charlie p

Glad I made the effort despite getting up late for the clubroom, so ambushed the Bunch in Stewarton!
Thanks Davie for the mystery tour route & the gang for letting me hide in the back 🙂
Not been to Largs for a wee while, so that was really nice!
Cheers

Cracking ride today with Davy Al yuille andChung. Weather was perfect. Warm and dry which was a very pleasant surprise as bbc weather was for heavy rain but they worse than hopeless

Good luck George. By chance I had a good crop of hay this year, way more than I need. If you are still insisting on eating like a horse let me know. See you out sometime, if not see you in Spain.

I’m sure hallucinations aren’t part of my condition?

Yip annual event for team still game. See u there

Well said. Still going to give u a kicking though!!

Hi people,
the title of my post might have set alarm bells ringing. Sorry for that.
So.... I’ve not been well for the past 3-4 years. Up & down. Making bad choices then punishing myself for it. Caught in a loop. Eventually went to get help.
Basically l, I had a really bad experience when I was young that I hidaway from.Denied it happened. Beat myself up for it. 
Eventually, I sought help. I was referred to a councillor and a CBT therapist. I won’t lie, having to discuss my issues and experiences was brutal. 
Why am I telling you this? Because if I hadn’t I probably wouldn’t be here.
Things got so bad that, what I thought was my salvation, “cycling” became toxic. Watching my weight, training, trying to keep up &, as life unravelled, being dropped was very crushing. I saw cycling as being my validation but it became a pressure & a stressor.
Thanks to mental health professionals & some very good friends in the club who have given me council, I’m on the mend. Thanks, guys.
I’m still cycling but for now I’m just going out when I feel like it. I’m also eating like a horse with no qualms or worries about “racing weight” I never raced much anyway!
Why am I posting this? We live in a society that is so driven by aspiration and the need to “get on” and compete. I’ve come to the conclusion that after my experiences I’m just lucky to be here. I’m quite proud to be alive.
So my message is- if you are struggling, don’t be ashamed to seek help and if you think a friend is struggling don’t shy away from asking if they are ok.
you just might savesomeone’s life. 
If you are struggling and looking for help, message me. I might not have the answers but I can signpost you to people who can help you.
It’s ok not to be ok!

Phew! Main bunch for me then

Meet on bridge normally or on pavement below if u wish

Now now Linda men also sew. A few years ago a few of us started a midweek bunch via Stewarton. It involved hills so gave the lighter riders the chance to show off their cycling prowess. As for the rest of us it was and is a lung buster. Mark Oneill christened the route “The Sewing bee “ so I will let him tell us why but I think it was an antidote to my suggestions for naming the route which were not so sedate

Erskine fine but should not be attacked full gas. On Tuesday I was already shredded by the time we got to Bishy hill. I had to bail at Quarriers to go home for a nice lie down much to Paul's amusement. The wee drags up from Red Smiddy and again from the Bridge Hotel could cause big splits. Suggest sensible pace early in the ride.

Being the only one of my friends off on Glasgow fair, and with some family going to Islay for the week, I decided to cycle over Arran on Sunday and stay a night, then ferry hop home today via Dunoon.
A glorious cycle over yeaterday, sun splitting the sky.
Today I went to the Port Ellen ferry terminal at 12.15 for the 12.45 boat. At 12.35 with no boat arriving and a very quiet port, something wasn’t right, in to the ferry office and the 12.45 is cancelled. Panic on.
No option but to ride 20 miles to Port Askaig for the 3.30 ferry, giving no chance of making the other ferries to get home and then having to cycle the long way round from Kennacraig until i could get mum to drive and meet me somwhere.
The upside is that in the panic of trying to get to the other ferry, I got a few top 10s🏆
Luckily ive found someone from Balloch who can take me part of the way.
Check the Calmac site folks!
Arse.

Great pick Chung. Smashing route. Away this weekend unfortunately so no for me. 

chapeau Cedric vous etes l’homme

I agree Jan, option 2. Charlie will be especially delighted as it removes the dreaded Bishopton drag
 

I’m sure that’s Mr McCusker. All the style and panache of a jobby that’s been rolled in dog fur and set on fire.

Well done Galeb great solo effort

Weather a bit drier in Troon on Sunday so how about a gallop over the hills via kilmaurs to blueberry cafe then return via kilwinning
9.30 am DEPART

Well done Galeb brilliant effort

Club rooms for me & remember we getting Andy @ Morrisons 

Club rooms for me & remember we getting Andy @ Morrisons 

full run for me then. are we doing the military road and hells glen?

Glen & Iain we will easily be back for two. We just tuck in behind the Galeb express

Don't think it will be an Express after tomorrow's effort at Arran! 

Glen & Iain we will easily be back for two. We just tuck in behind the Galeb express