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P McDonald

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  1. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Colin McPhee in Chaingang 30th May   
    yip should be, suggest we see numbers then decide if we grace the bogs bunch with our presence - last Thursday the bogs bunch was >50% JWCC
  2. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Scott D in Road Race May 26   
    Good reports guys. Some other thoughts come to mind which might seem obvious but worth mentioning,
     
    - never race with something new on your bike that you have not ridden on before for at least a couple of hours to make sure it works ok. Including such simple things as tyres which might not be seated, bottle cages which might rattle loose, bar tape that might unravel etc
    - most races start at a frantic pace, be prepared, be very prepared, with a thorough warm up which includes some full on sprints, it might seem like a waste of energy but its worth it,
    - it is worth burning up some energy to be in first 15 before the key points - usually climbs or crosswind sections, but obviously use as little as possible !
    - it is worth ending yourself to hold the wheel, the notion that 'I'll drift off the back then catch up over the top' is simply a myth for all but the very strongest. When you lose the wheel you don't get back on to a bunch moving at that speed.
    - if there is a gap in the bunch, claim it. Take every possible chance to move forward when little effort required.
     
    And you've all heard me preach it before, do short sharp intervals or something like track which gives the same effect. The ability to have short frequent spurts is invaluable in a road race.
     
    Hope that helps
     
    : banana
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  3. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Ramsay in Road Race May 26   
    Good reports guys. Some other thoughts come to mind which might seem obvious but worth mentioning,
     
    - never race with something new on your bike that you have not ridden on before for at least a couple of hours to make sure it works ok. Including such simple things as tyres which might not be seated, bottle cages which might rattle loose, bar tape that might unravel etc
    - most races start at a frantic pace, be prepared, be very prepared, with a thorough warm up which includes some full on sprints, it might seem like a waste of energy but its worth it,
    - it is worth burning up some energy to be in first 15 before the key points - usually climbs or crosswind sections, but obviously use as little as possible !
    - it is worth ending yourself to hold the wheel, the notion that 'I'll drift off the back then catch up over the top' is simply a myth for all but the very strongest. When you lose the wheel you don't get back on to a bunch moving at that speed.
    - if there is a gap in the bunch, claim it. Take every possible chance to move forward when little effort required.
     
    And you've all heard me preach it before, do short sharp intervals or something like track which gives the same effect. The ability to have short frequent spurts is invaluable in a road race.
     
    Hope that helps
     
    : banana
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  4. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Gummers in Road Race May 26   
    Good reports guys. Some other thoughts come to mind which might seem obvious but worth mentioning,
     
    - never race with something new on your bike that you have not ridden on before for at least a couple of hours to make sure it works ok. Including such simple things as tyres which might not be seated, bottle cages which might rattle loose, bar tape that might unravel etc
    - most races start at a frantic pace, be prepared, be very prepared, with a thorough warm up which includes some full on sprints, it might seem like a waste of energy but its worth it,
    - it is worth burning up some energy to be in first 15 before the key points - usually climbs or crosswind sections, but obviously use as little as possible !
    - it is worth ending yourself to hold the wheel, the notion that 'I'll drift off the back then catch up over the top' is simply a myth for all but the very strongest. When you lose the wheel you don't get back on to a bunch moving at that speed.
    - if there is a gap in the bunch, claim it. Take every possible chance to move forward when little effort required.
     
    And you've all heard me preach it before, do short sharp intervals or something like track which gives the same effect. The ability to have short frequent spurts is invaluable in a road race.
     
    Hope that helps
     
    : banana
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  5. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Darryl Gunson in Road Race May 26   
    Good reports guys. Some other thoughts come to mind which might seem obvious but worth mentioning,
     
    - never race with something new on your bike that you have not ridden on before for at least a couple of hours to make sure it works ok. Including such simple things as tyres which might not be seated, bottle cages which might rattle loose, bar tape that might unravel etc
    - most races start at a frantic pace, be prepared, be very prepared, with a thorough warm up which includes some full on sprints, it might seem like a waste of energy but its worth it,
    - it is worth burning up some energy to be in first 15 before the key points - usually climbs or crosswind sections, but obviously use as little as possible !
    - it is worth ending yourself to hold the wheel, the notion that 'I'll drift off the back then catch up over the top' is simply a myth for all but the very strongest. When you lose the wheel you don't get back on to a bunch moving at that speed.
    - if there is a gap in the bunch, claim it. Take every possible chance to move forward when little effort required.
     
