Gummers

Good night overall but would be nice to have a bit more track time as there were only 3 races tonight and the distances were a bit shorter too. Good to see so many Wheelers and Jets, by far the biggest representation of all the clubs.
 
Overall legs felt better than last week although the results didnt really show it much. First up in the C was a 30 lap points and the sprints were fast - 2nd sprint was 45 mph, thats the fastest i've seen at the track league so far. Normally the sprints in the points are a bit slower than in the scratch but not tonight, well done to Alan for winning this.
 
Second up 15 lap scratch - my positioning was pretty woeful on this, thought i was being smart and was marking Kevin Stewart but i guess the distance was too much for him.
 
Third another 15 lap scratch - managed to get a second, helped no doubt by the field being a bit smaller! Managed to avoid doing any work then there was a Thomsons rider about a half lap ahead, i attacked with 5 to go and managed to bridge however by that time the other Thomsons rider had got away from the group and was on my wheel and came past.
 
Rider of the night was Richard - 2 breakaway wins in the Bs and also i think in the top 3 in the points.

Billed as the toughest sportive in Britain and I am not going to argue.
Departing from Bangor on Dee racecourse the weather was very cold with a watery sun promising its best but delivering very little by way of heat. Started off with the usual frantic pace as the first 2.5km was somewhere between flat and downhill. It was then that the course began to live up to its name. What followed was as close to an alpine climb as can be found in Britain measuring about 22km with a few very short and very fast downhill sections in between. The descent from the peak was brilliant. 2km of fairly narrow roads, several corners but good sight lines and good tarmac and closed roads. This is where I hit my maximum speed for the day of 65kph. Could have gone a bit faster but it became quite busy near the bottom.
Next came the (in)famous horseshoe pass. 6km climb measuring 10-12% in places. Geraint Thomas's time of 14mins and 22secs was never in any doubt; although I did match the 22 seconds by reaching the top in 25 mins and 22 seconds. It was tough in places but overall only marginally tougher that Crow Road.
I thought well if that's the famed horseshoe pass over and done then I should be okay. Of course this was only twenty five miles in so perhaps I should have realised that I was getting ahead of myself.
And I was because then came the C11s cousin which was very tough into an icy head wind. Another quick descent and then the C11's big cousin; I sure mine wasn't the only voice calling out for my mum! It was only 5km with an average gradient of 5% but there were several 12% and above sections which had my legs screaming at me and wondering why they had been forced to drive 300 miles south then get up at 5:30 in the morning to do this cycling malarkey instead of lying in bed.
This brought me tiredly to the third feed stop. Not much point in hanging around as it was still only 8C with a chilly wind to boot. Cheese toasties were a brilliant idea and made a welcome change to sweet gels and energy drink.
Another tiring 6km drag and I am wondering if I will make it to the end, still 50 km to go. At the top of this climb some kind soul had put the inspiring message "cheer up, the worst is still to come". He wasn't lying. After another fast descent the next climb seemed to be never ending with the first 2km of 10-12% with little 5-6% respites. It never fails to amaze me how 6% suddenly become easy after a prolonged effort at 10%. Eventually things levelled off to a more manageable 3-4% which seemed to continue to the top of what was now a very dark and very cloudy world.
Oh deep joy, freezing rain for the next 3 miles was just about enough to make me throw my bike off the mountain. It was only the realisation that, without it, I would have to walk that prevented me from doing so.
From here I finally found a group that I could keep up with, probably because the final 10 miles only involved some short climbs and flat to rolling, which we covered in just under 30 minutes. There was the obligatory sprint to the line where I only just made the podium, stealing third by a tyre width.
An epic ride, tougher than Flanders. I made it 2900m of climbing which is still 1000m short of the Nove Colli but the compressed distance and the fact that you were either climbing or descending with little in between did make it a tough ride.

As new riders come into the main bunch I think its absolutely spot on to review Bunch Riding Skills. I joined the club just under 2-years ago and my 1st year's objective was to acquire these skills. Some less kind observers have suggested that I should have retained this as an objective this year! ........................ and next year :)

Paul, Richard and, above all, Al dominated the B group in a great display of racing.
 
Al now has a favoured tactic in the scratch races of launching from top of track into turbo pursuit mode with 6-8 laps to go. No-one could catch him and only his team mates were close.
 
It was exciting to watch.
 
I think all three should be racing A next week.
 
Alan

That's some ride Andy See me? See happy?

Left side brain report,
Job done. Again. Andy joins the club. Average speed 20.13mph. Average speed when me, Ross and Billy did it one month ago 20.06mph. Ross you're a donkey. A fat one. fair to see we were motivated to beat the speed.
 
