Tony

Folks I definitely won't be out this Sunday - childcare duties. So it us up to whoever is out to pick a route they are happy with. Forecast looks good so far, long may this mild weather continue... The following Sunday (Nov 30th) is probably the last "Intermediate" run until the early spring (Feb/March) so I would like to do a slightly extended run that day to allow for a cafe stop. More on that later. Thanks Tony

Apologies for the extra "Farmwatch content" towards the end today. We've done that route 3 times now over the last 3-4 months so I felt the urge to add in a few new roads. Maybe we should have turned left just before the "Lawmarnockberg" though [attachment=0]test2.png[/attachment]

OK Colin we will look out for you. Just in case we miss you: When we get to the end of the Georgetown we turn left and go straight through the Red Smiddy roundabout as if heading for Erskine, up to the bridge then along Ferry Rd then turn right at the traffic lights in Bishopton, then left up Old Greenock Rd past Ingliston Country Club...(you probably know all this but just in case)

I don't think they are open on a Sunday Ian. There's a cafe in Kilmaurs main street that is open on a Sunday though I've never been in it. (Rendezvous I think it's called).

As per November runs list: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/717412 43 miles Georgetown Bishopton 3 climbs Kilmacolm Auchenbothie Rd Dougliehill Lochwinnoch Back in Johnstone 1230-1245? Thanks

I've recently acquired a pair of Schwalbe Marathon Winter (26x1.75) which I got for the same reason - want to carry on commuting (on the back roads) right through the winter, and without the usual faffing about (watching the forecast obsessively, checking for ice on the patio etc). They have quite an aggressive tread on them so should do me a turn off-road even though that is not their main purpose. I suppose if you're Strathpuffering you might be needing the Spikers though

No worries Steve. Bill has a theory that your absence is due to "discussing Ugandan affairs" with your missus. If so good luck to you. Will certainly give you a bell if planning off-road trips. Another thing that I have been thinking about for the New Year is the use of a scheduling tool such as Google Calendar for planning the club runs. The Club Runs forum is such a busy place these days that it can be quite difficult to see what is going on at times (if I find it confusing how much harder must it be for a potential new member?). I think there is a smarter way to do it. Google Calendar is a free tool and you can easily embed a calendar in a web page, a relevant example is shown below: http://matlock.mybikeclub.co.uk/pages/ride-calendar ....ideally this sort of thing would be discussed at the AGM. Unfortunately I'm working this Friday night so can't go along, however it can always be discussed on the forum - I may start a thread concerning this. (We already have an "Events Calendar" on the main club website but it does not seem to be used.)

...like this Rapha advert? http://internationale.teamjva.com/

Hi Folks I think we will wind up the "Intermediate" club runs at the end of Nov. As the winter weather kicks in, numbers will diminish and choice of routes will be restricted, so it won't make sense to run three separate groups over this period. Suggest we consolidate with the Main Bunch or 30-milers, as people see fit. (Personally I hope to do a bit of off-road cycling over the winter). We will start up again in late Feb / early March, as soon as the Reliability Runs are finished. Next year, I would like to try and establish a rota for planning/leading the runs. (I don't mind doing the organising, but it will be better if we can make it a team effort to ensure continuity etc.) To start with, maybe each person on the rota could have one particular route that they like and are familiar with. So we can maybe think about that over the winter. Thanks Tony

I think you might pass the intermediate group as you approach Largs - we'll be heading south for West Kilbride. Richard - if you don't fancy the coastal route and would like come company you could turn and come back with us. (It might mean retracing a few miles of your outward route).

Richie I think the "mandatory mudguard rule" is supposed to be a reminder that mudguards should be the norm in winter, if riding in a bunch. Even on days when it isn't actually raining there is often surface water in many places (puddles take so much longer to evaporate in the cold weather). However - if we're having a dry spell and the sun has got his hat on, I don't see why you shouldn't bring your summer bike. Thanks Tony PS I'll be riding my summer bike too. It's an exact replica of my winter bike, even down to the SKS P42 mudguards

As per November runs list - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/802272 48 miles, back in Johnstone by about 1300. Kilbirnie Largs West Kilbride Dalry Glengarnock Beith Bowfield No cafe stop for me although I dare say one or two individuals will not be able to resist the lure of the Bagel Basket. Incidentally I believe there is a cafe in WK just opened up recently which might be worth a look if you're into that sort of thing: http://www.s1westkilbride.com/groups/the-cafe-blossom/

How about Gleniffer Braes - the bit between Sergeant Law Rd and the Golf club. Plenty of space. You can get access from the car park in Sergeant Law Rd. (It is frequented by dog walkers in the daytime)

As per October runs list - how about this: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/795237 45 miles. No cafe stop. Back in Johnstone by 1245-ish Bowfield Barrmill Torranyard Cunninghamhead Kilmaurs Stewarton Uplawmoor Gleniffer Braes We have done the above route a couple of times before but I've modified it in a couple of places to take account of road conditions. E.g. we're taking a slightly different route to Barrmill to avoid the crossroads at Greenhills which is on a really bad blind corner. (Fine when you're riding on your own, not ideal when you're trying to get 12 people across safely). Couple of points to note: CLOCKS GO BACK AT 0200 ON SUNDAY...but we're still leaving Miller St at 0915 (for now anyway) ...and as others have noted, we are now entering "the mudguard zone"...

