P McDonald

Paisley Braes a good option as well

Great race today, pretty lively for end of season with an average of 24.6 on my computer at finish including the 3 mile neutral zone through the town. From my point of view, happy after a disrupted last month with leg issue. Andy making rapid progression and finishing in main group after a fast race where a big chunk of the field got dropped. Colin was not on a good day and suffered with the criterium type racing with 11 laps of a modified circuit of 5 miles.
This race was dominated by 4 teams, 3 of whom had strength in numbers and the 4th whilst only having 3 riders had all options covered with sprinter, big diesel and bigger diesel. These teams worked events until a break went up the road with their riders, ie any break that did not have their riders was chased back. Fair enough. Bunch ended up going for 8th. I was 18th, Andy a few behind to be confirmed.
Anyway makes me really look forward to next season when we will have a much enhanced RR team with the addition of Alan McB and Richie P. Gives us the possibility to manage races in a similar way.
So if you ever wanted to commit to a season road racing now is the time, the base work has to start November.
Perhaps coach Billy could accommodate the RR team testing on one Tuesday night so we could talk about training over the winter etc could make an interesting discussion, old black book techniques v level 3 coach modern techniques,
Bring it on. And bring it on LBL too.

Great race today, pretty lively for end of season with an average of 24.6 on my computer at finish including the 3 mile neutral zone through the town. From my point of view, happy after a disrupted last month with leg issue. Andy making rapid progression and finishing in main group after a fast race where a big chunk of the field got dropped. Colin was not on a good day and suffered with the criterium type racing with 11 laps of a modified circuit of 5 miles.
This race was dominated by 4 teams, 3 of whom had strength in numbers and the 4th whilst only having 3 riders had all options covered with sprinter, big diesel and bigger diesel. These teams worked events until a break went up the road with their riders, ie any break that did not have their riders was chased back. Fair enough. Bunch ended up going for 8th. I was 18th, Andy a few behind to be confirmed.
Anyway makes me really look forward to next season when we will have a much enhanced RR team with the addition of Alan McB and Richie P. Gives us the possibility to manage races in a similar way.
So if you ever wanted to commit to a season road racing now is the time, the base work has to start November.
Perhaps coach Billy could accommodate the RR team testing on one Tuesday night so we could talk about training over the winter etc could make an interesting discussion, old black book techniques v level 3 coach modern techniques,
Bring it on. And bring it on LBL too.

Aha, 6 laps of 10 miles, mistakenly wrote 10 laps - but I knew what I meant

Adios amigo, see you about

Eventful night in the Bs, first up 60 lap points, didnt contest the first 3 sprints but after the 4th a rider went off the front and i was waiting until he got a decent distance so i could then try and bridge. However left it too long and couldnt bridge, he managed to get the lap and i was dangling in no mans land for about 15 laps. I won one of the sprints by default  but by that stage my legs were gone. Next up 30 lap scratch, feeling good until my front wheel was clipped when someone swung down into a gap that wasnt there.I landed on my head then my face but helmet done its job, some track burns down the side of my leg and a banged elbow. Bit stingy in the shower and will no doubt be a bit sore tomorrow but hopefully be ok for Bute at the weekend. Never nice to crash but could have been worse - judging by the marks and scratches on them my sunglasses kept my cheekbone and bridge of my nose off the track!

Best wishes Al

Many thanks to the marshalls and helpers for enabling the 5 riders to race. Fantastic job Billy and rest of organising team. Food was splendiferous.
Have to say you are a natural comedian with your patter Billy.

4 of us boarded the 7am ferry on a glorious morning with a mission in mind. Greg O, Andy Mullen, Alan McBride and me. We a light northerly we headed into the headwind towards Lochranza after stashing some spare bottles and food at roadside. We established an excellent and smooth paceline on the run up to the first climb. If there was one thing that got the result then it was the measured approach to the pace, each person was working for 30-40 secs at about 10% below threshold. The critical word is 'below''.
The challenge was 2x50 mile loops to be completed in 5.5 hrs. The loop route went over the Ross road cutting out 6 miles from the full loop as 2 x 56 did not seem feasible. Incredibly the chief organiser and navigator managed to miss the turn off for the Ross on the first circuit, I can only put it down to sun, excitement, focus etc. But what a faux pas. So we did the full bhoona which added 6 miles of twist up and down roads, and then stopped for 5 mins to fill bottles and pockets. Whilst we were pacing ourselves for 2 loops that was actually the fastest single loop I have done at 20.4mph.
We set off on the second loop and as the miles passed I was frantically recalculating the maths to see if it would be possible to do the 50 mile loop on lap 2 as I really had to get the 1350 ferry to attend a silver wedding do. When we got to the final decision point after 90 miles it was either go for it with 18 miles and the Ross or head over the String for a 10 mile return to Brodick. At this point Alan who had contributed an equal share to everyone decided to head up the String to ensure getting the ferry. And chapeau to him, this guy has come a very long way in cycling terms in the past 4 months. Anyway the 3 of us headed for the Ross with the result very much in the balance. We did not miss the turn this time but when we turned on the slightly rising 5 mile approach road 'O my God'. It was horrible. Rough road and head crosswind after 90 miles made for a grim grovel. Then we had to climb the Ross. Not going to talk about that, to unpleasant a memory. We got to Lamlash with 10 mins to get over hill back to ferry and made it with last effort. 107 miles v the challenge distance of 100 miles - in hindsight with the team today the standard challenge would have been too easy
 
