Campbell Hutcheson

Etape lol
 
 

Etape lol
 
 

Evening all.
 
Well, here's the report from one of the 'also rans'
 
I had been keen for Roubaix this year until Geo talked me into the Marmotte.
 
"11 months to go" I thought....what could go wrong!
 
A combination of work and a 2yr old meant I didn't get as many miles in as I would've liked...I had ridden a couple of 75 milers in the previous couple of months but my last century was at Flanders last April.... but before I knew it, we were flying out to Geneva!
 
As George said, a bit of delay getting to the Alpe but a nice wee ride down the Alpe on Sat, along to Allemont and then a climb up to Villard Reculas and into Huez village. It did made me think about the day to come!
 
The descent to the start wasn't as bad as I feared and we were soon off and blasting through the valley. I was with my friend from Dumfries and we were staying together as he has been on the bike less than me.
Up and over the looooonnnnnnggg drag of the Glandon into the cold and mist. Not much hanging about before the neutralised descent.
Neutralised because it's dangerous.....it also didn't help that visibility must've been down to 50ft! Interesting!!
 
I had lost sight of my mate and found myself on a wee train along the valley. Hanging on a bit as I didn't fancy being stuck on my own into the headwind.
We collected Greg, who was doing exactly that, just before the feed stop and we were joined by my mate before tackling the Telegraphe.
The Telegraphe itself isn't too bad a climb but then we were onto the Galibier. At this point my mate said he was chucking it and as Greg and I spoke to Ramsay and Elaine....who had caught us for about an hour!!...I lost of sight of him and we eventually thought he must've turned round.
 
The Galibier was ok to start with but the last 8 or 9km is a pretty hard slog. Think it was about 4 or 5mph all the way up!
 
To surprise and delight, my mate was at the feed station at the top! It was blowing a gale so we headed off down the descent which wasn't too nice in the wind.
The Galibier soon turned into the Col du Lautaret and it's fast, majestic sweeping bends that went on for km after km.
Good for the morale and the sun had came out by now!
We realised we weren't as far ahead of schedule as we had imagined so it was a race on to make the time cut off of 6.15pm at the foot of the Alpe.
We dug in and made it with 10 mins to spare. We had dug in because we had decided we weren't going to ride the Alpe after all.
 
Then we decided that that would be daft......so off we went!
 
It was in the 20's by now so off came as many clothes as was decent and we agreed it was every man for himself so I continued on my 4mph slog upwards and got closer and closer....seeing a lot of folk looking in a worse state than yourself is a strange morale boost!!
 
I eventually got to hairpin 1 and had some new found energy so had a good run in to the finish line.
 
Total time from start to finish was 12hrs and 20 mins so a long day in the saddle.
I was delighted to have finished because I had my doubts. It was a tough mental battle at times.
 
I was less than delighted to be told that they didn't have any medals left!!!
I'll see how the organisers reply to my e-mail!
 
What Ramsay didn't tell you was that he still managed to climb the Alpe in 1hr 10 after everything that came before!! Chapeau
 
As the others have said about the Fred, not sure if I'd do it again but glad to have ticked it off!
 
Thanks for reading....and goodnight

Hi All,
 
Despite many obstacles put in front of me in organising this race, it finally got going today & luckily everything went just the way we wanted it - even the weather :-)
 
A lot of people I would like to thank on behalf of the club, for todays race, without them all, the race could not happen:
 
The Sign-on / Catering team
Sandra / Mary / Jane
 
The Marshals
Wheelers:
Alan McBride (who I can see was itching to ride) :-/
Andrew Dunn
Bill Thomson
Chris Austin (Wiggowanabe)
David Cathcart
Eric
Greg Balden
KarenG
Morna
 
Paisley Velo:
Graeme Barr
John Downes
 
Glasgow Couriers:
Ritchie Proven
John
 
Mother & Grandmother of rider Danny Hedley
Rachel
Grandma
 
First Aider
Paul Leavy
Service
Willy Cosh (Q Bikes)
 
Convoy Drivers
Iain McGinty
Iain McTarvis
Iain Cowden
Paul McMillan
Alan Thomson
Stevie McFarlane (Paisley Velo)
 
Thanks to everyone's effort, today event went very smoothly apart from the crash in the final lap which brought a few riders down. Unfortunetly, a rider from Glasgow Green CC - David Anderson had to be taken to hospital for a suspected dislocated shoulder or broken collarbone, so hope he recovers soon!
 
