| | The ‘Round Cumbrae in a Superhero’s Outfit Record Holder - 38 mins 15 secs
 Cheered on by hordes of visitors to the Isle of Cumbrae, aging Boy Wonder and Johnstone Wheelers Club member Alan Yeoman set a new record time of 38 minutes and 15 seconds on the 9-and-a-bit miles around the holiday island course.
The successful attempt was a culmination of many months of organisation and no great amount of training.
Speaking after his spectacular record breaking attempt Alan gasped "It’s brilliant. I would never have done it if it hadn’t been for my mates who have supported me on my 2 training runs this year and cajoled me in the run up to this attempt. Many have travelled from afar and have dug deeply into their own pockets to fund the special dietary requirements for such an attempt."
The attempt, as is natural in these occasions wasn’t without a few hiccups. Project Director Mulhooligan takes up the narrative "Well, it was important to ensure that Alan’s nerves didn’t get the better of him as he’s a fairly timid, introverted character. So I took the decision early on to avoid telling him of the attempt. To ensure complete distraction I hinted at maybe going on holiday to various far off places like a training week in Spain or the Canaries, a trip to one of the Spring Classics, a weekend over at the Giro an even a Led Zeppelin tribute band concert. I must applaud myself as this worked a treat. He didn’t have a clue what was going on."
However it was the issues of logistics and finance that were to provide the biggest challenges. Mulhooligan continues. "I’d been watching a documentary on the TV last week and realised the importance of reliable transportation. Rather than flying to the island, I cancelled the chartered plane and opted for a train and ferry trip instead. Unfortunately, the trains were playing up a bit between Glasgow and Largs on the Saturday. The heat in Paisley, as is normal in early June, was oppressive. Coupled with the delays in the train, the support team were under pressure to keep Alan’s fluid levels up. This meant a whip round every 10 minutes or so for another twenty quid each and the recruitment of an extra member to the support team, Marco van W, who fortunately was passing through the train station on his way to Glasgow."
The benefits of altitude training are well documented. Sadly Cumbrae is quite flat with the exception of a solitary hill in the middle of the island. "The thought of climbing the hill never crossed our minds," conceded Mulhooligan. "Instead we headed for the Royal George which has a pool table upstairs. I thought this would also give a welcome release to some tension which was building up in a few tummies."
The morning of the attempt arrived and Yeoman was in high spirits at registration. "I’m in the shape of my life. The support guys have been looking after me all weekend. I even had one of them on each side of me in bed last night in case I rolled over and fell out injuring myself."
The logistics curse struck again. "Alan is supposed to be riding a fixed for the attempt," bemoaned Mulhooligan as he ordered a full Scottish breakfast without toast for Yeoman 42 minutes before the attempt. "Unfortunately, the support van carrying the polo bikes has been delayed and we will need to find a suitable replacement. Alan is also without a regulation helmet as one of the support guys has disappeared with the keys to the villa where we have set up base."
A last minute dash to the local bike hire shop sees Our Hero kitted out in a helmet and with minutes to go he took his place on the start line on a pristine, slick, black, butcher's bike of the single-gear variety
Not much is known of the actual ride as the course takes in the more desolate parts of the island but the lack of concern on the faces of the support team was apparent.
38 minutes and 15 seconds later, Alan freewheeled across the line to loud cheers from the huge crowd on the waterfront and took the record.
"I’m ecstatic," gasped Alan as he searched for more fluids at the finish. "I reckon there’s some fat in that time as my chain came off three times and I was stuck behind some character in a carbon fibre bike with disc wheels, funny handlebars and some strange looking lycra gear. I’m not sure if I’ll make the attempt again or leave it there for someone else. I’ll need to recover from this one first."
A proud and somewhat relieved Project Director Mulhooligan gushed "This is fantastic. The culmination of many hours of effort by a lot of people. I really need to thank Organiser Ian Loughran and all at the TLI for hosting the event. Getting the record is especially significant as Alan faces a potential lifetime ban from cycling and other activities. He is due to be married within the next few weeks but what a way to bow out if that’s the case."
Congratulations Alan!!
