al yuille

If only Chung was there to bail you out ........ oh !

Chung the insatiable  pave rider ! Who would have thought it back in 2014.

Chung the insatiable  pave rider ! Who would have thought it back in 2014.

Chung the insatiable  pave rider ! Who would have thought it back in 2014.

Can’t be worse than the Commonwealth RR

Made it round Darryl. Bit of a wait at Portavadie as we just missed the ferry due to riding too slowly after we met you lot! Nice 2 up along loch Fyne to Ardrishaig ( 20th overall I think ) where we turned along the Crinan canal path. Avoided most of the main Oban rd before turning off for Ford and the east side of Loch Awe. Beautiful riding through the trees with some great views of Ben  Cruachan before heading back up and over to Inveraray. As time was pushing on we decided to ride back on the main road instead of heading down by Strachur and  loch Eck  for the ferry. Unfortunately this meant back over the Rest ! Another tough 20 odd mile 2 up got us to Arrochar with Richard pulling well up the “false flat”  with great views of Ben Ime ( apparently).  As we were now pretty tired we decided to ride down Lomond side on the track/ old road which was as a relief as we had to slow down !  I needed a bit of a break at Balloch and persuaded Richard to go to MacDonalds where  I wolfed down a meal deal before polishing off most of Richards cos he is an athlete and struggled to get his down. On through Bonhill , the track and Dumbarton rd for home. I had no Garmin with me and my phone went flat somewhere outside Inveraray. Richard had 203 miles when we went our seperate ways. I would however point out that I rode over and back from Shawlands as well ( sorry Rich ). Left the house at 0530, back at 2215 - I reckon over 330km for me - new PR ( but if it’s not on Strava!)  Great day out and thanks  to Richard who rode very strongly all day ( I thought he was a trackie )
 

Made it round Darryl. Bit of a wait at Portavadie as we just missed the ferry due to riding too slowly after we met you lot! Nice 2 up along loch Fyne to Ardrishaig ( 20th overall I think ) where we turned along the Crinan canal path. Avoided most of the main Oban rd before turning off for Ford and the east side of Loch Awe. Beautiful riding through the trees with some great views of Ben  Cruachan before heading back up and over to Inveraray. As time was pushing on we decided to ride back on the main road instead of heading down by Strachur and  loch Eck  for the ferry. Unfortunately this meant back over the Rest ! Another tough 20 odd mile 2 up got us to Arrochar with Richard pulling well up the “false flat”  with great views of Ben Ime ( apparently).  As we were now pretty tired we decided to ride down Lomond side on the track/ old road which was as a relief as we had to slow down !  I needed a bit of a break at Balloch and persuaded Richard to go to MacDonalds where  I wolfed down a meal deal before polishing off most of Richards cos he is an athlete and struggled to get his down. On through Bonhill , the track and Dumbarton rd for home. I had no Garmin with me and my phone went flat somewhere outside Inveraray. Richard had 203 miles when we went our seperate ways. I would however point out that I rode over and back from Shawlands as well ( sorry Rich ). Left the house at 0530, back at 2215 - I reckon over 330km for me - new PR ( but if it’s not on Strava!)  Great day out and thanks  to Richard who rode very strongly all day ( I thought he was a trackie )
 

Made it round Darryl. Bit of a wait at Portavadie as we just missed the ferry due to riding too slowly after we met you lot! Nice 2 up along loch Fyne to Ardrishaig ( 20th overall I think ) where we turned along the Crinan canal path. Avoided most of the main Oban rd before turning off for Ford and the east side of Loch Awe. Beautiful riding through the trees with some great views of Ben  Cruachan before heading back up and over to Inveraray. As time was pushing on we decided to ride back on the main road instead of heading down by Strachur and  loch Eck  for the ferry. Unfortunately this meant back over the Rest ! Another tough 20 odd mile 2 up got us to Arrochar with Richard pulling well up the “false flat”  with great views of Ben Ime ( apparently).  As we were now pretty tired we decided to ride down Lomond side on the track/ old road which was as a relief as we had to slow down !  I needed a bit of a break at Balloch and persuaded Richard to go to MacDonalds where  I wolfed down a meal deal before polishing off most of Richards cos he is an athlete and struggled to get his down. On through Bonhill , the track and Dumbarton rd for home. I had no Garmin with me and my phone went flat somewhere outside Inveraray. Richard had 203 miles when we went our seperate ways. I would however point out that I rode over and back from Shawlands as well ( sorry Rich ). Left the house at 0530, back at 2215 - I reckon over 330km for me - new PR ( but if it’s not on Strava!)  Great day out and thanks  to Richard who rode very strongly all day ( I thought he was a trackie )
 

