David McKellar

Chungster thanks for your note and comments you are right we start from the clubrooms at 9.00am and head down to the big red ferry at Gourock Remember that Chung any short cuts will need to be arranged before we set off, if you know of one that takes out the Loch Tarsan climb please post here

Kenny Sounds like a great opertunity to screen for potential club members. Obivously anyone who looks fast and puts in a good time on the rollers gets told to sod off as we don't want them coming along and making the Sunday runs any harder than they need be.

Here is a map of the proposed route, the distance round the island is about 25 miles. Total distance for the for the run including a lap of the island is 90 miles. http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x ... search.srf

We have had very few club runs this year so before the winter sets in let's get out for what will be the last club run of the season. The proposed route is to Rothesay over Loch Tarsan and onto Bute via the Colintraive to Rhubodach ferry and back over to Wemyss Bay with a compulsory lap of the island thrown in Only those who have completed the lap of Bute will be entitled to a cafe stop If any of the new guys from the Thirty Milers want to join in then why not drive or take the train to Wemyss Bay and meet us at the ferry terminal at Rothesay for the run round the island. Rothesay is also know as Scotland's Madera so sun block and shades will be the order of the day.

All out again at the usual time of 9.30 from the clubrooms. This week may be reduced numbers because of the Glasgow to Edinburgh cycle and other events on this weekend.

It's that time of year again where we are looking for support for spinning classes at Linwood Sports Centre. If you want a really good work out aimed at improving fitness and designed specifically for cyclists please come along and join us. The plan is to start the classes on a Wednesday evening at 7.30 to 8.30 early in October with each set lasting 6 weeks and running throughout the winter. Each 6 week session costs £21 payable on the first night of each block and any money made after the instructor and the hall have been paid is paid into club funds, can't be bad. Any new memebrs or any memebr of the Thirty Miler's group might want to concider this as a good way of maintaning fitness and meeting the rest of the club members. If you are interested please post here or pm me

Aileen That's not true whenever we are out on the tandem and there is another cyclist on the road in front of us then it becomes a pursuit race until we pass him Well done again

Like many others I am away this weekend at Bealach na Ba and travelling back on Sunday. So if there are any members of the Bunch who will be out on Sunday post here.

Last year the event started at 8.00am with riders leaving 1 - 99 then 100 -199 and so on every 10 minutes. Most of us left in the second wave to avoid the cavelry charge down the loch to the Bealach but it was still a frantic pace. So I would agree with Donald and look to leave a little later as from memory it only took about 1 hour 35 minutes to get to the bottom of the climb In saying that we were still able to catch some of the early group on the run in to Kinlochewe

Late entry should make it along tomorrow night save some pakora for me

Aileen is current in Bordeaux competing in the UCI Para-Cycling World championships and has just won her second event making her and Ellen Hunter double world champions. This takes them a big step nearer qualifing for the Paralympics in China next year.

I can't make this week's Sunday run but plan to go out on Saturday to do a long run up to Arocher over Rest and Be Thankful and down to the ferry at Dunoon. Dougie and Donald have signed up leaving Red Smiddy roundabout 8.00am Saturday.

Martin Instead of waiting for Dougie's new name why not get club members to post suggestions to help him. The obvious one would be "Dougie (I'm no going out in the rain with my new) Cervelo" But did you know that Cervelo is an anagram of O'Clever so we could have Dougie O'Clever C.L.E.V.E.R. (Compact Low Emission Vehicle Energetic Rider)

As we have not had many long club runs this year we are proposing to go over to Argyll this Sunday as a pre club century run and try out some of Kenny's course. We plan to meet at Western Ferry's at the Gantock Hotel in Gourock at 9.00. This will mean a 7.45 start from the clubrooms Anyone who does not want to do the full distance can drive to Western Ferry's terminal and leave their car and join in for the shorter run around the Cowal Peninsula . Depending on numbers and ability we will probably split into 2 groups one group taking in all the climbs, the other offering a more sedate pace and route.

Robert Thanks for your concern it's nice to know that someone notices your not in the bunch on a Sunday. The secret is out I have been in Florida for the last 3 and a bit weeks warm weather training only problem was it was too hot So had to eat and drink to consol myself which prove very successful Would have been home sooner but they were building a flame grill drive thro at Glasgow airport the day we were to come home

The tour starts this weekend in London is anyone going down to watch the start if so let me know .

Unfortunately I am still suffering with a chest infection, on anti-biotics and will not make it out on Sunday. Anyone willing to take the lead? Forecast looks good for the weekend, have a good one

I have been fighting a cold all week so have delayed posting here for Sunday's run but should be okay for a 50 miler if I can keep this at bay. Usual 9.30 start from the clubrooms

Chung, don't beat yourself up you got round one of the hardest most sadistic courses I have ever riden. But is was a great weekend none the less, would have like to have been fitter to do the course justice but even though the climbs were hard the decents were terrific if a little scarry at times Honister pass was hard but as it was only 40 or so miles out it was not so bad but Hardknott and Wrystone were so steep 30% sign at the bottom and a head wind made it even harder. The cars jockeying for position on the climb and the bends just made it seem impossible but I felt great all the way round except for some of the climbs and finished strong in to Coniston. The only thing I found odd was that I recorded a ride time of 7hrs 34 mins and did not hang about at the food stations but official time was 8hrs 23mins Maybe I should buy a better computer as I only recorded 107 miles but the course was officially 114 miles. Anyone else notice the difference? Would I do it again, a definate maybe

As there are a substantial number of JWCC taking part in this event and although there is no alocated start times given out by the event (not race) organisers you can start anytime from 6.00am to 9.00am. As I am just cannon fodder, making up the numbers only there for a good day out ( get the excuses in first) I plan to start at 7.00am. What about the rest of you guys as most of you are in the youth hostel what are you plans? We are staying at the Crown Inn in Coniston who's up for meeting in the bar on Saturday night

Kenny I have a Neil Pryde bike bag with wheels low mileage email me 2 arrange drop off

Here is an copy of an email that I was sent today giving details of places for this year's Etape du Tour and a new event in September if anyone is interested.

Last night was a fantastic night and praise must go to Martin for his organisational skills and his witty repartee as host and MC on the night. Everyone had a great time lots of dancing and drinking and drinking and dancing so something for everyone Well done again Martin

Here's a better link show the Erskine Bridge and the M8 motorway http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x ... &ay=670716

Here is the address and map to help you find Erskine Leisure Centre Erskine Community Sports Centre Kilpatrick Drive, Erskine, Renfrewshire PA8 7AF http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x ... &ay=670716