Iain Cowden

Hi Kenny I'll give it a go if there's enough of us. I actually rode over part of the Peesweep circuit on Sunday and the latter part of the route (back across the moor to the main road at Peesweep) is still very rough indeed- if anything worse than before. I'd say we would be safer at the Gateside/Lugton circuit if we're on. Iain

Hi Dennis I'm in - wasn't able to last year so I'm looking forward to it. Lived out that way for about 12 years so it will be a trip down a few memory lanes for me! See you Sunday. Thanks Iain

Kay, Mary, Richard, Greg and I made our way variously by Scotrail express to Ardrossan Harbour, to be met by the unanticipated pleasure of Bill T's smiling face at the ferry! We set sail in glorious sunshine and at Brodick, using Bill's local knowledge, set off anti-clockwise into the Northwestish wind. As first-timers on Arran in fabulous weather we were truly impressed - easy to see why folk rave about it and return time and again. We made steady progress with Greg and Richard contesting the many climbs and the rest of us re-grouping thereafter. As we rounded the north end of the island we were treated to glorious views over to Kintyre - Carradale, Torrisdale and Campbeltown bays all clearly visible, as were the Antrim hills beyond. We stopped for a bit of lunch (Machrae Golf Club or something similar), before resuming our southward journey. Ailsa Craig was crystal clear as was the Ayrshire coast beyond. everyone coped well with the many climbs on the southward loop and back to Brodick for the ferry. Greg I think got "king of the mountains" from richard tho' rider of the day award must go to Kay who doubled her previous maximum distance , coping well with demanding climbs. All in all a memorable day out in fine company - if only the weather was always so reliable! Thanks to all for helping me realise two ambitions; to visit Arran at long last and to cycle round. Iain

No problem Frank. Forecast looking good so we are definitely on. Excellent news Richard! See you either at Central station or at the ferry if you/Greg and/or anyone else is feeling heroic! Iain

p.s. forgot to say, like your new photo - looks like you were somewhere exotic and inspiring!

Fine by me Jan, see you tomorrow Mary

I'd like to come along too - would prefer non-ferry option from clubroom, but happy to go with the flow. Mary

Never having been before, Mary and I have taken a notion to cycle round the island on the holiday Monday. Lke Richard B recently, we are aiming for the 9.45am Ardrossan ferry over returning hopfully on the 16.40. At present the weather forecast looks Ok. We will take the 8.33 train from Glasgow Central to connect. The plan is for a fairly steady run and maybe a beer or two at the end! If anyone fancies joining us they are welcome - post here and we'll look out for you. If the forecast deteriorates badly and we chicken out, I'll post here Sunday evening. Iain

Brilliant time from Greg and David - fantastic! Commisserations to Kenny C for the mechanical tribulations, I'm sure there'll be none of that in sunny Majorca! Thanks again to Colin for the timekeeping and Ian for shoving us off and general encouragement. Iain

I'm happy to join in this Sunday for 40+ miles (Mary)

Kenny PS order for Mary please: 1s/s women's jersey and 3/4 Bibnickers. Both Medium. Thanks Iain

Many thanks Frank for timekeeping and allowing a late starter! Great ride from Greg (again)! If memory serves me well (possible but by no means certain) that's a further 1.5 minutes+ plus quicker than last year. Commiserations to James for the pre-event puncture and Jonny for the mechanicals. About to make an eleventh hour clothing order for Mary - in view of today's events I wonder if we can order JWCC compass and sextant? Iain

Kenny Can I order please: 1 thermal bibnickers 1 l/s skinsuit 1 gilet 1 Windex jacket (- all medium) and 1 pair pro-overshoes (large) Thanks Iain

I am ( Mary)

Put me down for two tickets please. Thanks, Iain

I would like to join in (Mary)

Sorry, clearly haven't got the hang of this as didn't see previous offer for soup from Billy - will revert to cake!

p.s. It's not Iain, it's me (Mary)!

I will do soup for this Sunday as I forgot cake contribution ( which was very nice as it turned out!) last weekend.

Should be fine for me - will aim to be at the ferry for 9.30ish. cu all then. Iain

I'll be along too - see you then. Iain

With Kenny Mac under the weather with a cold, it was a smaller group of Greg, Jonny, James and Richard who headed out accompanied by me and, for a wee while, Willie Cosh before he headed off towards Kilmacolm. We went along the Georgetown Road, then Bishopton, the Monkey House and down by Gleddoch. As we passed Formakin behind we were treated to fantastic snow capped views over to Argyll, The Arrocher Alps and Ben Lomond. We climbed up a hill (I think James called it the "gunpowder" or something similar), then dropped down towards Port Glasgow. Although bitterly cold the roads were mainly dry and safe, though the occassional run offs from fields were iced over, requiring care and concentration. As we came into the Port we took the winding road left up (and I mean up) thru' the scheme onto near the top of the Clune. From there we pegged across and up further still over the farm road to bring us out near the top of the Whin. From there we cut across country via Phil's Folly to Lochwinnoch. The sight of a Corsa unintentionally in a field on the top road with Police and Ambulance in attendance, encouraged a "habble amnesty" on the run down to Lochwinnoch. There we paused very briefly for a bit of a feed and bade farewell to Richard who ( with time constraints) headed back to Glasgow along the track. The remainder of us headed up to Beith Rd end and up the sharp lift (Auchengrange Rd?) to Belltrees and round to Beith, From there it was up the Golf Course climb then back to Johnstone via Greenacres and Bowfield. All the young guys were relaxed and strong all the way round (from the clubrooms maybe about 50 miles). James, Greg and Jonny were prominent on the many climbs, with Richard also looking very spritely, despite limited recent time on the bike. It is clear to see the real progress in Jonny's climbing and pedalling, in what seems only a few weeks. Greg, although confessing to fatigue on the Beltrees, still had the strength and presence of mind to take the gallop back into Johnstone! All in all, a fine tough run, in fantastic visibility and very good company. See you next time. Iain

Me too - see you all then. Iain

Hi Kenny - I'm up for it again - will hold dates meantime Iain

Fine Kenny - cu then guys. Iain