Made it round Darryl. Bit of a wait at Portavadie as we just missed the ferry due to riding too slowly after we met you lot! Nice 2 up along loch Fyne to Ardrishaig ( 20th overall I think ) where we turned along the Crinan canal path. Avoided most of the main Oban rd before turning off for Ford and the east side of Loch Awe. Beautiful riding through the trees with some great views of Ben  Cruachan before heading back up and over to Inveraray. As time was pushing on we decided to ride back on the main road instead of heading down by Strachur and  loch Eck  for the ferry. Unfortunately this meant back over the Rest ! Another tough 20 odd mile 2 up got us to Arrochar with Richard pulling well up the “false flat”  with great views of Ben Ime ( apparently).  As we were now pretty tired we decided to ride down Lomond side on the track/ old road which was as a relief as we had to slow down !  I needed a bit of a break at Balloch and persuaded Richard to go to MacDonalds where  I wolfed down a meal deal before polishing off most of Richards cos he is an athlete and struggled to get his down. On through Bonhill , the track and Dumbarton rd for home. I had no Garmin with me and my phone went flat somewhere outside Inveraray. Richard had 203 miles when we went our seperate ways. I would however point out that I rode over and back from Shawlands as well ( sorry Rich ). Left the house at 0530, back at 2215 - I reckon over 330km for me - new PR ( but if it’s not on Strava!)  Great day out and thanks  to Richard who rode very strongly all day ( I thought he was a trackie )
 

Starting a trend Chung! Great day out on the bike 
 

Darryl & Paul, this one is homage to you two :-)
 

Made it round Darryl. Bit of a wait at Portavadie as we just missed the ferry due to riding too slowly after we met you lot! Nice 2 up along loch Fyne to Ardrishaig ( 20th overall I think ) where we turned along the Crinan canal path. Avoided most of the main Oban rd before turning off for Ford and the east side of Loch Awe. Beautiful riding through the trees with some great views of Ben  Cruachan before heading back up and over to Inveraray. As time was pushing on we decided to ride back on the main road instead of heading down by Strachur and  loch Eck  for the ferry. Unfortunately this meant back over the Rest ! Another tough 20 odd mile 2 up got us to Arrochar with Richard pulling well up the “false flat”  with great views of Ben Ime ( apparently).  As we were now pretty tired we decided to ride down Lomond side on the track/ old road which was as a relief as we had to slow down !  I needed a bit of a break at Balloch and persuaded Richard to go to MacDonalds where  I wolfed down a meal deal before polishing off most of Richards cos he is an athlete and struggled to get his down. On through Bonhill , the track and Dumbarton rd for home. I had no Garmin with me and my phone went flat somewhere outside Inveraray. Richard had 203 miles when we went our seperate ways. I would however point out that I rode over and back from Shawlands as well ( sorry Rich ). Left the house at 0530, back at 2215 - I reckon over 330km for me - new PR ( but if it’s not on Strava!)  Great day out and thanks  to Richard who rode very strongly all day ( I thought he was a trackie )
 

Made it round Darryl. Bit of a wait at Portavadie as we just missed the ferry due to riding too slowly after we met you lot! Nice 2 up along loch Fyne to Ardrishaig ( 20th overall I think ) where we turned along the Crinan canal path. Avoided most of the main Oban rd before turning off for Ford and the east side of Loch Awe. Beautiful riding through the trees with some great views of Ben  Cruachan before heading back up and over to Inveraray. As time was pushing on we decided to ride back on the main road instead of heading down by Strachur and  loch Eck  for the ferry. Unfortunately this meant back over the Rest ! Another tough 20 odd mile 2 up got us to Arrochar with Richard pulling well up the “false flat”  with great views of Ben Ime ( apparently).  As we were now pretty tired we decided to ride down Lomond side on the track/ old road which was as a relief as we had to slow down !  I needed a bit of a break at Balloch and persuaded Richard to go to MacDonalds where  I wolfed down a meal deal before polishing off most of Richards cos he is an athlete and struggled to get his down. On through Bonhill , the track and Dumbarton rd for home. I had no Garmin with me and my phone went flat somewhere outside Inveraray. Richard had 203 miles when we went our seperate ways. I would however point out that I rode over and back from Shawlands as well ( sorry Rich ). Left the house at 0530, back at 2215 - I reckon over 330km for me - new PR ( but if it’s not on Strava!)  Great day out and thanks  to Richard who rode very strongly all day ( I thought he was a trackie )
 

