Ironman

ALL SEE BELOW A TRAINING RIDE FOR YOU, START EARLY. CAMPBELL http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/16-213/ Distance: 300 km Date: Saturday 16th April 2016 Time: 06:00 to finish by + 02:00 Starting from: Musselburgh Sunrises: 06:07 BST Sunsets: 20:22 BST Weather: Metcheck Total Climb: 4200m

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 1200km JULY 24TH TO 29TH The Rocky Mountain 1200km Brevet is traditionally offered by the British Columbia Randonneurs Cycling Club the year following PBP. The club is pleased to announce this brevet will be held July 24-29, 2016. This brevet traverses four of Canada’s mountain National Parks including the spectacular Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper. While the 2012 edition was in the words of one rider, “an epic journey†which saw riders challenged by extreme weather conditions in addition to the distance and high mountain terrain, over the years this brevet has usually been ridden under mostly sunny skies with spectacular vistas of amazing scenery and wildlife. This challenging ultra marathon cycling event is an unforgettable experience for riders and volunteers alike. If you are interested in riding or volunteering on this event in 2016, please contact the BC Randonneurs Cycling Club. I HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THIS ANY OTHERS INTERESTED. CAMPBELL WEB SITE http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/rockymountain1200/ ROUTE http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11381755

Cycled these roads many time in the dark & daylight. Have never found them any worse than round hear. Don’t worry about cycling on these roads in the dark there safer as the cars are more wary of you and there are less of them. When you going? Campbell have nice ride.

