The week before clocks change, where CHGs can get back together for a drink and nibbles, get updates on a great calender of rides & socials, and get ready for a great season of cycling including the old fave of bring your bike with you for a clean / oil up.
This Saturday 19th Jun.
It’s looking like we might be lucky and have the last of the sunshine this Saturday.
Three groups heading out, leaving at 9am from the Club.
1. Ed will be leading a ‘group 2’ type ride, nice n gentle pace, circa 20 miles with mid-ride coffee / cake stop.
2. Jude/ Stanners will be leading ‘group 3’ type ride, circa 30 miles, also with a mid-ride coffee / cake stop.
3. Dicko is taking ‘group 4/5’ circa 40 miles mid-ride coffee/ cake stop.
It would be helpful if you could let us know if you intend to ride to ensure we have sufficient ride leaders available.
Face masks are needed for the coffee stop.
Cheers
Ed/Jude/Simon/Dicko
From Mike D. – great news – looking forward to seeing you back for our first session – next Wednesday 31st March – usual 7pm Start.
Everyone will be feeling rusty after the long winter break – we will be easing back very gently, so PLEASE don’t put off coming thinking you have got to get fit for your first Chaingang – just come on down!
Rides will still have to be in groups of 6 and Social Distancing, and we ask again that you confirm in advance if you are planning to ride.
New Members – Intro Rides
If you know anyone who is interested in joining – then we are planning Intro Ride Sessions Early eve : Tues 6th, Thurs 8th, Tues 13th and Thurs 15th April.
If you know of anyone – please get their details to us so that we can get back to them to book them onto a session.
These are very easy, aimed at all abilities and we insist on doing before newcomers attend their first CHG session – even if regular riders. We do this to be confident they are aware of our Safe Group Riding protocols, along with explaining membership etc. It’s also a great ‘soft start’ for those a little more anxious about joining a cycling club.
Membership
Thanks to those that have renewed already and please look out for reminders and details of how to renew.
Thanks and look forward to seeing you next Wednesday.
Cheers Mike – On behalf of your CHG Steering Group.
Hi guys – clearly new year re-start plans are postponed- (we were trying to be positive 🙂 ) so no CHG Club rides until further notice.
No club rides, but Ed & Kate have got a L3 Quiz Special for you next Wed 7:30pm, so please e-mail Ed P if want to take part and he will get joining details to you (email me if you need Ed’s email).
CHGs will want to get out to ride/exercise during lockdown – and we will be sending some tips to help with safe winter riding. But given the pressure on ambulance/hospitals – we urge caution and stay safe/stay local.
We have a number of CHGs working on the front line, so thoughts are with you guys at this most challenging time.
Dicko – on behalf of CHG Steering Group
COVID 19 Cycling
– Do not attend the ride if showing Covid-19 Symptoms
– New meeting point at the rear of the Car Park – heading straight to your group, keeping a social distance.
– Max of 6 in a group (inc. Ride Leader or Two Ride Leaders)
– Be very conscious of Social Distancing particularly at the start of the ride, when forming groups and leaving club on ride (stay in single file peloton with at least a bike length between riders) when slowing or stopping for junctions or hazards at the end of ride when returning to club
– Especially important to ensure good communication and ‘calling’ to aid Social Distancing and smoothness of ride as the group will be strung out more than usual.
– Try and anticipate junctions, stops or slowing – to avoid concertina and end up all together and not Social Distancing at junctions, etc.
– Care when setting off from junctions – keeping an eye for traffic as the group will be strung out, it is each cyclist’s own responsibility to decide if clear to go.
– Personal choice – but can carry hand gel (more appropriate if doing coffee stop, etc.)
– Please bear with the Ride Leader and follow any advice or instructions they give. This is a ‘first’ for them as well, and they are just trying to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable ride and that as a club we abide by the Covid guidance.
– Ride Leaders will not be able to be flexible over numbers in groups – so it may be that due to the number RLs we will not be able to accommodate all. If that is the case please be understanding and either go for your own ride or return home.
– Make sure when passing walkers, runners and other cyclists to give a social distance – this may mean moving further out into the road than usual, so important to take care when doing this.
– Please carry your own inner tube, spare tyre and pump in case of puncture
– Club Card for access to toilets
Mike D has prepared some invaluable advice about riding longer rides. Whether you are just wanting to do longer rides, or preparing for P2P – the tips below will hopefully help.
The P2P Charity Ride seems a long way off (33 weeks from 20/11) but to give yourself a chance of really enjoying it, you need to be start preparing now.
It’s important to get cycling if you can, but if this not possible during winter, do other general fitness activity (swimming, walking the dog, indoor cycling, jogging etc).
There is some great day-time winter cycling to be had and getting time in the saddle before the spring comes will pay big dividends!!! And with the right gear, it’s really enjoyable.
Tips include:
Starting to ride longer distances
Getting out on the bike between now and the spring (cold weather gear tips)
Riding techniques for longer rides
Tips for multi-day ride challenges
Mike Dickenson
Chaingangers – please see invite from Ed P to take part in his 2019 Treasure Hunt.
Great turnout and evening last year; hopefully same again this year.
From 6.30pm at the Sports Club.
Please speak to Ed if you need more on this.
Cheers
Dicko
ChainGang Treasure Hunt 26th June 2019 Info PDF 
A big thank you to all the teams who took part on the hottest day of the year.
It was an eventful evening involving a chain coming off, a cut knee, a puncture and a personal best in terms of miles cycled.
The World Cup has stirred up the competitive juices with all the teams surrounding the adjudicator trying to get more marks.
Several yellow cards had to be shown.
Dicko and Jo’s team won the booby prize of a map and pair of compasses.
Layla’s team recruited a policeman on route and Wayne changed the habits of a lifetime and replaced the chain mentioned above.
The result went to a very dodgy tie break question with Mark, Colin and Pete Mac’s team being the unlucky team placed in second place.
Mike Powell’s team won the tiebreak to claim first prize. They then showed their pessimistic nature by having no means of getting the bottles of wine (sponsored by Village Vineyards), home.
I hope everyone enjoyed the evening and I am happy to set another one if the Chaingangers would like to repeat the event.
Ed
Great to see so many Chaingangers taking part.
Clearly loads of work by Ed preparing the route and sorting questions and clues, which provided a lot of fun. So popular – could be an annual event?
Thanks again! Dicko.
