Brian Hickey

Great ! Do we have to get new bikes though...... ?

Tony - agreed, I think an Intermediate group is a good idea too. I'm not able to get out on bike training mid-week due to work commitments (and the trainer is only useful up to a point...) so the fast group is usually out of my reach unfortunately. I'm committed to a ride elsewhere this weekend so won't be able to join you, but looking forward to next Sunday. Forecast looks great for tomorrow - so hope everyone enjoys their day out... Brian

Thanks for offering the opportunity Iain - I've always fancied a shot at the Track. However, like Greig, I am committed to Obree Sportive that day so won't manage but keep me in mind for the next time ? Cheers Brian

I'm away this weekend so unfortunately can't join you. However I'll make a point of raising a glass of Leffe in JD's memory at some time on Sunday. Enjoy the ride Brian

Looks like a good route Tony and I'm keen to come along. Will keep an eye on arrangements and happy to take my car and lift a few others down and back. Summer will have arrived by then. Won't it ? Brian

Cheers Tony - I'll take the shorter route with you tomorrow. Brian

I'm hoping to get out after 7 weeks out of the saddle due to injury. I won't manage the whole piece but will hopefully manage a shorter loop. If ok I might follow you round Tony - what sort of distance/route are you thinking of ? Brian

Sorry to hear about the spill Tony. I broke mine badly playing rugby many years ago and went to the Western A&E who just put my arm in a sling and told me to 'take it easy' for 6 weeks (the bone splinter was protruding through my skin and this caused me more distress than the break itself..). I've since been advised that the break should have been re-aligned properly (via surgery presumably) - the fact that I didnt have that done means that I occasionally (and still after all those years...) get numbness in my arm/hand which is unfomfortable and a bit disconcerting. I also lost much of the power I had when training (bench press etc) in the gym. Without knowing the medical ins and outs I'd recommend (as I think Alan does above) that you go and see a 'proper' Doc and get considered advice quickly. I was playing rugby again within about 8 weeks from what I remember so it did seem to heal quickly. Hope you are back on the bike soon. Brian

Sorry I wasn't able to hook up with you all today - I got to Old Kilpatrick just after 1000 and probably just missed you. Thought I might spy a Wheeler at some point but not a Grupetto in sight and it was Balloch before I hooked up with Alan for a bit. Felt like I was flying outward but the headwind made it a tough return without the benefit of the Bunch - character building etc, etc. Brian

I may join the run at the North of the bridge and save the drive over to the club rooms - can someone from the 0930 group give me an ETA please ? Thanks Brian

I'll pitch in with the 0930 bunch too. Feels quite spring-like today, hopefully the same tomorrow - it'll be shorts and short sleeves before we know it.... Brian

Hi - can you help with a couple of queries please.. - what is the anticipated price for the Packable and Windtex jacket ? - are the arm/leg warmerns in club colours ? (or plain black/blue ?) - are Wheelers caps available ? Thanks Brian

Kenny/Martin I will bring along some sandwiches and flapjacks - not enough to fuel the whole bunch post ride but should make a reasonable contribution. See you Sunday Brian

Either suits me - maybe see who else pitches in for this option and their preferred set-off point (would be slightly shorter if we went from Lochwinnoch). I didn't particularly want an early start (had one of those every day this week..) so 0915 or 0930 at set-off point would be ideal but I'll work around others. Would mean we wouldn't make the 1000 Ferry with Willie and team but we'd hook up at the cafe and could ride back to the Ferry together. Close off arrangements tomorrow ? Brian

I had a minor epic a couple of years ago on my older (now winter) bike when the chain snapped, wrapped around the rear derailleur and wrecked it. I was miles from home, had to walk a long way to get a mobile signal and waited for an hour for a lift home. Apart from the discomfort (and the bol*cking from the driver…) I had to pay a few bob to get the rear mech, chain and cassette replaced. Not sure why the old chain snapped but I’m keen not to repeat the experience. I’ve done about 1500 miles on my Spec Roubaix (summer bike) which uses an Ultegra groupset and wondering if I should replace the chain soon and if so replace the cassette at the same time or whether to leave it for a bit. I haven’t yet got a chain wear tool so I don’t have a way of measuring wear. I’m off to Andalucia end Feb for a weeks cycling (up some big hills too so the combined impact of my weight and the incline will put a fair bit of pressure on the chainset…) so I should probably make a call sooner rather than later. Any thoughts on what I should do ? Thanks Brian

Paul - the Bishopton, Strachur loop via Rest and Be Thankful is c90 miles. I won't manage that distance and am thinking Plan B may be club rooms (or Lochwinnoch ?) to Gourock for Ferry over to Hunters Quay and then Lock Eck to Strachur. Returning same way gives a failry flat mileage of about 75. I think there are a few posters on the other thread who may be happier with a shorter distance too. Joining up with the Bunch at Strachur would be ideal. Maybe ? Brian

Chung - by my estimation it is still about 90miles if doing a loop from Bishopton (I've assumed the coast road back from Gourock, and the straight road from Strachur down Loch Eck to Hunters Quay). Am I missing a cunning short cut ?! Brian

Hi - I'd like to join the 'shorter' run (how long do you reckon it is...?). And is the meet time 0915 for this run too ? Cheers Brian

Paul - I'm keen to get out tomorrow, the forecast seems reasonable and I need to do battle with the twin demons of xmas trifle and chilled lager. Post back if you (or indeed anyone else) is still interested ? Cheers Brian

Thanks for the directions Colin - will hopefully see you all tomorrow. If I'm not there for 0930 then I'll have resorted to the Turbo having seen icy roads out the window : different forecasts are saying different things so who knows. Fingers crossed...

Assuming weather is ok then I'll come along too please. Don't really know Bishopton so if someone can offer a more precise description of the meet point I'd be grateful - or if it's very obvious then I'm sure I will find it. Cheers, Brian.

Charlie - I'll join you if you don't mind : been out with the Bunch for the last few weekends and enjoyed the company. Not sure I'll manage the pace the full way but if you can give me a rough idea of where you're going I'll bring a map to make sure I can get back when my legs pack it in. Cheers Brian

I'll join you too if you don't mind please. I was out with Ken and others last Sunday, enjoyed it and keen to get out again this week. Brian

Can I join you please ? I met a few club members on Fairlie Moor a few weeks ago and they suggested I join one of your runs as a preamble to joining the club. Can you let me know where the club rooms are - I'll be driving over from the West End. Hope this is ok. Cheers Brian