PARIS BREST PARIS 1200KM - 16th to 20th August 2015 The morning has come Sunday 16th August I have until 17:45 tonight until I start so it’s a rest, eat & sleep as much as possible day. The 3 of us check out from the hotel at 13:00 & head for the velodrome Robert & Neil do not start till 19:30 so I wish them luck & off I go to the pre event meal, the food is good. I watch the first too lots off vedets set of & think, that was me 8 years ago they’re in for a hard ride. I find a nice seat on the grass in the shade & wait for my time to go to get my brevet card stamped, (the brevet card is a small book that has to be stamped at all the controls, signed & time written in to prove your passage on the event. The chip is only for back up & people at home). Brevet card stamped and I am ready to go I know there is one other Scot in my start, Martin but in a crowd of 300 it’s hard to pick each other out. We move up to the start ready to go, the countdown is on, the hair is up on the back of my the neck. I know this will be fast for the first 5km until it splits up. You need to have eyes everywhere, bad group riding, street furniture, you name it, it can happen. Then its 5 4 3 2 1 & were off. Velodrome St Quentin-en –Yvelines to Mortagne-au-Perche - 140km (Food only) – Stage length 140km This stage was fast as the bunch speeds through the suburbs of Paris. You are lead out by police & motorcycle escort. It’s still daylight so you can see the cheering crowds that line some of the streets. This is where you have to watch for the street furniture! You don’t have to worry about any off the junction as they are all policed for you then you’re out into the countryside it’s still light as you speed through small villages with quaint squares. The riders have settled down now as the sun starts to set. There’s a trail of tail lights snaking through the countryside on the way to Mortagne-au-Perche. We reach Mortagne-au-Perche at midnight food & drink is consumed & we leave after an hour. Mortagne-au-Perche to Villaines-la-Juhel 221km (First Control) – Stage length 81km The drop out this control is very steep at first then eases & goes for about 2 miles this will be tuff on the way back. You are chilled by the cold night air so you are glad it’s a climb to get you warmed up, it’s a rolling stage so the lights are stretched out before you, with small brakes as the field starts to break up. We stop for a few minutes at the side of the road as a family had set up a table with coffee, hot chocolate or water for any rider that stopped there was cake to. Martin & I set of agene after a short brake. Martin & I had been cycling from the start together, but we manage to loss each other just before the control so I go into the control, this is the first control, Arriving 03:21 on 17/08/15. Card stamped and more food not knowing wither he was in front or behind, I set of for Fougeres. Villaines-la-Juhel to Fougeres – 309km (2nd Control) – Stage length 88km It is cooled as I leave glad of the uphill to heat me up, the sun will not be up till 7 in the morning this is a rolling section to, not much happens except the sun coming up to provide some warmth to the air, it had been quite chilly & with 20km to the control I snap a rear spoke, so its quick stop to open up the brakes & of I go there will be a mechanic at the control that will hopefully put in a new spoke. As I was riding a bit easier than I would normally not to do any more damage to the wheel Martin caches up with me we ride in with a small group. Arriving 08:13 on 17/08/15. Its strait to the mechanic & I leave my wheel with him & go and get my card stamped & more food. On returning to the mechanic he was just finishing but while waiting the man next to me collapses so the medic is called he was ok in the end but it just shows you the toll it was taking on some people all ready, you have a area in the brevet card the doctors can write up what they have done & what has happen so the if something ells happens further on in the ride there is a record that another doctor or medic can look at. Fougeres to Tinteniac – 363km (3nd Control) – Stage length 54km Martin & I set of it is quit warm & there is not a cloud in the sky from memory this was a easy section, well this & the next proved to be hard it was constantly up down up down all the way & the heat just kept building, but it got done as one would say & we Arriving 12:08 on 17/08/15. Food & watered. Tinteniac to – Loudeac (Control) – 448km (4nd Control) – Stage length 85km This is also a hilly section in the heat of the day & did not ease till just short of the control the sun was still very hot we get to the control & it is packed with spectators 2 to 3 deep, they are out waiting for the first riders on their way back to Paris. One of the crowd reads the name on my number on the bike & shouts out bravo Campbell this put a spring in my step on the way to the control. We are eating when the first rider goes through on their way back then there is a group of say 20 riders the German rider would make it back to Paris in 42 hours. We were glad to get to the control, Arriving 17:39 on 17/08/15 the food is good here with soup, chicken rice with