chung

It was a great day out today with even the weather being on our side. Only down side was not getting Stevie back in time for his family appointment due to not being allowed on the ferry even when we got there on time. I applaud the hard ones who cycled to the ferry on today's ride. Well done to you John, it was a really hilly run today and for being such a gentleman, I hope you told her you were with the Johnstone Wheelers. Next time you stick with me, I'll make sure you get properly feed. See you all in two weeks time. Cheers Chung

Hi Tony & all, Me and Stevie will be at the ferry for 9am to get you guys over to Dunoon. But because we both have time constrains, we will do a shorter and direct route skipping the otter ferry and head straight to Struchar for a wee break before going back to the ferry for a earlier finish if that's O.K? Hope the weather is kind to us! Cheers Chung

Good morning Martin & Phil, Bad news on the Chainset situation, I took it down from the loft to dust it down only to find that the bearing on the non-drive side have completely seized up while in storage. Took it to bike shop and said need new bearings, which I have replaced at a cost of £30.00 per pair......ouch! (Well, the non-drive side was replaced and the drive side was fine which means at least I have an extra new bearing when it decides to pack in later) So, selling it for original £25 is not ideal for me, so I have decide just to keep it. Sorry, mate! Heres a link to Ribble but spanking new with new design: http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... AMPCHAR897 Cheers Chung

Hi Phil, Its Chung here, I don't believe we've met so its kind of cheeky of me to offer you stuff but I thought you might be interested. Especially Campag users are definetly in the minority in the Bunch. I have a well used but still plenty of miles left "Campag Veloce Ultra torq Compact 50/34 chainset" with an English bottom bracket that you can have for £25.00, the crank arms are 170mm if that helps. I also have a band on centeur front mech that I can include as well for free if you want it, again its very well used but still works fine. Let me know and I'll forward my mobile to you if you are keen. Regards Happy Hunting Chung

Hello Billy, Let's be honest and not beat about the bushes here, the way and reason why you ride in through-and-off formation is because you want to ride fast so to replicate a racing scenario, where you drop riders who are not as strong trying to catch up, you said so in your previous other post. I did not say the through-and-off formation is dangerous to ride, it is so only if they are riders in the bunch who are not accustom to it! It's the confusion that causes the danger, not the formation. I stress again, that for a beginner, the through-and-off is harder to understand, it might not seem so to you because you know how it works. How are you going to get new cyclist wanting to join the club if on their first run, they haven't a clue whats going on. Which brings me on to another point, I think as existing club members, everyone has a duty to pass on the riding knowledge and etiquette to new members (which I'm sure that is the case) while out with the bunch for the first time, no matter which bunch they happen to ride in. Everyone starts from the beginning, we've all been there. I am not trying to get people to babysit others, but new riders need that knowledge to enjoy the bunch cycling experience. Cheers Chung

Hi All, The through-and-off formation is a chaingang or racing riding style thats only been used when you would be racers decided to adapt it in the Sunday Bunch! The truth is, it has never been the way we ride in a Sunday Run, at least not for the last 6 years anyway, it only started recently. The problem with riding through-and-off (I am in a position to comment as I have ridden in both styles) is not the formation it self but the speed you ride it, it always seems to encourage you to ride fast, especially when taking your spell at the front initially going into the front right position, making the rider moving into the front left position struggling a bit to keep up with his/her partner because he had just done a hard spell on the front right position. This is when you get half wheeling happening, and you know what that leads to........ Personal observation also tells me that the through-and-off formation is harder to understand by new riders who have"t ridden in a bunch before. Whereas the usual formation (not sure what its called as its the norm before) where the pair at the front drops right to the back after their spells, is straight forward and easy to practice. In terms of safety on narrow roads, we tend to spell up when the road condition allows it, so certainly not on narrow roads. Remember, reading the road conditions is also part of cycling too. Billy, if you want to chat to more than one of your fellow cyclist. Easy, just make sure the bunch is odd numbers! Or invite Campbell Hutcheson to prop up at the back. There, problem solved! So, I say we should just stick to riding the 2 abreast formation (spells in pairs) on Sunday Club Runs to stop confusion happening which can be dangerous and leave the through-and-off stuff for the midweek chaingangs. Cheers Chung

