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Being the only one of my friends off on Glasgow fair, and with some family going to Islay for the week, I decided to cycle over Arran on Sunday and stay a night, then ferry hop home today via Dunoon. A glorious cycle over yeaterday, sun splitting the sky. Today I went to the Port Ellen ferry terminal at 12.15 for the 12.45 boat. At 12.35 with no boat arriving and a very quiet port, something wasn’t right, in to the ferry office and the 12.45 is cancelled. Panic on. No option but to ride 20 miles to Port Askaig for the 3.30 ferry, giving no chance of making the other ferries to get home and then having to cycle the long way round from Kennacraig until i could get mum to drive and meet me somwhere. The upside is that in the panic of trying to get to the other ferry, I got a few top 10s🏆 Luckily ive found someone from Balloch who can take me part of the way. Check the Calmac site folks! Arse.

Well done to Marc winning the restricted gear TT Here are the times Marc - 27.31 Stuart - 28.54 Colin - 29.28 Scott - 31.50 Alan - 32.55 David - 35.55 Cable ties were too big so small ring was based on the honour system. On strava no-one has a suspiciously low cadence so it seems all the honourable and upstanding wheelers were doing the TT tonight. Chaingang must have had the cheats and rule benders

What could have been a solo double... Settled with the solo 56+50 and what a day! The highlights: - Almost missed the outgoing ferry - made it just in time. Didn't take into account the weight of the 4 bottles of water and the 4000 kcal of food! - Ferry full of cars meant I was out of the ferry at 0806 and a bit and by the time I found a spot for the bag of food I was around 3 mins down to start with! - Very variable wind conditions today that didn't help. At times there was Northerly winds - I might have been better doing it anti-clockwise? - First lap done with 5mins behind schedule (plan was to finish fist lap at 1050)...ferry was right there and was contemplating chunking it. Refuelled with supplies and I was 10mins behind schedule by then. A quick clac and I estimated that I would just miss the ferry if I went for the double and so opted for plan B via Ross road. - Oh Ross road! the grind up that thing (with 39x25 was not easy) and then the technical decent didn't save me much time. I did make up 7 mins but I was still 3mins down on schedule. - I lost another 2 mins (making it 5min in total) - some of it due to paying for the effort on the Ross and some on getting a cramp up Lochranza and peddling with one leg while trying to shake the other out of the cramp! - Top of Lochranza climb took a Gel and buried myself to reach just in time around 1351 for the 1355 ferry! Don't think I want to see Arran for a while now...

The final “taster” session of the summer for the women's rides. Meet at the clubrooms at 6:45pm for 15 mile ride. Thinking, bowfield, greenacres, gleniffer road and back. Usual tea and biscuits post ride.

Good turnout tonight. Stuart Tennant 16:22 pb Colin McPhee 16:48 pb James Snodgrass 17:01 Gerard Deeley 17:02 Scott McIntosh 17:16 Colin Sales 17:33 pb Alan Thomson 17:53 Sammy Edgar Jet 18:13 Joseph McIntosh Jet 18:43 James Ross Jet 19:20 pb Ruairi Mulholland Jet 19:53 pb Alan took the money, all paid inc Colin S x2

What a lovely day for The 3 Ferries! Thanks so much David - a great route, on a perfect day! Stunning views and lovely company. Mary.

Solo double attempt 2...missed her again. With north westerly winds, went for the anti-clockwise again (not my favourite). First lap went well...second lap after Lochranza lost the pace...I dont know why just couldn't get going again after the downhill section. A gel and a snack 15-20mins later I was back on again. But by that time lost probably 3mins or so on top of the usual 3mins at the start. Finished second lap around 8 mins down. Ah well...may be one day. Probably need another month of the volume and intensity that I have been doing for the last 4 weeks. But play time is over now. Next week back to the usual

The Jim Daly or Largs 30

Well done to Cedric who won the Sam Robinson road race today - he joins a who's who of Scottish Cycling on the trophy including wheelers like Brian Smith, Willie Gibb and Robert Melrose! Chapeau

