Iain Cowden

Whilst updating the club records with this years results I have taken the opportunity to plot the graph below of winning times for the clubs 10 mile TT for all the years where we have the information available (as recorded on the Frank Lauder Trophy).  
  As you can see there has been a significant improvement in times over the years, it looks like there were step changes in performance in 1952 and 2001.  I suspect 2001 may be related to the improved aerodynamics with the introduction of Tribars (first used in the Tour de France in 1989).  I expected to see some improvement when the West Ferry course was adopted, it was built in the mid 1970s, but does anyone know when we started using it, or where the event was held before then?
 

Ok cheers Tom

Great day out in fine company from many clubs!  Thanks to Geoff and Ian L (fire setter superb!)
 
Fine JWCC representation and a sighting of Jamie McGahan (Glasgow Wheelers) standing quietly at the back of the fire! ( give it a Google or check out GWCC Hall of Fame).
 
Iain

Great day out in fine company from many clubs!  Thanks to Geoff and Ian L (fire setter superb!)
 
Fine JWCC representation and a sighting of Jamie McGahan (Glasgow Wheelers) standing quietly at the back of the fire! ( give it a Google or check out GWCC Hall of Fame).
 
Iain

Great day out in fine company from many clubs!  Thanks to Geoff and Ian L (fire setter superb!)
 
Fine JWCC representation and a sighting of Jamie McGahan (Glasgow Wheelers) standing quietly at the back of the fire! ( give it a Google or check out GWCC Hall of Fame).
 
Iain

Super time and great effort from Alan McB to win the club event in testy conditions   an earlier start would have been even quicker for sure!   Equally notable efforts from from Kenny S &  many members, to enable a second, hugely popular, open race in two weeks - well done all round!
 
Iain 

Great effort Chung - meticulous research and preparation, resulting in a fine race too   Really enjoyed my first effort at driving a race vehicle - thanks for the opportunity!  
 
Glad to hear the young rider Stuart is not too badly off.  Really heartening to see so many Wheelers out in support - fine job done all round.
 
Iain

Not looking to ride this year Kenny, so happy to Marshall.  Mary can also help with tea room and/or sign on as suits.
 
Iain

Thanks for this Richard - more epic stuff from Mike!    Proof, not that it's needed, that Mike is the real deal - a true tester, while some of us just play at it!  
 
He is not without previous heroics in this event.  Last year we both rode the national 100 on the Alness course.  I caught Mike for 2 minutes after about 17 miles - this is not in the normal scheme of things. As the race wore on, Mike continued to lose ground and it was clear something wasn't right. By the end Mike was miles down on his best and normal expectations.  Typically he even refused the offer of a lift back to the strip after the finish.  At the presentation and cup of tea afterwards, he did eventually concede that he had been having some discomfort throughout from his hip (the pronounced limp being something of a giveaway!).  By the time the presentation was over, Mike could barely walk to the car. He had clearly been in real pain throughout, delivering a hugely brave and combative performance  - for me the ride of the day, by a mile.  In his position I would have climbed off hours earlier.
 
Happily, the problem stemmed form an ill-suited new saddle, which was promptly sold and normal service quickly resumed!
 
Iain

Thanks for this Richard - more epic stuff from Mike!    Proof, not that it's needed, that Mike is the real deal - a true tester, while some of us just play at it!  
 
He is not without previous heroics in this event.  Last year we both rode the national 100 on the Alness course.  I caught Mike for 2 minutes after about 17 miles - this is not in the normal scheme of things. As the race wore on, Mike continued to lose ground and it was clear something wasn't right. By the end Mike was miles down on his best and normal expectations.  Typically he even refused the offer of a lift back to the strip after the finish.  At the presentation and cup of tea afterwards, he did eventually concede that he had been having some discomfort throughout from his hip (the pronounced limp being something of a giveaway!).  By the time the presentation was over, Mike could barely walk to the car. He had clearly been in real pain throughout, delivering a hugely brave and combative performance  - for me the ride of the day, by a mile.  In his position I would have climbed off hours earlier.
 
Happily, the problem stemmed form an ill-suited new saddle, which was promptly sold and normal service quickly resumed!
 
Iain

Thanks for this Richard - more epic stuff from Mike!    Proof, not that it's needed, that Mike is the real deal - a true tester, while some of us just play at it!  
 
