williecosh

Chucked out the Strachur tearoom for criticising the service and refusing to pay 'corkage' on a pint of milk, by Sybil Fawlty! I take it that's the Hammock award in the bag then?

Sorry about the late posting guys, but I was out with the family tonight. We have ten places on the bus and my car for riders and bikes. This should be plenty. Remember we need to leave at 9am sharp and we're picking Lewis Mulholland up at Bridge of Weir at 9.10! Looks as if its going to be a good day. W

Hi Lindsey, I think that means: Mary, Josh, Iain & Claire, Stevie, Johnny and me from the clubhouse. And, I think: Lindsey and Davy P at the ferry. Keep those entries coming!

Ok team, pay attention! Who would like a lift to the ferry from the clubhouse, leaving at 9am sharp? I think the list so far is: Mary, Josh, Iain & Claire, Stevie, Johnny and me. Who would like to meet us at the ferry (10 am) for the Strachur and back run (36 miles approx)? I'll compile the final list (sort of) tomorrow evening. Cheers, W.

Hi Ian, Thanks for letting the guys in tonight. I know you were feeling rough. I'll get the keys back to you on Tuesday. W

Unlucky Brian. Get well soon and get to the turbo session next week if you feel up to it. We missed you this week, big man. This is the perfect run for returners and beginners to bunch riding. Kenny Mac, James, Johnny, Greg, Iain Cowden, Charlie, Bill and Kenny Christie took me on this one last January, for my first bunch run in 30 years - if I can do it, anyone can! I think everybody loves the run down Loch Eck, so get along. The fact that the bunches should converge at Strachur is a bonus too. Young Josh is joining the 30 milers and it is Johnny's intention to bring the school minibus down to the clubhouse; it can take 7 riders and their bikes. I will do a final check on numbers on Friday night/Saturday night. Kenny and James will need to make a last minute decision whether they're going or not, by necessity, so we hope they can make it. I'll take my car too if needed; another three riders and their bikes.

Sounds great!

The '30 milers' are going to Argyll on Sunday; probably Strachur and back (about 36 easy miles; nae hills). The game plan is to meet at McInroy Point, Gourock for 10 am. So far the cast is: Jonathan, Mary, Iain MacAuley, Stevie, Kenny Mac and James (both possibles) et moi. You newbies who are looking to do your first run are more than welcome, that's what this group is for, and anybody else. We hope we can get about 12 riders in this bunch, at least. Johnny and I are going to try and arrange transport for riders and bikes from the clubhouse to the ferry (and back) for those who need it, so let me know in plenty of time if you're going from Johnstone with us, or meeting us at the ferry. We would need to leave at 9 am from the club in the vehicles. We think we can arrange transport for 12 riders, so first come first served.

Johnny and I will be there at 9.15 and join in one of the groups. Willie

If the clubrooms are still out of commission next week and beyond, any turbo protagonists can join Johnny and me at the MPS Construction centre in Floors Street, Johnstone on Tuesday and Thursday nights, usual time. We have heating, flushing toilets and other posh stuff like that! We have some storage space for turbos and bikes, if you need/want to leave them. If you need further info, give me a phone or text on 07772226530. W

Kenny/Ian, Firstly, I can't make Saturday, but I can make a start on Friday night if you tell me what the plan is. Do we need any tools for the work; generator, lights etc? Let me know and I'll get them there before Saturday. Do you need a skip? If so, give me a phone asap. Secondly, we have some (limited) storage space in our new Paisley building for important stuff and I can store the club bikes at the shop, if necessary. Lastly, if you need somewhere more inviting for the meeting on Thursday night, you can use a room at the MPS Construction centre. I won't be there, but I can arrange for it to be available. Let me know asap. I am travelling down south tomorrow, so please phone rather than email. W

What about a message of sympathy from the club to the Italian consulate or embassy?

Guys, I should have also said that I concur with Jonathan Mitchell's view that JWCC could run riot at these championships and the WOSCAs next year - if we prepare! The City of Edinburgh are presently in a class of their own, especially in the sprints, but I saw with my own eyes four or five wheelers who could form a brilliant pursuit team, when we all went through for the accreditation. Add Ramsay and others to the mix and we have two teams! The two Jonathans will be at Meadowbank at 8.30am tomorrow morning to begin the sprint team's preparations! If anyone wants to come in future, let me know. Remember in two or so years, the velodrome will be on our doorstep and we'll see how commited the east coast riders are then. W

Well done Jonathan, you were brilliant last week. It was remiss of me to forget to post this earlier, but you did the Johnstone Wheelers proud. Willie.