    And you've all heard me preach it before, do short sharp intervals or something like track which gives the same effect. The ability to have short frequent spurts is invaluable in a road race.
     
    Hope that helps
     
    : banana
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  6. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Ramsay in Road Race May 26   
    Good race today which eventually ended in sunshine For the JWCC guys who are relative newcomers, do not be put off as that was quite a tough one. A lumpy course with a keen wind and a race average of 24.3 mph = fairly lively race. Also this particular course suits those with experience who work their way up the bunch before the climbs which is something that just has to be learnt. I finished in the lead bunch but when the sprint started up the final hill I had nought left and ended about 15th, need to wait for photo finish. Scary thought of the day, riding up to the wind farm in the last 2 miles, albeit with a tail wind, I noticed we were doing 28mph !? And wished I had not looked.

     
     
     
  7. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Darryl Gunson in Road Race May 26   
    Good race today which eventually ended in sunshine For the JWCC guys who are relative newcomers, do not be put off as that was quite a tough one. A lumpy course with a keen wind and a race average of 24.3 mph = fairly lively race. Also this particular course suits those with experience who work their way up the bunch before the climbs which is something that just has to be learnt. I finished in the lead bunch but when the sprint started up the final hill I had nought left and ended about 15th, need to wait for photo finish. Scary thought of the day, riding up to the wind farm in the last 2 miles, albeit with a tail wind, I noticed we were doing 28mph !? And wished I had not looked.

     
     
     
  8. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Darryl Gunson in Wanted: timetrial bars and extensions   
    I have TTT bio arms. Not really Tri bars but you could try if you want . For 26.8mm bars.

     
  9. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Darryl Gunson in 2014 trip   
    Well it nearly midsummer day so maybe time to start thinking about it !!!
     
    A few have asked me about a regular haunt of mine in the Cost Blanca so I thought I would give a wee summary.
    Area is Moraira / Calpe. About 20 miles east of Benidorm. I have been about a dozen times with half of those being at Easter.
    Weather, I have seen one day of torrential rain at both Easter and summer. Beyond that a couple of spots on an occasional day at Easter.
    April temps are about 17-19c through the day.
    Luxury villa to rent which could sleep 10 with typically a 10x5 pool would be about £1500 - £1800 / week at Easter. Not much if there are 10 or even 8 sharing that matter. Normally need to rent for a full week. Downside of course is that you need to man up and cook for yourself. Or maybe just breakfast as there are plenty restaurants. Special feature of the costa blanca is excellent Chinese where you can get the full bhoona with vino and schnapps etc for about 8 euros each, astonishing.
    Cycling in the area is as good as anywhere in the world in my opinion. Pot holes are very few and far between. Roads are mostly silky smooth. Traffic is minimal once you go 15km inland. As in 2 tractors, 1 car and a donkey over 10 miles. Scenery I can only describe as 'heaven on earth'. There are quite a lot of cyclists around, nowhere near as many as Majorca! not so many through the week, ie lots of locals out at weekend.
    There is an 'anytime' time trial on the Col de Rates. Which you can run or cycle. Hut at bottom where you take card and stamp it in machine then do same at top station. Then post card in box and your time will appear amongst the many on the Internet. It is 6.8km with about 330m rise.
    Flights to Alicante airport are plentiful from Easyjet and Jet 2.
    Car hire is the route I use and as an example Darryl and I hired a small car which took our 2 bikes for £80 for 5 days in Majorca. Plus some fuel. Car obviously very handy for supermarket trip. And occasionally I have driven up the climb from the coast and parked maybe 15 miles inland so as to be able to venture further into the mountains.
    I may well be time strapped to go next year with different job role but would hope to get for 4 or 5 days. I guess if we go this route then we would just need to make a 1 week commit whether you are there all the time or not.
    Finally there are bigger hotels in Calpe which are another option, a lot of the pro teams go there in February, March. Usually Astana and Saxo Bank.
    So, an option to consider.

