All new members are welcome of course! If you haven't ridden in a chain-gang before, please flag this up to the established ICC members there and listen to their instructions. It's a bit of a discipline! Here are some tips from our Club Chairman, +RichardM:
Chain Gang comprises two parallel lines. And as with the Club Run riders shift position in an anti-clockwise direction. [NB: Clockwise depending on wind?]
So what’s different?
Well, this time the riders’ changes of position are constant, fluid, and are not announced by verbal signals. Essentially, the right hand (outside) lane moves about 1-2kmh faster than the left hand (inside lane). Consequently:
when a rider reaches the front of the right hand (outside) lane he or she moves to the left to join the front of the left hand (inside) line and then eases his or her pace slightly; and
when a rider reaches the back of the left hand (inside) lane he or she accelerates slightly and moves right to join the back of the right hand (outside) line.
Sounds complicated. Any tips?
Yes. A couple:
Accelerate when at the back but not when at the front: When moving left to join the front of the left hand (inside) line, do not accelerate – Rely on the fact that the left hand (inside) line is moving slightly more slowly to allow you to do so. This is really important! If you don’t do it the Chain Gang will get faster and faster until it breaks up.
Be subtle: When moving left or right keep your lines shallow – A sharp change of direction is likely to move you into the wheel of the rider ahead of, or behind, you (depending on which way you are moving).
Relax: Look up, and don’t just focus on the wheel ahead. Doing so will enable you to anticipate what is going to happen rather than react to it. And do try not to use your brakes. Yes, really!
@Laura
All new members are welcome of course! If you haven't ridden in a chain-gang before, please flag this up to the established ICC members there and listen to their instructions. It's a bit of a discipline! Here are some tips from our Club Chairman, +RichardM:
Chain Gang comprises two parallel lines. And as with the Club Run riders shift position in an anti-clockwise direction. [NB: Clockwise depending on wind?]
So what’s different?
Well, this time the riders’ changes of position are constant, fluid, and are not announced by verbal signals. Essentially, the right hand (outside) lane moves about 1-2kmh faster than the left hand (inside lane). Consequently:
when a rider reaches the front of the right hand (outside) lane he or she moves to the left to join the front of the left hand (inside) line and then eases his or her pace slightly; and
when a rider reaches the back of the left hand (inside) lane he or she accelerates slightly and moves right to join the back of the right hand (outside) line.
Sounds complicated. Any tips?
Yes. A couple:
Accelerate when at the back but not when at the front: When moving left to join the front of the left hand (inside) line, do not accelerate – Rely on the fact that the left hand (inside) line is moving slightly more slowly to allow you to do so. This is really important! If you don’t do it the Chain Gang will get faster and faster until it breaks up.
Be subtle: When moving left or right keep your lines shallow – A sharp change of direction is likely to move you into the wheel of the rider ahead of, or behind, you (depending on which way you are moving).
Relax: Look up, and don’t just focus on the wheel ahead. Doing so will enable you to anticipate what is going to happen rather than react to it. And do try not to use your brakes. Yes, really!