Saturday 30th January - truckers nunney

following 3 weeks of north/easterly riding i really wanted to head south but forecast is for a keen NNW wind with more chance of rain by midday in the west. therefore the likes of pines and north curry could mean a wet ride home and anything east of langport would almost certainly provide a tough ride home.

so, with a heavy heart, we'll head east again. nunney's truck stop is famed for it's haute cuisine and you're promised a warm welcome so long as you don't try to clean your trailer in the car park.

we'll repeat the previous route as this should put us in the lee of the mendips from the forecast wind on the way back (wells, draycott.)

route out will be sandford, shipham, charterhouse should you wish to latch on.

tri-curious can visit rocky mountain (for a change )

we'll get down south ASAP in the weeks to come, (absence makes the heart grow fonder - as somebody once said; not sure who, ask a teacher.)

lots of armstrong interviews and stuff on bbc website right now, if you've got the stomach for it... mcquaid reckons he's been made a scapegoat, which is bit like DLT offering to defend someone in a rape trial (who needs enemies...)

then again, andy still reckons he's innocent; live strong my friend...

Armstrong has a snipe at Cookson and Fat Pat decides to support Armstrong, because he's still bitter about losing the UCI presidency.

To be honest, it doesn't surprise me in the slightest, because Fat Pat and Lance were cut from the same cloth. Both systematically lied, cajoled, threatened, bullied and sued.

Pat's solicited €250, 000 bribe. The sought payment to cover up of Alberto Contador's 2010 positive drug test. Three bitter and pathetic law suits against Floyd Landis, Greg Lemond and Paul Kimmage about UCI corruption and collusion in regards to doping. Shamefully puts him in the same boat as Lance in my humble opinion.

About 19 runners and riders turned out for the last ride of January. Weather was pretty good for the time of year with only a few spots of rain even if a little cold at times.

First casualty of the day was Nick whose back wheel jonny popped just short of Stinky Bridge. Nick's finger soon found the offending piece of glass stuck in his tyre but it was a little stubborn to remove. Nick then started reminiscing about a previous girlfriend and a tight fitting rim. The bunch re-bunched at Sandford where we were joined by Burns the Bread and the Dandy Highwayman. We almost took a wrong turn in Winscome - it was Well Close (thank you Ivan), before doing the usual through Sidcott and down the Axbridge by-pass where Neil seemed to have glued himself to the back of a passing lorry.

The Jimmy Riddler took a wrong turn in Cheddar, not that anyone really cared as he has far too much energy, before we started the ascent of the Col de Fromage. I surpassed myself by holding onto Paul's wheel all the way to the top before letting go 10 metres from the summit. A very reasonable pace was set through Priddy to the A39 where Ivan took the sprint. It was a close run thing but the stewards inquiry later determined that he had actually won by 6.3 miles.

The high speed finish had clearly taken its toll on Ivan's tyres as one of them gave out on the main road towards Green Ore. We waited just past the traffic lights (honest guv) in the cold for about 10 mins. A strange smell was in the air and it became apparent that the domestiques were revolting, so we set off for Rocky Mountain en mass. Most showed no loyalty to Der Fuhrer and headed straight into the cafe. Eventually Ivan turned up and we all decided to stay. Apparently Saturday is vinyl day at Rocky Mountain so I must remember to pack my 12 incher next time. Beans on toast was actually beans on toast for once (ref. Little Chef at Podimore for those that know). However, I was slightly confused when I was asked "What colour?". Orange, surely. Oh, okay - the bread! Stupid me.

We tucked into our refreshments whilst being entertained by Jeremy Kyle and the story of the girls mothers brothers girlfriends ex fiance's cheating dog situation. Tricky one that.

The B team set off early while the A team deliberated on which way to head home. 5 minutes later we followed the B team down the Horringtons into Wells, catching the B team going down the Horringtons into Wells! Quite a good pace into a headwind along to Wedmore before taking a left then right past the windmill and down Notting Hill to the A38. By now the group was reduced to about 8 before the three amigos turned up (Weaver Beaver, Rob and Keith). Usual route home via Webbington, Shiplate (isn't it always when you're in a hurry), Bleadon 'eck, A370, Uphill (down hill) and the seafront.

Stats.....
OJC: about 4
Kfc: 7/10
TTCR: 8/10 for food -2/10 for speed of service
Dist: 54 miles

Darn it I just spent half an hour writing my masterpiece of a ride report but having read yours i'm hanging my head in shame. Great report.

Don't forget if you want a new club shirt then put your name down in the forum.

Stats - http://ridewithgps.com/trips/4042613

Jimmy Riddles - 3 or 4 (not that i was paying my usual close attention this week - no offence)

For those who wish to know, Well Close in winscombe is on the left approaching from sandford about 100yds from the co-op.

