Dennis

Thanks Paul. Hope you are well too. For anyone in JWCC who may be interested in adding the 'blue and yellow' to the bunch, which would be good to see, here is the route this year. Great countryside with some superb climbs... Lunch stop this year at Glentress (with tables booked). Come on, you know you want to. :-) http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1172986153 Btw, there are currently 24 names on the list...

OK, with my op now done and dusted I'm glad to say that I'm back up and running! The date for this year's run is Sunday 20th August, so if anyone would like to join us, please post. Here's a wee reminder of what this run is all about: As always, this run is about creating a platform for riders who have never ridden 100 miles in one day, and at the same time allowing more experienced riders to take a break from a heid doon and a**e up approach and enjoy a social ride in the lovely South Lanarkshire/Borders countryside. Cycling is ultimately about travel, socialising and keeping fit and, for me, that sums up the Blackwood/Peebles runs that have taken place for 10 years now. There is never any entry fee for this run and there will be the usual lunch stop in the Peebles area and Morag has once again kindly offered to open Mo’s Café here at our place at the end of the run. Details of the exact route and the lunch stop venue will be given out later, but it would be useful to know (for catering purposes both at the lunch stop and Mo’s Cafe) how many riders would like to come along. It would be great to have your company if you can make it. Please post a ‘yeah’ if you wish to join this run. Thanks.

Date NOT for Diaries - Blackwood to Peebles and back 100. Sorry to mess everyone about, but the date will NOTnow be 18th June. I got word from the hospital this morning that my hernia op will take place on Wednesday 3rd May (and not July as I was recently advised). I’ll be in touch in due course re a new date for the 100, possibly sometime in August or September. Hope some JWCCers will be able to make it then.

Just been told that RACC is hosting a 10 that day so I've changed the date to 18th June (not yet on BC calendar)! Sorry about that. Hope you can make it Chung. Can anyone change the date in the heading? Thanks. Dennis

Date for Diaries – Sunday 25th June 2017 11th Annual Blackwood to Peebles and Back 100 miler Details of this social ride will be announced later.

Thanks for that, Chung and yes, we must arrange a run sometime. I'll drop the news to Morag gently that you're not able to come this time. :-) Dennis

This year's run leaves Blackwood at 8.30am on this Sunday, 14th August. Mo's Cafe is asking if any Johnstone Jerseys will be with us this year, eg Chung, Campbell? :-)

Here's the mapmyride link to the Blackwood/Peebles route for 14th August. Climbs are Dreva, Meldons, Kilbucho and Wiston/Rigside. The rest is flat. :-) :-)Not realy Remember, this run is all about keeping together the whole way to make it an enjoyable run for all, especially newbys to the distance. Exception is the Wiston/Rigside climb with 15 miles to go - have a go and we meet at the other side, before riding home up the brilliant new cycle path alongside the A74. http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/1172986153/

As the brave souls from JWCC who attended in June last year will remember, it was a wee bit wet and most riders turned back at Biggar. But not the guys from the JWCC! In the mid-90s I took part in a run held for a club-mate who wanted to do 100 miles for his 70th birthday, and the idea stuck. The sands of time have run their course and now it’s my turn, in about three weeks’ time, to ‘cross that line’. So, with that in mind, I thought I would hold this year’s Blackwood to Peebles and back 100 miler on 14th August, just to mark the occasion of my ancientness, and to gamble that the weather will surely be better than it was in June last year!! As always, this run is about creating a platform for riders who have never ridden 100 miles in one day, and at the same time allowing more experienced riders to take a break (wrong word, delete break, insert rest) from a 'heid doon and a**e up' approach, and simply enjoy a social ride. Cycling is ultimately about travelling, socialising and keeping fit and, for me, that sums up the Blackwood/Peebles runs that have taken place over the last 10 years or so. There is never any entry fee for this run and there will be the usual lunch stop in the Peebles area and Morag has once again kindly offered to open Morag’s Café here at our place at the end of the run. Details of the exact route and the lunch stop venue will be given out later but it would be useful to know how many JWCC riders would like to come along. I enjoyed my time with the JWCC and it's always nice to to welcome former clubmates, and other JWCC members, on this run. Special request - for the company of any other over 70s riders! It would be great to have your company if you can make it. Nae cards or pressies, just bums on saddles! Remember the motto of this run? 'To finish as fresh as the day we started'!

