Sunday 23rd Feb- Pre-season reliability trial

In lieu of a pre-season club league race we will be running a reliability trial this Sunday (the 23rd). While this is aimed first and foremost at the club racers, it will be open to all club members who are interested and feel they will be up to the challenge.

Sign-on in Joe Dalys from 8:15 to 9:00 on Sunday morning.
Start time 9:00 sharp.
Cost: free to all club members.
Route map on Mapmyride .

So what is it? It is a timed cycle over a course of just under 100 kilometres, wherein participants choose their target pace beforehand and then work with their group to get around the course within their time targets.

So how is it any different to a regular Sunday spin?There are a few differences, but the biggest one will be the pace- the target speeds for the groups are 35Km/h and 30Km/h. The point isn't to get around as fast as you possibly can, but to work smoothly with your group to get in as close to your target time as possible. It's training for riding in a racing group, at 80% of race pace, both to give newcomers some experience in a safer, more controlled environment than jumping straight in at the deep end in their first race, and to give everyone else a chance to blow the cobwebs off before their first race.

Is it a race or is it not then?No, this isn't a race. It will be run at not too far from race pace, but the aim is to work with the group and get around as close to the appointed time as possible. There are no winners or placings, just a group that either hits the target or doesn't.

What if I'm struggling to ride through in my group?Just as you would in a race, skip a few turns at the back, to give yourself a chance to recover before you blow. If the group is riding too hard don't be shy about shouting "steady!". Communication is the key to keeping any group working well together, whether it's a break in an open race, limit group in the club league, or even a Sunday morning orange group- there's always someone who will be pushing the pace, so call steady before they become a problem, rather than waiting til the group is scattered along the road.

What about food and drink?There will be a chance to refill bottles at about the 50k mark, but you should fuel up well beforehand and bring food to see you through the distance. Riding at a higher pace than you are used to you'll need to keep fueled up throughout- the best thing to do here is eat small amounts regularly when you find yourself at the back of the group.

Should I prepare any differently to a normal Sunday spin?Other than fueling up well beforehand, the biggest difference will be how you should dress- ideally you would dress lighter than usual, with armwarmers/ legwarmers/ gilet that can come up/ down/ off as the situation requires. If you want to dress up warm for the morning kit can be left in the shop at the start and collected at the finish.

Do the usual rules of group ettiquette apply?Absolutely, more so than ever. With people under pressure it is very important to keep the group tidy and working well together. Call the holes, call last man, don't half wheel, don't switch or any other form of bad behaviour.

What if I have a mechanical or get dropped?That's where the reliability part of the name comes from- it's up to you to get yourself around. Keep on rolling if you can, feel free to drop into the group behind if there is one (just don't mess it up for them though), but if you find yourself unable to continue there will be a broomwagon with mechanical support following the last group.

In addition to the above, this does not have to be exclusive to the faster riders- if there is sufficient interest we can run a 25Km/h group as well for any Yellow group riders who would like to take part.