Iain Cowden

Thanks again to Mark for organising this. Owayo: there was limited sizing and stock available and no women specific samples. In general, as Alan T indicates, what was available was fair enough, but basic. Unlikely in my view to take much hammer/washing etc. Men's sizing seemed pretty faithful to their website. Pactimo: Richard and Chung above cover matters pretty fully and fairly. Mary was impressed by both quality and cut of the women specific kit - Ascent level gets her vote. I'd add little, save some specific observations on sizing and skinsuits in particular. From their website I am really on the cusp between medium/large. For shorts & jerseys, I could get away with either, but overall large was probably best - fair enough. On skinsuits curiously the reverse proved the case; the large was significantly too big and the medium a better overall fit. In both (longsleve) suits though, the arms seemed overly long, even allowing for an aero stretch on extended bars. Even the medium was too long for me and I do not have short arms. Also, the suits have thumb loops to keep the arms flat & tight - which would make shortening the arms/cuffs a tricky prospect. The best skinsuit, with the most aero fabric, was I think £134 + VAT i.e. £160.80 or so. Very pricey for a potentially compromised fit. I presume we go with the majority view and people then buy what they want (or don't). We also can't trial every manufacturer. That said, my understanding is that clubs who use Giordana are generally content with them. Not cheap but reliable and decent quality. Iain

We should be along about 6.30 Iain & Mary

Thanks Mark - Mary and I plan to be along. Iain

Kenny Christie and I met up on Paisley Rd W to head over to Miller St for 9.30 - no surprise that no- one else there given the cold rain! We headed out up Bowfield, left over to Peesweep, Sgt. Law, down Shilford hill, across to Uplawmoor, then over the back road to Dunlop. From there over to Beith via Barrmill, then down the back road (now re-surfaced to great effect as far as the stone bridge at the first turn off for Beith) to the rear of what was previously the Hungry Monk, and on to Lochwinnoch. A welcome café stop there to heat up, then back to Morrisons, over to Houston, down the Georgetown to the Red Smiddy, where Kenny headed home over the bridge and I home via Renfrew. Almost exactly 60 miles for me and a good bit more for Kenny. There were actually quite a few cyclists out and about. In truth probably a better day for the Hoydrome or the turbo, but nevertheless we had a fine run out in true winter conditions, visiting some roads not seen in a while. BTW modern cycling clothing is fantastic! Iain

Forecast looks cold but otherwise Ok for Saturday so I'll be heading out for some more steady miles (50-60)on quietish roads from the clubrooms at 9.30am. Company very welcome. Happy to leave route till the morning - open to suggestions but will give it some thought on the ride over! Thanks Iain

Iain on way over Kenny and has drill and some scrapers - he'll be there just after 7 pm

Ian, we are away again from early to-morrow but I can do a shift Monday night. Iain

Mary, Boyd, Bill T, Chung and I headed out from Miller St in fine dry conditions. Folk were happy to go with the suggested route above which kept us largely out of the traffic, other than the section from Kilwinning, skirting the 3 Towns, up to W Kilbride and a café stop at the excellent Cherry Orchard. From there over the hill to Dalry, then over to Highfield /CR 7, & back to Lochwinnoch on the track. There Boyd opted for Kilmacolm and some extra miles/hills, whilst the rest of us returned to Morrisons on the track, then over to Houston with Bill, after which the remaining three returned to Glasgow via the Georgetown/Paisley/ Bellahouston etc. Some 74 miles for Mary and me, a bit more for Chung and about 46-47 round trip from the clubrooms. The delayed weather front meant we stayed dry all the way - a bonus and probably the last outing on the good bikes for Mary and myself. Many thanks to all for the great company as always - a fine relaxing day on the bike! Iain

Myself and Mary will be heading out for some steady miles, perhaps 50-60 from the clubrooms at 9.30am. Company welcome, pace 15-16mph average, re-grouping after any significant climbs. Open to suggestion routewise but would want to minimise busy roads (as usual)! An option could be Bowfield/Gateside/Barrmill/Kilwinning/W Kilbride/Dalry/Kilbirnie, with options to return via the track or golf club road to Lochwinnoch and extend the run via Johnshill/Howwood or Quarriers for anyone who fancies the miles/hills. Very happy to go with the flow on the morning. Thanks Iain

Hi Hugh You are welcome to a lift with us - both ways if it saves someone else a trip. Just Pm me or Mary with a contact tel. No. and where from if you want a lift over. We will be leaving around 6.20ish for the 7pm start. Otherwise see you there. Iain

I'll have one too Greig - they look nice when you see them for real. Mary

Thanks to Iain for timekeeping and well done to all. Iain

Excellent news of an exciting initiative! Many thanks indeed to Chung and Tom. Iain

Congratulations to Alan on a great time & fine win - well done to all other JWCC riders. Many thanks indeed to all members/volunteers for giving their time so that we could ride - much appreciated. Iain

Thanks to Jann for timekeeping and well done to all. Some good times on a breezy night - great efforts from Billy on his new bike and Richard in fully traditional mode! Iain.

Thanks to Greig for time keeping and John for helping out- commiserations to John for the early puncture. Well done to Iain Couttie and the other PBers! A pretty good night for TTing - not much real wind, with maybe the atmosphere just a wee bit heavy. Still, dry and no bike to clean! Iain

Ian I use the Exposure Flare rear light and have found it very good - not cheap tho' at £35. You can get re-chargeable batteries which are worth it, but I would avoid the saddle bracket which is unreliable - the standard bracket which comes with the light is more secure and fits the aero post fine. Iain

Thanks again to Mary for timekeeping/feeding the midgies! Well done to Iain on his win and a fine PB!. Great efforts too from James in his first TT, over 25 miles at that and John for a fantastic PB and improvement over last week. Bit of a shame there was so few riders on what was a pretty decent night - the best I can remember on that course in recent years. Still...holiday time I guess. Iain

Thanks to Mary & Ramsay for doing the needful - well done to all on a hot and breezy night - that course is never easy and the surface just gets worse! Thanks to Greig for retrieving my rear light which bailed out at the start of the Shilford drag near the end - it too had had enough of the "rocky road"! Commiserations to Elaine S and George D - all to play for again next week Iain

I hope to be along too. Mary is not bothered about riding it and has offered to timekeep if no-one else is keen. Iain

Great effort Al - well done! Iain

James - we have a 70mm black alloy oversize stem that's surplus to requirements if that's what you need. Mint condition too. If it suits you can Pm me contact details and we can see what's the best arrangement to get it to you. Iain

Thanks to Iain for timekeeping! Well done to all. Iain

Well done to Iain, Paul Billy and Al - great efforts on a horrribly windy day! One to forget for me! Iain

Couldn't manage out for the afternoon's racing as planned unfortunately, but really enjoyed the men's event in the evening. Quite superb performances from two ex- JWCC riders - Iain Grant 12th, at 2.44 from from the winner and 3 time champion Alex Dowsett, and Ben Peacock 8th, at 2.16 from the winner. Tremendous efforts against world class pro riders -sheer class and courage. Many congratulations to them both and to the otherScots riders. Iain