duncan thomson

first cyclocross race for ages, loved it. dead slow though. onwards and upwards. 
Jamie said I was rubbish, he said it was a helpful comment.
Just because he was 3rd in U12 doesn't mean he can slag off his old man. No, actually, it does

After a couple of good TLI events I got found out in a big BC event and finished mid-pack. I entertained the Jets by locking up the rear wheel on a hairpin and kissing the grass.
 
But the venue, weather and ambience were spectacular. The Park was rammed with riders and spectators from 5 upwards. The Jets coaches swooned at the amount of tape and stakes. What a great advert for Scottish cyclocross. The course was very fast and even dusty. No mud on kit or skin at the finish, wanted my money back. The only disappointment was a relative shortage of younger racers from Jets and main club (ie U40) but Alan McB was there checking us out and I wonder if Santa might bring him a cx bike a little early.
 
Big kudos to Billie and Paul for finishing after rolling a tub and a mechanical respectively. Also to Martin and Duncan for setting up the Easy-up to provide a club base and to Norma Millar for coffee and cake in support. Big slagging also for Billie for using double-sided sellotape to fix his tubs on.
 
Come on board folks but as we move into winter we can only offer you sweat, rain and mud.
 
Dull technical point: My front QR lever was pointing forward, as I tell the Jets NOT to do, and sure enough it was loosened in a clash of wheels at a hairpin. I had to stop and retighten. So I highly recommend that QR levers point backwards.

Can't tell you all how good that was for me! Perfect pace and conditions for my first group outing in nearly 5 months

Well done to all riders , I was delighted to attend and see so many riders competing. I had my father Murdo MacDonald along who was club race secretary in 70/80s . He couldn't believe the number of Jets competing and the variety of age ranges. Well done to riders and officials a great event showcasing the multi talented riders the club has .
My father was surprised by the gazebo at the start line wishing they had been invented in his day plus iphone stopwatches completely confused him  , I was happy to be  the catcher at the summit for the riders and give them a wee help to get their feet out and recover . An old tradition  which hopefully will be used in future event's as I always appreciated it when I was competing  .
ps the jets were easier to push but as the number grew it was further to push them up the hill each time so I got a good work out LOL

and Jet representation too

and Jet representation too

So DA is done. Sigh of relief, you don't have to read all my DA punctuation mince any more. Until we do it again.
 
Alan McB and me were the lucky ones who achieved immortality but it was most certainly the result of tremendous teamwork, the likes of which only happens on very special days. I was a particularly lucky recipient of the teamwork, as was Alan but he just did not need it as much as I did !
 
So me, Alan, Jan and Andy did a brilliantly smooth first lap. Very even workload and very smooth changes. Alan was doing longer pulls but very importantly not faster just longer. Thanks to my gals who planked our stash to save us a few seconds. Iain Carvill also joined us on ferry to do a single on his own.
 
First lap was a fast one with the excellent teamwork and perfect conditions. Just as well as Alan had a front wheel puncture which we changed toot sweet as we were not for losing his horsepower.
 
End of lap 1 we were getting into the stash and just about ready to leave when Robbie came floating up to the bench. This was the first Angel I saw today. His fresh legs were very welcome and even though we were pretty gubbed by this point, I have to say he was flying. And I guess that was after a nightshift which was likely the reason he did not make 7am ferry.
 
So in the early part of the second lap Jan was over extending so shouted us to go on. He then did the ultimate team duty, more of which later. About 15 miles into second lap Andy had a bad spell and tailed off, but it was temporary, more later. Myself Robbie and Alan then horsed it up the east coast, well Robbie and Alan did and I dabbled with the notion of spells.
 
Turned round into the long climb at Lochranza into headwind and Robbie, somewhat understandably after doing a power of work on the second lap, tailed off a bit. Alan cantered up the climb with the bit between his teeth and soloed on for the last 12 miles to achieve immortality. I plugged my way up then then down the descent and was going up the rise before the last 8 miles or so which by this time was a strong headwind and honestly I was at point of stopping and getting a bus. I was cooked in every way. Then I saw another angel, Jan had rode round in reverse and proceeded to drag me in a state of delirium for the last 8 miles and give me jellies and generally ride at the only pace I could manage. Made it back to ferry and thought to myself if I was to stop cycling tomorrow then I would be happy with my cycling life. Relief beyond words to stop the pain.
 