The ‘Round Cumbrae in a Superhero’s Outfit Record Holder - 38 mins 15 secs
Coverage of the record attempt can be viewed at the following -
here and
here
New Cumbrae Record - Boy Wonder Zaps Round Cumbrae |
| Aileen and Ellen add World Title to their long list
 Johnstone Wheelers rider, Aileen McGlynn and her long term pilot, Ellen Hunter of Wales have taken Gold at the 2006 UCI/IPC Paralympic World Cycling Championships in Aigle, Switzerland
The pairing have now added the World Title to their Olympic Title from Athens 2004 and have slashed their own World Record in the process
We await reaction from Aileen. The following has been taken from the British Cycling Website
Aileen McGlynn. Scotland's Paralympic hero from Athens may have only got the chance of one ride in Aigle but her and pilot Ellen Hunter made the most of it with a convincing win. "Its brilliant. It's my first World's jersey so I'm really really pleased. The track here is very fast but I'm glad its over!"
"The race was a real blurr. We got a really good start and just kept pedalling. I thought the Americans might have finished closer and we were concerned that the Chinese were getting better but its nice we're so far ahead of everyone else and I think we can go faster. Our training has been going really really well since the Paralympic World Cup where we had done a 1.10.4 but all that matters is winning the Gold medal and jersey."
Talking about the great team spirit, Aileen says "its all working great and is so well organised now. It's such a professional team where they are working hard for us which is so different to a couple of years ago."
Switching to talk to pilot Ellen Hunter, she had this to say about the ride "yesterday I was watching the Men's tandems and was really quite concerned with how they were struggling and I didn't realise this track required so much skill. I hadn't been on the track for a few days so was slightly worried."
On the fact she and the other girls only have one sprint event, no 200 metre time trial sprint competition like the men, Ellen says "Yes, I'm quite annoyed they have taken the Sprint competition out. One of the reasons they say is because they don't think we are up to it but we have just shown our steering capabilities are as good if not better than the men."
"I'd also like to say that since last year, we have had a new coach, Barney, and we have improved leaps and bounds since this time last year. Our training is better, we're stronger, fitter, and I have had amazing support from the EIS in Manchester (gym work) and its just improved us so much. This year, compared to Athens, we have not had to worry about anything. Not had to look at the bike so its great having the support we have there and it makes us really want to give back on what we're getting."
1. MCGLYNN Aileen/HUNTER Ellen, GBR 1:10.795 (World Record)
2. WHITSELL Karissa/COMPTON Katherine USA 1:13.127
3. FUCHS Michaela/JOHN Sonja GER 1:15.490
4. PARSONS Jayne/LAURENSON Michelle, NZL 1:15.750
| 6th August 2006
 Building on the success over the years of Harry's Hunner this year's ride, in aid of Erskine Hospital (or Erskine as it is now called) will take place on Sunday 6th August 2006.
Further details will be posted on the main site in the coming weeks
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| George and Kat Take Titles
 Cool, showery and windy conditions welcomed the riders for the Frank Lauder Club 10 Championship at Westferry tonight.
Alan Holmes and Dave Leonard were again showing some good form with less than 15s separating them on the night but it was defending champion, George Hamilton, who retained his title with a storming ride
Katrina Hair made it a double for the fast couple by taking the Lady's Title
1st George Hamilton 20m 45s
2nd Dave Leonard 21m 40s
3rd Alan Holmes 21m 54s
1st Lady Katrina Hair 22m 53s
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 Almost a year to the day since last breaking the Women’s Scottish 10 mile TT record Johnstone Wheelers’ Katrina Hair burnt up the Westferry course again to chop 19 seconds off her previous best time
On a night of fast times Kat recorded a new Scottish Record of 21m46s with Bob Taylor of the Glasgow Wheelers also setting a new Scottish Record for the Over 60’s of 22m 09s
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| Aileen and Ellen take another chunk out of their own World Record
 The successful partnership of Aileen McGlynn and pilot Ellen Hunter continued at the Visa Paralympic World Cup in Manchester. Despite falling to the Australian pairing in the Flying 200m TT with a time of 12.044s compared to the Australians’ time of 11.952s the British pair powered back in their main event, the 1km TT.
