AllanM

I will look after them

Fantastic weekend, immaculately chronicled by Chung and others above.
 
Thank you to...
Chung, Peter, Alan (Coatbridge Clarion) and Gavin for your company over the weekend.
 
Mul for the genius suggestion to base ourselves in Bruges, beautiful city, allowing us to breakfast on Saturday at 6.15 and be at the start within 5 mins, and on the Sunday see the Grand Depart entertainment and roll out.
 
Gavin (of Roubaix and LBL fame) for spotting the 4 for the price of 2 offer on Leffe on the ferry. 
 
The large American gentleman for falling onto my bike, damaging my shifter and giving me the perfect excuse for being slow(er) on the hills!
 
Alan for navigating faster than the satnav as we chased the race on Sunday morning, managing to see the race twice (almost three times) including the Karnemelkbeekstraat cobbled climb.
 
The event....
Was excellent, The four of us rode as a group, joined by Ritchie for the second half, which is great for encouragement and momentum.  Amazingly, the whole thing was easier than I imagined it would, thanks in part to the benign weather and the cobbles being positively smooth compared with the brutal Roubaix pave.
 
Disappointing...
The Koppenberg was a pilgrimage of bike walkers when we arrived at the foot, many not even making an effort to climb it and we had no choice but to join in.  We did make it up the Paterberg which felt good.
 
That Chung doesn't carry a computer to diagnose and repair Di2 faults on the road!!
 
RIP to the Irish club rider who died (heart attack I think) doing the sportive.
 
Finally...
I believe that the five of us on the ferry agreed (4 for the price of 2 talking) that next year is a 10 day trip in camper vans, riding both Flanders and Roubaix with some midweek canal cycling and beer tasting.  Fortunately I had my fingers crossed behind my back, so it doesn't count! 

Fantastic weekend, immaculately chronicled by Chung and others above.
 
Thank you to...
Chung, Peter, Alan (Coatbridge Clarion) and Gavin for your company over the weekend.
 
Mul for the genius suggestion to base ourselves in Bruges, beautiful city, allowing us to breakfast on Saturday at 6.15 and be at the start within 5 mins, and on the Sunday see the Grand Depart entertainment and roll out.
 
Gavin (of Roubaix and LBL fame) for spotting the 4 for the price of 2 offer on Leffe on the ferry. 
 
The large American gentleman for falling onto my bike, damaging my shifter and giving me the perfect excuse for being slow(er) on the hills!
 
Alan for navigating faster than the satnav as we chased the race on Sunday morning, managing to see the race twice (almost three times) including the Karnemelkbeekstraat cobbled climb.
 
The event....
Was excellent, The four of us rode as a group, joined by Ritchie for the second half, which is great for encouragement and momentum.  Amazingly, the whole thing was easier than I imagined it would, thanks in part to the benign weather and the cobbles being positively smooth compared with the brutal Roubaix pave.
 
Disappointing...
The Koppenberg was a pilgrimage of bike walkers when we arrived at the foot, many not even making an effort to climb it and we had no choice but to join in.  We did make it up the Paterberg which felt good.
 
That Chung doesn't carry a computer to diagnose and repair Di2 faults on the road!!
 
RIP to the Irish club rider who died (heart attack I think) doing the sportive.
 
Finally...
I believe that the five of us on the ferry agreed (4 for the price of 2 talking) that next year is a 10 day trip in camper vans, riding both Flanders and Roubaix with some midweek canal cycling and beer tasting.  Fortunately I had my fingers crossed behind my back, so it doesn't count! 

Fantastic weekend, immaculately chronicled by Chung and others above.
 
Thank you to...
Chung, Peter, Alan (Coatbridge Clarion) and Gavin for your company over the weekend.
 
Mul for the genius suggestion to base ourselves in Bruges, beautiful city, allowing us to breakfast on Saturday at 6.15 and be at the start within 5 mins, and on the Sunday see the Grand Depart entertainment and roll out.
 
Gavin (of Roubaix and LBL fame) for spotting the 4 for the price of 2 offer on Leffe on the ferry. 
 
The large American gentleman for falling onto my bike, damaging my shifter and giving me the perfect excuse for being slow(er) on the hills!
 
Alan for navigating faster than the satnav as we chased the race on Sunday morning, managing to see the race twice (almost three times) including the Karnemelkbeekstraat cobbled climb.
 
