chung

Without further call offs due to buggered boilers, suspect weather forecast & mis-placed MOJOs, 6 of us (Colin, Alan Fox, AllanM, Ian (Jan Ulrich), Paul L & myself) met at Red Smiddy for a wee run all the way to Helensburgh.
 
Nice bunch riding with only small drizzles at times, not the heavy rain some folks were saying :-)
Alan took the sprint into Helensburgh with Colin claiming the KOM up Sinclair street, by a country mile I may add, I thought he's suppose to be in zone 2?!
 
A welcome coffe stop in the Corrie cafe in Balloch was much needed also to dry up the gear a bit!
After that a wee blast back to the bridge aided by some sort of tail wind ....... nice!
 
Left the guys before the bridge to make my way home via leafy Westend of Glasgow. I struggled all the bloody way up the A77 with a total headwind, home now stuffing my face with 105k (65 miles in old money) in the bag!
 
Thanks again to my fellow cyclist for the wheels to follow & great company!
 
Cheers
 
Chung
 
P.S Can we have some new excuses (sorry...... I mean reasons) for next week please!

To All members,
 
A report on the latest regarding this endeavour.
 
After contacting our potential school & colleges to invite the students to participate in our competition, we have only received disappointing numbers who express interest in submitting their design. Therefore, we had to cancel the process and as it stands we have no "new design" of our cycling kit.
 
I'm extremely disappointed at the lack of interest as I thought this would have been a great opportunity for young students to showcase their design talent in a real life project.............. then again maybe I was wrong!
 
I'm not sure what our next step is regarding this issue, hopefully if I can attend the next committee meeting then I can raise this matter for further discussion.
 
In the meantime, can I again thank Tom Hill for his support & Richard Montegue for helping me draft the poster and design brief.
 
 
Thanks
 
Chung

Kenny Christie and I met up on Paisley Rd W to head over to Miller St for 9.30 - no surprise that no- one else there given the cold rain!
 
We headed out up Bowfield, left over to Peesweep, Sgt. Law, down Shilford hill, across to Uplawmoor, then over the back road to Dunlop. From there over to Beith via Barrmill, then down the back road (now re-surfaced to great effect as far as the stone bridge at the first turn off for Beith) to the rear of what was previously the Hungry Monk, and on to Lochwinnoch. A welcome café stop there to heat up, then back to Morrisons, over to Houston, down the Georgetown to the Red Smiddy, where Kenny headed home over the bridge and I home via Renfrew. Almost exactly 60 miles for me and a good bit more for Kenny. There were actually quite a few cyclists out and about.
 
In truth probably a better day for the Hoydrome or the turbo, but nevertheless we had a fine run out in true winter conditions, visiting some roads not seen in a while. BTW modern cycling clothing is fantastic!
 
Iain

No bother at all Chung - If I remember correctly you are out Netwon Mearns / Eaglesham way? If so, I can pick you up on the way.

Wheelsmith are running two wheel building courses at Shand Cycles in Livingston.
 
Bargain price of £20 and you can do some window shopping at Shand.
 
I'll be going to the 23rd November course if anyone wants a lift through.

Richie
Yes 25mm becomes almost impossible with crud 2's. I agree with Chung though, these are excellent for 23's especially if you add a bit of chicken tikka carry out carton to extend the front guard !
No mudguards really work with 25's on a race geometry frame.

 

Chung
Didn't want to mock him to early after all he is a very sensitive elderly man
I was about to say he was probably cross training the chain at the time big ring front and rear tut tut
 
 

Alan,
 
You're a nutter (1 of 11)!
 
Vuelta A Espana 2013 - Entries 198 riders, 144 finisher - 73% cross the finish in Madrid.
Dave Harris Memorial - Entries 68 riders, 11 finisher - 16% cross the finish in Rosewell.
 
Statistically this is way harder than the Vuelta, and the Vuelta is the hardest GT according to some!
 
Respect, Alan!
 
P.S I spent all day yesterday indoors, however I did manage to put mudguards back on my bike having seen the weather outside!
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Alan,
 
You're a nutter (1 of 11)!
 
Vuelta A Espana 2013 - Entries 198 riders, 144 finisher - 73% cross the finish in Madrid.
Dave Harris Memorial - Entries 68 riders, 11 finisher - 16% cross the finish in Rosewell.
 
Statistically this is way harder than the Vuelta, and the Vuelta is the hardest GT according to some!
 
Respect, Alan!
 