How hard was it? Similar to Nove Colli where I had 2 short stops in 130 miles. Not really comparable to flanders where we had quite a few stops.
 
What next? ( but not for a long time until the memory of the Ross fades )
 
The triple is doable on a 3x50 loop basis. The grande double delux, 2 x 56 might just be possible but I think it would require 10 very evenly matched riders.

4 of us boarded the 7am ferry on a glorious morning with a mission in mind. Greg O, Andy Mullen, Alan McBride and me. We a light northerly we headed into the headwind towards Lochranza after stashing some spare bottles and food at roadside. We established an excellent and smooth paceline on the run up to the first climb. If there was one thing that got the result then it was the measured approach to the pace, each person was working for 30-40 secs at about 10% below threshold. The critical word is 'below''.
The challenge was 2x50 mile loops to be completed in 5.5 hrs. The loop route went over the Ross road cutting out 6 miles from the full loop as 2 x 56 did not seem feasible. Incredibly the chief organiser and navigator managed to miss the turn off for the Ross on the first circuit, I can only put it down to sun, excitement, focus etc. But what a faux pas. So we did the full bhoona which added 6 miles of twist up and down roads, and then stopped for 5 mins to fill bottles and pockets. Whilst we were pacing ourselves for 2 loops that was actually the fastest single loop I have done at 20.4mph.
We set off on the second loop and as the miles passed I was frantically recalculating the maths to see if it would be possible to do the 50 mile loop on lap 2 as I really had to get the 1350 ferry to attend a silver wedding do. When we got to the final decision point after 90 miles it was either go for it with 18 miles and the Ross or head over the String for a 10 mile return to Brodick. At this point Alan who had contributed an equal share to everyone decided to head up the String to ensure getting the ferry. And chapeau to him, this guy has come a very long way in cycling terms in the past 4 months. Anyway the 3 of us headed for the Ross with the result very much in the balance. We did not miss the turn this time but when we turned on the slightly rising 5 mile approach road 'O my God'. It was horrible. Rough road and head crosswind after 90 miles made for a grim grovel. Then we had to climb the Ross. Not going to talk about that, to unpleasant a memory. We got to Lamlash with 10 mins to get over hill back to ferry and made it with last effort. 107 miles v the challenge distance of 100 miles - in hindsight with the team today the standard challenge would have been too easy
 
How hard was it? Similar to Nove Colli where I had 2 short stops in 130 miles. Not really comparable to flanders where we had quite a few stops.
 
What next? ( but not for a long time until the memory of the Ross fades )
 
The triple is doable on a 3x50 loop basis. The grande double delux, 2 x 56 might just be possible but I think it would require 10 very evenly matched riders.

4 of us boarded the 7am ferry on a glorious morning with a mission in mind. Greg O, Andy Mullen, Alan McBride and me. We a light northerly we headed into the headwind towards Lochranza after stashing some spare bottles and food at roadside. We established an excellent and smooth paceline on the run up to the first climb. If there was one thing that got the result then it was the measured approach to the pace, each person was working for 30-40 secs at about 10% below threshold. The critical word is 'below''.
The challenge was 2x50 mile loops to be completed in 5.5 hrs. The loop route went over the Ross road cutting out 6 miles from the full loop as 2 x 56 did not seem feasible. Incredibly the chief organiser and navigator managed to miss the turn off for the Ross on the first circuit, I can only put it down to sun, excitement, focus etc. But what a faux pas. So we did the full bhoona which added 6 miles of twist up and down roads, and then stopped for 5 mins to fill bottles and pockets. Whilst we were pacing ourselves for 2 loops that was actually the fastest single loop I have done at 20.4mph.
We set off on the second loop and as the miles passed I was frantically recalculating the maths to see if it would be possible to do the 50 mile loop on lap 2 as I really had to get the 1350 ferry to attend a silver wedding do. When we got to the final decision point after 90 miles it was either go for it with 18 miles and the Ross or head over the String for a 10 mile return to Brodick. At this point Alan who had contributed an equal share to everyone decided to head up the String to ensure getting the ferry. And chapeau to him, this guy has come a very long way in cycling terms in the past 4 months. Anyway the 3 of us headed for the Ross with the result very much in the balance. We did not miss the turn this time but when we turned on the slightly rising 5 mile approach road 'O my God'. It was horrible. Rough road and head crosswind after 90 miles made for a grim grovel. Then we had to climb the Ross. Not going to talk about that, to unpleasant a memory. We got to Lamlash with 10 mins to get over hill back to ferry and made it with last effort. 107 miles v the challenge distance of 100 miles - in hindsight with the team today the standard challenge would have been too easy
 
