Iain Cowden

Sounds like it was a great day , well done to Greig and Alan both ! Iain and Mary

First of all very well done again to Paul and Jim (who is provisionally listed as 18th). As Ramsay says, even Jim must surely have been tired after Erskine! As for the O50s here goes: the pace was fairly brisk from the off and quite consistent. It was a fairly big bunch of O50s and women, but not too nervous or twichy despite the wet conditions. The pace was just too rich for me in truth. Having only previously done the MIllport event, I'd say this field was stronger and larger. I found it hard to maintain a desired position towards the head of the bunch despite 4-5 efforts which took me up there, other riders were quick to respond. At Millport it seemed easier to maintain a desired position. As a result, I spent far to much time towards the tail end of the bunch - not a happy place to be at any time and perhaps the moreso when it is wet, with some tight coners and quite a lot of punctures. Anyway, I managed to hang on for about a lap and a bit before getting shelled second time up the (modest) hill into Thornhill (about 35/36 miles I think). An Ivy rider had punctured just before Kippen roundabout, which impeded me a bit, meaning I had to chase across the moss to get back in, which I managed, but not in time to recover before the hill - the end of my race loomed! After that the bunch was actually slow to disappear and I might even have got back again (tho' not for long I suspect) but I could not clear the road traffic which had built up behing the bunch. The Ivy rider who punctured (Jack Savage) came past me briefly, before I caught up with him again around Port Of Menteith. From there we spelled about to the finish. I am not listed on the results but Jack is listed as 12th and I finished a bike length or two in front of him, tho' neither of us could raise interest in a gallop for the finish! I think we were the tail enders of those who finished. The main bunch stayed together to the finish (apparently!) and only really spilt on the uphill from the rounabout into Killearn. What if anything was learned? Back of the bunch is no place to be - just not strong enough. Need to train harder/ smarter and rest better. The Auld Yins who were good uns when younger are still pretty good and smart with it, as are the women riders at that level. So, a tough shift in pretty horrible weather, but perversely I rather enjoyed it, if a bit disappointed not to have been able to keep up the whole way. Results O50s: 1. Stevie Hazlett, IvyCC 2. George Avraan, Edin. RC 3. Andrew Kilpartrick, Fife Cycling 2000 O60s: 1. Billy McMillan, Dales Cycles RT 2. George Finlater, Elgin CC 3. Jocky Johnstone, Team Icarus. Iain

A good run today, thanks, really enjoyed it - mud and all! Found my way home no probs thanks, though glad to be going down the braes and not up them! Mary

Fantastic day's racing which seemed to go past in a flash (much like some of the riders!). Very well done to Kenny S for the enormous amont of organisation, Ramsay for another superb ride and all the Jets and JWCC who took part. Iain

Sounds like a good route Tony, I'd like to join you. Mary

Coming to this a bit late (something of a pattern) the 100 mile route looks a good 'un - Mary and I are keen to have a go. Checked with organisers yesterday and entries are being taken up until the "week before". Our intention would be to get round at a comfortable pace , but without undue delay - perhaps at a similar pace to the flatter sections of our recent Etape du Perthshire outing. If that suits anyone else great - but if others want to push on for a time equally fine - we can do our own thing. Mark's query on the route: It doesn't look too bad at all to me - plenty of up and down but nothing massive. Long drag from Eastwood Toll thru' Newton Mearns to A77, then nothing out of the ordinary thru. Wateside & Moscow to Galston. Similar on A71 thru' Darvel towards Strathaven, then the minor road off towards Dungavel has a short sharp lift before joining the Muirkirk Rd. That road has a few drags but nothing worse. From Muirkirk it is fairly flat thru' Douglas until you cross under the A74 then it is quite lumpy thru' Rigside before a long descent towards Hyndford Bridge. A bit lumpy again thru' Pettanain then very flat into Carstairs Junction and Carnwath. Onto the A70 (Lang Whang) then a detour via Auchengray/ Woolford/ Harburn which is fairly constant up and down but nothing major. Back onto the Whang for some more up & down to Harperigg Reservoir from which it is a gradual downhill into Balerno/Currie etc. Will see who else posts here over the next few days and aim to enter next week. Cheers Iain

