Richie Cross

Excellent. With you being a seasoned member, you must know of a few routes?

Hi, Sounds like a plan. I'll try and find a route unless you know any Al? Don't know if I've missed something apart from the Drumlanrig event on Sat but I'm wondering where all the Sunday run posts have gone this weekend!?? John...welcome to the club. I've not been out much due to knee pain so I just need to turn the pedals for 2 or 3 hours. Don't worry about your pace John. We normally have 3 runs on the go with a gentler pace, club pace and race pace. If anyone drops on any climbs, everyone regroups at the top etc. 0930 at the clubrooms. Miller St in Johnstone John

Hi, as above, just curious without jumping in before a potential thread by Willie etc Thought something might've been posted by now if there was anything? Thanks

1) Gilbert 2) Rodriguez ....not sure if he can keep the podiums up though! 3) A Schleck

Darn it!!!! Delighted for Gilbert but I've read/heard that he wasn't riding today otherwise he would've been first choice!

Mmm 1) Rodriguez 2) Cunego 3) Contador

Another fantastic display!!

Yeah, running is a bit of a necessary evil for me! I didn't think you would've recognised me so didn't think I ignored you!

I'm sure it was you. I was on the bike but only really looked when I was just passing you. Just out doing a slow test of my knee so didn't bother advertising it as a 'run' as such.

Hi, Lucky you heading to the Alps. Where are you staying and what cols do you plan to do? How fit are you just now?I spent 2 weeks in the Alps a few years ago. Did L'Alpe d'Huez, Telegraphe, Galibier, Croix de Fer, Lex Deux Alpes etc and I had a 39x29 as my lowest gear. I hadn't a lot of miles in my legs but once I was used to the climbs, I found it ok with that gearing. Can't really remember it being really, really hard......just hard The Alps aren't really 'that' steep (first 4kms of d'Huez is) but it's just really the length of the climbs. Going uphill for 15kms is some effort. Did Ventoux a couple of years later and suffered really badly and vowed I'd get a compact for any european adventures. Heading to the Pyrenees in June and I've got my compact 50/34 to go with my 29!! Just had to change the BB as my rear mech is a medium cage. If you're not struggling just now, you could get a Shimano cassette. Think they go to 28 teeth. The compact would be easier ....and easier on your knees!

Amstel 1) Gilbert (can't see past him) 2) Cunego ( hopefully as I'm a fan) 3) Peter Velits

Hi all, Went to see Neil Mcleod today. Got 1hr 45mins for my money and he gave me and my bike a thorough going over. Found out there are a couple of biomechanical issues with my right leg/foot so I'll get some Specialized shoe shims to put in. My right leg tends to kick out as I'm pedalling so hopefully they'll help. My saddle had room to go up the best part of 10mm as well. Having a feel of my tendons, my right knee is a bit swollen so I'll see him for some acupuncture and laser (not sure if that's like ultrasound?) treatment. It appears that the cause was me going from doing low miles quite infrequently to diving straight into hard turbo sessions etc. Good news is that I can still ride my bike but need to have a couple of weeks (if I can get out a couple of times each week) of doing a couple of hours on the flat cycle path in a low gear with a HRM at about 65-75% of max. No hills I was really looking forward to the Dunoon run on Sunday and the knee pain hasn't been 'that' bad..yet....but my sensible head is telling me to take care of it now rather than it getting worse a few weeks before I'm heading to the Pyrenees. See you soon hopefully!

Sounds good. As I've only done a 30 miler in the last 4 weeks, this should be fine unless the physio tomorrow tells me to stay off the bike Does everyone cycle to the ferry or is anyone driving? Can you leave the car there ok, safely?

Sounds good. I'm stuck at work in the glorious sunshine. Only been out once in the last weeks. Hopefully knee pain will be temporary because I've got next Sat, Sun and Monday available !

Have to be the usual suspects for me 1) Cancellara 2) Boonen 3) Hushovd

Pop into Dooleys tomorrow, assuming you have time, and hopefully they could give it a quick fix?

Ian beat me to it with the 52/34 question. Have a re-count Regarding your set up...Google Sheldon Brown. His website has everything but the rule of thumb/starting point: Saddle height - cranks at 6 and 12 o'clock positions and your 6 o'clock leg should have a bend of about 25-30 degrees. Too high and your hips will rock when pedalling. Cleats should have the ball of your foot over your pedal spindle. Likewise with your saddle for/aft position. Cranks at 3 and 9 o'clock and drop a plumb line from your 3 o'clock knee and it should be about your pedal spindle.

Hi Brian, I take it you have 53/39 on the front? Campag or Shimano? As already said, you can change the rear cassette. I've got my Campag which goes to 29 teeth. I think Shimano only go to 28.....unless the 32 as stated above is Shimano! Some will argue that 39x29 should see you up most hills in the UK and with increased fitness they'll obviously get easier. So...that would be the cheapest option. Planning ahead to the Pyrenees, I've recently got a compact which gives me a 50/34 on the front. With me having a medium range rear mech, the only thing I needed with the chainset was the bottom bracket....but....with Campag Ultra Torque, the two arms of the cranks join in the middle so the bottom bracket is replaced by cups which were £15. Pop into Dooleys and they'd tell you what you need although unfortunately, they won't be able to compete with internet prices although they would fit it for you. As for compact or triple...always a compact for me. I'm vain in thinking there is more of a 'stigma' with having a triple ! and I imagine a triple would weigh more than a compact??

Will do. Quoted me at £35 for the initial appointment or £60 and you take your bike etc and he'll check out how you're set up and whether there's a cause etc

After watching the race at the weekend, I'm even more impressed. Nice write ups. Chapeau to one and all And I meant to ask...did everyone ride on their usual bikes/wheels or were any stronger/stiffer purchases made for the event?

Thanks again folks. I checked out Neil Macleod and apart from the fact that he's apparently the current sports physiotherapist for Scottish Cycling, he can do a session with you and your bike and he was available early next week when I'm on days off so it was ideal. Wee bit of a drive but hopefully worth it. Cheers

Thanks again. Now you've mentioned him, I'm pretty sure it was Ian Anderson I had when I had the last problem back on 2007. Can't remember talking about him being a cyclist although we may have. Too long ago. My wife gets private health care and we can use Ross Hall so you get your money's worth one you pay the excess. Maybe it was the nature of the last injury (patellar tendonitis) that you could only do so much to but there only seemed to be leg raise type exercises to do. Maybe the tendonitis wasn't bad enough? If Ian did do private it would indeed be handy.

Thanks for replies. While I have no idea what a physiotherapy course is like, and no disrespect to physios, the physio/cyclist is a big thing for me as all physios can do doubt help with the problem but I'd like them to be able to help from the bike side of things if that makes sense.

Rumbled!!!!! Don't think I've ever had tan lines...burn lines maybe!!! Your desire to see my legs soon is a bit worrying Brian!

Hi folks, As above, does anyone know of a cycling specific physio? I appreciate they cover everything but I guess I'd like a physio who's a cyclist and understands and can advise on bike positioning etc. Been to a private physio a few years ago but it was only really given exercises rather than being able to talk about the cause etc....if that makes sense? Got a pain in my right knee which isn't good when I'm supposed to be heading to the Pyrenees at the start of June! Had a wee dull ache since the end of last year but it's became more of a sharp pain on the last couple of rides I've been on. Ibuprofen? Cortisone injections!!!?