Ramsay

Alan, Would love to come to Bute, but will be doing my warm weather hill training in Majorca. Have hired a "pro" bike, which will probably turn out to be a Grifter or Chopper!! Although there is a temptation to spend time on an island in the Firth of Clyde, I'm afraid there is a greater temptation to spend time on an island in the Med!! Hope all goes well in the races. Cheers Ramsay

How fast are you driving? 2 hours can be a long way! Seriously though, right at the outer limits of a normal "2 hours" drive from Paisley is Dalbeattie, one of the Seven Staines routes. I personnally think it is by far the best. As Alan says, there is Glentress, which certainly covers for all abilities and has a greater variety of length of tracks. Not far down the road from Glentress is Innerleithen, which really only has one cross country route, but it is a good one, with loads and loads of climbing ,then the inevitable descent to finish (not my favourite bit ). There is also Drumlanrig (which I haven't ridden), but I have heard it can be very slippy after rain. So..... If you do not fancy a man made "trail centre", there are plenty of other options, but most require a guide the first time. Such as Pitmedden Forest (Auchtermuchty), Loch Ard Forest (Aberfoyle) and dare I say it Mugdock (Milngavie). (I have to admit, I really like Mugdock once you get to know all the small trails). Hope this is of some use. Given what the weather has been, one of the trail centres will probably be your best bet, as the routes tend to stand up to the rain a bit better. Ramsay

Well done guys. Sounds like a lot of hard work! Might even be tempted to have a go at this road race thing myself next year.....maybe! Alan, looks like you were second 4th cat, as the guy a few places up was first 4th cat. Great effort. Looking forward to the long winter rides again. Only thing to do between now and then is a couple of hill climbs in the next few weeks. Ramsay

Should be down tonight for a spin. Although, as I'm currently waiting for someone to come in for a 3o'clock meeting (it's now 3.45), i might be late again! Work really does interfere with biking at times! Ramsay

Sorry I couldn't make it down last night, I got stuck in a meeting until just after 6.30!!! Even had my TT wheels on the bike for a last 10mile effort of the year. Is the team TT/APR going ahead tomorrow night? Cheers Ramsay

Thanks guys. Good ride. Sorry I had to rush off. For some daft reason I got it into my head that I would be quicker going back through Lugton!! I had a quick look and it's actually about 3miles longer. Anyway, good TT practice! Cheers Ramsay

Had said on Tuesday I was coming down, but not going to manage it. Ramsay.

Would like to use excuses like, I had a cold (which I did), I was tired (which I was) and I hadn't warmed up (which I hadn't), but when it comes down to it, Stevie just rode the legs off me!! Kenny, I would love to claim that I "succumbed on the run in", but in reality i only managed to hold on until 2 - 2.5miles!! Will try harder next week!

Tonights 10 was a bit damp and breezy (well, it felt breezy to me, as I wasn't actually riding in it!). The wind was out of the east, so the return leg to the West Ferry was apparently a bit of a drag. Results Vicky Begg - 24.50 Howie - 24.58 Mike Ferguson - 25.32 Liam Rankin - 25.49 Martin Mulholland - 26.10 Ian Cowden - 26.35 Quick comparison against last weeks times shows that the wind tonight added about a minute. Thanks to Stevie for holding/pushing off. Good rides everyone. See you thursday/next tuesday. In fact I may even be out with the bunch on Sunday for the first time since about March. Cheers Ramsay

I'll be there Thursday. Format sounds interesting. Given I don't get home to Beith until after 6, I will need to join everyone down at the West Ferry. Presume we will just meet around the West Ferry roundabout? When is the Millport TTT? Cheers Ramsay

Ian, Thanks for timekeeping. Unless anyone else volunteers, I'll timekeep next week so you can get a ride. Cheers, Ramsay

I'll be there (even if it is raining). Cheers Ramsay

Just about to leave work (and internet access) and looks like nobody else is able to come out and play tonight, so with only 3, I guess an APR is not possible! Does mean that I'll get a quick spin on the bike then catch the end of the Tour highlights programme! Looking forward to Tuesday's 10TT. Hope more are around next week for APR. Ramsay

Had a mechanical the only time I have tried to ride the course from the Newark side, so didn't complete, but have done it many times from the other end. I think it is fine starting from the West Ferry end. I agree with Howie that the turn at the West Ferry is slightly obscured and very bad road surface. While there is no doubt that the approach to the Newark roundabout is fast etc, I'm not sure about the argument of having the turn there is any more dangerous. When the start is at Newark, most people park/congregate on the river side, which means that you still need to cross to the outside lane and go right on the roundabout when you finish (albeit not while you are racing). If anything, finishing at the Newark end and then turning right to get back to the car park is more dangerous, as most will be going significantly slower than they would if it was the turn at race pace and therefore even less likely to "go with the flow" of the traffic. What I'm really trying to say is I prefer the start at the West Ferry, but am personally happy to ride in either direction. Really looking forward to the rest of 10's, with hopefully no more mechanicals!

Darryl, Count me in. Cheers Ramsay

Looks like no takers for a run tonight. Ah well! Maybe next week!

Anyone keen for a few laps of the Peesweep circuit on Thursday at 7pm? Hope to see you there. Cheers Ramsay

Sorry guys, can't now make it tonight. Had a plumbing incident last night that has to be dealt with tonight (i.e. - the toilet is currently not functioning!) Cheers R

I'll be there at 7.

Darryl, I started my sprint on the rise up to the finish about 200 - 300metres before the line! That shows how ineffective it was, if you didn't even notice! By the time we got to the downhill bit my legs were like two blocks of lead. Would like to say lesson learned, but there is every chance I'll do the same again next week! R

It was a great night. Perfect way to unwind after a long day at work. Must work on my sprinting though! I think slowly and noisily shifting to 53x11 on a slight rise into a headwind is not the way to do it. Found myself doing the same speed, but with very sore legs. I thought I could "wind it up", but it felt like I was going backwards. Hope to see everyone again next week. R

Alan, Didn't loose any time on the climbs, but expended so much energy just staying upright that I didn't make up much either! A few bruises, but mostly scratches from using trees to stay upright! Mud is much soften to fall on than tarmac. Ramsay

I'll be there on Thursday. Cheers Ramsay

I rode the course a few weeks ago and it was hard packed and really fast, which is totally suited to my complete lack of bike handling skills. So I thought I'd give it a go. Unfortunately it poured down last night and made the course very slippy, muddy and technical. On the warm up I fell off 4 times, so I should have known it was going to be a long afternoon! What I'm really trying to say is that while I did finish, I got my ass well and truly kicked!! Wasn't last though. How muddy? 45 mins to clean the bike. Not sure if my JWCC kit will ever be the same again. Think I now remember why I stopped mountain bike racing years ago. Anyway, back to the road bike as soon as possible and will wait even longer before trying that again! Cheers Ramsay P.S. - Darryl, thanks for the encouragement on lap 2, or was it 3..

Alan & Duncan, Great effort, looking forward to the full report. Sounds like it was much worse than that day (early March?) over to Dunoon, where we were all on the verge of hypothermia waiting for the ferry. Cheers Ramsay