GrahamF

Last weeks results - i left it too late to use the 'this week' results tab so may have missed a couple of riders out
 
Marc - 26 seconds (6 points)
Robbie - 28seconds (5 points)
Iain mct - 29 seconds(4 points)
Gerard - 30seconds (3 points)
Ian A - 32 seconds(2 points)
Ian H - 34 seconds(1 points)
Graham - 35seconds (1 points)
James M - 40seconds (1 points)
Anthony - 41 seconds(1 points)
 
Overall
 
Iain Mct 71
Robbie 60
Ian A 45
Colin 43
Eric 29
Paul Mcd 28
Marc 27
Paul L 19
Graham 14
Ian H 13
Ryan 11
Anthony 10
James 7
Jesse 5
Alan mcb 5
Billy 4
Gerrard 4
Duncan 4
Alex 3
Charlie F 2
George 2
Paul C 2
Alan T 2
Jane 1
Greg 1
Alan mcl 1
James M 1
Steven 1
Mia 1
Andrew F 1

6 riders out on a breezy but dry evening, the results were:
 
Joseph & Gerard      18:32
David C & Alan T     18:21
Paul L & Scott         16:34
 
 
Well done to all, and thanks to Ian A. & Carol for helping.
 
4 riders paid, Joseph (Jet) and Scott not paid, Â£12 transferred to club account.

I can come down to help. 

I should make it down and will double up with the rider with the nicest shorts.

Hey Robbie route below, you can download the GPX from strava. I am not responsible for any errors or deviations
 
NC500 Day 1
Distance 178.5km
Elevation Gain 2,650m  
Est. Moving Time 8:18:15
https://www.strava.com/routes/9913240
 
NC500 Day 2 
Distance 134.2km
Elevation Gain 2,016m
Est. Moving Time 6:14:46
https://www.strava.com/routes/9913368
 
NC500 Day 3 (Toughest day)
Distance 198.8km
Elevation Gain 3,215m
Est. Moving Time 9:14:56
https://www.strava.com/routes/9913442
 
NC500 Day 4 
Distance 183.0km
Elevation Gain 2,266m
Est. Moving Time 8:30:58
https://www.strava.com/routes/9913478
 
NC500 Day 5
Distance 121.0km
Elevation Gain 1,055m
Est. Moving Time 5:37:45
https://www.strava.com/routes/9913547

See you at 9:00, I was up Brisbane Glen during the week - it's just reopened after some bridge repairs, happy to go back but equally happy to go anywhere there's a good cafe and good weather!!!

I hope to be out, don't mind when or what destination....

JWCC go to other caffs not just Bbq shocker. Not sure if it's trying to encourage or discourage custom tho

A good day out, but not quite what was planned. Four of us pushed hard to get up to Lochranza in time for the ferry, only to find that the ferry had broken down and a replacement was going to take some time to get there (if it ever did), so we decided to carry on round Arran. We stopped at Shiskine Golf Club for a good lunch and some relief from the southerly breeze,  before heading back round to Brodick.
 
The one good point was that Calmac took our complaint on board - they should not have sold us Five Ferries tickets at Ardrossan because the Lochranza ferry had broken down the previous day - since they refunded the tickets and gave us complimentary tickets to get back to Ardrossan, which paid for a beer at Brodick golf club before we left the island.

The weather forecast for the day was due to be a mixed bag for our planned route, but it did begin with a tailwind down to Ardrossan. Andrew, Graham and myself met at Millar street and were joined by Jaki and Paul a little further down the cycle track. We made it down to the ferry on time but still last to board, Eric and Ian were already there and found us on board.
 
Good progress was made initially at a steady pace, but a snapped chain gave us our first break. Our next stop was a bit more eventful when Ian and Andrew coming off their bike on a comer at Corriecravie, probably the tarmac lurching up at them. As we Wheelers are made of tough stuff, both picked themselves up, compared road rashes and torn clothes and we were on our way again. Lunch was at Cafe Thyme outside Machrie, a bit of a slog into the wind, a measure of things to come afterwards. The remainder of the run to the ferry was going to be tough, into the wind with thankfully only occasional rain despite the menacing dark clouds hanging over the mountains like the gateway to Mordor. After the expected drag out of Lochranza, leaving a streak of our pain and suffering on the road behind we all managed a well ordered and brisk return to the 1640 ferry.
 
A decent rest on the ferry was needed for the band of five's return home, we were all clearly tiring, but kept the pace up well. As is the way with these days out as we all peeled off to go our separate ways, each hopefully with a warm welcome home and lots of food (I know I did!).

Horrifically underprepared for this but in an effort to do something I've ordered two new tyres.
 
Afer the roads in Ireland i'll be taking a large bucket of chamois cream ( one with wheels that I can tow) and a similar sized tub of sudacreme. That along with midgie spray and painkillers should do me.

In a desire to travel light I've weighed everything I might take. The shoes and the 'winter' rain jacket are the heaviest items - and I don't think washing them is going to make them lighter!
But I'm planning to indulge in a pair of trainers to walk to the pub in, and taking a fleece for the chilly evenings. I'm working on the basis that in the North of Scotland it can be winter weather all year round.
I reckon I'm going to be last up the hills and last to arrive each afternoon, and therefore need more kit as I'll not have as much time to do washing. But the extra clothes don't weigh much.