a mushrooms sauce, rice pudding you can’t beat it. Loudeac to Carhaix-Plouguer – (Control) - 525km (5th Control) – Stage length 77km By the time we come out of this control the heat is out the air so we are moving quit quick there is a secret control in St Nicolas- du-Pelem at 493km. There will also be one on the way home. The sun set at 9 & we get to Carhaix-Plouguer Arriving 22:57 on 17/08/15 we have been on the go for 29 hours so we have food & go for a sleep till 04:30 in the morning getting 4 ½ hours sleep before more food & heading off for Brest in the cool of the morning. Carhaix-Plouguer to Brest – (Control) – 618km (6th Control) – Stage length 93km As we set of in the dark it is cool we are on the biggest of the climbs on the ride up to the roc trevezel at around 700m this climbed with easy as we are fresh from our 4 ½ hours sleep & two feeds the mist is hanging in the hollows on the road as the sun comes up what a view when we get to the top. The sun is up so it is not to cool on the decent, we come into a small town of Sizung that is buzzing with cyclist so we stop for coffee & panacocolata & orange juice in the café du centre in the main square. Its then of to Brest with only 40km to the turn home half way on the descent to the port of Brest my hart sinks as another spoke goes on the rear wheel. I start to think should I cut my losses & by a new wheel in Brest but I get it fix while having food I had been lucky with the mechanic as on the 2 occasions I was looking for something to be done they were quiet & could get on with my wheel right away Arriving 09:44 on 18/08/15 the wheel would not cause me anymore trouble on this ride but it was always on my mind. Brest - Carhaix-Plouguer – (Control) - 703km (7th Control) – Stage length 85km The return home, we set of in glorious sun shine & a tailwind it will be all uphill for 40km once we leave Brest, you go out a different way from coming in but the route is back together by Sizung for coffee & cake this makes the climb up to Roc Trevezel very present then it is a right rollercoaster of a run into Carhaix-Plouguer, it is encouraging that you are passing people still climb to Roc Trevezel with the drop to Brest still in front of them, we get to Carhaix-Plouguer Arriving 15:24 on 18/08/15 quick feed as we were hoping to go to a restaurant for dinner that we spotted on the way out. Carhaix-Plouguer to Loudeac – (Control) – 782km (8th Control) – Stage length 79km This control is still full of some of the tail Enders that are out of time but may be able to pull it back. We fill up & head of as we need to build a bit of a buffer so we can sleep this was a hard section on the way out but we make good time on it with the wind on our backs it also gets cooler. We stop at the restaurant just before the control & have pizza & ice-cream & fruit for desert. Arriving 21:43 on 18/08/15 into Loudeac this control was quit quite so we get through it niece and easy. Loudeac to Tinteniac – (Control) - 867km (9th Control) – Stage length 85km We head for Tinteniac with the intention of sleeping at Quedillac an intermediate food & sleep stop it was quite so we made the right choice. We get a good 4 hours sleep with food before & after we set of in the early morning to get a good sunrise as we get to Tinteniac for a niece early breakfast Arriving 06:57 on 19/08/15 Tinteniac to Fougeres – (Control) - 921km (10th Control) – Stage length 56km This is a short section so it is covered quickly it is also were Mark Cavendish won his only stage in the tour this year. There is a magnificent castle with moat in the run in, we have to go thru a secret control in this leg its set up as there must be a short cut, a well read cyclist could obviously take, I have a map & a route sheet but the route is well signposted so there is no need to use the route sheet. We Arriving 10:18 on 19/08/15 for our second breakfast of the day. Fougeres to Villaines-la-Juhel – (Control) – 1009km (11th Control) – Stage length 88km The next section starts with a pull out of Fougeres then a long drag of a hill it was also very warm at this point so with the heat & no cooling from the breeze, as we were cycling at the same speed as it. We decide to have a short brake in a field in the shad we catnap for about hour then were off. We come to a small village on route. Martin goes, do you fancy some lunch, so we stop at a niece looking restaurant & have a 3 course lunch this is very civilised don’t know what the other guests thought as we were still in the same cloths, that were had started with, I can remember the ice-cream was particularly good. We Arriving in Villaines-la-Juhel 16:38 on 19/08/15. To crowds of people bands playing, & also you get announce to the crowd, as you come in to the bike park which is the main street there is a real party atmosphere with shouts of bravo, you still have 221km to go so it not over, it had been a hot section so plenty food & water was required. Villaines-la-Juhel to Mortagne-au-Perche (Control) – 1090km (12th Control) – Stage length 81km This is the section that I feel that I am on my way home as you go under the 100miles to go after the initial climb out of Villaines-la-Juhel