Brian Hickey

Bill suggested much the same at the weekend, Tony (great minds etc) and was also championing the organisation of a few 'away-days' (Arran, 3 Ferries etc) for a change of scenery so I would rope him into the meet. I'm happy to come along if my work diary will let me, otherwise certainly happy to share route posting/organisation. I remember you posted about 3/4 mths of routes last year and it was ideal. There are quite a few of the group now targeting sportives & audaxes (is that a word ?) so maybe we could turn some of these into a club meet too. I never did get to see Beith Rocking Stone or Transmitter Hill last year - so consider those as requests ! Brian

Hi Tony - yep, it's Memory Map; bought years ago mainly for use hillwalking but put to additional use for bike routes now. Not as good as some of the online sites though since it doesn't have an autoroute function (you have to painstakingly mark the route using 'waypoints') but it does produce a nice wee picture as you noted. Does the Garmin you have (edge 200 ?) let you download routes from MM ? or any other s/w ? think I might splash-out - I have an ageing Garmin GPS which I use when walking but if I strapped it to the bike it will make me even slower up the hills... Maybe see you next weekend.... B

I plan on being out tomorrow and will be at Miller St for 0915. The route below takes the cycle path to Kilbirnie, road to Dalry, up and over Fairlie, Largs, Brisbane Glen to Greenock and then there are different options back - 45-50miles. If this doesn't suit then I wil be happy to follow the concensus. Brian

I'll keep you company Tony - and doubtless a few more will too. See you at 0915 B PS : Clocks forward tonight !

Hi Tony - sounds good. Will confirm Saturday. 0830 is pretty early ...can I talk you into 0900 ?! Brian

Cheers for posting Tony. I'm keeping an eye on the forecast and assuming it is not too miserable I'll get out - certainly keen to do so. As ever, I will be guided by your wheel.... B

I'm off to sunnier climes (sans mudguards...) so will miss the next few rides and therefore the last of this season's Grupo Intermedio. Cheers again for your efforts in making this happen Tony. Will be back out in early December, possibly on some new wheels as discussed last weekend...! Cheers Brian

Just found this link and, given the Turbo season is upon us, thought I'd share it... http://3lc.tv/ Brian

me too... Brian

Sorry, not able to join you today. Slipped on the ice when I was taking the bike out of the front door and decided to play indoors instead. Pity, since it's a cracking day. +10 degrees would have been perfect... Hope those that went out enjoyed it. Brian

One man and his Garmin... Good job again Tony for coming up with the routes - makes it easier for the rest of us when all we have to do is turn up and follow you round....! Brian

assuming the weather is reasonable then me too.... Brian

Yep, me too.... Brian

Indeed we did. Nothing like a bit of (mis) adventure to keep up the excitement - our route back took us through places I've only ever seen on a map.... Thanks to everyone for waiting - hope it wasn't for too long. Good day, though, and great to see a big bunch(es) out... Brian

See you tomorrow... Brian

Tom/Paul - good luck to both of you tomorrow and I look forward to hearing the post event report. Paul did a cracking time in Perthshire last weekend so hopefully you'll both continue in the same vein.. Enjoy Brian

Richard - I plan on driving to/from the Ferry from the West End; from memory I think (?) you are located over here too - if so I'm happy to give you a lift. PM me if you are interested and we can arrrange logistics. Regards Brian

Hi Tony - nice route....which way are you proposing to do it ? I was last over the Ardentinny road about a year ago and the surface then seemed fine from memory...the hill at the Loch Eck end is fairly short but very steep... Forecast (according to meteo...) not brilliant at the moment but hopefully Bert Ford will intervene and sort out the rain gods... Brian

Some people like him, some people don't - but either way, his interviews are usually good value. This is a fairly long post Tour i/v for those who have'nt yet seen it..... http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cycling/14369476.stm Brian

I thought the Obree run was great, Campbell. I had done a lot it in bits before but it was the first time I had been over the 70miles in a oner. Did it with my brother Stephen which made it even better. Despite thinking I was getting round at a reasonable pace my end time was rubbish - unlike yours...! Paul - a few months back you tipped me off about the Obree and the Perthshire event so I entered both. Subject to a couple of things resolving themselves over the next few weeks I plan on doing the ride on the 27th and it would be great to do it in a group. Maybe have a natter on Sunday about possible arrangements and hopefully stir up some more interest ? Campbell - I found your audax events post from last year (and links to aukweb); must try and hook up with you one Sunday and get some gen on your Audax experiences - interesting stories I would imagine...! Brian

Just come across this. Anyone entered ? http://www.action.org.uk/glasgow_100

I'm doing this event too so will hopefully see you all at some point during the day. What time are you rolling out ? Brian

Thanks for organising Tony. I'm elsewhere on Sunday so won't be able to join you - hopefully next time. Brian

About 1.30 yesterday afternoon on the A8, Greenock heading West; 1 Wheeler in club colours and friend dressed in black kit. Keeping what seemed to be a leisurely pace and enjoying the sun. Hope you were carrying more water than I did - after 60 miles I was licking the top tube just to try and keep some saliva moving... Brian

Graham Watson has been covering the big events for years and his site has some good stuff too : http://www.grahamwatson.com/ And there's a nice, grainy black and white pic of Flanders in here which might bring back memories for some of you... http://www.grahamwatson.com/galleries/portfolio.html