Mark O

Fabulous Flanderian Fourteen - hat doffed to one and all. Sounds like the weekend was an adventure of epic proportions and that you have done yourselves and the club proud. Well done! I'm sure there are one or two others like me who have read throught this thread turning green with jealousy. Early doors perhaps to think about next year, but 20 in the blue and yellow of the Joansin heading overseas would seem a fair target. Cheers Mark

Brain, I "unashamedly" have a triple chain ring on my winter bike. Originally it was a dual chain ring but had walkers cycles in Kilmaurs set the bike up as a fast tourer someyears ago. Nothing wrong with having a the small ring as an insurance policy to get you up that hill. I found it much more comfortable especially on the old knees earlier in the year as I was getting intothe swing of things in the bunch and hasn't prevented me from improving my climbing performance over the last couple of months either. Mark

First TT in any shape or form for over a decade and then some. That was a blast, really enjoyed it! Ian, cheers for the time keeping duties inspite of the mucky weather conditions Mark

Ritchie, Alison Montgomery is a really good physio. Wife of Ray Montgomery of Kilmarnock FC fame. Has put me back together at least twice. Knows her stuff and understands sports people being one herself. Both Alison and Ray cycle, to what extent I couldn't say but she is worth a try. Not cheap at £30 a session and she lives in Saltcoats which is not too out of your way. I think her number is in the book and I would recommend her without hesitation. The other person you might want to consider is Ian Anderson. I know Ian from way back. Not sure if he does private sessions but he does stay in Beith which is handy. Ian is a cyclist - passed him going in other direction on one of the doon the coast rides. I'll try and hunt his number down for you. Cheers Mark

Bike is in the car and intend heading along after work. If rain is horizontal then discretion over valour for me Mark

Brian, Hope the legs are ok today. Bike checked over by UCI. Happy to report nothing "Obree" about it, despite vicious rumours of a mirco 250cc put-put engine which orginated from a certain member of the emergency services who shall remain nameless . No idea where the climbing legs have come from, was struggling to get up Sinclair Street on a triple the last run out that way. Feeling good on the hills at moment that's all and making the most of it. Keep at it mate and you will make steady progress over the summer months in prep for London-Paris. Only thing I've been doing differently is not dropping a gear on short inclines and ramps just to build some power. I've also switched onto the big ring for the start of most runs for the last 8 weeks or so and progressively increased the distance done on the bigger gear as the weeks have passed and I've felt able to do so. Lots of small incremental improvements since January that are now starting to come together I suppose. Remember to tweak your saddle height as suggested yesterday, you should feel a difference with that change. Cheers Mark

Guys, excellent run today. Chapeau to Ian for suggesting Saturday ride. Very civil pace and a few hills chucked in for good measure and ......it didn't rain despite forecast. Actually quite sunny if a little blustery. Good day out all told,cheers guys Mark

Brian and anyone else interested, I intend being at the clubrooms around 9.30 sunday morning if weather reasonable. Horizontal rain is not reasonable! Not bothered about distance/pace but will need to be home around pm to see to mother's day duties. Looking to do circular meander round renfrewshire with bale outs for quick run home if necessary. Cheers Mark

Ian I'll join you and the guys on the track at Kilbirnie if you're heading for Fairlie later in the day. If the weather isn't too bad and you're heading out either post or txt me 07769 690825 Cheers Mark

Anyone planning to be out on Sunday. Looks like best day of weekend weatherwise. No route planned happy to go with flow. Cheers M

Good luck guys. Hope the weather is kind to you and the hills don't hurt tooooo much. Cheers Mark

I'll second John's post. Could someone in the know perhaps post an idiots guide for the uninitiated. Some does/don'ts, general pointers and rules etc would be most welcome. Cheers Mark

Cheers Billy. Quite fancy giving it a bash just to see where I am fitness wise. 10 years or more since I've done a TT. Need to see about an evening pass. Tomorrow might be too soon but future weeks should see me along, and I'll muck in with marshalling also. M

Ian, showing my complete ignorance here, are TTs confined?- no race licence. Or is it a case of turn up and ride or are things more organised. M

