DavieB

Sorry we weren’t there at 9am Davie.
Fiona, Andy, David C, Peter and myself decided on Windlees wind farm today via Stewarton and Fenwick.  Coffee in Newton Mearns and home via Neilston and Uplawmoor.
There have been some requests for a visit to Dunoon and Peter suggested a ride for a couple of weeks time (28th) via Helensburgh, rest and be thankful, strachur and home.  Just short of 100 and only if it’s nice!
Thanks for a good day all. 
 

I should really read these properly....turned up at 0900 hrs and thought there was a no show....still had a good ride all the same and coffee and cake at Dalgarven Mill a great wee spot when the sun is shining.

Shwalbe pro one 

Excellent effort getting back over the Moffat to Selkirk section that is one looooong 30 odd miles and hope your various ailments are ok today.
. In a perverse type of way I quite enjoyed the effort with the worst thing being the constant crap food the quiche at the old school cafe being quite simply one of the worst things I've ever eaten...luckily I had made some pieces up for the night sections so had something decent to eat at Moffat. It got cold at the end. Looking at the times if I had 3 hrs kip I would have been leaving galashiels at 730 so even trying to keep a good pace it would have been late afternoon by the time I would have finished so no go for me and would have been in bits for the rest of the day. To cap it all no steak at the black bull and burger and chips were crap..having had excellent food here before it was something I was looking forward to but at least the wine was red.
Would I audax again ..maybe as a cheap 200 sportive in nice weather. Seem to have some ability to hit a sweet spot I can pretty much maintain as an effort through the day and the fact that I had distance on the computer made it mentally easier than the 400 but fundamentally I don't get it.
 
 
 
 

Excellent effort getting back over the Moffat to Selkirk section that is one looooong 30 odd miles and hope your various ailments are ok today.
. In a perverse type of way I quite enjoyed the effort with the worst thing being the constant crap food the quiche at the old school cafe being quite simply one of the worst things I've ever eaten...luckily I had made some pieces up for the night sections so had something decent to eat at Moffat. It got cold at the end. Looking at the times if I had 3 hrs kip I would have been leaving galashiels at 730 so even trying to keep a good pace it would have been late afternoon by the time I would have finished so no go for me and would have been in bits for the rest of the day. To cap it all no steak at the black bull and burger and chips were crap..having had excellent food here before it was something I was looking forward to but at least the wine was red.
Would I audax again ..maybe as a cheap 200 sportive in nice weather. Seem to have some ability to hit a sweet spot I can pretty much maintain as an effort through the day and the fact that I had distance on the computer made it mentally easier than the 400 but fundamentally I don't get it.
 
 
 
 

Excellent effort getting back over the Moffat to Selkirk section that is one looooong 30 odd miles and hope your various ailments are ok today.
. In a perverse type of way I quite enjoyed the effort with the worst thing being the constant crap food the quiche at the old school cafe being quite simply one of the worst things I've ever eaten...luckily I had made some pieces up for the night sections so had something decent to eat at Moffat. It got cold at the end. Looking at the times if I had 3 hrs kip I would have been leaving galashiels at 730 so even trying to keep a good pace it would have been late afternoon by the time I would have finished so no go for me and would have been in bits for the rest of the day. To cap it all no steak at the black bull and burger and chips were crap..having had excellent food here before it was something I was looking forward to but at least the wine was red.
Would I audax again ..maybe as a cheap 200 sportive in nice weather. Seem to have some ability to hit a sweet spot I can pretty much maintain as an effort through the day and the fact that I had distance on the computer made it mentally easier than the 400 but fundamentally I don't get it.
 
 
 
 

Excellent effort getting back over the Moffat to Selkirk section that is one looooong 30 odd miles and hope your various ailments are ok today.
. In a perverse type of way I quite enjoyed the effort with the worst thing being the constant crap food the quiche at the old school cafe being quite simply one of the worst things I've ever eaten...luckily I had made some pieces up for the night sections so had something decent to eat at Moffat. It got cold at the end. Looking at the times if I had 3 hrs kip I would have been leaving galashiels at 730 so even trying to keep a good pace it would have been late afternoon by the time I would have finished so no go for me and would have been in bits for the rest of the day. To cap it all no steak at the black bull and burger and chips were crap..having had excellent food here before it was something I was looking forward to but at least the wine was red.
Would I audax again ..maybe as a cheap 200 sportive in nice weather. Seem to have some ability to hit a sweet spot I can pretty much maintain as an effort through the day and the fact that I had distance on the computer made it mentally easier than the 400 but fundamentally I don't get it.
 
 
 
 

Excellent effort getting back over the Moffat to Selkirk section that is one looooong 30 odd miles and hope your various ailments are ok today.
. In a perverse type of way I quite enjoyed the effort with the worst thing being the constant crap food the quiche at the old school cafe being quite simply one of the worst things I've ever eaten...luckily I had made some pieces up for the night sections so had something decent to eat at Moffat. It got cold at the end. Looking at the times if I had 3 hrs kip I would have been leaving galashiels at 730 so even trying to keep a good pace it would have been late afternoon by the time I would have finished so no go for me and would have been in bits for the rest of the day. To cap it all no steak at the black bull and burger and chips were crap..having had excellent food here before it was something I was looking forward to but at least the wine was red.
Would I audax again ..maybe as a cheap 200 sportive in nice weather. Seem to have some ability to hit a sweet spot I can pretty much maintain as an effort through the day and the fact that I had distance on the computer made it mentally easier than the 400 but fundamentally I don't get it.
 