Paul, How can I say no when you are so accommodating to my desperate needs of a cafe stop. I'll be there on Sunday. See you all! P.S there was mention that on part of the run yesterday, was just a bit too quick. In response to that can I suggest that we try to ride at a constant speed where everyone can manage, be it on the flat or a slight up hill drag. The idea on these Sunday Run is to keep everyone together as much as possible. Regards Chung

Tony, I'll be there! See you all on Sunday. Cheers Chung

Tony, Great call! I'll be there for the run on the 31st July! Can you confirm the start time please. Clubroom start? See you then. Cheers Chung

Kenny, Sent you a PM! chung

Darryl, If we can get enough numbers, I think I can get them done! Chung

Hi Paul & Martin, I'll join you for the medium run. I was planning on driving to clubroom and start from there, but if no one is then I can drive to Lochwinnoch and meet up with you Paul if thats O.K? Hope to see more folks for this, should be a cracker! Cheers Chung

Hi all, Can I join you for this. Any idea on where we are heading? Chung

Congratulations to all the winners and also all the Wheelers who took part! Well done guys! Chung

Fantastic day of Bunch cycling in great company and beautiful scenery, good to see some familiar faces from the past. Big thank you to Dennis for the organisation and Morag for her hospitality.....if Carlsberg did cafe stops, this would be it! I recommend this to all JWCC members to try this next year! Chung

Dave, Good to see you out on the bike again! Maybe see you next week then. Regards Chung

I just heard the extremely sad news..........I'm shocked & speechless. I joined the club around the same time as Jim back in May 2005, and spent many cycling miles in his company. He was without doubt one of the nicest chap in the bunch! My memory of Jim with me other than on the bike will be window shopping for furniture in Girona for his new flat in the Westend, after we both had bike problems on the day. It had been my privilege to have known him. What a sad lost.....Rest in Peace, Jim! Chung

Sorry Greg, That should be Vittoria Rally tubular. Chung

Greg, If you are not bother about weight and all that, then you can actually get a Vittoria Giro for around £15 or less if you look in the net. Decathlon sell them for about that price I think. Happy hunting Cheers Chung

Billy, If there is a cafe stop in Balloch, then I'm in! Cheers Chung

Hi Alan, I cycled the event with the wee one, I was supposed to run it but last minute change of plan meant I was cycling instead. The weather wasn't bad at all, it rained heavily once while we were waiting for the start, but after that it stayed dry pretty much all the way through, there was even occasional sunny spells, although the wind was strong coming back in. Great to see so many out enjoying cycling, running & walking on smooth tarmac. Bumped into Tom H and family, Greig & Elaine and spotted a few Jets too. I saw a few club cyclist too, namely the VC Southsiders, good turnout from them. Just imagine if we all cycled or walk, then there wouldn't be any traffic jam.........if only! Cheers Chung

George, It could be the axle of the brakes need cleaning & lube and maybe the return spring can cause the brake not to return properly.....I think! When it happened to me (I've been using the brakes for 3 winter seasons with occasional wash) I dismantled the whole brakeset, cleaned it, lubed & put it back together. It did job, but only lasted for about a season after that. Mine was Campagnolo Veloce, not sure how servicable Shimano Ultegras are. Hope that helps. Cheers Chung

George, Route and time sounds good to me! (weather permitting....of course) Might be tempted to bring my summer bike out. See you 9.00am at clubroom! Cheers Chung

Sorry George, I meant to say Sunday for the run. Cheers

Hi George, A lot of the usual suspects for Sunday are doing the Etape, so probably won't be out. What do you have in mind? Do you need to be back early for some minor football matches? How about a cafe stop? So many questions. Cheers Chung