it is rolling & very straight with only a couple of long climbs in the middle it has a small village at the top of one of them with coffee & cake supplied by the locals for the riders it’s a welcome break as it is still hot but dusk will soon be upon us, this will be our last night fall. the final climb to the control with 17% right into the control were the crowds gather to see if you have to get off & push, you get it into the low gear before the corner & just roll it up to the cheers for making it. On the way up this last hill Martin was having a hard time & I was talking him up it as I could remember this from my last two times, as we came into the town there was a woman ring a bell & shouting encouragement which Martin mistook as hurry, hurry, hurry to which I hear him muter if you say that once more I will shove that bell up you’re a??? to which I burst out laughing & nearly ground to a holt, I shout get into the low gear know to which he replied I am already f?????? in it. We huff & puff into the control Arriving 21:38 on 19/08/15. The food is really good her soup bread, beef olives rice, & you can’t beat it creamed rice washed down with Perry water, coke, coffee. Mortagne-au-Perche to Dreux – (Control) – 1165km (13th Control) – Stage length 75km We had already decided that we would cycle to Dreux & lay up there till the morning before heading for home. The night is very warm so it’s only the florescent gille that is added now need for arm warmers hats or light gloves, just as we were about to leave there was a load mouth group from across the pond leaving so we let them go, but to our amassment the were not going that fast, so we sate about a hundred yard of the back off them. Were up hill at the beginning then on a long descent Martin was in front I see out the corner of my eye a left turn quick shout to martin going left then a loud shout to the group but they did not hear me, it also had a cross that they should have seen 20 meters down the road. It was more uphill for us on this rise we can see the glow of the lights from Dreux & the other major towns we end up on a high flat area of fields that seem to go on & on this is hard work when you are tired as you don’t get a rest from pedalling, then it the dropt Dreux Arriving 02:55 on 20/08/15 we have food & sleep for 2 hours to leave at 6 to head for Paris. Dreux to Velodrome St Quentin-en –Yvelines – 1230km (Final Control) – Stage length 65km We set of at 6 as planed. The sun will be up by 7 we are well feed & watered it is also just a short hope but as usual there are a couple of killer hills that on the way out on the Sunday were not really notes as you were swept along, we are passing rides that are on their last legs & giving it all to get to Paris. One of the images in this run in was there was a chap sleeping on a bench right outside a monastery that was chiming all its bell & he never even stirred. We climb the last major hill & can see the motor way that we go under about 6km from the end it was over cast this morning & starts to rain but we can’t feel it, were going home. downhill then under the motorway & the run through the suburbs of St Quentin-en –Yvelines the roundabout are all manned to stop traffic to keep the tired riders going that’s me to. Then it the pull up the hill to velodrome the crowds are out clapping shouting you cycle up this as if you had just came round the corner over the timing belt, park the bike in the secure park then into the velodrome for the final stamp on the brevet card it’s such a great feeling I didn’t even know how close I was to finishing at 9 o’clock till George text me to say hay your 2 minutes early we Arriving 08:58 on 20/08/15 We meet other Scottish rider that are finishing & sitting and chating for an hour or so but you feel the tiredness staring to take hold so you make your farewells & off to the hotel for a sleep & beer. Some stats from the ride. Time spent going through control & eating – 17hr Time spent sleeping - 11hr Time in cafes & refreshments outside controls – 6hr Total time for ride was 87:12 This was my last Paris Brest Paris I look back at this ride with great happiness as in doing it the way I did you get to see the full field of riders from the fast to the slow like myself but I am thankful to be go home after, there were a few how would not & my thought are with their family but to see the joy on people faces that finished you will never forget. You also have to think off all the helpers that gave of their time to make this event happen & I had a smile on my face & thanks as they served food, stamped cards or even guiding you the right way on the road. It is a mythical event & you have to work hard to get fit for this in order to join the long list of successful randonneurs who have contributed to the legend of the Paris-Brest-Paris. I have 3 under my belt & flew the Johnstone Wheelers flag in Paris. Campbell Ps here is a poem that gives me inspiration its 'IF' by Rudyard Kipling If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream - and not make dreams your master, If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!" If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

