Jim's Training Event 5

Training Sessions

In spite of the wet weather we’ve had over the winter, the Saturday afternoon training session have been well supported, better supported I think than ever. Up to the fifth session we’ve had 46 bike riders sign the Attendance/Disclaimer sheet – I guest that some think that ‘signing-on’ qualifies them for BC points on their licence.

No doubt honouring their new year resolutions 23 came out to the first Saturday in January around the Cottingham circuit, possibly to get some fast miles before the paper chase. Three groups kept themselves apart although only the scratch group kept together; group training that splits up?  Phil Eden broke the first group up and Andy Tummons the second. There was a core that kept together in the second and brought Andy back into the pack, but I must say that I was quite pleased that Phil is showing form that he’s not had before; keep up the good work.

25 riders turned up for week 2, also at Cottingham, for seven laps of the circuit, one more than the first session. Four groups this time, the scratch group catching group 3 fairly early, suspect that was planned and the first two groups getting together before the finish – not that there’s a finish line but many like to sprint the last lap out. So, two groups finished together with a few stragglers.

The last week in Cottingham saw 31 riders attend, possibly a record, and we split them up into five groups – that’s a first definitely. I like to keep the groups small so that everyone gets a chance to work with someone of similar ability and I’m well aware that some go better in training than in racing – certainly an enigma. This session everyone got together for the finish lap and I must confess my heart was in my mouth when the group descended on two girls ambling along on their horses in the last two hundred yards. It went alright and I think everyone kept sensible.

We moved across to Brantingham for week 4 and 27 riders came out to that session. This is a shorter circuit, only 2.1 miles around but nevertheless is a tougher one than the Cottingham circuit because of the slight undulations. It also is a bit more exposed to the wind which was certainly blowing around this week. Because it’s so short I can’t get the gaps to keep everyone apart, it takes about 6 minutes to complete a circuit, so group one set off after the scratch group, a lap less to do, groups two, three and four doing nine laps. Not everyone came together and two groups settled at the finish.

Week five was a cold one, a bitterly cold one, and only 17 riders came out. Only three groups and group two was the dominant one thanks, I believe, to Steve Macklin who kept his group together and tried not to lose anyone. The scratch group, reduced to three, worked together well but it was hard work coming through a couple of times a minute – more of a survival course today.

Richard Guymer, who has almost finished his ABCC Coach Award course, has been assisting and helping to sort out the groups. Thanks also to Sheila, to Barry Trotter, to Dennis Hunter, to Don Wilkinson, and to Terry Grainger who have helped throughout. We can always do with some help and it’s quite interesting to watch, almost like a race at times. One more on Brantingham and then the last two sessions, on the 16th and 23rd February, are at Sproatley, east of the City. The sessions finish just after three o’clock so there’s plenty of time to get back after a ride without lights.

Jim

Session Week 5    3 Groups     10 Laps of Brantingham

Group 1:  Paul Hayward, Les Phillips

Group 2: Mark Walker, Nathan Chester, Phil Eden, Steve Macklin, David Brearley, John Brearley, Mark Philipson, Sam Dyason, Mark Ollerenshaw (late)

Group 4:  Steve Guymer, Dave Shackleton, Paul Purdy, Karl Downes, Andy Tummins, Paul Noton

Lap Times:

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