GrahamF

Race Report: 
Although Dressing up as a 10ft inflatable Dinosaur(Trex) is always a good idea, doing for it aa Cross race, at night and in mud probably wasn't the best idea I have ever had! but with the support and eye rolling from the wife and kids I decided to give it a bash   I had decided not to practice before the race as I felt this would just confirm how daft this would be and might put me off.
I'm not one to be nervous, but this was a bit nerve wracking... visions of taking out the leaders on the last lap, or crashing through a barrier and taking out some spectators... but thats the risks when you coming to watch a cross race? I did a couple of warm up laps without the costume on and the course was pretty flat and muddy with a couple of tricky hills near the DJ booth. I put the costume on(This was a four man job) and made my way to the start line and had bit of a panic as condensation built up, people shining lights on me and a plastic tiny view port meant my visibility was pretty much Zero, I nearly hit a tree in the first few feet to the enjoyment of Chewbacca and some Zombies.  I managed to get to the start and off we went, well off everyone else went and I waddled into the darkness, it was a bit hairy and I was using a lot of guess work to get around. But I was moving forward and hadn't taken out a barrier yet, this was the quiet part of course and fairly flat but once I entered the main area, Loud techno, spotlights, disco lights, kids screaming, DJ shouting here comes a T-Rex I started to question my life choices... this is where things went a bit crazy  as I couldn't really see anything, the glare from the lights meant the run ups(which later I heard most people were running up) just disappeared into white light. I decided just to take a guess and go full Gas! and I made it! nah i didn't, comedy stationary spinning of the legs and my first off into the Mud of many, very many... Another thing I never thought off was how to get up of the ground, short arms and all... Somehow I did(later people had to help) and managed to waddle, fall over and get back up over the next 4 laps, missing turns, taking out several barriers, deflating as I had to dismount and carry bike... I think i was having a good time, Its how i imagine being abducted by aliens would feel like  By the last lap the heat inside it was crazy and the condensation covered the view port and i was using my spidey senses to stay on the course, with my hands being on the outside I had no choice but to lick the window port clean of my own sweat so i could see, yes kids thats commitment! moving along...
The crowds were was amazing and I had a group of kids running around beside shouting encouragement(you can do it Dino!) and Adults laughing very loudly as I fell flat on my face. I managed to win best fancy dress and have a fantastic collection of bruises... My first top step of a CX race(sign of things to come? hahahah) The Albannach guys put on a great event and really help me get through it(one marshall had to tuck my Dino butt in every lap), I would highly recommend HalloX to everyone! 
If you need any coaching on how to race in a inflatable costume, just give me a shout!
 

Good session tonight thanks Paul

Drum up number 4, brilliant as always!
 
First of all, big thanks to Iain Lochrane, Geoff & Linda Smith for organising this delightful run & inviting everyone to join in, also for the chief fire starters on site too!
 
Weather forecast wasn't ideal, so I was pleasantly surprise to see a large bunch of yellow & blue at the Loch shore - I counted 13 - Campbell, Colin, David & Carol, Graham & Jane, 4 x Iain McGinty, Carvill, McTarvish, Archiebald, Gerard, Paul McD & myself (sorry if I missed anyone) We seem to make up half the attendees today :-) chapeau Wheelers!
 
Culinary wise, it was a bit of a disaster for me as my craft sausages end up being firewood   Luckily a few was well stocked & the best was Gerard's FILLET STEAK, which I managed to blag a piece, it was bloody tasty ......... thanks Gerard!
Not to mention the red wine, home baking, truffles, coffees etc. It was better than any cafe that I've been in out on a run!
 
Don't forget we did a bit of cycling too   Thanks to everyone for the wheels again today & it was much needed as the way out was a horrible head wind .......... 152km for me by the time I limped home, I'm totally spent but with a full stomach, absolutely gallus!
 
Same again next year please & time to look out for some titanium & carbon BBQ utensils ........ over to you Gerard!
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Never mind avengers assemble look out for "MANUAL"
http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/film-celebrates-middle-aged-men-in-lycra-355018

To all the wannabe Master Chef’s & Bake-off hopefuls …….. of the Wheelers,
 
I have been asked about the when/if this popular “Drum-Up† & it is on Sunday 22nd October - Geoff have posted on FB page.
 
