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Great thanks @clubman for the info.
As for sprints in the winter, I have a good pair of tubs and the weight saving is a big win for me over my practical, albeit sluggish 27.1.1/4 commuter bike.
falconvitesse-
sluggish 27.1.1/4 commuter bike.
You are absolutely correct - even heavy tubs are a big improvement over 27's (although little gain over good 700's).
But going back to that photo, it's worth mentioning that the group wasn't absolutely typical of a Hounslow training run at that time. For one thing the Bern and Eth ride was invitation only - it had to be because the Thompsons couldn't cater for unlimited numbers.
A more normal early season ride worked something like this: there would be a sort of 'inner circle' of the strongest riders, perhaps half a dozen or so, and they would agree what bikes should be used for the coming weekend - essentially whether to stick to winter bikes (commuter bikes, single speed, lights, luggage racks etc.) or to change to training bikes, which were essentially road bikes using downgraded racing kit - but mostly with heavy tubs and mudguards.
So when the big boys were still on winter bikes, the rest of us, the lesser mortals, who were encouraged to tag along, could either try to be tough and use our own winter bike, or use the best bike we had and hope to last a bit longer.
I should mention that there was generally no waiting for stragglers, so once dropped you were on your own. I used to carry a small scale motoring map which covered all the areas we were likely to get to - this enabled me to get home by the shortest and easiest route if I got shelled out. This may sound harsh, but it was a good system in that it allowed the good riders to train hard and the others to join in for as long as they could. It created the ambition for the dropped riders to last a bit longer the next time and eventually to last all the way back to Staines. By the time you'd got to that stage you would at least have the strength to stay in a third cat. road race bunch or hope to get under the hour (no tri-bars or other aero kit!).
clubman
I think I have found suitable wheels for you. I will send a pm with name and phone number.
I think my friend has a number of sprint wheels to dispose of if any one else is in the market, let me know.
Whether it's wise to use sprints for this sort of winter 'training ' run is another question, which I'll deal with later.