Winter Training in RP, Saturdays

Mr Smith, you couldn't possibly of heard.... we were whispering about the podium girls.

Brilliant session. Taking James in a sprint right on the line was a true joy.

i reckon I could have had him too... ;)

great session today guys. useful to know the 250m and 500m markers too.

I agree - a few days off the bike sounds like a good idea too. Not worth jeopardising the next few months for the sake of a couple of rides in RP and Essex (both of which involve hills, the latter moreso). Hills aren't really going to do shit for your track preparation, unless they're very short.

I had to lay off for a week after one of cliveo's Windsor rides, just when I was ready to really get stuck in to the training. Very glad I made that decision now.

Yeah, my knee is still playing up and I don't like it. Had to give the Esssex ride a miss because of it and am feeling a bit depressed now :(

Also, why do you say hills won't help much for the track. I thought they were perfect for building stamina and strength which is what a lot of the HH races involve?

Correct me if I am wrong please

Cheers

yesterday's session destroyed me, though at the time if felt like i had not done much.

was so slow last night cycling into town as a result.

I wonder if we could subtly place markers at 250 and 500 (and remove them when we are finished). I will have a paralegal try and put some together.

the natural markers are pretty obvious once you've had a few goes!

The only marker that counts is the finish line.

The only thing you need to worry about is being between it and the losers behind you when you cross it.

Also, why do you say hills won't help much for the track. I thought they were perfect for building stamina and strength which is what a lot of the HH races involve?

Correct me if I am wrong please

Cheers

I think you'd get better strength benefits from standing starts and seated surges, and more stamina from a month of Spring sessions on the track.

It's a specificity thing. How important is it for you to be super strong at pushing the pedals round sub-75rpm? Unless you're doing the kilo, not very.

There's definitely a risk, whilst riding a track-type gearing round town, of training your legs to be slow and strong. If I were you, I'd be riding a medium gear in town, making the most out of spinning down Archway/Holloway Rd everyday, and doing your big gear stuff on the track, where things move faster and more predictably.

I'm TTing on 81"-93" this year. I'm commuting on 65". And much as I love the hills, they're not high on the agenda at the moment, and will be even lower after the early season hilly races are out of the way.

But get a second opinion from RPM, Al, Povey, or whoever. And here's to a speedy recovery from the knee problem.

whats this training you speak of?

:-)

What time do you all meet in the park? I might make a turn once I have my road fixed rebuilt.

it's er..variable. but we'd welcome your company.

I won't be there this weekend cos I'm at calshot, but there's usually a few people around.

different abilities and different aims, so you may have to do your own thing somewhat

whats this training you speak of?

:-)

What time do you all meet in the park? I might make a turn once I have my road fixed rebuilt.

Keep an eye on this thread.

9:30 or 10:30 Saturday mornings @ Roehampton Cafe, depending on general concensus. Yes its all different abilities, but we all get along fine. Its probably quite basic for you but we could use your experience advice etc.

As Corny once said at least we are all getting in the habit of getting up in morning on Saturday and having a blast on the bikes in readiness for HH opening.

Sprint training was good fun last Saturday.

it's er..variable. but we'd welcome your company.

I won't be there this weekend cos I'm at calshot, but there's usually a few people around.

different abilities and different aims, so you may have to do your own thing somewhat

Calshot, you say? Traitor, I thought it was fully booked? :( I have booked in for lees Newport session on 15th March, did you say you were attending too?

sorry mike! yes it's fully booked but the coach got back to me with a cancellation.

I'm also booked for the 15th at newport

I've seen this on here somewhere before but can't find it this time.

Wondered what constitutes a good time for a lap at Richmond, i've been doing 23/4 min laps in the cold weather on my own recently, guessing in a group its alot quicker.

The record is apparently 15 minutes (Warrick Spence). Anything under 20 minutes is very good. 20 minutes = approx 20 mph.

The record is apparently 15 minutes (Warrick Spence). Anything under 20 minutes is very good. 20 minutes = approx 20 mph.

29mph/47kmh.. hmm..

He's a skinny and fast antipodean?

Might be a little slower but wind can be a factor in RP. My highest speed in RP was 40.5 mph going down Sawyers Hill with dodgy brakes and a strong tailwind. Say he went anti clockwise with no traffic and took the two descents very fast, climbed the bumps at over 20mph (which is far from inconceiveable) and sprinted on the flats....

The cars seem to be a major factor in speed, if you took them out of the equation and yeah,when i've been recently its been headwind from the roehampton gate until the first roundabout, hard work and grovelling most of the time.

Warrick Spence's bike handling is just scary. I saw him ride at the Smithfield Nocturne in 2007, solo off the front, and he was simply incredible.

oliver schick - i saw that ride too (amidst the rain!) and it looked very brave ... and painful. excitingly I bought my seatpost from him, via ebay, and he's a very good seller ...!

RP - amongst the HH B cat riders last year a number of us regularly did RP laps, and by mid season the faster ones were doing 18-19 min times. at present I'm on about 20 min pace ... but am working on it (will be there this eve).

oliver schick - i saw that ride too (amidst the rain!) and it looked very brave ... and painful.

I was gutted when they caught him, although of course it was obvious it was going to happen. I think he might have still managed fourth, though.

Its abit of a hike from i live(Highbury) but i try and get down at the weekends, sure 20 mins is achieavble in the right conditions

I live in Canonbury and, depending on traffic, traffic lights and wind speed and direction it takes between 45 minutes and an hour to get there. Decent warm up for the ride around the park. Decent warm down afterwards. Come out with us one Saturday.

Yeah'd love too, i'm only opporsite Clissold Pk, can't do this Sat but think i could Sun if you're up for it?

Geared or fixed?

Fixed.