Thanks see you there. Campbell

KENNY PUT ME DOWN TO MARSHAL, WHEN DO YOU NEED ME TO BE THERE? CAMPBELL

DONE. CAMPBELL PS WEE REPORT WILL FOLLOW.

Graham Didn’t make it the heating in the house went on the blink on Friday so it was that that took priority hope you had a good one. Campbell

PARIS BREST PARIS 1200KM - 16th August 2015 The 18th running of the Paris Brest Paris randonneur start for me on Sunday 16th august at 17:45 1200 km between Paris and Brest in France to complete within 90 hours maximum. Start and arrival at saint-Quentin-en-yvelines – vélodrome national à montigny-le-bretonneux. Organized every 4 years since 1931 by the audax club parisien. I will be among thousands of other riders from all over the world who want to participate in this mythical event in order to join the long list of successful randonneurs who have contributed to the legend of the Paris-Brest-Paris randonneur this will be my 3 ride as I completed it in 2003 in 78 hours & 2007 in 76 hours. I have only the ambition to complete it this time so will hope to finish on Thursday morning at 09:00. If you wish to see how I am going, go to the website link below and my frame number is H217 & you should see how or not I am getting on. Let’s hope for average weather as my first was in the stifling heat & the second was on the wind & rain. http://www.paris-brest-paris.org/index2.php?lang=en&cat=randonnee&page=suivi_participants To get myself ready for this you have get a comfy bike for starters, then be able to cycle 745 miles in less than 90hr at this stage I have covered over 6000 mile since my first qualifying ride in 8th march with the longest single ride being 373miles, on the wind down now only 100 mile ride at the weekend. Let’s hope the Johnstone fly in Paris. See me? See happy? Campbell

GRAHAM WHAT IS THE COST OF THE FERRY? CAMPBELL

Al This looks a good one have missed it a couple of time dew to family. Lets hope 3rd time luck next year if it on. Campbell Ps have a look at the 400 on 25th July I am on it and you can drag me round since I have mud guards.

National 400 – STARTING IN DINGWALL 408km cycling event starting from Dingwall. Controls at Lairg, Achfary, Tongue, Strathy, Kildonan and Lairg. Distance: 408 km in 27h00 Date: Saturday 25th July 2015 Time: 10:00 to finish by + 13:00 SUNDAY 26TH JULY Starting from: Dingwall Fee: £35.00 Closing date: 11 Jul 2015 ALL THIS EVENT IS RUN EVER YEAR IN DIFFERENT PART OF THE UK. IT’S TO INTRODUCING PEOPLE TO LONG DISTANCE CYCLING THAT WILL LAST MORE THAN A DAY. IT WILL HAVE FOOD AT ALL THE CHECK POINTS AND BASIC SLEEPING IF YOU WISH IT. DISTANCES UP TO 300KM ARE DAY RIDES I AM SIGNED UP FOR IT TO KEEP ME TICKING OVER FOR PBP. SOME OF YOU LBL RIDERS MUST BE UP FOR THIS EVEN TO SEE IF YOU CAN GET BACK AT AN AVERAGE SPEED OF 18 MPR FOR 253 MILES. IT IS IN A BEAUTIFUL PART OF SCOTLAND AND THE ROADS ARE GREAT. CAMPBELL LINK TO EVENT - http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-2/

Paris & PBP 2015 starts to slip away as the 600km ride approaches! Tuesday morning 2nd June Go to put my cycling glasses on and they brake in half at the bridge. I have a 600 this weekend what do I do. Well I got to work and got the opticians to send up new frames and I will swap the lenses over. Also encase there no there in time repaired the other ones with glue and a pin, not pretty but they worked. Thursday 4th June I get to work and have been watching the weather for the weekend it was not good. The event is cancelled, goodbye Paris. But I get a late entry to a Pair of Kirtons 600 starting Poynton at 6.00am on Saturday 6th June just perfect. Route Saturday 6th June Poynton – start 06.00hr It’s cool with a strong westerly breeze. This part of the route is through houses & road junctions to Greenfield - 18 miles 1st control. Card stamped and the climb up to Saddleworth Moor at a height of 492m this is the high point on the ride and the only climb worth a mention. We wiz down and over rolling roads to Asken - 57 miles, food in a subway second breakfast of the day. The roads are flat to Brough we think we are in Belgium with the twists & turn on the flat roads, we even catch up on a local cycling club on their club run who we toe along for a couple of mile. Brough - 94 miles. Lamb burger, chips coffee coke for early lunch its midday. The next section was hard as it was into the wind the ride over the Humber bridge was good what a view, Robert and I were cycling on sum of the roads we had ridden on in 2005 London Edinburgh London, we reached Gainsborough - 134 miles more food in Morison café to refill the legs. It had been a hard section and it took the next section for my legs to recover even thought it was with a tail wind to Wragby - 158 miles. The next section to Boston was flat we also had the wind partly on our back so we reach Boston - 189 miles at 9.30pm halfway. As you all know the wind drops at sunset normally we were hoping it would for us as we had 109 mile into it, well it did. Corby Glen - 218 miles was reached at 11.35pm this was a sleep stop if you wished but Robert and I decided to push on in the dark to make use of the wind dropping as it would be back at sunrise. Sunday 7th June Donington - 257 miles reached as the sun is coming up, it’s cold as the sky was cloudless another subway breakfast. We set of and pass Donington racing track half way to Stone it get warm and all the night cloths are strip of and packed into the bag, its quit lump on this stretch. Stone - 301 miles. It’s warm in the sun on the way to Prees heath we end up on some of the roads that we road when we were doing the 24hr tt the last one I road was 2003 and the Johnstone wheelers CC won the veteran team for the most miles covered the last two miles to Prees heath was on a very busy road you had to have your wits about you on it, as you had been on the go for quite some time Prees Heath - 327 miles only 46 mile to go this passes quickly we also pass Jodrell Bank on the way . Poynton - 373 miles is reached at 2.35 on Sunday afternoon in the sun. 32hr 35 minutes for the ride 6 hour of the bike 26 hours 35 minutes riding time and a lot of water and food but I will be going to Paris. See me? See happy? Monday 8th June BACK TO WORK Campbell

