P McDonald

Afternoon all,
Has been a while. 👋  Hope everyone is well.
After nearly 8 years of knee problems (with multiple re-injure, rehab, recovery......) I have decided it is time to get an ebike to help take the strain out of climbing.  I’m looking at crossers (or gravel bikes as they have been re-invented as) and there are quite a few options out there.
Does anyone have any experience of any e road/cross/gravel bikes?  Particularly in terms of hub drive v mid-drive. Any thoughts would be welcome.....unless they are too cheeky!  😄
Ramsay
P.S. - as climbing was what I used to consider my main strength on a bike, the irony of now needing a battery to help is not lost on me!! 🙄🤷‍♂️😂

Change of plan - me and Andy will meet you at ferry 0930  

Plan to join at Kilmacolm bridge 0845/0850  

Plan to join, health permitting.
Andy - will be in touch tomorrow afternoon as might go via Largs if I'm out

 
 

Plan to join, health permitting.
Andy - will be in touch tomorrow afternoon as might go via Largs if I'm out

 
 

Me. 5/7 days depending on flight times and work. I Will need to order spare inner tubes.. 
 

Cracking advert from the Italian TV channel Rai for the upcoming Giro
 

3 out today and rain come on as we stood, majestically, outside the club rooms. We sacked the leg bender in favour of track to kilbirnie then over to Largs. It hasn’t changed much since last week. Sodden & frozen by time we got there so agreed it’d be a wizard idea to go home the way we came. Home, drookit and straight into my monthly bath. 
Not many folks turning up for club rides, despite my selfless and Herculean efforts to keep the club alive. Is there anywhere anyone fancies going? 

Latest news from Arran ….
Me, Jan McT and my daughter Emma set out for an SA today on the 7am ferry. Knowing the relative form of the three of us I thought it was pretty much a sure thing. However, every day is a schoolday as they say. The wind was ENE and Jan and I conferred and concluded clockwise was the best option. In all these years neither of us have ever done it with an Easterly or similar wind and we discovered the hard way that it is pretty dang hard. We both produced higher normalised power than 4 weeks ago when we did a pretty comfortable SA and Emma worked with us toe to toe until the final 3 to 4k yet we were about 7 mins slower and were not allowed to embark the ferry as they had just locked the gates ! So it doesn't count
I think I speak for Jan as well in that we knew it was a lot harder even before seeing the numbers, with the exception of the south side run it was basically head or cross head all the way and it felt like it.
I was gutted for Emma as she really deserved the SA on her first attempt with a really strong ride.
There will be plenty more opportunities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Latest news from Arran ….
Me, Jan McT and my daughter Emma set out for an SA today on the 7am ferry. Knowing the relative form of the three of us I thought it was pretty much a sure thing. However, every day is a schoolday as they say. The wind was ENE and Jan and I conferred and concluded clockwise was the best option. In all these years neither of us have ever done it with an Easterly or similar wind and we discovered the hard way that it is pretty dang hard. We both produced higher normalised power than 4 weeks ago when we did a pretty comfortable SA and Emma worked with us toe to toe until the final 3 to 4k yet we were about 7 mins slower and were not allowed to embark the ferry as they had just locked the gates ! So it doesn't count
I think I speak for Jan as well in that we knew it was a lot harder even before seeing the numbers, with the exception of the south side run it was basically head or cross head all the way and it felt like it.
I was gutted for Emma as she really deserved the SA on her first attempt with a really strong ride.
There will be plenty more opportunities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Latest news from Arran ….
Me, Jan McT and my daughter Emma set out for an SA today on the 7am ferry. Knowing the relative form of the three of us I thought it was pretty much a sure thing. However, every day is a schoolday as they say. The wind was ENE and Jan and I conferred and concluded clockwise was the best option. In all these years neither of us have ever done it with an Easterly or similar wind and we discovered the hard way that it is pretty dang hard. We both produced higher normalised power than 4 weeks ago when we did a pretty comfortable SA and Emma worked with us toe to toe until the final 3 to 4k yet we were about 7 mins slower and were not allowed to embark the ferry as they had just locked the gates ! So it doesn't count
I think I speak for Jan as well in that we knew it was a lot harder even before seeing the numbers, with the exception of the south side run it was basically head or cross head all the way and it felt like it.
I was gutted for Emma as she really deserved the SA on her first attempt with a really strong ride.
There will be plenty more opportunities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I'm booked for 07:00 ferry this Tuesday 11th August, and booked to return on the 13:55 sailing.  Think there's still space left so any socially distant company is welcome.  Looks like a northerly wind forecast, so will probably go anticlockwise.  If legs feel good might attempt a solo SA, depends how much energy I've put into cycling to Ardrossan at silly o clock in the morning to catch the ferry since I tend to be late all the time lol.  Should be a nice gentle tailwind down the western coast so looking forward to getting over there.  

So here is the updated Hall of Fame - just waiting for more names to be added to the illustrious list.
I'm just thinking - 2021 will be the 10 year anniversary of the first SA - and also the 5 year anniversary of the first DA, so it would be fitting to get a load of new SA inductees  next year and maybe even another DA if anyone was looking for a stretch target for next summer
#SAforever
 

 

Yes I am that mystery wheeler !