The sub-heading beneath the road name informs the traveller that it leads to hotter, hotter way and BOILING BOILING (you're gonna explode!!!) avenue.
it's opposite colder, colder gardens.... ok, that's far enough

Thanks for letting me tag along yesterday. It was a shame about the couple of punctures but it can't be helped. I enjoyed it all the same.
See you next Saturday.
Paul

One of the advantages about writing in this forum is that you can write about the Saturday club run from your own point of view. I was thinking that if Martin was to compile a post ride analysis he might regale us with the tale of the Cheddar Gorge Ascent from the pointy end. I'll do it instead then and I might give myself a mention.

Firstly though, there seemed to be an incredible amount of faffing, on my part after the puncture I suffered on the way to Sandford. Luckily I had the company of Neil, who incidentally has a big one, to assist me with my quick release. . . . . . yes I was referring to his big pump. Once we had gathered ourselves we found that the group had disappeared into thin air - literally! Consequentially we gave chase, but by the time we hit the Axbridge Bypass the peloton was already at ramming speed. There's never a passing truck to draught behind when you need one. "Hey look, there's a passing truck . . . . ah, Neil's already seen it!" From my point of view his tyre must have been squealing against the lorry's rear bumper. Anyway, as I failed to hear Ivan's pre ride route summary at Priory I was surprised by the left turn at the garage. I then realised that Ivan must be taking us up the gorge, ooh er missus!

Having ranted to Cheddar from the puncture incident I knew that my preparation for climbing the gorge was bollox. However, as Martin and Adrian were bouncing about on the front, eager to take the title I had to attempt to chase. Those two are not competitive at all - no, not really! So, just before the first left hairpin I decided that passing them would be a fun thing to do. 'Fun' now there's an interesting word, defined perhaps by lactic acid, screaming legs and an inability to breathe correctly. Nonetheless, it happened and my comfort zone went AWOL. After the stupidly steep hairpin, when I couldn't breathe at all, I glanced behind and Martin was closing me down, which to be honest was to be expected really! A bit further up and I could hear the distinct sound of somebody behind me, somebody better at climbing than me and someone who's going to dump all over me. He pulled up alongside and passed me with apparent ease. Hang on, who the f@#*s that? Later on I would meet another Paul, also born in Wales and also a threat to those that want to come first. So, I continued to push myself up the long and winding road, being psychologically pulled by Paul and pushed by Martin. Paul must have gained a good 75m on me, but that was all I could allow, so I stayed behind and maintained the gap. Near the top, as the road started to level off I composed myself and channelled my remaining energy into my legs. I was pleased with my overtaking speed, but I knew I couldn't flag now or I would lose it all, so I continued to push and . . . .

. . . he passed me anyway. Well done Paul from Neath, nice to meet you. You know that you’re better off staying with us rather than doing a Sunday ride with the other lot . . . don’t you?

PinarelloPirate wrote: You know that you’re better off staying with us rather than doing a Sunday ride with the other lot . . . don’t you?

Yes!

It was nice to meet everyone yesterday. Thanks for the friendly welcome. I apologise if I don't remember everyone's names next Saturday. It was a bit of a name overload
I'm sure I'll be fine come July.

nice to read those racing tales; i'd love to say that cycling was the real winner but i reckon jezzer kyle edged it with his verbal assault on the mother of the daughter's, cat's, insect's, amoeba's, boyfriend's lover.

@anti-climb max: Four and a Brad Pitt at Rocky Mountain!

Oh, I saw Fryup coming out the women's carsey when I finished so if he wins any sprint or KOM. I want  a gender clarification! Lol....

@PP: Well, at least you didn't take a wrong turning at Cheddar roundabout and ended up cycling to the T junction on the A371!. I tell ya... I was effing and blinding all the way up Cheddar Gorge and managed to cycle out all my anger out by the time I got to the very top! Seriously! I would really appreciate it if someone could please kindly wait at junction for me. That's the second time in two bike rides I've nearly lost the group. (The first time was with Chris when we went to Chepstow).

A Group: I don't want to sound pushy or like a bossy know it all git, but I think it would* be a good idea to do some through-and-off.

Firstly: It will increase the average speed.

Secondly: It will make you fitter.

...and Thirdly: If you're not feeling to strong you can always miss some turns on the front.

If you think it's crap idea and you think - I should shove my idea where the sun don't shine. You can always drop an inbox message and verbally insult me.

@dpw1972: Good to see you again Paul. Pete wasn't lying when he told me you was flying up those hills.

