Hillingdon Training Day
Posted on Monday 11 February 2008 by Nick Bloom
At some time, most of us have been passed by a road club - a tight pack of riders, singly or in pairs, blowing through. Some may have been tempted to jump on the back, hanging on to a wheel to be pulled by the draught, keeping an uncommon pace with surprising ease till the rate begins to bite.
Now why can’t we do that? Why do we insist on riding strung out along the road like the ragged end of a road race, rather than keeping in one ot more tight bunches - the racing paceline, which helps pull along the tired or weaker rider. There will be times when a couple want to charge a hill or spin off the front for a short while, but then must accept a wait for the slower group to catch up. Far more efficient to stick together, to let the leader lead the ride and set the pace.
So, time for some back to basics lessons. Find a Guru - Rocco Richardson, stalwart of Willesden CC, Audax organiser, PBP Veteran, sometime Velo Club St Raphael racer. Rocco suggests Hillingdon track - no traffic, open to all on Sunday morning but free to use and a good layout. Located in one the less appealing London suburbs, ringed by unfriendly roads, there would only be one reason for this visit.
We`meet at Ruislip Manor, more than 20 strong. By sheer chance it’s a fine sunny day - not warm, not cold, almost no wind. Rocco leads us on a dash through the back end of Yealding and Hillingdon to the track. A short pep talk, explaining principles and practice - what works in a closed road race can’t always be used on the road, but the principles still stand. And if anyone rides off the front on a ride he’s leading, Rocco takes the next turning and leaves them to their fate.
And we’re off, first as one group, two abreast, trying to keep close to the wheel in front. At once, the draught works - those behind are sucked along. At the call, the front pair split allowing the rest through. Some don’t get it, overtaking or falling back at random, but on the whole it works.
Next in three groups, according to ability. Single file, half a lap each on the front then drop to the back. The fastest group swoop round efficiently, the middle is fine until some ignore Rocco’s advice about maintaining a steady speed and blow themselves apart. The slowest group is partly thrown by an errant rider in our midst, then suffers from those determined to lead rather than take their turn in the line. Rocco despairs, I deal with the main problem, then give up on those who want to do their own thing. Oh well, we’ll try again - everyone seems to have benefited and next time we can refine the tactics and teaching.
After two hours we set off through the delightful surrounds of Heathrow (and up a sudden hill) to lunch at Saville Gardens, the award winning queue. Most felt they had done their bit, so with a rather nice ride through Windsor Great Park we went back to Uxbridge for the train home, most having clocked up 100k for the day.
We we’re incredibly lucky with the weather - the circuit must have been truly bleak in the recent wind and rain. And, thanks to Rocco, it worked. A couple more goes and maybe a tight bunch of purple jerseys will flash by.