Name the offender. ( Participants in recent Dunoon ride not allowed to enter). I initially thought this was a smeary chainring mark worthy only of a quick slagging but on closer inspection I realise it's Individual chain links and you can almost make out the maker's name. Fantastic work by a club stalwart

Solo single Arran Done! Ended up with approx 2hrs 43mins (based on flyby). Shame garmin was glitching - could have made it in the top ten of the Arran segment. Talking about glitching - there are some nice new tarmac in sections but there are a whole other with rough surface. Bouncing everywhere didn't help with garmin GPS - lost signals a few times and had to restart it (I also lost it's memory card cover!). That kind of messed up my pace monitoring (that I based from previous runs) as I had time against every 10miles along the way so I know how I'm doing with pace. So my cumulative miles are probably 3 or so miles less. But luckily I had plan B - I looked up visual markers on google street view at every 10miles in case that happened, so I knew roughly where I was with pace. Anyway apart from that all went to plan and I was ahead of schedule by a few mins arriving back at Brodick at around 10:45am!

Yes it was us. Poor guy was lying on the pavement

Lovely run into Aberfoyle with a Bunch of 7, then Alex & I headed round Katrine as it was rude not to, given the scorching weather 🙂 Managed to visit 2 cafes that I've never been in before, the first being the "Go Ape" Adventure centre half way up the Duke's & the Wee Blether next to Loch Ard just before Aberfolye, both top recommendation from Alex ........ unfortunately for him though, not a Samsung mobile phone charger was to be found in each of these cafes (all i-Phone users) since Alex had forgotten to charge his phone for Strava before he came out 🙂 ......... he was convinced that everyone was out to piss him off 🙂 Anyway, it was a very long enjoyable day on the saddle & thanks to the Bunch earlier on & Alex for great company all day .......thankfully, I think his phone survived to record all his ride on Strava ........ otherwise it did not happen! 196km for me in the end, not quite the 200 I was hoping for, but I just ran out of road P.S - Alan, lovely retro restoration & build on your Gazelle .......... especially the SWITCH to Campagnolo! You seem to be a changed man since your retirement, one is never too late to walk down the righteous path of Cycling Component Enlightenment 🙂 ......... keep walking my brother! Cheers Chung

Good run out today. The bunch got a bit fractured after Aberfoyle, with Chung and Alex carrying on round Loch Katrine, while the rest of us wimped out after climbing Dukes Pass, then re-traced our route back home. The road back to Alexandria from Croftamie was a bit busy with cars, so we hit the cycle track back to the bridge, as we reckoned - rightly so, as it turned out - that the A82 would be very busy. We met up with Tommy (who had been at the Helensburgh sportive) at Bowling, and had a good run back to Bishopton.

Sorry we weren’t there at 9am Davie. Fiona, Andy, David C, Peter and myself decided on Windlees wind farm today via Stewarton and Fenwick. Coffee in Newton Mearns and home via Neilston and Uplawmoor. There have been some requests for a visit to Dunoon and Peter suggested a ride for a couple of weeks time (28th) via Helensburgh, rest and be thankful, strachur and home. Just short of 100 and only if it’s nice! Thanks for a good day all.

Photo from Sam Robinson Memorial today. Fantastic!

Well done indeed. Jan, please note that I had already paid my own tribute in the more appropriate road race section-just sayin. Without order there is chaos. I have informed the committee anonymously. As is the new norm.

Outstanding run today. Just right for a proper shakedown of my shiny newly renovated Gazelle, which I have to say behaved impeccably, apart from going upwards, which may be more to do with the engine than the frame.

