Darryl Gunson

Are you camping or hosteling?

Like the touring bit but not so sure about the wild camping. Have done it in the past and the midges are a pita (and everywhere else as well). Hostels maybe. Plan on doing something myself this summer. Like Chung I’ll watch the thread with I interest.

Me and Ginty will be there. He has to be back for 2 so may need to bail at some point. see you tomorrow

Thanks Gerard - that’s the JWCC bunch at the start of the ride - all looking relatively fresh. It was a different story at the end though! There were 7 JWCC and two friends - Scott (just back from a weeks training in Majorca) and Glynn who was always going to be good on the hills given can’t have weighed more than 55kg - wet through. The intention was to ride ‘as a group’ at a very conservative pace. This proved to be a very good decision. Group was intact when after 30 miles or so Linda peeled off to follow the 60 mile route - sterling effort Linda! After that the fun and games began. I’m sure some of the others will want to add their own experience, but suffice to say that this is a very very hard ride indeed. In a word, brutal. It is every bit as hard as the Fred in my opinion. Anyway, our policy of keeping the group intact and stopping at the feeds served us well. Everyone was in good spirits with no mechanicals or mishaps (we saw a few which served as a salutary reminder that the course can be dangerous, especially the downhills). I’d ridden quite a few of these roads before so I had an idea what to expect, but I kept that to myself to preserve morale , as each climb was as hard or harder than the next, with a few 25% sections thrown in for good measure. We regrouped in Hawes for the last time and had a welcome coffee before tackling the very last climb - Fleet Moss. I hadn’t ridden this before, but Graham had, just the previous day (yes he cycled down!). He told us with a solemn look on his face that it was just as hard as anything we had already done. He wasn't lying. Overall a great day out, which will no doubt gain epic status in our memories, once we forget about how hard it was. It was a long day though, with the drive back to Glasgow. With hindsight, staying another night would have been good. Thanks to all who participated - JWCC and friends. Cheers!

I have a Thule towbar mounted rack with lighting board. If John’s offer falls through let me know if you want to try it.

Great. Makes sense. Guess I’ll see you in Kettlewell

Gerard That sounds fine. Can I suggest that you take Linda? You were already taking her bike, but with Carol not coming you now have room. Ia that Ok? Linda?

There will be one other non-JWCC joining us. Also, I don’t want to detract from the Sunday run, but id anyone else’s fancies joining, you are welcome.

There will be one other non-JWCC joining us

8.30?

How fast can you ride lol Probably about 3.30ish

Guys I’ve already got a run planned. I’m doing the Dunoon loop. Probably about a 8am start or 8.30 at the bridge. You’re welcome to join me.

Quite rapid tonight. Went through a couple of times and nearly got a nose bleed. Sitting in is the new through and off

I have some but they are for the older 26 dia bars not the 31 which is now standard. You can have them if you want.

You’re going well Sir. Would have loved to have joined you but it would have been messy on the way home for me.

Enjoyed that - kinda. Necessary pain after a bit of a layoff. Thanks for the wheels guys.

Hope to make this one

Not this week - knee injury

Yes, all can be arranged nearer the time. Just to confirm. In my car it’s me Scott Donaldson Ian McGinty Linda

Il peut tout faire; un cycliste complet. Chapeau!

Hi Gerard Agreed - we do not want to rush on Saturday night. I suspect Kettlewell will be busy that night but if you can find a suitable eatery I suggest go ahead and book. I would suggest eating early so as not to be still digesting a heavy meal the next morning. In the morning parking should not be a problem - organisers usually have a field.

Hi Linda I have room for one more person but can’t take another bike. If Gerard can take your bike then I’m happy to take you. Best Darryl

Not this year Roberto

Lovely day for an eventful ride to Largs. I think we had 4 punctures, followed by Glen’s carbon rim failing on the Fairlie Moor road. This could have been very serious but thankfully no-one was hurt. If riding carbon rims with rim brakes do check them for wear from time to time. I suppose you can’t always tell but seeing the mess of his wheel and reflecting on how serious it could have been, it is better to err on the side of caution. This would normally have been enough to warrant calling the ride ‘eventful’ but there was another more serious event. Colin and Gary Dunn came down on the main road to Largs. Colin was bloodied but able to continue. Gary was not so ‘lucky’ and could not ride due to a suspected broken collar bone and had to ‘call a friend’. I’ll post an update on Gary when I hear anything. Happy Easter folks!