Dennis

It will be great to see you guys again and all welcome, Chung Dennis

Looking forward to seeing you, Ian and Chung, and any other JWCCers! Weather forecast for this Sunday is not too bad so far - 14C and enough wind to have an easy ride each way. Remember, this is a controlled-pace and keep-it-together run (in fantastic countryside) to allow everyone to finish as fresh as the day they started! With a halfway lunch stop and grub at the end. Dennis

A wee reminder that this popular social event will take place on Sunday, 12th May 2013 – 4 weeks from today and it would be great to see as many JWCC'ers as possible. New and auld kent faces alike! The Borders beckon! The route, distance and profile can be seen by following this link - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2317717 HOW AND WHEN & WHERE – Meeting at free car park next to Blackwood Primary School, off Southfield Road, Blackwood at 9am. Departure is at 9.30am sharp. More sophisticated banter guaranteed! If coming from the north, leave M74 at J8, onto A71 for Kilmarnock, quarter mile to Canderside roundabout and take first exit on B7078 to Blackwood for 3 miles. A half mile after entering the village (after St John’s Primary School and a park on the left), turn left at small crossroads (Shopsmart newsagent facing you on the corner) into Southfield Road. Car park is on the right after100 yards. [Alternative route from the north, leave M74 at J9 (Lesmahagow) and turn left onto B7078 and almost immediately enter villages - follow route through the villages as below.] If coming from the south, leave M74 at J10 (Lesmahagow) onto B7078 and follow signs for Blackwood. After a mile, enter Kirkmuirhill (both villages are joined at the hip) then on into Blackwood, where you will see the brand new Blackwood Primary School on the right. Turn first right after that school and the car park is on the right after 100 yards. ABOUT THE RUN - As usual, the main feature of this run is to keep the bunch together throughout, apart from the bigger hills, where we go our own pace and always re-group at the top. Using the latest in infrared laser technology, no one is encouraged to shoot off the front! We’ll all ride for each other, which means that we all check the back for tail-enders and don’t increase the pace at the front. A nice, steady pace also makes this run inclusive, and provides any rider who has never ridden this distance before a great opportunity to ride a 100 miles for the first time. Spell changes are frequent, which makes it more enjoyable for all, and has the added bonus of ensuring that all the riders finish as fresh as the day they started! And know wot? It usually works! A benefit of this enjoyable Borders run is that it helps riders to ‘get to know themselves’ over such a long distance, without worrying about being dropped. This is useful experience for tackling the long sportives, audaxes etc, particularly at someone else’s pace. There will be some fairly challenging climbs included in the 6000+ feet of overall climbing and the average overall speed will probably be about 13/14 mph so, although not super-fast, riders still have to ensure that they are fit enough so the whole group is not held back unduly. As well as being fit, it’s very important to eat and drink regularly during the run to avoid cramping up, hitting the wall or, as we older cyclists used to say, getting the bonk!. This can’t be stressed enough… WHO’S COMIN’ – As well as Royal Albert members, we again hope to welcome riders from the Johnstone Wheelers, and some riders from Hawick (and possibly East Lothian) will also be joining us this year. WHERE THE GRUB IS – Lunch will again be at the Scots Pine, near Eddleston, at just under the half-way point. As usual, sustenance will be provided at the end, after we drop down into Blackwood, at 'Morag's Cafe' in Vere Road, Blackwood. The event and the grub afterwards is free, but riders will have to fork out for the lunch! HANDS UP! - For catering purposes (lunch and post-run grub), can we please have a fresh show of hands from those who are coming. Many thanks. Dennis