It was a massive gallop to the finish with a big bunch sprint after 6 laps, very close indeed & the honours went to:
1st Overall - Zak Loney
2nd - Gavin Shirley
3rd - Andrew Hale (who was leading with literally 10 meters to go )
 
1st Juniors - Stuart Paterson
2nd - Euen Sutherland
3rd - Danny Hedley
 
A very good placing for our friend from the Couriers - Gregg O'Malley in 6th overall.
Interestingly, a 4th Cat placed 17th, but he was well in the main lead bunch along with the usual Cat 2's.
 
It's encouraging to see we had help from a number of the local clubs members who stepped in to help, because without them, it would have been difficult to put the race on. I cannot stress that enough!
In future, we should do the same & repay these favours if the situation arises!
 
Also, big thanks to Willy & Stevie of Q Bikes for supporting the race with goody bags & car. Much appreciated!
 
I hope I haven't left any body out & thank you all again!
 
Cheers
 
Chung
On behalf of the JWCC

Bling
Campbell H

As the brave souls from JWCC who attended in June last year will remember, it was a wee bit wet and most riders turned back at Biggar. But not the guys from the JWCC! 
 
In the mid-90s I took part in a run held for a club-mate who wanted to do 100 miles for his 70th birthday, and the idea stuck. The sands of time have run their course and now it’s my turn, in about three weeks’ time, to ‘cross that line’.
 
So, with that in mind, I thought I would hold this year’s Blackwood to Peebles and back 100 miler on 14th August, just to mark the occasion of my ancientness, and to gamble that the weather will surely be better than it was in June last year!!
 
As always, this run is about creating a platform for riders who have never ridden 100 miles in one day, and at the same time allowing more experienced riders to take a break (wrong word, delete break, insert rest) from a 'heid doon and a**e up' approach, and simply enjoy a social ride.
 
Cycling is ultimately about travelling, socialising and keeping fit and, for me, that sums up the Blackwood/Peebles runs that have taken place over the last 10 years or so.
 
There is never any entry fee for this run and there will be the usual lunch stop in the Peebles area and Morag has once again kindly offered to open Morag’s Café here at our place at the end of the run.
 
Details of the exact route and the lunch stop venue will be given out later but it would be useful to know how many JWCC riders would like to come along. I enjoyed my time with the JWCC and it's always nice to to welcome former clubmates, and other JWCC members, on this run.
 
Special request - for the company of any other over 70s riders! 
 
It would be great to have your company if you can make it. Nae cards or pressies, just bums on saddles!
Remember the motto of this run? 'To finish as fresh as the day we started'!
 
 

Ok it was wet! David C, Chung, Eric and Iain C headed of for a tough run in the rain up to kilearn over the crow and a welcome toastie in campsie. Nice company on a fairly miserable day 😀

Wet to begin with, wet at the end & flippin wet in between :-) But the company & good spirit kept us going & despite the weather, we saw a lot of cyclist on the road - mostly GGCC though.
 
We even managed to bumped into Big Allan McLaughlin, KarenG & PeterG just before the Crow coming out of Fintry, perfect timing as he was just putting air into his puncture repaired tyres. A wee chat after & we left them to head towards Killearn for a cafe stop having just finished the Crow themselves. Hope you guys/gal didn't get too wet!
 
Thanks to David, Eric, Iain & Paul for the wheels & company as usual!
 
I'll be missing in action for a few weeks, so I'll see everyone when I'm back then - happy cycling!
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Good day for Dunoon nice cool shower of rain at Gourock and we even met road race legend Jamie McGahan at Strachur cafe for a wee chat   ..!
thanks for the company Ian
Campbell H

Another Jerkyll & Hyde ride weather wise today, dry for the first part of the ride but pretty wet for the remainder
 
Six of us meet at the bridge early this morning - Campbell, Eric, Iain C, James, PaulL & myself set off heading toward Helensburgh, but a last minute route changed meant Campbell & Iain headed for Dunoon, but instead the 4 of us went round to Kilcreggan clockwise via the coast to climb the hill after Coulport for a fast descend back down to Farslane. The new revised route took us up Glen Fruinn to drop back down to Balloch via the loch side for a welcome café stop in Balloch.
The day had been dry with a bit of sun peaking through up to that point, but as soon as we sat down for our café feast, the rain started to fall as forecast. A long café stop due to the place being busy, but eventually we had to face the prospect of a wet ride home. So, we reluctantly donned our waterproof & made the return leg to the bridge, where upon I parted company with the guys. Hope everyone got home ok & Paul managed to catch the Ireland v France game, please don't tell me the score as I want to watch my recording proper!
 