ALL JUST FOR INFORMATION MY 600KM RIDE HAS BEEN CANCELLED DEW TO THE HIGH WINDS THIS SATURDAY. HAVING TO GO SOUTH TONIGHT TO GET SUM GOOD WEATHER AND A NEW 600KM SOUTH OF MANCHESTER CAMPBELL

THIS IS ON OUR DOOR STEP A Fyne Cowal 200km cycling event starting from Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire nr Glasgow. Controls at Gourock / Hunters Quay, Portvadie, Cairndow and Sandbank, plus 1 information control. A fine ride to Loch Fyne taking in some very scenic countryside on the Cowal Peninsula. Cost of entry to include return ferry ticket. Distance: 200 km in 13h20 Date: Saturday 13th June 2015 Time: 08:00 to finish by 21:20 Starting from: Bridge of Weir , Renfrewshire nr Glasgow Fee: £10.50 ( £10.50 when paying via PayPal. ) Closing date: 5 Jun 2015 http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-179/ CAMPBELL

SHOULD BE THERE NEXT WEEK CAMPBELL

2015-05-16. 400KM SOUTHERN UPLANDS ROUTE STARTING MUSSELBURGH, INNERLEITHEN 27 MILES, JOHNSTONEBRIDGE 64 MILES, NEWTON STEWART 125 MILES, MAYBOLE 158 MILES, ABINGTON SERVICES 209 MILES & BACK TO MUSSELBURGH TESCO EXTRA 252 MILES. WE STARTED FROM MUSSELBURGH AT 6. THE FORECAST WAS NOT TOO GOOD FOR THIS AS THE WIND WAS IN MY FACE FOR THE FIRST 125 MILE, BUT WE DID GET SOME SHELTER AND WE WERE FARE ENOUGH SOUTH TO MISS ALL THE RAIN THAT HAD BEEN FORECAST AND IT WAS DRY AS WE LEFT. NOT MUCH HAPPED BUT HARD WORK INTO THE WIND TILL NEWTON STEWART. HALF WAY WAS NEWTON STEWART AND FROM THERE IT WAS OVER TO MAYBOLE VIA THE NICK O BALCH NIECE CLIMB AND A GOOD DESCENT TO THE CO OP IN MAYBOLE FOR FOOD. IT WAS THEN HEADING FOR ABINGTON THIS WOULD BE A STRETCH OF 51 MILES WITH NO FOOD. THE WIND HAD DROP AS WE WENT INTO THE EVENING THE ROADS WERE REAL RUFF OUT OF DALMELLINGTON TO NEW CUMNOCK THIS IS ALSO A HIGH ROAD AND THE STARS WERE OUT AS IT WAS A CLEAR NIGHT PITY YOU HAD TO WATCH THE ROAD LIKE A EYE ON IT FOR STONES AND REAL RUFF SECTIONS ONES ON THE MAIN A76 ROAD TO SANQUHAR THE ROAD WAS GOOD. LEFT TURN UP THE GLEN TO CRAWFORDJOHN AND THEN THE DROP DOWN TO THE ABINGTON SERVICES. THERE WERE SAUSAGE ROLL JUST OUT THE OVEN SO IT WAS 3 OF THEM MILK COFFEE AND COUPLE OF DOUBLE DECKER’S. THIS WAS GOING TO GET US UP THE LAST 43 MILES TO MUSSELBURGH WITH A GOOD TAIL WIND THIS WAS DONE IN 2 1/2 HOURS GOOD TRAINING RIDE. THIS WAS A X RATED RIDE AS THERE ARE NO FACILITIES PUT ON FOR THE RIDE OR AT THE START OR FINISH YOU HAVE TO FIND YOUR ON FOOD, CAFÉ STOPS ON THE WAY. SO SOME FORWARD PLANNING OF YOUR RIDE IS REQUIRED. 600KM IS ON 6TH JUNE THIS IS MY LAST QUALIFICATION RIDE FOR THE PBP. CAMPBELL

