure a headwind.