Ramsay

Forgot to ask if Stuart is going to be on Highland Emergency? R

Sounds nasty. Hope he makes a quick recovery and is back up & about soon. Cheers, Ramsay

Hope to join you from the 19th. R

Not going to make it, as I'm off to ride the Santacross World Champs in Mull. Just in case you think I'm telling porkies:- http://www.scottishcyclocross.org.uk/20 ... -mull.html http://santacrossworlds.blogspot.com/ Have a good curry and beer. Cheers Ramsay. P.S. - Anyone know where I can get a cheap santa suit?

Ian, I'm unfortunately in Mull for the cyclocross weekend so won't be able to make it. Was really hoping to make it. Ramsay

Cracking weekend despite the weather and the accommodation. Thanks Darryl for organising. The boat we got was the last into Ardrossan yesterday. All the others were diveretd to Gourock! Link below to photo of boat leaving Ardrossan after we got off!! http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/244463272 R

Results from last weekend's cross race. I was pipped on the line by Mul!! First cross race ever for me and first of any sort race since beginning of Sept. Can only see the results for one of the mini Mul's!! Ramsay SCOTTISH CYCLING CYCLO CROSS SERIES INVERKEITHING 15th NOVEMBER 2009 - RESULTS Seniors, Vets & Women Overall Name Club Cat No Laps Down 1 Iain Nimmo Sqaudra-Porcini Vet 69 0 2 Bruce McCleary Colnago/ Sen 36 0 3 David Lines Endura Sen 88 0 4 Ross Creber Endura Sen 87 0 5 Paul Newman ERC Sen 10 0 6 Paul McNally Rock & Road Sen 56 0 7 Geg Walker ERC Sen 34 0 8 Stevie Couper SWC Sen 93 0 9 Alex Johnstone Nevis Cycles Sen 41Y 0 10 Steven Turbitt Glasgow United Sen 32 1 11 James Melville Glasgow United Vet 30 1 12 Gordon Durnan G3R Vet 51 1 13 Graham McGarrity Dooleys CC Vet 38 1 14 Peter Sammon SWC Sen 53 1 15 Franco Porco Falfirk BC Vet 84 1 16 Colin Bain Athletic Tri Club Sen 14 1 17 Steve Nicholson Dunfermline CC Vet 21 1 18 Mick Nally Dunfermline CC Vet 9 1 19 Roger Crawford ERC Sen 75 1 20 John McCaffrey Leslie Bike Shop Vet 82 1 21 Colin May ERC Sen 76 1 22 Brendan Roe Leslie Bike Shop Vet 40 1 23 Gordon d1ckson Rockhard MBC Vet 71 1 24 David Kerr Discovery Juniors Sen 19 1 25 Gregor Grant Cairngorm Vet 23 1 26 Sean Clark Pedal Power Sen 90 1 27 Hans Forhaug Sen 22 1 28 Lewis Kirkwood Glentress Jun 27 2 29 Martin Michael EKRC Vet 39 2 30 Kevin Sabiston VC Azzuri Vet 45 2 31 Shane Layton Pedal Power Sen 52 2 32 Martin Graham Specialized Sen 77 2 33 Finlay Young Velo Ecosse Jun 41 2 34 Andrew Leith Discovery Juniors Jun 16 2 35 Ruth Fraser-Moodie Pedal Power W 86 2 36 Simon Muir VC Moulin Sen 96 2 37 Iain Arnott Peebles Vet 7 2 38 Brendan Milliken Pedal Power Sen 89 2 39 Edd Snaucley Ivy CC Vet 68 2 40 Jack Taylor Drumlanrig Jun 25 2 41 John McDowall ERC Sen 1 2 42 Gavin May Edin Tri Vet 70 2 43 Johnathan Herbert VC Azzuri Sen 46 2 44 Ewan Cleland Rockhard MBC Sen 48 2 45 Martin Steele VC Moulin Sen 100 2 46 Robert Mersey GMBC Vet 2 2 47 Alan Quinn Glasgow United Vet 51Y 2 48 Gary Hill Hardie Bikes Vet 74 2 49 Martin Mulholand JWCC Vet 91 3 50 Ramsay Muirhead Johnstone Whs Sen 15 3 51 Alan Maclean Glasgow Whs Vet 53Y 3 52 Anne Murray Cairngorm W 24 3 53 Anne Ewing ERC W 11 3 54 Michael Keeley Stirling BC Sen 63 3 55 David Harcourt DBSC Sen 44Y 3 56 Ian Meredith V C Moulin