How hard was it? Similar to Nove Colli where I had 2 short stops in 130 miles. Not really comparable to flanders where we had quite a few stops.
 
What next? ( but not for a long time until the memory of the Ross fades )
 
The triple is doable on a 3x50 loop basis. The grande double delux, 2 x 56 might just be possible but I think it would require 10 very evenly matched riders.

4 of us boarded the 7am ferry on a glorious morning with a mission in mind. Greg O, Andy Mullen, Alan McBride and me. We a light northerly we headed into the headwind towards Lochranza after stashing some spare bottles and food at roadside. We established an excellent and smooth paceline on the run up to the first climb. If there was one thing that got the result then it was the measured approach to the pace, each person was working for 30-40 secs at about 10% below threshold. The critical word is 'below''.
The challenge was 2x50 mile loops to be completed in 5.5 hrs. The loop route went over the Ross road cutting out 6 miles from the full loop as 2 x 56 did not seem feasible. Incredibly the chief organiser and navigator managed to miss the turn off for the Ross on the first circuit, I can only put it down to sun, excitement, focus etc. But what a faux pas. So we did the full bhoona which added 6 miles of twist up and down roads, and then stopped for 5 mins to fill bottles and pockets. Whilst we were pacing ourselves for 2 loops that was actually the fastest single loop I have done at 20.4mph.
We set off on the second loop and as the miles passed I was frantically recalculating the maths to see if it would be possible to do the 50 mile loop on lap 2 as I really had to get the 1350 ferry to attend a silver wedding do. When we got to the final decision point after 90 miles it was either go for it with 18 miles and the Ross or head over the String for a 10 mile return to Brodick. At this point Alan who had contributed an equal share to everyone decided to head up the String to ensure getting the ferry. And chapeau to him, this guy has come a very long way in cycling terms in the past 4 months. Anyway the 3 of us headed for the Ross with the result very much in the balance. We did not miss the turn this time but when we turned on the slightly rising 5 mile approach road 'O my God'. It was horrible. Rough road and head crosswind after 90 miles made for a grim grovel. Then we had to climb the Ross. Not going to talk about that, to unpleasant a memory. We got to Lamlash with 10 mins to get over hill back to ferry and made it with last effort. 107 miles v the challenge distance of 100 miles - in hindsight with the team today the standard challenge would have been too easy
 
How hard was it? Similar to Nove Colli where I had 2 short stops in 130 miles. Not really comparable to flanders where we had quite a few stops.
 
What next? ( but not for a long time until the memory of the Ross fades )
 
The triple is doable on a 3x50 loop basis. The grande double delux, 2 x 56 might just be possible but I think it would require 10 very evenly matched riders.