     
     
     
     
  10. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Darryl Gunson in Chain gang 23rd May   
    Jwcc made up half the bunch tonight with 6 oot for a blast.
    The run out from Renfrew to clune was a gid grind.
    I confirm my legs were indeed ground to a frazzle.
    Good to see Richard back out and displaying fine form, Greg the chief grinder set the tempo with a crazy pace right from the word go, Davy and I felt compelled to keep going through for unity, Darryl only a week or two away from getting back to usual smooth and effective style and Davy T on his crash course to fitness
     
  11. Like
    P McDonald reacted to DavieB in captain of the bunch   
    The Usual Suspects(2012)
     
    Never ends!! - Crime|Mystery|Thriller – 23rd May 2013(Joansin’)
     
    8.7
     
    Your rating:
     
    12345678910-/10X
     
    Ratings:8.7/10 from 440,937 users Metascore: 77/100
    Reviews: 1,077 user| 139 critic| 22 from Metacritic.com
     
    A club run has been destroyed, bunch etiquette is dead, and the key to this mystery lies with the only survivor and his twisted, convoluted story beginning with five lycra clad loons in a seemingly random exercise in half wheeling.
     
    Director:
     
    B McDonald
     
    Writer:
     
    M O’Neil
     
    Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Kevin Spacey & some mamils - See full cast and crew
  12. Like
    P McDonald reacted in For sale; Colnago   
    Sorry buyer has pulled out! Need sale asap to fund my new bike adventure. I'm buying a tandem as I can't power a bike with just my two legs and extra pair is needed!
  13. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from martin in track 15th May endurance   
    Jann
    Just a thought, is there any chance of getting one of those finish photo things - preferably one where I almost (but never quite) managed to beat young Mulholland - as he moves onwards and upwards I can look back with at the days when I could almost .....etc.

  14. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Ramsay in track 15th May endurance   
    Brilliant night. Too tired to say much other than many many excellent results from wheelers and jets.
    Chapeau team.
    Final B race was combined with A race as there were so many drop outs through the evening. Alan, Lewis and I found it very ' interesting ' and somewhat challenging
     
  15. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from martin in track 15th May endurance   
    Brilliant night. Too tired to say much other than many many excellent results from wheelers and jets.
    Chapeau team.
    Final B race was combined with A race as there were so many drop outs through the evening. Alan, Lewis and I found it very ' interesting ' and somewhat challenging
     
  16. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Colin McPhee in ULTIMATE ARRAN CHALLENGE 11th or 18th May   
    Plan B formulated already. Ayrshire Alps that we missed out on earlier in the year due to the mince weather?
    80 odd miles with climb after climb after climb.
  17. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Ramsay in Wed 24th track endurance   
    Well there was certainly endurance in in the endurance night. Might just be the best nights track racing so far I reckon. 160 laps of mostly eyeballs out racing. Never more than 100 before.
     
    B group had
    A wee 10 lap warmer ( Lewis 1st, me 3rd)
    A 40 lap scratch, ( me 5th, Lewis saving his legs wisely)
    A 50 lap points, (blank results)
    Than the coup de grace, a 60 lap scratch ( Lewis 2nd by a whisker, me 4th)
     
    Magnifico
     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  18. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Darryl Gunson in Wed 24th track endurance   
    Well there was certainly endurance in in the endurance night. Might just be the best nights track racing so far I reckon. 160 laps of mostly eyeballs out racing. Never more than 100 before.
     
    B group had
    A wee 10 lap warmer ( Lewis 1st, me 3rd)
    A 40 lap scratch, ( me 5th, Lewis saving his legs wisely)
    A 50 lap points, (blank results)
    Than the coup de grace, a 60 lap scratch ( Lewis 2nd by a whisker, me 4th)
     
    Magnifico
     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  19. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Darryl Gunson in Jim Daly Memorial 2013 20th April   
    I have dozens of forms so you can fill in one when you are there bright and early tomorrow
     

  20. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Scott D in JWCC Tour of Mallorca 2013 - start list   
    Oh and take your rollers to maintain leg speed, balance and suplesse for the track
     
     
  21. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Ramsay in Jim Daly Memorial 2013 20th April   
    All
     
    3 marshals short at this point so sorry but may need to invoke club rules about marshalling instead of racing. There were 9 JWCC entries but now 7 as Mark and Ramsay are helping out instead.
     
    I have allocated some jobs for next week, let me know if you want a change of duties. I am 3 marshals short. In that event I will do one position and do a random draw of the other 6 JWCC entries to see which other 2 need to help out.
     