A fantastic week-end, as evidenced by Kenny C's photo's - superb cycling, company, and organisation from Cuillin Wheels. Thanks to all involed in providing the support from beginning to end, particularly Kenny MacD for setting things up, help with the accommodation and much needed broom wag(g)on on the Saturday! Iain and Mary

Well done that man! Great result Ramsay. Iain

I'll be along from nine also. Iain

Not out tonight folks -saving my legs for Skye! Havea good one. Iain

Belatedly picking up on Greg's thread; - I bought a Ribble Winter Audax full bike in May 2008. I went for the Campag Veloce/Mirage groupset and the Campag Khamsin wheelset. The price then was £399. In the event the bike came (unhelpfully) with a Xenon rear mech and, (helpfully) Mavic Aksium wheels which I immediately swapped to the good bike. Overall, I have been very pleased with the bike and thought it very good value at the time. It was very well set up and the delivery service worked well. A word of warning: the frames make up very big - mine I think is a 54cm, which is fine, but I had to swap the recommended 110mm stem for a 90mm one to be comfortable. It came with full mudguards which are still good and I have done some limited touring with rear panniers, which also was fine tho' I wouldn't chance too heavy a load. Some of the parts e.g. brakes and chainset were 2-3 year old models, but that helped keep the prices down. Only quibbles were; the saddle (cheap Selle Italia) which had a laminated top layer that quickly separated and had to be replaced; I've never been too convinced by the plastic Xenon rear mech which can be a bit clunky or hesitant at times. The nearest current equivalent bike is a Veloce/Xenon groupset (only the rear mech appears to be Xenon) which is priced at £614.95. This comes with a Pro-lite wheelset. Khamsin costs £27 more and Aksium raises the total price to £668.70. I haven't been looking particularly at winter bikes recently but would wonder if the Ribble full bike is still such an outstanding deal? Components & bikes have obviously increased considerably in the 2 plus years yet... Anyway, hopefully some of the above is helpful. Iain

I could join you for a 6.30 start at the clubroom if that suits - one suggestion was Lochwinnich - Muirshiel Park - and return, may be other takers... Mary

Me too! Mary

Kenny MacD said; "The school is holding a roller Lands end to John O groats cycle event in the square on the Saturday. The guy running it has asked if any of the JWCC would do a half hour stint to boost the mileage , any takers ?" What kind of rollers are they Kenny? If they are of the fixed fork variety I'll have a go. If they are proper rollers I'll decline on the grounds of technical incompetence - I' d probably end up in the harbour! Iain

Many congratulations Paul - great result! Sounds like a typical sterling effort from Jim too - well done to you both. Iain

J"agree M

I'll come too - could do with a reasonable distance incorporating a hill or two in preparation for skye, but happy to join in for a bit ad then do my own thing if that doesn''t suit the majority. See you in the morning. Mary

Won't make this one - last Bella Crit tonight. Iain

Thanks from me to to Chris & Ian for timekeeping and to Mike for the offer before they showed up. Iain

Me too. Iain

Will be along as usual Martin. Iain

Sorry Kenny - Mary and I will be away In Perthshire that week-end. Iain

Mary and I are definites for this. Have Pm'd Kenny Mac re cabin offer. Just remains to confirm which events. At present looks like I'll go for the longer run on the Saturday and Mary the shorter. Both planning to do the Sunday run at as relaxed a pace as possible! Iain

And another! Iain

Thanks again to Jan for timekeeping. Well done to Ramsay for the 21! (clearly his 9.8 miles practice on the new bike wasn't wasted) and to the others for the PBs - Ian McG and I think Kenny C. Iain