Jim B

Kenny, Have you met with Alan McLean or the interested WOSCA group yet ? Any feedback or a date for some ? Jim B

Kenny, I have been keeping an eye on how the 'track' was developing for some months now as I hoped it would provide Track style racing and training without the need to drive from one side of the country to the other. The inner kerb was one of the first features to be put in place and it immediately raised concerns with me which I brought up with Scottish Cycling staff who informed me that they were not involved in the financing of this track and had no say in its construction. I gather that there was some consultation with WOSCA and a few others but this consultation stretched to Glasgow city council telling all other interested parties what they were going to get and what they were not going to get. I also understand that there were a number of issues brought up which were ignored which included the banking(what banking?) an outer fence and the construction of the inner edging / drainage amongst other things. I, like others, was really disappointed with what was being built as just like Bob Sharp, I felt that we were getting a Go Kart track which was not at all suitable for track cycle racing. Who in their right mind would build a 4 inch edged kerb on a cycle race track and suggest that it did not present a danger to riders. It might not be apparent at first glance but the outer edge is also bordered by a concrete retaining edge which I believe is supposed to be flush with turf which is being laid to the required height. I doubt that this will provide the ' safe' flush surface hoped for and I believe that this outside edge will be just that, a concrete edge!! which will also be a real danger to riders. I contacted Glasgow city council and managed to speak to Alan McLean who is one of their two man 'cycling unit' and who is the individual responsible for spending our hard earned cash on this project. Mr McLean appears to be connected to the transport /land services of the council and has no direct connection to the Sport / leisure dept. I expressed my concerns that this track would be unsafe for any sort of competitive or even fast cycle riding in its current guise and and pointed out the kerbs as my main concern. Mr McLean told me that the decision to build the track in this manner was due to financial restrictions and in any case he did not agree that kerbs or concrete edges in a velo /racing track were a dangerous feature at all !!!!!! We didn't even get to banking or fences!!! (is it just me or does anyone else feel this is an issue ??) After some discussion he accepted that perhaps there were some dangerous aspects in having kerbs in place but suggested that any danger could be easily and effectively eliminated by painting a line 2 metres from the inner kerb which he believed would prevent riders from hitting the kerb in the event of an accident. I suggested that he should provide the details of this miracle paint to the roads department who could just dab a few lines up and down our motorways to keep cars from crossing the lanes, hard shoulders and crash barriers as a result of collisions. I also pointed out that if I stood on this 'protective 'paint line and fell directly back I would strike my head on said kerb probably injuring myself very badly or worse. Mr McLean informed me that he felt perhaps three metres from the kerb would be better. I understand that the track is seven metres wide and this would therefore leave just 4 metres width to race on ??? Given that the turns appear very sharp with no banking this would make for some very interesting racing and lots of overtime for the parks department for removing cycle debris from the surrounding area. Even spectators will require helmets at this track. I explained to Mr McLean that I felt that he had built a Cycle race track that was not fit for purpose as it would be very lucky to pass the Health and safety inspection that I expect would be required before its use could be sanctioned. Mr McLean informed me that there was no chance of there being any changes and in any case this was not a cycle race track !! What he has built, he tells me, is a community cycling facility where kids and adults can learn to cycle their bikes for everyday use. He also suggested that the facility would be used by disabled athletes for wheelchair racing. (I would have thought that kerbs may have been problematic here too??) and at no time had he ever suggested that he was building anything other than that. I wonder how much has been spent on this and on what grounds was this project funded ?? My belief is that this "track" could become a huge disappointment for cyclists in the west as well as a huge waste of public money unless changes are made. I wonder what " Wee Jack" would make of all of this on the run up to our commonwealth games bid ? Maybe we should tell him??????? Jim B Well scunnered.