In a desire to travel light I've weighed everything I might take. The shoes and the 'winter' rain jacket are the heaviest items - and I don't think washing them is going to make them lighter!
But I'm planning to indulge in a pair of trainers to walk to the pub in, and taking a fleece for the chilly evenings. I'm working on the basis that in the North of Scotland it can be winter weather all year round.
I reckon I'm going to be last up the hills and last to arrive each afternoon, and therefore need more kit as I'll not have as much time to do washing. But the extra clothes don't weigh much.

It had its tribulations, I managed to break my track pump before I had left the house, then under Erskine Bridge I was too warm so thought I would repack my saddle bag and managed to rip the top off the dry sack.
 
Met Darryl and were on our way, next I had 2 front wheel punctures before we got to Cardross, so had done approx. 18 miles. It was during the repair of the 2nd puncture the rain started teaming it down. Oh, nearly forgot as I was discovering I had the 1st puncture and was looking at the tyre on the road, I heard a vehicle screeching towards us, Darryl later told me it was going sideways out of control and ended up on the pavement behind us.
 
Robbie as you suggested we stopped in Arrochar for rolls and found some shelter for our bikes for half an hour, then it was up the Rest and be Thankful, again pishing it down.
We had lunch in Inverrary, at this time we were ringing out our gloves over some soup and hot paninis.
We discussed how bad the rain was, but at least there was no wind.
 
Left Inverrary and shortly after that the wind picked up, it was not very enjoyable to say the least and the last 5-10 miles into Oban was especially treacherous with drivers going too fast and cutting in, we presume they must have been trying to catch a ferry.
 
Hot shower in Youth Hostel and a couple of beers, attempted to fix said punctures, but the glue in the puncture kit was empty, luckily managed to borrow a couple of self-stick patches from another cyclist.
Headed out for fish and chips and a few more beers.
 
Next day, totally different, sun in the sky. Arm and leg warmers even came off. Met Al Yuille outside Lochgilphead for a quick chat. We cycled down to Tarbet had lunch and then into Portavadie. A few hills then onto the Ferry to Gourock. We ride up the Clune, never seen any road works and then down the cycle path home.
 
Thanks to Darryl was a cracking trip and now feel better prepared for the NC5oo.

Excellent stuff men, I'll bring the stickie patches then!
 
Do you think we should try and have meet up soon to discuss the detail? Could try get a wee ride for coffee and a chat.

Great to be out with the bunch this morning. 4 intermediates gathered at the bridge and after a few wrong turns managed to find 5 30 milers (trade description act, surely) at Skoosh in Drymen.
 
They set off again heading for Balloch and the bike track back where we caught them again and rode together back to the bridge. Heavy work into the wind up the Georgetown, with riders heading their own way home from Houston.
 
65 for me in good company, Inc new start Stevie.

A good dry but windy ride to Drymen.
A new café for me - very cosy!

Good solid ride at a steady pace. Shame about the rain - you know you're in trouble when you can't see the tops of the turbines at the Wind Farm. But £4 for a bacon roll, coffee and a scone - can't be beaten. Only 45 miles for me, but I was probably in the shower warming up again before Graham got to Brookfield.

Lots of ties this week so more points shared around than normal. Paul and Robbie taking the win.
 
1. Paul L and Robbie - 23 seconds  (6 points)
2. Alan mcb (5 points) - 25 seconds
3. Eric, Duncan and me - 26 seconds (4 points)
4. Graham and Ian H - 29 seconds (3 points)
5. Alan T - 48 seconds (2 points)
6. Jane - 65 seconds  (1 point)
 
 
Overall
 
Iain Mct 58
Colin 43
Robbie 43
Ian A 38
Paul Mcd 28
Eric 22
Marc 21
Paul L 19
Ian H 12
Graham 10
Anthony 9
Ryan 9
James 7
Jesse 5
Alan mcb 5
Billy 4
Duncan 4
Alex 3
Charlie F 2
George 2
Paul C 2
Alan T 2
Jane 1
Greg 1
Alan mcl 1
Gerrard 1
Steven 1
Mia 1
Andrew F 1

A good run today with Ian H, Graham, Peter, Karen, Andy, Mia (refugee from cancelled 30 milers run) and me.
Only serious rain was about 15 mins between Old Kilpatrick and Dumbarton.
Café stop at Balloch was welcome after 50 miles (for me). Need to find something sooner next time.
A new café has opened at Rhu marina - might give that a try one day.
Peter and Karen bade farewell to me at Inchinan turnoff and then I had 11 mile hard solo slog into the wind to LW.
Got a bit damp again cos rained from Kilbarchan to LW!!!  78 miles on the clock - longest ride this year.
Thanks to all participants!

I'll be out for this one, it was a great day last year.

I'm in shock, on the boat after a single single. Got a bit emosh in last few miles as not being a TT person at all I honestly did not think I could do it. Wind was straight westerly which was cross wind up west coast and a bit unhelpful but hey ho. Happiest man in world right now. 😂ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ The way my legs feel I think I'll take up chess till track league starts 😳

Just Graham and me. After some early misty drizzle the weather improved and the return journey was dry and not too windy.
An enjoyable run! (apart from puncture at the bottom of the Whin).

Dave - glad you now have your own identity!!

I'll be along for this.