simon simpson

On Saturday I attended Walter Kerr's funeral in Grangemouth. Walter was born in Paisley in 1922 and trained as a pattern maker, which he continued to work as through the second world war. He was a keen cyclist and the back page of his thanksgiving booklet shows him about to be pushed off for a time trial beside the time keeper. His recollections of late were a little hazy but his daughter, Lillias, thinks the picture was taken at Bishopton. (Possibly the West Ferry?) In the photo his woolen jersey looks a pale colour with a dark blue / white / middle shade / white and blue striping. Walter was also known for visiting the London Olympics in 1948 by cycling there. He was probably based around Paisley at this time. He moved to Cheltenham for a number of years at one point where he was involved in local clubs. He married in 1955 and had 2 children. He continued cycling for some time and retrained as a Technical teacher in the sixties going on to teach at Larbert High. As a boy he was involved in the BB. If anyone has any recollections of Walter I'm sure his children would be glad to hear of them,

Why don't we make a loose plan of allmeeting at Billy Bilslands around 8,30-9? We can sort out a plan from there.... We may have another non clubber in tow Only real restrictions for me are... Rosie getting cold and making it to Edinburgh in time for lunch (which has been arranged) ss

Sunday is the Pedal for Scotland from Glasgow Green to Edinburgh. Unless the forecast is horrendous, I will be going with Al and my daughter Rosie (who will be on the back of the tandem). Current MET and BBC forecasts are for light rain and a mild easterly I think a few others may be doing it. Can we have a show of hands and start times? We aren't sure when we will start as we will have to ride down from Milngavie which adds a bit on from last year. Also, we haven't registered yet but that didn't take long last year. We are getting a lift back after having lunch with the rest of the family. So who is up for it? SS (ex-road bike fan)

we hope to join you for 30 miles ss and al what time ? 9 at the clubrooms?

hopefully see you hardgate bearsden 1025 /1030 @

I was hoping to join you for a bit of this I guess 9.30 at clubrooms means 10.15 over the bridge then 10.25 hardgate x Are you going Baljaffray thenKyber PassStrath blane or are yu goin Hardgate Bearsden Torrance etc? I need to be in Drymen @lunc htime only be there for a bit

where to? ss

Found a set of spinacci mini tri bars with all the rubbery bits and the front edge decals a bit rubbed off... Anyone interested?

Tiagra sti levers c/w 9 spd cassette and chain Campag mtb rear mech two 37mm contis Muddy fox frame with bars and nothing else That's all that's left.... any takers?

I've just moved - to a smaller garage..... For sale a pair of 1998 Campagnolo Zonda 16 spoke 40mm profile wheels. Aero spokes (except one replaced on front at Wheelcraft) 8 speed cassette fitted ..no tyres /tube/qr.. wheel RRP over £250 in those days .. comes with a 13-26 Record 8 speed cassette and another spare split Record cassette... perfect for that late 90s Bianchi or Pinarello resoration.... or of course the dreaded turbo back wheel for winter... £40 ono- for wheels and all the cassette bits.... 2 Schwalbe Marathon 700 x 37 Smartguard tyres with reflective sidewall: on an old mans bike and rarely used..... £12 the pair smallish (19/20"?Muddy Fox courier mtb frame c. 1989, dia compi cantis and u-brake, back wheel, matching bars.and stem .. brake levers , 1/8 chain fitted std pedals, horizontal drop outs ..perfect mtb fixed commuter conversion...no seat pin, saddle, front wheel or cranks £20 ono (Quite a few) new Conti top tour 700 x 32 and 37s £8 each Front wheel Barely used (100 miles) 700 Mavic Module 4 cd anodised in grey/brown on xt hub.. 25 or 28 mm tyres min....anodising not even worn off by brakes built at Wheelcraft (£40 ono) no tyre or qr Pair of 9 speed Tiagra STI levers ..well used by Dougie then lightly by me includes a 9 speed cassette and chain - offers of £30 Genuine 7 speed / friction Shimano xt thumshifters used but bomb proof £10 Campag Centaur 1990 MTB Long Cage rear derailleur £10 I would also consider a swap of any surplus kit you have particularly MTB wheels / tyres / mudguards (any fitting)/ lights /anything interesting road or mtb

well done lesley-good leadership-wishI could have made it ss

The mudguard thing has never been enforced.... Not even in the regulations for 200km I've ridden 600km on a road frame both with and without muddies... the clearance was so close that holes would be worn in the back one by grit The front was a scary close clearance but I never had problem. I did once get a bit of wood trapped in a touring bike front mudguard.... the whole guard concertina'd up under the fork crown..far more effective stopper than discs.... ss

Katrine Kapers.... is an audax- a challenge ride of 127 miles on (mainly) scenic roads to be ridden alone, or with others, at an average speed of between 12 and 18 mph. There are no prizes or published results tho'everyone probably wants to know everyone else's time. S o you can factor in that the first ones home who 'beat' you by an hour either a) didn't spend nearly as long as you at any of the cafe stops didn't enjoy the scenery enough c) never waited for their new riding buddies at the top of a hill A few years ago,on this forum, someone asked the difference between audax and sportive rides...... someone replied "A sportive is a load of guys charging about pretending to be in a race ( and paying up to £50 for it)....an audax is a bunch of guys pretending not to be in a race.....tho'actually....." Forget etape caledonia....ride this it's only £4.50 ss

Al and I hope to be on for this as far as the rest What is projected ave speed? I will be on the Bunter.... ss

Confession...the soup wasgreat couldnt resist ss

Try TACX: http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp? ... gn=froogle AVAILABLE FROM OTHERS OTHER THAN EVANS THEY USED TO EVEN COME IN COLOURS SS

I am away Saturday evening so unlikely to be back in time If I am will be on tandem in 9am group ss

cheers better get to bed.... ss

OK I am confused.... is there a 9.00bunch and a 9.30? ss

I would have come on child tandem but its 10th birthday weekend ( yes weekend- another week of no bike!) ss

is that the 9.30 bunch/ ss

add 2 short sleeve jerseys size 4 full zip if poss (3/4 if not) 1 set mitts 2 caps ss

where is your new year bash? we are going to Loch Ness YHA with the rest of the tree worshippers... Thinking of riding up on the 30th... 140 miles which will double my mileage since december ... Promising myself that this is the year when I get back in the saddle properly... also Big Al is back and looking mean- i.e. under 11 stone got to go...teacher with children must fill childcare hours with mall stomping... ss

Well I had a fixed wheel once which I quite liked - an old (post buy out) Claud Butler fast tourer (Majestique?)... with nice fat module 4s and 37mm tyres, Dynamo and rack with Brooks B17 wide. Alongha dual pivot deep drops for the original weinmann centre pulls .....you know the sort of thing... The replacement is an early 90s Muddy Fox Courier MTB complete with under chainstay u-brake ( good idea in California....).... drop bars fitted.....rode it once to a school night out and it survived! It actuallly has a six speed block ( yes, can you credit it a surviving six speed suntour freewheel!) but no derailleur and the chain is just tensioned onto one sprocket a la Ian Manson. It's in bits right now but a good winter project to put back together.. ss

Are we having 'fixed wheel sunday' this year?