Tuesday night training rides

Tuesday night training has now finished. Keep an eye out on our facebook group for ad-hoc training rides throughout the summer.

Starting from 31st March Skipton Cycling Club be running Tuesday night training rides. The idea is to get ready for a summer of racing. Initiallty running for just 4 weeks with the final session being on Tuesday 21st April.

It’s the same route every week (Skipton to Buckden and back), total of 36 miles. Meet at 6:30PM outside Dave Ferguson Cycles. Pace will be approx 20mph, so we should be back for 8:30.

We’ll aim stay together on the way out, but pace will be high, so you’ll need to be able to hold a high speed (think 18mph on a solo ride). The way back will be a chaingang from Buckden all the way back with the pace gradually increasing up to full pace coming out of Rylestone.

A few rules:

1. Back off on the climbs! The ride won’t work if you pull on the climbs, weaker riders will lose your wheel and end up in the wind with no chance of catching up.
2. Hold a wheel. At times you’ll need to push very hard to get on a wheel. It will hurt, but whatever happens don’t lose the wheel in front of you. Once you’re on a wheel it will get easier, in the wind it will only get harder. It’s worth the effort.
3. Point out potholes. When riding close at 20mph you won’t get any chance to see a pothole or load of gravel on the road. If you’re on the front you are the eyes of the group. Point out any potholes or other surface imperfections (shout “big hole” or “gravel” if needed).
4. Don’t worry if you get dropped. Everyone gets dropped at some time or another. If you’re dropped on the way out, spin for a bit, turn around and jump on a wheel when the bunch comes passed on the way back. If you’re dropped on the way back, just follow the road back to Skipton, meet back at Dave‘s after the ride. Either way, don’t worry, you’ll get fitter, faster and more used to holding the wheel in front. Soon you won’t be dropped!
5. Keep it tight. You should be able to put your arm round the rider beside you and spit on the rider in front. It’s a wide road so we won’t be lining out.
6. It’s not a race. There will be a final sprint up to the Craven Heifer coming into Skipton, but other than that, keep the pace up but don’t attack.

Youth riders welcome. You will need your parents consent, and if you are under 16, you will need to be accompanied by a nominated adult club member to be responsible for you for the duration of the ride. See Youth Membership for more details.