Finningley Circuit

[oll]

As we are entering February, are we going ahead with the proposed Finningley training. It would be nice to get it going to work on our sharpness.
We were planning on starting next week, is this right?

[bennyburrito]

Good Morning everybody

I have had a word with Andy 'Legs of Steel' Robinson and it is the intention to start the Finningley Circuit next tuesday (8th February 2011) we will meet there at 7.00pm. It is well lit but you will obviously still need to bring your lights.

It has also been noticed that the road service is very fresh and as such could prove a bit slippy in the corners. So please be aware of this as we don't want any unnecessary accidents at this early part of the season.

If you cant find us when you get to Finningley please call me on 07891000681 and i will let you know where we are.

Look forward to seeing you all next week.

Regards

Ben

[bennyburrito]

What a great night, Andy's idea has turned out to be a bit of a mini classic already.

Unfortunately both Keith and Neil had early punctures and couldn't carry on, but having spoken to both of them i can already feel they are chomping at the bit for next weeks session.

Myself, Scott and Alan along with Andy R made up the rest of the Dinnington members and half a dozen of Andy R's pals from various clubs were also in attendance.

At the bottom of this you will see i have included the data from the ride please don't let it put you off from attending, it may appear a bit monotonous on the map but in reality it was anything but. With the route involving negotiating three roundabouts the intensity although high wasn't ridiculously hard. All in all a success and one that with a bit of fine tuning could become a great way to get ready for the coming seasons racing.

The last 20 minutes of the session was a bit busier with cars arriving for an incoming flight. With this in mind would everyone be able to make it if we switched it to a 630pm start as per the summer chaingang starting times. This will mean we can avoid the cars and also make the most of the light. Also means i wont get as much grief at home from getting in to late!! Please let me know if 6.30 is ok with everyone.

Here is the ride data;

connect.garmin.com/activity/67387214

Hope to see you all and hopefully some new comers next week (That means you Mr Ward, Jordan, Danny and Cam!!). Either myself or Andy R will confirm the meeting times later this week.

Once again a big thanks to Andy on coming up with such a novel idea and one that i think will become something of a fixture in the early seasons training program.

Ben

[oll]

A shame I got a puncture, but stayed to watch a few laps.

The group got organized after a couple of laps and it looked smooth. It was impressive to see the group with lights on and the whirr of tyres on smooth tarmac come past.

The route, although short is excellent as it allows for the effects of a tight corner and the elasticification coming out of a corner. Putting in the little digs to keep with the group. great early season training.

Well done Andy for dreaming this up. I am fine with a 6.30 start.

[andyr]

Thanks to everyone who turned out last night. From a practical perspective the simple route on the dual carriageway works. It may have been more interesting to incorporate the longer route thru the airport but when a group of riders are trying to stay together, the lefts & rights don't help.

The key is to be super smooth with our efforts. This will become more important if more riders join in. The roundabouts are almost a dead stop & the lead rider has to ease off on the exit otherwise the bunch stretches out & it takes half a lap to get it together again. That said I reckon we had it sussed by the end of the session & the speeds were consistent.

I think these sessions are almost perfect for this time of year, it was hard but not bonkers. It's just a case of slowly turning up the heat. We're racing in April or thereabouts so abit of top end road work now will pay dividends later.

Shame that the puncture gremlins turned up but they'll be plenty more sessions to come. The feedback I've got from our Doncaster Wheelers comrades has been positive also, so I'll see you all next week for another go.

Andy.

[bennyburrito]

Start time update

Myself, Keith & Scott can make 6.30 next week. How is it for everybody else?

Ben

[neil167]

i can also make 6:30

[oll]

Another session last night at Finningley and a fairly good turn out. I am finding it really good training, it certainly beats being on the turbo.
With it being a short circuit it is also good mentally, it keeps you very focussed. It also feels good to work the chain again.

I just hope others are feeling the pain like I did when I heard we had another 20 mins to go. Ahh!!!!

[bennyburrito]

I must say i agree with Oll (Keith) would rather be blasting around Finningley than staring at a wall on my turbo. Was another decent night on Tuesday averaged 22mph for the hour session which considering we are slowing down to 12mph-ish for three roundabouts is a decent speed for this part of the early season.

When 20 mins to go was shouted out by Andy i also worried if i was going to hang on , i managed to, but only just!

Looking forward to my commute home tonight via High Melton followed by the weekly battering in Derbyshire by Ian on sunday.

Ben