Dennis

Hope to be there too, at least at the start! Dennis

Aileen, Well done for the second time!!!! Every member of the JWCC,and their families, are proud of you and all you have achieved - you are an A1 star and superb athlete. All that hard work has paid off in magnifient style Dennis and Morag .

Sorry, Lesley, but I won't be out either, as I have an appointment at Hamilton and think I'll be rather busy. Dennis

Hi Lesley, Hope to be there, depending on intensity of the rain! Will be taking it VERY easy up the Tak me Doon road! You didn't define the cafe stop. I think Mike and Frank are marshalling tomorrow so won't be out. Dennis

Aileen leaves for Beijing on Saturday. Her first race (Kilo) is on Sunday 7th September around 9am our time. Her next race is on the following Tuesday 9th, time unkown. ALL THE BEST, AILEEN - go for it. Dennis

Frank, Martin, Colin and myself went down to our favourite Largs cafe, via Silicon Glen and back by Bill Haley Brae. It's called that as I'm sure the others were singing 'see you later alligator' as they left me on the lower slopes! A good run was had by all, and it will be good to see lots more out next week on Lesley's run up to the Bealach. Dennis

After a gap of several weeks, I will be out tomorrow, and am looking for lots of wheels to hide behind, and an easy pace. And, of course, a cafe. Anyone planning to come along? Dennis

I'm sad to say that Jocky Allan, a past mentor of Edinburgh (and beyond) cyclists, and a one-time well known bike shop owner in Leith, died yesterday. His funeral will take place at Warriston Main Crematorium on Thursday 24th July at 12 noon. Dennis

Hi Lesley, I'll be there, Crow Road or not. Dennis

Hi Lesley, I'll be there, wellies an' a'! Can't let Richard down now, can we? Dennis

A big bunch left the clubrooms at 9.30 in blazing sunshine. Factor 15 conditions. Now for the truth. I cycled on me tod in pouring rain down the track to Kilbirnie, towards Dalry then over the Hailey Brae and through Largs. Up Brisbane Glen, down to Port Glasgow and through Bishopton. Georgetown road was closed so I went towards Paisley, past the airport, took the A737 for a mile to the Linwood turnoff then into Paisley before turning on the Johnstone Road and up the cycle track. Once the rain reached the skin, I actually enjoyed it. Must be a first for anyone returning from Largs to Johnstone via Paisley? Dennis

I plan to be at the clubrooms for the 9.30 run. Destination to be decided on the day. Dennis

Hi Lesley, I'll meet you all at the ferry for 10.30am. Dennis

Hi Lesley, Confirmed; Dave and I will be there. Morag and Jackie are coming too for the weekend. The four of us will go up to Oban on the Friday night, then Dave and I will go on the bike run on both days and the ladies will take a bus trip to Iona on the Saturday, or something, and get to know Oban on the Sunday. Can you fix up the two nights accommodation on this basis, or would you want us to do this separately? Anyone else want to join us on the Friday? Isn't it amazing how brownie points work? Looking forward to a great weekend. Dennis

I'll be able to come after all, but need to be back at Johnstone by 12.30. Maybe even time for a quick cuppa at Lochwinnoch? Dennis

Sorry I had to leave the bunch on this run, but I had to go back as my aunt had taken a bad turn and I ended up taking her to hospital (and thankfully she's getting better now). We'll have to find another way of crossing the river, as that's two weeks in a row where one of us has had to turn back unexpectedly at the bridge. Oh how I missed that run, and to see the posts about it makes me drool at the mooth. Even more so as I can't make it next Sunday. So, Lesley, if you want to make an auld guy happy, pleeeese keep the Tighnabruich run for the 15th or 22nd June! Must have been quite a sight when you got home, Chung, that soggy bag! Dennis

The tearoom in Luss, that you forgot to mention, sounds great! Dennis

Hi Lesley, Sounds great, but I wonder how the following weekend (5th/6th July) would suit everyone, as I can't make that weekend. I would really love to go along. Dennis

...in that case, David, we'll get back on Tuesday As part of your decision-making process, Lesley, the Arrochar run should be the about the same-ish as Largs. Food should be available in Arrochar, Tarbet, Luss and Balloch, but we don't have to stop long at each one... Dennis

or....for a wee change... over bridge, up Loch Long, and over to Loch Lomond (via Glen Douglas or Arrocher)? Dennis

As the song goes, I'll be there.... Dennis

Thanks again to all who contributed to the fundraising for the cardio memos. The collection box now contains about £200, and I will be matching this to buy a cardio memo for Wishaw Hospital Cardio Unit. David has kindly offered to try to arrange a matching of the grand total via his firm but this depends on the money being paid to the appropriate NHS Trust Charity which, in turn, depends on whether they will agree to applying it to the cardio memos! If we can manage all this, then the cardio unit at Wishaw would receive two cardio memos, which I understand would increase their stock by 40%. If not, then I will simply purchase one and hand it in to the consultant at the hospital. Who needs to be a Philadelphia lawyer then? Once I get back from holiday, I'll let you know how it all pans out. Dennis

Great run, and perfect cafe stop. Up on the hills, the wind was fairly pulling at the carbon fibre frames and flat spokes...is there a case after all for the old steel frames and 26" wheels? See you in three weeks' time. Dennis

Thanks to all the riders for participating in this run, and for their kind contributions to the voluntary collection. Great weather, company and banter. Relatively fresh legs and smiley faces at the end, along with fine food at the final cafe!!! Fund raised money still coming in, but will advise amount collected later. Here is a link to the pics that were taken at the start, and a bit further down the road. Dennis http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/jj26 ... es%202008/

We currently have 15 names for this event - 9 from JWCC, 5 from Royal Albert and Dave Philip from Dunbar, who was with us on the Wanlockhead weekend. It's shaping up to be a good run and I know the scenery is looking great, even at this time of year. Here's a link that shows the latest route. The route map says 97.4 miles, but if we go really wide round all the roundabouts, we'll make the 100 ok http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-ki ... /477438075 Further to my previous post, if anyone wishes to contribute to the voluntary fundraising by cheque, can they please make it payable to me. I originally wanted any money raised at this, and a later event I hope to organise, to be given to the NHS Trust charity so they can take advantage of the Gift Aid Scheme, and increase the amount collected by the tax relief. I also requested that such money be applied specifically for the purpose of buying a cardio memo. Surprisingly, it transpires that the NHS Hospital Trust administrators apparently won't allow fund-raised money to be used for the purpose chosen by an event organiser (but would put such money into a 'general fund'). Therefore, I intend simply to use any money collected to buy a cardio unit directly and give it to the Consultant of the Cardio Unit at Wishaw Hospital. I know he is keen to increase his stock. Sorry for this long-winded story, but hope as many people as possible will be willing to help in any way they can. Thank you. Dennis