Meeting for the 10am crossing on the Western Ferry at Gourock.
 
Here are a few links from post of yesteryears:
 
http://www.johnstone-wheelers.co.uk/thebunch/index.php?/topic/7988-drum-up/
 
http://www.johnstone-wheelers.co.uk/thebunch/index.php?/topic/8902-loch-eck-drum-up-23rd-october/
 
Looking forward to see a big bunch of Wheelers!
 
Cheers
 
Chung

I got a disc gravel bike a couple of years ago as a winter bike, and have used it as you plan to: road tyres and mudguards in the winter, and the supplied CX style tyres in the summer for off road.
 
I've been really pleased with it in both roles, I got it as a previous years model on a Black Friday deal from Evans, so it was close to second hand prices, but without the wear and tear.  If you can wait a couple of months there should be some deals coming along on 2017 models as the 2018 ones arrive in the shops.

What puncture? Rain? I thought the agreed story was a good humoured, chatty blast down to Largs in the beautiful autumn sunshine! Always a great day out with the club, thank you to everyone.

Ok, it was a wee bit moist this morning, but 11 turned up at the clubhouse, 2 dropping out early and 2 more picked up at Bishopton. Jaki picked up a puncture before we got to Houston, but otherwise an unremarkable run in the rain to the Bagel Basket after that it was up the Haylie and a pace line run to Kilbirnie and the track for home.
Special mention to Joseph McIntosh of the Jets for putting in a full shift, and to Jaki on her first assault on the Haylie.
It would have been good to see a few more out.
Thanks to all those that turned up, and I hope you dry out eventually.

Always a fun weekend of racing on Rothesay. Wheelers well represented in every event from the hill climb, cx, 2up TT, individual TT and the 2 road races.
 
APR was run under TLI age category rules this year with 1.5 minutes between groups.  Robbie, Marc and myself in the 4th group. Most of the group were willing to work however there were a couple who were strong riders but who seemingly didnt know how to ride through and off so it meant things werent smooth and we had to work harder than should have been the case. Scratch caught us after 12 miles then jumped on that, pace picked up but it was now much more organised so really started to motor along  we caught the 3rd group of youth/juniors just before the turn just as they had caught the 2nd group. Then it was the chase of the first group. Gap was 2.5 minutes by then so the first group had extended their lead on the 2nd group. Was starting to get more difficult and some attacks were happening. However nothing came from any of them. We caught the first group just before the final climb, things started to split here and was hanging on by a thread by the top with the front group of about 14 riders (Paul, Marc and Ian all in it). It mostly all came back together on the descent and the flat when things eased a bit with everyone starting to think of the finish and jockying for position.  Jim was going to lead out Lynsey for the finish so thought it fair Jess had that option too which worked pretty well with her winning the womens race (and 9th overall). I was 10th, Paul 11th (and winning his category) and Marc 12th so good spread of Wheelers towards the top. Ian was pretty close behind too and 2nd in his category and Alan towards the top 20 too i think. Robbie unfortunate to puncture.
 
The groups and time gaps were spot on this year. Ideally you want the groups to come together before the final climb and thats what happened.
 
Special mention to Gerrard winning the novice race and also his category in the TT. Also to Marc and Ian going for the yellow jersey, no idea how the standings for that finished but Marc must have been pretty high up by the end...just unfortunate to share the same age category as Martin Lonie and Chris Smart!
 
Next year i think it would be a good event as a club to target to try and win the overall prize. We wouldnt have been that far off this year as Fullarton won it and i dont think any of them finished in the top 12 of the road race.

Errr...
Entered as the last rider, just to give it a shot. At the start line with Carol and Dave and without a clue as to what could happen in a race. Kept at the front group for the whole way round but after the first wee climb I was at the head and because I eat lots of cake I pulled away easily on the first downhill section. I kind of just repeated that round the course with everyone else catching me going up the next hill. One brave soul made a solo breakaway effort and held it until something stopped him heading towards Mount Stewart. Back in the lead bunch on the home run I decided to have a sprint with about 500m to go, looked back once at 200m to see no-one nearby and surprised myself by winning. Massive amount of fun.

