2010-09-04 - Herne Hill Induction

i may attend on saturday. even though i've had an induction. i want to see what i'll be up against the following week. so i can prepare my excuses.

"ooh my back"
or
"i over cooked it in a training ride"

Did the induction last weekend, and highly recommend it to all comers. The main tip is to give yourself plenty of time for the journey, and get there comfortably on time, or the veteran who signs you in will have a point of view.

The instructors were knowledgeable, friendly, and really fired up with enthusiasm for the whole process and the history of Herne Hill.

Also, stay off the gargle the night before. I was "forced" into consuming too much Guinness at a work do on the Friday, and it made the final loops, when the pace starts to quicken, quite a challenge.

Oh, and there are always some know it all types from this place who hang around to point and giggle when the newbies turn up.

Disregard them with an air of superiority and distain that the occasion demands.

46x14 is slighty more than the typical gear used by professional 6-day racers. But then HH is a big and shallow track, so a slightly bigger gear can be appropriate. But then again, are you a professional 6-day racer?

I'd stick with your 46x14 and let your body adapt neuromuscularly to the required cadences. I've hit the same max speed ceiling this year in everything from 82 to 90 (37.5mph). I've only been down there about 10 times with a 4 month hiatus in the middle, but even if I was a 'regular', I wouldn't just assume I could slap on a bigger gear and go faster; and recover from multiple efforts; and accelerate any more quickly. It doesn't work like that.

Ok we need to organise somewhere to meet for cycling down. I'm at work at the moment so if anyone can help sort out a route that would be great.

I'm thinking meeting on the north side of tower bridge at 10am. Its only 5 or so miles so we have time to get a bit lost.

The instructors were knowledgeable, friendly, and really fired up with enthusiasm for the whole process and the history of Herne Hill.

Thanks, much appreciated, we do our best! Looking forward to seeing you all.

Did the induction last weekend, and highly recommend it to all comers. The main tip is to give yourself plenty of time for the journey, and get there comfortably on time, or the veteran who signs you in will have a point of view.

Brilliant turn of phrase.

But good advice too.

I'm thinking meeting on the north side of tower bridge at 10am. Its only 5 or so miles so we have time to get a bit lost.

Go this way, there are other routes but this is probably the simplest. Bomb down to oval, bear left; bomb down to brockwell park, couple of turns and you're there...

Brilliant turn of phrase.

But good advice too.

Cheers Rob, and good to see you on side last week. Really was a well run set up.

To all those who may be wavering, If you are not sure, take a deep breath and go for it. I guarantee you will have an absolute ball.

Oh, and if you are looking to ride next weekend and to be competitive, ****DON'T ****check out the thread and attend the Guiness Ride next Friday.

I guarantee it will be your undoing.....

I suspect expecting to be competitive after 1 induction/training session would fall under the category of "optimisitc"?

I will be happy if I don't fall off.

Brilliant turn of phrase.

But good advice too.

Yep, good advice - if you bring nothing else, bring sense of humour!

Cheers spybot

See you guys down there tomorrow then!
I'm not gonna smoke as many tabs tonight as preparation!

By the way, I want to meet at tower bridge at 10 and will wait til 10 past before leaving, if you are going to be late give me a ring or text.

I just threw up, so won't be attending.

why did you do that?

Shits and giggles. Not so many giggles.

get well soon.

Did the induction last weekend, and highly recommend it to all comers. The main tip is to give yourself plenty of time for the journey, and get there comfortably on time, or the veteran who signs you in will have a point of view.

The instructors were knowledgeable, friendly, and really fired up with enthusiasm for the whole process and the history of Herne Hill.

Oh, and there are always some know it all types from this place who hang around to point and giggle when the newbies turn up.

Disregard them with an air of superiority and distain that the occasion demands.

Yeah please disregard said veteran too. He really is an unrepresentative and an unfortunate first point of contact at Herne Hill. As you said, everyone else there is friendly and helpful.

Had a really good time today. Those of you with lame excuses missed out. Can't wait for the track day next Sat.

Was really fun, but their hire bikes are pretty rubbish

Well some of the stadium bikes are old and difficult to maintain, the volunteers do their very best but with up to 120 people each weekend demanding hire bikes it takes it's toll!

Good riding today by those of you that came, is the guy on the fuji track comp here? your saddle is a tad too high.

Should he lower it gradually, say a quarter of a tad each week for the next month?

No, Just lower it one tad straight away.

The asian guy? Not sure. I was the guy with the stickered frame