Robbie then rode in and caught the ferry to complete a very impressive single as he spent a lot more than 1/2 the lap on the front, and we had to ask him to scale it back a lot of times.
 
Meantime Andy had rallied and also rode the full double, which means he rode about 40 miles on his tod. What a trooper. He rode into Brodick as the ferry was floating out !
 
Speaking for myself, there is no way I could have done that without every one of the guys contributions today. Thank you all immensely for making a dream come true.
 
Need to spend some time now thinking up a new challenge
 

four for me please
duncan

we could offer a great marketing opportunity, put some of their tarmac down, maybe in a 1.5- 2k circuit. call it a closed road. 
just a thought...

we could offer a great marketing opportunity, put some of their tarmac down, maybe in a 1.5- 2k circuit. call it a closed road. 
just a thought...

we could offer a great marketing opportunity, put some of their tarmac down, maybe in a 1.5- 2k circuit. call it a closed road. 
just a thought...

we could offer a great marketing opportunity, put some of their tarmac down, maybe in a 1.5- 2k circuit. call it a closed road. 
just a thought...

Hi George, I echo Davie. Not an original thought in my head. For the lh crank to fall off the bolts would have to be very loose, then the safety catch falls out then the preload plastic bolt would have to be forced off the axle. I suspect something went wrong in installation.  Maybe even buy a torque wrench. your preload bolt must be stripped/bent so suggest you get another.
 
Main message from maintenance night was that Shimano et al. have very clever engineers so we might as well follow their fitting instructions (all online) to the letter. Plastic bolt is a good example. I feel daft when I get round to actually reading the fitting instructions and realise how much time/watts/money I could have saved by doing it properly. Of course you learn a lot more by stripping threads, wrecking frames and Pringling wheels yourself but that is not really the point.

Jets Danny Mulholland and Gemma Penman were selected to race for Scotland as part of the 8 rider team that smashed it at the BC inter-regional champs in Manchester last weekend.
 
The inter-regional track champs is a huge event in the u16 racing calendar. It's only opportunity for our Scottish u16 riders to wear national colours, competing against 12 other regional teams from across the UK over 3 days.
 
This was the first time Scotland has ever won the event, and I'm chuffed to say our Jets played their role in a dominant team performance.
 
Danny was one of 2 endurance riders in the boys team, alongside Joe Nally of Hardie Bikes and sprinters Lewis Stewart (Glasgow Riderz) and Stephen Dent (Nevis Bikes). Gemma was joined by fellow sprinter Amber King of Stirling Bike club, and endurance riders Jenny Holl and Rhona Callander (also SBC).
 
Gemma won silver in the standing 250m time trial and team sprint. Danny missed the individual podium, but came soooo close with 4th in the devil, madison (with Joe) and skills challenge. 
 
The girls madison team went better, winning gold, and the boys went even better in the team sprint, taking gold and a new national record. Hot stuff.
 
Scotland team coach John Bremner (Discovery Junior CC) paid credit to all the riders, saying he'd never worked with such a dedicated and disciplined team in his life. Youth racing looking good in Scotland.
 
Mon the Jets.
 
M
 
 

Daryl,
To put you out of your misery, I have the answer.
 
23- 507 Kenda Kontender.
But, since this is neither of your numbers, it may be that I have the wrong bit but cannot see anyhting else. You can check jamie's bike on Thursday if you are there.
cheers
duncan

You've called it right, Richard. 4th for Iain, pipped in the bunch sprint. Very close.
 
That went with other good results for the Joansin among the Jets. Isla McCutcheon took her 4th win in 4 races in the u8's, Hamish Maclaren on the youth C podium for the 4th time out of 4, but this time with a win :-)
 
Lusia Steele won the youth B (under 14) race, and Sarah Bradford took 3rd in the u16 before going one better and placing 2nd junior in the women's event.
 
