Alan McLean

Great turnout from the club, obviously a few lurkers here, and about nine Jets in the youth races athough now that Jets take up to U18 I was riding against Jess Millar who is now a Junior woman and smashing the old guys.
 
This is a classic fixture in a great venue with good parking and the hot dog van sold bean to cup coffee.
 
We started a minute behind the women and juniors. The start was a hoot with fifty guys gunning for the 5 metre gap into the course proper. Shouty. There then followed murderous 180s on grass, bombhole,  through the arena., run up, blaze nightmare and about a kilometre of really sweet singletrack with a few rooty, leafy slaloms including the beech tree bombhole, go right or left?
 
I was having a great time until a double puncture on the rocky arena pretty much ended my race. Suspect I might be dqd for timing errors after I lost a few minutes getting a spare bike but pleaded with the timers to at least give me a finish.
 
The rain really started just as we finished so only watched a couple of laps of v40 to jeer at Davie and Alex ("provide encouraging support" shurely?..Ed) Biblical torrent followed.
 
500 riders is 1000 wheels so the course will have had about 5000 tyre tracks today. It was already disintegrating. Lots of photographers around. I cannot wait to see the effects of rain on the later races.
 
National champs in Irvine on Dec 6th or something. This is our local course. Brilliant riding on almost smooth machair. Rumours of a 200m sandtrap trench are exaggerated, its only 170m long. Sell your track bike, buy a crosser and get your entries in now.

If not riding then come and watch the cross racing at Strathclyde Park.
 
500 riders in the rain. Going to be mental. Bring cowbells and beer handups.
 
Alan

500 riders entered. Might be 1000+ people there in total. for cx racing. in scotland.

Hi George, I echo Davie. Not an original thought in my head. For the lh crank to fall off the bolts would have to be very loose, then the safety catch falls out then the preload plastic bolt would have to be forced off the axle. I suspect something went wrong in installation.  Maybe even buy a torque wrench. your preload bolt must be stripped/bent so suggest you get another.
 
Main message from maintenance night was that Shimano et al. have very clever engineers so we might as well follow their fitting instructions (all online) to the letter. Plastic bolt is a good example. I feel daft when I get round to actually reading the fitting instructions and realise how much time/watts/money I could have saved by doing it properly. Of course you learn a lot more by stripping threads, wrecking frames and Pringling wheels yourself but that is not really the point.

Absolute cracking course which will be leaf city. Last chance to enter tonight but you might be able to twist the organiser's arms to enter on the day.
 
V40s and 50s and juniors all together so it will be about 4 billion cross riders going for the first corner. I am going to totally dive bomb it and cause maximum carnage and sweariness.
 
Looks like U12s and youths can enter on the day so bring a small person as well. I am taking 3. We need a loan of a 52 or 54 cx bike if anyone has one please. It will be returned spotless and hopefully with the RD intact (i'm not really selling this, am I?)
 
Alan

Hi George, I echo Davie. Not an original thought in my head. For the lh crank to fall off the bolts would have to be very loose, then the safety catch falls out then the preload plastic bolt would have to be forced off the axle. I suspect something went wrong in installation.  Maybe even buy a torque wrench. your preload bolt must be stripped/bent so suggest you get another.
 
Main message from maintenance night was that Shimano et al. have very clever engineers so we might as well follow their fitting instructions (all online) to the letter. Plastic bolt is a good example. I feel daft when I get round to actually reading the fitting instructions and realise how much time/watts/money I could have saved by doing it properly. Of course you learn a lot more by stripping threads, wrecking frames and Pringling wheels yourself but that is not really the point.

Hi George, I echo Davie. Not an original thought in my head. For the lh crank to fall off the bolts would have to be very loose, then the safety catch falls out then the preload plastic bolt would have to be forced off the axle. I suspect something went wrong in installation.  Maybe even buy a torque wrench. your preload bolt must be stripped/bent so suggest you get another.
 
Main message from maintenance night was that Shimano et al. have very clever engineers so we might as well follow their fitting instructions (all online) to the letter. Plastic bolt is a good example. I feel daft when I get round to actually reading the fitting instructions and realise how much time/watts/money I could have saved by doing it properly. Of course you learn a lot more by stripping threads, wrecking frames and Pringling wheels yourself but that is not really the point.

braveheart for me on saturday.
 
Alan, if you are wanting a good work out then you might want to join this 50mile ride on partially closed roads.
 
The guest professionals are invited to cruise amongst the other riders and I reckon most of them sneak back after a few miles. But there will doubtless be some Elites who will fancy giving the punters a kicking in the lead bunches. Highly recommended. Starts at 0830 so finished by 11.