Seeing as this is to be a slow pace (and both the proposed routes have good cafes) I'll be along for this one.

Good day out, we are now getting to the time of the year when we need to take advantage of good weather.

5 of us set out from m the club bang on 9:30. Ian dropped out at Lugton, followed by Graham at Stewarton, so the rest of us carried on in a nice through and off from Kilmaurs to Troon, where we had a very nice break at a cafe, then back home into the wind. A very enjoyable run out this morning in dry, cool but a bit windy conditions.

Good stuff I will update you when I have a date and Venue for first session, Your Gravel bike will be perfect Graham

I'm a complete novice when it comes to cyclocross, but would be keen to do this if I can make the times.
 
I've got a gravel bike, should have the required kit.

Times.

Thanks for the wheels guys, my first time out on this ride - it gives me an incentive to do some training for next season!

Thanks for the wheels guys, my first time out on this ride - it gives me an incentive to do some training for next season!

The TT League results. With only one event to go (Sam Dooley 25), the leader of the TT League cannot be caught.
Congratulations to the winners of the Chocolate series, the sub 26 Chocolate, the David Raymond Trophy, the Hilly TT series, the Restricted Gear TT, The league of 10 and the Frank Lauder, all of which have formed part of the TT League. There was no requirement to omit results as the most prolific rider (me) missed 8 events, and the format was to omit 7.
 
Which just goes to show that the more events you enter, the more points you gather.
 
 
PDF 20170830 Week 27 League.pdf

Hope you hjad a good run. I managed 2.7 miles at an average of 6.8 mph with the grandkids this morning - no coffee stop. Normal service resumes next week, hopefully.

I'll be there!

Thanks to Jane and Graham for timekeeping. Think the fact Team Cowan turned up, made the others pull out a bit more.

Everything Darryl said and more, a great trip! Hard, fun days on the bike and well looked after by each other, loads of full belly laughter(mainly at my quick wit & Jokes). Definitely have made some great memories which I'm sure I will remember after some sleep. 
 
Quotes of the Week
 
"Woot Woot"
"Is this the last Hill?"
"Left Yah F****y"
"Right Yah F****y"
 
Epic stuff, hope I don't see any of you for a few weeks 
 

Still laughing out loud at the above quotes Paul, Quality!
 
First tour away and absolutely loved it, even the windy wet bits which there were loads of!
 
Highlights for me were ascending the Bealach na ba, crazy winds though which made it very difficult! 3mph and fighting with everything to make the top, descending the other side was probably the dodgiest thing i've done on a bike, the crazy Irishman with deep sections as well, outrageous! 
 
Day 3 from Ullapool to Tongue in the sun is up there with my all-time best rides, Darryl took us off course on a road heading for the Summer Isles but turning right to Lochinver which was outstanding, single track roads stunning scenery and lots of climbing, would highly recommend. 
 
Lowlight for me was only the A9 but thats the NC500 ticked off so I won't be riding that section again. The weather is what it is and adds to the challenge, and a challenge it was!
 
Lastly, the banter was top notch as Paul mentioned so cheers to the guys for that and Darryl for the whole idea.
 
Where next.....

Fantastic trip taking in Scotland's finest roads. We had wind, rain, sun and the occasional midge. It was certainly challenging at times but in equal measure an absolute delight. The group survived intact with no incidents - no punctures, no mechanicals, no offs - which is remarkable given how much riding was done, and when compared to the number of delays on an average club run 😂
We spent more time in close proximity to each other than one might spend with your own family. And, we managed not to kill each other, just😀
 
I'd like to express my thanks to all the guys talking part. Without the resolve, know how, and good humour of the JWCC, this trip would have been much less enjoyable. Day 3 was especially memorable.
 
Also, I would encourage anyone who couldn't make this to consider doing the NC500, or parts of it, in future.
 
There are lots of photos floating around and no doubt others will be on here to add their own memories, but for now, thanks again guys.