Sen 43 3 57 Maddy Robinson VC Moulin W 33 3 58 Dave Wardell SWC Sen 97 3 59 Steven d1ckson Falkirk BC Sen 85 3 60 Andrew Blackie Walkers CC Vet 49Y 3 61 Stephen King Dundee Thistle Vet 80 3 62 Andrew Taylor Drumlanrigg Vet 26 3 63 Billy Warden Dundee Thistle Sen 72 3 64 Gillian Palmer SWC W 43Y 3 65 Harry Stage Discovery Juniors Sen 18 3 66 Anna Walker Walkers CC W 58 3 67 Howard Perkins Stirling Tri Vet 95 3 68 Karen Glendinning G3R W 67 3 69 Oliver Samphier Stirling BC Sen 99 3 70 Michael Grundrs Vet 81 3 71 Chris Bryson Walkers CC Sen 46Y 3 72 David Mason VC Moulin Vet 44 3 73 Matthew Hamilton Leslie Hbike Shop Jun 35 3 74 Spencer Holmes Discovery Juniors Sen 17 3 75 Brian Skinner G3R Sen 66 3 76 Ainsley Turbitt Glasgow United W 31 3 77 Dave Grant Cairngorm Vet 6 4 78 Zak Primrose Rock & Road Jun 57 4 79 Fraser Merry Lothian & Borders Fire Vet 60 4 80 John Walker Walkers CC Vet 60 4 82 Ian Mellis Dunfermline CC Vet 42 4 83 Andy Laing Walkers CC Sen 50Y 4 84 Bredan Callendar Stirling Tri Vet 94 4 85 Ian Coupar Pedal Power Vet 79 4 86 Fraser Purves Walkers CC Sen 48Y 4 87 Lindsey Carson GMBC W 3 4 88 David Graham Glasgow United Vet 29 4 89 Fiona Paton Square Wheels W 8 4 90 Campbell Adams Rock on Road Sen 98 5 91 Neil Musop VC Moulin Vet 65 5 92 Graham Kelly Lantern Rouge Vet 92 5 93 Fiona Walker Walkers CC W 45Y 5 94 Gavin Price Walkers CC Vet 47Y 5 85 Rees Newday 52Y 5 DNF Charles Fletcher Cairncorm Jun 5 DNF Kenta Gallacher Scot UK Sen 12 DNF Jeff Gallagher 777 MTB Club Sen 13 DNF Gary McRae Leslie Bike Shop Vet 20 DNF Michael Butcher SWC Jun 28 DNF Steven Dontus Nevis Cycles Sen 42Y DNF Ian Drydon VC Azzuri Vet 47 DNF Morven Bronn Rockhard MBC W 49 DNF Steve Sheridan Glasgow Ivy CC Sen 50 DNF Charlie Billingdon Edinburgh University CC Sen 54 DNF John McCallum VC Moulin Sen 55 DNF Garry Murray Lothian & Borders Fire Vet 59 DNF Alistair Dow Vet 61 DNF William Wilson SWC Vet 62 DNF Neil Dryden VC Moulin Sen 64 DNF Craig Hardie Hardie Bikes Sen 73 DNF Andy Dorams Pedal Power Vet 78 DNF Graham Barclay Leslie Bike Shop Vet 83 RESULTS BY CATEGORY FEMALE YOUTHS Name Club No 1 Yuka Gallacher 777 MTB 7 2 Lucy Grant Glentress 20 3 Hannah Fergusson Glentress 8 4 Catherine Angus Carnegie Cyclones 29 5 Loise Borthwick Edinburgh Road Club 14 DNF Jenna Fenwick Stewartry 18 MALE YOUTHS Name Club No 1 Ryan Fenwick Stewartry 17 2 Scott Lindsay I Cycles 1 3 Ross Wilcox I Cycles 16 4 Ian Paton Square Wheels 4 5 Craig Owen Peebles CC 11 6 Ewan Jenkins Edinburgh Sports Acad 10 7 Sean Noon Edinburgh Road Club 21 8 Francis Webb Edinburgh Road Club 12 9 Callum Chirnside Discovery 5 10 StuartBalfour Peebles CC 13 11 Calum Foster Leslie Bikes 27 12 Connor Nally Carnegie Cyclones 6 13 Etienne Sadeghpoor Carnegie Cyclones 30 14 Lewis Mulholland Johnstone Jets 26 15 Alistair Merry Discovery 24 16 Greg Muirhead Inverkething HS 22 17 Gavin Laffoley Carnegie Cyclones 2 DNF Edward Fletcher Cairngorm 3 DNF Tom Arnstein Velo Ecosse 9 DNF Stuart Wilcox I Cycles 15 DNF Ross Green Stewartry 19 DNF Jake Primrose Inverkething HS 23 DNF Rory Mellis Carnegie Cyclones 25 JUNIORS Name Club No 1 Lewis Kirkwood Glentress 27 2 Finlay Young Velo Ecosse 41 3 Andrew Leith Discovery Juniors 16 4 Jack Taylor Drumlanrig 25 5 Matthew Hamilton Leslie Hbike Shop 35 6 Zak