Solo Double Arran attempt today - defeated. - Again 3mins down to start with...cant seem to be able to get out of ferry earlier than 8.07/06 these days (then plus 1min or so to put the bag of food on its spot). Its a bit of a damper to start like that... - Weather cold in the morning then it would be short sleeve second lap. Decided to go for long sleeve underlayer and keep it on...bought extra water to drink at pit stop as knew I will be sweating more second lap. - Anti-clockwise today with mainly northerly winds. First time doing it this way...on first lap went up the string road by mistake so lost another 3-4mins! - Bad start...nevertheless marched on thinking I should give it a go anyway. First lap done, I go to find that my food bag has disappeared! I look down the road and its on the side of the pavement 100m away. Turned out a hungry thief has been through it!! Took my bananas, jelly babies, flapjacks, energy bar, some nuts and most importantly my spare store bought bottle of water and gels! Only left me with my bike rack water bottles and pork pies! Thought at least I have my two bottles of water, took them and the pies and just marched on again. Buy now I was 9-10mins down. - 30 miles before finish I knew I wasn't going to make it - was feeling dehydrated, half a bottle left, but thought I might as well finish what I came here to do (and decided not to take the Ross road shortcut). Finished around 12mins down...missed it this time!...Still not sure though if all the mishaps didn't happen, would have I been able to make it...? By the way 56+50 strava link here: https://www.strava.com/activities/2505466988

Truly outstanding Galeb. No one should be in any doubt as to what an athletic feat that is. >5.5 hours hard graft on your own takes a very special effort. When this all started 10 or so years ago I never really thought a single 56+50 would be done, but there you go, I'll need to reconfigure the Hall of Fame with a new column !

Was running a bit late this morning (surprise surprise) due to a dodgy stomach, but I got to the clubrooms at 8.02 to find Charlie & Galeb and no one else so was a but unsure how the day would go (expected a smashfest lol!!) but was pleased to see the number of bodies waiting at the bridge which means a good shared workload and a well disciplined bunch. We scooped up/met Michael at Arrochar so had ten riders out on this run. What a throroughly enjoyable ride through the military road to the Rest, with a short cafe stop at the van at the top. We headed through Hells Glen (my first time doing that section - was awesome with amazing views over Loch Fyne to Inverary.) A brief stop in Strachur to refuel and then it was the long stretch to the ferry. Not much waiting around for it thankfully we timed it quite well! Headwind home but still great weather and a great day on the bike. Cheers guys!! Some cracking photos taken, I really like this one (taken by Charlie)...

MTFU Gun it and drop Charlie simple

Hi Martin yes it was the good samaritans 30 milers. Mia gave advice and David straightened his handlebars and put his chain back on. That was nice of that lady to thank us.

Brilliant run yesterday. Time-trialled back to Gourock - no train, so carried on as fast as possible to Port Glasgow and just made the train from Wemyss Bay by a couple of minutes - so SWMBO is still talking to me - though I did have to wash the dishes last night.

Looks great. Did you all do your good Samaritan bit as well?

Clip-ons and a skin suit and you will succeed. You'll need them for the Georgetown Cup. Plan to pop over myself for a crack in the full rig...

Hi John, not sure yet, there's always the Crow which you "enjoyed" so much on your first ascent last year :-) ........ seriously though, we can decide on the day! We'll be heading up the Pipe Track on the way out via Cycle Route 7 to Croftamie, so will see if we return the same way! Looking forward to it, chaps! Cheers

That’s Camp XXX 2020 now full, Me Charlie Gorge John and WIllie G If anybody else wants to go you can pick up a Villa fairly cheap ,

Really enjoyed this and thanks for all the encouragement 😊

Mega performance. Not just winning the Sam Robinson Trophy but also some great Strava trophies on the Dukes Pass. Who says Cedric climbs like a wee girl? I apologise.

six headed out today, Boyd, Morna, Linda, myself, newbie Jane and a welcome return by Bill Thomson. Made our way to Uplawmoor and then through farm roads to Dunlop meeting a curly haired poodle on route who froze in the middle of the road. Coffees and teas taken at the Dairy and then home via Barmill and down Bowfield. Thanks for the company guys and girls. We are proposing to do the three ferries route from Wemyss bay. Will post up later when work out the ferry times. Dave

I agree Jan, option 2. Charlie will be especially delighted as it removes the dreaded Bishopton drag

Thanks to Ian for timekeeping and Alan for arranging the event for last night. Bit of a headwind on the hilly section, but on checking I set a PB by exactly two minutes and I had a cable tie on in case anyone wonders😄. Dave

Graham, I’ll post up in the “Club Run” section near the time, so watch out for it! They depart George Square 11.15am, reckon around 1 hour to Dukes? So, say 9am clubroom, 9.30am at the Bridge then a cycle up to Aberfoyle via the Pipe track, might even have time for a coffee before heading up the Dukes to wait for the Peleton 🙂 Like I said, confirm near the time, yes! Cheers

I can do that. I'll pm you.

