Iain Cowden

Davie wrote; Don't think I'll make it tonight but for future reference where exactly is the start of the "Westferry" Davie It is at the foot of Bishopton hill towards Langbank. The start is literally under the railway bridge, just before the roundabout exit from the M8 west and entrance to the A8 heading to Langbank etc. On the other side of the roundabout is a car park, the entrance to which is generally the meeting point. Hope to see you out another night. Iain

I'm planning to be there Iain

a cinch!

Twas a great day out, and great fun - good choice of route Grant , one for again! Thanks, Mary and Iain

Having had a lazy sort of a week so far, I'll tag along for the extra miles! Weather looks Ok if anyone else fancies the run. Cu at 10. Iain

Can we be flexible on the start time?

Glad you all had a good day! Hope you don't think the failed windscreen wipers was an excuse - certainly couldn't use it a second time! As plan B, went out on tour in Renfrewshires and Ayrshire with the Eastwood Toll brigade. Mary

I would like to join in for this run - will meet up with Iain McGinty and see you on the south side of the bridge. Mary

Just wondering if there is enough availability/interest for tonight? Forecast looks mixed - wet but not too windy (9mph SW). Not much better for the next few days it seems. How about a show of hands or preferences(TT or run) for tonight then? Cheers Iain

A really great day out in lovely company amidst delighful scenery - have now forgotten about the wind!. Many thanks to Grieg for his support in providing the backup vehicle and media coverage. And our best wishes to Elaine for a speedy and full recovery - a horrible thing to happen. Mary and Iain

In the event, it wasn't (a TT)! Having said cheerio to George Hamilton, who happened to be riding that way from Barrhead en route to Lochwinnoch, there was Charlie, Tom, Davie and me at Shilford. After a quick pow-wow we decided against a 4 up TT in favour of a hilly run out. We headed up the side of the garage at Shilford (where a BBC TV drama crew unaccountably missed the opportunity to sign any of us 4 up for a future starring role on screen) to the Neilston -Uplawmoor Road. There we turned right and into the village, turning left just by the old schoolhouse onto the back road climbing steadily out of the village towards Dunlop. There we met the only brief squall of the night. On cresting the summit we saw the clear sky towards the Ayrshire coast which raised the spirits. We carried on to the road end, passing E Ayrshire's mini Alp d'Huez on the right (yes, that's cunningly missing the testing climb). At the road end we turned left and up another hillock, dropping down to the Neilston- Dunlop road - then left at the Howie's of Dunlop depot (as was), up the climb on the road back towards the trout farm above Neilston, then right over to the Newton Means- Stewarton Road. From there left thru' Kingsford, the right over the Clunch Road to the A77. A brief respite there till the turn of the Newton Mearns 10TT course roundabout followed by a fast wheelabout to just before the Malletsheugh. Left there across to the Mearns- Stewarton road, then right over to Neilston. Out the Dunlop road then right up more hills to the "wall" just before dropping back to Uplawmoor. There Davie headed back to Shilford while the rest headed back via Caldwell Braes and Greenacres/Bowfield/ Johnstone and , for me, the track back thu' Pollock park All in all, not the night we might have expected, but a good workout in very pleasant company. Everyone gave it fair crack on the many climbs and re-grouped at the tops. And yes... I got to write the lengthy post as I was the only one who was sure where we'd been! Here's to next week and who knows what! Iain

Willie C, Jim D, Richard, David T, Greg B and I travelled thru' on what looked a potentially dodgy night rain-wise. We needn't have worried! We all had a great time, loads of time on the track and lots of learning in a short space of time from the highy impressive coaching of Alistair & Graham. Many thanks to everyone for the company and encouragement in an unfamiliar discipline. Us "rookies" fairly quickly began to relax, demonstrating increasing control and awareness of other riders/positions. Many thanks to Willie and Jonny C for the encouragement to have a go and for the transport arrangements Iain

Many congratulations Frank and all the best for the new venture! Thanks too for your company and encouragement over the past couple of years. Iain & Mary

Al...? Had a great day! M

Looks good to me. Skipio (see 27th June - 30 milers post) also coming along, so can we confirm a 9:30am start?

Only Skye has proper hills....

Sorry folks nocando this week - Jazz festival beckons! All work & no play etc. Have a good one. Iain

Sounds good, I'd like to come along and someone from Tuesday's time trial was also interested but wondered if a later start would be ok - how about 9:30am? Happy to go with the flow re: route, if flatness is a pre-requisite (Jan, shame on you!) how about round the coast to Largs? Mary

How about doing part of route with those looking to do 50 + miles? Mary

Thanks again to Mike & Kenny and well done to David on breaking 17 minutes! Mary's time was also a PB. Iain

Sorry folks won't make it tonight - cold/man flu now in full flow so am even more of a snottery apparition than usual. Have a good one! Iain

Thanks to the timekeepers, a great turn out, sorry we forgot to pay! Will cough up next week.

Many thanks Tony for plotting such a fine route and to everyone for the company. Would very happily do it all again (once my legs have recovered)! Iain

Many thanks to Ramsay for timekeeping on such a dreich night, brightened by seeing Greg back in business! Iain

11th July is fine for us - may also goup the night before - will confirm nearer time. Suggest meeting at Tourist info centre - towards bottom of the main St on right hand side of the road as you come north (just in front of Heather Gems). That's where the event finishes and there is a car park. The start is just a bit further up the main St. Fingers crossed for the weather! Iain