Hasta la vista, baby

dear jim;

could you fix it for me to have a cycling group where people don't take cycling too seriously.

the whole point of riding with weston chain gang is that we don't ride in a chain, ever; it's like rain on your wedding day, the good advice that you just didn't take or the free ride when you'd already paid. to do so would suggest that we're proper cyclists and imagine how much disappointment that would lead to.

i personally take my turns very seriously and it's rare that you won't find me on the front as we pass through a sprint point.

i appreciate the point regarding sharing the workload; but for a rider who's struggling with the pace, the last thing they need is the thought that their turn is coming at the front and however short a spell they do they are quite likely to drop out the back when they're done. i don't think that our system is faultless but it does allow a greater number of riders to stay with the pace (and it gives those at the front a better workout.) as for going faster; hey, if we were worried about that we'd all have given up years ago.

however; i do take on board your complaint about leaving you behind (again) and will try harder to remember the stragglers. it had never occurred to me to turn right at the roundabout in cheddar as we always go up the gorge from there; but it's a great idea (a bit like turning left at the bottom of high ham with everyone psyching themselves up for the climb.)

once again; good advice that i just didn't take; who would have thought, it figures....(life has a funny way....)

Dear anti climb max ,
Just like to say what a great job you do to hold a cross section of cyclists together, no only in ability but ages ranging from 20years to seventy six , and your the one who in most case,s look out for us not so speedy ones , please let's not make changes! as one of the founder members of the group we have survived for nearly two decades ,

Hahaha.... Honestly! If I took it that seriously. I would buy a Strava!

It was only a suggestion to the "A Group." I fully understand your point of view and totally get where you are coming from with regards to other people, but...I wasn't talking about race pace "through and off's". It can be done at a lower speed and gives everyone a chance to spread the work load and get a little fitter. Surely getting fitter is one of many reasons people take up cycling and join a cycling club.

I have never put into question you, Nick, Paul, Martin...etc...etc.... Turns on the front. Surely it's must be a little disheartening for some people to do a lot of the work on the front and have some who's just sat in the wheels to sprint off into the distant on the flat or up a climb? Overall, I honestly don't mind, but from time to time I do think ********! Lol....

Yeah , I know it's not a race and not to be taken to seriously so just forget I ever brought it up.

Yeah, common sense should have prevailed, but the only reason I turned right is.. I know you don't like going up hills! (Anyway, I found you all in the end so no harm done!).

Andy: So, what you are basically saying is... That something that doesn't apply to Group B is going to change the whole dynamic of your Group?

Look, I'm not trying to be feisty or start an argument with you, but you have clearly read my post and taken it the wrong way.

Many, many, many times I have gone back to help out a slower rider. I even lost the group 20 miles from home trying to help a rider who bonked so the faster riders do care a lot about the slower riders.

Pratley Miggins wrote:

Oh, I saw Fryup coming out the women's carsey when I finished so if he wins any sprint or KOM. I want  a gender clarification! Lol....

I always enjoy reading the post ride reports! Also, I'm glad I'm not the only one who got asked what colour I want my beans!

Somebody needs to explain the sprint points to me... I'm sure I heard somebody say the finish was halfway down the by-pass!!!

to paraphrase the great vic reeves....

'you could of let it lie, but you wouldn't'

if you enjoy forum feistiness, i think you'll find all that you need on the wheelers site.

jim, i felt your original observations deserved a response but i don't intend to play internet ping pong all week; to paraphrase vic reeeves again 'it doesn't really matter'.

'let it go' (to paraphrase disney's crap frozen song.)

Personally I am a great fan of the through and off with the option to miss a few turns. In my case, that means when I am a wheel from the front - I'm off - to the back again so I miss a turn. It's always worked really well for me.

There have been a couple of memorable rides when we have deployed the through and off. The first that springs to mind was a ride back from Hill Tops greasy spoon when Adrian suggested we chain gang it back. We all agreed and set off at 30mph towards Highbridge while he was still getting his gloves on. We did of course slow down to let him get back on but as soon as he was within 10 metres we took off again. Very funny . We all got through and Ade was ****** off. That's what I call a through and off!

The other one was to get the Strava segment from Butleigh to Glastonbury. Again, the four of us set off at some stupid speed that no-one could handle. I couldn't get my foot clipped in and busted a gut to get back on. Then one by one we all blew up apart from Nick and I think Martin who both held on to the bitter end.

Heremenow ! Since I met you guys "chain" that summer balmy afternoon that crowds the Lycra the gaudy colours the smell of grease and hot dogs hmmm,anyway for me gaining my cycle fittness and "technique" knowledge ,as for being left there is always someone usually Ivan shepherding his flock and others the pirate, Chris et al ,a couple of times I should've done short route
When not feeling so good colds etc but that's blokes for you, great to ride with better riders

"LEAVE IT "