Elmers End Wednesday Chaingang

[Kathryn Elizabeth Innes]

I'm going to do this this week; I wandered if any other ladies / guys who havent been before, fancy giving it a go; please come along. Am slightly nervous about the tempo but figured if there are a few of us who arent quite at race pace then we'll have a decent group to chaingang. Was excellent training last year and nice to get out into the countryside on a weeknight. 7pm Elmers End Garage.

[Deleted]

Hi Kat,

I can't make it for the next few weeks but planning to start them again by mid-May. I agree, I found these to be excellent training sessions last year (and lots of fun).

Katie

[Deleted]

Hi Kathryn,

I am also planning to be back from May, need to get my 'life in the U.K.' Test and Sardinia out of the way first.

Ulrike

[Emma Richardson]

I'm not sure if I'll be there tomorrow, but plan to start going again in the next few weeks. Will let you know.

[Alex Rose]

Yep, same for me, not tomorrow, but hopefully in the next few weeks.

[Dalila Lecky]

I might join you Kathryn, if I can get out of the office at a resonable time tomorrow.

[Sara Barman]

Been thinking about it Kat, like you apprehensive about pace (especially as been trying to do longer rides lately, rather than speedy ones - and failing to recover, apparently...) but also about chainganging on potentially busy roads at twilight...
Is there any guidance on speed? Is this a wait for slower people type gig, or do people get dropped and find their way back?

[Deleted]

Kat/Sara,

The chain gang usually splits at the start into several groups, with the fast group going first. Organise yourself into an appropriate group and you will have no problem staying together. With the current weather, there should be a fair few people, so there should be a range of groups.

Things were working quite nicely last summer, with more experienced riders sometimes staying with the slower group to help out with chain gang etiquette.

[Sara Barman]

Another daft question... where is the Garage at Elmers End?

[Deleted]

When I did it last year, I went it the slowest group and the pace was quite fast but definitely do-able. The group also waited when we dropped someone too.

Usually you can just see the blue train when you get to Elmers End.

Cant wait tomorrow as my bike is being fixed but hopefully next week.

[Kathryn Elizabeth Innes]

Great yep I think Olivia is going too. Haha a slightly sneaky reason for me posting up is to encourage those who are a little apprehensive of the pace to start coming too...by the very fact that a few of us are there we will have a group. Hopefully a few of the newer guys will start too and it sounds like in a few weeks we should have a regular bunch of the ladies at these sessions too.
Like Massimo and Heidi said, like year it worked well and the speed was fast but doable which made it a great workout and excellent for increasing speed coupled with the longer distance riding.
The garage is on the corner of the Elmers End triangle where the Sat ride sometimes waits; here
maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=Elmside+Garage,+35-37+Upper+Elmers+End+Rd,+Beckenham+BR3+3QY,+United+Kingdom&safe=strict&output=classic&dg=brw
We dont normally start the chainganging until halfway up Layhams when it is quiet traffic wise.
Kathryn

[Javier Rodriguez]

I'll be there tomorrow

[Deleted]

Bear in mind that if you do the summer route, bring some lights along as it will be dark by the time you finish.

[Richard Brooks]

just a note that the groups leaving Elmers end were still on the winter route as of last week, may change today though, i can smell the farm already..
Richard

[Olivia Campbell]

Yes I'll be there tonight....see you later!