Colin McPhee

Alan, I bought one and had a bad experience and ended up returning it. Halfords were very good and no issue at all to return so by all means have a go.
I was trying to use with Bluetooth and it had trouble connecting at times. It also dropped out during sessions. One night short of time I thought I'd jump on turbo and could not connect at all so that was last straw.
The other issue I had was that following the calibration procedure it was suggesting I had to keep tightening the tyre on to the roller. To the point where I thought I was going to break the plastic lever when I clamped on but it still said not tight enough. So I used it with the roller being allegedly 'too loose'
Meantime I have bought a first generation tacx ego flow with good old wired connection to display unit, And now I am a happy old Luddite !

Enjoyable night. For the Bs it was the sprint first, i missed the jump and had to close a fairly big gap had ok speed on the final lap but couldnt come round so didnt qualify for the final. Points next tried for for a break but it was a half arsed attempt, got caught then yo yoing of the back to the end. Scratch felt ok although i was too near the back to place well in the sprint.  Last up was a devil, did ok ended up 4th or 5th.  Overall better than last week but still work to do. Some good results from Hamish and Matti if they continue their progress it wont be long until they are in the As

I love the idea of a JWVC zwift night. All u need is a smart turbo or a normal turbo and a power meter. In the next few weeks it should be available in ipad so u dont even need a computer.
 
There are races organised most nights on zwift with hundreds of competitors around the world. Very easy to set up our own races.
 
Happy to help anyone with tech issues.

Colin Mcphee flying down the Georgetown Road with what looked like a suitcase strapped to his back.

Bit of a shock to the system tonight - not particularly fast but i struggled to go with any accelerations and get on top of my gear (which wasnt that big). Also kept getting caught out on the wrong side of gaps, largely because i was too lazy to make the effort needed to pass when i saw them developing. Got some minor points in the points race and then had an attempt at a break but could barely keep the wheel of the guy i was with...the other races pretty much passed me by. Good fun although know some hard work is needed!

Great effort Colin! Chapeau!

Group 2 was very pedestrian and apart from a couple of nightingales and John from Paisley Velo there was very little sharing of work after the Mount Stuart drag. Took a bit of responsibility for livening things up a bit (not a lot though) but no one was interested. Kept trying to get back markers to come through but no interest. However we were managing somehow to stay away. Upon reaching the top of the Mount Stuart climb on the way back it was still only about 4 of us working but on the run in suddenly there was about 5 or 6 guys who I'd not seen all day coming through. A couple of youngsters opened up a bit of a gap which was brought back but on the third effort I could not quite get past and took about 5th place.

Group 2 was very pedestrian and apart from a couple of nightingales and John from Paisley Velo there was very little sharing of work after the Mount Stuart drag. Took a bit of responsibility for livening things up a bit (not a lot though) but no one was interested. Kept trying to get back markers to come through but no interest. However we were managing somehow to stay away. Upon reaching the top of the Mount Stuart climb on the way back it was still only about 4 of us working but on the run in suddenly there was about 5 or 6 guys who I'd not seen all day coming through. A couple of youngsters opened up a bit of a gap which was brought back but on the third effort I could not quite get past and took about 5th place.

Lots of good things about Zwift, only negative is the price. Billy you can create custom training for you customers link to training peaks with Zwift now. Plus you can ride this bike, it's almost as nice as Chungs Colnago. Give it a try... I think we should start having a club race night for Zwifters . Zwift kept me motivated last winter and I put in nearly 2000km on it so far, which for hating sitting on a Turbo... speaks for itself
 

Hardly pointless when you get in too late to go for a run on the bike or the weather is terrible. Sometimes its nice to cycle and keep the legs spinning, work off excess holiday food and drink. Since I've been back from holiday work has been too hectic to get out on bike so some late evening spins on Zwift have been ideal. I'm fine on a turbo when in the group sessions in the clubrooms, but struggle with the boredom on my own. This has made it easier to motivate me to do a bit rather than lie on the couch. That's the biggest plus for me.
 
Billy, I get your point in terms of its use as a training aid without any structure to achieve specific goals, but as workout plans can be specifically prepared in Zwift to suit whatever your coach is directing I presume this would suit someone on a structured training plan too. The form of sufferfest workouts can also be replicated on Zwift. Bkool is another option too. Again at cost.