The event....
Was excellent, The four of us rode as a group, joined by Ritchie for the second half, which is great for encouragement and momentum.  Amazingly, the whole thing was easier than I imagined it would, thanks in part to the benign weather and the cobbles being positively smooth compared with the brutal Roubaix pave.
 
Disappointing...
The Koppenberg was a pilgrimage of bike walkers when we arrived at the foot, many not even making an effort to climb it and we had no choice but to join in.  We did make it up the Paterberg which felt good.
 
That Chung doesn't carry a computer to diagnose and repair Di2 faults on the road!!
 
RIP to the Irish club rider who died (heart attack I think) doing the sportive.
 
Finally...
I believe that the five of us on the ferry agreed (4 for the price of 2 talking) that next year is a 10 day trip in camper vans, riding both Flanders and Roubaix with some midweek canal cycling and beer tasting.  Fortunately I had my fingers crossed behind my back, so it doesn't count! 

Fantastic weekend, immaculately chronicled by Chung and others above.
 
Thank you to...
Chung, Peter, Alan (Coatbridge Clarion) and Gavin for your company over the weekend.
 
Mul for the genius suggestion to base ourselves in Bruges, beautiful city, allowing us to breakfast on Saturday at 6.15 and be at the start within 5 mins, and on the Sunday see the Grand Depart entertainment and roll out.
 
Gavin (of Roubaix and LBL fame) for spotting the 4 for the price of 2 offer on Leffe on the ferry. 
 
The large American gentleman for falling onto my bike, damaging my shifter and giving me the perfect excuse for being slow(er) on the hills!
 
Alan for navigating faster than the satnav as we chased the race on Sunday morning, managing to see the race twice (almost three times) including the Karnemelkbeekstraat cobbled climb.
 
The event....
Was excellent, The four of us rode as a group, joined by Ritchie for the second half, which is great for encouragement and momentum.  Amazingly, the whole thing was easier than I imagined it would, thanks in part to the benign weather and the cobbles being positively smooth compared with the brutal Roubaix pave.
 
Disappointing...
The Koppenberg was a pilgrimage of bike walkers when we arrived at the foot, many not even making an effort to climb it and we had no choice but to join in.  We did make it up the Paterberg which felt good.
 
That Chung doesn't carry a computer to diagnose and repair Di2 faults on the road!!
 
RIP to the Irish club rider who died (heart attack I think) doing the sportive.
 
Finally...
I believe that the five of us on the ferry agreed (4 for the price of 2 talking) that next year is a 10 day trip in camper vans, riding both Flanders and Roubaix with some midweek canal cycling and beer tasting.  Fortunately I had my fingers crossed behind my back, so it doesn't count! 

Fantastic weekend, immaculately chronicled by Chung and others above.
 
Thank you to...
Chung, Peter, Alan (Coatbridge Clarion) and Gavin for your company over the weekend.
 
Mul for the genius suggestion to base ourselves in Bruges, beautiful city, allowing us to breakfast on Saturday at 6.15 and be at the start within 5 mins, and on the Sunday see the Grand Depart entertainment and roll out.
 
Gavin (of Roubaix and LBL fame) for spotting the 4 for the price of 2 offer on Leffe on the ferry. 
 
The large American gentleman for falling onto my bike, damaging my shifter and giving me the perfect excuse for being slow(er) on the hills!
 
Alan for navigating faster than the satnav as we chased the race on Sunday morning, managing to see the race twice (almost three times) including the Karnemelkbeekstraat cobbled climb.
 
The event....
Was excellent, The four of us rode as a group, joined by Ritchie for the second half, which is great for encouragement and momentum.  Amazingly, the whole thing was easier than I imagined it would, thanks in part to the benign weather and the cobbles being positively smooth compared with the brutal Roubaix pave.
 
Disappointing...
The Koppenberg was a pilgrimage of bike walkers when we arrived at the foot, many not even making an effort to climb it and we had no choice but to join in.  We did make it up the Paterberg which felt good.
 
That Chung doesn't carry a computer to diagnose and repair Di2 faults on the road!!
 
RIP to the Irish club rider who died (heart attack I think) doing the sportive.
 
Finally...
I believe that the five of us on the ferry agreed (4 for the price of 2 talking) that next year is a 10 day trip in camper vans, riding both Flanders and Roubaix with some midweek canal cycling and beer tasting.  Fortunately I had my fingers crossed behind my back, so it doesn't count! 