 
 
 

Excellent effort getting back over the Moffat to Selkirk section that is one looooong 30 odd miles and hope your various ailments are ok today.
. In a perverse type of way I quite enjoyed the effort with the worst thing being the constant crap food the quiche at the old school cafe being quite simply one of the worst things I've ever eaten...luckily I had made some pieces up for the night sections so had something decent to eat at Moffat. It got cold at the end. Looking at the times if I had 3 hrs kip I would have been leaving galashiels at 730 so even trying to keep a good pace it would have been late afternoon by the time I would have finished so no go for me and would have been in bits for the rest of the day. To cap it all no steak at the black bull and burger and chips were crap..having had excellent food here before it was something I was looking forward to but at least the wine was red.
Would I audax again ..maybe as a cheap 200 sportive in nice weather. Seem to have some ability to hit a sweet spot I can pretty much maintain as an effort through the day and the fact that I had distance on the computer made it mentally easier than the 400 but fundamentally I don't get it.
 
 
 
 

Excellent effort getting back over the Moffat to Selkirk section that is one looooong 30 odd miles and hope your various ailments are ok today.
. In a perverse type of way I quite enjoyed the effort with the worst thing being the constant crap food the quiche at the old school cafe being quite simply one of the worst things I've ever eaten...luckily I had made some pieces up for the night sections so had something decent to eat at Moffat. It got cold at the end. Looking at the times if I had 3 hrs kip I would have been leaving galashiels at 730 so even trying to keep a good pace it would have been late afternoon by the time I would have finished so no go for me and would have been in bits for the rest of the day. To cap it all no steak at the black bull and burger and chips were crap..having had excellent food here before it was something I was looking forward to but at least the wine was red.
Would I audax again ..maybe as a cheap 200 sportive in nice weather. Seem to have some ability to hit a sweet spot I can pretty much maintain as an effort through the day and the fact that I had distance on the computer made it mentally easier than the 400 but fundamentally I don't get it.
 
 
 
 

Hi all ....my expectation was to go round Arran in balmy high teens and stay dry...looking at forecast this is not going to happen....so I will be staying on the mainland this weekend. I should really do some audax prep anyhows...
If you do go over ...have a great ride...
Cheers,
Davie
 
 

Davie,
Would be up for a short tour with minimal bike packing and not that keen on camping, the less you take luggage wise the more you will enjoy riding the bike.
With regards to future foreign trip ...given my experience of a couple of days in Netherlands it's a great way to spend time on the bike. I would happily do another trip either in the Netherlands - the bike lanes are better than you could ever imagine - or further afield. Goggle maps if set for bike lanes / bike routes proved pretty much idiot proof for my short trip.,
 
 

Apologies to road captain Elaine but I think intermediates is the right place to put this.
Ages since I took a bike round Arran and the last time was part of a beat the ferries challenge. It's very weather dependant i.e. it can be cancelled if weather forecast is bad and an alternate run arranged but is anybody interested in a sociable run round the island (or figure of 8)?
As far as I'm concerned if we miss a ferry it is only a good thing because I would intend to retire to the nearest pub to wait for the next one. Obviously have nominated Saturday as there is more frequent ferries but if it suits the majority or the weather forecast is more favourable I would be able to do Sunday also.
Post up if interested. 
 

You were not the only ones who went into the wrong service station, me and Duncan wet into one after which he confidently declared we only had 80kms to go and 20k to Moffat after riding hard for 40 odd minutes we still had no sight of signs for Moffat and see just about to turn back when John arrived with old skool technology (a map) and told us we had not even made it to Johnstone bridge yet.
Last 65kms I hated, don't know if this is a function of not having distance or time on my computer as it seemed that no matter how hard I pushed Selkirk would never appear. Physically ok for me but don't know if I want to do it enough to actually get enjoyment out of the challenge. Weather was actually ok and rode in shorts throughout.
You pair deserve a lot of credit for finishing I could not have spent that much time suffering on the bike, I would have chucked I.  and your right if you just look at maintaining  a low average speed it might look physically achievable with little prep neede but there is more to it than that. 

You were not the only ones who went into the wrong service station, me and Duncan wet into one after which he confidently declared we only had 80kms to go and 20k to Moffat after riding hard for 40 odd minutes we still had no sight of signs for Moffat and see just about to turn back when John arrived with old skool technology (a map) and told us we had not even made it to Johnstone bridge yet.
Last 65kms I hated, don't know if this is a function of not having distance or time on my computer as it seemed that no matter how hard I pushed Selkirk would never appear. Physically ok for me but don't know if I want to do it enough to actually get enjoyment out of the challenge. Weather was actually ok and rode in shorts throughout.
You pair deserve a lot of credit for finishing I could not have spent that much time suffering on the bike, I would have chucked I.  and your right if you just look at maintaining  a low average speed it might look physically achievable with little prep neede but there is more to it than that. 