Ex Jet Lewis Mul got 2nd junior in the E123 race which was won by James McCallum in a sprint finish over Evan Oliphant.
 
Good day for the blue and yellow.

Managers only Alan, got a Del Boy bunnet too!
 
under 2 hours left.
 
Ok update on where we are at.
 
I am very pleased to advise that all minimums have been met. Up until a few minutes ago we were still short on the ladies' kit. Our very generous sponsor Thomsons Cycles have stepped in to ensure that no one was going to be left without the new Johnstone Wheelers club kit. I think this is extremely commendable act on the part of Allan and he should be duly applauded for this. I'll take this opportunity, if I may, to offer a vote of sincere thanks on behalf of the committee and the club at large. Thank you Allan.
 
Allan has agreed to hold this additional kit at Thomsons Cycles should anyone wish to purchase it in the coming weeks.
 
Just to keep everyone in the loop,the whole order will be delivered to me. I will post up details of dates and distribution when I have that information. Currently production time is 5 weeks. I am trying to negotiate a rush delivery with Pactimo, however more on this in due course.
 
Again thanks to Allan for his generous assistance and to you all for engaging with this new set up. I'd also like to mention the assistance we've had from our long suffering account manager at Pactimo, Raffy. She has had to put up with me making her life miserable over the last month or so and has resolved a few minor panics during the design process and during the ordering process including personally calling one of our members over a payment issue. All successfully resolved.
 
I'm now off for a stiff drink.
 
M

Guys/Girls
 
The team store is OPEN. May God bless her and all who purchase from her.
 
IMPORTANT INFO
 
1. Team store will close at midnight on FRIDAY 14th, so get buying NOW!
 
2. You go on to the Pactimo site and INDIVIDUALLY order what you wish. The club are NOT ordering on your behalf.
 
3. It is ESSENTIAL that if you indicated you were buying something that you do actually buy it. Otherwise, where minimums were just being met they might not be met as a result and YOUR fellow members will lose out. That is grossly unfair.
 
PLEASE DO NOT BE THE ONE - I WILL GET INFO FROM PACTIMO AND WILL NAME AND SHAME
 
4. If paying by bank card please advise your bank prior to your purchase, otherwise your bank will think your purchase is fraudulant and cancel it. Credit cards are not affected
 
How to order
 
Go to the Pactimo website and select SIGN IN/TEAM STORES.
Input the password - johnstone into the Team Store Sign In password box, this will you to access the store.
Select the items you want - remember to select your size.
Confirm, Pay and log out.
 
Any problems, use the number on the site or pm me. Don't post on this thread please.
 
Good luck

Was considered. Seriously guys the email and text trail on this is copious. Too late for changes if you want your kit before christmas. Yes there could be more logos or fewer logos or a tweak here or there. It has all been considered. What the members wanted, what the sponsors wanted, what was practical, what looked reasonable, what pactimo's people thought, what worked and what didn't. This didn't happen overnight and by magic.
 
I was tasked to sort out the kit. I have. Unfortunately it is impossible to meet everyone's desires and expectations. No apologies tendered. I think it is fresh, has the traditional look people wanted and I think it will stand out on the road, track and cafe.
 
This post can be pulled or blocked if necessary I really don't care now. I wasn't exactly mown down with offers of assistance in this venture. I would nonetheless like to publicly thank Jane for her input in pulling the design options and the associated artwork together. I'd also like to thank Chung for his input with the logos and making sure all the techy stuff was precise and being a sounding board and his general advice over the piece. I take full responsibility for what has ultimately been produced, and would do it all over again, if asked.
 
 
M

Guys/Girls
 
We are nearly there regards the new club kit. I hope to have the Club Store open next week. Instructons as to how you use the club store will be posted up. However, I'd like to raise a couple of point before the store opens to highlight some essential issues you all should be aware of.
 
1. You are ordering as a private individual via the club store. The club has no responsibility in regards to what you order (other than the range of garments currently available and final distribution of your individual order). You are responsible for ensuring you choose the correct size and range that you want. You are responsible for the on line payment for your order.
 