Made it round Darryl. Bit of a wait at Portavadie as we just missed the ferry due to riding too slowly after we met you lot! Nice 2 up along loch Fyne to Ardrishaig ( 20th overall I think ) where we turned along the Crinan canal path. Avoided most of the main Oban rd before turning off for Ford and the east side of Loch Awe. Beautiful riding through the trees with some great views of Ben  Cruachan before heading back up and over to Inveraray. As time was pushing on we decided to ride back on the main road instead of heading down by Strachur and  loch Eck  for the ferry. Unfortunately this meant back over the Rest ! Another tough 20 odd mile 2 up got us to Arrochar with Richard pulling well up the “false flat”  with great views of Ben Ime ( apparently).  As we were now pretty tired we decided to ride down Lomond side on the track/ old road which was as a relief as we had to slow down !  I needed a bit of a break at Balloch and persuaded Richard to go to MacDonalds where  I wolfed down a meal deal before polishing off most of Richards cos he is an athlete and struggled to get his down. On through Bonhill , the track and Dumbarton rd for home. I had no Garmin with me and my phone went flat somewhere outside Inveraray. Richard had 203 miles when we went our seperate ways. I would however point out that I rode over and back from Shawlands as well ( sorry Rich ). Left the house at 0530, back at 2215 - I reckon over 330km for me - new PR ( but if it’s not on Strava!)  Great day out and thanks  to Richard who rode very strongly all day ( I thought he was a trackie )
 

Made it round Darryl. Bit of a wait at Portavadie as we just missed the ferry due to riding too slowly after we met you lot! Nice 2 up along loch Fyne to Ardrishaig ( 20th overall I think ) where we turned along the Crinan canal path. Avoided most of the main Oban rd before turning off for Ford and the east side of Loch Awe. Beautiful riding through the trees with some great views of Ben  Cruachan before heading back up and over to Inveraray. As time was pushing on we decided to ride back on the main road instead of heading down by Strachur and  loch Eck  for the ferry. Unfortunately this meant back over the Rest ! Another tough 20 odd mile 2 up got us to Arrochar with Richard pulling well up the “false flat”  with great views of Ben Ime ( apparently).  As we were now pretty tired we decided to ride down Lomond side on the track/ old road which was as a relief as we had to slow down !  I needed a bit of a break at Balloch and persuaded Richard to go to MacDonalds where  I wolfed down a meal deal before polishing off most of Richards cos he is an athlete and struggled to get his down. On through Bonhill , the track and Dumbarton rd for home. I had no Garmin with me and my phone went flat somewhere outside Inveraray. Richard had 203 miles when we went our seperate ways. I would however point out that I rode over and back from Shawlands as well ( sorry Rich ). Left the house at 0530, back at 2215 - I reckon over 330km for me - new PR ( but if it’s not on Strava!)  Great day out and thanks  to Richard who rode very strongly all day ( I thought he was a trackie )
 

Well done.
A good time by McTavish too.
In other news, Billy would like to share his latest self inflicted disaster with you all.
Over to our disaster correspondent, Billy....

Firstly I would like to congratulate Iain McTavish for making the chain gang such a popular event. The introduction of points has made it even more fun. 
We just need to remind ourselves that fast bunch riding can be dangerous. We now have quite a few new members who bring fantastic fitness & enthusiasm to the bunch but have not had a lot of experience of racing or big bunch riding. We also have members who perhaps need a wee refresher. I suggest that the likes of Paul McDonald jann Darryl remind us all at the start of what is expected. A bit like the chat u get from a Commissaire before a race.
I like the present format as i am riding my bike with friends. I like it when Paul Leavy shouts at me to get over Bishie hill. Ilike the fact the bunch waits for us at top of Clune. I like it that Paul McDonald went back to check we were all there( sorry Alan T u were just a bit late last thurs) I like the buzz of hanging on to end. I like it when new members tell me how much they enjoyed The Chain Gang and I like to hear Stevie say he has gone from being dropped last season to being a racer this season. We actually may have something that provides fun and is a stepping stone for those who aspire to race.
I did not see the manoeuvre that put Stevie in danger but whoever it was needs to be told. When I was out with Renfrew bunch it was common to hear experienced riders give an earful to any one who rode erratically.
 