This is the bunch that was. :-)

Thanks guys for your nice comments and Morag says it was a real pleasure to serve you all! Yes, it was a day of underlying negatives with overlying positives! I really enjoyed your company again and I know Jim and John did too. Also, we were outnumbered by four good guys! Your report is an excellent summary of the day, Chung, and your pics, Campbell, serve as a nice record of a great day out. Chung, I'm glad I didn't know you felt depressed at the Biggar cafe stop, otherwise I might have become depressed myself. :-) I am going to keep an eye open for a good-going JWCC Sunday run with a view to coming over and joining you. So, here's to the next time! Dennis

Fantastic guys, looking forward to seeing you there. I mean here! :-) Dennis

For info, big bunch so far of about 20 and a forecast of a wee bit of sun, no rain and a light wind. When did you last ride 100 miles in such a big bunch which will stay together with the aim of everyone getting round and back to Mo's cafe at the same time? It would be good to see some Johnstone jerseys floating through the Borders once more! :-) Dennis

Hi Folks, For those who are able to come over on Sunday, it will be great to see you. Just to say, however, that there have been two changes that you should be aware of. 1. The departure time is now 8.30am, and you should aim to arrive at about 8am. 2. There has been a change to the route, which can be seen on http://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4101431.html. The revised route involves fewer big climbs but is by no means flat! The more the merrier! Dennis

Sunday 14th June – 8th Edition, Blackwood to Peebles & Back 100 mile run. Meet Blackwood School car park, Southfield Road, Blackwood from 8.30am Leaving at 9am sharp Route – Blackwood, Auchenheath, Kirkfieldbank, the Gilchrist, Sandielands, Crookboat, Carmichael, Tinto, Thankerton, Biggar, Broughton, Dreva, Stobo, Meldons, Eddleston, Rosetta, Peebles, Glentress, Cardrona, Peebles, Cademuir, Manor Water, Lynn Station, Stobo, Drumelzier, Rachan Mill, Broughton, Kilbucho, Symington, Wiston, Rigside, Happendon, the new-old A74, Blackwood. This route can be seen on http://gb.mapometer.com/ - login using my email [email protected] with password ‘peeblesrun’. Grub laid on at Mo’s Café, 4 Vere Road, Blackwood, as soon as we get back. Lunch – Peel Café, Glentress (50 miles into the run). I’ve never been there before, but Ian Broadhurst recommends it, so it must be good. Optional coffee stops – Biggar (23 miles) on the way out and Broughton on the way back (72 miles). Decide on the day. 5 main climbs – the Gilchrist, Dreva, Meldons, Kilbucho & Wiston/Rigside. In this run, the group traditionally keeps together which allows a simple, enjoyable run for the ‘veterans of long runs’ and a safe haven for newbys who want to try riding a 100 miles. The average speed will be 14/5mph. We always try to help each other to get back feeling as fresh as the day we started - and know wot, it usually works! As usual, Johnstone Wheelers are most welcome to join us. The only charge for the day will be for what you buy at the café stops. I have it on good authority that the weather will be good. It has to be, It’s June isn’t it? Post here if you’re coming, and please remember that this is a social run, not a fast bunch with tails up. On that basis, the more the merrier!

8th Edition of the popular Blackwood to Peebles and Back 100 miler - Sunday 14th June 2015 Hi All, Blackwood, Biggar, Meldons, Peebles (lunch at Scots Pine Café Eddleston or Glentress – any preferences?) Blackwood - Morag’s Café, Vere Road, Blackwood for grub afterwards, as usual. Starting at 9am sharp. The bits in between have yet to be decided. Big hills? Maybe ayes, maybe naws. In this run, the group traditionally keeps together (or tries to!) which allows a simple, enjoyable run for the ‘veterans of long runs’ and a safe haven for newbys who want to try riding a 100 miles. As usual, Johnstone Wheelers are being cordially invited to join with me along with the Royal Albert CC. More information nearer the time. Meantime, dig out the diary. Hope to see a large contingent of the Wheelers! Dennis

Just back from being away all week, so first time in here since the run. It was an absolute pleasure to have you JWCC/Renfrewshire guys along with us and it certainly was a very enjoyable run. To those who couldn't make it this year, maybe next time. Dennis

Hi Chung, great to hear from you and it would have been good if you could have made it on Sunday, but don't worry, it will be there next year, as you say. I'll ask Morag to give Iain some of the 'wee feast' to take away for you!