P.S I spent all day yesterday indoors, however I did manage to put mudguards back on my bike having seen the weather outside!
 
Cheers
 
Chung

George, that's Billy encrypting his training manual.
 
Once you've paid your fees into his off shore account, then he'll send you a password to decipher his top secret training regime
 
Unfortunately, I don't have it!
 
Nice one Mark, where did you go in the end?
 
Cheers

Billed as the toughest sportive in Britain and I am not going to argue.
Departing from Bangor on Dee racecourse the weather was very cold with a watery sun promising its best but delivering very little by way of heat. Started off with the usual frantic pace as the first 2.5km was somewhere between flat and downhill. It was then that the course began to live up to its name. What followed was as close to an alpine climb as can be found in Britain measuring about 22km with a few very short and very fast downhill sections in between. The descent from the peak was brilliant. 2km of fairly narrow roads, several corners but good sight lines and good tarmac and closed roads. This is where I hit my maximum speed for the day of 65kph. Could have gone a bit faster but it became quite busy near the bottom.
Next came the (in)famous horseshoe pass. 6km climb measuring 10-12% in places. Geraint Thomas's time of 14mins and 22secs was never in any doubt; although I did match the 22 seconds by reaching the top in 25 mins and 22 seconds. It was tough in places but overall only marginally tougher that Crow Road.
I thought well if that's the famed horseshoe pass over and done then I should be okay. Of course this was only twenty five miles in so perhaps I should have realised that I was getting ahead of myself.
And I was because then came the C11s cousin which was very tough into an icy head wind. Another quick descent and then the C11's big cousin; I sure mine wasn't the only voice calling out for my mum! It was only 5km with an average gradient of 5% but there were several 12% and above sections which had my legs screaming at me and wondering why they had been forced to drive 300 miles south then get up at 5:30 in the morning to do this cycling malarkey instead of lying in bed.
This brought me tiredly to the third feed stop. Not much point in hanging around as it was still only 8C with a chilly wind to boot. Cheese toasties were a brilliant idea and made a welcome change to sweet gels and energy drink.
Another tiring 6km drag and I am wondering if I will make it to the end, still 50 km to go. At the top of this climb some kind soul had put the inspiring message "cheer up, the worst is still to come". He wasn't lying. After another fast descent the next climb seemed to be never ending with the first 2km of 10-12% with little 5-6% respites. It never fails to amaze me how 6% suddenly become easy after a prolonged effort at 10%. Eventually things levelled off to a more manageable 3-4% which seemed to continue to the top of what was now a very dark and very cloudy world.
Oh deep joy, freezing rain for the next 3 miles was just about enough to make me throw my bike off the mountain. It was only the realisation that, without it, I would have to walk that prevented me from doing so.
From here I finally found a group that I could keep up with, probably because the final 10 miles only involved some short climbs and flat to rolling, which we covered in just under 30 minutes. There was the obligatory sprint to the line where I only just made the podium, stealing third by a tyre width.
An epic ride, tougher than Flanders. I made it 2900m of climbing which is still 1000m short of the Nove Colli but the compressed distance and the fact that you were either climbing or descending with little in between did make it a tough ride.

Dear JWCC members,
 
We would like to inform all members that Tom Hill & myself have taken on the task of possibly looking into getting a New Design for our club cycling kit.
 
However, we though it would be a good idea to utilise local design talent in this creative process rather than just relying on the suppliers "limited" input.
 
Therefore, we are running this as a "Design Competition", inviting local design school students to summit their work so we can choose the "best" design to be used as the blueprint for our new club kit.
 
To further entice the student to participate, we will be offering the Winner & 2 Runners up of this competition with cash rewards which have been generously donated by our very own philanthropist - TOM HILL.
So, if in the near future, you're wearing club kit that rivals "Rapha" then you all should know who to thanks! :-)
 
We have yet to contact the students as they're still on holiday, so once their term starts we will proceed with this.
So, in the mean time I'll try and report any progress as much as we can to keep everyone up dated on this matter.
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Dear JWCC members,
 
We would like to inform all members that Tom Hill & myself have taken on the task of possibly looking into getting a New Design for our club cycling kit.
 
However, we though it would be a good idea to utilise local design talent in this creative process rather than just relying on the suppliers "limited" input.
 
Therefore, we are running this as a "Design Competition", inviting local design school students to summit their work so we can choose the "best" design to be used as the blueprint for our new club kit.
 