Does anyone have a good and modern rear carbon track disc (tubular) they want to sell? Johnny needs one urgently for the Britsh track championships in Manchester. A Corima would be perfect as we sourced a four spoke Corima front. W

Hi guys, I'll try and be there, but I might be struggling to make it, so don't wait for me. W

What time? Where from? W

This frame came from a donor bike I bought. It is free to a good home for any club member who fancies it. You will need to be 6' + however! This frame will make a brilliant commuter or winter bike and is worth re-enamelling or powder coating. It had Shimano 105 and Tiagra on it when I bought it, so it can take modern componentry. It is 100% steel with great Campag forks and is probably about mid-90s vintage. Get in touch if you fancy it. I'll keep it for a month then ebay it if nobody wants it. W

Hi Billy, I looked up Bianchi Gold Race. Two models came up: the 100 series and the 300 series. The 100 headset is made by YST available in satin black from www.bonthronebikes.co.uk for £15.75. The 300 headset is made by Miche (Monolithic model). Unfortunately, I couldn't find one. I hope this helps. Willie

Hi Martin, I've downloaded the exploded view diagrams from the Campag site. The Chorus and Athena are almost identical (two very small differences). I have printed out the two technical drawings, so I'll put them with the brake parts. W.

Hi Martin, It's a rear caliper, in bits. I think the Chorus and Athena brakes used identical castings. It's yours! W

Spare parts for a Campag Athena brake (circa mid to late 90's) - free to good home. About 90% of the bits available.

Johnny's Cervelo P3C frame is up for sale. Despite it's very positive world-wide reputation, it just didn't suit Jonathan (we think it is too small for him at 54cm). It is in great condition apart from a few battle scars on the front fork ends and rear drop-outs. These will be refurbished before it is sold. It has the headset bearings installed and this frame has it's own unique seatpost, as you probably know. All the componentry (a Dura Ace 7800 full groupset) was transferred to a bigger Bianchi Crono Carbon D2 by me personally and there were no quirky problems that I could discern. A rebuild would be a doddle. Anyone interested is obviously welcome to come over to the house to see it, but do your research as to what a frame like this is worth, before we negotiate. We would be really happy if a fabulous bike like this stayed within our cycling community. I will be putting it on ebay in a fortnight, but local guys get first opportunity and any sensible offer will be seriously considered. Willie

Go easy on him Chung, he's still concussed!

Johnny and I had a brilliant day and not just because of the results and the weather! Jim and Martin were great company and we had some good laughs, impressive wins and glorious losses - the works! The event organisation was great, bar a couple of minor communication problems. The officials were really excellent. The wee Jets continue to represent Johnstone admirably and it is obvious their day will come. The young Dooley's riders were/are talented and formidable, but not unbeatable! Next time there is an event like this we should get organised, take a big team and really go for it. Jim, Johnny, Martin and I learned a lot, but mainly that the other teams have a plan A, with plans B & C as contingencies (great tactics, in other words). With only two riders, we had very limited options, but the guys were very close to pulling off three golds - seriously! Jim was especially unlucky; with a bigger team and more technical help, we could have had different bikes set up with more gear options for him. In my opinion, that was all that stopped him cleaning up. Because he had a go at just about everything, it was difficult for us to change chainrings, sprockets and bars quickly enough between events. We did have a major technical triumph when we changed a wheel super-quick when a tyre exploded, due to the heat, just before the pursuit. Johnny used the pursuit to calm his nerves and try out a new wheel configuration. We noticed that one of the most impressive Dooley's guys was using a Zipp 404 type front wheel and a large flange Campag-type rear. We tried that during the pursuit and Johnny said it felt good, although he struggled in the event itself. His rear wheel spokes were also tied & soldered for stiffness. We also geared him up to about 97" (48x13) for the sprint and it worked a treat. We should organise a few velodrome training days for interested, but perhaps apprehensive, members who could expand the team. Wouldn't a couple of club velodrome training weekends in Manchester or Newport be brilliant, during the winter? W