Two riders on the windiest July night I can remember for a Westferry 10: Alan T - 25:53 Scott - 24:47 Well done, guys. Cheers to James for haudin' up. (PS Sorry about the delay in posting. In an effort to get the results up quickly, I took my laptop into the kitchen while I was making dinner and splashed water all over the keyboard. Anyone want to buy a drowned MacBook Pro?)

1)gringo chain tattoo 2) hairy leg 3) looks suspiciously like a black sock ticks every box for an immediate suspension of membership. Please stop this madness.

Another one today, It’s spreading like a disease :-0

A fab day and the sun was shining through the Balloch Riveria haha. Thank you Dave for taking us a true gentleman.

Obviously I have been talking to the master of Arran...Paul. Planning on solo single Arran this Saterday. Catching 7.00 ferry and returning 11.05. Will also cycle to Ardrossan and back. So probably will end up being 100 mile ride...Its going to be a tough weekend with another big ride on Sunday as well! So clockwise or anticlockwise if the wind is coming from south east?

There were indeed beers at amaretto's, where we met messrs. Leavy and Lymburn, and Pammie and Rochelle turned up too. Superb run out today, great weather, glorious vistas, and some epic descents. There were some climbs too, but the less said about them, the better.

excellent ride in warm sun. Ten of the Joansin finest in glorious Argyll scenery. Helensburgh/Rest/Hell's Glen/Sandbank. Alex enjoyed himself so much he turned right after disembarking to head for Largs. The normals turned left and as I peeled off for home there were rumours of beers later in Amaretto in afternoon sunshine. I suspect some are still there on their third by now.

Club rooms for me & remember we getting Andy @ Morrisons

Another epic ride guys. Sorry to hear that there will be no PBP but 460km and all the km’s that have come before that this year is incredible. Another time maybe? David C......enjoy glasto!

David B, David C and myself returned to Galashiels for another Audax, this one was the last one we needed to qualify for PBP. David B had decided not to go to Paris and was just doing this for the craic. Davie Borland was planning on riding straigh through the night so he could meet his wife for stake and chips about 1pm the next day, the pace he set of at it seemed he would! he was flying and lead the field throughout the day, as this was 3 out and back legs we got to wave a couple of times. He sensible decided to stop after the second leg rest up and meet the wife. David C and my self had a more relaxed plan and after the first leg 230km we were feeling good, We then headed of into the night for the second leg towards Gretna and rode with a Friend of Campbells called Neil. He was stopping at lockerbie at the first passing, but we decided to continue on hoping to complete the 2nd leg without stopping, but our pace had dropped in the darkness and as we hit Gretna it was fairly cold. When we got back to lockerbie about 380km in we were very tired and the usual pains we each had were back. We decided to stop at lockerbie truck stop(from and Irvine Welsh novel) and sleep for 3 hours and head back over the climbs in daylight. When we woke we both agreed to head back to Galahsiels and call it, it was a tough call but by this stage we had difficult sitting down and our pace was abysmal. I suppose training for these events are a good thing! and the qualifiers did there job, and weeded out the chancers trying to do the bare minimum to get to Paris! any way we got back to Galashiels after 460Km and plenty of time to do the 140km left, but of to McDonalds and home we went! Thanks to David C and Davie B for the company on this adventure! one my buttocks will never forget! Salut!

Don't think it will be an Express after tomorrow's effort at Arran!

Glen & Iain we will easily be back for two. We just tuck in behind the Galeb express