Mark O

Colin, DaveP and any others interested, 9.30 Sunday morning depart from Miller Street for Troon run. Mark

On the basis that the Flanders bunch look tobe lining up a hilly ton+ run on Sunday, any plans for us mere mortals which make up the 9.30 bunch. Could I suggest a run down into Ayrshire. Proposed route would be as the Moscow run as far a Stewarton then would take in Kilmaurs, Knockentiber, Springside, Dreghorn, Dundonald (Dundonald hill optional - Haylie Brae's big brother and onto Troon for cake/ice cream. Return to Johnstone via Loans, Irvine, Kilwinning and back road to Barrmill and Gateside before picking Braes road just before Lugton for last few miles to Howwood and Miller Street. Only a suggestion and may provide new unexplored roads for some. Probably about 70 - 80 miles on generally forgiving roads. Mark

56 miles for full circuit. No idea what the exact mileage for the figure of 8 is. I'm guessing the String Road is circa 8 miles done twice say 16 onto the 56 - ballpark of 72 miles. If it helps John, I aim to do a quick stint at the front then hang onto the rear wheel of the Flanders boys as long as possible then carry on at my own "steady" pace (9.30 bunch pace). You're and any one else is welcome to grovel round the rest of the island with me. On the upside you cannae get lost!! Mark

Can't really add to what has already been posted. Great day out with good bunch, and Chapeau! Martin, thanks for putting it all together. Mark

Ritchie, I pick up the track about a mile up from Lochshore at what was Kilbirnie station. I'll wait for you there.

Martin, Not clear what direction you're heading in, however if you can head for Barrmill especially from the east via burnhouse (Barrhead to Irvine Road) 2 lovely climbs back to back in the space of a mile or so. Conversely, heading for barrmill from beith, reasonable climb before village and a short sharp belter on way out before good downhill all the way to Burnhouse. Head for Dunlop after that and you can sneak another one in before turning for Lugton. Mark

Kenny, I have evil memories climbing over to Lochranza chasing the ferry over to Clonaig. Never gone anti clockwise round the island, like to get the lumpy bits done while the legs are fresh. Saturday pass likely, wife's census duties notwithstanding, so I'm in. Mark

Ritchie, the guys I was planning to meet on the track are going by car to the clubrooms. No rush to meet them now. Can take leisurely pace to clubrooms if that would suit you more. What say we meet at 8.30 on the track at the far end of Kilbirnie (last turn off before leaving the town just past the industrial estate), that will give us a full hour to saunter up to the clubrooms, register and sort ourselves out before 9.30. I intend doing the full circuit back to the clubrooms and then return back to Kilbirnie, giving me circa 75 miles for the day. I've no time constraints on Sunday and quite happy to trundle back to Kilbirnie later in the day. You'll be surprised how much a soup and a bun sets you up for the return journey. Won't be the first time I'll have been towed home by Davie and/or Ramsay or limped home on my jack jones. See how you feel once the Haylie is behind you and decide then. Mark

Kenny, sounds like a plan if the pace is, as you suggest, steady. If I can arrange/beg/borrow or steal a Saturday pass (rarer than a willy wonka golden ticket) I'm up for it. I presume you'd be heading south off the ferry, leaving the BIG climb for later in the day. Mark

Ritchie, I'll be in the 9.30 bunch. I'll be heading up the track around 8.40 sunday morning esatern edge of kilbirnie and hopefully meeting a group from kilmacolm just beyond morrisons circa 9.15/9.20. If you're riding to the clubrooms I'd be delighted with the company. Paul, if you're heading out from Lochwinnoch I'd imagine being at the semple loch around 8.55 if you wish to latch onto our wheels. Let me know what your plans are guys. Cheers Mark

Jan, can you add a medium s/s jersey to my order Cheers Mark

Martin, Can you confirm the roll out time for next weekend, 9.30 as usual? I have outside interest from Kilmacolm Irregulars peleton who fancy coming along. Cheers Mark