Fantastic stuff Kat!! Did yourself and Scotland proud. Well done. Jim & Kaleigh

Great news from the Braveheart site for two of our clubs youth riders. Kayleigh Brogan and Andrew Whitehall have been named as two of the riders who will be supported by the Braveheart Academy during the season ahead. Fantastic to see young talent being supported in this manner by such a high profile and respected organisation. The encouragement and motivation that this provides just couldn't be bought and is sure to give them both a real boost in what is going to be a very competitive year. Jim B

Unfortunately both Kayleigh and I will be at Manchester so we're going to miss what looks like being a great night. Jim B

Stevie, I thought you were training with the couriers this winter ?? Jim B

Congratulations Kells, you both must be chuffed to bits "maw , paw an the weans" How does that sound ? Jim and Kayleigh

Kayleigh was riding the track league at Meadowbank tonight and was given the chance to ride two flying laps over the both the 250 and 200 metres distances. The weather was pretty good and fairly warm so she gave it a go. She rode the 250 which had been held at 19.39 secs by her friend Eileen Roe of Edinburgh Racers since the Cat recognition date in 2002 and delivered a new record time for her Cat with a time of 18.09 secs. She later went on to do a bit of racing before tackling the 200 where despite a bit of a slow start she recovered very well to deliver a time of 15.27secs which beat the existing time for her category of 18.50secs and also the Youths all ages record which had stood at 15.95 secs since 2000. She is a bit too modest to mention this but she now hold all 4 scottish youth track records for her Cat and a further Youth girls record for the overall cat giving her a total of 5 Scottish records. Not a bad first year !! Jim B

The route is south , west and north aspects of George Sq moving onto George St, Montrose St and return to the Square via Cochrane St. There will be road closures in the area from 18.00hrs and the Police expect the actual race to begin at 18.30 hrs. Tuesday roads will be closed in some areas from 06.30 hrs and some traffic disruption is anticipated. Cheers Jim B

Scott, I would have helped out here but Kayleigh is riding in the event and that being the case I doubt that it would be right for me to marshall. Cheers Jim B

Paul, Can't get along to assist on Saturday due to a family engagement . I still have a half box of polystyrene cups from last year which you might want for teas etc. I would drop these off at club house if anyone was around midweek? PS Do you think your wee Tifosi would be too big for Kayleigh 5' 3" ? Jim B

Brian, Please sign me up for the 50 miler. Will send the dosh by cheque or via the braveheart site and will also drop Andy a line. Cheers Jim B ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computer needs, spares & repairs - PC Express, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kenny, I reckon I'm now doubtful due to current injury situation however if things improve I would hope to do the race at least. Cheers Jim B

Hope to be there . Jim B

Do you know that would never have crossed my mind Stevie ! Muchos Congratulations Aileen. What an achievment. You know where to send the story. If you can give me a brief bit of background and the events you are in I'll get something organised with the local papers and with the Herald et al. It would probably be better if we got someone to come and interview / photograph you. Got them to do it for Kat last year so I am pretty sure we could get the same again. Give me a shout and I'LL try and get things moving. well done again. Jim B

