At least this year has been consistent. Pretty much every plan we have made has gone down the toilet. Back into semi-lockdown as we plunge into Tier 3. Thankfully, we can ride in groups of 6 with the same restrictions on stopping and so on as we had in Tier 2. All is not lost.
We will have limited rides this Sunday and will run a set of rides next Sunday too. Feel free to post on the Facebook pages any time you want to ride and are looking for someone to join you.
A Penge Winter’s Tale on 20th December 2020
We are running a limited set of local rides because this Sunday is the festive special ride to Christmas Lane in Rochester. We’ll be leaving in groups of 6 from the shop between 7am and 7:30am with a mix of faster and more modest-paced groups. Check out the details on the Club Facebook page.
Post-ride Takeaway Coffee @ Rule#19
Sadly this wretched covid thing has meant that Good King Winstonlas has had to close the garden but the great news is that he is open for takeaway. There will be 2 staff on serving cake and coffee until 2pm. Would be great to exchange a festive elbow-bump with you.
Sunday Rides
For this Sunday, sign up on RiderHQ for the ride of your choice. It is open for booking at 6pm today. Don’t panic if you don’t get on a ride, we are putting on extra groups each week and please put your hand up if you’re okay to lead an extra group. Just let Niki know. More detailed instructions on the website.
| Ride | Leader | Departure location | Departure time | Distance (Miles) | Speed (MPH) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long 2 | Rachel Lynn | SE20 Cycles | 7:45 | 45-55 | 13-14 |
| Short 3 | Basky Thilanganathan | Crooked Billet | 8:30 | 30-35 | 13-14 |
| Short 2 | Lucy Stylianou | SE20 Cycles | 8:45 | 30-35 | 12-13 |
| Short 1 | Julie-Anne de Thomassis | Crooked Billet | 9:00 | 30-35 | 11-12 |
| Steady | Andrew Stroud | SE20 Cycles | 9:15 | 24-27 | 10-11 |
New Penge CC Kit
Another of the well-laid plans scuppered by the blasted virus. Clearly it is not possible to look at the kit samples in the shop or try them on. I posted a size chart with last week’s email and we will be posting a more detailed one shortly. We’ll figure it out somehow and get some new kit ordered in Jan. Look out for comms from Kate.
Another Penge CC Gravel Bike
Ant Downing has kindly donated another bike to the club’s pool of cyclocross/ gravel bikes. It’s a bit smaller than the others. Here’s how he describes it:
Do it all cross, gravel, drop bar bike. Ultra forgiving, unusually fun intro bike to the less aggressive off road disciplines. For anyone between 5’3″ to 5’8″ (may need longer stem and seat post for taller riders, proportions dependent). The heart of a Cro-Mo (alloy) Specialized Hardrock from ye olde days in the 90’s. Updated with a Tiagra groupset with canti brakes. Beefy 26″ mtb tyres to inspire a good deal of confidence and more grip than is really necessary. Deceptively quick and agile for a bit of a beast.
The bike will live at the shop and can be booked same as the others. We’ll get the details and pics up on the website, where you will also find details of how to sign out a Cyclocross bicycle.
Strava Leaderboard
3 weeks at the top for John. Stephen has been banging out the miles lately and great to see Uwe here too. Alison and Niki smashing out yet another double metric century.
Closing Thoughts
Have a great weekend.
James Hanscomb, Chair of Penge Cycle Club.