FWIW
 
I hated the flat fast cobbles with 25mm tyres and I doubt anything short of a hovercraft would have helped.
 
The climbs are short but up to 20%. I just managed on a 54/25 on Paterberg and Koppenberg but would have preferred a bailout gear.
 
long day, 260km or whatever, so do not be tempted to join early groups steaming past at 45kph. Suggest you regroup at feed stops to ensure all/most finish together as jwcc.
 
I don't know the current route but one of my most enjoyable rides was going full gas from top of Bosberg to the finish with whole jwcc contingent having already done about 250k. Much more fun as a group in blue and yellow. (And Paul MacDonald never went down the LHS of a busy street to gain a tactical advantage in the last 2k)
 
Have a meet up plan at the finish so you do not leave in drips and drabs. Stay until last rider finishes in the gloom.
 
if it raining wear a cap (as well as shorts, shoes, jersey etc)

hi, for those of you interested here's a link to a Vernier caliper which should help prevent you ordering a 34.4mm seatpost instead of a 34.2mm.
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-Steel-150mm-Vernier-Caliper-Gauge-Micrometer-Measuring-Tool-UK-Stock-/261879026336?hash=item3cf934d2a0:g:c10AAOSwqu9VSr-W
 
Also after my double take at possible missing parts I checked my headset and that particular model does not need a split washer. The bike nerds amongst you will like to know that there is a tapered washer built into the top bearing cover which tightens against the steerer obviating the need for the tapered split washer. Any normal reader should be asleep by now

Really interesting venue with views over the Forth and racing cars on the circuit next door. Not the prettiest circuit across windswept car parks but there was some variety including a hay bale slalom and fast gravel tracks. Very well organised.
 
usual charge at the start, about sixth to the first corner then lost a few places to finish about 10 in a pack of 40 or so. I was lapped 200m before the finish which was annoying and missed my own "final" lap. Billy whomustnotbenamed enjoyed his first cross race so much he crashed at the first remount and had the squinty shifter badge of honour.
 
better performance from the Jets with a 2nd, 2nd and 3rd respectively for Hamish, Ellie and Luisa in their categories (correct me if wrong). AND they all got sweetie bags at the finish.
 
I left half-way through v40 race, Alex Baird in top 10 for first few laps, Davie, David and Paul mid-pack.
 
Still sunny and warm in Fife. when winter comes it will be  a shock.

hi, for those of you interested here's a link to a Vernier caliper which should help prevent you ordering a 34.4mm seatpost instead of a 34.2mm.
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-Steel-150mm-Vernier-Caliper-Gauge-Micrometer-Measuring-Tool-UK-Stock-/261879026336?hash=item3cf934d2a0:g:c10AAOSwqu9VSr-W
 
Also after my double take at possible missing parts I checked my headset and that particular model does not need a split washer. The bike nerds amongst you will like to know that there is a tapered washer built into the top bearing cover which tightens against the steerer obviating the need for the tapered split washer. Any normal reader should be asleep by now

hi, for those of you interested here's a link to a Vernier caliper which should help prevent you ordering a 34.4mm seatpost instead of a 34.2mm.
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-Steel-150mm-Vernier-Caliper-Gauge-Micrometer-Measuring-Tool-UK-Stock-/261879026336?hash=item3cf934d2a0:g:c10AAOSwqu9VSr-W
 
Also after my double take at possible missing parts I checked my headset and that particular model does not need a split washer. The bike nerds amongst you will like to know that there is a tapered washer built into the top bearing cover which tightens against the steerer obviating the need for the tapered split washer. Any normal reader should be asleep by now

Really interesting venue with views over the Forth and racing cars on the circuit next door. Not the prettiest circuit across windswept car parks but there was some variety including a hay bale slalom and fast gravel tracks. Very well organised.
 
usual charge at the start, about sixth to the first corner then lost a few places to finish about 10 in a pack of 40 or so. I was lapped 200m before the finish which was annoying and missed my own "final" lap. Billy whomustnotbenamed enjoyed his first cross race so much he crashed at the first remount and had the squinty shifter badge of honour.
 
better performance from the Jets with a 2nd, 2nd and 3rd respectively for Hamish, Ellie and Luisa in their categories (correct me if wrong). AND they all got sweetie bags at the finish.
 
I left half-way through v40 race, Alex Baird in top 10 for first few laps, Davie, David and Paul mid-pack.
 
Still sunny and warm in Fife. when winter comes it will be  a shock.