Copy of press release relating to Donald's win at Girvan. There should be a few more over the next few days. Articles will also be in the Gaz group publications and the extra. I'm making a few enquiries about local radio sports news at the moment so keep your ears open! DESPERATE FOR A FEW PHOTOS GUYS / GIRLS. WE GET BETTER COVERAGE WITH A DECENT PHOTO. Scally’s back in the saddle for success May 4 2004 COMEBACK king Donald Scally made a sensational winning return for Johnstone Wheelers at the Girvan Valley Road Race. Scally, who is back in the saddle after a lengthy break from the sport, narrowly captured the victory after a gruelling 40 miles of racing. Johnstone Wheelers president, Kenny McDonald, hailed Scally's win and reckoned there's much more to come. He said: "Things could not have gone better for Donald. He has always been a classy rider and it is good to see him getting a victory so early on his return. I'm sure it won't be his last." Girvan played host to some of the country's top riders for the recent Festival of Cycle Sport event. Supporting the Three Day Stage Race was the Girvan Valley Road Race, which is for third and fourth category riders. The popular event always attracts a quality field and more than 50 riders took part. Johnstone Wheelers were represented by Paul McDonald, Scott Donaldson, Stuart Dunbar and Donald Scally. The race got underway with a series of attacks and breaks beginning almost immediately. Donaldson was well up around the three-mile mark, but two riders competing for position on a slippery corner came off in front of him, causing him to dismount. No one was injured, but Donaldson suffered a mechanical problem and was unable to continue. The pride of the club was left for McDonald, Dunbar and Scally to look after and they gave it their all. McDonald was part of a group who made an early break after five miles and despite the efforts of the chasing bunch, their gap was maintained for a punishing 20 miles before the strength in numbers in the bigger chasing pack brought home the advantage. This did not last long, however, as some of the fresher faces arriving at the head of the group manufactured a break of their own. Once again, McDonald got away, but this time he was joined by Scally and Dunbar who did some sterling work to keep the chasing pack at bay. As the race approached its energy sapping hilltop finish, a group of 10 riders held their positions at the front. But at 500 yards the group quickened the pace and with 200 yards to go it was maximum effort in a heads-down sprint. McDonald, who has been outstanding this year, managed to maintain his position to take a creditable 8th place, but it was Scally who stole the show, emerging from the rear of the group to produce a sprint finish that capped a sensational win. Dunbar, meanwhile, finished his race in the chasing bunch a few seconds later. This weekend sees Johnstone Wheelers riders in action at Ayrshire, Perthshire, Stirlingshire and England. Cheers Jim B

George, No photo !!! I sent it with the reports which have all been published! I guess it's the "bag o'er the heed fur you" if there's any more victories. Cheers Jim B PS I need photos urgently folks . We will get more cover if we can provide an interesting photo. Donald Scally ,where are you? send me a photo asap if you can as I'm putting in a report re Girvan win.

Well said Dougie. It's good to see Jim getting a bit of recognition and an opportunity like this. Well deserved and best of luck to him. Cheers Jim B

I didn't have any photographs to send with either article folks so the express has dug into the Kat photo library again. It's probably just as well I didn't have any of the Bellsdyke team! Nuff said! I would ask anyone who is competing to get their hands on a digital photo with the new gear on as there is a far better chance of getting decent sized articles in if we can offer something colourful to look at. Cheers Jim B

Another article in the PDE today and probably other publications over next day or two. Photos of Stevie B and Paul McD included. Cheers Jim B

Report published in Paisley Express today. Quite a good spread even if I do say so myself! Good photo from the "Kat photo library" included. Cheers Jim B Further report on weekends events going tonight . Still no update on the Lake APR. George,Kat, Daryl did you guys ride it? Give us a wee update if poss.

Kenny, Any word from our supplier on clothing? I am all out and Stevie Blom is in the same boat . We both raced incognito last week so it,s getting a bit urgent !!! Cheers Jim B

Sent out a fair bit of material to the local press namely Paisley Express, Gazzette Group and B,Head news. I'm not sure if they will cover everything I have given them but I got a phone call from Paul Behan the new man at the PDE Sports desk who tells me that they will do an article with Ice Breaker winners photo (kindly supplied to me by Iain McIntosh of Inverclyde Velo). The article will also mention our new and established sponsors as well as new members and old. Mr Behan also confirmed that he would be very keen to give us as much coverage as we could use for the rest of the season. So lets get the results rolling in guys and girls! Good luck to everyone who is racing at Moscow and Falkirk tomorrow. Cheers Jim B

Stu, Send me your phone numbers and I will give you a ring to see if we can organise a pick up somewhere en route. I may be able to take you and Stevie Thurs. Jim B

Looks like Glengarnock with a run away victory at the polls! I am for going barring something nasty happens workwise and I will collect Stevie en route. Cheers Jim B STEVIE , DROP ME A LINE WITH YOUR PHONE NUMBERS AND WE'LL GET IT ORGANISED.