Gummers

Lovely day for an eventful ride to Largs. I think we had 4 punctures, followed by Glen’s carbon rim failing on the Fairlie Moor road. This could have been very serious but thankfully no-one was hurt. If riding carbon rims with rim brakes do check them for wear from time to time. I suppose you can’t always tell but seeing the mess of his wheel and reflecting on how serious it could have been, it is better to err on the side of caution.
This would normally have been enough to warrant calling the ride ‘eventful’ but there was another more serious event.  Colin and  Gary Dunn came down on the main road to Largs. Colin was bloodied but able to continue. Gary was not so ‘lucky’ and could not ride due to a suspected broken collar bone and had to ‘call a friend’. 
I’ll post an update on Gary when I hear anything.
Happy Easter folks!

great to meet up wth the legends.... great wee spin round Arran and then back to Erskine. Days like today make riding a bike a total pleasure 
 

Utterly brilliant day on Arran and 3 new members of the SA Hall of Fame. Fantastic, and many congrats to SA Rookies Sam McGrath, Colin Sales and Alan Hendry, who were joined by seasoned SA vets Jan McTavish, Mark Kelly, Andy Gumley and myself. So 7 started as a team and 7 finished as a team. Also took all the rankings from 2nd to 6th or something on the Strava segment.
This was a rarer anti clockwise assault due to the predicted wind, however there was near zero wind all day. Very smooth paceline with much encouragement in evidence. Lots of resurfaced roads helped and I reckon this could be a year for records. Still some pretty grisly bits mind you.
Weather was probably the best I have ever seen on Arran and I have been there a lot! Truly heaven on earth.
So now you have a taste guys, set your sights on the Grand Daddy of them all - the DA in August. As I may have said somewhere before, this is a monumental and life changing experience that you will regale your grandchildren with, you will have it engraved on your gravestone, you will forever remember the single biggest day of your life. You will feel immortal.
To round it all off me and Jan rode over the Ross to meet my two girls at the Velo café, then clung on to their wheels to get back for the 1.55pm ferry as we were both tank empty status. 86 miles and 2,000m of ascent made for a fantastic day out.

 
 
 
 

Iain managed to join us for a bit after getting the later ferry - up to the top of one of the highest and hardest climbs in the west of Scotland then straight back down again!

Loved it!  Wee bit harder than expected, thanks for letting me get back on at Whiting Bay and the words of encouragement.  Great team effort by all!! 

Great day out. Found anti clockwise harder than clockwise. Probably says more about my weight and lack of fitness though.
Going up the Ross afterwards was supremely tough. Blew up at the bottom and started cramping half way up - it took me over 30 minutes for the climb at an average cadence of 38 rpm

Hi Darryl 
what you think your eta is for the turn onto the Fairlie Moor Road. Planning to join you in the morning. Cheers
andy 

Good luck guys. I still think you're all mental.

Looking at form in last couple of weeks in the bunch  looks like we have an outstanding team for the single Arran tomorrow with some new entrants to the single Arran hall of fame! 

Looking at form in last couple of weeks in the bunch  looks like we have an outstanding team for the single Arran tomorrow with some new entrants to the single Arran hall of fame! 

So lads, looks like we have me, Jan, Andy, Alan, mibeez Colin, mibeez Sam. And Iain on a social ride agenda ? Any others?
The April SA is normally a truly magnificent experience. That new guy J Esus who was dressed in black to try and hide his porky outline,  well in his previous life before he resurrected as overweight ex cyclist, he even did an April SA !!  

 

I'm in. Sad as it might be, I've cancelled my night out tonight to take part in the SA epic! 

Usual place. Hopefully as smooth and as #pro as last week
 
Who is in?

Since it's Easter I think it's time I rise again!
Remember me? I used to be well fast....
Due to my three year sabbatical I have become way too short for my weight! The only training I have been doing is cycling from Houston to Kilmalcolm with the kids and getting a fry up!
So here are my chain gang and weight goals for this season,
Weeks 1-2 Get to the end of the Georgetown
Weight - The same as a Billy and Geo lovechild.
Weeks 2-4 Get to Bishopton
Weight - Greg Balden with a pair of heavy boots on.
Weeks 4-6 Get over the Cote du Bishy (I named it after my famous dropping on it during the Bogs)
Weight - Charlie giving Gummers a piggy back
Weeks 6-8 Hang on to the bottom of the Clune
Weight - Gunson/Archibald wet through
Weeks 8+ Give everyone a pumping!!
Weight - My right leg weighing the same as P McDonald!
See you tomorrow night if my kit fits!!!
 

Just asking?

Just asking?

I am looking at getting the 08:44 train from Paisley to connect with 09:45 sailing and will cycle back 

I'm in as long as my pace is OK on the chainy tomorrow night as its been a long time since I've done a full chainy.  If I struggle then I'll prob leave it on Saturday but will do a social run round the island instead.  Will make a decision later tomorrow night

sounds good....perhaps something that @iain67 (and others) might want to do? Means you can get the later ferry over then join after we've done a lap.
 
 

I've attached the Arran clockwise leaderboard on Strava. The 2hrs 36mins is definitely possible with a favourable wind. I'll be going over there soon on my Cervelo P5 and skin suit as soon as the weather improves.... Good luck guys.
 

bit too fast and  early for me guys, may post up a more sedate run and pace for Saturday. Enjoy and good luck 
 

you know that non attendance on Saturday is an effective surrender of all your Isle of Arran KoMs?
 
 

With Arran activity for 2019 commencing next Saturday 20th April, it is time to see the Hall of Fame updated for 2018 challenge successes. Hopefully more attempts and new hall of Fame entries in 2019
 

Due to popular demand this thread has moved from 13th April to 20th April. For those of you unfamiliar with this ancient ritual we board the 0700 hours ferry to Brodick. Get off and ride round the island and get the next ferry back. This is the first 2019 edition with aspirations for the legendary Double Arran attempt later in the summer.
 
Don't be like me and miss the ferry despite living 4 miles away. 
 
Be like Darryl and pace according to the team on the climbs not according to how Many watts you can meat out on your pals
 
If the ferry master approves your boarding of the next ferry then you will enter Paul McD’s Hall of Fame! You can tell stories to your children and grandchildren at they sit at your feet in wonder for many years to come! 
 
Who's in?

Due to popular demand this thread has moved from 13th April to 20th April. For those of you unfamiliar with this ancient ritual we board the 0700 hours ferry to Brodick. Get off and ride round the island and get the next ferry back. This is the first 2019 edition with aspirations for the legendary Double Arran attempt later in the summer.
 
Don't be like me and miss the ferry despite living 4 miles away. 
 
Be like Darryl and pace according to the team on the climbs not according to how Many watts you can meat out on your pals
 
If the ferry master approves your boarding of the next ferry then you will enter Paul McD’s Hall of Fame! You can tell stories to your children and grandchildren at they sit at your feet in wonder for many years to come! 
 
Who's in?