The World Record for the 1km TT, held by Aileen and Ellen, was 1:11.16, which was set in the Gold medal ride in Athens. Since then the pair had been getting below this in training so the aim was to match the time in competition again
Aileen explained ‘We were really fired up for this and we got the tandem off to a good start but then the back wheel slipped as we went around the first bend which will have lost us a bit of time. However we didn't panic and we kept pedalling as fast as we could. It was a great night for doing times as it was really warm and the track was fast. We crossed the line in a time of 1:10.431, a New World Record! The Aussies did 1:13.409'
‘We were both delighted to have broken the World Record but were amazed at how much we had improved, knocking more than 7/10ths of a second off the previous record’
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| Basking In the Present and Looking To The Future
 The Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club prides itself in being “Scotland’s friendliest” but nonetheless is committed to producing and supporting cyclists who compete to the highest level. A browse of the Club’s web pages will provide proof that this is indeed the case. Celebrating its 80th Anniversary this year, the Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club is represented on the local, national and international stage by several high-class athletes:
Aileen McGlynn – Paralympic Gold Medallist in Athens 2004 and multiple World Cup series winner
Katrina Hair – Scottish and World Masters Champion and record holder at various disciplines and currently competing in Melbourne at the Commonwealth Games
Kayleigh Brogan – Scottish Youth Age Group Record Holder
With regards to Katrina’s performances at the Commonwealth Games the Club and the Country’s cyclists have been overjoyed with her results to date with reports of whole families of club members being awoken at all times of the night / morning to watch, scream and shout at the live coverage of events on TV.
Katrina rode to 5th place in the Women’s Individual Pursuit setting a new personal best of 3mins 43sesc, beating her own Scottish Record of 3 mins 50.48 secs, which equates to almost half a lap of the track further than she had ridden before – this on a track that was generally found to be ‘slow’.
Katrina’s second outing seen her completing the 29km Women’s Time Trial in a time of 40min 40 seconds. Racing along the waterfront course of St Kilda, Melbourne Katrina may have been forgiven for thinking she was back on the local A8 time trial course between Westferry and Port Glasgow but make no mistake this was another world-class performance amongst a field of world-class full time professional cyclists
It is also to be remembered that Katrina has been competing out of season and has been restricted in training, like many Scottish athletes, by the absence of an indoor Velodrome facility in Scotland.
Times are changing in Scottish cycling whether it is the investment in the Club's facilities, the new outdoor track that is currently being developed at Bellahouston or the planned National Indoor Velodrome in the East of Glasgow
Johnstone Wheelers are currently in the midst of a facility investment programme, which we hope will encourage wider interest and availability of cycling within the local community.
The Club will also be involved in supporting and organising events at the new Bellahouston facility that is planned to open this spring and are involved in the Steering Committee for the new Indoor Velodrome. Both of these facilities will provide a safer environment for participation in cycling and the development of athletes of the future, including our own Kayleigh Brogan who we hope to see in Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games
Talk of “world records being broken” and “Paralympic gold medals being won” may be enough to discourage some from approaching the Club, thinking there is no place for an “average” rider in such successful company. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Club has a large number of members with wide and varied interests, and is always looking to increase its membership.
If you are interested in finding out more about cycling or wish to join the Club on their travels then contact the club at Feedback or visit the club’s website www.johnstone-wheelers.co.uk
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| Kat rides to New Scottish Record in Melbourne
 Early risers on Sunday morning would have seen Johnstone Wheelers’ and Scotland’s Katrina Hair putting in the performance of a lifetime to storm round the Melbourne track in a new Scottish Record time of 3:43.524 in the Women’s Individual Pursuit at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
A world-class performance, travelling almost half a lap further than she has ever done before, against world-class full time professionals seen Katrina narrowly missing out on a chance to ride in the Medals Finals.
