Colin H

3 for me please (2 adults and 1 jet ) Colin

Tom, Sorry to hear about your tumble and hope you are healed soon. Looking for some good results from you now in the predictions comp as it sounds like you will have time to study the formbooks As regards 1st aid I recently completed my advanced refresher course but thats not much use if I'm not getting out I know there was a recent posting from Ramsay about spaces on a course and I would highly reccomend everybody to try and get on at least a basic course. Probably the best thing is to realise that if you think its serious get a call to 999 as soon as possible. Colin

Following link might be of some use to you guys going to Italy: http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fulls ... est%20News Colin

Richie, At this stage its a one off prediction for the total no of wins he gets this year. Totally random, subject to pot luck and you have to decide if the "curse of the rainbow jersey" will strike yet again As for individual races I may well be looking for specific stage/total wins as before. Hope this helps. Getting competitive already Colin

If you need a photographer I could probably make it along Colin

Okay dokey then, let the carnage begin Predictions required for the Santos Tour Down Under which starts on 15th January. Predictions will be accepted up to 23.59 on 14th January and you will require to predict: Overall top 3; Sprinters top 3 Climbers top 3; Top team Details including start list can be found at http://www.tourdownunder.com.au/ One additional prediction that I forgot to mention in my original postings was: How many stages will Cav win this season? - worth 20 points for accurate prediction at end of season (IE after Tour of Lombardy). Prediction required by 23.59 on 14th January. GOOD LUCK. Colin

Rules and Scorings for Predictions Comp: Points allocated to: top 3 placings in each of the major classics, top 3 overall, top 3 sprinters and climbers and overall team for the major tours; top 3 in both time trial and road race in the World Championships and Olympics. Scoring system as follows: 1st Place 10 points 2nd Place 7 points 3rd Place 4 points 2 bonus points for each rider in the top 3 of each category no matter what order (these points will not be added to points awarded for accurate predictions as last year. For example last year if you predicted 1st place it was worth 12 points - 10 for 1st and additional 2 bonus. This year riders predicted in the top 3 but in wrong order will score 2 points. Accurate placings will score 10, 7 and 4 respectively) Top Team in major tours - 10 points Additional Scoring Oppertunity - Each entrant will have 2 joker cards. One will apply to classic races and one to Grand Tours (Italy, France and Spain). These will be worth TRIPLE points, must be notified with original predictions and will work as follows: Classics - Choose which top 3 you have selected has the most chance of success and play joker. Any points scored will be x3. Be careful though as you only have 1 card so can only choose 1 race to play it Grand Tours - Same as above but applies to one category within a race only (ie Overall, Climbers or Sprinters). So if you think you have chosen the top 3 sprinters in the TDF then play your joker for points x3 Entries recieved up to the day before the race starts to allow for late withdrawls/suspension and bans for whatever reason. Late entries will be deducted 5 points from their overall score (its is the Oberfurhers decision as to what constitutes late entry and will disqualify those entries if deemed too late ) No points will be awarded for predictions altered after start of each race (take note please Mr McLean ) This should about cover it. No doubt there will be some debate along the way. So now that the T&C's are over with time to start thinking about the Tour of Australia. Categories to be advised in next post. Colin

Guys and Gals, A wee list of the Worldtour races for our predictions comp: 17 Jan-22 Jan 2012 Tour Down Under Australia 04 Mar-11 Mar 2012 Paris - Nice France 07 Mar-13 Mar 2012 Tirreno-Adriatico Italy 17 Mar 2012 Milano-Sanremo Italy 25 Mar 2012 Gent - Wevelgem Belgium 01 Apr 2012 Ronde van Vlaanderen / Tour des Flandres Belgium 08 Apr 2012 Paris - Roubaix France 15 Apr 2012 Amstel Gold Race Netherlands 18 Apr 2012 La Flèche Wallonne Belgium 22 Apr 2012 Liège - Bastogne - Liège Belgium 24 Apr-29 Apr 2012 Tour de Romandie Switzerland 05 May-27 May 2012 Giro d'Italia Italy 03 Jun-10 Jun 2012 Critérium du Dauphiné France 09 Jun-17 Jun 2012 Tour de Suisse Switzerland 30 Jun-22 Jul 2012 Tour de France France 06 Aug-12 Aug 2012 Eneco Tour 14 Aug 2012 Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian Spain 18 Aug-09 Sep 2012 Vuelta a España Spain 19 Aug 2012 Vattenfall Cyclassics Germany 29 Sep 2012 Il Lombardia Italy I have removed some that are lower profile and unlikely to be covered by the likes of Eurosport etc. Also any where the parcours would be unfamiliar e.g. Tour of Bejing. Other races for consideration would be the likes of: Olympics TT and RR; Worlds TT and RR; British National RR; Tour of Britain etc. Notification of these additional races will be provided nearer the time. Rules and scorings in next post Colin

Anybody else?????? We are missing a few from last year. Messers McLean, Thomson, McDonald etc. Come on Kenny C. You know you want to Colin

Howdy, Long time no see, speak, ride with etc. Looks like this coming year will be another largely cycling free one for me (or at least no more than going out with my daughter on her shiny new Islabike in between working and travelling ) so I' am looking to keep my interest up by once again running the predictions comp. As the season kicks off on the 15th (Tour of Australia) lets have a show of hands for interest. We had 13 competitors last year and I think the general opinion was that this added a little something to the typical armchair experience. If numbers are worth it (aiming to beat the 8000 or so views from last year ) then I will post all proposed dates and rules etc on Monday 9th. Additional wee points scorer devised during off season to help with excitment to be advised in due course. Colin

