Tuesday Night Ride Club (TNRC)

i went to try out the route today. i got there a bit late without lights so only did about twenty miles so missed a lot of the second part of the loop as i doubled back after a certain point.. but from what i did i won't be there tuesday, i think i'd like to try it out properly and get more climbs in and some slightly more forgiving night riding before going for it again. it sure is a ridiculous climb..... have a good time yo and see you for the next one.

encouraging

What gear were you using pj (sic)?

Loving the fear inducing season intro gents. Start as you mean to go on.

Wish I'd ordered my gears 2 months ago...

bmmf - i was on 46/18..i went with the ever-patient gina who i think was on 48/19. but I only dropped down from my normal 46/17 this morning before setting out... The difference was noticeable at the start as i felt like i was riding a kid's trike and it wound me up a lot as i was getting knackered on the first gradual incline past the Douglas Herd* pub. To be honest me and the G-ster have just been looking at the gradient mapping and it looks like we did all the significant climbs, which makes me feel pretty good.. the different gearing uphill was massively helpful, i'm just not used to the spinnier roll yet so my flat speed was crap.

we hardly started up the 18 per center before having to walk it... a roadie came past and as we said hello he took a glance at the cog and said "yeah.. not on that gearing!" the rest of it was actually really enjoyable.. i put some bullhorns on my bike, first time in two years i haven't ridden with chopped risers and it really made a difference.

i dunno, now i've had a shower and a chinese i'm feeling a lot more positive about the tryout afternoon, especially realising we did most of the proper stuff...i think i'll see how i feel tuesday. got to be said though the night aspect will definitely add a hairiness to it.. the spinny downhill bits are suffering from the winter and you have to keep your eyes out for the rideable surface in some bits.

needless to say Gina found it a lot easier than i did, even though she was lugging a rack bag (god knows why) along with her.. dat girl got legs....

Good to get a feel for it before embracing the darkness. You'll adapt to 46/18 on the flat in no time - 18mph is only 90rpm. Grinding 'medium plus' gears all winter really makes your legs sluggish, but I don't think many people realise that riding around town.

Having said that, I wouldn't necessarily recommend careering down those descents at over 32mph in a 45x20 like I did at the end of last year's TNRC season - good fun, in a thrill-seeking way, but very technical and quite risky.

Tuesday should be a laugh - the lower gearing would help keep you warmer too. And the pace will be pretty relaxed. 48hrs of food and rest will have you perfectly tapered for the main event :)

so what is the consensus on gears vs fixed for this?

this is lfgss. not london geared bikes.

shut up you! no riding no talking:)

I'm scared. I'm running 49/19. I'm going to need an extra tooth or two on the back aren't I? Fuck it!

i can lend you a 20t or 22t wools

i went to try out the route today. i got there a bit late without lights so only did about twenty miles

Was it fun getting home ?

I was out that way too y'day.
Such a beautiful day...

Thanks pajamas, you've scared me too. Might have to go cog shopping at lunchtime today.

The 44/17 I currently run would put me in the same range as pj, 44/18 might give me a bit more breathing space.

Or perhaps I'll just go to the pub instead.

It's one hill, no more than 1 km long. Grunt up it as far as you can and then walk if you have to.

there's no shame in walking the widowmaker while fixed . those who get to the top first will be waiting and cheering everyone up. it's a horrible place to be for 5 mins or so but tiz what this is all about...

Leith Hill's longer, and has 12% sections - I think it's worse than Whitedown in some ways, and we have to climb that only minutes before 'the big one'.

Not trying to scare anyone off though ;)

I'm thinking of coming on my tricycle.
Do you think i'll be ok ?
Was thinking of running like a 18 x 21...
Hmmmm...
Not got any lights, but i've been cleaning my teeth lots this last week, and Surrey's fun, i'll reckon i'll be ok.
If anyone's got a spare 200c inner that'd be good.

Never realised preparing for a ride was more challenging than the actual ride.

Now then,
what's everyone wearing?

^the new Rapha women's range?

Assos

Damn, now I have another new fetish.

Looking forward to this. Tempted to do it fixed but I found this other bike in my shed with lots of cogs on the back, 2 chain rings and magic levers that change between them, so I thought I'd bring that instead.

See you all at Waterloo......

I know we come down Leith on the original 5 Hills route, but I can't remember it. Is it the massive long downhill section after the pub stop?

I have managed to blag my brother's 231 year old Smart twin halogen set up. Looks awful and the battery weighs as much as a small child. Last year my set up just about saw me though, but with the winter we've had I'm taking no chances. I saw thousands of pot holes on the Cheam & Morden Hilly 50 the other weekend.

i can lend you a 20t or 22t wools

Ooooh, that'd be ace, Tika. Thank you. Now decision time. 65 or 59 GI. Hmmmmm...

I don't think we actually go down Leith Hill as such on that route, more skirt round it on the way to the pub in Coldharbour.

I'd watch the too low gearing wools, the hills go down as well as up.