iain couttie

Passed Eric on the GT looked a bit damp.

Passed Eric on the GT looked a bit damp.

I have groped and fondled my bike back to its verdant glory but my plinking knee has forced me to be sensible* and go with the thirty milers tomorrow. Have a good run and I will be out to play another day.
 
*A new word for me I had to look up a dictionary!

A big woo-hoo for smashing my previous PB by 44 seconds!  After a long break away from the TTs I was cycling down in the blustery wind thinking that anything under 18min tonight would be an achievement.  Well done to all of the other riders and to Richard and Ian for officiating, especially good to see Ian on the mend after him punching a moving car.

x2

Those of you who read the comic will have come across features they do on clubs the length and breadth of the country.
 
I think ours has a story to tell so have been badgering/trolling the editor to do a feature on us.
 
He has got in touch & promised a visit to do a ride and a feature on us in the next 2-3 months.
 
I'll let you know the date once it's confirmed.

thanks mr mcBride for the pull back on.

We have good people working at the yard,Julia Scott practice is in Helensbourough but works from the yard as well, A lot of sports customers

A link to the some photos
 
https://goo.gl/photos/iJTpqWA46DkxTnob6

Cheers

Gorgeous night for TT-ing, warm, dry and a tailwind on the out leg.
Chris - DNS
Emma - 26.19, paid
Richard - 21.34, PB, paid (this week, last time out and next time out)
 
£12 transferred to club funds. Thanks to Billy for pushing riders off.
 
Well done to Richard on the PB, in a shockingly large fixed gear.

62.40  take away and tt  dont mix

DA (Dura Ace) pin

Guys
Just to let you know DArryl had surgery toDAy and chose a titanium pin in his femur to go with his bike
He is very positive given that there is still pain and is already talking about Pyrenees in August ! Chapeau indeed.

Get well soon, hope all goes well.

Well done Couttie see u @ 8am as long as I can get out of Amaretto

The forecast of a light wind and no rain turned out to be a lie. The rain was light, and passed over quite quickly, once the wind got up. About 15 minutes before I went off a stiff breeze sprang up, and was right there in my face for 13 miles. Got to the turn in about 40 minutes, gubbed, then got back in 28, still gubbed.
68:17 for today's effort, 1:19 faster than last year.
It's good to get the first 25 of the year done.

Sitting tonight with some recovery juice and thoughts turned to DA. In terms of strategy I am thinking as below but welcome other thoughts and suggestions,
 
- single pace line, straight to back just like the pro's do on a long TTT
- pace regulated at SA pace plus a little bit extra from the start
- looking like a decent number so probably about 30-45 secs on front which will mean a spell every 4-5 mins
- important point is do not increase pace, keep it smooth as possible with guy swinging off easing back and going straight to back, no macho keeping the power on to make the next guy work to come through
- if you are having a good moment then go a bit longer on front before elbow flick
- elbow flick is mandatory, we do not want people behind accelerating to get through and do a spell
- be realistic about your personal ability, flick that elbow as soon as you start to let the pace drop or preferably before
- communication is critical. I will take personal responsibility for making the call to up or down the overall pace with the help from my data friend whom I hope will have the last but one single stored for up to the second pace comparison on his Garmin (I will contact you separately Jan to check out your thoughts on this)
- mechanicals, sorry but we all sign up for not stopping, it is just not feasible, I really hope it does not happen to anyone,
- please think about your personal strengths and play to them, obvious examples would be Robbo or James leading on the climbs into the headwind or Jan and Alan doing longer turns on the flat. But, and this is the really important bit, if you are particularly strong at one discipline please remember others are not so ride to the teams abilities rather than your own,
- the best team player will lead the team within their abilities on their preferred terrain but will sensibly pull back when it does not suit them,
- it is very likely most people will have a crisis in confidence or form at some point, it is just fine to either miss spells or roll through for a very short spell
- it is not fine to miss spells without shouting to the team that they should drop in in front of you
- when a single line goes round a corner or makes a descent round a corner the line always stretches with gaps opening, remember the first guy can take the best line and see the pot holes etc but everyone behind cannot, if you are on the front the very best thing to do is hold back for a few seconds to let the line reestablish itself, this is best for the team effort,
- and finally, shout out the pot holes for the team behind,
 
 
Some practicalities
 
- we make a stash about 500m from ferry for spare bottles, food etc, so poly bag or similar with provisions for 2nd lap should be brought along
- the stop time will be about 4 minutes max so think ahead on quick changeover of bottles, food etc
 
Look forward to your comments and additions. I can't wait to give this a bash as I Truly believe that everyone is up for dong whatever they can to make it happen.
 
DREAM IT, BELIEVE IT, ACHIEVE IT

Available via the CTT website. TT, followed by a hill climb. Might do both this year......

just checked the garmin, I was doing 32mph when I went over the hump back bridge

I would like to ride. Haven't been on my TT bike since September!!

good challenging route, thanks Billy, group worked well up the Khyber, Crow and along Loch Carron, up Tak and down with a few added dramatic adventures! No reverse Tak and Crow for Alan and me but respect to the hardmen who went back for more! A short coffee break in Lennoxtown gave me the chance to assess the damage, looks just likes lumps and cuts and the bike responded well on the way back. Thanks to Alan for straightening out brakes/shifters and the bunch for insisting I head for home after 'binning it'. Still got nearly 74 miles and 5400 feet on a pleasant day. 

Hope the fallers OK.
You are all mad!
I fondly recall my main bunch days when I am talking to my grandchildren with ma wee blanket over ma knees.

Great Run and company. Glad Eric is ok. Thanks lads for seeing me through last bit I was bust/shredded or in my native tongue fecked!