4 of us boarded the 7am ferry on a glorious morning with a mission in mind. Greg O, Andy Mullen, Alan McBride and me. We a light northerly we headed into the headwind towards Lochranza after stashing some spare bottles and food at roadside. We established an excellent and smooth paceline on the run up to the first climb. If there was one thing that got the result then it was the measured approach to the pace, each person was working for 30-40 secs at about 10% below threshold. The critical word is 'below''.
The challenge was 2x50 mile loops to be completed in 5.5 hrs. The loop route went over the Ross road cutting out 6 miles from the full loop as 2 x 56 did not seem feasible. Incredibly the chief organiser and navigator managed to miss the turn off for the Ross on the first circuit, I can only put it down to sun, excitement, focus etc. But what a faux pas. So we did the full bhoona which added 6 miles of twist up and down roads, and then stopped for 5 mins to fill bottles and pockets. Whilst we were pacing ourselves for 2 loops that was actually the fastest single loop I have done at 20.4mph.
We set off on the second loop and as the miles passed I was frantically recalculating the maths to see if it would be possible to do the 50 mile loop on lap 2 as I really had to get the 1350 ferry to attend a silver wedding do. When we got to the final decision point after 90 miles it was either go for it with 18 miles and the Ross or head over the String for a 10 mile return to Brodick. At this point Alan who had contributed an equal share to everyone decided to head up the String to ensure getting the ferry. And chapeau to him, this guy has come a very long way in cycling terms in the past 4 months. Anyway the 3 of us headed for the Ross with the result very much in the balance. We did not miss the turn this time but when we turned on the slightly rising 5 mile approach road 'O my God'. It was horrible. Rough road and head crosswind after 90 miles made for a grim grovel. Then we had to climb the Ross. Not going to talk about that, to unpleasant a memory. We got to Lamlash with 10 mins to get over hill back to ferry and made it with last effort. 107 miles v the challenge distance of 100 miles - in hindsight with the team today the standard challenge would have been too easy
 
How hard was it? Similar to Nove Colli where I had 2 short stops in 130 miles. Not really comparable to flanders where we had quite a few stops.
 
What next? ( but not for a long time until the memory of the Ross fades )
 
The triple is doable on a 3x50 loop basis. The grande double delux, 2 x 56 might just be possible but I think it would require 10 very evenly matched riders.

4 of us boarded the 7am ferry on a glorious morning with a mission in mind. Greg O, Andy Mullen, Alan McBride and me. We a light northerly we headed into the headwind towards Lochranza after stashing some spare bottles and food at roadside. We established an excellent and smooth paceline on the run up to the first climb. If there was one thing that got the result then it was the measured approach to the pace, each person was working for 30-40 secs at about 10% below threshold. The critical word is 'below''.
The challenge was 2x50 mile loops to be completed in 5.5 hrs. The loop route went over the Ross road cutting out 6 miles from the full loop as 2 x 56 did not seem feasible. Incredibly the chief organiser and navigator managed to miss the turn off for the Ross on the first circuit, I can only put it down to sun, excitement, focus etc. But what a faux pas. So we did the full bhoona which added 6 miles of twist up and down roads, and then stopped for 5 mins to fill bottles and pockets. Whilst we were pacing ourselves for 2 loops that was actually the fastest single loop I have done at 20.4mph.
We set off on the second loop and as the miles passed I was frantically recalculating the maths to see if it would be possible to do the 50 mile loop on lap 2 as I really had to get the 1350 ferry to attend a silver wedding do. When we got to the final decision point after 90 miles it was either go for it with 18 miles and the Ross or head over the String for a 10 mile return to Brodick. At this point Alan who had contributed an equal share to everyone decided to head up the String to ensure getting the ferry. And chapeau to him, this guy has come a very long way in cycling terms in the past 4 months. Anyway the 3 of us headed for the Ross with the result very much in the balance. We did not miss the turn this time but when we turned on the slightly rising 5 mile approach road 'O my God'. It was horrible. Rough road and head crosswind after 90 miles made for a grim grovel. Then we had to climb the Ross. Not going to talk about that, to unpleasant a memory. We got to Lamlash with 10 mins to get over hill back to ferry and made it with last effort. 107 miles v the challenge distance of 100 miles - in hindsight with the team today the standard challenge would have been too easy
 
How hard was it? Similar to Nove Colli where I had 2 short stops in 130 miles. Not really comparable to flanders where we had quite a few stops.
 
What next? ( but not for a long time until the memory of the Ross fades )
 
The triple is doable on a 3x50 loop basis. The grande double delux, 2 x 56 might just be possible but I think it would require 10 very evenly matched riders.

