Surly Steve

Hi Fellow cyclists On behalf of your friends at the Velo I would like to invite you to take part in two events we are putting together over the festive period. Firstly we will have the Clubs first ever organised event from last year. That being the " Mountain bike mayhem " event We hold this at Glenifer Braes, meeting at the Robertson car park. We had a track marked out at it was a timed event. A very cold but dry day last year was fairly well attended and we look forward to having a great time again. Billy " Bagel Basket " MacDonald won last year. Will he manage again this year ? Proposed date Sunday 30th December meet at the car park for 10 am We will ask for a small fee of £3.00 to cover some hot food and drinks afterwards So come along and join in. A mountain bike or a cyclo cross bike to take part. Bring change of gear obviously. Second - A new event to the Velo's calander and its first ( as far as we know ) introduction to the world. A new sport in the making perhaps ? " Cyclingteering " We propose to introduce this on Sunday 6th of January. Our planned " Cycleteering " event will start at 9am. We will set off from Gateside.See info below. For those wishing to cycle up you can meet me at the shop ( Q BIKES ) at 8.20 / 8.30 at the latest. Not a lot of areas to park at by the way so cycling up is probably the best thing to do. This event will be a mixture of the ancient Tourist Trial runs with a tincture of APR thrown in for interest. Also, we will resurrect the ‘Drum-up’ at the start/finish; everybody likes a wee bonfire! So, you will choose what group you wish to join for the run of 42.6 miles (two laps of the circuit described below): Group 1. This group will set off at 9 am and maintain an average speed of 15 mph. The course should therefore take you 2hrs 50mins. Group 2. This group will set off at 9.24 am and maintain an average speed of 17.5 mph. The course should therefore take you 2hrs 26mins. Group 3. This group will set off at 9.42 am and maintain an average speed of 20 mph. The course should therefore take you 2hrs 8mins. If each group achieves its set average speed, then everyone will arrive back at 11.50 am. A Cycling based conundrum will need to be solved and the best answer will receive a gift. Start at Blaelochhead on the B777, half-way between Lugton and Gateside. Head west towards Gateside. Turn left at Beith onto the A737. Continue south-west on A737 until the Manrahead roundabout. Take first exit and continue on A737 towards Dalry. After approximately 2.8 miles, at Highfield, turn left onto the Route 7 Cycle Route towards Kilwinning. Continue for approximately 4.5 miles until the B778, and then turn left towards Auchentiber. Continue along B778 for approximately 4.3 miles until A736 at Auchentiber, then turn left towards Lugton. Continue for approximately 4.8 miles until Lugton, then turn left onto B777 and back to the start of the circuit. Repeat the above circuit for a total mileage of 42.6 miles More info to follow I will post a map on this thread soon Hope some of my old cycling buddies can take part I will take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very merry christmas and a happy new year. All the best Stevie McFarlane

Hi James Given you were the only one that made the effort then my vote is with you sir ! Glad you enjoyed it Cheers Stevie

Hi Guys A big thank you to all that turned up today. Billy, Ian Couttie, James and his son Hamish - cheers Cold and wet but everyone had the great attitude to get on with it. Whilst riding it did not even appear to be wet ! Ground was very soft after all the rain we have had and therefore a lot of puddles and mud. With mishaps a plenty and spectacular finish on the line by Billy ( why did I not have my camera - such a you tube moment honestly ) it was good fun Billy one the time trial with Ian ( Couttie ) in second place. Very well done guys. This also means its a record time for the route. All to play for next year Billy ? Again thanks hope you enjoyed it and best wishes to everyone for next year Cheers Stevie

Hi Guys A big thank you to all that turned up today. Billy, Ian Couttie, James and his son Hamish - cheers Cold and wet but everyone had the great attitude to get on with it. Whilst riding it did not even appear to be wet ! Ground was very soft after all the rain we have had and therefore a lot of puddles and mud. With mishaps a plenty and spectacular finish on the line by Billy ( why did I not have my camera - such a you tube moment honestly ) it was good fun Billy won the time trial with Ian ( Couttie ) in second place. Very well done guys. This also means its a record time for the route. All to play for next year Billy ? Again thanks hope you enjoyed it and best wishes to everyone for next year Cheers Stevie

