'IT'S ALL RIDEABLE'
WINTER GANG REVISED REGIME.
As the 'peloton' on the chain gang has been getting larger it has been decided to try and form separate groups at the start so that smaller groups travel along the road. Please try and join a group of a similar fitness and ability level to your self. It is intended that the faster group(s) will leave first with the slower group(s) leaving at around 5 minute intervals.
The aim of the slower group is to ride with a steady through and off at a pace all riders can cope with and bearing in mind that a true chain gang is a training ride not a competition. So depending on your level of fitness and the pace you wish to ride at please make sure you are in the correct group. If you are riding in the slower group please be aware of the pace of the other riders and if necessary slow down - if you have been on the front of a line out for 5 miles YOU ARE GOING TOO FAST!
Oh yes and a note for riders who wear earphones on chain gang - wake up and smell the coffee eh ?
As the 'peloton' on the chain gang has been getting larger it has been decided to try and form separate groups at the start so that smaller groups travel along the road. Please try and join a group of a similar fitness and ability level to your self. It is intended that the faster group(s) will leave first with the slower group(s) leaving at around 5 minute intervals.
The aim of the slower group is to ride with a steady through and off at a pace all riders can cope with and bearing in mind that a true chain gang is a training ride not a competition. So depending on your level of fitness and the pace you wish to ride at please make sure you are in the correct group. If you are riding in the slower group please be aware of the pace of the other riders and if necessary slow down -
Oh yes and a note for riders who wear earphones on chain gang -
CHAIN GANG
There is a regular local chain gang on Tuesday and Thursday nights leaving from the shops near the traffic lights on Attenborough Lane (CLICK HERE FOR MAP) at 6:45pm.
A chain gang is a common term for a training ride with riders riding in two parallel lines, taking it in turns to work on the front and then slipping back to the back of the group. It is an excellent way to improve both your fitness and your bike handling skills.
The idea of a chain gang is to keep a constantly pace, with each rider doing a turn on the front and then smoothly moving back down the line before coming back up on the outside. When it works well there a constant smooth flow of riders going up and down the line. For a novice, it is not straightforward and if you have no clue, you might end up with people shouting at you for disrupting the flow of the ride. However, it is worth persevering and learning the basic etiquette of chain gang riding.
There is a regular local chain gang on Tuesday and Thursday nights leaving from the shops near the traffic lights on Attenborough Lane (CLICK HERE FOR MAP) at 6:45pm.
A chain gang is a common term for a training ride with riders riding in two parallel lines, taking it in turns to work on the front and then slipping back to the back of the group. It is an excellent way to improve both your fitness and your bike handling skills.
The idea of a chain gang is to keep a constantly pace, with each rider doing a turn on the front and then smoothly moving back down the line before coming back up on the outside. When it works well there a constant smooth flow of riders going up and down the line. For a novice, it is not straightforward and if you have no clue, you might end up with people shouting at you for disrupting the flow of the ride. However, it is worth persevering and learning the basic etiquette of chain gang riding.
Tips for Riding in a Chain Gang
Keep the pace constant. Allowing for variation in wind and gradient, try keep the pace constant. When you get to the front, don’t sprint off. That will break up the rhythm and is not the point of a chain gang. Also avoid slowing down.
Don’t allow gaps to appear. Concentrate on keeping an eye on the wheel in front, don’t allow a large gap to develop because it can then be hard to meet the gap.
Don’t cut up riders. The tricky part is coming to the front. The rider on the outside will overtake the rider on the inside and as he does will move across to the inside. It is important to time this correctly, don’t move inside too soon as you will cause the previous rider to have to slow down. Don’t leave it too late as this will also create problems.
Make sure you are used to following a wheel at pace before joining.
If it is your first time you could stay at the back and observe how people make changes.
Once you get the hang it seems quite natural and creates a good feeling of teamwork. You can see the advantages of riding behind others.
Don’t go out with a group who are much fitter than you. If you are struggling to keep up, it is more likely you will make a mistake.
Make sure your bike is well maintained. Don’t have lose or rattling bits, people will trust you less.
Be careful about braking, it creates a ripple effect which can be dangerous at high speed. Use your body to slow down.
Know the circuit. Learn the local chain gang circuit and practise the descents so you can know potential dangers.
Remember it is not closed roads. It is difficult to find any circuit which is not populated with heavy traffic. You have to give way to traffic, just because you are in a chain gang doesn’t mean you can expect cars to wait for you.
Don’t allow gaps to appear. Concentrate on keeping an eye on the wheel in front, don’t allow a large gap to develop because it can then be hard to meet the gap.
Don’t cut up riders. The tricky part is coming to the front. The rider on the outside will overtake the rider on the inside and as he does will move across to the inside. It is important to time this correctly, don’t move inside too soon as you will cause the previous rider to have to slow down. Don’t leave it too late as this will also create problems.
Make sure you are used to following a wheel at pace before joining.
If it is your first time you could stay at the back and observe how people make changes.
Once you get the hang it seems quite natural and creates a good feeling of teamwork. You can see the advantages of riding behind others.
Don’t go out with a group who are much fitter than you. If you are struggling to keep up, it is more likely you will make a mistake.
Make sure your bike is well maintained. Don’t have lose or rattling bits, people will trust you less.
Be careful about braking, it creates a ripple effect which can be dangerous at high speed. Use your body to slow down.
Know the circuit. Learn the local chain gang circuit and practise the descents so you can know potential dangers.
Remember it is not closed roads. It is difficult to find any circuit which is not populated with heavy traffic. You have to give way to traffic, just because you are in a chain gang doesn’t mean you can expect cars to wait for you.
DISCLAIMER
The local chain gang is not organised or controlled by Beeston Road Club. It is a training ride that has been existence for several years and attracts riders from local clubs plus riders not affiliated to a club. Beeston Road Club requires it's members ride responsibly at all times, with due regard to the rules of the road and with consideration to all other road users. Each individual rider is responsible for their own behaviour on the road. Beeston Road Club cannot accept any responsibility for the actions of individual riders.
The local chain gang is not organised or controlled by Beeston Road Club. It is a training ride that has been existence for several years and attracts riders from local clubs plus riders not affiliated to a club. Beeston Road Club requires it's members ride responsibly at all times, with due regard to the rules of the road and with consideration to all other road users. Each individual rider is responsible for their own behaviour on the road. Beeston Road Club cannot accept any responsibility for the actions of individual riders.