Ramsay

Martin, I'll have two please. Cheers, Ramsay

Unlucky Paul, but at least you didn't come off. Sounds like you are going reasonably well though. Seems like everyone is desperate for the first win of the season! See you at Lake of Mentieth. Still only done about 3 hours total in the last two weeks due to cold & cough, so will be blowing a bit!! Cheers Ramsay

Well done David. Sounds a bit hectic! See you in a couple of weeks. Ramsay

Grant, Yep, would still go for the RIbble now. Have heard the Planet X is good (Jim Daly has one), but I really like the way my Ribble handles (although have only ever properly used 5 other road bikes). Everyone thinks the Ribble is the relatively cheap winter frame, but the Deda tubing (and different geometry) is better. Also, maybe an old fashioned view, but I'm not convinced about the longevity of Carbon (might just be me). R

Grant, I got a cycle to work bike a few years ago. My company used Halfords, but I could get any production bike in the UK through it. The choices I got down to (also for £1000) were the Planet X carbon or a Ribble with Dedaccia EM2 tubing and campag centaur groupset. I went for the Ribble and despite bike snobs turning their nose up at it, I love it and use it as my race bike. With Ribble, you can do their bike builder and put on whatever kit your budget allows (i.e. - triple chainset). Cheers, R

Loaded with a cold and chesty cough, and haven't been on a bike since last Sunday, so definetly not 10am group. Going to turn up at nine and might do 9am Reliability or 30 milers. R

I'm in. Jim it's no longer just a 4th cat. R

Paul, See you there. R

Paul, Sounds great. Will I meet you at 8.30 at your house? (or earlier/later?) Cheers Ramsay

In!

Paul, Definitely next week!!! Unless it's snowy/icy! My high altitude strength training (skiing) took up the last two weekends and I'm in London for a wedding this weekend! Have a good one. Cheers, R

Looks fantastic Alan. I'm off to the Alps this weekend for a bit of cross training. Hoping to get a bit of skinning/touring done while I'm there. R

Cracking run out in good weather and with good company. 65 miles of Renfrewshire and Ayrshire on a sunny day. And a cafe break in Largs! Not out for the next three weeks, but will be around for the second Reliability. Cheers, R

Cheers Charlie. Will probably join you to Largs at least, and possibly head for an extended run in the West Kilbride/Dalry etc direction from there. (after a cup of tea in Largs of course ) Not getting too excited in case the weather turns again, but Sunday may be my first run outside on a road bike since Arran in November!!

Are you guys going round the coast to Largs (via Port Glasgow, Gourock etc), or straight down the hill? I'm desperate to get out and in the mood for a good few miles. R

I see the "wannabe racers" are getting a 15min gap this year, not a 30min like last year. Wont make this one , but should be out for the rest.

Grant, The outings seem to be a bit weather dependent at the moment. Only the brave (or clinically insane ) have been venturing out on anything resembling a bunch run lately. Fingers crossed for this weekend. Cheers Ramsay

Wasn't sure you were serious about riding on the loch when I met you at Muirshiel, but...... Good photos. I had a great day out on the mountain bike. 3.5hours on the bike and half an hour of walking/pushing/carrying the last bit to the mines. Longest I have been on a bike since the middle of July!! We had better get used to this ice biking, as I hear the cold is to stay with us until the end of Jan!! R

Iain, Notwithstanding the Delta, Keo or Keo 2 issues, I have dodgy knees and have used Red (Delta) cleats for the last ten years and found them great. I have never once accidentally unclipped. If you think about it, the way they give you more float actually makes it "harder" to unclip, as you need to twist your foot more before it starts to release (as an engineer, I have actually looked into it!). Anyway, that's my tuppence worth! R

James should consider himself lucky. I'd love to do a bike ride or turbo session on Christmas morning, but if I suggested it I'd be strung up! Merry Christmas

Ah.... just seen your latest posting. That definitely settles it then!! See you in the new year.

Ian, Have missed the last few weeks and was hoping for tonight, but has just taken me over an hour to get home from Port Glasgow. With about 3inches of snow lying and more falling, I'll give it a miss tonight. Will be back to the turbo sessions in the new year. Must start getting fit! Cheers R

Nice one Alan. I got out on the crosser this morning but didn't even get as far as Lochwinnoch when I double punchtured! Had forgotten my tyre levers, so had to walk home. Lovely morning for it though. When I got home I found 9 thorns in the front tyre and 4 in the back!! Unbelievable. I thought the snow would have been my problem. Had chickened out yesterday, so not a great weekend for biking. Did get the spare room wallpapered though! R

I have my work night out tomorrow night, but hope to make it on Saturday morning. I'll also not be keen to go if roads are icy. So guess I'm a fifty-fifty. Cheers, R

Yeah, Mull was a great weekend of racing in lovely surroundings all helped by fantastic weather. I managed a 14th of 27 seniors (20th of 56 overall) on the Saturday and 19th of 25 seniors (28th of 52 overall) on the Sunday. Think I only dropped one lap on each race, so not too dissapointed given my almost total lack of training. Was obviously slowed on Sunday by my Santa suit! Would really recommend the weekend to any cross racer/rider. It might even appeal to cross dressers....... Here's some photos of the weekend: http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/267569744 Cheers, Ramsay P.S. - that is now my season over. Time for mince pies and turkey!!