Ramsay

Elaine got in, so we have just booked on the Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry on the Thursday (18th), returning on the Monday (22nd).
Currently have 3 nights booked in Valkenburg, but may spend the Friday night somewhere else on route.
Happy days!
R

We got in which is great! you should receive an email giving you instructions of how to register.

A club combine, so to speak :-)

I’m not sure what the focus of this piece is or who it is aimed at.  Maybe it’s to inspire other women to take on similar challenges.  Maybe it’s just me saying ‘hello’ again and to let you know that I’m looking forward to getting back out with the bunch.  Whatever the reason is, someone suggested that writing a race report would be a good idea.  The only problem is, nothing I did this year was a ‘race’.  I’m not getting bogged down in stats and intricate details.  I am a girl who likes a challenge and I set myself a couple of challenges this summer.  They went something like this.
 August 2018 - Marmotte Pyrenees
160km, 5600 metres ascent
Ramsay and I had already decided to spend this summer in the Pyrenees.  We completed the Marmotte sportive in the Alps last year and loved it.  I knew that they did a similar event out of Argeles Gazost and by chance, it fell within the weeks that we were planning to be there.  The decision was made and we were signed up.  Unfortunately for Ramsay, his knee went again in June and he knew that he would not be ready to ride again for months.
We knew that a bunch of Wheelers were out riding too and Ramsay really enjoyed supporting everyone on the day (tonnes more photos of the boys on the Tourmalet than me, which is not a bad thing)!  It may sound selfish, but I knew that in order to make it to the finish at the top of Luz Ardiden, I just had to do my own thing and plod away at my own pace.  I love alpine climbs.  I love the challenge and the sense of accomplishment when you get to the top of those infamous Cols.  The scenery is spectacular and the baguettes with camembert at the pit stops are perfect!  I don’t know whether being a women helps.  I had so many shouts of “allez allez femme” which was brilliant.  Having spoken to some of the boys at the BBQ and confessed our body weights, being a women of a smaller stature, certainly helps when you are climbing an average gradient of 10% for several hours!  Yes, it was tough.  Yes, there were times when I asked myself why I was doing this.  It certainly felt harder than the Alps last year, but finishing was never in doubt.  After a hot shower and a good night’s sleep, the legs had recovered and I enjoyed ticking off so many more of those famous climbs during our time in the Pyrenees.
I can honestly say that one of the highlights was meeting up with the guys the following night for a BBQ.  Great food, lots of wine, even more beer and brilliant banter.  It reminded both Ramsay and I why we joined the club in the first place.  Thank you!
 
September 2018 – Around the World in a Day
245 miles from Machrihanish to Aberdeen, ~ 3500 metres ascent
 Then came the second challenge of the summer.  In 2017, Mark Beaumont set off to cycle around the world in 80 days.  He achieved this by riding an average of 240 miles per day.  The concept for this challenge was to have one rider to represent each day (80 riders in total) and us all to cycle 240 miles.  Hence, ‘Around the World in a Day’!  The day was planned exactly as Mark had ridden around the world.  Four times four hour sections of riding (approx. 60 miles per section) with a 30 minute stop in between (Furnace, Lochearnhead and Forfar).  The route started in Machrihanish and headed north through Ardishaig, before heading north east to Inverary and Dalmally.  We then turned east across the country to Forfar with the final stretch up the north east coast through Stonehaven to Aberdeen.
was one of ten female riders to start and one of eight to finish.  I had ridden 184 miles as a reccie earlier in the summer and only hoped that my weeks in the Pyrenees helped with final preparations and the final miles.  It was a typical Scottish day.....started cold, dark, wet and windy.  The sun came out briefly in the afternoon before it got cold, dark, wet and windy again.  My strategy was to keep a high cadence during the day and shelter within the bunch as much as possible.  I managed a few turns at the front and myself and a couple of the girls led the group for a few minutes when the boys stopped for a pee. Oh how we laughed!!  For the majority however, the boys looked out for us and made sure we were safely tucked in as much as possible.
The last 30 miles were probably the hardest miles I have ever ridden.  It was a rollercoaster of highs and lows and all I wanted was to be warm and horizontal!  I stepped off the bike in Aberdeen and was shaking with cold and exhaustion.  I thought I was either going to be sick or faint or both.  I admit, I cried when Ramsay came to give me a cuddle and it took me some time to reach the “that was an amazing experience” feeling.    But again, after two hot showers and a good night’s sleep, I woke up feeling ok and began to appreciate what had happened the day before. 
I guess that’s how I get through any of these challenges.  I know that even when it feels brutal and you hurt all over, it doesn’t last.  You will recover and you will get back on the bike again......quickly.  I don’t consider myself a powerful rider or a fast rider.  I don’t glide up the ascents.   I bob about in the saddle and do everything you shouldn’t!  I am a steady rider who is happy to tap away at the miles at my own pace.  In saying that, I didn’t just walk in to these events having done nothing.  I put the effort, the hours and the miles in this year.  If I’m honest, I did very little other than cycle and work for most of the summer!
It’s been a while, but I will be back out with the bunch again soon, enjoying the Sunday runs around Renfrewshire and beyond.  I’m looking forward to not just the training (must work on that power output over the winter), but for the banter and the camaraderie.  Hope to see you all soon.   
 

