P McDonald

Ok guys, fess up, youse are just envious that I am one of only two people on the Planet to have done the DA😁😁

 

Group 2 dodgy riders here I come🤣

Ok guys, fess up, youse are just envious that I am one of only two people on the Planet to have done the DA😁😁

 

Ok guys, fess up, youse are just envious that I am one of only two people on the Planet to have done the DA😁😁

 

I know this won't be a universally popular decision but after what happened last week (and reading the messages on here and talking to a few of you) then for the next couple of weeks we are going to experiment with splitting the chaingang into smaller groups.
The reason for this is to try and improve rider safety and make things calmer, manageable and more controlled. Groups of about 8-10 should maximise safety, are most efficient for a chaingang while also giving a decent work out. If the numbers don't allow for three groups then will try two. It is important to remember however it is still a chaingang and training ride, it is not a social ride. The pace in the earlier groups will be a little slower but the idea stays the same - if you get dropped you still get dropped so know the route and be self sufficient. You can choose what group you are in however i'll give some guidelines for this.
First group. If you take the short cut regularly then this is the one for you. If you get dropped on the west ferry or Bishy Hill then take this one. If you are a strong rider but feel relatively inexperiened and want practice riding in a chaingang then take this one. If you tried the chainy earlier in the season and were put off due to not feeling quite fit enough, then now is the time to give it another go.  I will be leading this group.
Second group. If you are capable of hanging on in the chaingang but find yourself regularly missing turns or find it difficult to move up without stalling in the line then you may have more benefit going in the second group and working rather than just sitting on in the third. Are there any volunteers to lead this group?
Third group. Are you strong enough to spell through for all of chaingang and do you find parts of it relatively easy? Are you able to bridge gaps if the bunch splits and do you usually find yourself on the right side of these splits when they happen? Then third group for you.  Paul will be leading.
Be honest and realistic with yourself and (more importantly) to the other riders when choosing a group. It isn't a sign of weakness joining a slower group and nothing is set in stone, if you find one group too easy then you can move up the next week.
Group 1 will leave at 6.25 and will take Heggies. Group 2 leaves at 6.30 and group 3 at 6.35 and both take the Clune. If Group 1 is caught by the top of Clune then they wait and restart behind the next group.
Paul is going to post a few guidelines on good practice.
 

After speaking to some worthies (Charlie and Jan!) I thought I would take the initiative to post up a code of conduct for the JWCC Thursday night run. If those of us on the forum commit to this then it will happen. 

I would also propose to do a brief at start next week so our guests will understand if they are dangling out front alone for a bit !

This was written before Jan's post to try more than one group so it not quite as relevant now but principles still apply. My view is that it is maybe time to try more than one group – my personal view would be to try two groups first.

Going to keep it simple

,
1)      We ride tempo on Bishy hill – not slow – but we don’t increase the power output


2)      At the approach to roundabouts we have a 10 second period before and after when the outside line does not ride through and off. Ie. two parallel lines going at same speed as slower line. Purpose is to roll into and roll out of roundabout. Once 10 seconds out, the front guy on the outside line rolls through again and folks can put the hammer down as normal. This applies at Westferry on ramp (which is technically a roundabout anyway), Langbank, Woodhall and Houston roundabouts.


3)      If bunch gets split at any roundabout or traffic light, the front group rides below tempo until regroup happens.



 
If anyone has a constructive feedback then please post up, or post up to support this initiative to keep it safe but hard.

After speaking to some worthies (Charlie and Jan!) I thought I would take the initiative to post up a code of conduct for the JWCC Thursday night run. If those of us on the forum commit to this then it will happen. 

I would also propose to do a brief at start next week so our guests will understand if they are dangling out front alone for a bit !

This was written before Jan's post to try more than one group so it not quite as relevant now but principles still apply. My view is that it is maybe time to try more than one group – my personal view would be to try two groups first.

Going to keep it simple

,
1)      We ride tempo on Bishy hill – not slow – but we don’t increase the power output


2)      At the approach to roundabouts we have a 10 second period before and after when the outside line does not ride through and off. Ie. two parallel lines going at same speed as slower line. Purpose is to roll into and roll out of roundabout. Once 10 seconds out, the front guy on the outside line rolls through again and folks can put the hammer down as normal. This applies at Westferry on ramp (which is technically a roundabout anyway), Langbank, Woodhall and Houston roundabouts.


3)      If bunch gets split at any roundabout or traffic light, the front group rides below tempo until regroup happens.



 
If anyone has a constructive feedback then please post up, or post up to support this initiative to keep it safe but hard.

Next Saturday 17th August I was planning to do an SA and wondered if anyone else who is either already in the Hall of Fame or would like to get into the Hall of Fame might be up for it. 
I have a special reason in that my daughter is visiting for the weekend and is keen to be the first Female into the Hall (unless other females join next week!), she is similar or stronger than me for up to one hour but not really trained for 2h 40 min type efforts, also there is a descending challenge due to inexperience on bike so it will be a challenge to make up the time but that is what it is all about.
I reckon I am borderline fitness for a solo single so could probably get her round but any other riders would be very welcome ! 
 
