Richard Binnie

Yip, add me in aswell Richard

My apologies, not going to be able to join you all, am sure it will be a great night Richard

Hi folks any update on delivery times for the club kit, if so let me know and i will get on with the painful bit of paying Richard

On behalf of Graham Can I also order 1 x Short sleeve jersey - size 6 & 1 x pair bib shorts - size 6 Richard

just to balance things for Colin, spotted him? cycling through Helensburgh last week, think it was Monday, no chips in sight!!!! Richard

3/4 Bib Tights , size 5 please Richard

Alan/Colin looked like you were both havin the time of your lifes , took plenty of pictures of you , can forward them on if you pm me an address (or can e-mail a few), or Colin can drop them in if your out at Faslane on Friday, let me know well done to you both, easy to see you were both working hard hey some are even in focus Richard

sorry can't join you this week, hopefully be along next week Richard

Congratulations to you all Richard

The 1st edition of the Southern Uplands Sportif was run on Sunday. I lined up on the start line at about 9:18 with the 6th group of around 20 riders, Graham started in the group behind. Right away the group fractured with everyone focused on their own agenda. The 1st 7 miles was a fast desent out of Wanlockhead and I teamed up with another 2 ( 1 from Edinburgh Road Club (ERC) & 1 unnatached) riders and we started working together passing single riders as we went. The 1st big climb of the day, the Dalveen Pass, passed without any great problems, being just a steady long climb, over the top of it and we were onto a long steady desent, almost flat or so it seemed where we caught up with a 2nd rider from Edinburgh Roads, together the four of us worked well, through and off at a steady 24-25 mph. Eventually the 2nd Edinburgh rider dropped off on a bit of a climb and we got on the back end of a fast moving train all the way to the 1st feed, at the top of an unamed climb, unfortunately the unnattached rider had a puncture, after stopping to check he was ok, I had a 2 mile fight to get back on. The 1st feed station followed at the top of a short climb. After that was a climb up the last part of the Devils Beeftub, this wasn't actually as frightening as it sounded but was a nice warm up for the Wall of Tala. This consists of a 20% climb for 1 mile which had everyone out of the saddle struggling with their bike for all they were worth, with a few electing to push. The only encouragement came from the photographers and the thought of the desent to follow. I think i have now experienced what hell is actually like, not the Wall of Tala, but the ride from St Marys Loch out towards Moffat. To all intent and purpose, this appeared to be reasonable flat, maybe a gradual incline, definately nothing taxing. By this time we were in a group of four, me in the 39 x 24, the others in something similar, crawling at about 8 mph. On another day i reckon we could have cruised comfortably along in the big ring. The only thing that actually made people go to the front being guilt I guess . About 10 miles out of Moffat another fast train came past, with my compatriots jumping on the back, not for me, even if i wanted to though and i continued on my own through Moffat and up Greenhillstairs climb to a second visit to the feed station. Here I met up with the ERC rider who elected to wait a further 5 minutes allowing me to stuff my face with Cheese roll, ham rolls, cake, fruit loaf, banana & Ready Salted crisps along with lots of water. This left us about 30 miles to go, a couple of riders went passed us, but we were focused on surviving and not chasing and eventually forming another group of 4-5 riders. About 5 miles on I started to feel really strong and with the others in the small ring I found myself happily staying in the big ring doing most of the pulling, bring back riders that had passed us. This led to a discussion on what everyone had consumed at the last feed stop, the verdict being that it was the Ready Salted crisps "that what had done it". Riders started to drop off the back with me now having to check my speed to help my ERC compatriot, this being a first on the day. We eventually reached the entrance to Lowther Hill, and got a boast from the spectators at the bottom cheering everyone on. Lowther Hill boasts the highest road in Scotland at its summit, It started off with a bit of a bite, but some easier sections allowed for some recovery however the real sting was in the tail as it really kicked up and stayed that way for a good few km, eventually one more bend according to the photographers and then the finish line. Again riders elected to push the bikes as it seemed never ending at some points. I managed this ascent in 20mins, clocking the 55th time out of the 180 riders doing the 105 mile circuit and completed it in 6hrs 43mins & 20 secs with Graham coming home in 7hrs 33mins. Really enjoyed it and hoping to do it again next year, would recommend it to anyone interested in this sort of ride. Richard

am hopefull about the weather, will be at Bridge about 10 Richard

Won't be able to make it this week, as work is getting int the way!!!! Richard

Hoping to be able to come up for 1 day would be the Sunday Richard

I'll be along on Wednesday, assuming its still on, will be a late arrival (by car) as per usual, c u all there Richard

Unfortunately unable to come along tonight, hope you all go well

Thoroughly enjoying the APR's however will probably have to miss out this Wednesday, hoping to be back next Wednesday though Richard

hoping to be able to make it along Richard

Looking forward to this weeks APR too, Graham is coming along also. Kenny, I will be taking the car again, so would be great if I could park as per usual, likely to be a last minute arrival. Richard

I know i don't get along that often, but a large part of going out on the Sunday Club Run is the opportunity to go out for a longer ride than I would normally do if i'm on my own. I also reckon, although not having ridden with the 9 o'clock group that as Kenny S said some of those will be getting to the stage that they are ready and eager to go out for a longer club run, perhaps some of this is due to concerns about a perceived upping of pace (usually only happens when Martin is around) and the longer distances. I think that anyone in this position should be encouraged to give the later run ago, assuming it suits timewise etc, and it certainly wouldn't be a problem for anyone knew to this group sitting in and letting Frank, Chung, Jim D etc do the work on the front (I personally find this quite satisfying). Probably would be a good idea for someone to post a route and even anticipated return time, I found it good last year going out with an idea of where we were going. Chung as regards "the week before" there was 1 rider (well would have been 1 rider if i got out the car), me! however as this was the Sunday of the Arran trip I wasn't overly suprised, ps Chung i haven't forgot about the dvd's had them with me that Sunday and also at the confined APR, will get them to you. Anyway I vote for keeping the 9:30 group going Richard

Am off both of the above days, anyone interested in going out for a run on either of those days let me know, will have to be based round school times. Richard

I fully agree with Daryl's sentiments, great fun and a good workout, first time i have "raced" and will definately be back next week. Would be great to see more bodies on the start line. The APR format is definately friendly towards the mixed abilities and the fun really starts when your trying to hang on the wheel of the riders who have just caught you, rather than being demoralising it just makes you dig in and work harder. Well done again to everyone taking part and especially to those involved in the setting up of the race. Richard

Have got permission from better half, so should be good to go for Thursday evening, am however likely to be be a last minute arrival Richard

have added a link to youtube, shows what can best be described as a nice "undulating" route http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd0JrURU ... /index.php Richard

when do u plan to start and for how long/far, bit tight on time Richard

sounds good, would love to take part in the future if it continues, however work might get in the way this week, Richard