GEORGE BASICALLY FERRY OVER FROM ARDROSSAN FRIDAY NIGHT AND RIDE HOME I TRY TO GET IT NEAR THE FULL MOON AS IT CAN BE SPECTACULAR WHEN IT COMES UP AND LIGHTS THE WAY FOR YOU IF ITS CLEAR. YOU HAVE TO TAKE ALL YOUR FOOD AND WATER FOR THE RUN AS NOTHING OPEN I GOT BACK TO KILBARCHAN AT 8 IN THE MORNING. I WOULD RECOMMEND A SMALL GROUP. FERRY - SEE CAL MAC WEB SITE. THERE ARE SHOPS OPEN IN CAMPBELL TOWN WHEN YOU ARRIVE BUT GET A FEED ON THE BOAT. FOLLOW SIGNS TO GLASGOW. CAMPBELL HOPE TO DO IT THIS YEAR MY SELF BUT, HAVING TO DO SO MUCH OTHER LONG RIDE. TELL ME WHEN YOU ARE GOING.

CHUNG IT WAS JUST NOT DRINKING ENOUGH THROUGH THE NIGHT ME THINKS AS ONE 500ML BOTTLE TO COMRIE 59 MILE AND ANOTHER 500ML TO EDZELL 123 MILE. IT TOOK ME TO DUNBLANE BEFORE I STARTED FELLING RIGHT. WEATHER THROUGH THE NIGHT WAS SHOWERY AND 6 DEGREES; IT WAS WET ENOUGH THAT I COULD RING OUT MY GLOVES AT POINTS. YOU JUST HAVE TO KEEP DRINKING AND EATING AND THEN IT CLICKS ALL OF A SUDDEN AND YOUR BACK TO YOUR SELF THE LACK OF SLEEP WOULD NOT HELP AS I WAS UP FOR 42 HOUR FROM FRIDAY MORNING TO THE SATURDAY NIGHT. CAMPBELL

