Kenny MacDonald

I first joined Johnstone Wheelers in 1970, at the age of 11, following in the wheel-tracks of my father and brother who were already members.  When I joined, the Club had a series of organised Sunday Runs to established "Drum-ups" and if you completed every Sunday Run you were given a Medal.  Club runs in those days were managed by a Club Captain who ruled the bunch and kept everyone in check.
 
I managed to win a few of these Medals in my early years in the Club and when I turned 15, started racing at Schoolboy level.  Schoolboy racing was popular in these days and the Club had at least 15 Schoolboys and Schoolgirls racing.
 
I was very fortunate when I was racing as a Junior as I had the support and encouragement of two of Scotland's greatest road men: Fraser Connel and Drew Brunton.
Fraser took me to many races and taught me how to race. He was a true sportsman and played a huge part in my transition from also-ran to winner.  He was ahead of his time in his training methods and excelled at both road and time trialling.
 
I also at this time received coaching advice and trained with Drew Brunton.  Drew was a multi Scottish champion who had raced at Commonwealth Games.  He was a hard trainer and dedicated rider who set himself high goals but always achieved them. 
Both Fraser and Drew played an important part in my education at the time, and I like to think that I have managed to pick up some of their qualities in my approach to cycling.  I won various Club events and managed a few medals in Open events as well.
 
When I turned Junior I took a growth spurt and my racing career took off.  I specialised in road racing and over the next two years won road races, APRs, cyclo-cross, hill climbs and track events throughout Scotland.  I never ever managed to win an Open Time Trial but have finished 2nd to 10th in these throughout the years.  I won many Club Championships including Junior, Novice, Handicap, Hill Climb, League 10, etc.
 
I always got involved in all aspects of the Club and was elected Vice-President when I was 17 years old and continued to join in many of the social events, touring the Youth Hostels with Club week-ends during the winter months.  Whilst always cycling, I did leave the competitive side of the sport during my University years but returned to full Club activities in the early '80s and have been participating ever since.  I took the helm of the Club during a period when it was at an all-time low, and since then I have worked hard at re-building the Clubrooms and the Club spirit.  When I took over as President I was lucky to have a small group of willing friends to assist me in the rebuilding process; many of these are still working hard for the Club today, and remain its backbone.
 
I was very fortunate in having assistance from my father who skilled me in the art of management.  He has instilled in me a methodical approach to solving any problems.  We also believe in running things with as little bureaucracy as possible; our approach being to get on with the job with as little fuss as possible.  My father has played a huge part in the reshaping of the Club, albeit from a distance.  He remains as loyal a Club member as myself, and still coaches me on a regular basis.  He was a former record-holder in his racing days with Glasgow Suburban Cycling Club, before joining the Johnstone Wheelers.  He was innovative with his race management whilst promoting events; a simple example - he was the the first person regularly to use large finishing boards at Time Trials.
 
In the Club's 70th year, I was proud to be awarded a Silver Quaich to mark my achievement in this.  In recent times I have been honoured by the members in being made Honorary Life President and have been President for 12 consecutive years, the longest-serving President in the Club's history.
 
I remain as enthusiastic in promoting Johnstone Wheelers today as I did when I first joined and I hope to remain an active cyclist and member for many more years.  Present at the 50th, 60th, 70th and 75th Anniversary events, I hope to play a part in our Centenary Celebrations in 2026, and God willing, still be actively cycling.