    What I have is
     
    Lead car , Mark O
    Service car, Ramsay
    Sign on, Billy, Charlie, Paul C
    Marshall 1, Colin
    Marshal 2,3,4, unfilled
    1aid, combination of Kay and Colin
     
    Hoping we get some more people who can help out on the day so the boy racers can race! Time requirement for marshals is 9.30am to 12.15pm.
     
    Thanks
     
    PMcD
     
  22. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Ramsay in ULTIMATE ARRAN CHALLENGE 11th or 18th May   
    Here's a warmer for a winters night. Set yourself an ambitious target!!! Our very own gran fondo proportioned challenge.
    It's the ultimate Arran Challenge ( until the next one )
    The Challenge
    2 laps of island between 2 ferries. 7am ferry Saturday. Target return 13.50 ferry. 1st lap full circuit, 2nd lap takes a 4 mile shortcut. But it does go over the Ross which is a substantial climb.
    Effective ride time between ferries is 5h35m. If allow for one x 5 min stop then 5.5 hrs for the 106 miles = 19.3 mph average.
    The Rules of Engagement
    Participants to be familiar with route and short cut options.
    Do not stop for punctures, those unfortunate to puncture take short cut to rejoin or ride in reverse to meet up again. With exception of last 30 miles when there is no short cut option where we wait to finish as a team.
    One 5 min stop after first lap to refill bottles, buy coke etc.
    Participants can join for all or part of the adventure.
    Pace will be kept on or just above the average required.
    Will be a balls out job for 5.5 hours.
    If interested then get your oar in early with preferred date.
    Be prepared for a possible miss of return ferry so all day pass required.
     
    Finally this is doable. I have done the single lap with Alan, Fergus and Davie B and another time as a 2 up with David T ( that one was borderline insane )
     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  23. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from DavieB in Sunday 24th March - Main Bunch   
    I just missed youse at the BB. I had wanted to go over Loch Thom so I went on cross bike in case of snow. Timed things to meet you at BB. However the moor road involved clambering through a lot of snow drifts, some about 8 ft deep but you could run over the crusty top and only sink in to your knees ! Then punctured when I hit a bit of metal in the snow about 2 miles from Largs when hands were numb.
    Arrived at BB on my knees and heard you left 15 mins earlier.
    So quick cuppa, up Heely where I met Tony C then home.
    Has a vintage You've been Framed moment when I was descending in soft snow in middle of road as the tractor ruts were too icy, saw a deep drift, too slippy to brake so tried to surf it. Doh, it was about 3 ft deep and I did a somersault into the soft snow.
    Character building

     
     
     
     
  24. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from martin in Sunday 24th March - Main Bunch   
    I just missed youse at the BB. I had wanted to go over Loch Thom so I went on cross bike in case of snow. Timed things to meet you at BB. However the moor road involved clambering through a lot of snow drifts, some about 8 ft deep but you could run over the crusty top and only sink in to your knees ! Then punctured when I hit a bit of metal in the snow about 2 miles from Largs when hands were numb.
    Arrived at BB on my knees and heard you left 15 mins earlier.
    So quick cuppa, up Heely where I met Tony C then home.
    Has a vintage You've been Framed moment when I was descending in soft snow in middle of road as the tractor ruts were too icy, saw a deep drift, too slippy to brake so tried to surf it. Doh, it was about 3 ft deep and I did a somersault into the soft snow.
    Character building

     
     
     
     
  25. Like
    P McDonald got a reaction from Darryl Gunson in Sunday 24th March - Main Bunch   
    I just missed youse at the BB. I had wanted to go over Loch Thom so I went on cross bike in case of snow. Timed things to meet you at BB. However the moor road involved clambering through a lot of snow drifts, some about 8 ft deep but you could run over the crusty top and only sink in to your knees ! Then punctured when I hit a bit of metal in the snow about 2 miles from Largs when hands were numb.
    Arrived at BB on my knees and heard you left 15 mins earlier.
    So quick cuppa, up Heely where I met Tony C then home.
    Has a vintage You've been Framed moment when I was descending in soft snow in middle of road as the tractor ruts were too icy, saw a deep drift, too slippy to brake so tried to surf it. Doh, it was about 3 ft deep and I did a somersault into the soft snow.
    Character building

     
     
     
     
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