Really interesting venue with views over the Forth and racing cars on the circuit next door. Not the prettiest circuit across windswept car parks but there was some variety including a hay bale slalom and fast gravel tracks. Very well organised.
 
usual charge at the start, about sixth to the first corner then lost a few places to finish about 10 in a pack of 40 or so. I was lapped 200m before the finish which was annoying and missed my own "final" lap. Billy whomustnotbenamed enjoyed his first cross race so much he crashed at the first remount and had the squinty shifter badge of honour.
 
better performance from the Jets with a 2nd, 2nd and 3rd respectively for Hamish, Ellie and Luisa in their categories (correct me if wrong). AND they all got sweetie bags at the finish.
 
I left half-way through v40 race, Alex Baird in top 10 for first few laps, Davie, David and Paul mid-pack.
 
Still sunny and warm in Fife. when winter comes it will be  a shock.

Really interesting venue with views over the Forth and racing cars on the circuit next door. Not the prettiest circuit across windswept car parks but there was some variety including a hay bale slalom and fast gravel tracks. Very well organised.
 
usual charge at the start, about sixth to the first corner then lost a few places to finish about 10 in a pack of 40 or so. I was lapped 200m before the finish which was annoying and missed my own "final" lap. Billy whomustnotbenamed enjoyed his first cross race so much he crashed at the first remount and had the squinty shifter badge of honour.
 
better performance from the Jets with a 2nd, 2nd and 3rd respectively for Hamish, Ellie and Luisa in their categories (correct me if wrong). AND they all got sweetie bags at the finish.
 
I left half-way through v40 race, Alex Baird in top 10 for first few laps, Davie, David and Paul mid-pack.
 
Still sunny and warm in Fife. when winter comes it will be  a shock.

Update: I will be at clubrooms tomorrow to lead a workshop session on headsets and bottom brackets.
 
I will bring some demo kit and tools.
 
We will also look at cable replacement and it would be good to replace a few tatty cables. Bring your own bike if you like but make sure it is clean.
 
If there is demand we also will review safe working, punctures & roadside repairs because some people have missed the earlier sessions.

Really interesting venue with views over the Forth and racing cars on the circuit next door. Not the prettiest circuit across windswept car parks but there was some variety including a hay bale slalom and fast gravel tracks. Very well organised.
 
usual charge at the start, about sixth to the first corner then lost a few places to finish about 10 in a pack of 40 or so. I was lapped 200m before the finish which was annoying and missed my own "final" lap. Billy whomustnotbenamed enjoyed his first cross race so much he crashed at the first remount and had the squinty shifter badge of honour.
 
better performance from the Jets with a 2nd, 2nd and 3rd respectively for Hamish, Ellie and Luisa in their categories (correct me if wrong). AND they all got sweetie bags at the finish.
 
I left half-way through v40 race, Alex Baird in top 10 for first few laps, Davie, David and Paul mid-pack.
 
Still sunny and warm in Fife. when winter comes it will be  a shock.

I tripped over a French road champs jersey in the hallway in the Campanile. Odd. Then I noticed Tommy Voeckler in the room next door and realised it was THE French road champs jersey.
 
George, we left cars in Oudenaarde the night before. Only one minor slip up when we waited an extra hour for Tom who liked the Koppenberg so much he cycled up it twice.

I tripped over a French road champs jersey in the hallway in the Campanile. Odd. Then I noticed Tommy Voeckler in the room next door and realised it was THE French road champs jersey.
 
George, we left cars in Oudenaarde the night before. Only one minor slip up when we waited an extra hour for Tom who liked the Koppenberg so much he cycled up it twice.

I recommend you speak to Martin who has almost completed his fourteen volume work on "How to live in Scotland and cycle in Belgium". There might be a very small obscure Flandrian venue he has not visited but I doubt it.

looks like i will be holding the bottom bracket facing/wheel building/Di2/hydraulic brake class.
 
I'll get me coat...

Sorry to report that only Ian and Jan did the 56/50 mile double.
 
My legs stopped working at BWfoot on the second lap and I headed up the string only to be followed by Paul and Alan who had bailed out at the next junction.
 
Absolutely brilliant work by Ian and Jan, they had the nerve and the strength to keep on going and caught the approved ferry.
 
The maths is horrible, that's twice I have reached BWfoot with 50k to cover in 90 mins and chickened out.
 
I had the comedy pratfall. Fastest braking is to throw your gilet in the front brake. Instant somersault. No damage.
 
We had a very fast first lap even with my chute and one puncture. Should be able to set a course record with four or five wheelers next time.

This club is beyond salvation

Excellent route but maybe next time we could have more mountaintop views and fewer slurry pits.
 
Galston shimmering like Briancon in the afternoon haze.
 
I doubt anyone had more fun today.