Right side brain report
On a wonderful late summer morn it was good to see Mr Anonymous, of Ayrshire, join me and Andy for the ferry trip. Even more wonderful when he duly provided 1/3 of the horsepower for the first 30 miles before opting to head over The String. With a strong NNW wind at Ardrossan we opted for an anti clockwise route. However the wind was almost non existant on Arran and when we turned at Lochranza I noted the flat sea and not the expected howling tail wind. So we just had to man up and get on with it. South end was truly magnificent with sparkling views to the Holy Isle and Ailsa Craig and Andy's hub. People were out on the beach enjoying the sun. We were just out of our boxes.
Can I think of a better way to spend a glorious late summer morn, mmm no.
In conclusion, chapeau Andy on a fine performance, thank you Mr Anonymous of Ayrshire for the input.
 
Is the double doable?
 

 
 
 

Great to see 10 yellow clad wheelers giving it dokey.
Anyway I'm sure I enjoyed that, just my legs don't seem to agree. Hope they return for Arran.

 

I was chatting to Jason Smith from Glasgow Green CC today. He reckons our racing boys are some of the friendliest on the racing scene, to quote " not like other clubs". Says it all.
 
As for Billy MacBagel what can I say. The diet of Scottish champions. Beer followed by more beer, all washed down with steak and chips. As a nation we salute your small intestine MacB - Outstanding! Reckon you should trademark the MacBagel tag, might annoy a certain restaurant franchise in time.

As a bunch, and as a club we are all friendly. No exclusion here and any progression is welcomed and encouraged. Hope to see you soon Greig and any other 30 milers ready to go forward
 
Greg

Club kit from Endura has arrived this morning. The other order for caps & socks have just arrived too.
 
Payment by cash or cheque preferred when you collect.
If you want to bank transfer let me know as I cannot see payments straight away on the club account.
 
I'm around today if anyone wants to collect their order, can do Monday evening or Tuesday at Westferry.

Great to see Chung, Richard and Hugh supporting Joansin tonight!
 
Interesting race tonight. As Billy says we're all looking forward to the two roundabouts on a sunny, dry and relatively calm evening but roadworks meant doing 6 laps of the Moscow circuit. Neutralised zone was anything but neutralised. I clocked over 40 kph from Fenwick to the right hand turn onto the circuit. First lap was hard. Pace was very strong. I dropped from the front end of the bunch to further back for Laps 2, 3 and 4 before starting to move towards the front again. Laps were hectic between the road surface, parked cars and oncoming traffic. Found myself too far forward on lap 5 and though I had gubbed myself. Final sprint at the finish was packed and chaotic. Having to use breaks less than 50 metres from the line! Great fun. No crashes. Good turn out on and off the circuit from JWCC!
 
Andy

Great to see Chung, Richard and Hugh supporting Joansin tonight!
 
Interesting race tonight. As Billy says we're all looking forward to the two roundabouts on a sunny, dry and relatively calm evening but roadworks meant doing 6 laps of the Moscow circuit. Neutralised zone was anything but neutralised. I clocked over 40 kph from Fenwick to the right hand turn onto the circuit. First lap was hard. Pace was very strong. I dropped from the front end of the bunch to further back for Laps 2, 3 and 4 before starting to move towards the front again. Laps were hectic between the road surface, parked cars and oncoming traffic. Found myself too far forward on lap 5 and though I had gubbed myself. Final sprint at the finish was packed and chaotic. Having to use breaks less than 50 metres from the line! Great fun. No crashes. Good turn out on and off the circuit from JWCC!
 
Andy

.......or your fading eyesight MacB.
 
Andy, peace and harmony have been restored, so there . It's all coffee with milk or milk with coffee - yuck!
 
Rule number 302 regards drinks consumed at cafe stops should be invoked - Should a cafe stop be taken, hot beverages should be limited to coffee only. Said coffee should be black and be of sufficient strength to make your eyes water, giving you a serious boost after twenty minutes - precisely how George likes his men Gawn, gie's a kiss. . Only deviation to be tolerated would be tea - by the pot. No more maccacappolattecino nonsense.
 
see y'all Sunday

Can I suggest as Chung already has on a parallel thread Lumpy Largs 11th and Kilcreggan 18th. This seems most apt since Lumpy Largs was proposed initially.
 
Andy

Sorry, guys.
 
I thought this would be a go-er but stuff got in the way.
 
I'll just go get a pasting from Andy & co.
 
At least it won't be an all day pasting
 
Remember the factor 80!