To further entice the student to participate, we will be offering the Winner & 2 Runners up of this competition with cash rewards which have been generously donated by our very own philanthropist - TOM HILL.
So, if in the near future, you're wearing club kit that rivals "Rapha" then you all should know who to thanks! :-)
 
We have yet to contact the students as they're still on holiday, so once their term starts we will proceed with this.
So, in the mean time I'll try and report any progress as much as we can to keep everyone up dated on this matter.
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Dear JWCC members,
 
We would like to inform all members that Tom Hill & myself have taken on the task of possibly looking into getting a New Design for our club cycling kit.
 
However, we though it would be a good idea to utilise local design talent in this creative process rather than just relying on the suppliers "limited" input.
 
Therefore, we are running this as a "Design Competition", inviting local design school students to summit their work so we can choose the "best" design to be used as the blueprint for our new club kit.
 
To further entice the student to participate, we will be offering the Winner & 2 Runners up of this competition with cash rewards which have been generously donated by our very own philanthropist - TOM HILL.
So, if in the near future, you're wearing club kit that rivals "Rapha" then you all should know who to thanks! :-)
 
We have yet to contact the students as they're still on holiday, so once their term starts we will proceed with this.
So, in the mean time I'll try and report any progress as much as we can to keep everyone up dated on this matter.
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Don't get hung up on average speed girls and boys. Billy is spot on, 'in bunch' pace is considerably higher than you do on your own and you'll cruise along without noticing the increase. The pace will be what it will be. The group will set it.
 
Regards going the distance, again working in and as a bunch will allow you to go further. The stronger riders will see everyone back to Miller Street. Hope to see a good sized bunch tomorrow.

Grieg - yellow card for presuming anyone was excluded. You little rabble rouser.
 
Alan, John and indeed anyone else who might have reservations, this has been billed as a club ride. As those on the Troon ride will confirm the pace was sensible. Usual rule of no one getting left behind applies, as does the understanding that if the pace sneaks up you call out to have it regulated.
 
I'm of the view that there is no point to riding people into the ground who are a little apprehensive about riding with stronger cyclists. They'll just not try it again and will be lost to the idea of progression. Also, remember you're riding in a bunch where the stronger guys will take longer turns at the front giving you more time to draft and save energy.
 
Ultimately you might go 1 mph faster than normal, clock up your longest ride of the year and go home gubbed but you'll be smiling, Grumpy Grieg excepted.

Can I suggest as Chung already has on a parallel thread Lumpy Largs 11th and Kilcreggan 18th. This seems most apt since Lumpy Largs was proposed initially.
 
Andy

See Main Bunch post for today!

Richard & all,
 
8.30am clubroom start, so I'll meet whoever is out South side of bridge 9.10ish (Richard, just don't leave without us please)
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Campbell, that's a hardcore ride! I suppose I wouldn't expect anything less from you.
 
Chaps, I'm interested in the run but will depend on a few things first from my end before committing to this.
 
Alan & Paul,
Just a suggestion on how we can get to Aberfoyle on less busy roads, via Dumbarton, Bonhill, Cycle Route 7, Dryman, Pipe Track, Gartmore onto Aberfoyle?
 
The weather forecast is suppose to be still Ok for this Sunday ........ I hope!
 
I'll confirm near the time if thats OK?
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Thanks John! I'm looking forward to the day I can get back out on my bike!
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Thanks again for all the good wishes!
 
I'm not "hard", just stupid & not want to face the fact!
In hindsight, I should have gone to the hospital earlier. I just hope my injusry won't end up like Ritchie's!
 
Charlie & Ramsay, I completely feel your pain now! This is going to be a long 4 weeks for me...................
 
Cheers
 
Chung

thanks chung,
doing well, was spotted at Nove Colli by Sky and currently acting as domestique de luxe for wiggo in secret training venue. I think I might take him round the top of the world, he is looking for variety after the monotony of Majorca and Tenerife. I'm sure you understand.
Anyway, bike is rust free due to occasional forays, to work and back. hope to get out with bunch sometime soon....
duncan

Hi All,
 
I spoke with Billy & a few others on Sunday regarding this Sunday's run, and looking at the long range forecast for Sunday it looks like being a good one again (fingers crossed). Some folks suggest a run over the water to Dunoon, how can any one resist that eh?
 
I know quite a few folks are doing the Saturday Ayrshire Hills, so Sunday's attendance may be a bit low but it's too good an opportunity to turn down given the projected good weather!
 