4 of us boarded the 7am ferry on a glorious morning with a mission in mind. Greg O, Andy Mullen, Alan McBride and me. We a light northerly we headed into the headwind towards Lochranza after stashing some spare bottles and food at roadside. We established an excellent and smooth paceline on the run up to the first climb. If there was one thing that got the result then it was the measured approach to the pace, each person was working for 30-40 secs at about 10% below threshold. The critical word is 'below''.
The challenge was 2x50 mile loops to be completed in 5.5 hrs. The loop route went over the Ross road cutting out 6 miles from the full loop as 2 x 56 did not seem feasible. Incredibly the chief organiser and navigator managed to miss the turn off for the Ross on the first circuit, I can only put it down to sun, excitement, focus etc. But what a faux pas. So we did the full bhoona which added 6 miles of twist up and down roads, and then stopped for 5 mins to fill bottles and pockets. Whilst we were pacing ourselves for 2 loops that was actually the fastest single loop I have done at 20.4mph.
We set off on the second loop and as the miles passed I was frantically recalculating the maths to see if it would be possible to do the 50 mile loop on lap 2 as I really had to get the 1350 ferry to attend a silver wedding do. When we got to the final decision point after 90 miles it was either go for it with 18 miles and the Ross or head over the String for a 10 mile return to Brodick. At this point Alan who had contributed an equal share to everyone decided to head up the String to ensure getting the ferry. And chapeau to him, this guy has come a very long way in cycling terms in the past 4 months. Anyway the 3 of us headed for the Ross with the result very much in the balance. We did not miss the turn this time but when we turned on the slightly rising 5 mile approach road 'O my God'. It was horrible. Rough road and head crosswind after 90 miles made for a grim grovel. Then we had to climb the Ross. Not going to talk about that, to unpleasant a memory. We got to Lamlash with 10 mins to get over hill back to ferry and made it with last effort. 107 miles v the challenge distance of 100 miles - in hindsight with the team today the standard challenge would have been too easy
 
How hard was it? Similar to Nove Colli where I had 2 short stops in 130 miles. Not really comparable to flanders where we had quite a few stops.
 
What next? ( but not for a long time until the memory of the Ross fades )
 
The triple is doable on a 3x50 loop basis. The grande double delux, 2 x 56 might just be possible but I think it would require 10 very evenly matched riders.

It is done, readers will be very relieved to hear. Best day ever. Not just the double, the grande double. Full report later, off to a silver wedding do.
. Happiest banana in the world

It is done, readers will be very relieved to hear. Best day ever. Not just the double, the grande double. Full report later, off to a silver wedding do.
. Happiest banana in the world

It is done, readers will be very relieved to hear. Best day ever. Not just the double, the grande double. Full report later, off to a silver wedding do.
. Happiest banana in the world

Weather not nearly as bad as expected but the wind was a challenge especially in the crosswind sections which were just plain horrible. Race average of 24.7mph tells its own story, whilst I was never actually full eyeballs out it was consistently fast. There were a lot of small breaks but none got more than 30s. I found myself in a break of 5 but it was the wrong time before a crosswind section when I knew everyone would speed up and was worried we would get passed and drop straight oot the back. We were duly pegged back after a few miles. Of the 80 riders in the champs race, 52 listed as finishing, I ended up 23rd in the front bunch. Uphill sprints are just not my thing but hey ho its the same for everyone.
Chapeau to Charlie and Andy in the support race, especially Andy who got a top 10, should be well pleased with that Andy.
This was useful training for Arran

Weather not nearly as bad as expected but the wind was a challenge especially in the crosswind sections which were just plain horrible. Race average of 24.7mph tells its own story, whilst I was never actually full eyeballs out it was consistently fast. There were a lot of small breaks but none got more than 30s. I found myself in a break of 5 but it was the wrong time before a crosswind section when I knew everyone would speed up and was worried we would get passed and drop straight oot the back. We were duly pegged back after a few miles. Of the 80 riders in the champs race, 52 listed as finishing, I ended up 23rd in the front bunch. Uphill sprints are just not my thing but hey ho its the same for everyone.
Chapeau to Charlie and Andy in the support race, especially Andy who got a top 10, should be well pleased with that Andy.
This was useful training for Arran

Weather not nearly as bad as expected but the wind was a challenge especially in the crosswind sections which were just plain horrible. Race average of 24.7mph tells its own story, whilst I was never actually full eyeballs out it was consistently fast. There were a lot of small breaks but none got more than 30s. I found myself in a break of 5 but it was the wrong time before a crosswind section when I knew everyone would speed up and was worried we would get passed and drop straight oot the back. We were duly pegged back after a few miles. Of the 80 riders in the champs race, 52 listed as finishing, I ended up 23rd in the front bunch. Uphill sprints are just not my thing but hey ho its the same for everyone.
Chapeau to Charlie and Andy in the support race, especially Andy who got a top 10, should be well pleased with that Andy.
This was useful training for Arran

Second that, great job Allan

Brilliant, as always. Me, Davie, Charlie and the young guns who made a fantastic effort and are now inducted to the horrors of the transmitter and the graveyard climbs. Chapeau Emma and Adam.

Don't think I'll be out, still trying to hold back the years and race on Saturday
 

Route below for Nove Colli Ayrshire - or that might be Dieci Colli as it registers 10 climbs. 5 climbs then café stop in Girvan. Then another 5 climbs. Maybe 30th August? You know you want to.
 
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/465307842