Author: Admin

Thursdays 3pm

A set 20 mile chain gang ride to give riders experience of riding in a group and working together at race pace and for training. The group rides as a single pace line with stronger riders spending more time on the front. The idea is to work together making the group pace as fast as possible and giving everyone a good workout. It will follow a circular route starting at the normal club run start location at the Anglian Water depot, Upper Sheringham then heading inland to West Beckham, Baconsthorpe, Holt, Hunworth, Briston, Saxthorpe, Little Barningham and back to the start.  Option to meet on the route near Holt.  Starts in daylight at 3pm although may need lights on the way home (may move start time to 4pm to fit around work as the days get longer).

Route download here: Route here (or just turn up and save (or remember) the route when you have done it)

Chain gang rules, (to keep everyone riding smoothly and safely)

1. Ride in a single file line smoothly.
2. The speed will be determined by the slowest rider.  More than one group may be formed at the start with the faster group giving the slower group a head start.
3. Lead rider normally spends 1 minute on the front (max 2 minutes) – Flick out left elbow and peel off right when safe to do so to the back of the pack. Maintain smooth transitions and don’t sprint when on the front to keep an overall similar speed to ensure everyone on the wheel.  You can do less time on the front if feeling tired, but still ride through and peel off straight-away.
4. The final 500m back to the start can be a sprint finish (if you want to!).
5. Will only normally do the ride if dry, keep a look out for messages if not going ahead.
6. Some useful rider calls/signals (if needed):
   • Signal left and right (and can call ‘left/right’) before turning so rider behind can see/hear.
   • On single lane roads: Car coming up from behind ‘Car up’, car coming head on ‘Car down’.
   • Pot hole ahead ‘Hole’.
   • About to be dropped then call ‘Ease up’ to slow the peloton.
   • Road ahead blocked or traffic lights ‘Slow’.
   • Puncture or giving up then shout ‘Stopping’ to closest rider. In the case of a puncture one other rider to stop to assist (if needed), peloton continues.