Paul as Jan says you get a thingy which plugs into the plug socket in the wall to extend your wireless range it connects via an Ethernet cable to your laptop. You don't download courses to swift although this would b a great development there are three courses which alternate watopia Richmond and London. A downloadable app I the I pad or I phone alliows you to view upcoming group rides and races just real eased for I pad

Great fun.... Colin I'll get you next year

Great end of season chain gang. Points system made it great fun. Robbie and I were shadowing each other all night as we were fighting for fifth place in the series but I fear Colin Mcphee who was in storming form may have pipped us both but will wait to see the final scores from the maestro who of course has to make the appropriate amendments for age difference.
Approx 30 of us did chain gang over season so fantastic for the future. Roll on Spring

Hope so if my raspy throat disappears. Just thinking about this summer, Jan has done a great job despite the persistent, but thoroughly deserved, ribbing about his points system. There are only 2 things I think could make it even better,
 
- points down to 4th or 5th place at each scoring opportunity as mentioned above to keep more people engaged more of the time,
- keep up the occasional rule changes as it keeps it lively, eg add on the extra bit to Houston from time to time or make the hill prime the roundabout instead of the top etc.
 
Any other thoughts before Jesus comes up with the winter worlds rules, Lord help us,
 

Didnt do the skyride due to the sniffles riding back to beith in the rain was plenty for me

Well done to everyone who got my PM earlier requesting that they take it easy tonight and let Ross get all the points as a motivational boost ahead of his ironman challenge
 
Here are the standings
 

 

I think the winter kit ordering window has closed but if you contact Jane F she might have a few spares.

Well done Chung great effort !

I've entered and Sam Dooley for my annual forey in time trialling !

Excellent night only ruined by Leavy sucking my wheel then leaving me for dead at intermediate and finish. No points for fourth

I think I made a spelling mistake, that should be a nope (maybe the confusion about my wedding anniversary date caused the spelling mistake )

Dream it, Believe it, Achieve it. It worked for DA.
 
So much for 'if I gave up Cycling tomorrow I'd be very happy happy with my cycling life' after the DA.
 
Just some prelimiminary investigation into a Rothesay challenge. 2 laps 44 miles between ferries requires 20.4mph. I think that could be an aperitif challenge to scope it out.
Then leading to a more substantial one. 66 miles at 20.9mph average for a 3 lapper the way the ferries work.
My gut tells me that you can maintain a higher average on Rothesay as not so much up and down and twisty roads. But who knows.
 
Or dare I even dream it, 4 laps, 88 miles, at 21.15mph. Shoot for the stars and you might hit the moon:)
 
Just sayin.
 
Before that, I would be happy to flog myself as a domestique if there was a quorum of bodies wanting to attempt the mythical DA. Next year. But I don't think I would want to do it again myself !?
 

Arrived st bus stop on time but no one there. Headed of on Jack Jones @ 6.35. Had rear puncture. First tyre change unsuccessful. Joined by Ian Archibald who kindly supplied me with another tube. Had a mare with canisters and tube not inflating. Was about to call it a day when Jane Findlay drove up in her car and hopped out with a track pump. Nae bother tyre inflated and off we went. Jane you are simply fantastic.
Ian was looking for as easy ride so I assured him I was his man though I must admit I was a bit disappointed when he readily agreed. We had a very pleasant run until 3/4 way up Clune we were joined by renfra bunch so at that point a nice tow back. I did my usual of sitting in till intermediate and final sprint when I ambushed Archivald and of course he took the Clune.
So McTavish mega points for me and Ian this evening.

Planning the following for August:
 
7th Aug - Ride of the Falling Rain - Islay
 
http://www.exploreargyll.co.uk/event/870/ride-of-the-falling-rain-2016
 
13th Aug - Herculean Sportive - North Uist
 
http://www.herculeansportive.com/
 
20th Aug - Whitby Regatta
 
http://velo29events.com/sportives/whitby-regatta/#1407923911-2-78707-b61b
 
27th Aug - Rothes Recce Audax - Newtonmore
 
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/16-281/
 
Staying in various modes of accommodation... tent, Bunkhouse and with my daughter who has kindly moved to Doncaster to allow me to explore roads in Yorkshire....
 
 
 

Should make it but don't wait...