The first WNTB (Wednesday night training bash) was a success. Seven riders turned up,and the weather was ideal. After a couple of laps of the Hatfield circuit the group split naturally between fast and not so fast,so everyone got an appropriate work out. Training finished at about 20.30,I think that this will be the usual finish time so really riders need to have a minimum of a rear light clipped on for the ride home. I will now start a new thread called WNTB and I will post the circuit for next Wednesday 4th Aug. in the next couple of days. While I'm here How much interest is there for a WNTB at the Stourport circuit? If we are going to do this it needs to be in the next month before the nights close in too much.Although most people would drive to the circuit and back. We will also need to arrange for riders without transport to get lifts.
Having looked at the variety of riders that have shown an interest,I think it would be best to run a fast group and a steady group. Vince Page has very kindly offered to lead the "fast" group,and I will lead the "steady" group. Thinking of other circuits,any thoughts on using the Broadheath 10 loop? Another suggested possibility would be to have an away day at the excellent Stourport cycle track. Please pass the details of the Wednesday night session to anyone who you feel might be interested,I see no reason why we should limit it to St Johns members.
Tony Horton
-- Edited by ASH on Monday 26th of July 2010 10:47:37 AM
OK, for all interested parties. The first training night will be on Wednesday 28th July and we will be using the "Hatfield circuit" Start time will be at 19.00 circuit is: Meet St Peters Garden Centre - towards Kempsey, left up Hatfield Bank, left towards Wadborough, left through Littleworth, left through Norton, past barracks, over mini roundabout and left past St Peters GC to complete circuit. Provisionally we can say 6 laps,first lap warm up,next 4 up to speed/training with a following final lap to be a free for all.
I must stress that this is training not racing so no attacks ,jumps or stopping on the front smashing everybody's legs!
If it is obvious on the night that there is too much disparity then we can split the group.
My Mobile phone number 07884 003564 will be the contact number.
It looks from the interest on and off the forum that we should have a reasonable turn out,and barring torrential rain,in which case it will be called off, it should be a good night.
Finally if you have Ideas for other circuits then please jot them down and hand them to me on the night (so I don't forget)
Count me in for this as I dont work Wednesdays. As for the circuits why not use the TT courses Kinnersley,Old Hillls,Norton. A couple of years or so ago we did a winter circuit starting at Worcs Cycles & down to the A38 to Upton turn then any number of the Kinnersley 10 course & back to Worcester. Just a thought
Sounds like a great idea, and Rob's making a lot of sense about shorter circuits. Would be good to have something else on weekly calendar other than time trials as i can never make Tuesday nights and Thursdays due to running with Worcester AC. Am keen to get back out with club and this may spur me on! Have been on the Wyre Forest chain gangs but they got feisty after about 3/4 miles and had me hanging off the back very soon after.
Rob, defiantly a number of spread out circuits, Perhaps people can get there maps out and suggest a few? 5 mile loops seem like a good Idea.What we probably dont want is mega hills on the circuit,but regrouping on top of hills would be required on all but the last lap to encourage steady speeds? I would also offer up my mobile phone number as the point of contact for those who don't have computers (do they still exist) and for people who are coming but might be a bit late. Tony
Rob, good points there,I hadnt thought about the possibility of it being a kind of "drop in" session.Plus I suppose if there is a problem then its all closer to home. If that circuit is 5 miles then prehaps we say first lap getting up to speed/warming,4 laps training with the final lap a free for all for those who want it? I will, no doubt, be one of the slower riders! so If I can keep up for the first 5 laps we shouldnt be that far off. Its all going to be a bit trial and error to start with.And we are going to need the fast boys to stretch us out,It is training after all! Tony
Trouble with big loops is that for those that can't make the start time or who can't stay for the full distance will always miss out, which is why we took that approach the last time around and even back in the 70's when I started out.
Agreed circuits would mean that as long as the circuit to used is communicated well that people can dip in and out around thier personal/work commitments opening the possibility to train in a group to a wider selection of people. Although some may not do 6 laps of a 5 mile circuit (or similar) due to personal circumstances they would still derive some benefit from doing maybe 3 or 4 laps.
I for one would struggle on many occasions due to work (I am regularly travelling back from Manchester or further afield), so one big loop would lose its appeal and it would be back to solo riding for me, but at the end of the day it's what the majority wants that counts.
As for the laps getting faster, this goes back to the 'no heroes' agreement. In my experience this will happen on a big loop too as the strong men come to the fore, so not confined to just circuits.
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SO, I'm fat and slow, but you're ugly, I can change, can you?
Rob, I know the circuit and Vince has suggested we do the same again. There are two things I have against the "short countryside" circuits, firstly the laps tend to get faster and faster wrecking the session,and secondly the narrowness of some of the roads. but I do like the Idea because the roads are quieter. I don't mind either way I fancied a longer one lap route so that everyone can settle into a rhythm,perhaps we do a number of different routes,to see whets the favourite and then stick to that? Most importantly for the sake of continuity we have to take that no heroes attitude or as you say it will fizzle out. Tony
We did this some years back, around a circuit out by Hatfield -
Meet St Peters Garden Centre - towards Kempsey, left up Hatfield Bank, left towards Wadborough, left through Littleworth, left through Norton, past barracks, over mini roundabout and left past St Peters GC to complete circuit - 4 miles.
Worked really well as there is a cut through from the top of Hatfield through to Norton for those who were suffering a bit (meant they could join back in and momentum of the group was maintained), cut through could obviously be used either way, so could be used to cut out the climb or get back in if dropped on it.
The biggest problem was that 'middle session', too many of the quicker riders pushing the pace killed slower rider enthusiasm and it fizzled out!!!
If this could be addressed and everyone agrees that the 'No Hero' approach will benefit all, then I'm definitely up for it when I am home.
We also tried a handicap session around that circuit which really worked well.
Another option I've used is to meet up and go to Baynall garage, down A38, left up Madge Hill, left at top, back to Baynall - about 5 miles. Opportunity for 2 cut throughs if needed (gated road before Severn Stoke, road signed Pirton in Severn Stoke), this keeps the group out of Kinnersley, which is a bit of an issue with the locals.
I'm sure others will have suggestions.
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SO, I'm fat and slow, but you're ugly, I can change, can you?
Hi, I'm thinking of organising a weekly Wednesday night training bash. Meeting on the bridge in Worcester at 19.00,and averaging about 30 miles. The format could be:
Average speed min. 18mph
Through and off chain gang type ride to emphasise team TT or road race type training.
5 mile warm up then training, finishing with a 3 mile free for all to a definitive finish point.
No heroes during the middle session more a team effort to get the maximum advantage.