9.30 groupette for me. Mark

Willie, et all I had forgotten about the Blackwater Hostel - stayed there last year. It is as described earlier and fairly cheap too. All round good option. Kinlochleven is fairly well catered for in watering holes. Willie, I think you should go ahead and book for the defos as this place will fill up with walkers quickly. From memory its cash on arrival. Planned excursions sound pretty good. Extracurricular activities can be planned on the hoof. Can recommend Tail Race bar a mere 5 minute walk from the hostel. Tail Race also does superb full cooked breakfast for the usual fiver or so. A day's carbo loading is possible with minimum fuss. Cheers Mark

Jan, could you order me a L/s jersey (med) and a pair of bib shorts (med) Cheers Mark

Defo for 9.30 bunch. Weather forecast looks better than earlier in the week. Hopefully will be in better nick than I was last week with a disgraceful bale out early doors. Mark

Admittedly, I hadn't thought of the youth hostel at Glencoe. The costs for the 2 nights would be £37 per skull + £2 temp membership. Stayed here this time (May) last year and was quite busy with WHWers. Facilities are pretty good - Showers are excellent, drying facilities for kit plus secure storage for bikes is a bonus. If this is the general preference, and I have none personally, then we would need numbers and gender fairly sharpish certainly by end of month. I don't mind organising this if the hostel is a more straightforward/preferred option. Willie, if original idea of caravans is preferred I'll leave the logistics re that up to you. Any one interest (including those already signed up) could you post your preference and to save any tears before bedtime can we go with majority vote. Cheers Mark

Evening guys or at least those who have not crashed and burned on the sofa or beat a retreat for an early night. Absolutely stonking day out over the water. Without question best day on a bike for me in a long time-so cheers all round. Chung, I finally got home around 5 after a sandwich and mars bar stop at morrisons with light fading and bang on 96 miles on the clock. Outrageous for January, doubly so for me. Unfortunatley too dark to add a few sneaky laps of Lochshore to bring up trable figures!! was tempting though Willie C, good to see an old face from the past, will catch up with you further next Sunday. Cheers Mark

Lyndsay Seen Chung's post re depart from Johnstone. Posted on 30 milers thread earlier my intention is to solo ride over Largs road and onto Gourock for 10 for me. welcome to join me if you're setting out from Lochwinnoch. Undecided as to home run, either retrace my tyre tracks and face the Haylie or head up the clune brae to kilmalcolm and track home. Legs and light will be signif. factors. Cheers Mark

Guys As posted on bunch thread longer run for "Flanders" bunch to long for me. Intend meeting everyone at ferry for run up to Strachur. Will make my own way there via Largs most likely. cheers Mark

Chung et al, thanks for the suggestions. Might in hindsight have bitten off more than I can chew on this one esp. if light fades early - no front light Doh! and no bailout options. Note that 30 milers going over water too on Sunday, might be more sensible to pedal down to Gourock and tie up with them. North of 60 miles would still be good miles for me in January. Cheers Mark

Mileage might be a bit too much for me at the moment but nothing ventured..... where do I sign? Davie, meet you on the track, usual place 7.50 ish? Mark

Davie, all set for a run out tomorrow. Flexible as to how we get to Johnstone. A frank exchange of txts in the morning should settle matters track/road/train to Johnstone no preference but would rather remain up right. M Based on my previous performances I'll need refreshments after 50 miles!!!!!!! I take it there will be a cake/coffee stop.

Count me in for Saturday, at least as far as Largs. If there are plans for a cafe stop in Largs I might even last as far as West Kilbride before bailing out to limp home. Davie, usual arrangements leaving Kilbirnie I assume. Mark

I'm good for Sunday, albeit the increasingly popular shorter run! Davie, 8.40 on the track as previously. No snow or ice this weekend at last, might feel positively tropical. M