Scott D

Maybe try posting on Braveheart forum Stevie? I'll be going, but will be driving direct from work. Look forward to seeing any other members there Scott

http://books.guardian.co.uk/top10s/top1 ... 06,00.html Matt Seaton's top 10 books about cycling -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matt Seaton's haunting memoir, The Escape Artist, charts the physical and emotional consequences of his obsession with cycling, and his struggle with his wife's death from cancer. He has recently gone back to a bit of racing, now as a veteran. At the last count he had six bikes, including a beautiful blue titanium Colnago. 1 The Rider by Tim Krabbé Krabbé is probably best known in this country as the author of the novel adapted as the film The Vanishing, but in his native Netherlands The Rider is his bestselling book. As a young man, Krabbé's forte was chess - in his late teens, he was inside the top 20 players in Holland - and he only discovered a talent for cycle-racing relatively late in life, in his 30s. That new-found passion eventually found its way into this autobiographical novella about a bike race in south-west France, but the chess knowledge still figures as Krabbé narrates the intricate battle of tactics and psychology as the race plays itself out against the bleak landscape of les causses. Like much of Krabbé's oeuvre, The Rider has a strange, dark, philosophical flavour: it is both a paean to pain and a hymn to the fellowship of the road. Nothing better is ever likely to be written on the subjective experience of cycle-racing. Buy The Rider at the Guardian bookshop 2 Bike Cult: The Ultimate Guide to Human Powered Vehicles by David B Perry This compendious scrapbook of bike lore is a resource I return to again and again. David Perry is the perfect bicycle enthusiast - a former professional racer but with a metropolitan 'alternative' sensibility. Whether you are hunting for references to movies which feature cycling or are merely browsing, Bike Cult is, for all its idiosyncracies and slightly makeshift feel, about the best encyclopaedia there is. Where else would you learn not only about French surrealist Alfred Jarry's absinthe-inspired cycling fantasies but also about the astonishing mathematical complexity of the physics of balancing on a bicycle? An indispensable companion. 3 On Your Bicycle: An Illustrated History of Cycling by James McGurn Jim McGurn is an institution in his own right. Few others have done so much to foster the culture of cycling, through entrepreneurialism, publishing and writing. His history of cycling is, for my money, the best in a crowded field. Originally published by John Murray and handsomely and imaginatively illustrated, On Your Bicycle is an elegant and perceptive social history of cycling. Read this and you will realise that merely to swing your leg over the crossbar is to participate in a noble tradition, and that, as Iris Murdoch once observed, the bicycle is the most civilised form of transport known to man. 4 Rough Ride by Paul Kimmage Now a renowned sports writer, Kimmage first paid his dues as a professional cyclist. His career overlapped with two other, more famous sons of Irish cycling, Stephen Roche and Sean Kelly. Kimmage worked as a domestique - which can be literally translated as servant - one of the workhorses of the team. That alone gives his account of a pitiless sport that chews riders up and spits them out some of its gritty touch, but what made Kimmage's portrait of the professional peloton famous was his frankness about doping. Compelling stuff. Buy Rough Ride at the Guardian bookshop 5 Put Me Back on My Bike: In Search of Tom Simpson by William Fotheringham The Guardian's own cycling correspondent, William Fotheringham, is one of several prolific cycling writers, and I could nominate any one of a number of his books. This biography of Simpson, arguably the most talented cyclist Britain has ever produced, stands out as exemplary, not least because of the difficulty and sensitivity of the subject. Simpson's death from heat exhaustion, exacerbated by amphetamine misuse, on Mont Ventoux during the 1967 Tour de France was a deeply traumatic event for a generation of fans - a tragedy that has subsequently become shrouded in denial and sentiment. Fotheringham navigates his way through this miasma with tact, rigour and intelligence. Buy Put Me Back on My Bike at the Guardian bookshop 6 One More Kilometre and We're in the Showers by Tim Hilton As cycling memoirs go, it is hard to imagine Hilton's being improved on. Rich in reminiscences of his own 50s and 60s heyday, but mingling personal history with a deep knowledge of the sport and its history, Tim Hilton makes a congenial and acute companion. An arts correspondent by trade (latterly of the Independent, but formerly of the Guardian), he brings a subtle, nuance-alert mind to such subjects as why both artists and posties have always been over-represented among the ranks of club cyclists. Buy One More Kilometre and We're in the Showers at the Guardian bookshop 7 Off to the Races: 25 Years of Cycling Journalism by Samuel Abt Does what it says on the cover. The point being that Abt, long-time correspondent for the International Herald Tribune and New York Times, is one of the best. However else you follow the Tour, Abt's columns in the IHT are mandatory reading. For one thing, he gets more space than many British sports editors allow, and his reporting is always spot-on. No spin, no angle, no ego - he just really knows his subject and tells it like it is. No other cycling journalist so consistently enriches what I thought I'd seen on the previous evening's TV highlights. 8 Flying Scotsman: The Graeme Obree Story by Graeme Obree Obree, you may remember, was the eccentric but brilliant Scottish cyclist who set a new world hour record on a bike he'd built himself out of, among other things, old washing machine parts. He lost his record to Chris Boardman, and the two entered an extraordinary duel which, symbolically, pitted amateur versus professional and homespun wisdom against cutting-edge sports science. Obree the arch-individualist always made a great story, but something deeper emerged after his career collapsed into depression and mental anguish and he was forced to confront the demons that had been driving him since his miserable childhood. A brave and honest autobiography. Buy Flying Scotsman at the Guardian bookshop 9 A Significant Other: Riding the Centenary Tour De France with Lance Armstrong by Matt Rendell One of the most fascinating aspects of professional cycling competition is the way teams work - essentially, all for one. Rendell's book takes as its subject the role of the domestique, the journeyman pro whose job is to shepherd and protect the team leader, to fetch and carry food and drink, to chase down attacks, and, when necessary, to give up a wheel or even his entire bicycle to his master. Rendell captures exactly the poignancy of this role, but the beauty of the book is its access to Colombian rider Victor Hugo Peña, whose daily job was to bury himself for Lance Armstrong. Peña proves a remarkably articulate subject, and Rendell's transcription of his account of one Tour is a white-knuckle ride. Buy A Significant Other at the Guardian bookshop 10 It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life by Lance Armstrong It slightly goes against the grain to nominate Lance's bestseller - after all, doesn't he win enough? But this is just too big a book to ignore. We all now know the story in outline: world-class athlete discovers he has advanced cancer and may be weeks away from death; against the odds and with incredible grit, he makes a full recovery and, astonishingly, rides his way back to winning ways. Whatever you think of Lance, it is an inspirational tale. The title was a stroke of genius: aided by an excellent ghostwriter, Lance achieved that rare thing - a bike book that non-bikies wanted to read. Buy It's Not About the Bike at the Guardian bookshop