Lugton Stewarton Kilmaurs Fenwick ...a wee turn round the Moscow circuit...then up the A77... Malletsheugh (left turn just before crossing the M77, takes u to the B769) Bawrheid (via the dam) Neilston Rd Glenburn Foxbar (Glenpatrick Rd) Elderslie Reckon the above would be about 60 miles depending on how you get to Lugton from the start. (There is also the "Farmwatch" route from Malletsheugh to Johnstone, but that is quite lumpy, maybe not so good for keeping your HR in zone 2 if that's what you're trying to do.)

Proposed runs for November - as always I am open to suggestions, so if you have ideas of your own please post them here... 6th Nov Kilbirnie-Largs-West Kilbride http://ridewithgps.com/routes/802272 48 miles 13th Nov Tour of Inverclyde http://ridewithgps.com/routes/717412 43 miles 20th Nov Fenwick-Neilston http://ridewithgps.com/routes/717393 44 miles 27th Nov Kilbirnie-Largs-Loch Thom http://ridewithgps.com/routes/717515 46 miles Most of these routes are weather-dependent at this time of year - i.e. if the cold weather arrives early again we'll need to make alternative plans...personally I am quite risk-averse when it comes to riding on untreated roads in icy conditions.

Hi Folks thinking we might do this: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/717392 In plain English that's: Beith Golf Course Rd Gateside Highfield Auchenmade Redwells Loanhead Lugton Gleniffer Braes 45 miles, no cafe stop, back at Miller St for 1230-1300. Thanks Tony

Sounds like you went down the unclassified road that goes to Kilmaurs? That would explain a lot - we waited at the top of the hill outside Stewarton (on the B-road that goes to Fenwick) but couldn't see anyone - I went back down to the bottom but still couldn't see anyone - we concluded that you had decided to go straight on at the lights & head for home early via Newton Mearns or Barrhead....

Len we should be passing through Lochwinnoch about 0940 I would think. I wouldn't worry about the group-riding thing there's not a lot to it. You could maybe meet us in Lochlip Rd or next to the the playpark, as we are heading along the track towards Kilbirnie (but cutting off at Beith). Thanks

Hi thinking we might do the Fenwick/Neilston run that was planned for 2nd October (the day of much rain): http://ridewithgps.com/routes/717393 ...it's 44 miles. Cycle-track, Beith, Barrmill, Stewarton, Fenwick, old A77, Malletsheugh, Neilston, Gleniffer Braes. Back in Johnstone for 1230-1300. We might need to single up on the bit between Malletsheugh and Neilston as it is a proper singletrack road with blind summits etc. Also be careful descending Holehouse Brae in Neilston, it is quite steep and ends at a staggered crossroads on the A736 which is a road that must be treated with respect. Thanks Tony

I managed to find Ancrum again quite easily (it's just off the A68) and Paul was fine. I struggled to stay awake on the way home though! Best bit for me was the opportunity to do some handbrake turns in the car park at Gala. I've not lost the skills DJ Antwan

Having spoken to Bill I think he's going to do a "lumpy Largs run", so anyone who is not busy competing or officiating at the Hill Climb, (or supporting youngsters) might wish to join him: Lochwinnoch Kilbirnie Dalry Fairlie Moor Largs Brisbane Glen Loch Thom Lochwinnoch Johnstone ...this will be about 50 miles in total. (If short of time you could bail out at the Haylie Brae.) Leaving Miller St 0915 as usual.

Here's a link to the route as I understand it: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/754048

You might have problems getting a rigid MTB fork that isn't made of steel (or carbon). I have a steel one with 1.125" threadless steerer (uncut), about 400mm axle-to-crown (i.e. not supension-corrected), black in colour...v-brake only, no disc mounts...and of course it has mudguard eyelets Yours for £15. I can deliver (as I pass your gaff on my way home from work)

Forecast looking OK for Sunday. Quick roll call & summary of travel arrangements as I understand it (correct me if I'm wrong): PaulC's car: Me PaulC FJ's car: FJ George Anyone else going? Or is anyone thinking of going but needing directions to get to the start etc? (Because you've not entered in advance & therefore don't have the details the organiser sent out by email).