Katrina’s attention will now turn to the road and the Women's Individual Time Trial. She sets off at 10:41am Melbourne Time (Johnstone Standard Time + 11 hours) wearing the number 5 (of 18)and we all wish her well as she sets off in pursuit of glory
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| Kayleigh Brogan put down some serious markers during the 2005 season in what can only give great hope for the future
 Over the years Johnstone Wheelers has gained a reputation for producing some of the countries top female racers and judging by the speed, skill and determination displayed in a record breaking 2005 season by 13 year old Youth rider Kayleigh Brogan, we look to have another well on the way.
Paisley girl Kayleigh got hooked on cycling about a year and a half ago after watching the Tour De France on TV. Her father Jim who is also a keen cyclist introduced her to the club where she developed her fitness and a desire to cross the gap from leisure rider to racer.
Kayleigh's first race in April last year was a Junior and Youth criterium with around forty young riders involved. Despite being held up behind a crash, Kayleigh who was the youngest girl in the field took third place in the female section and her gutsy performance brought her to the attention of the Scotland youth squad selectors who invited her to train with the National Squad.
Kayleigh impressed her coaches and she was chosen to ride as part of a Scottish select team at the National Youth Championships in Yorkshire in June where she managed a top ten finish in what was a gruelling race against the nation's best youth racers.
Kayleigh was subsequently invited to join her Scotland team mates at a Track training session at Edinburgh's Meadowbank for an introduction to riding the steep banking and wooden boards of the Velodrome. Far from being intimidated by the speed and the high velodrome walls, Kayleigh took to it like a duck to water and after a few weeks of coaching from National coach Graeme Herd and advice from her Johnstone team mate and Commonwealth Games rider Katrina Hair, she began to compete in the National track league where her form on the boards saw her set new Scottish records for her age category in both the 250 metres and 200 metres flying start disciplines.
Youth Development Officer Gary Willis was so impressed with Kayleigh's riding and attitude that he entered her in both the Scottish Track Championships and the Edinburgh Grand Prix .
Kayleigh excelled in both events being narrowly beaten to the gold medal by a male rider in the Scottish where she took silver and broke the Scottish records for her category in the 500 metres standing start and the 1500 metres pursuit in the process. In fact on day two of the event she broke her newly set 500metres record yet again.
More of the same followed at the Edinburgh Grand Prix where Kayleigh smashed her previously set 250 m flying start record to take the lead in the omnium. Ironically this superb ride put paid to her chances of winning the event as she was immediately placed in the "scratch" category while the other competitors were awarded handicaps for the remaining races. Kayleigh went on to win nearly every heat and race in her category in the competition and set yet another record time for the 500 Metres standing start in doing so. She finally finished second equal on points with another strong rider, Patrick Galbraith, but took the bronze medal due to the handicap system.
Kayleigh's 2005 season was finally brought to its conclusion representing Scotland at the prestigious Revolution series of events held at the National cycling centre in Manchester which saw her racing against 30, 14 to 18 year old girls and women including many National Champions and world class riders in what was billed as a "Future Stars" series.
At 13 Kayleigh was the youngest rider there and was always going to find it difficult to compete but she fought hard and despite being well beaten she made a number of impressive attacks and really made an impact on the races learning a great deal in the process.
Kayleigh said "This has been my first competitive season and I have really enjoyed it. To have broken all of the Scottish Track records in my category in my first year is just unbelievable but I think the highlight of the year has to be racing in my Scotland jersey and Johnstone Wheelers shorts at Manchester in front of 3,500 cheering, screaming spectators and hearing the commentator shout my name as I led the race".
Kayleigh's goals for season 2006 include all of the National Championships for Track and Road racing as well as the tough 3 day Isle of Man Youth tour and a number of other events. It will undoubtedly include another assault on her records and perhaps some others.