 
 
 

Race report on this event, seeing as I'm still a paid up member and race in club colours.
Flat course, fairly light winds off the sea, warm and sunny.......getting warmer as the morning progressed. Usual friendly atmosphere and well organised.  First tri of the season for me and first since last summer's 70.3 effort. Target time around 2hrs 30 mins  based on my training efforts.
Swim was solid and pretty much as expected albeit marginally slower than pool times. Chalking that down to it being my first open water swim of the year. Not much of a scrum in the water which was good . I didn't feel i got into a good rythmn but a 26.26 swim was ok and was well placed in age group.
T1 was a disaster time wise. Wet suit refused to come off. Room to improve here and gain back 2 mins lost. 
Bike stage was good. There and back again course. Bit of a head wind but not overly so. 1:08:13 . Could have gone harder but know the run is comparatively my weakest event and I need to judge my effort to avoid blowing. Got off bike feeling reasonably fresh and had made up ground on those who passed me in T1.
T2 - better than T1, could get smoother but generally happy with this.
Run - hot kind of covers it. Been regularly doing 45 min 10ks when fresh so anything close to this would be pleasing. Did 48:17.  Slightly slower than I hoped for but the heat doesn' t agree with me. No cramp on the run, which is a first but the last 2k seemed to take an age.
After entering this event I realised it was the English championship. Accordingly there were some proper athletes racing. The winning time was around 1:58:38. My age group winner posted 2:02:25. I was breathing down his neck at 2:28:53. That put me in 20th for my age group and 146th overall in a field of 400. Hard to tell the quality of a field but I reckon a gave a reasonable showing. Pleased with a 12 minute improvement on my last standard tri and beating my target time.
Looking at my splits I'm giving away easily 8 mins to my nearest time placing rivals on the run - 14 places. T1 cost me a couple of mins and 10 places. 
Lessons - get wet suit legs trimmed and practice wriggling out of it more. No doubt there are a few minutes to be gained in the swim and on the bike. Incidentally, I had gained 25 places over the 25miles. Hydration still not perfect and need to work on this. However to really move up the placings a 40-45min 10k has to be the targeted improvement between now and Allerthrope in August.  My target was to get close to 2:30 . Target achieved. New target now set at 2:20  
Onwards and upwards
M

Your not Joking Darryl! It was a long day starting at 6am we set of a reasonable pace and just kept going, we had planned to stop every 40miles for food but we had our first stop at 130km and were one of the first to arrive at the Impromptu Café in Elsdon as everyone else had sensible stopped for a fry up. We were really hungry so we opted for cheese toasties and beans and apple pie and cream from a limited menu and set of another hillI. We did take many a wrong turn but it wasnt to bad!  Davie & David who were both very strong and the did some great super domestique duties as I began to struggle and pretty much got me round the rest of route, Never ridden a route with no flat bits at all you either up or down. David & I had opted to leave our lights at car(yeah I know)... don't even ask! and as we started the last climb Redstane Rig which is a right arse of a climb, it was now dark and the hour long descent into musselburgh with only one light in total darkness was both one of the stupidest things i've done but also kind of excellerating(I can see Red bull taking it up), with thanks to Davie B we made it down and after some faffing about trying to get to the station we finally were awarded by organiser with a steak pie and a can of coke! Great but tough route and excellent organisation, we met lots of crazy cyclists who can only do these Audaxs for the love of cycling as there are no other awards. Cheers to Davie and David for wheels and putting up with endless descriptions about inability to digest food on a bike. 320km done not sure I have the inclination to ride a 400k or it could be my stomach talking.
Lessons
1. Leave your lights on your bike 2. Stop and eat 3. Stop and Eat 4. make sure you not just relying on 1 garmin for directions 5. Eat real food 

Sorry to see this George. Hope your back on the road soon.

Entered Snow Roads Alan !

Brilliant weekend with Paul, Davie and Chung. Riding the Pave of Roubaix is a unique experience and always eventful. Learnt alot about tubeless set up and the quality of French pumps! Arms now sore, legs burning, sticky french waffles, Italian shouts, Belgian beir, steak & frites, french flags, dust in mouth, crashes and punctures... when we coming back???

Entered Snow Roads Alan !

Epic trip Chung !