Hi Guys Yes all arranged for tomorrow still Thanks to all for your positive input and comments Perhaps I should have organised this event for a time less busy for us all. Appreciate we all have family commitments etc But if you can turn up it would be appreciated We have organised some hot food for afterwards Cheers the now and best wishes to you all for the NEW YEAR Many more miles of happy cycling to look forward to Take care, best wishes Stevie

James Yes your kids are welcome ! Everyone is. Hoping the weather will be kind and we have a laugh Cheers Stevie

Hi Paul Yes the idea is we have three or four teams. Depending on numbers. May even need riders to go round twice. Hope it goes well and everyone enjoys it. Then maybe it will be an annual event. Today we sorted out the route for the 30th. The arrangements will now be that we commence the event at 11am. Please turn up before this to have a ride around the route and to get organised. We will meet at the Robertson car park. If anyone needs a lift then please let us know and we will arrange transport. Remember any stupid items of clothing are more than encouraged ! Please also understand that this is a fun event and you enter it at your own risk ! The club accepts no responsibility or liability for any injuries sustained by the riders taking part nor loss or damage to bikes etc. We could do with perhaps two people to help with marshalling duties. Soup kitchen will be on site for after the ride. May be wise to bring change of clothing - depending on weather obviously. Today was cold but I would rather that than pouring rain. I will add this wish to my Santa list for the day. Please get back to me to let me know if you are going to participate or not Many thanks Stevie McFarlane

Hey fellow mad cyclists ! How are you all ? Have not posted in a while and have not been getting many miles in either Anyway I would like to invite anyone that may be interested in a bit of off road fun, MTB or crossers, to a wee day we have planned at Paisley Velo. We intend to meet up at the Robertson car park at the Braes on Friday the 30th December at 11am. Idea being we split into four teams, depending on numbers, and race round a marked route. Winning team will get a wee prize. Then we head down to our HQ, Q Bikes premises, for some hot soup and a few beers !! Everyone welcome. We will have a theme of stupid clothing anything goes. Please PM me or call me, most of you have my moby. Hope to hear from you guys All the best Stevie

Hi Fellow intermediates Firstly thinking should we call ourselves the inbetweeners ! No no no lets not start that again close that topic right now. Can I apologise to my fellow inbetweeners Mr Wong, Mr Thomson and Mr Carrigan, for not meeting up with you guys the last two weeks. Suffering from withdrawal symptoms / missing you all. As Tony was suggesting we could for the sake of dwindling numbers, as we approach wintry times, meet up with fellow wheelers whatever chapter they are in. Guilty of a bit of dwindling myself recently. No not really I went out with the gerbal killer yesterday (Ian M) after the football. We only got out for a couple of hours but it was a good run in some nice weather. Although I was late last week (again) I did manage out myself and did the run to Stewarton that we did a few weeks ago, albeit at a much much slower pace. Tony as I said before when the roads are not best suited for skinny tyres I am well up for a bit of MTB or cross cycling. Get in touch and we can organise something even drive to Glentress or similar BTW John liking your current pic. Your a good man Charlie Brown Take care out and about on your bikes people spesh in foggy weather, lights on Cheers Stevie

Mmmmm Struggled a bit understanding the lyric !

Hi Tony Intend to make it out on sunday Cheers route master

Daryl mind add me to list for friday !

Hi fellow bike weirdos Appetite for the trip and Friday food fully whetted ! Would love to cycle in Italy Spoke to Chung today think he is also keen to explore the possibility of going. As for eating out we ( wife and I ) do not manage to dine out much these days but we were out three weeks ago in city zentrum and ate at Amore, just a few bike lenghts from Italian Kitchen. Food and atmosphere were great. We were out with my cousin and her husband. He is Italian ( or is pretty good at the accent ) and they eat there regularly. Just putting my observation in the mix. Happy to eat just about anything anywhere. Will eat most things apart from parsnips, they are definitely out. I was conned once as I was served them and started to eat them thinking they were chips Uurghh!!!! So any restaruant named the " Disguised vegetable " or " Vegetable surprise " and I am not going ! Cheers Stevie " Who cares if I can't spell armageddon its not the end of the world. "

Hi Guys Will be along tomorrow with Ian McAuley for 9 15 ( as long as its not teaming down ) Thats ma boy Chung got to have a wee brew on a sunday in the winter time. See you all tomorrow Cheers Stevie

Hi Al Thanks for that. I would like to do a bit of MTB again. Do you go along on a wednesday ? Will be organised for next week Cheers mate Stevie