Ramsay

Well this is a baptism of fire in the A's. Bit sore now! Lasted 20 laps in the 60 lap points race after a silly 9 lap break off the front, and then got to 32 laps of the 60 lap scratch after lots of mental accelerations at the front. I now know I can catch up with the A group again off the back but after the 3rd or 4 th time of asking it gets a bit more difficult! Might go home now and drink some wine!!

Yes, they did, didn't they! When I saw our names on the whiteboard, I knew I didn't have the legs for that group, but I was worried that I didn't have the skill either - it all goes that wee bit quicker, the changes in pace from fast to slow are more extreme, and the way some riders throw themselves down towards the line when they've switched at the front is enough to scare you out of your skinsuit.
 
With that in mind, when I got to the front in the 10 lap scratch, I went as hard as I could (not very!) for four laps, knowing fine well that they'd all pass me. It seemed like a good strategy for getting a workout and keeping out of the way of the grown-ups. Early baths for me in the points and the 15k scratch, but I finished the 40 lap scratch in the bunch (though admittedly towards the rear of the group and with no aspirations to move forward whatsoever.) :-)

including Chinese carbon frames

From Cyclesport: At a Pinarello Launch in the middle of the Giro before Wiggins ducked out, he apologised for chucking his bike in the Trentino and said "It's not the bike, it's Shimano i'm mad at. If you're going to buy one of these, don't buy it with the electronic group from Shimano, buy the Campag one"

Due to popular demand, it is proposed to run a confined APR on Thursday 13th June. It is proposed to meet at the road end into the Peesweep Scout Camp on the top of the Braes at 18:45 for a 19:00 start.
 
Due to dangerous right turns, the circuit previously used at Peesweep is not advised and instead a straight should be taken at the cross roads (where we used to turn right) and join back on to the circuit. (I'll try and post the route from mapmyride later this week). The advantage of this reduced circuit is that if anyone is off the pace, they can get back on to a group far quicker.
 
This is a confined training event and the idea would be to split into three or possibly four groups set off at agreed intervals for a set number of laps. While it would be the case of first across the line is the "winner", it is more about training and working well together as small groups.
 
Please post below if you are going.

Ross, Very bad luck. It was generally acknowledged the guy was completely to blame and a nutter.
George, your kind predictions are rose tinted!
There were 7 laps of Caldwell circuit. Davy and Andy got to about 5th time up the climb which was taken pretty hard each time then slipped out lead group.
Hugh and I got to the bottom of the final climb in the lead group which had dwindled to about 20 after the war of attrition on the 7 circuits.
Hugh went forwards to finish somewhere mid bunch, I went backwards to finish out the rear.
Really great riding by Hugh to hold position in top 10 practically the entire race.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Big Al = BOOM!

Here are the times in order of departure:
 
Mary 22.18
Carol 21.53
Adam (Jet) 20.50 (PB)
Lucia (Jet) 23.25
Elaine S 22.40
Greig S 22.40 (need to get those aero bars back on to beat the missus!)
David 21.10
John 20.29
Len 20.03 (PB)
Elaine M 19.58 (PB)
Alan T 19.20 (PB)
Billy 18.25
Ian McG 17.16 (PB)
Iain Cout 17.19 (PB)
Lewis (Jet) 17.12
Big Al 15.40
 
Well done to all.
 
£39 collected.

Mrs M was 4th in the Stirling tri yesterday, with a PB at sprint distance as well. Frustratingly only 6 seconds off 3rd (and the big prize money!).
 
:banana :banana

Well, hallawrerr china! JWCC Members Well, hallawrerr china!
 
 
The grass around the clubrooms is getting a bit on the long side, so I'm planning to be down at the clubrooms a week on Saturday 15th June for a couple of hours from 9am with strimmer in hand. With a decent handful or two of people it could be taken care of before lunchtime easily. Also planning to put up the new blinds on the internal windows.
 
Would really appreciate a show of hands to pop down and muck in...
 
Thanks
Ian......

The club are thinking of hosting a BBQ for our members at muirsheil country park on the above date at 2pm
 
I think the idea would be go for your usual run and all meet at the park afterwards for a fun day and a bite to eat you would need to BYOB or soft drink the club will supply the food etc cost pp would be £5 and this is open to all including the jets
 
Please post if your interested to give us an idea of how much food we need to get
 
Thanks Greig

Mrs M was 4th in the Stirling tri yesterday, with a PB at sprint distance as well. Frustratingly only 6 seconds off 3rd (and the big prize money!).
 
:banana :banana

Heartily enjoyed this yesterday, a decent quality field and awesome weather for my first Cross race in 10 years! Got a 7th place and managed to keep it on the same lap as the winners
 

Rode round Glentress for 7 hours.
 
The place was rocking. 500 MTB racers plus usual Saturday riders. Big event village. Big PA system. Go-ape high in the trees, hill walkers, sunshine.
 
I can go uphill on a bike but descend like a roadie on mud so only managed 8 laps. Rumour has it the winner did 11.
 
Alan

Alas no Charlie. Was a super fast start but great fun along the 77. Felt pretty hairy when we got onto the minor roads - people all over the road and several near misses with oncoming traffic. as a result I was hanging near the back of the bunch and just going round as riders went off. As Paul has pointed out this is not a good strategy. Saw Colin going backwards and not too long after was heading that way myself . Saw Andy come off just after me and was a good target for lap two. Up the 77 again I was gaining ground slowly but saw James with a puncture and stopped to offer assistance - race well over for me by then.
 
Slogged round lap 2 gradually catching the guy in front but when we came together we both agreed another lap was not worth it, so back up to the windmills. Never really got going and a real disappointment / wake up. Should be going well after a good winter ( summer! ) but just not been out enough recently. Hopefully temps will get into double figures in the build up to Millport.
 