Primrose Rock & Road 57 Charles Fletcher Cairncorm 5 Michael Butcher SWC 28 SENIORS Name Club No 1 Bruce McCleary Colnago/ 36 2 David Lines Endura 88 3 Ross Creber Endura 87 4 Paul Newman ERC 10 5 Paul McNally Rock & Road 56 6 Geg Walker ERC 34 7 Stevie Couper SWC 93 8 Alex Johnstone Nevis Cycles 41Y 9 Steven Turbitt Glasgow United 32 10 Peter Sammon SWC 53 11 Colin Bain Athletic Tri Club 14 12 Roger Crawford ERC 75 13 Colin May ERC 76 14 David Kerr Discovery Juniors 19 15 Sean Clark Pedal Power 90 16 Hans Forhaug 22 17 Shane Layton Pedal Power 52 18 Martin Graham Specialized 77 19 Simon Muir VC Moulin 96 20 Brendan Milliken Pedal Power 89 21 John McDowall ERC 1 22 Johnathan Herbert VC Azzuri 46 23 Ewan Cleland Rockhard MBC 48 24 Martin Steele VC Moulin 100 25 Ramsay Muirhead Johnstone Whs 15 26 Michael Keeley Stirling BC 63 27 David Harcourt DBSC 44Y 28 Ian Meredith V C Moulin 43 29 Dave Wardell SWC 97 30 Steven d1ckson Falkirk BC 85 31 Billy Warden Dundee Thistle 72 32 Harry Stage Discovery Juniors 18 33 Oliver Samphier Stirling BC 99 34 Chris Bryson Walkers CC 46Y 35 Spencer Holmes Discovery Juniors 17 36 Brian Skinner G3R 66 37 Andy Laing Walkers CC 50Y 38 Fraser Purves Walkers CC 48Y 39 Campbell Adams Rock on Road 98 DNF Kenta Gallacher Scott UK 12 DNF Jeff Gallagher 777 MTB Club 13 DNF Steven Dontus Nevis Cycles 42Y DNF Steve Sheridan Glasgow Ivy CC 50 DNF Charlie Billingdon Edinburgh University CC 54 DNF John McCallum VC Moulin 55 DNF Neil Dryden VC Moulin 64 DNF Craig Hardie Hardie Bikes 73 VETERANS Name Club No 1 Iain Nimmo Sqaudra-Porcini 69 2 James Melville Glasgow United 30 3 Gordon Durnan G3R 51 4 Graham McGarrity Dooleys CC 38 5 Franco Porco Falfirk BC 84 6 Steve Nicholson Dunfermline CC 21 7 Mick Nally Dunfermline CC 9 8 John McCaffrey Leslie Bike Shop 82 9 Brendan Roe Leslie Bike Shop 40 10 Gordon d1ckson Rockhard MBC 71 11 Gregor Grant Cairngorm 23 12 Martin Michael EKRC 39 13 Kevin Sabiston VC Azzuri 45 14 Iain Arnott Peebles 7 15 Edd Snaucley Ivy CC 68 16 Gavin May Edin Tri 70 17 Robert Mersey GMBC 2 18 Alan Quinn Glasgow United 51Y 19 Gary Hill Hardie Bikes 74 20 Martin Mulholand JWCC 91 21 Alan Maclean Glasgow Whs 53Y 22 John Walker Walkers CC 37 23 Andrew Blackie Walkers CC 49Y 24 Stephen King Dundee Thistle 80 25 Andrew Taylor Drumlanrigg 26 26 Howard Perkins Stirling Tri 95 27 Michael Grundrs 81 28 David Mason VC Moulin 44 29 Dave Grant Cairngorm 6 30 Fraser Merry Lothian & Borders Fire 60 31 Ian Mellis Dunfermline CC 42 32 Bredan Callendar Stirling Tri 94 33 Ian Coupar Pedal Power 79 34 David Graham Glasgow United 29 35 Neil Musop VC Moulin 65 36 Graham Kelly Lantern Rouge 92 37 Gavin Price Walkers CC 47Y DNF Gary McRae Leslie Hbike Shop 20 DNF Ian Drydon VC Azzuri 47 DNF Garry Murray Lothian & Borders Fire 59 DNF Alistair Dow 61 DNF William Wilson SWC 62 DNF Andy Dorams Pedal Power 78 DNF Graham Barclay Leslie Bike Shop 83 WOMEN Name Club No 1 Ruth Fraser-Moodie Pedal Power 86 2 Anne Murray Cairngorm 24 3 Anne Ewing ERC 11 4 Maddy Robinson VC Moulin 33 5 Gillian Palmer SWC 43Y 6 Anna Walker Walkers CC 58 7 Karen Glendinning G3R 67 8 Ainsley Turbitt Glasgow United 31 9 Lindsey Carson GMBC 3 10 Fiona Paton Square Wheels 8 11 Fiona Walker Walkers CC 45Y Morven Bronn Rockhard MBC 49 Rees Newday 52Y