On the back of Ian's thread re last Thursday turbo sesson and the fact I'm, like others, still fairly new to the club, what is the general approach to mid week rides? Can anyone shed some light on the who, what, where, when and hows. Keen to have any excuse to escape the drudgery of homework, grass cutting and washing up of an evening and get out on bike during weekday evenings . Cheers Mark

Hi Paul, More than happy to lend a hand on the 9th, fairly local for me. Let me know what needs doing. Cheers Mark

If this is on for Wednesday, what time. I'm up for it esp if charity will benefit. Can we make it 7ish or later as I'm on Islay on Wednesday and don't know when the flight gets back to Glasgow. Will take orders from those who require dutch courage. M

Can't make tomorrow as I'm being left in charge of 4 legged one. Enjoy your day out. Proxy seconding of chung's cafe stop in advance. Chung, you owe me a tunnock's carmel wafer! I may head out for a hour or 2 later in the day. Unrelated thread, had smashing day out in the east today Dunbar to S. Queensferry. Roads out there are brilliant. Flat, smooth with very few potholes almost as good as the resurfaced section of the string road! Must be spending road maintenance money around the capital. Met up with bunch from Edinburgh RC whilst out. Happy to report the "Joansin" club honour was upheld with a half wheel victory at the their traditional 30 sprint going into Mussleburgh. "Just round the corner" the boy said. Aye right, launched bid going into corner only to see 300 metre marker about 50 metres away. Near death experience on the line! M

Kay, sorry to hear about your tumble hope your not off the bike for long. I don't think anyone else asked so I will, How's the bike? Has anyone got thoughts on "go faster" stripes in a whooosh style or an all hip look with tramlines. What about a wing motif at the ankle a la hermes.I've gone to far haven't I. If I do go for a svelt finish it'll be a bare blade clippered start then wet shave for me all the way to the boxer line followed by an apres defuzz moisturise. Will engage the services of Mrs O to do the hard to reach places M

If I can sort out a dog sitter for Sunday I'll be at the clubrooms at 9.00. Doing a 50 miler charity run on Saturday legs should be ok for this kind of distance if pace not too hot. Might need to second Chung if he requests cafe stop! M

Been years since I have gone all svelt of leg. Did half of one leg due to very sticky taped support being put on by physio to sort out ankle problem only 6 weeks before going to Florida. Regrowth didn't meet with Wife's approval and made me go to barbers to get other leg "trimmed" to even things up. Took pelters for ages. If it has to be done then it has to be done. However, there are possibilities to take this topic further. 1 - charity defuzz - all the rage apparently but only if pain invovled, method of defuzzing should be optional 2 - speed defuzzing - fastest razor in the west title. New Zealander and Aussie shepherds to have time handicap 3 - prize weigh in - would need to impose height/leg length categories. Most shorn fuzz wins 4 - John Smith prize for smoothest finish - on second thoughts judge(s) might be hard to find, then again maybe not 5 - Desperate Dan prize for most nicks/missed bits/general stubble and poorest overall look. Just a few random thoughts/ideas. Would be a definite step up from Saturday evening TV M

For the record 1 x large bowl branflakes 1 x large handful dried fruit 1 x cup of tea 1 x roll with scramble egg and tattie scone 1 x cup of tea 2 x bananas 2 x orange club choccy biscuit 1 x bowl of soup with roll 1 x egg mayo sandwich 2 x pint of Best 1 x bottle of orange squash 1 x hot chocolate Good day out, with exception of head wind. Richard, it appears you can have your carrot cake and eat it. Woke this morning to more wind and "light drizzle" waiting to ambush the Sunday bunch's visit to Arran today. Mark

Kenny et al, Will meet you guys at the ferry tomorrow morning. Weather is looking fair. cheers Mark

Weather forecast looking positive for tomorrow. Hopefully overnight will clear snow. Intend to be at clubrooms for 9.30 bunch run with the aim to head for Troon, but happy to go with flow on actual route for the day. Richie, if track clear I'll meet you at 8.30 as planned. If snow bound will take main road, we can meet at Tesco same time.

Richie, no worries re Sunday morning, 8.30 suits me. That said weather forecast looks positively evil for Sat and Sun - wide spread snow and rain likely. If there's snow on the ground or battering down on Sunday I think I give it a miss. I'll txt if calling off. M