gregbalden

Latest copy of Cyclist has an article about the Nove Colli.
 
Aah...happy memories. Would love to/need to do it again!
 
 
 
Plans for next year?.......

Cheers Ian. Will investigate the Braes. New to mountain biking myself, I was down in Glentress a couple of weeks back. Great setup and tracks; only pay for parking (£5 for the day, bike wash and showers. Don't forget the £1 coins). Also recommend Go Ape as an aside; 2nd last flying fox 1/4 mile across the valley 150 feet up is brilliant.

Go on Greg. Join the pain train :-)

Ayrshire is .... Too tough for the fat !
 
Al
Drinking grand reserva in Catalunya

I missed this event last year, just wondering if it will occur again this year?
 
Greg

Didnt realise there were other Wheelers riding! Hope you all enjoyed yourself
 
Was an enjoyable event. Pleased with my time and also my sprint placing, have much to improve on with the king of the mountain section though. Highlight was towards the end - there is a tough little climb at Logierait that catches riders unaware because most are in the big ring then take a corner directly onto a steep slope which is hidden from view. Anyway because i knew it was coming i'd changed down in advance and overtook a guy on a Boardman bike who was also wearing Boardman top...it was only after i noticed these things that i realised it was Chris Boardman himself.

Love or hate haven't decided
However defo LBL next

I'm sitting around, being particularly lazy, filling my time watching the Paris-roubaix highlights on ITV4....yes, I'm quite late...
 
I said after the sportive ' Blimey! That was hard. I will NEVER ride the pave again!!'
 
But!...watching this and seeing Boonen (in particular) ace the pave, I'm thinking, blimey, I want back on!! And like the commentary said ' once you learn to ride the pave, it becomes your best friend.'
 
Why am I drawn back to these stones?
 
Just a thought....
 
Greg

Thanks to Greg for the combined bunches idea. The run down to the ferry was fast and furious... I thought we heade
d for the 9.30am ferry at times, but all good training. Met up with Ken at the ferry and me,Dave,John, Karen, Ken and newbie John decided to take the straight flat route to Strachur. After the brisk warm up on the way down we made good progress up Loch Eck and made the cafe in about 45mins. Waited a while after coffee and cakes and bacon rolls but no sign of the other groups so headed back in glorious sunshine. Good to run on smooth quiet roads and smashing scenery. Toyed with going back Whistlefield high road but bit of a headwind made decision to carry on. Left Ken at ferry as he was wanting more miles so five headed back to Gourock and then up the Clune...bit of a struggle for my old legs but made it home with 75miles on clock. Great day out and well done to all....should do it again in future. Carol and Dave :banana

Personally, I'm not fussy. The consensus on this post is for 1000 so 1000 it is. Its a sunday run and that it shall be. No need to skelp it to the ferry, plenty time to go skelpin down loch eck!!
 
Greg

Excellent news Greg, your 'sexy broad shoulders' will provide a first class wind break
 
 

Hmm, subject to weather conditions.

Fantastic weekend as a whole. I said I would never ride pave 3 years ago after de ronde,but some how ended up on the pave again. The first 12-14 sections were a joy!! Found that good technique the pave men had shared. The remaining 12-14 were a nightmare. Plenty beer drank and food consumed. Fantastic!
 
Those pro's put on a good show too in the forest and pave.....pretty sure we done better....at getting the beers in!!

Fantastic weekend as a whole. I said I would never ride pave 3 years ago after de ronde,but some how ended up on the pave again. The first 12-14 sections were a joy!! Found that good technique the pave men had shared. The remaining 12-14 were a nightmare. Plenty beer drank and food consumed. Fantastic!
 
Those pro's put on a good show too in the forest and pave.....pretty sure we done better....at getting the beers in!!

Fantastic weekend as a whole. I said I would never ride pave 3 years ago after de ronde,but some how ended up on the pave again. The first 12-14 sections were a joy!! Found that good technique the pave men had shared. The remaining 12-14 were a nightmare. Plenty beer drank and food consumed. Fantastic!
 
Those pro's put on a good show too in the forest and pave.....pretty sure we done better....at getting the beers in!!

Looks good. Put me down for one.
 
Greg

Only finished Flanders counselling in Dec 2013! Something to do with cobblitis I was told

Thanks to everyone for their well wishing messages, and the guys (I think it was Tom & somebody) for tending to me while I was laying on the A77 cycle track!
 
I could make up some heroic & brave stories, but the truth is I just didn't see the bollards as I had my head down what with the wind in your face.
I think "SpecSavers" should make an advert out of my misfortune! Priceless material.
 
Tom, I think bollards in Chinese translate to something like "boll"x" :-)
 
Anyway, I'm currently lying on the bed in the A&E department ward at Crosshill hospital, tucking into my tea of veggie soup & smoked haddock with boiled tatties. Nice! I still need my food even when I'm no cycling though.
 
I'm ok but for the cuts/bruise to the face. Doctor said I seems to be fine after checking me thoroughly but I need to stay over night to be observed for precautionary reasons.
Hopefully I'll get the clear tomorrow morning and be let out!
 
I can't seem to remember all the things happened while I was lying on the ground, but hopefully I didn't say anything rude or stupid.
 
The ambulance crew were first class, the doctors & nurses in here are great, but come on - NO Milan San Remo on the telly. I need to speak to the hospitals trustees management when I get out. This matter needs to be address for future for sure!
But guys, please don't tell me who won as I hope to watch it hopefully when I get out tomorrow on Sky+! Cheers
 
As you can see, I've got plenty time on my hands in here. So feel free to text/post me jokes or funny cycling stories if you wish, for me to kill time!
 
Thanks again guys & hopefully I'll see you all next Sunday. (I don't think there's any bollards on next Sundays route ........ is there?)
 
Cheers
 
Chung

I normally would ride confined events over club runs. I am however going to paris and need the miles. I have traded all my sundays off in march to train for this, and unfortunately I have had to surrender all my saturdays to working. Sorry to say, but I, personally, need the miles and since my works a tad pants ( expletive) I have no other available days. My apologise In advance for not making the confined.
 
Greg

Can't believe it's five years since we lost Davie
 
Seems like yesterday we were riding carefree and joking on bunch runs and planning / developing a youth section for the club
 
Such a character and it was only when he was gone did I realise how big a part he played in so many other peoples' lives outside the club and how little I knew of him off the bike

Its on the barmill race a few years ago, I was dropped, as google streetview proves and the car passed me twice! I knew it was only a matter of time before I was found on streetview! Haha

Real men in Venice cafe we laugh at the gale and rain

For all your Lidl shoppers.....iain......mul, fear not! I've located a Lidl France 300metres from the hotel! Ill be dropping in to get some cycling nosh!.....and a look!
 
Greg

For all your Lidl shoppers.....iain......mul, fear not! I've located a Lidl France 300metres from the hotel! Ill be dropping in to get some cycling nosh!.....and a look!
 
Greg

..Said Renfrewshire's most famous gin drinker!