Hi Dennis, other members I'll be there for 1 week from 17th March with a group from various clubs including Glasgow Wheelers and Glenmarnock Wheelers. The training will vary from moderate to hard, depending on what group you ride with each day. Around 16 people will be there, so there should be several route options each day. I'll be based in the south, in Palmanova. The format will be similar to last years trip (Mallorca training camp: March 2005 shown in the Personal forum). I'll be hiring a bike this year, as its getting more difficult to guarantee your bike will get on the plane / arrive on time. There is great competition for hold storage, the limit each flight being restricted to some combination of golf bags and up to 12 bikes. Ask your east coast contacts how many bike boxes disappear en-route to arrive days later. Scott

Before you go, remember to return those carbon legs Scott

In case there is a mad rush for the Torridon trip, I just want to point out: - Arran was not the most fantastic trip we've had in ages - Simon did not bring 9 bottles of wine, fresh prawns, moz cheese, salad, tomatoes, pasta, garlic, coffee maker etc in his 12 panniers yet still manage to race up the hills - We did not have great team spirit, enjoying the fine weather, regrouping as needed at the tops of climbs. - We did not stagger along to the nearby pub after polishing off the wine, to test the quality of Arran blonde, 70/- , other local ale - Simon did not play Johnny Cash songs on the guitar in the busy pub, much to the amusement of a group of pipe smoking dutchmen in the corner, while we sang about shooting a man in Reno.. "just to watch him die". - The drunkard Darryl did not become devoutly religious on the sunday, mentioning God and Jesus a lot, especially on the hills. Scott

Sounds great kenny. Do you have any pics? Scott

Hi Sarah I'm intending to come along Scott

Hi Stevie Alastair Gow advised me on at least 36spokes for pull panniers. Just the rear wheel of course, where all the weight is. Scott