 

Well said Iain, Galeb, Alan. There were a number of tension points tonight for sure. Crazy surges in the though and off, roundabout behaviour and pre roundabout behaviour was shocking with a rider in the outside lane blocking cars at the Langbank roundabout ! Bunch split once after Cedric's crash, bunch split again after Houston roundabout with no proper regroup, we had a terrified motorist at Houston roundabout due to rider careering through when others including myself had stopped etc.
I say for sure a pre brief next week as there are a lot of new faces. Happy for anyone else to do it but also happy to do it myself as I feel strongly about this.
I still think we stick to one bunch, but those of us who are regulars and form the core bunch need to keep the etiquette and if others are not them leave them to it - and tell them.
To finish on a positive - at the ramp on to Westferry tonight there was a 2 rider and a single rider who horsed it off the front, however others rode steady and gradually increased pace AFTER we were all on the dual carriageway. I believe this is what we need to do then horse it in a steady line once on the dual carriageway and clune etc.
 
 
 
 
 

Well said Iain, Galeb, Alan. There were a number of tension points tonight for sure. Crazy surges in the though and off, roundabout behaviour and pre roundabout behaviour was shocking with a rider in the outside lane blocking cars at the Langbank roundabout ! Bunch split once after Cedric's crash, bunch split again after Houston roundabout with no proper regroup, we had a terrified motorist at Houston roundabout due to rider careering through when others including myself had stopped etc.
I say for sure a pre brief next week as there are a lot of new faces. Happy for anyone else to do it but also happy to do it myself as I feel strongly about this.
I still think we stick to one bunch, but those of us who are regulars and form the core bunch need to keep the etiquette and if others are not them leave them to it - and tell them.
To finish on a positive - at the ramp on to Westferry tonight there was a 2 rider and a single rider who horsed it off the front, however others rode steady and gradually increased pace AFTER we were all on the dual carriageway. I believe this is what we need to do then horse it in a steady line once on the dual carriageway and clune etc.
 
 
 
 
 

Thank you Iain. I was second through Langbank roundabout, on the outside and took it very steady to avoid snapping the elastic which is what ALWAYS happens there (and every other roundabout).
You can guess how I was rewarded for trying to keep the bunch together after the roundabout. As I accelerated,  three or four riders burst past me in a bunch sprint  like I was getting in  their way and it took a few minutes to settle back into two lines. Total mess.
Some people need to chill, work in a bunch, and follow a wheel after corners even if it is not going full gas. Please don't dump your mates who are probably still easing on the roundabout, hoping an HGV is not coming into their lane. If I want you to come through on a steady ride I will flick you through, I don't want people charging past. By all means smash past me on the Clune or in the final 300m but this was not the case.
Then there was a wee spill just past my house which I thought was a final message so I went home early.
Maybe bunch is too big. Cue usual suggestion for two bunches. If others commit to this then I will join the second bunch next week.
 
 

Keep saying it...bunch is too big. A few weeks ago I joined the north bunch chaingang and they split into 3 groups with no problems. 

Have to agree was on Greig’s wheel nearly all night , we don’t seem to understand smooth, we were all over the road at some of the roundabouts , was very very messy

Remember when we all agreed about taking care at roundabouts? Tonight at Houston was far too close a call for comfort. Take it easy it is not a race, and even if it is a race dont do that!  Also a car had to stop at Newark Castle and from what i hear there was something at Langbank too? (I didnt see that one)
It wasn't just that though it was  guys surging through for their turn rather than through and off.  This is the basics.
My moaning might just sound like sour grapes because i was left behind after the restart at Knapps but fair enough i should have been paying more attention. Afterwards though Gregg was saying it was one the worst bunches he'd been a part of....if someone with his experience is saying that then time to listen.
 

Fantastic Cedric, chapeau Monsieur

 
 

I was gonna dig out the 20 year old Bio Arms and give it a bash
Will struggle to make the counting top 8 in the JWCC squadra but would like to give it a go and good cause anyway

This is how it should look.

Has anyone seen Paul Leavy recently....

Hi people,
the title of my post might have set alarm bells ringing. Sorry for that.
So.... I’ve not been well for the past 3-4 years. Up & down. Making bad choices then punishing myself for it. Caught in a loop. Eventually went to get help.
Basically l, I had a really bad experience when I was young that I hidaway from.Denied it happened. Beat myself up for it. 
Eventually, I sought help. I was referred to a councillor and a CBT therapist. I won’t lie, having to discuss my issues and experiences was brutal. 
Why am I telling you this? Because if I hadn’t I probably wouldn’t be here.
Things got so bad that, what I thought was my salvation, “cycling” became toxic. Watching my weight, training, trying to keep up &, as life unravelled, being dropped was very crushing. I saw cycling as being my validation but it became a pressure & a stressor.
Thanks to mental health professionals & some very good friends in the club who have given me council, I’m on the mend. Thanks, guys.
I’m still cycling but for now I’m just going out when I feel like it. I’m also eating like a horse with no qualms or worries about “racing weight” I never raced much anyway!
Why am I posting this? We live in a society that is so driven by aspiration and the need to “get on” and compete. I’ve come to the conclusion that after my experiences I’m just lucky to be here. I’m quite proud to be alive.
So my message is- if you are struggling, don’t be ashamed to seek help and if you think a friend is struggling don’t shy away from asking if they are ok.
you just might savesomeone’s life. 
If you are struggling and looking for help, message me. I might not have the answers but I can signpost you to people who can help you.
It’s ok not to be ok!

Hmmmm
Flanders, Sanremo, Roubaix for me, in that order
 
 

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.

Fantastic effort again Galeb, there is no question you will do this one day
 

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

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

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