P McDonald

Our friends and neighbours in the cooooriers were asking when we might start the Saturday morning bogs bunch for the winter. Date pencilled in is Saturday 5th October. For those thinking about it for first time then better to start earlier when the pace is slower and it is generally more mellow.
Distance 60 miles or a bit more come Dec / Jan.
Pace average now about 19 increasing to around 21 after Christmas.

 
 
 
 

I've got no idea what happened last night. I could hear the commentator talking about my "classic attack" as I rode round for the win on my own. On both occasions it wasn't so much an attack as an attempt to lift the pace to a level where it looked like we were racing. Riders seemed very reluctant to drive the bunch forward and - with the greatest respect to the others in the group - it was uncomfortably slow at times. I would love to see the times for the three B races.

The final race was much, much harder. Everybody got their act together and had a real go at winding it up. It turned into a slog-fest - last-man-standing stuff. A masterclass from me in how not to ride a points race, leading out five times out of seven on the sprint laps only to be passed by one, two, sometimes three riders in the home straight. Not good. I only managed second and was well beaten by the winner.

As everyone else has said, it's great to see so many Wheelers and Jets racing. Blue and yellow jerseys were everywhere last night, and it's always nice to hear a wee "good luck" from a friendly face on your way to the start.

I've spoken to Janette and I'm going to ride in the As next week, with initial aims of not making a nuisance of myself and trying to finish in the bunch. See you next week, people!

And thou shalt obey the ' none of the aformentioned rules apply for 2km before the 30 sign either side of Largs ' :)

 

Duncan
You never feel good on the Wednesday Thursday Friday you forget how bad you felt by the Saturday and enter again on the Sunday
Give it a couple of weeks and you will be flying

As new riders come into the main bunch I think its absolutely spot on to review Bunch Riding Skills. I joined the club just under 2-years ago and my 1st year's objective was to acquire these skills. Some less kind observers have suggested that I should have retained this as an objective this year! ........................ and next year :)

Richard, will decide Sunday whether to do bogs Tuesday or track Wednesday - bottom line is I just can't manage both due to the relentless march of time

Dear JWCC members,
 
We would like to inform all members that Tom Hill & myself have taken on the task of possibly looking into getting a New Design for our club cycling kit.
 
However, we though it would be a good idea to utilise local design talent in this creative process rather than just relying on the suppliers "limited" input.
 
Therefore, we are running this as a "Design Competition", inviting local design school students to summit their work so we can choose the "best" design to be used as the blueprint for our new club kit.
 
To further entice the student to participate, we will be offering the Winner & 2 Runners up of this competition with cash rewards which have been generously donated by our very own philanthropist - TOM HILL.
So, if in the near future, you're wearing club kit that rivals "Rapha" then you all should know who to thanks! :-)
 
We have yet to contact the students as they're still on holiday, so once their term starts we will proceed with this.
So, in the mean time I'll try and report any progress as much as we can to keep everyone up dated on this matter.
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Left side brain report,
Job done. Again. Andy joins the club. Average speed 20.13mph. Average speed when me, Ross and Billy did it one month ago 20.06mph. Ross you're a donkey. A fat one. fair to see we were motivated to beat the speed.
 
Right side brain report
On a wonderful late summer morn it was good to see Mr Anonymous, of Ayrshire, join me and Andy for the ferry trip. Even more wonderful when he duly provided 1/3 of the horsepower for the first 30 miles before opting to head over The String. With a strong NNW wind at Ardrossan we opted for an anti clockwise route. However the wind was almost non existant on Arran and when we turned at Lochranza I noted the flat sea and not the expected howling tail wind. So we just had to man up and get on with it. South end was truly magnificent with sparkling views to the Holy Isle and Ailsa Craig and Andy's hub. People were out on the beach enjoying the sun. We were just out of our boxes.
Can I think of a better way to spend a glorious late summer morn, mmm no.
In conclusion, chapeau Andy on a fine performance, thank you Mr Anonymous of Ayrshire for the input.
 
Is the double doable?
 

 
 
 

Left side brain report,
Job done. Again. Andy joins the club. Average speed 20.13mph. Average speed when me, Ross and Billy did it one month ago 20.06mph. Ross you're a donkey. A fat one. fair to see we were motivated to beat the speed.
 