You were not the only ones who went into the wrong service station, me and Duncan wet into one after which he confidently declared we only had 80kms to go and 20k to Moffat after riding hard for 40 odd minutes we still had no sight of signs for Moffat and see just about to turn back when John arrived with old skool technology (a map) and told us we had not even made it to Johnstone bridge yet.
Last 65kms I hated, don't know if this is a function of not having distance or time on my computer as it seemed that no matter how hard I pushed Selkirk would never appear. Physically ok for me but don't know if I want to do it enough to actually get enjoyment out of the challenge. Weather was actually ok and rode in shorts throughout.
You pair deserve a lot of credit for finishing I could not have spent that much time suffering on the bike, I would have chucked I.  and your right if you just look at maintaining  a low average speed it might look physically achievable with little prep neede but there is more to it than that. 

You were not the only ones who went into the wrong service station, me and Duncan wet into one after which he confidently declared we only had 80kms to go and 20k to Moffat after riding hard for 40 odd minutes we still had no sight of signs for Moffat and see just about to turn back when John arrived with old skool technology (a map) and told us we had not even made it to Johnstone bridge yet.
Last 65kms I hated, don't know if this is a function of not having distance or time on my computer as it seemed that no matter how hard I pushed Selkirk would never appear. Physically ok for me but don't know if I want to do it enough to actually get enjoyment out of the challenge. Weather was actually ok and rode in shorts throughout.
You pair deserve a lot of credit for finishing I could not have spent that much time suffering on the bike, I would have chucked I.  and your right if you just look at maintaining  a low average speed it might look physically achievable with little prep neede but there is more to it than that. 

You were not the only ones who went into the wrong service station, me and Duncan wet into one after which he confidently declared we only had 80kms to go and 20k to Moffat after riding hard for 40 odd minutes we still had no sight of signs for Moffat and see just about to turn back when John arrived with old skool technology (a map) and told us we had not even made it to Johnstone bridge yet.
Last 65kms I hated, don't know if this is a function of not having distance or time on my computer as it seemed that no matter how hard I pushed Selkirk would never appear. Physically ok for me but don't know if I want to do it enough to actually get enjoyment out of the challenge. Weather was actually ok and rode in shorts throughout.
You pair deserve a lot of credit for finishing I could not have spent that much time suffering on the bike, I would have chucked I.  and your right if you just look at maintaining  a low average speed it might look physically achievable with little prep neede but there is more to it than that. 

You were not the only ones who went into the wrong service station, me and Duncan wet into one after which he confidently declared we only had 80kms to go and 20k to Moffat after riding hard for 40 odd minutes we still had no sight of signs for Moffat and see just about to turn back when John arrived with old skool technology (a map) and told us we had not even made it to Johnstone bridge yet.
Last 65kms I hated, don't know if this is a function of not having distance or time on my computer as it seemed that no matter how hard I pushed Selkirk would never appear. Physically ok for me but don't know if I want to do it enough to actually get enjoyment out of the challenge. Weather was actually ok and rode in shorts throughout.
You pair deserve a lot of credit for finishing I could not have spent that much time suffering on the bike, I would have chucked I.  and your right if you just look at maintaining  a low average speed it might look physically achievable with little prep neede but there is more to it than that. 

Hopefully ..just need to shake off post holiday cold. Looks decent weather.

I'll have enough of a problem going forwards, thanks.

Hi Elaine, I am going on the Wednesday ferry and riding down to Gulpen over the Thursday and Friday, would imagine I will hit Gulpen late afternoon and hopefully get Air BnB sorted out without any hassles.
 
 
 

Buy decent tools ..something like Bahco  Allen keys and Torx heads.  Do not buy a set of torx keys, buy the one or two sizes you need in the form of torx screwdrivers they ensure you apply a direct torque force to prevent rounding off the bolt. Cheap tools are false economy. 
Remove all dome headed allen bolts and consign them to the bin, replace with decent bolts, they are far less likely to end up stuck in your £1000 frame.

Buy decent tools ..something like Bahco  Allen keys and Torx heads.  Do not buy a set of torx keys, buy the one or two sizes you need in the form of torx screwdrivers they ensure you apply a direct torque force to prevent rounding off the bolt. Cheap tools are false economy. 
Remove all dome headed allen bolts and consign them to the bin, replace with decent bolts, they are far less likely to end up stuck in your £1000 frame.

Buy decent tools ..something like Bahco  Allen keys and Torx heads.  Do not buy a set of torx keys, buy the one or two sizes you need in the form of torx screwdrivers they ensure you apply a direct torque force to prevent rounding off the bolt. Cheap tools are false economy. 
Remove all dome headed allen bolts and consign them to the bin, replace with decent bolts, they are far less likely to end up stuck in your £1000 frame.