At least 17 riders going so far, weather's looking not bad and we have a 50th birthday (not mine, I'm afraid!) cake to eat along with Morag's nosh at the end. The route may not have been accessible via the above link but I've since discovered the difference between private and public and it's now been changed! As always, JWCC lads and lasses are welcome to come along. Dennis

Wow! 300k the day before Al? Extra cakes for you then if you decide to join us. :-) Dennis

That's great Ian, looking forward to seeing you here again. It looks as though there's going to be a good sized bunch and it would be great if the colour-scheme contained a strong element of the yellow and blue. :-) Dennis

Sorry you can't come Martin, but have a great time down south.

7th Edition of Blackwood Peebles and back 100 Miler – 15 June 2014 . Come and enjoy a ride with a Royal Albert bunch on the beautiful Borders roads… Meet at Blackwood School car park – Southfield Road from 8.30am (Coming into Blackwood from the north, turn left at Blackwood Cross into Southfield Road, car park on the right after 100 yards) Leaving 9am sharp. Lunch at Scots Pine Café, Eddleston Post-Run grub - soup, teas, coffees, cake etc at ‘Morag’s Café’ at 4 Vere Road, Blackwood. The only charge for the day is for your own lunch at the Eddleston café stop. The whole point of this social run is for the bunch to keep together, and for the stronger riders to help and encourage the others. No shooting off the front . An exception is the Wiston/Rigside climb, with 13 miles to go, when any dry powder can be converted into a free-for- all, before re-grouping over the top at Rigside. We then ride back to Blackwood as a group, fresh as a daisy and ready to enjoy the delights of ‘Morag’s Café’. Another benefit of this run is to learn how to pace ourselves over such a long distance, which develops this skill for long races or sportives. The route: - http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/436252890 Blackwood, Boghead, Lesmahagow, Coalburn, Fockerton Mill, Sandielands, Crookboat, Carmichael, Tinto, Thankerton, Biggar (30 mls), Skirling, Blyth Bridge, Meldons, Eddleston – lunch at Scots Pine Café (50 mls). Peebles, Cademuir, Lyne, Stobo,Rachan Mill, Brooughton (70) Kilbucho, Boghall, Hartree, Symington, Wiston, Rigside (90 mls), A74, Blackwood (100 miles!). Hoping to have some riders join us from the Johnstone Wheelers, as usual. Looking forward to seeing a big mixed bunch on the day! Show of hands please from those who are coming? Thanks. Dennis

The 7th Edition of Blackwood to Peebles and Back 100 Mile Run will take place on Sunday, 15th June. This run winds its way from the nooks and crannies of Clydesdale to the scenic beauty of Tweeddale, and will take in several big climbs along the way. Johnstone Wheelers riders are always welcome to join the Royal Albert lads and lasses and some of you have been involved from the start. Unusually, this run is not about racing each other. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s about the group staying together for a 100 miles, with the stronger riders encouraging those who are not so strong; learning to pace oneself over such a long distance; and everyone getting back to Blackwood feeling as fresh as the day they started! The pace is usually about 15-17mph and riders should try to be fit enough to last the distance at this speed. We have lunch at the Scots Pine Café near Peebles and return to ‘Morag’s Café’ at Blackwood for the usual laid-on refreshments. The only charge for the day is lunch at the Scots Pine (and any optional café stop on the way home). Everyone is most welcome to take part. Please post here if you’re in. Thanks. Dennis

Thanks for your company guys and great to see you all once again. Morag says many thanks for the flowers and I say many thanks for helping to keep things together. Sean, the round the world man, thought it was 'cool' that the bunch started and finished together. Unheard of over here! All the others enjoyed the run (apart from the weather) and Ian and Gordon from Hawick "were delighted to be there". Please can you let me know if there's a nice big JWCC club run into far-away country coming up, as I'd like to come along if I can. Dennis