Right side brain report
On a wonderful late summer morn it was good to see Mr Anonymous, of Ayrshire, join me and Andy for the ferry trip. Even more wonderful when he duly provided 1/3 of the horsepower for the first 30 miles before opting to head over The String. With a strong NNW wind at Ardrossan we opted for an anti clockwise route. However the wind was almost non existant on Arran and when we turned at Lochranza I noted the flat sea and not the expected howling tail wind. So we just had to man up and get on with it. South end was truly magnificent with sparkling views to the Holy Isle and Ailsa Craig and Andy's hub. People were out on the beach enjoying the sun. We were just out of our boxes.
Can I think of a better way to spend a glorious late summer morn, mmm no.
In conclusion, chapeau Andy on a fine performance, thank you Mr Anonymous of Ayrshire for the input.
 
Is the double doable?
 

 
 
 

Left side brain report,
Job done. Again. Andy joins the club. Average speed 20.13mph. Average speed when me, Ross and Billy did it one month ago 20.06mph. Ross you're a donkey. A fat one. fair to see we were motivated to beat the speed.
 
Right side brain report
On a wonderful late summer morn it was good to see Mr Anonymous, of Ayrshire, join me and Andy for the ferry trip. Even more wonderful when he duly provided 1/3 of the horsepower for the first 30 miles before opting to head over The String. With a strong NNW wind at Ardrossan we opted for an anti clockwise route. However the wind was almost non existant on Arran and when we turned at Lochranza I noted the flat sea and not the expected howling tail wind. So we just had to man up and get on with it. South end was truly magnificent with sparkling views to the Holy Isle and Ailsa Craig and Andy's hub. People were out on the beach enjoying the sun. We were just out of our boxes.
Can I think of a better way to spend a glorious late summer morn, mmm no.
In conclusion, chapeau Andy on a fine performance, thank you Mr Anonymous of Ayrshire for the input.
 
Is the double doable?
 

 
 
 

Great to see 10 yellow clad wheelers giving it dokey.
Anyway I'm sure I enjoyed that, just my legs don't seem to agree. Hope they return for Arran.

 

Can't make Saturday sorry, will really miss looking over at Billy's snot ridden face when he comes through for a spell, which wasn't very often

Yip another good race, same course for 40-50s which had me, Andy,Colin and George in the field. So 2 guys went from the gun, then one more and then I went after about 5 miles and took one other. We teamed up with the single guy and worked at it for 5 miles or so however when we turned into the crosswind I thought 'mm not such a good idea at this stage!' Anyway got caught on the short climb at Thornton and spent the rest if the race in the bunch. Did not see any of the other JWCC guys after I was back in bunch but saw Colin and George at finish, I'll letbthem report. I finished mid bunch on the drag up to the finish. Harassed that I can't finish better on the uphills as all the races seem to finish up a hill these days!

 
 
 

Yes can help out.

 

Did the Billy Warnock E123 today at Falkirk. Flat course BUT strong crosswinds. 8 laps of about 10 miles. A very high powered break left the bunch early doors. The crosswind sections on each lap I just don't want to report on as it was too painful to remember. The rest of the race was just plain eyeballs out. After 45 miles we had a 20 min downpour of freezing rain which was not good. Lap 7 the bunch split into a few echelons in the crosswind, after much grovelling in the gutter the bunch was together for the small drag at the end of each lap. However moi got pumped when my body just gave up on me, the crosswind section being the Real culprit. Took decision to not go round final lap as I was beyond the line of no pain no gain. So 70 great miles of intense effort, I'm sure it will do me good one day !?
Think I'll stick to Arran challenges, its so much better than crosswind grovels

 
 

Did the Billy Warnock E123 today at Falkirk. Flat course BUT strong crosswinds. 8 laps of about 10 miles. A very high powered break left the bunch early doors. The crosswind sections on each lap I just don't want to report on as it was too painful to remember. The rest of the race was just plain eyeballs out. After 45 miles we had a 20 min downpour of freezing rain which was not good. Lap 7 the bunch split into a few echelons in the crosswind, after much grovelling in the gutter the bunch was together for the small drag at the end of each lap. However moi got pumped when my body just gave up on me, the crosswind section being the Real culprit. Took decision to not go round final lap as I was beyond the line of no pain no gain. So 70 great miles of intense effort, I'm sure it will do me good one day !?
Think I'll stick to Arran challenges, its so much better than crosswind grovels

 
 

Great evening for a race, the vocal support at various points in circuit was very welcome. Pace was indeed lively and good to see so many wheelers. Chapeau to Iain, Billy and Colin for digging in. Andy and I finished side by side in mid bunch in a very frustrating bunch sprint. Bottom line is everyone wants to be 2nd or 3rd row and 40 into 10 doesn't go. But its same for everyone and if you are that strong then you just need to get on front and stay there. Finished feeling fresh and wanting to have a good sprint like about 30 others !?