At last we'll get some peace and quiet on the bunch then stevie.. there are people trying to sleep ya know Scott

Good cheap opportunity to enjoy a bit of touring in the sun this year. If others are interested, check out previous report for more details. http://www.johnstone-wheelers.co.uk/php ... php?t=1353 Scott

Looks like a great programme. Would love to go but will be out of country at that time. Scott

I heard this sad news last week. I knew Sam from the Mallorca trip earlier in the year. He was en-route to meeting up with a bunch of cyclists who regulary go out on a sunday run around East Kilbride. He was struck by a car going too fast that had just came off the motorway. Be careful out there, especially around dual carriageways. Scott Policeman killed in road crash A cyclist who died following a road crash in Hamilton has been named as a serving police officer. Inspector Samuel Allison, 47, was in collision with a Mazda Premacy car that was entering the M74 motorway on Motherwell Road. The married father-of-two was based at Coatbridge Police Office and lived in Malcolm Street, Motherwell.

Thanks guys. You know I'll do anything to avoid having to race against legs-of-steel hero Stevie Blom Ankle not broken, should be back on bike in week or so. Very scary crash though.. the loud impact left me deaf for 2 hours. Wait til you see the friction burns on my face from hitting the airbag. Scott "Life is short enough. Wear a helmet / use a seatbelt "

Hi Stevie Our trip to l'alp d'huez last year was fantastic, and i was sad to miss the trip this year.. so yes lets see if we can get some interest for 2006. Looking forward to reading the report from Darryl and Mark. Scott

I can timekeep for this one. Could someone bring the stopwatch along? Scott

Tomorrow's race has youth riders from all over Scotland competing for the 3 selection places on the British team. Riders are travelling from as far afield as Inverness (Peter Eccles, Forres CC, and winner of the Forres 2day youth's stage race.. as mentioned in the race report in the RACE forum www.members.aol.com/scottfreemail/forre ... 050501.jpg ) and the standard promises to be very high. Our own Johnstone rider, Kayleigh Brogan will be attending in her first race. So if your in the area come along and cheer her on ! Racing starts at 1030, and should be complete in an hour. Scott

No problem Jim. Looking at the course on monday, I think the main point is to have marshals on the corners to stop pedestrians wandering into the peleton.. you could have a word with Gary if you like re: possible conflict of interest, although I dont think there would be one. I'll be taking the saturday youth class at the park for 4 hours, so have commitment on sunday otherwise I'd be there too. Class on saturday will be steady with a few jumps, taking account of race next day (in case Kayleigh is coming along). Race finish is on a wee hill Should be great for spectators Scott

Hi Alan I'm hopefully booked in. Should be a good night. Scott

Next sunday at Bellahouston park is a selection race for the British youth champs. If your wondering what the next generation of talent is like and would like to help out, contact Gary Willis SCU Youth Development Officer [email protected] Marshal's are needed from 9-12. Scott

I'm interested in attending this event too. Does the club have enough interest to get a table, or should I book privately with Alan Miller? Scott

Good performances from Stevie and Ian.. well done guys! Donald gave a great performance at Forres. Wee Tony Reidy only weighs about 8.5 stones or something? and was determined to drop Donald on the climbs, but Donald stuck in and still had enough left for the sprints. By stage 3, only 35 seconds separated the first 20 riders.. so there was everything to play for. Various primes had time bonuses, so Donald had to contest every sprint to preserve his place. Quite a bit to tell as usual, but I'll wait for Donald to give his report before filling you in on the gossip !! Photos to follow too. Scott

I'm in Glasgow this week, so can volunteer my services as pacemaker at the Westferry 10TT for Mighty Manson, and Bionic Blom You can fight over who hunts me down at 1 and 2 minutes ! First TT of the season for me guys, so go easy !!! Scott

Hi Derek Hopefully an enjoyable introduction to road racing for you Hope this encourages you to try some of the events coming up? Change of pace in races can be tricky, but the other key physical skill (going fast for a few minutes at a time!) can be worked on in the club confined TT calendar. First 10TT on wednesday. A cheap and cheerful way to measure your progress over a season. IOU £2 also Scott

Well.. your thinking of joining Craig Maybe check with organiser. Scott

thats me .