Testing times

Red flag. Still red flag. If there is one colour I hate it's red. Fortunately, just about everyone in Oxford is in the same predicament. As it so happens, perhaps it is a good a time as any for KCBC to save their strength, because it is Test Week - our chance to see whether the winter miles have had the desired effect. 2nd Week's main business consists of two tests - the first is a 2k at rate 26, the same as we did last term for ease of comparison. The second is a different beast altogether - 2x6k at 16. I'm sorry, what? What?! 2 by 6 kilometres is our regular session, but rate 16 will be a little different from our usual 18-20, which normally ends up at a cheeky 21 as everyone tries to outdo the man next to them. Cruel and unusual punishment. These tests are for everyone in the men''s squad, from the 1sts down to the novices. We will know more when the dust settles, but in the thick of it as we are things are looking encouraging. The Erg Sheet is (sad I know) my pride and joy. In theory, all of the data from every ergo by every oarsman is entered into it. Any personal best times get a rather fetching red fill. So far, every single test has got the Microsoft Excel mark of approval. Admittedly, many of these represent the first time people have done this erg, but even among the seniors there have been some remarkable improvements - a solid 4.5 seconds from Will Seamer, our stroke-or-six man to take him over the plateau he's been on for a while and 7.5 seconds from yours truly, although not being ill may have had something to do with it.


More news after all the results are in....



Julian Bub-Humfryes
Men's Captain

The best Christmas present a Captain could have...

Well, that was a surprise. From the idea being mooted at the end of last term, the dream has become a reality. Keble now has a dedicated 8-erg room. Monday of 0th week saw the arrival of sixteen intimidatingly large boxes containing shiny brand-new concept 2 indoor rowers. Or rather, the parts thereof. It took surprisingly long to construct our beautiful machines, but now it is done, they are a thing of beauty. And we haven't been hanging around when it comes to using them - the new ergs have already done about 200,000 metres - good work from Keble's men and women, given that not everyone is back from Christmas vac...


Julian Bubb-Humfryes
Men's Captain