Iain Cowden

Life's too short for the cafe at Strachur (IMO)!
 
Last couple of times I've been round that way I have eaten at the Creggans Inn round the corner (towards Cairndow). The bar food is excellent and reasonably priced, service first class and very welcoming of cyclists. It also has outside tables in the event of sunshine!
 
Iain

Well done to all and thanks to Jane, Graham & Mary for timekeeping.
 
Another routinely outstanding time from Al and a great effort from Carol to pip the women's prize.
 
P.S. I owe dosh for tonight - will pay next time - Mary omitted to settle on my account - must be jet lag!
 
Iain

Well done to all and thanks to Jane, Graham & Mary for timekeeping.
 
Another routinely outstanding time from Al and a great effort from Carol to pip the women's prize.
 
P.S. I owe dosh for tonight - will pay next time - Mary omitted to settle on my account - must be jet lag!
 
Iain

Thanks for this Al.
 
I don't personally much fancy the Smiddy option used last night - although the road is wide, the surface is poor and its is a fast/busy commuter road at that time in the evening. As Alan says, people may not actively complain about the Westferry, but they do consistently vote with their feet (or should that be pedals!) - numbers always drop markedly when we move from the Georgetown. Not sure I quite get Billy's point about roundabouts - the Westferry 10 has six, the 25 course has 14 with 2 "dead" turns thrown in and the Ayrshire course to be used for the forthcoming National 25 has a similar number of roundabouts.
 
A few years ago we used an APR course round Kilmacolm/Quarriers as an alternative to the Sgt Law/Peesweep course. It would serve pretty well also as a TT course. The start is on the B788 opposite Knapps Loch and runs anticlockwise turning left onto the B786 (Kilmacolm/Lochwinnoch) road left again after Duchal Mains Farm onto the unmarked road to Quarriers, left again just after the 30 mph sign/Scottish Epilepsy centre, over the Gryffe up and left onto the A761(main BOW/Kilmacolm road) briefly, before turning left again at Knapps Loch to the start.
 
One circuit is bout 7.4K, so two laps would be about 9 & 2/3 miles or so, generally rolling terrain , with a testy wee rise up to the main road after crossing the Gryffe. Others more local will have a sense of the current road conditions, but from memory I think it is pretty fair, other than the B786 section which is fairly worn.
 
Anyway, see what you (and others) think.
 
Looking further ahead, as I mentioned when Ramsay first posted the confined events, my view is that we need to consider an alternative to the Uplawmoor course for the League 25s. I may be wrong, but I cannot think of another club that still uses the course. The last open events I remember on that course were the Couriers about 3-4 years ago, since then they have switched.
 
Iain

8 riders in fine dry conditions this morning. In best lifeboat tradition:
 
Women:
 
1. Karen 37:15
2. Mary 39:08
3. Carol 39:34
 
Form much the same as last week's Restricted Gear event and another fine win for Karen, maintaining her 100% record
 
Men:
 
1. Iain Couttie 27:47
2. Davie B 30:45
3 George 31:54
 
Other times:
Graham 33:02
David 36:23
 
Well done to all, particularly the two clear winners Karen & Iain. Thanks to Alan T and Billy for haudin'up and encouragement! Good to see Davie B out and giving it plenty!
 
£21 receipts to club - Billy ran away with the loot!
 
Iain

8 riders in fine dry conditions this morning. In best lifeboat tradition:
 
Women:
 
1. Karen 37:15
2. Mary 39:08
3. Carol 39:34
 
Form much the same as last week's Restricted Gear event and another fine win for Karen, maintaining her 100% record
 
Men:
 
1. Iain Couttie 27:47
2. Davie B 30:45
3 George 31:54
 
Other times:
Graham 33:02
David 36:23
 
Well done to all, particularly the two clear winners Karen & Iain. Thanks to Alan T and Billy for haudin'up and encouragement! Good to see Davie B out and giving it plenty!
 
£21 receipts to club - Billy ran away with the loot!
 
Iain

Well done to all on a tough morning and exposed course (not a favourite of mine)! Great to see Emma competing on open events.
 
Iain

Pre-contemplative as yet Ian - looking out the window I might be better off with a ski helmet!

Hi Ian
 
If it's the accredited ride sessions it is very much DIY. Numbers vary depending on time/day. Very often a pace line forms around the blue line with riders taking their turn at the front (generally 1 or 2 laps) and saying in as long as they want/can. Depends on riders of similar strength obviously. Sometimes there are groups of friends/clubmates doing Russian Steps. Equally individuals use the pursuit line for interval training then swing up an out the road to recover as any pace line passes by. Often there are sprinters practising too but essentially folk keep out of one another's road.
 
Generally the sessions work well and are very enjoyable. If there is no-one on after your session or the numbers are low, generally no-one chases you off. Great VFM - have fun!
 
Iain

Six of us made the run in the end. Mary, Alan, Chung, Hugh, Ken Mac and myself, Kenny C having indicated yesterday that he wouldn't make it this time.
 
We really got the best of weather and really nice light all the way. The towpath was very quiet early on, a bit busier on the return leg and generally fine for road tyres, with the exception of one muddier section just east of Kirkintilloch. Tho' the wheel cafe was closed, the Scottish Waterways, staff very helpfully let us use the toilets there. Alan, under time constraints turned just short of the Wheel - BTW Alan the "Kelpies" was the word for Scots seahorses/the new sculptures at the Wheel, which we couldn't quite remember!
 
A welcome stop at Greggs in Denny for coffee and food saw us ready for the run back. A couple of punctures and a minor mechanical aside, a great day out - nice to do something a bit different and to cycle outside again!
 
Thanks to all for turning out and the relaxed company - hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!
 
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

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

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

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

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

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

Good stuff folks - see you in the morning!
 
Iain
 
P.s. I am not the guilty party on this occasion Mr McGinty... the joint householder is the happy recipient this time!

Another good run out today in fine company - more good base miles! Six of us left Miller St.; Andrew, Boyd, Bill T, Chung, Jody and me.
 
Out along the Georgetown and round the coast to W Kilbride, where we had a cafe stop, some food and much needed heat up! Jody, without much recent time on the bike, was going well and left us at Inverkip to return via IBM. We were caught and passed by the Renfrew bunch around the Cloch and caught up with them again at the communal comfort break at Largs (JWCC much in evidence). Some of us had benefited from last week's miles, with Bill taking long pulls at the front down the coast and Boyd firing along at an admirably efficient cadence! Back via Dalry, Kilbirnie and the track into a cold easterly headwind. Just over 87 miles for me and a bit more for Chung for sure.
 
Thanks to all for the company and again working well together.
 
My whereabouts next week-end are a bit uncertain but I'll post again midweek - hopefully we can keep a Saturday run going for those it suits.
 
Iain

Looking to do 50-60 miles steady from about 9.30am.
 
Happy to meet at clubhouse if anyone fancies joining up - not fussed about route/happy to make it up on the morning.
 
Iain

Sorry Jan, only getting your message now!
 
Iain, Kay and I met at the clubrooms and we had a great run out Now, let me see, where did we go...?
Clubhouse; track to Glengarnock; Barmill; a circular route to Dunlop; coffee stop at a farm tea room near Stewarton (very nice!); back road to Uplawmoor; Caldwell Braes/High Barr Road( steep!); Peesweep; downhill to Johnstone/Elderslie; home.
 
A cold day but fabulous weather and great views of Arran and Goat Fell (snow covered), Ailsa Craig to the west, Tinto to the south , and Ben Lomond/mountains ranges to the north.