How to Win a Club Run.

How to win a Club Run.

Over the years I have been riding, winning the Sunday club run is little recognized skill. As it is the most important aspect of club riding this is a pity. Despite having twice trained as a cycling coach, during my long association with the sport, none of the national cycling organisation have deemed this important aspect of racing to be included in their training manuals. They include time trial training, specialist track training and road race training but no mention of how to win a club run. So I thought I will use my years of experience to give some key points:

1.At the start of the ride make sure you the first away.
2. Having got started ride with the runs leader and start a half wheeling race.( at no time must you actually ride side by side all ways keep him slightly behind you).
3. Don’t check to see if the rest of the group have got together behind you.
4. Having strung every one out in the first five mile suddenly decided to check the damage you have done to the ride, by swing out to the right of the road taking the riders behind you with you.
5. Having seen that riders have been drop, swing back in taking the riders behind you into the pot holes in the gutter. ( this way you may if your lucky loss some more of you opposition )
6.Ease the pace slightly allowing the riders behind you, who have been hanging on to think you have weakened. This will provoke a counter attack and further split the group.
7.Suddenly stop and wait for a regroup. Pretend to listen to the rest of the groups request that the pace be eased so that every one is not going into the red.
8. When the group starts again hit the front and pile on the pressure, ignoring all requests to easy the pace.
9.Treat every hill as if it was part of king the mountains competition, winning ever climb is a must.
10.Having checked with the club runs leader that you know the tea stop, then time your sprint accordingly.
11. Repeat this on the way home.
12. If you find that you can’t keep the pace up make an excuse that you have got to turn back because you have to take the kids to a tea party.
13. On the way back try and persuade the stragglers you pass to join you. ( it will give a boost when you drop them).

Of course if you follow these rules you will never win because Brain Bulmer will be sitting behind you all day and will wait until you’ve blown and then blast up Polhill. Remember he is the Club Run World Champion be warned.

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Comment by michael farla club captain on July 11, 2011 at 20:31: some interesting points noted !

We, as a club, have to cater for the majority of our members

And accept that there will always be minority interests that will be disappointed

At G1, the feeling was to let loose the faster riders to have their own ride

That they can use for any purpose they like

Currently, they (G1+) choose to ride at about 2mph faster than G1 !

And that's fine

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Perhaps it's time to do similar with G2 ?

Brian is well placed to comment on the difference on G1 and G2 rides

And I fully support his view

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In general terms, I feel a clubrun group should be no larger than 12 or so

For safety obviously and also to generate a feeling of belonging

To a group in which you feel comfortable and accepted

It's great, by the way, to have a discussion like this

To work out what's best for our growing numbers !

Comment by Brian Willis on July 11, 2011 at 20:11: Perhaps this situation just serves to illustrate that there is a significant jump in pace from G2 to G1. It's taken me a good 18 months of steady training to achieve this jump to the point that I feel even remotely confident enough to hold the pace, particularly on the hills.

Would it not serve the club better to perhaps split (numbers permitting) G2 in the same way that G1 has recently split into two groups, thus allowing the G2 riders that prefer a higher pace, but are not currently quick enough to move up to G1 to get a ride that meets their expectations?. With both groups taking the same route and cafe stop, anyone feeling a bit below par then gets the chance to return with the slower group.

If the club continues to grow it will not be sensible to allow G2 to become too large anyway as I've noticed increased frustration from motorists when confronted with a large group to pass.

However, just to say there is no excuse for poor group riding, we all need to mindful for each other, ride safely and follow the guidance of the group leader. Individuals that do not adhere to that policy should be gently reminded of the clubs ethics in private in the first instance.

Comment by DaveB on July 11, 2011 at 17:33: Thanks Dave, you are not alone in being concerned at the pace and poor discipline of the current G2 rides. Several quality riders have shown dismay at the pace which has been allowed to build up over recent months.( 17 mph average over a 70 mile ride) some Ride Leaders boasting about it. The Web Site blurb mentions 14 - 15 mph,

TheSunday club ride is not a training session, we have a Wednesday ride to promote speeds in excess of 20mph with averages anywhere from 17 -21 mph for the 64 miles this ride lasts. We have encouraged an evening chain gang and a weekly TT for those wishing to show their prowess of riding between 20 - 30 mph for 10 miles. I will bring this matter to the attention of the committee at the next meeting, make sure you attend. Finally I will forward an email I prepared and sent to Steve Riley voicing my concern. Dave Bettinson Chairman