So, I'm thinking of 2 options to do this, both involve cafe stop in Struchar:
 
Option 1
Clubroom - Bishopton - Greenock - Gourock (Ferry) - Dunoon - Loch Tarsan - Tighnabruaich - Struchar (Cafe) - Back to Dunoon - Ferry - Gourock - Home.
 
Option 2
Clubroom - Bridge - Dumbarton - Helensborough - Rhu - Garelochhead - Arrochar - Rest & be Thankful (climb) - Struchar (cafe) - Dunoon - Ferry - Gourock - Home
 
Both options will be over a 100 miles and a slightly earlier start is advisable. I personally favour the 2nd option as its less time on ferry & more time riding. But the first one gives some the option to drive to & start at Gourock, so maybe we should go with that.
 
Understandably this will be an all day event, so 8.30am start from the clubroom which will give us plenty of time to catch the 10.30am ferry if option 1 is preferred!
 
Everyone is welcome, the more the merrier!
 
Can I ask folks to post their intention ONLY if they're coming & state which option they prefer. Please DON'T post if you're not coming as this'll make things confusing & clog-up the post.
 
Seeing how there will be a decision to be made upon what option is preferred, we can make a final call a few days before the run so everyone knows the score!
 
Thanks for reading
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Hi All,
 
Here are my take on the trip, also some Garmin stats & photos for anyone thats interested.
Most of us only went for 5 days, so others can fill in the gaps before we arrived & after we left.
 
Day 1 Saturday
Arrived at hotel after lunch time with really bad weather. So, no bike ride, just settling in & building up bikes and chilling out.
 
Day 2 Sunday
Terrible weather again, but made it out for a short ride to Formentor (light house) with Ritchie after we got lost from DavieB & Richard. We dumped into Darryl & Paul in their car up the climb after their early morning "gym session".
The first part of the climb before the 1st viewing point was great with smooth new tarmac only to be spoiled by "slow" descending coaches. The fog was pretty bad near the top and visibility was not ideal but we made it to the end. The ride through the nu-lit tunnel was a really surreal & scary moment indeed!
http://connect.garmi...ivity/307347559
 
Day 3 Monday
Another p*ss day of weather, but after a lot of he-hor-ing we eventually made it out for nearly everyone around 2ish to explore the nearby hills. From Pollenca to Lluc passing the monestry, we all climb as a group all the way up to the jubction of Sa Calobra but time was late so a quick descend back to PP were we formed a train with a group of English cyclist with some very expensive & posh bikes indeed.
http://connect.garmi...ivity/307347537
 
Day 4 Tuesday
At last the sun came out and the whole place change- the atmosphere & mood of the group transformed to one of frustrated hope to eager anticipation. An early start of 9am for the whole group of 15 set out to do a few "hills".
Pollenca - Campenet - Alaro - Orient (climb)- Bunyola (Cafe stop) - Soller (climb)- Puig Major (climb) - Lluc - Pollenca
What a hard & magnificent day of cycling, the climb & switch backs was hard but the descend was absolutely brilliant.
I never really like descending back here, but the smooth roads & the layout of it made me enjoyed the descending so much more, it really did put a bug smile on my face.
http://connect.garmi...ivity/307347514
 
Day 5 Wednesday
Sunshine again! We didn't all go out as one group today, some want to take it a did easier from the day before. So, Billy, Charlie, Al, Richard, Davie, Scott, Ritchie & myself went as a group heading towards Ritchie's must do list for this trip - Sa Calobra (he wanted to go because he saw Bradley Wiggins did it for his training)
Pollenca - Campenet - Caimari - Lluc (climb) - descend into Sa Calobra - (lunch) - ascent of Sa Calobra (climb) - Pollenca
http://connect.garmi...ivity/307347473
 
Day 6 Return to Glasgow
 
The trip for me has been brilliant, I have been trying to go to Majorca on 2 previous occasion but failed on both times due to volcanic ash & airline going bust. So, for me it was a long time coming & I thoroughly enjoy the whole trip even with the poor weather to start with. I would definetly go back again in the further, it has so much to offer us cyclist. The hotel we stayed in was fantastic with great facilities for everyone, but particularly cyclist!
On a separate not - Billy get some proper tyres & try to look where you're going, 7 punctures on this trip must be a record even by your own high standard!
Tom, I hope you get your bike & Rapha gear sorted after coming down on those slippery when wet lime stone roads!
 
Link to some images (Some were taken by Scott)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/55693145@N05/sets/72157633415617478/
 
Cheers the now!
 
So, where we're going next year then.............France?
 
Chung