Date for Diaries. Hi All, This popular social event will take place on Sunday, 12th May 2013. As most of you know, I had to cancel this event last year due to a hip replacement operation. Am now back in action again, hip hip hooray! As usual, the main feature of this run is to keep the one bunch together throughout. Using the latest in infrared laser technology, no one is allowed off the front.! We all ride for each other, which means we all check the back for tail-enders and don’t up the pace at the front. A nice, steady pace also makes this run inclusive. Spell changes are frequent, which makes it more enjoyable for all, and has the added bonus of ensuring that all the riders finish as fresh as the day they started! And know wot? It usually works! Another benefit of this enjoyable Borders run is that it helps riders to ‘get to know themselves’ over such a long distance, without worrying about being dropped. This is useful experience for tackling the long sportives, audaxes etc, particularly at someone else’s pace. There will be some fairly challenging climbs and the average overall speed is normally 15/16mph so, although not super-fast, riders have to ensure that they are capable of this so the group is not held back unduly. It is hoped that riders from the Johnstone Wheelers, and other areas, will be able to join us again this year. Lunch will either be at the Scots Pine, near Eddleston, as it was last time, or perhaps Glentress, at the new establishment there. There is also an optional café stop on the way back. As usual, sustenance will be provided afterwards at 'Morag's Cafe' at Vere Road in Blackwood. The event and the grub afterwards is free, but you’ll have to fork out for the lunch and the café stop. An indication of who is interested in coming along would be helpful. Thanks. Watch this space for details of this year’s route and other logistics. Dennis

Hi All, As some of you may know, I have been waiting for an operation, and I’ve have just been given the date of 28th April for a replacement hip, so I’ll be off the bike for several, or more, months. Sadly, this means that the 6th consecutive traditional Blackwood-Peebles run (ie involving JWCC/RACC; non-training pace; keeping the group together the whole way; & Morag’s Blackwood Café at the end) won’t take place this year. Sorry about this folks, but roll on next year… Regards, Dennis

Date for Diaries. This year's (6th) edition will take place on Sunday, 10th June 2012. As usual, the main feature will be to keep the one bunch together throughout. This makes it more enjoyable for all, and has the added bonus of ensuring that all the riders finish as fresh as the day they started! And know wot? It usually works! It is hoped that there will again be over 20 in numbers, and that riders from JWCC will be able to join us, as usual. Lunch will either be at the Scots Pine, as it was last year, or perhaps Glentress, at the new establishment there. Afterwards,as usual, sustenance will be provided at 'Morag's Cafe' in Vere Road in Blackwood. Watch this space for more details. Dennis

Thanks a 'Bunch', Tony, for a great run! Good company, pace, re-grouping, lunch and tea stops. Oh, that tea stop!! Sadly, we can't say the same for the road surfaces... Dennis

Please add another 2/3 to the numbers, Tony! Thanks. Dennis

Hi Tony, Just to let you know that the Royal Albert riders enjoyed this so much last year that up to about 8 or 9 of us are planning to come over to join you all! Looking forward to seeing you all then. Dennis

Just to be sure, I have checked with the Church Officer for Kilbarchan Church and he has confirmed that the order of events is as posted by KennyS. Dennis

Like everyone else, I was shocked to hear this sad news. A light has gone out...or has it entirely? Look at all the glowing memories everyone has of Jim. He's left a lagacy of so many happy memories with so many people... Lance Armstrong asked Jim to 'lift it up', and in a different context, he certainly did that with people's spirits! Dennis

Just a note to say that the car park at Blackwood Hall is now closed due to the school re-build programme. Please park on the road outside the hall, or outside 4 Vere Road ('Morag's Cafe'!). Estimated numbers are 15-20 and the bigger the bunch the easier it will be (for me!) Looking forward to seeing you there. Dennis