Might need to join you all on Arran a bit later tomorrow! Fence at home blew over last night, so will need to fix it before coming across. Will try in the dark tonight, but its unlikely to be done in time. So plans are to get the 12:30 boat and arrive at 13:25. Will give someone a call when I get there. R

I'm planning to meet people on the track between Lochwinnoch and Kilbirnie about 8.30ish. Not sure what everyone's plans are for Saturday night, but I'm intending getting into some dry clothes (assuming Ian's forecast is correct) and heading to a pub for the rugby, which starts at at 5pm. After that, I'm easy. Looking forward to it. R

Following on from last weeks wet solo outing and from speaking to Martin, I am planning to go to Muirshiel again this Sunday morning for a cyclocross/MTB spin. Will plan to be at the centre at Muirshiel at 09:30. Hope to see a few out. Cheers Ramsay

Road fully open again. I'm actually going to get there earlier now, say 08:30, because I need to leave Muirshiel by 10:30 at the latest. R

Have just been over the Lochwinnoch - Kilmacolm road on my way to work. The road closed signs are still up, but the re-surfacing looks complete and all the kit is away. I assume they will white line the road and re-open soon. That's my route to work, so will report any further progress, but assuming they don't dig up any other bits, then it is fine to get to the park (obviously I'm still not condoning blatant disregard of road closure signs etc............). Alan - the advantage of going out to the mine is that the descent back to the park is a 35mph +++ off-road blast!! The track over to Kilmacolm is a good one though. R

Meant to say that the part of the Lochwinnoch - Kilmalcom road that leads to Muirshiel is shut at the moment for re-surfacing. It is passable with care, for "access purposes" and is certainly ok on a corss/mountain bike or on foot. I'm not condoning the blatant ignoring of road closure signs, but I'm still going to go. My folks live up the Muirshiel road anyway, so I'm going to visit them anyway (yes - that does mean that it was my biking playground as a kid, but, no - I'm still no good off road). R

Yep. Would need to do early, as I'm off to the outer hebrides at lunchtime. I'll plan to be at Murshiel gates/entrance for 9am. R Depeding on how the postal strikes affect the delivery of my front mech, I might even have the crosser ready!!