Hi Paul
You've got five stages of grieving so I suspect you're still in denial suggesting that you're "through the shock but not the grieving". This doesn't count separation anxiety and the disorganisation of your bike attachment representations. I think 20mph is a great coping strategy. Lets hope for some TDF style cross winds to make it all pretty and nice.
Andy

Fantastic nights racing with all Joansin' making a very strong showing throughout topped of with Hugh doing 1st Junior and 3rd Cat 4. Paul was on his winter bike looking menacing. Colin really nicely placed especially on initial climbs. Hugh was well placed throughout even getting into a late breakaway. As Paul said race started sedately and a breakaway went early. I think their max gap on the bunch was around 40 seconds. I was well pleased with positioning on climbs in lap 1 and managed a bit of rest back on A77. Found myself sitting off the front on the A77 as we were starting to track a couple of stragglers off the breakaway. Things were starting to get lively towards Newton Mearns then before the left turn there was a blistering attack with Paul and Hugh speeding by. I hung on in a very stretched bunch and by the time we reached the bottom of the Dams climb things were beginning to feel unpleasant and my position was fairly poor. Managed to hang on to the top and hid for the first part of the descent to the Clunch. Starting moving up again but only half way so not well positioned. By this time the pace was ramping up to catch the breakaway and I was hanging on. Breakaway were caught just before A77 I think. Back on A77 pace slowed down and turning back towards Eaglesham I was sitting on Paul's wheel and could see Hugh looking very comfortable. Last 100 metres sprint broke out and off Hugh and Paul went. They were splendid! My legs were gubbed but I was over the moon with a second bunch finish.
 
Three races. Two bunch finishes. One week. Very satisfied!
 
Andy

well if carlsberg did cycle runs! what a briliant day, was not the fastest or the youngest,but a bottle of cider and wine and my legs are no longer talking to my head.better than last week when i had to head home.
 
happy iain

After the race I'm standing in whitecraigs rugby club looking at a flask, tea bags, milk and sugar. I can't figure out how to use any of them. The start was on the Dams climb. Where the ramp starts. Into a head wind. The neutralised zone wasn't very neutral. My strategy was stay at the front on the climbs. Make sure I'm at the front for the Clunch then recovery on A77. First lap all going swimmingly and I'm on the front when a land rover turns up on the Clunch squeezing the bunch and dropping a bunch of guys. With a smaller main bunch going onto the A77 there's a break and the main bunch get irritated and lively. The pace ramps up so plans of recovery are generally screwed. Back onto the dams all is well, even manage to drop my chain and get back up the front of the bunch. I go into Clunch in first position and the climb is less arduous than the first. The breakaway is getting organised. Pace ramps up again going onto A77 and by the time it reaches 36mph I'm out of any place I've ever been in my short life in racing. I'm off the back. After that its a salutary lesson in putting the head down and getting on with it. Finished 17 minutes of the winning time in 32nd place out of 60. Guys retiring everywhere so anyone finishing gets a chapeau! Rest now ahead of Wednesday nights return to the same circuit.

Beautiful evening to race with the sun out. Strong westerly wind created one or two challenges mainly on A77 southbound and on left turn at Newton Mearns. The neutralised zone was a but calmer this time compared to the VC race. Turning onto the A77 the pace cranked up and I was sitting in a poorish position close to the rear of the bunch. Colin was looking very strong indeed and was sitting quite far up. I sat in the drag for most of the A77 and at the left turn there was a bit of a sprint to stay on wheels. Onto the climb, I was pretty much in the middle getting dragged up. When it ramped up I moved up a bit towards the front and at the summit down hill to the Clunch found some legs and sat at the front end of the bunch for position. Still managed to hide but the descent gives good speed. Turning onto the Clunch, I went to the front so that I could fall back. By the time I reached the top of the Clunch though my legs were going to burst. Turning onto he A77 there was good time to rest and eat a 'nana. Wossy went to the front and was looking very strong, you know the way Wossy does! Second climb up the Dams I heard a shout for the wheelers! Think it was Chung calling out to Wossy. So knew he was on my left shoulder. Same tactics again to top of dams though though my legs would snap when I went to the front again before the ramp. Hid again for a bit and got dragged up the hill again. Speedy descent down to Clunch again, same tactics up and the front feeding on other guys wheels. When we turned onto A77 speed was ramping up. Saw my wee mouthy EK friend from the Strathaven race. Gave me great pleasure to see him pop before the right hand turn. Then it all got strangely freaky. Sitting in the main bunch heading up for the final sprint. Stayed in the bunch then with 100 meters to go just didn't have legs for final sprint. A very fine evening and by pleased with my first bunch finish. Thought to myself thank got I didn't have three laps of that. Oh yeah. Saturday. Gulp.