Information and Route Blackwood to Peebles And Back 100 Mile Run – Sunday 12th June 2011 Welcome to the 5th Edition of the Blackwood to Peebles 100 mile run and, remember, the ethos of this run is that the group stays together, by soft tapping, with everyone helping each other, with the object of finishing as fresh as the day we started! No flying off the front. This style of group-riding helps riders to pace themselves over such a long distance, without the fear of being dropped, and with a reasonable chance of enjoying it! Actually, it has become a popular event… This year, the route will be: Blackwood, Boghead, Lesmahagow, Coalburn, Sandilands, Carmichael, Tinto, Thankerton, Biggar, Skirling, Blyth Bridge, Meldons, a half-way lunch at the Scots Pine Café near Eddleston, Peebles, round Cademuir Hill, Lyne, Stobo, Rachan Mill, Broughton, Symington, Wiston, Rigside, Happendon, Blackwood. Those who are good enough to 'haud their horses' and want a ‘go’ on a hill, can do so on the main climb of the day, the infamous Wiston to Rigside climb near the end, with a re-gathering at the top, before we all ride home together for the last 13 miles or so. On our return to Blackwood, my wife, Morag, will again kindly lay on tea, coffee, cake and biccies at our place near the start point. A number of people, as usual, are expected to come over from the Johnstone Wheelers and Houston, as well as RACC and other local riders. It will be good to see everyone. Meet at Blackwood Hall – 8.45-9am; leave 9.30am sharp. To get to the start if you’re coming from the north – leave Junction 8 on M74 to join A71 going west for short distance; at Canderside roundabout, turn first exit left signposted to Blackwood (3.5 miles); enter village and pass pub, school and park on the left; at small crossroads with corner shop on left, turn left, and Blackwood Hall is 100 yards up on the right. Park in the red-blae area to the left of the Hall. The Hall is about to be demolished as part of a school rebuild programme, so if the car part becomes unavailable by that time, I’ll post here with a plan B. If you’re coming from any other direction, just work it out on a map from the above, but any problems, give me a shout. Will those who are definitely coming please post here for catering purposes and to generally raise the level of excitement! Each name that appears will no doubt raise a ‘oh, that’s good’, or an ‘aw naw’! Dennis

Hi guys, Yes, just turn up - no charge (except for lunch stop near Peebles), and the more riders the better! Dennis

That's great, Tony, I plan to be there and maybe bring along some Royal Albert horses to tuck in behind! Dennis

Sorry to hear about your shoulder, Tony, and hope you can make it ok. Do you think you'll be organising another 'Ayr to wherever' run this year? Dennis

Thanks for the great run everyone. I definitely recommend beetroot juice... Dennis

Hi 3 more to join up - Joyce, Caroline and Dennis. Strachur cafe stop vital though!

Many JWCC riders have enjoyed this run over the years, and this time round the event will be held on Sunday 12th June. Remember, the ethos of this day out in the fabulous Borders is that the group (definitely) stays together, and the object is to end up feeling as fresh as the day you started! Other main features are lunch stop at Eddleston (HUB cafe will by then be closed) and Morag's cafe at Blackwood. More details nearer the time. Dennis

Nice to see that others were tired too! Two seasons in one day. Imagine wearing full winter gear in the middle of June and still feeling cold! Nice in the afternoon, though. I enjoyed the day immensely but found the hills and speed variations on the constant wee rises very hard on the tandem. The trouble is, to Aileen, it was nae bother! Must be to do with the 14 hours she put in on the turbo last week; to my 1.25 hours on the bike. Thanks, Tony, for a great day. Yes, the cafes were just what we needed, when we needed them. Wasn't it fantastic sailing along in a bunch of 17? I know Aileen, John, Dave and Paul had a great day too. Roll on next year. Dennis

Hi Tony, Myself, Aileen (& tandem!), John Campbell, Dave Smith and Paul Ramsay will see you at the cottage at about 9am. Charlie Duffy may also be coming direct, but I'm not sure. Weather? Don't know and will take it as it comes! See you then. Dennis

Hi Tony, Two of us (so far) coming over from Clydesdale. Will keep you posted re numbers. Dennis

I agree with all that's been said, and thanks to Ramsay for organising a great day out. As Chung says, it would be good if this kind of run were a regular feature. Aileen and I thoroughly enjoyed our 105 mile tandem ride today, enhanced by the good company, the fantastic weather, beautiful scenery, but slightly marred by Martin's keen hearing when he heard the tandem (or was it my knees?) coming up behind and beat us to the top of the Rest. We were sad to hear of the crash in the other group, and hope that Lesley and Jan recover soon. Dennis

Sorry about that Ramsay, Freudian slip after getting carried away with my legislative reference! Thanks for pointing it out, Mr Martin. You were a great Speaker, by ra way... I've got a good memory for my age, really. Denis Healey

A bit dizzy after reading all the posts, but I think I get the gist of it. Aileen and I will be at Erskine Bridge at 9am to meet up with the Thankful Resters, in whom we trust that a nice, steady not-fast pace will prevail. (Re Ramsay MacDonald, Tuesday May 18 2010, 9.02am, paragraph 3) Dennis