Fantastic weekend, immaculately chronicled by Chung and others above.
 
Thank you to...
Chung, Peter, Alan (Coatbridge Clarion) and Gavin for your company over the weekend.
 
Mul for the genius suggestion to base ourselves in Bruges, beautiful city, allowing us to breakfast on Saturday at 6.15 and be at the start within 5 mins, and on the Sunday see the Grand Depart entertainment and roll out.
 
Gavin (of Roubaix and LBL fame) for spotting the 4 for the price of 2 offer on Leffe on the ferry. 
 
The large American gentleman for falling onto my bike, damaging my shifter and giving me the perfect excuse for being slow(er) on the hills!
 
Alan for navigating faster than the satnav as we chased the race on Sunday morning, managing to see the race twice (almost three times) including the Karnemelkbeekstraat cobbled climb.
 
The event....
Was excellent, The four of us rode as a group, joined by Ritchie for the second half, which is great for encouragement and momentum.  Amazingly, the whole thing was easier than I imagined it would, thanks in part to the benign weather and the cobbles being positively smooth compared with the brutal Roubaix pave.
 
Disappointing...
The Koppenberg was a pilgrimage of bike walkers when we arrived at the foot, many not even making an effort to climb it and we had no choice but to join in.  We did make it up the Paterberg which felt good.
 
That Chung doesn't carry a computer to diagnose and repair Di2 faults on the road!!
 
RIP to the Irish club rider who died (heart attack I think) doing the sportive.
 
Finally...
I believe that the five of us on the ferry agreed (4 for the price of 2 talking) that next year is a 10 day trip in camper vans, riding both Flanders and Roubaix with some midweek canal cycling and beer tasting.  Fortunately I had my fingers crossed behind my back, so it doesn't count! 

Fantastic weekend, immaculately chronicled by Chung and others above.
 
Thank you to...
Chung, Peter, Alan (Coatbridge Clarion) and Gavin for your company over the weekend.
 
Mul for the genius suggestion to base ourselves in Bruges, beautiful city, allowing us to breakfast on Saturday at 6.15 and be at the start within 5 mins, and on the Sunday see the Grand Depart entertainment and roll out.
 
Gavin (of Roubaix and LBL fame) for spotting the 4 for the price of 2 offer on Leffe on the ferry. 
 
The large American gentleman for falling onto my bike, damaging my shifter and giving me the perfect excuse for being slow(er) on the hills!
 
Alan for navigating faster than the satnav as we chased the race on Sunday morning, managing to see the race twice (almost three times) including the Karnemelkbeekstraat cobbled climb.
 
The event....
Was excellent, The four of us rode as a group, joined by Ritchie for the second half, which is great for encouragement and momentum.  Amazingly, the whole thing was easier than I imagined it would, thanks in part to the benign weather and the cobbles being positively smooth compared with the brutal Roubaix pave.
 
Disappointing...
The Koppenberg was a pilgrimage of bike walkers when we arrived at the foot, many not even making an effort to climb it and we had no choice but to join in.  We did make it up the Paterberg which felt good.
 
That Chung doesn't carry a computer to diagnose and repair Di2 faults on the road!!
 
RIP to the Irish club rider who died (heart attack I think) doing the sportive.
 
Finally...
I believe that the five of us on the ferry agreed (4 for the price of 2 talking) that next year is a 10 day trip in camper vans, riding both Flanders and Roubaix with some midweek canal cycling and beer tasting.  Fortunately I had my fingers crossed behind my back, so it doesn't count! 

Will come along tonight... Coffee stop sounds good

Graham
I'm in Kilbarchan today and if there are any confirmed entries I'll time my journey home to give you a hand.  I might even get out of the car to help!
Allan

Good to see you Chung and get back out on the bike, thanks for organising.  If you could try and sort the weather next time that would be ideal.  See you again soon.
Allan  

Hi Allan, Andrew & Peter,
 
It would be great to see you 3 out on Sunday, even though it "might" be a bit damp :-) no matter, just have to wear appropriate clothing!
 
Here's hoping for better weather on the day!
 
Looking forward to Sunday 9am at the clubroom.
P.S Remember the clock goes forward this Sunday, so one hour less sleep  on the bright side, no muddies
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Chung/Paul
 
I will join you Sunday as will AndrewD and Peter.  Due to a variety of reasons, none of them very good, we haven't been out much over the winter and are fitness constrained rather than time constrained.  In any event we're very unlikely to do the full 80 miles and will turn right at Croftamie and head for home rather than Drymen.  A wee detour through Mugdock would give us a café stop.
 