Well it was done, there are 2 new inductees to the Arran Circuit roll of honour, chapeau Billy and Ross!
Started out as Keystone Cops, Ross texted me at 5.30am to say he had a puncture, so we left Lochwinnoch about 6am and rode into the stronger than expected headwind, so just getting to the ferry was a 'challenge'.
Then Ross pedal unwound itself outside the ticket office and we found it on the path.
Then Billy came walking along with a back wheel puncture and a glass rip ruined tyre - we borrowed scissors on the boat and shored up the tyre with inner tube enough to do the run.
BUT the coup de gras was surely Colin. He gave Billy a lift down and although Billy walked along and caught the ferry Colin managed to ride along as we were parting and the ferry guys would not wait !! Something about his car clock being wrong !? HAMMOCK AWARD MATERIAL.
 
Anyway, me, Billy, Ross and David T set out and whilst David was dieseling along he succumbed to back pain and headed over the string. Meantime Ross had to stop and tighten his pedal a couple of times as well as losing the big ring due to pathetic bike maintenance for the last 10 miles.
 
Billy and I totally cruised it with no issues whatsoever.
 
Arrived back at ferry with a record 12 minutes or so to spare.
 
Magnifique. Might propose another date if there is enough interest before end of season for the wannabees Iain, Colin and Andy.
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Well it was done, there are 2 new inductees to the Arran Circuit roll of honour, chapeau Billy and Ross!
Started out as Keystone Cops, Ross texted me at 5.30am to say he had a puncture, so we left Lochwinnoch about 6am and rode into the stronger than expected headwind, so just getting to the ferry was a 'challenge'.
Then Ross pedal unwound itself outside the ticket office and we found it on the path.
Then Billy came walking along with a back wheel puncture and a glass rip ruined tyre - we borrowed scissors on the boat and shored up the tyre with inner tube enough to do the run.
BUT the coup de gras was surely Colin. He gave Billy a lift down and although Billy walked along and caught the ferry Colin managed to ride along as we were parting and the ferry guys would not wait !! Something about his car clock being wrong !? HAMMOCK AWARD MATERIAL.
 
Anyway, me, Billy, Ross and David T set out and whilst David was dieseling along he succumbed to back pain and headed over the string. Meantime Ross had to stop and tighten his pedal a couple of times as well as losing the big ring due to pathetic bike maintenance for the last 10 miles.
 
Billy and I totally cruised it with no issues whatsoever.
 
Arrived back at ferry with a record 12 minutes or so to spare.
 
Magnifique. Might propose another date if there is enough interest before end of season for the wannabees Iain, Colin and Andy.
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Did the E,1,2,3 race between the roundabouts on the A77 tonight.
Looked like a full field. Got very wet. Got a very good workout. Got surprised that I only got a bit of a kicking and not a pure booting.15 or so broke away after about 20 miles and held a 30 sec gap to the finish. Bunch split and reformed a few times. Ended with bunch all together. I was mid bunch. Average speed for the 36 miles was 26.95 mph.
There is a 3,4 race on same course next Wednsday which I have entered.
Really handy being a 3rd cat:)
 

And this bit deserves a separate post, with Hugh in about the top 10 he was also
 
1st junior and
3rd 4th cat
 

Disaster.
Short run tonight to loosen legs. Chain broke. Mangled rear mech. Bent hanger.
#nomoresramchains
#racingonwinterbike
:|
 
 

The rain in Majorca was good preparation then, well done mate, as they say in sunny Spain, you've got cojones
 
 

Pro's = I finished a race!
 
Con's = It was 20 mins behind the bunch!
 
Really not sure what's up, just not the legs! Took a wee shot at front on top of a77 and that's about as much as I got to the front and went straight to the back, chucked it on one of the wee dam climbs!
 
Weird feeling of nothing in legs, back to drawing board.
 
Gummers finished in the bunch and was changed and on second cup of tea when I rolled in! He spent an awful amount of time in toliet before race and came out with a used needle! The mans a beast!

Great performance from Andy - he's in great form. I decided to have some goals for this race rather than worry too much about where I finished as I just need to improve my race mentality and ability to conserve energy for the difficult bits i.e. hills. So my goals were to move into any gaps which appeared and to be in a decent position for the climbs and to work really hard to hold on to the wheel so as not to get. It was all going according to plan. However as we came to the aptly named 'expletive deleted of a drag' I was well positioned and hanging in comfortably however about halfway up an opportunity arose for me to move further up the bunch on a downhill section so I pressed on. Then - just as I got to the steep bit POP !! my move forward meant I had to slow to the pace at the front and I lost momentum and before I could regain it was out the back and fighting like mad to get back on. Oh well the learning curve goes on. On the plus side felt much more confident moving around the bunch and conserving energy. Good to see Chung cheering us on. Great night to be out on the bike.