Yep, Kenny and Susan's wee Lusia has just taken a major step up. After a fantastic summer with 2 British Champs jerseys and PB's at the junior World Championships and Euro Championships she has been selected to the sprint squad at senior academy.
The Jets will miss her coaching skills at Linwood and Miller Street mind. 
Huge congratulations to all in team Steele. 
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/gbcyclingteam/article/20181004-gb-cyclingteam-news-British-Cycling-confirms-the-senior-academy-and-senior-squad-riders-for-2018-2019-0
 

We've got something on at 9am, but hope to be done in time to come along and support.

We've got something on at 9am, but hope to be done in time to come along and support.

Ginty, the light was in passenger glove box of van. Afraid I was so under weather I forgot to lift it.
A Europcar employee is likely using it on his commute. Handy, as the nights start to draw in.

Lots of you will already have seen your smiling coupons on the Amaretto fb page. If not, please get over there and give it a like
 

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All Wheelers safely over the Tourmalet.....the first time. 
Iain Couttie has just left the top of the Aspin and is looking good. Only 2 climbs left! 
Lovely day for an Pyrenean picnic, although must be hot climbing on a bike!

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All Wheelers safely over the Tourmalet.....the first time. 
Iain Couttie has just left the top of the Aspin and is looking good. Only 2 climbs left! 
Lovely day for an Pyrenean picnic, although must be hot climbing on a bike!

All Wheelers safely over the Tourmalet.....the first time. 
Iain Couttie has just left the top of the Aspin and is looking good. Only 2 climbs left! 
Lovely day for an Pyrenean picnic, although must be hot climbing on a bike!

All Wheelers safely over the Tourmalet.....the first time. 
Iain Couttie has just left the top of the Aspin and is looking good. Only 2 climbs left! 
Lovely day for an Pyrenean picnic, although must be hot climbing on a bike!

All Wheelers safely over the Tourmalet.....the first time. 
Iain Couttie has just left the top of the Aspin and is looking good. Only 2 climbs left! 
Lovely day for an Pyrenean picnic, although must be hot climbing on a bike!

All Wheelers safely over the Tourmalet.....the first time. 
Iain Couttie has just left the top of the Aspin and is looking good. Only 2 climbs left! 
Lovely day for an Pyrenean picnic, although must be hot climbing on a bike!

All Wheelers safely over the Tourmalet.....the first time. 
Iain Couttie has just left the top of the Aspin and is looking good. Only 2 climbs left! 
Lovely day for an Pyrenean picnic, although must be hot climbing on a bike!

All Wheelers safely over the Tourmalet.....the first time. 
Iain Couttie has just left the top of the Aspin and is looking good. Only 2 climbs left! 
Lovely day for an Pyrenean picnic, although must be hot climbing on a bike!

Winter Solo Single 
Where do I begin.
Last night I was visualising my moment of glory on the Hall of fame.
Arrived on Arran this morning with nothing but positive vibes, winter bike metal frame full muddies rear light but chose to ditch the front to go for the title. Set off on a steady pace and feeling good, weather was meant to be sunny but still foggy.
Half way round, 5 minutes behind the summer pace, first negative thought creeps in but crack on.
36 miles, 2 hours dead, means 20 miles in 45ish minutes, games a bogey but again I'll crack on. 
Got to the top of Lochranza climb with 30 minutes until the ferry leaves, bottle empty and a wee packet of wiggle haribo, I can make it, I've lost my minerals!
Rode as hard as I could, really really  struggling by this point, missed the boat by 5 minutes.
I'm writing this still on Arran, next boat is 2hrs 40 minutes later, ouch!
On the plus side I don't think I'll have a harder training ride this winter, rode in  Z4 for 1hr 2min and Z5 for 1 hr 52min!
Anyone who completes the Winter Solo is a strong man!
Cheers

Elaine & I also did this with a group from her work.

Briefly met Grieg, George, Billy, Richie and other for a beer on the Saturday night.

Had a cracking day after a shaky start (literally!). I rode down to the start from Alpe D'Huez and twice had almost uncontrollable speed wobbles at 35mph+. Very frightening, but sorted at the bottom to start almost last and behind the following vehicles!

After starting at the back, we rode steadily and passed people all day, which was nice. The sun came out on the decent from the Galibier and made the Alpe D'Huez climb almost hot. Finished in time for a beer and pasta.

Longest ever ride for Elaine and most climbing in a day for both of us.
 
Happy days!      

Elaine & I also did this with a group from her work.

Briefly met Grieg, George, Billy, Richie and other for a beer on the Saturday night.

Had a cracking day after a shaky start (literally!). I rode down to the start from Alpe D'Huez and twice had almost uncontrollable speed wobbles at 35mph+. Very frightening, but sorted at the bottom to start almost last and behind the following vehicles!

After starting at the back, we rode steadily and passed people all day, which was nice. The sun came out on the decent from the Galibier and made the Alpe D'Huez climb almost hot. Finished in time for a beer and pasta.

Longest ever ride for Elaine and most climbing in a day for both of us.
 
Happy days!      

Spied two Wheelers (Grieg and Richie) in Valloire, between The Col du Telegraphe and Col du Galibier on Sunday.
 
Was great to see some friendly faces on the road!
 
 

Spied two Wheelers (Grieg and Richie) in Valloire, between The Col du Telegraphe and Col du Galibier on Sunday.
 
Was great to see some friendly faces on the road!