2. To ensure an early April delivery of our first order, I intend opening the club store for an initial 72 hours. I can and will open the club store again later in the year as and when demand dictates and can be justified. Notice of the Club Store opening will be flagged up.
 
3. This is very important so please read carefully. There is a minimum of 5 items per garment on this initial order. If the minimum order number is not reached then the item will not be manufactured. This extends across the 3 quality ranges (Continental, Ascent and Summit) and applies to the first time a particular item is ordered. For example should across the club 6 short sleeve ascent jerseys be ordered then that item will be delivered. In contrast if only 3 summit jerseys are ordered then that item will not be available. Re orders of items are not subject to this minimum threshold. I hope that our account manager will keep me in the loop as to the quantities being ordered and where there might be short falls. I will of course realy this back as promptly as I can.
 
It may be sensible to speak to your fellow members regards what items you fancy and what they fancy and try to ensure the minimum order numbers can be achieved.
 
4. We can add additional and new items such as full winter jackets, caps, socks, thermal bibs etc., to the club store as we go forward. New designs will incur design charges. The exact details and amount of such design charges can be confirmed in due course.
 
More regards the club store when I have it. I will post up an idiot's guide on how to use it and passwords, so keep an eye on this thread.
 
I called in at Cafe Siempre today to check the various quality and sizes in order to provide some general advice and my views on the kit.
 
For reference, I'm 5'9" ish and weigh somewhere between 10 and a half - 11 stone. I tried on the small and medium size jerseys - no point looking at the large jerseys as they just drown me.The small jersey was a perfect race fit for me and I'd recommend that for any of our leaner racers especially if you prefer a neat fit on the arms. If you're of a similar height and between 11-12 stone, the medium would be a good fit. Anyone nearing 6 foot then medium might be overly neat.
 
I also tried the long sleeve top, the medium was the best fit, allowing for some layering - base layer and summer top. The sleeves were a tad long for me but it might just be the case I have shorter than normal arms. I tried on a small long sleeve jersey which I couldn't zip up - turns out it was a female cut, not that you could tell. The best fit in terms of gillets, again allowing for layering, was the small. The medium just felt too flappy for my taste and frame, but then again I am pretty skinny. Regards bib shorts, the medium were perfect. Snug, well shaped and the bib straps were correctly sized for my height. That said the shorts I tried on were from the premium Summit range.
 
On the question of quality and which range to choose from, generally all the garments are good and fit very well in comparison to the existing club kit and off the peg kit I have. I would however recommend the Ascent range as the best value for money, and the range which most in the club should seriously consider ordering. The continental range is basic and really aimed at new riders. If you spend a fair bit of time in your kit, commuting, training or racing then the Summit range might serve you better, it is expensive but I think it is excellent. This is the range that I would personally go for, if that is any guide.
 
My apologies for this being a very male-centric review. I would recommend that if you are in any doubt as to what your sizing is go into Siempre and try some kit on.
 
Cheers
 
Mark

road fully closed and yet only a short section done, nicely done it seems but...
maybe just to make sure of a smooth run into the 30 sprint?

Just a thought as I might be driving to Durham that Friday night.
Would it be possible to put a photo or diagram of the options and take a vote over the forum?
Thanks to those who have put this together

 

I intend feed back everything to the committee at our meeting w/e 6th January. Hopefully a decision then as to supplier.
 
Change to kit design - wholesale, tweak or leave things as they are still to be decided. I have always had a March/April delivery date in mind.
 
M

By track I meant velodrome (not cycle track) and by mud I meant cyclocross !!
Was just highlighting the vast range of cycle related acttivities we can all indulge in these days.
And I couldn't agree more - especially as one who cannot wear glasses - muddies all round for any road stuff

A point of order.
surely, n= current number of bikes.
n+2 is a theoretical value. As soon as n+1 is attained, n+1=n.
z= the number of bikes it is possible to own without significant spousal grumbling
y= number of bikes (bike) thought required by said spouse.
note z>y
your status may be z+2.
Disclaimer: This does not constitute legally binding advice nor a mathematically sound formula
 
Marginal Gains A wee bit of help.