chung

Having just rejoined after a good few years away hoping to be able to come along for this ride. Perhaps the chance to catch up with some old friends as well as new.

Photos or it didn’t happen! 😉

It happened. 😁

Thread update - New bike (well sort of - still waiting for personalised, bespoke frame) has eventually arrived. Was/is very much worth the wait. 😁

"Gravelistas" ...... have you just coined a new word there, Gerard? :-)

"Gravelistas" ...... have you just coined a new word there, Gerard? :-)

It is sorrowful to note that I am bereft of such lexicographical creativity.

"Gravelistas" ...... have you just coined a new word there, Gerard? :-)

These look like great routes to use, I will need to get out and ride them.  Off road cycling is about skill so is quite different from an all out TT effort on the Georgetown and could suit a lot more people.

I'd be interested - Although the Venn Diagram of people in the club that like TTing and also like gravel riding and who would like the two to be combined might just be a circle with me in it
 
https://www.strava.com/routes/2926218731512168650
Thats the Corlic hill loop i mentioned last night - it's pretty short but a loop so could do laps to make up a longer distance. Although i wouldnt fancy doing the steep bit too many times! One benefit it it's all off road and closed to cars and wide. IMO about as fast on a mountain bike as it would be on a gravel bike.
https://www.strava.com/routes/2926220499691371722
This is Devol past Port Glasgow Golf Course and up to the substation. It's a loop again, some of it on road (all left turns) and has a gate. Would be slightly faster on a gravel bike but mtb would be faster on the descent part.
https://www.strava.com/routes/2926222368858057332
For a traditional TT distance then here is 10 mile around Loch Thom. Gravel bike would be faster than a mtb due to more road
That's just 3 options that are all fairly local.  There are lots of other local options  (like to the mine at Muirshiel and back down again) but a lot of them would be out and back rather than loops and some (like around the Neilston pad or up to Loch Humphrey) can be busy with walkers and we might be a bit of a nuisance!
Alternatively could go a bit further afield - Whitelee, Dunoon, or Aberfoyle etc and then do something that is longer. Not sure what the appetite would be for that but i'd be up for that too.
 

Looking to explore options for including gravel bike specific events on the club calendar.  This is a new event being built up from nothing so everything is on the table at this stage, no detail too small, no idea too crazy.  What would get your interest so you will ride it?  Mountain bikes and e-bikes will also be welcome in this, indeed any bike at all.
Post up here or message me.

Good run today with a mixture of jets, coaches,  30 milers and newbie Gareth on his first bunch run. 13 in total and made it to Irvine and back in the dry. Thanks for the company guys and gals..

Great turnout today from the senior club and the Jets. Mud, gravel, punctures, coffee and cake, and a nice social pace was the order of the day. Just as Davie would have liked it

Enjoyable ride today good to see such a big turnout!

Alan …. this one especially for you
:-)
 

Here is a few photos to show some of the extra “details” I treated to my frame before building it …… all good prep. work to help prevent further issues down the line …… given that this frame should have a “hard” life when it gets used 🙂
Ordered some “marine” grade torx bolts to “plug” all the threaded bosses around the frame for mudguards & panniers etc. since these won’t get use (for now anyway)
“Chasing & Facing” the bottom bracket thread & shell for a clean & “perfect” fit for the BB cups ….. it’s got to be done 🙂

A few more detail shots 🙂
Just look at the mahoosive cassette at the back 9-42t ........ jesus I hear you scream ...... 40t at the front, that's a much lower gear ratio than even my road 29-34 set up

Finally, finished just in time for Xmas 🙂
Hope you dig it ....... tubeless & hydraulic disc ....... 24 degree "flare" handle bars too ...... so gravel 🙂
By the way, Merry Xmas everyone! 
 

Sunday 16th: planning on a wee spin along the back roads in memory of our dear friend Davie Borland. Davie was a big fan of ‘farm watch’ rides so we’ll be seeking out some of the worst roads in the area 😅
All welcome to join me - including gravellers 😀
9.30 Miller Street.
PM me if you know of any bad roads Davie would have liked (or did indeed like) and we’ll try and incorporate them!

Club run 70s style back road to Port Glasgow from Gunpowder climb
Kenny MacD , Paul Mcgrath , Dave Smith , Ian Neilson  with international rider Drew Brunton giving a masterclass in puncture repair, 

enjoyed that Chung, thanks for posting
 

The filth on that!

many thanks Chung gutted I missed it , need to make sure I get to it this year . Fine dining at its best .

Chung, thanks for bringing your cool bike today. Your teeny tiny 9speed cog is crazy small. 13 speed as well! All very cool niche Campy stuff, there can'y be another one in the country. You'll defo need to join the gravel bros.

A few of us have booked a cycling trip to Tenerife for next year 2022.. We're booked for 5 nights, leaving on Oct 6th returning on the 11th..we're staying in Los Gigantes.. Anyone else who fancies it is more than welcome to join us .. Plenty of climbing will be involved..