See you Sunday.
Allan   

I should probably post this in the Jets bit of the forum but thought I'd stick it here to let our seniors see what the Jets are up to.
 
10 Jets are joining 10 EKRC youths in travelling to Berwick on Tweed youth hostel for a weekend training camp with our friends from Hetton Hawks in the north east.
 
60 road miles on Sat, and then another 60 on Sunday. Our final endurance training session before the RR season starts and we focus on increasing tempo for the Youth Tour of Scotland at Easter weekend.
 
 
(and good LBL miles too)
 
 
 
 

If you start at 9pm and finish at 3am you've averaged over 18mph which for that route is not likely.  At a more realistic average speed, with a foodstop perhaps two, a puncture and/or a mechanical and you're finishing way later than 3am.
 
Shower, change, leisurely breakfast, can of Tenants Super (it's the summer and we're going on a boat) and we'll be struggling to make the first ferry at 7am!
 
Or you could just stay at home and watch Saturday night summer telly...not even Match of the Day!

I did Accred 1 last night.  Good fun and much easier than one of Billy's Tuesday turbo sessions!

Easy!

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who attended last night and made is an event to remember.
 
Personal thanks to everyone behind the scenes for all the support which helped it happen. Rita and Katie for agreeing to present the prizes, Ramsey and Paul for officiating, our sponsors and guests, Gleddoch House Hotel - particularly Wendy, Ian Simmet for the ceilidh, the team of  Helena, Jann, Karen, Mary, Seonaid, Allan C, Allan T, Martin and Graham F who helped pull all the ideas together, sourced photos and raffle prizes, ran errands, made calculations and sold and folded the raffle tickets.
 
The Jets who presented flowers and assisted with the Raffle deserve a special mention too!
 
Thanks also to all who cycled this season to compete for the prizes and well deserved congratulations to the prizewinners, new awards to aim for next season?
 
Thanks again for my flowers.
Jane

Alan
I rode a lot of these North East roads in August this year...well worthwhile.  I however did it over two days with a good meal, sleep and shower in Nairn...like a normal person!

Darryl, yes a huge exaggeration, but after two weeks of supersized meals in the USA and suffering from a cold the climbing was tough (for me)!

Sorry Mark I'm in Liverpool on 24th Aug.

Another great day on the bike! Given the forecast I thought we'd get wet at some point but no, sunny all the way...what a summer.
 
Boyd, thank you for planning the route and the guided tour of the Drum and Clydebank on the way back to the bridge. Good to see some people I haven't seem for a while and meet the guys from Royal Albert CC from Larkhall. Bill was miffed that their bikes weren't red, white & blue!
 
We even had the bonus of meeting Chung's wife and son at the café stop and get the other side of the 'bollard incident'!

Was waiting on Al's detailed Garmin report, but he must be out of internet reach again...
Early 05:00 departure was required to make the 07:00 start. However, we missed the main bunch start (comfort break) and ended up on our own. This was the pattern for the rest of the day. Started off in light rain, but this cleared for most of the rest of the day with the exception of two heavy downpours in the afternnoon.
Scenery outstanding all the way with several of the roads smooth tarmac to match. No vertical gradients to speak of, but many long drags to sap the strength. In fact, had to suck Al's wheel for several miles on the return leg to Langholm when I was toiling up a 10 mile 'slope' after about 130 miles. I knew I would suffer on this - it was a two up TT at around 25mph on the way out! Eventually recovered with a red bull!
Finished the run at 21:23 with 195 miles on the clock. MacDonalds never tasted so good. Probably around 13 hrs in the saddle and I have the backside to prove it.
Despite 3 cafe breaks and a couple of 'shop' stops, lesson for me is that I need to take more real food (and red bull) on board. Think my stomach was rejecting gels late on.
Great day on the bike and good to hit the milestone. Strange feeling sitting at 100 miles and realising you're just over half way.
Dawes Tourer now on order and beard coming along nicely.
Planning next trip to Stornoway at start of Jul for the next 300km. All welcome....

Well done Billy.
 
I bought you a bottle of St Emilion to thank you for your help over the winter.... it was excellent!

Bill Thomson in Tarbert today around 12,30 just off the ferry from Portavadie on his solo 5 ferries run. Looking fitter than men half his age!