ALL THE START WAS FROM CORSTORPHINE OLD PARISH CHURCH AT 21:00 THE ROUTE WAS CORSTORPHINE 21:00 FRIDAY 8TH , GRANGEMOUTH, BRIDGE OF ALLAN, BRACO, COMRIE AT 59 MILE AT 01:00 SATURDAY 9TH THIS WAS A FEED POINT WITH FORFAR BRIDE & BEANS, PERTH – 83 MILES, BRECHIN – 123 MILES , EDZELL 128 – MILES AND BREAKFASTED 07:00, BLAIRGOWRIE 160 MILES, GLENEAGLES 191 MILES, DUNBLANE 206 MILES THEN ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF THE FORTH THROUGH THE FAMOUS TOWN OF CROMBIE OVER FORTH ROAD BRIDGE AND BACK TO CORSTORPHINE 252 MILES BUY 19:45. NOT A BAD RUN AFTER A DAYS WORK ON THE FRIDAY. THERE WAS ONE REAL DOWNER ON THE RIDE FOR ME AS AT EDZELL I WAS NOT GOING THAT WELL AND HAVING TROUBLE EATING IT WAS DEHYDRATION AND TOOK ME A FEW HOURS TO GET MY SELF RIGHT. BUT THIS APART I LEFT MY BAG IN EDZELL AT THE HOTEL WE HAD BREAKFAST IN, SO ROBERT HOW WAS FAST CYCLING KINDLY WENT BACK FOR IT AS I TRIED TO SORT MY SELF OUT WITH SOME FOOD AND WATER THIS HELD US UP BY AROUND 2 HOURS WE THINK. WE WERE AMING TO FINISH BETWEEN 17:00 & 19:00 SO 45 MINUTES OUT OF TIME WAS NOT TOO BAD. MANY THANKS MUST GO TO ROBERT. IT HAD RAINED ON AND OF OVER NIGHT BUT ON THE SATURDAY THE SUN DID COME OUT FOR US. BUT WE DID HAVE A HAL STONE SHOWER AS WE PASSED GLENEAGLES. IT WAS A REST DAY ON THE SUNDAY BUT BACK ON THE BIKE TODAY. WELL THAT’S THE 3RD QUALIFIER FOR PBP. ANOTHER 400KM RIDE NEXT WEEK JUST A TRAINING RIDE NOW 600KM FIRST WEEKEND IN JUNE WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW I GET ON. CAMPBELL

MERSE & MOORS 300 18TH APRIL 2015 THIS STARTED IN MUSSLEBURGH AT 06.00 & WE HEADED UP THE A7 THEN TURNING ON TO THE B7007 TO INNERLEITHEN – WHICH WAS FIRST CHECK POINT QUICK SNACK AS THE NEXT SECTION WOULD TAKE US TO ELSDON IN ENGLAND VIA CARTER BAR AT 418M SO GOOD VIEW FROM HEAR THEN A NICE DESCENT TO ELSDON FOR SOME BEANS ON TOAST SOUP & TEA THIS WAS 88 MILES IN. THEN FROM THERE IT WAS WEST TO ALNWICK ITS IS A SHORT SECTION OF 23 MILES BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL STEEP & LONG CLIMBS ON THIS STAGE WHICH TOOK IT TOLL ON MY LEGS BUT AFTER SOME FOOD FROM GREGGS IN ALNWICK AND THE ROLLING ROADS UP TO COLDSTREAM SO THE LEGS RECOVER WELL. FROM COLDSTREAM TO DUNBAR THE ROADS ARE ROLLING TILL YOU GET TO DUNNS & THEN THERE MORE LUMPY GETTING TO DUNBAR AS THE SUN START TO SET. ITS THEN THE DRAG RACE ALONG THE OLD A1 RENUMBERED THE A199 TO MUSSLEBURGH GETTING TO THE FINISH FOR 21.10 . THE RIDE WAS 196 MILES WITH 13700 FT OF CLIMBING SO I WAS PLEASED WITH MY DAY RUN. SECOND PBP QUALIFIER DONE NEXT IS 400KM STARTING FRIDAY 8TH MAY CAMPBELL

ME SEE YOU ON THE ROAD. CAMPBELL

CHARLIE IS IT YOUR USUAL ROUTE AS WILL TRY AND INTERCEPT YOU ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK? CAMPBELL

Alan It was a good day out good company and by the way my shoes fit & smell like I have had them for years. Fitted like a glove this morning. Campbell

THANKS FOR THAT CAMPBELL