He is not without previous heroics in this event.  Last year we both rode the national 100 on the Alness course.  I caught Mike for 2 minutes after about 17 miles - this is not in the normal scheme of things. As the race wore on, Mike continued to lose ground and it was clear something wasn't right. By the end Mike was miles down on his best and normal expectations.  Typically he even refused the offer of a lift back to the strip after the finish.  At the presentation and cup of tea afterwards, he did eventually concede that he had been having some discomfort throughout from his hip (the pronounced limp being something of a giveaway!).  By the time the presentation was over, Mike could barely walk to the car. He had clearly been in real pain throughout, delivering a hugely brave and combative performance  - for me the ride of the day, by a mile.  In his position I would have climbed off hours earlier.
 
Happily, the problem stemmed form an ill-suited new saddle, which was promptly sold and normal service quickly resumed!
 
Iain

Many thanks to Richard for doing the needful - much appreciated!  
 
Great effort indeed from Alan M - tough night (IMO), much windier than the forecast 8Mph WNW! forecast. Sub 16 a very likely (IMO) prospect given the right night and more use of the new TT bike. Forza Alan!!  
 
Which other wheeler has gone that quick recently?   Ramsay I think.
 
 Hold the front page...it was summer! First TT of the year without merino socks says something
 
Iain

Many thanks to Richard for doing the needful - much appreciated!  
 
Great effort indeed from Alan M - tough night (IMO), much windier than the forecast 8Mph WNW! forecast. Sub 16 a very likely (IMO) prospect given the right night and more use of the new TT bike. Forza Alan!!  
 
Which other wheeler has gone that quick recently?   Ramsay I think.
 
 Hold the front page...it was summer! First TT of the year without merino socks says something
 
Iain

Ian Manson - today, at the back of 11 on the track at Howwood - looking suitably bronzed after foreign sun,  amongst the milk white WoS knees otherwise on view!
 
 
Later, John and Rita in the cafe at Kilbirnie - great day for anyone lucky enough to be out on a bike!
 
Iain

Excellent news Chung - have a good one
 
Iain

Five hardy souls ventured out this morning in challenging winds, though as forecast the rain did ease!  Times as follows:
 
1. Alan McBride 26:48 PB (Paid)
 
2.  Ian McGinty 27:43 PB (Paid)
 
3. Alan T 29:47 (Paid double last week)
 
4.  Mike Ferguson  33:02 (Paid)
 
5. James Maclaren  33:23 (Payment to come/next time)
 
Some great times and PBs on a tough, early season morning and a fine win for Alan McB on full muddies and no tri bars    Well done to all.
Many thanks to Paul L for haudin' up and early identification of finishing riders.
 
 
 Â£9.00 to club funds on the day.
 
Iain

Thanks Iain for time keeping, Well done all who rode today. Alan McB  :twisted leer well done! 
 

Congratulations to Paul and Carol and well done to all on a fine brisk morning!
 
Many thanks to Jann for timekeeping, to Alan T for haudin up' and Iain McT and Mary for general encouragement as the wind freshened/legs tired.
 
We've started and plenty more to come!!
 
Iain

Congratulations to Paul and Carol and well done to all on a fine brisk morning!
 
Many thanks to Jann for timekeeping, to Alan T for haudin up' and Iain McT and Mary for general encouragement as the wind freshened/legs tired.
 
We've started and plenty more to come!!
 
Iain

Members of an older age will recall me videoing riders on road and TT bikes each winter at turbo sessions . Playing back views from all angles helps riders see quickly not just position on bike but pedalling technique . We had a stock of mirrors also at that time collected from jumble sales which riders used to do own set up checks. The aforementioned Drew Wilson never trained without a mirror ( maybe that is why he runs a bikefit business now ? ) He would also ask for copies of his bikefit sessions to take home and analysis. Drew also does wind tunnel testing so something to consider for a group session ?

I quite like stripy jerseys Chung (and hooped ones)  !  I guess they are less common nowadays as jerseys have to serve as mobile hoardings!
 
Remarkable new signings should ensure some good racing on their wildcard entry - remind me to fill the fridge and put my feet up!
 
Iain

That's Mary and me through too- as Alan says, very easy to use.
 
 
Iain

That's Mary and me through too- as Alan says, very easy to use.
 
 
Iain

Great stuff Chung- just sorry I couldn't make it - brings back a few memories!
 
Iain

Loads out and about today!
 
 First Jann and Ian Manson on the track heading towards the clubrooms from Lochwinnoch,, quickly followed by the welcome sight of Ramsay (back on two wheels) and Elaine on the same route.
 
At the lochside cafe were John and Rita and Carol and Dave who had missed the bunch earlier.  After the cafe Carol, Dave and I joined forces for a bit, up the back road to Beith then back via Gateside, the rocky road and down Bowfield.
 
 Thanks to them the company on a great day to be out on a bike
 
Iain