Beautiful evening to race with the sun out. Strong westerly wind created one or two challenges mainly on A77 southbound and on left turn at Newton Mearns. The neutralised zone was a but calmer this time compared to the VC race. Turning onto the A77 the pace cranked up and I was sitting in a poorish position close to the rear of the bunch. Colin was looking very strong indeed and was sitting quite far up. I sat in the drag for most of the A77 and at the left turn there was a bit of a sprint to stay on wheels. Onto the climb, I was pretty much in the middle getting dragged up. When it ramped up I moved up a bit towards the front and at the summit down hill to the Clunch found some legs and sat at the front end of the bunch for position. Still managed to hide but the descent gives good speed. Turning onto the Clunch, I went to the front so that I could fall back. By the time I reached the top of the Clunch though my legs were going to burst. Turning onto he A77 there was good time to rest and eat a 'nana. Wossy went to the front and was looking very strong, you know the way Wossy does! Second climb up the Dams I heard a shout for the wheelers! Think it was Chung calling out to Wossy. So knew he was on my left shoulder. Same tactics again to top of dams though though my legs would snap when I went to the front again before the ramp. Hid again for a bit and got dragged up the hill again. Speedy descent down to Clunch again, same tactics up and the front feeding on other guys wheels. When we turned onto A77 speed was ramping up. Saw my wee mouthy EK friend from the Strathaven race. Gave me great pleasure to see him pop before the right hand turn. Then it all got strangely freaky. Sitting in the main bunch heading up for the final sprint. Stayed in the bunch then with 100 meters to go just didn't have legs for final sprint. A very fine evening and by pleased with my first bunch finish. Thought to myself thank got I didn't have three laps of that. Oh yeah. Saturday. Gulp.

Beautiful evening to race with the sun out. Strong westerly wind created one or two challenges mainly on A77 southbound and on left turn at Newton Mearns. The neutralised zone was a but calmer this time compared to the VC race. Turning onto the A77 the pace cranked up and I was sitting in a poorish position close to the rear of the bunch. Colin was looking very strong indeed and was sitting quite far up. I sat in the drag for most of the A77 and at the left turn there was a bit of a sprint to stay on wheels. Onto the climb, I was pretty much in the middle getting dragged up. When it ramped up I moved up a bit towards the front and at the summit down hill to the Clunch found some legs and sat at the front end of the bunch for position. Still managed to hide but the descent gives good speed. Turning onto the Clunch, I went to the front so that I could fall back. By the time I reached the top of the Clunch though my legs were going to burst. Turning onto he A77 there was good time to rest and eat a 'nana. Wossy went to the front and was looking very strong, you know the way Wossy does! Second climb up the Dams I heard a shout for the wheelers! Think it was Chung calling out to Wossy. So knew he was on my left shoulder. Same tactics again to top of dams though though my legs would snap when I went to the front again before the ramp. Hid again for a bit and got dragged up the hill again. Speedy descent down to Clunch again, same tactics up and the front feeding on other guys wheels. When we turned onto A77 speed was ramping up. Saw my wee mouthy EK friend from the Strathaven race. Gave me great pleasure to see him pop before the right hand turn. Then it all got strangely freaky. Sitting in the main bunch heading up for the final sprint. Stayed in the bunch then with 100 meters to go just didn't have legs for final sprint. A very fine evening and by pleased with my first bunch finish. Thought to myself thank got I didn't have three laps of that. Oh yeah. Saturday. Gulp.

Beautiful evening to race with the sun out. Strong westerly wind created one or two challenges mainly on A77 southbound and on left turn at Newton Mearns. The neutralised zone was a but calmer this time compared to the VC race. Turning onto the A77 the pace cranked up and I was sitting in a poorish position close to the rear of the bunch. Colin was looking very strong indeed and was sitting quite far up. I sat in the drag for most of the A77 and at the left turn there was a bit of a sprint to stay on wheels. Onto the climb, I was pretty much in the middle getting dragged up. When it ramped up I moved up a bit towards the front and at the summit down hill to the Clunch found some legs and sat at the front end of the bunch for position. Still managed to hide but the descent gives good speed. Turning onto the Clunch, I went to the front so that I could fall back. By the time I reached the top of the Clunch though my legs were going to burst. Turning onto he A77 there was good time to rest and eat a 'nana. Wossy went to the front and was looking very strong, you know the way Wossy does! Second climb up the Dams I heard a shout for the wheelers! Think it was Chung calling out to Wossy. So knew he was on my left shoulder. Same tactics again to top of dams though though my legs would snap when I went to the front again before the ramp. Hid again for a bit and got dragged up the hill again. Speedy descent down to Clunch again, same tactics up and the front feeding on other guys wheels. When we turned onto A77 speed was ramping up. Saw my wee mouthy EK friend from the Strathaven race. Gave me great pleasure to see him pop before the right hand turn. Then it all got strangely freaky. Sitting in the main bunch heading up for the final sprint. Stayed in the bunch then with 100 meters to go just didn't have legs for final sprint. A very fine evening and by pleased with my first bunch finish. Thought to myself thank got I didn't have three laps of that. Oh yeah. Saturday. Gulp.

Andy
No need have heard the saying before and yes if I can remember it

Hopefully rondevous avec vous