I'll be there marshalling. See you there. Ramsay.

Well done Claire, what an excellent opportunity. Looking forward to reading all about it next year! Ramsay

The photos I took were not very good, but I did get a few video clips of the seniors. Does anyone know how I can get them posted? Was a good fast and fun looking race. Ramsay

Alan, Still not going to make this weekend. Tried my Turbo on Sunday but only managed two mins, as it was too sore. Will try again this weekend, as I'm currently on a tour of Mull, Coll & Tiree. WIll be four weeks off the bike by Sunday!!! Lack of fitness will be a bit of an issue once I do get back on the bike!! I will be spectating at Auchentoshan though. C'moan the Joansin!!! Ramsay

Managed to get the photos uploaded. Thankfully I'm marginally better on a bike than I am with a camera, because the photos are really not very good at all!! See the link below. http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/205810019 Cheers Ramsay P.S. - What happened to Kenny Steele's time?

Greg, As far as I'm aware (although, if someone else can correct me if I'm wrong..) you have to get your company to sign up/agree to a scheme. For example, my last company did their cycle to work through Halfords, although Halfords can get you almost any production bike in the UK for your agreed price limit (I actually got them to get me a Ribble). The company pays for it and you "lease" it for a year and then pay them a small sum to "buy" it from them. The small sum for my £1000 bike was about £30. The way it saves you money is that (like you said) it is taken out of your gross salary and therefore you pay for it before tax! As mentioned above, you have to pay over a year (12 months), in equal installments. When I did it, there was a limit of £1000, but some companies can do something extra to effectively lift the limit, but I've forgotten what that is!! As far as bikes go, then there are no guidlines. You have to sign up to say that at least 50% of your journeys to work are by bike (not necessarily the c2w bike!), but I know people who bought full suspension downhill bikes that have never been near their work. Hope that's of some use. Basically the first step is speak to your employer. Ramsay. P.S. - no idea about age limit, although I would say that if you pay tax and work, then there should be no reason that you shouldn't be able to, but..........

Well done Jim, Vicky, Greg, Jonathan and Josh. Great rides in occasionally foul weather. If I can work the technology, I will try and post some pictures later! Ramsay

I'm looking for a sturdy rear wheel for use during the winter for training and cyclocross (even though I currently don't have a crosser yet!). Given I'm reasonably big, it would need to be a 32spoke "bomb proof" wheel. Has to be with a Campag hub. Does anyone have anything suitable and in reasonable condition that they are willing to part with for a price, or even any advice for a relatively cheap off the shelf wheel. Cheers, Ramsay

Good effort Greg. I had planned to ride....maybe next year. Given your description though, I may go and have a practice before next years event! R

Alan, Not going to make Plean, but might be back on the bike in time for Auchentoshan. If so, then I'm up for it. Will use old MTB at first, but going to try and build up a crosser.... Cheers Ramsay

Now back from Lanzarote and dont have the time presure of the internet machine suddenly saying that I have only 45 seconds remaining! Anyway, great news that the hill climb will be sponsored by the Elliston Grill, shame I can't do it! I will however be there to time keep or hold up/push off or whatever else is required (as long as it doesn't involve too much running around). That does mean that Ian (Manson), you can ride if you like!! Just to fill in the story of what happened..... Was windsurfing in what was a fairly high wind and big swell, so was using the shelter of the bay and the groins either side of it. Had been off a few time (well loads) due to the conditions and had thought nothing of it, just as long as I was away from the rocks! Anyway, I came off again and despite being 30m or so from the groin, I hit a rock only about 2feet under the surface and for some unknown reason I had jumped off knees first!!! My left knee (sorry Kenny Mac D, I can only lend you another right leg!) hit the rock and stopped me pretty quickly. Luckily there was a rescue boat only 2mins away, which took me in and then the medics got me to an ambulance and off to hospital for some stiching back together. I'll not go into too much gorey detail, but enough to confirm that a first hand inspection confirmed that my kneecap was intact Most annoying part of it all was that I had my bike out with me and had done three hilly rides and was feeling strong!! Anyway, I managed to read three books in the remaining time I was there! Hope the last minute preparations for the hill climb are going well. See you all there. Ramsay