Thanks to Ian and Darryl for the encouragement - un jour sans.
 

Intending to defend my title from last year.....Carol

Further frustration for me to add to last weeks crash as a jammed front mech left me in a massive gear at the bottom of the clunch road. All had being going well up to this point and was feeling good going over the first climb in a good position at the top and positioning myself well although a bit too far back at the bottom of the clunch.Then (and I must apologise to Al and anyone else behind me) I could only emit an expletive as front mech jammed and left me with a massive gear to grind and the entire race went past me in a flash. Worked my a**e of to try to get back on and was within touching distance of the back markers but couldn't hook back on. Solo'd on manfully until Billy caught up and we worked for a bit although the big man was clearly suffering with his pre race nutritional stratedgy so eventually went ahead and finished out the race. Great day - thanks for the lift Andy. Still learning from every race and hoping to do well next time out.

Good reports guys. Some other thoughts come to mind which might seem obvious but worth mentioning,
 
- never race with something new on your bike that you have not ridden on before for at least a couple of hours to make sure it works ok. Including such simple things as tyres which might not be seated, bottle cages which might rattle loose, bar tape that might unravel etc
- most races start at a frantic pace, be prepared, be very prepared, with a thorough warm up which includes some full on sprints, it might seem like a waste of energy but its worth it,
- it is worth burning up some energy to be in first 15 before the key points - usually climbs or crosswind sections, but obviously use as little as possible !
- it is worth ending yourself to hold the wheel, the notion that 'I'll drift off the back then catch up over the top' is simply a myth for all but the very strongest. When you lose the wheel you don't get back on to a bunch moving at that speed.
- if there is a gap in the bunch, claim it. Take every possible chance to move forward when little effort required.
 
And you've all heard me preach it before, do short sharp intervals or something like track which gives the same effect. The ability to have short frequent spurts is invaluable in a road race.
 
Hope that helps
 
: banana
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Crackingly good race today. My first road race so it needs a decent report to lay down the memories.
 
First, not quite sure why the neutralised zone is called the neuralised zone. It's anything but with the jockeying for position and speed.
 
Second, start of the race could never have been prepared for the burst of speed. I'd got myself up to the front and within a minute despite my hardest peddling was almost out the back. Billy's motivational statement "welcome to road racing" spurred me on. Stayed with the bunch and finally worked my way back up before the Dams climb. Colin and I found each other and with great encouragement from Colin we worked together. I was surprised to find myself at top of the Dams and not being dropped. Then it was fast and furious down to the Clunch turn. Pretty pleased with my pace going up the Clunch until....
 
Third, final climb on the Clunch was in the big ring. Big mistake, slipped down a to the wee ring but by that stage my legs were burned. Motivational cheers from Darryl and Ian gave me a huge boost but by then lost the main bunch.
 
Picked up James for a two up then a guy from Dumfries CC joined us. He kept hammering it off the front so it was a job holding his wheel. James disappeared (later discovered he punctured) and 2 upped with chap from Dumfries once we'd discussed terms!
 
Hit the Dams again and feeling good and bunch has been stopped for a good talking to. Before we could reach them they were off. Picked up another couple of riders on the descent, female rider and a number 3 for Thompsons. He disappeared on the Clunch and then it was a three-up.
 
We worked well with Dumfries guy still hammering off the front down A77 but held on. Knew I was stronger on the climbs so was starting to prepare for the finish. Crikey, then hit Dams for the third time and I thought my legs were going to blow up. Stayed together covering any attacks.
 
Back on A77 eased up to let others cover the work then onto final climb held onto front wheel. Gabby did a very fine job of positioning throughout and when Dumfries chap lost her wheel I saw the gap late and came in an exhausted second in the wee group.
 
Loved it! Learned for myself Paul, Darryl and Mark's excellent advise yesterday to climb to the front before the hills. There is a difference between knowing this with your head versus knowing this with your legs!
 
Andy

Good race today which eventually ended in sunshine For the JWCC guys who are relative newcomers, do not be put off as that was quite a tough one. A lumpy course with a keen wind and a race average of 24.3 mph = fairly lively race. Also this particular course suits those with experience who work their way up the bunch before the climbs which is something that just has to be learnt. I finished in the lead bunch but when the sprint started up the final hill I had nought left and ended about 15th, need to wait for photo finish. Scary thought of the day, riding up to the wind farm in the last 2 miles, albeit with a tail wind, I noticed we were doing 28mph !? And wished I had not looked.

 
 
 

Very lightly used colnago for sale.
 
This bike has recently had a new rear mech fitted due to poor bike maintenance and new rear wheel due to poor bike handling.
 
This bike has hardly been over 25mph and hasn't done any climbing at speed.
 
There has been a lot of spray been thrown up at the front of the bike due to a lot of wheel sucking.
 
Will come with 120 euro bottle cage and a free lawyers fees if you have been on the wrong side of the law.
 
I am looking for £3500 for it, due to the prestige of the current rider and the extras that are getting thrown in.
 
Thanks

If the group is working properly you should never open up a gap, the strong person should just stay at the front longer!!

If the group is working properly you should never open up a gap, the strong person should just stay at the front longer!!

If the group is working properly you should never open up a gap, the strong person should just stay at the front longer!!

Good night tonight, nice to finally meet you all.
 
Pretty surprised at winning a couple of races. The last one just seemed to fall into my lap somehow - my legs were pretty much gone by then but there was a Nightingale rider on the front who for some reason pulled everyone along at a good pace for about 15 laps so i had a chance to ride along and not do much work, by the time of the bell i was sitting third wheel and pretty much in an ideal position for the sprint, without having done anything to get the position.