Thanks for the wheels & company today, guys - hope Campbell & Iain didn't get caught out with the rain before the ferry!
 
155 km for me by the time I returned home - please let the weather be better next Sunday, fingers crossed!
 
Cheers
 
Chung

I'm assuming being Father's Day today, most of us got the permission to do what we want - ride me bike :-) hence the fair size turn out at the Bridge this morning.
 
I counted 10 to begin with:
Andrew, Campbell, David C, Eric, Paul C, Ritchie, Ryan, Tom, myself & Murray (Ryan's mate), then with Darren (Ritchie's colleague from work) joining us in Strathblane making a total of 11 bodies for today's run.
 
It was a ride of 2 halfs - the forecast was for light rain pretty much everywhere, but we seem to have been blessed with fairly dry weather up till when we got to Drymen were upon the heavens opened & it was wet from then on.
 
The Crow was un-usually quiet given the fact it was part of todays Trossachs Ton route, however we did encounter a fair number of riders along the valley before & after the Crow, no wheels for us to follow I'm afraid, they were going the opposite direction anyway. Crow road done & Paul left us to head to Killearn instead as he was struggling for time, which left the remaining 10 for a quick blast towards Aberfoyle. A quick decision was made to have a café stop at Drymen after the PipeTrack, instead of one in Aberfoyle. Not a good move as the usual place we frequent - The Pottery was closed (shut down or moved) so an alternative café was fold after Murray controversial suggested that we should head to the local village pub :-)
The wee café we found on the main street was a bit overwhelmed by 10 hungry cyclist demanding food & drinks all at once, but they cope well & it was much appreciated by all.
 
The latter part of the ride after the café stop was wet & but at least on some quiet roads until we got back to Bonhill, where the sound of the passing cars on wet road are deafening
 
As the norm for me, stayed on the Northside of the river to head home solo & bid fairwell to my fellow Wheelers at the Bridge. Hope everyone got home fine to be showered by lovely Father's day presents :-)
 
Thanks again for the wheels & great company today to make what was a wet day in the end into a fab Fathers Day ride for me at least, hope you guys enjoyed it too!
 
155km by the time I got home & 20lb heavier due to the water all my gear have absorbed :-)
 
Cheers & lets hope next Sunday is dryer
 
Chung

Hi All,
 
I'm planning on a ride this Sunday, weather is meant to be descent, so any company would be most welcome.
Here's what I have in mind:
 
Clubroom 9.00am (flexible if folks wan to be earlier) - Bridge - Dumbarton - Bonhill - Cycle Route 7 - Dryman - Pipetrack - Aberfoyle - (Insert options) - Lake of Monteith - cross to Arnprior - Top of the World - into Fintry for a final assault up the Crow Road :-) - Lennoxtown (Cafe stop ?) - Strathblane - Mugdock - Hardgate - Bridge & home
Approx. 70-ish miles
 
OPTIONS
add - up & over Duke's Pass - Right Turn after the DP onto A821 - head towards A84 towards - Callander - onto B822 towards Thornhill - over to Kippen - Top of the World - Fintry
Extra 20 miles or so (I think)
 
I'll keep the option open & decide on the day if that's ok with folks!
 
Anyway, please post if you can come along & the more the merrier :-)
 
Thanks
 
Chung
 
 

Hi All,
 
Bit of a late post for this Sunday, but better late than never :-)
 
Anyway, weather is dry at least for Sunday so I thought a trip over the North side again is on the cards for me.
I'm trying to avoid the Crow AGAIN, as I've been over the Crow SEVEN times in 9 weeks :-)
 
So, Kilcreggan it is then:
 
9.00am Clubroom - GT - Bridge 9.40am - Dumbarton - Helensburgh - Rhu - Whistlefield climb - Coulport - Kilcreggan Cafe - back round the coast - Glen Fruinn - Balloch - Bonhill - Bridge - Home
 
Approx. 70 miles from Johnstone I think, bailout options along the way if need be.
 
I would appreciate if you make your intentions to come so I can plan accordingly.
 
Cheers
 
Chung

https://youtu.be/EvBa4EVg8YM
 
Campbell H

Night ride on minor roads at a fairly pedestrian pace, mainly to get some miles in. Just wondering if anyone else would like to come along.
 
Here is the route:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11108168
..it's 25 miles, mainly on c-roads, quite hilly. Be aware that there will be a lot of wet leaves and some gravel on the roads.
 
The plan is to leave Miller St at 1830 and be back between 2030 and 2100.
 