So here is the updated Hall of Fame - just waiting for more names to be added to the illustrious list.
I'm just thinking - 2021 will be the 10 year anniversary of the first SA - and also the 5 year anniversary of the first DA, so it would be fitting to get a load of new SA inductees  next year and maybe even another DA if anyone was looking for a stretch target for next summer
#SAforever
 

 

Another very memorable Arran, in this case it was bigger than childbirth, bigger than wedding day, this was the mighty SA for my gal Laura. First female in Hall of Fame so pretty special one. 
I reckon with Jan and Andy we've got the pacing down to a T, this was the smoothest SA I've done, no rush, no stress just an incredibly even paced ride, and thanks to the guys for a fantastic day out and their total commit to the team effort. If she didn't make it abundantly clear, Laura is truly made up and very grateful for this life experience.
The first hour in early morning was truly magical with very little wind and incredible views down to Ailsa Craig.
Roll on the next guided tour of Arran from your dedicated hosts Jan, Andy and me, would be a pleasure to get more inductees through the summer.
#SAforever
#DAonthecardsagain
#maybenextyearthough
 
 
 
 

So here is the updated Hall of Fame - just waiting for more names to be added to the illustrious list.
I'm just thinking - 2021 will be the 10 year anniversary of the first SA - and also the 5 year anniversary of the first DA, so it would be fitting to get a load of new SA inductees  next year and maybe even another DA if anyone was looking for a stretch target for next summer
#SAforever
 

 

Nice one George

Another very memorable Arran, in this case it was bigger than childbirth, bigger than wedding day, this was the mighty SA for my gal Laura. First female in Hall of Fame so pretty special one. 
I reckon with Jan and Andy we've got the pacing down to a T, this was the smoothest SA I've done, no rush, no stress just an incredibly even paced ride, and thanks to the guys for a fantastic day out and their total commit to the team effort. If she didn't make it abundantly clear, Laura is truly made up and very grateful for this life experience.
The first hour in early morning was truly magical with very little wind and incredible views down to Ailsa Craig.
Roll on the next guided tour of Arran from your dedicated hosts Jan, Andy and me, would be a pleasure to get more inductees through the summer.
#SAforever
#DAonthecardsagain
#maybenextyearthough
 
 
 
 

Another very memorable Arran, in this case it was bigger than childbirth, bigger than wedding day, this was the mighty SA for my gal Laura. First female in Hall of Fame so pretty special one. 
I reckon with Jan and Andy we've got the pacing down to a T, this was the smoothest SA I've done, no rush, no stress just an incredibly even paced ride, and thanks to the guys for a fantastic day out and their total commit to the team effort. If she didn't make it abundantly clear, Laura is truly made up and very grateful for this life experience.
The first hour in early morning was truly magical with very little wind and incredible views down to Ailsa Craig.
Roll on the next guided tour of Arran from your dedicated hosts Jan, Andy and me, would be a pleasure to get more inductees through the summer.
#SAforever
#DAonthecardsagain
#maybenextyearthough
 
 
 
 

Another very memorable Arran, in this case it was bigger than childbirth, bigger than wedding day, this was the mighty SA for my gal Laura. First female in Hall of Fame so pretty special one. 
I reckon with Jan and Andy we've got the pacing down to a T, this was the smoothest SA I've done, no rush, no stress just an incredibly even paced ride, and thanks to the guys for a fantastic day out and their total commit to the team effort. If she didn't make it abundantly clear, Laura is truly made up and very grateful for this life experience.
The first hour in early morning was truly magical with very little wind and incredible views down to Ailsa Craig.
Roll on the next guided tour of Arran from your dedicated hosts Jan, Andy and me, would be a pleasure to get more inductees through the summer.
#SAforever
#DAonthecardsagain
#maybenextyearthough
 
 
 
 

Another very memorable Arran, in this case it was bigger than childbirth, bigger than wedding day, this was the mighty SA for my gal Laura. First female in Hall of Fame so pretty special one. 
I reckon with Jan and Andy we've got the pacing down to a T, this was the smoothest SA I've done, no rush, no stress just an incredibly even paced ride, and thanks to the guys for a fantastic day out and their total commit to the team effort. If she didn't make it abundantly clear, Laura is truly made up and very grateful for this life experience.
The first hour in early morning was truly magical with very little wind and incredible views down to Ailsa Craig.
Roll on the next guided tour of Arran from your dedicated hosts Jan, Andy and me, would be a pleasure to get more inductees through the summer.
#SAforever
#DAonthecardsagain
#maybenextyearthough
 
 
 
 

Another Single Arran in the bag and the first woman on the hall of fame. Well done Laura 😁
Less than ideal wind conditions with a strong crosswind for much of the west coast but the pacing was spot on and we made it to the ferry with time to spare.

Well done Jann, the legend of Arran lives on. Handy to know there is no coffee on ferry, will need to pre load !! 

chapeau Jann, enjoy tomorrow, report please to whet our appetites !