Johnstone Wheelers Club president Kenny MacDonald said "The season produced some tough races and these were eye openers for Kayleigh, she was at the youngest end of her age group and she learned how high the standard was at National level. She went through the pain barrier to finish some events and it made her all the more determined to train and race harder which she done to great effect for the remainder of the season. She is a dedicated young athlete who is currently doing a great deal of base training and if all goes well she should be even fitter and faster in 2006. She has enormous potential. |
| The Club Presentation Dance was held at the Lyndhurst Hotel on Saturday 21st January 2006. Below is a list of all those who picked up awards for their efforts during the 2005 season
Captain’s Awards
Chung, Joyce McKellar, Lesley Scally, Dave & Claire Ridley, Dave Leonard, Alan Holmes, Jim Daly
President’s Awards
Bob Sharp, Dave McKellar, Dennis White
Frank Lauder Championship
3rd Ian Manson 2nd Stevie Blom 1st George Hamilton
1st. Vet. Ewan McKay
1st. H/cap S. Hickey
League 10 Championship
3rd Jim Daly 2nd Kenny Steele 1st Alan Holmes
1st Lady Vicky Begg
1st Jun. Liam Rankin
Ladies Short Distance
3rd Claire Ridley 2nd Vicky Begg 1st Katrina Hair
Veterans B.A.R.
3rd Pete Bennell 2nd G Hamilton 1st Ian Manson
Ladies B.A.R.
3rd Claire Ridley, 2nd Katrina Hair 1st Vicky Begg
Middle Distance Dave Stokes
Junior B.A.R. Liam Rankin
Ladies Handicap Championship
3rd Claire Ridley 2nd Vicky Begg 1st Katrina Hair
Novice Champion
Alan Holmes
Long Distance
Dave Stokes
Road Race B.A.R.
3rd Darryl Gunson 2nd Paul McDonald 1st Donald Scally
Handicap Championship
1st Ian Manson
25 Championship
3rd George Hamilton 2nd Ian Manson 1st Stevie Blom
Hill Climb Championship
3rd Stephen Leckie 2nd Liam Rankin 1st Darryl Gunson
3rd Vet Pete Bennell 2nd Vet Jim Leckie 1st Vet Jim Daly
Short Distance Championship
3rd G Hamilton 2nd Ian Manson 1st Stevie Blom
Chocolate Series
3rd Jim Daly 2nd Dave Ridley 1st David McLardie
3rd Joyce McKellar, 2nd Amanda Haggerty 1st Claire Ridley
2 Up Championship
3rd Harry Blane, Pete Bennell, 2nd George Hamilton, Campbell Crombie 1st Dave Leonard, Alan Holmes
Rider of the Year Donald Scally
Les Mitchell Award to Club Person of the Year: Pete Bennell
Hammock Award: Dave Ridley
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| Aileen took a few moments out on Hogmanay to give us her thoughts on being awarded an MBE
 'When I found out that I had been nominated for the MBE back in November, I was totally ecstatic. It was very difficult keeping the news a secret from everyone but I was delighted to see my name on the list when it was published.
It is a real honour to be awarded the MBE but I haven't achieved this by myself and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ellen Hunter for piloting me to all our medal wins, my family and friends, especially Andrea Ingram, for their encouragement and support; British Cycling and the Scottish Institute of Sport for their backup.
I would also like to thank Dennis White from the Johnstone Wheelers for piloting me on the Sunday runs' |
| Aileen McGlynn awarded an MBE in the 2006 New Year's Honours List
 Congratulations to Aileen McGlynn, who has been awarded an MBE for her services to disabled sport in the New Year’s Honours List.
Aileen is a partially-sighted member of the Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club who has truly scaled the heights in the last couple of years with the Great Britain Paralympic Squad, winning both Gold and Silver in Athens 2004 and a string of Gold Medals in the World Cup Series, European Championships and National Track Championships in 2005 along with her pilot Ellen Hunter of Wales.
A regular on the Club’s Sunday runs around the West of Scotland when not working, travelling or competing, Aileen will take time out to be the Guest of Honour at the Johnstone Wheelers Annual Presentation Dance on the 21st of January 2006.
Whether it’s wearing the colours of the Johnstone Wheelers or of Great Britain, Aileen has done herself and the Club proud. As we prepare to celebrate our 80th Anniversary in 2006 the Members and Friends of ‘Scotland’s Friendliest’ cycling club offer our warmest congratulations and best wishes to Aileen for the year ahead.
Gang Forward
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