Ramsay, Was in the class with the likes of Fraser Sime, Stuart Orr, Brian Adamson, Scott Murphy et al. Probably other side to you. Greg, Your just trying to make us feel old Colin

"Was it Michael McLaughlin? Thought I recognised him, as I went to primary school with him (a number of years ago now! )" Eh me too.......does that mean we were also in the same class then Ramsay???????? (presuming of course that its the same guy, Kilmacolm Primary?) Colin

Some photies from the Scottish Cyclocross Champs on Sunday http://www.flickr.com/photos/37563359@N ... 311158223/ Colin

Richie, During my time working at Faslane I biked it from Houston for a while. At least twice a week, 25 miles each way, and had to be at my desk for 8am With Friday being a half day it was a great oppertunity to extend the miles on the way home and I would regularly clock 60 or so miles. The difference it makes to your riding is tremendous. Yes its a pain to get up and out in the cold and dark for 0600 but trust me once the sun starts coming up (even if its raining) the journey to work is so much more pleasant Once there you definetly feel much better about the day ahead. And there's no backing out if you want to get home either Added to that the kudos from work mates (initially p*ss taking) especially when they leave work at the same time as you and only really get past you at the Erskine Bridge or have you stuck on their bumper in a 30mph zone . Only takes a bit of organisation and motivation. I had a suit bag at work with a change of clothes that would be refreshed on the days I drove to work so there was no need to carry any more than you normally would. Go for it. You know you want to Colin

Glad I'm not the only one with sore thighs Billy. Cramp kicked in over the bridge, but after telling Richard to crack on as I was going to cruise home, I managed to catch back up at the Georgetown. Was sitting in the shelter till the twisty bits when Greg decided it was time for a spell. Proved to be one too many for me unfortunately. Limped home and crashed on the sofa for about half an hour. Sore thighs are good for you at this time of year no????? Colin

For those of you who can't view the flashplayer on the main page I have finally uploaded my favourite images from the Crit Champs onto Flicker Full galleries of each race will appear eventually http://www.flickr.com/photos/37563359@N ... 879345155/ Colin

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37563359@N ... 995980490/ Mugdock photos now on Flicker As usual any original images that are desired can be sent if you PM me with email details. Enjoy Colin

Out of those 2000 I' am looking to get around 300 - 400 decent pics. YOu cyclocross guys are hard to snap. Think it has something to do with hiding away from the sun all summer and having translucent skin Colin

Just in the process of sorting the 2000 or so pics I took on Sunday. Will post them up on Flicker with a link provided in the "General" section of the bunch under "Photo's". There are a few of you James but didn't manage to catch your fall right in front of me Too busy trying to help you up. Colin

Feel the need for a rant: On my way to and from the Braehead clan game tonight I saw several cycle commuters. No bad thing especially as I do like a ride in the dark from time to time. What really got up my hump was not 1 of them had a decent front or rear light. As keen cyclists ourselves I feel that if we know people who are commuting in the dark we should be promoting the purchase of the best lights that can be afforded. Silly wee flashing led's are all well and good as supplementary lighting but should not be used on their own. You never know, you might just save a life. Rant over! Colin

Analysis of lap times, spare bikes, washing facilities!!!!! All seems to be getting rather serious Mr McLean Colin

Sorry guys, won't be out this morning. I have woken with a severe case of the Gallipoli Gallops Might venture out later if everything dries up Colin

Well thats it then, the season has drawn to a close and not one person predicted any of the top 3 finishers in Lombardy That then leaves our overall table for season 2011 looking like this: 1st Duncan 339 points 2nd Richie 330 points 3rd Me 329 points 4th Paul 320 points 5th Jann 289 points 6th Ramsay 258 points 7th Richard 253 points 8th Alan 241 points 9th Billy 240 points 10th Tom 222 points 11th Kenny 161 points 12th Greig 160 points 13th Davie 152 points Congratulations to Duncan who slowly made his way back up the table after bit of a mid season slump. Commiserations to Richie who spent most of the season at the top of the table and looked at one point to have an unbeatable lead Hope everybody enjoyed our wee competition and it added something to your enjoyment to what has been a spectacular season in the professional cycling world. What will next year bring with superteams like BMC, SKY, Radio Luxembourg (no name yet for the Radioshak/Leopard merger) and Omega Quickstep. And of course theres the Olympics to throw into the mix as well Looking forward to it already. Colin

In the event of a tie for any of the top 3 placings we shall go to a countback taking into account the following: Most amount of accurate predictions for 1st place over the season; If still tied: Most amount of accurate predictions for second place over the season; and in the unlikely event that things are still even: Most amount of accurate predictions for third place over the season. If still tied after that I give up Colin

Well here goes nothin I' am not going to go for Gilbert as I suspect both Omega Pharma Lotto and Quickstep will not be keen on him taking more points to BMC for next season. For that reason: 1st Sylvain Chavannel (Quickstep) Now for second place I rekon its about time a certain "little prince" showed himself and after a recent win a 1.1 rated race I will go for : 2nd Damiano Cunego (Lampre) Following Cunego in that race was a former "juicer" who unfortunately has since served his time and is clear to race. So not taking Mr McLean's moral high ground I will go for: 3rd Emanuele Sella (Androni) Now that both Richie and I have made our bids for glory, over to Duncan to make a counter move and both Jann and Paul to make a suicidal lunge for the line Colin