You will need good lights and the front one needs to be powerful enough to light up the road. Also bear in mind what I have said about leaves and gravel - these and other small obstacles are harder to see at night even with a powerful headlamp.

Well, that was a bit wet run but still very enjoyable nonetheless :-)
 
Andrew, Peter Graham & myself set off from the club room with a few inside the clubroom ready for their turbo session. Was tempting to join but already wet and dripping water on the turbo would not be approved by our fellow Wheelers!
 
The trio got going pretty sharpish and was joined by Iain (Jan Ullrich) on the Howood climb, he chummed us along all the way on our intended route, we got to the Windfarm along the A77 before he headed home without our cafe stop at the visitor centre.
Obviously, by now it was very wet & the constant "drizzle" have reduced the visibility vastly, luckily we all had front & rear lights which it's well advisable even during the day time indeed.
Rolls, cakes & hot drink consumed we were well ready (not really) to make the return leg of the run.
 
Please note - there was a large group of 9-11 year old "cub scouts" in the visitor centre ready & eager to head out to do a loop (probably circa 5-7km) of the Windfarm with the bare minimum of waterproof gears :-) on speaking to one of the cub leader, whe wasn't really looking forward to it even though he had better gear on. But the kids were well up for it, chapeau indeed!
 
Ritchie, maybe you should join the Cubs instead of the polis, seems to be better character building :-) sorry I shouldn't really be taking the mickey with someone who have access to a sub-machine gun :-)
 
Anyway, back home by 12.45pm with 85 wet km! Not as long as last Sunday, but definitely much wetter!
 
Thanks for the wheels to follow & company this morning. Surely we're due some dry weather next Sunday (then again, I won't hold my breath)
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Well, that was a fantastic day on the bike indeed!
 
Iain Cowden, Ronnie Chard & myself arrived in Gourock with loads of time to spare, so a wee visit to "The Continental" was called for for some coffee & hot chocolate.
9.15am sitting in a cafe while out on the bike was definitely a new one for me. :-)
 
The 10am ferry to Dunoon had bikes outnumber cars on board was a real sight!
 
Most of us went over the Ardentinnay climb (nasty) while the "chief drum-up technical team" went straight to the site for some serious fire wood chopping for us to enjoy as soon as we arrived! Big thanks to Linda, Geoff Smith, Iain Lochrane & others for doing that!
 
10 Wheelers had various degree of drum up "preperations", from only just a couple of gels?????? to bags of sausage & whiskey etc. but Gerard wins it hands down with a coffee pot, gas stove dangling from his bike & SAUCES for the sausages. Man, I thought I was prepared, but he is a professional Chef after all :-)
 
Seeing Alan McBride & Iain67 "passionately & expertly" going about first heating up & then grilling their sausages was a real treat, I even got to taste some too, magic! Thanks & Well done, guys!
 
It was even better than last year in terms of food & weather, I think we should do this more often :-)
 
The cycle back to the ferry was punctured by Alan's second mechanical of the day, but we still made it in time for the 2pm ferry back to the mainland. By the time I got home with Iain Cowden, I had 148km on the clock, tired & smelling like a smoked sausage :-) but really happy to spent the day with my fellow cyclist - young & old doing things more than just cycling. It was a great experience (I believe) unique to Scotland! And long it may continue!
 
Thanks again to Linda & Geoff Smith of Velo Preda & Iain Lochrane for the invite & organisation of the drum up!
 
Cheers
 
Chung

The traditional end of season drum up is this weekend hosted by Geoff Smith, Sunday the 11th, And all jwcc rider's have been invited to come along and sample the atmosphere. The plan is get the 10 o'clock ferry at Gourock, ride to Ardentinny, over the climb to the drum up at loch eck, then soup and munchies over the fire and home via the ferry. I thoroughly enjoyed last year's event with chung and Mcginty and will be looking to attend again, if anyone is interested post up and we could meet at the club rooms and cycle down to the ferry as a group, its winter pace and has the option to avoid the climb if you don't fancy it. Cheers Alan

I will bow out. Will be in the Alps/Pyrenees one way or the other anyway. Sportives will never make you happy. You will always finish behind me (Billy, Charlie, Darryl ?) . Learn to enjoy going slowly. To travel hopefully is better than to arrive.

You really can't go wrong with the daddy of the sportive - La Marmotte in France
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Marmotte
 
A few of the Wheelers have done it one time or the other in the past, it's the "best" if you're into that kind of things.
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Bonsoir Paul...
Tres bon fantastique resultat  You wanna good time? une journee speciale  You wanna good time?
Campbell H

This is the bunch that was. :-)