Ramsay

Kenny, The answer to your question above is no!! Just bust my knee up windsurfing! 5 stiches..... will tell on when back R

Best of luck. Hope all goes well. Looking forward to reading about it. Ramsay

Not going to make tonight (nothing to do with being a fair weather cyclist - honest). Current conditions in Port Glasgow (next to the Newark round about) is wet and windy (as I'm sure it is everywhere). A fair bit of surface water around. If anyone is riding tonight, take care! Cheers Ramsay

Kenny, Congrats on the job. Will be sorry to see you less involved in the club. Cheers Ramsay

Was up at Aviemore for the Cairngorm cycling festival at the weekend. Only did two of the four events, but thoroughly enjoyed them both (well, sort of...). Cairngorm Hill Climb - Saturday I had been planning to do this since I first heard about it in 1992, so after a 17 year wait it was as hard as I thought! Basically a 9 mile course, with 5 miles on a gradual rise and the last 4 up the main climb. I went off far too fast and suffered on the actual hill. Ended up finishing in 12th (with a time of 30:17 - the winner was 26:49), out of 37 finishers, so not too bad. Will hopefully not wait another 17 years to do it again and will also try and beat the half hour. KIncraig APR - Sunday For some unknown reason, I was put into the scratch group for this race, with a field of about 50 and a 10 minute gap to the first group on a 28 mile course!!! As you can imagine, it was full gas from the start and I managed to do enough at the front, but not too much (although some said after that I had done much more than my fair share - still not learning!). With about 8 miles to go, we were just about to catch the rest (all in one group) when a big acceleration threw four or five from the scratch group (including me) out the back. With a fresh tailwind all the way to the finish, the main bunch slowly moved away. However, after another mile or so, they had not got more than about a minute gap and were just in sight on the straights, so myself and two others that were dropped, got together and started to do some work. We slowly caught up (rarely dropping below 30mph) and within the last half mile I jumped onto the back of the main group (which was still moving at over 30mph!!!) My re-joining of the bunch was short lived, as the uphill sprint finish started 30 seconds after I got there and I hadn't time to recover from the huge effort in catching. Anyway, finished at the back of the main bunch, just a couple of seconds down from the winner. Great work out and a reasonable wee course, and considering I hadn't done any form of road race since the end of June, I was happy! Might consider doing all four events next year, as the atmosphere is great. Would recommend it to all. Cheers, Ramsay

Mike, Thank you for time keeping. As ever, much appreciated. Cheers, Ramsay

I'll be there.

As Kenny said, thank you to all for marshalling, signing in, catering etc. Cheers, Ramsay

Tray of flapjacks on the way. They went very quickly at the Barmill APR!

Count me in. Ramsay

Kenny, I'm off to Lanzarote in three weeks, so will report back. Although I would appreciate any advice from people who have been. Have ridden in Majorca last year and hired a bike from Pro Cycles. Good enough bike, but I could have taken my bike there for much less and not had to suffer Shimano componetary for a week!! . Rain made hills inaccessible for a few days (limestone chippings on the roads are like ice when wet). Would definetly go back and just hope for better weather! Let me know what is planned and I might see if I can come along. March or April generally good for me. Cheers Ramsay

Was up Misty Law last Sunday. Great ride (big climb up and long descent), very wet under foot/wheel and broke my seat post!! Have fun.

Sorry I won't be able to come out for a spin with you guys, but TTing at the west ferry. Paul - Glad to hear you back on a bike properly and planning a racing come back soon. Should be good training tomorrow, as Jim posted elsewhere that he is trying to get as much "fast through and off training as possible" done. If that doen't get you back to racing fitness, nothing will Have a good one. Cheers Ramsay

Sean, I presume the first rider is off at 9:01? Cheers Ramsay

Thanks Kenny for time keeping. Well done Ian for a cracking ride! Different class from the rest of us! See you all next week. Ramsay

Any volunteers for time keeping tonight? I've got the bike with me and intend to ride. Cheers Ramsay

Kenny, I'd like to ride, but will marshall if you still need, as I can't get my "nominated substitute" to comit to standing around Port Glasgow on a Sunday morning with a yellow jacket for a few hours! When will you know if you have enough marshalls? Cheers Ramsay

5 riders made it along tonight, although due to a punture there were only four finishers. 1 - James MacDonald - 24.05 2 - Mike Ferguson - 24.36 3 - Ian Cowden - 25.27 4 - Greg Balden - 26.13 5 - Kenny Christie - DNF - Puncture (although he did clock a 26.59 coming across the line with the bike on top of Kenny Steele's car ) Thanks to Kenny S for holding/pushing off and to Lewis for spectating. Two more 10's to go on the confined calendar. Ramsay

Jann, Thanks, but don't have my bike with me and have a sore neck anyway. Cheers Ramsay

I'm still available to timekeep tonight if anyone is riding. See you for a 6.45 start. Cheers Ramsay

Have got a work thing on the Thursday night, but will PM you both with my suggestions. Ramsay

Mike, Thanks again for timekeeping in the rain. Strange night for the wind/weather. Headwind at bits on the way out and back, but generally a reasonably fast night. Very wet both ways!! Cheers Ramsay

Kenny, Is it the 14th of August? Friday night? Ramsay

Anybody down tonight? Think the plan is to start at 18.45. I'd like to ride tonight, but can timekeep next week. Cheers Ramsay

Ian, thanks for organising the curry night. Great fun and a good meal. Head felt a wee bit sore this morning though! Cheers Ramsay