thejanullrichdietplan

Khyber Pass . Obviously i only let everyone overtake me so there would be some climbing footage.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4zCHXkMdzc
 
My internet connection isnt great so had to make the file size smaller so the upload wouldnt take too long, bit of a loss in picture quality as a result.

Yeah good day out, felt like summer again!
 
 
Crow road descent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFVBy32i2S8
 
(i'll upload some others when i get the chance)

Yeah good day out, felt like summer again!
 
 
Crow road descent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFVBy32i2S8
 
(i'll upload some others when i get the chance)

Ive never been on the route but judging from the description i think it is this (from the bridge) http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5843436 

The standard of the riders was decent - all pretty fit and safe / predictable which was good as i was a lacking a bit of confidence at the start so felt like it was worth the money getting some of that back.
 
As always though its just your luck on the night who else is there.

Here is the timetable for once it open agains from next week.
 
http://www.emiratesarena.co.uk/cycling/Documents/Velo%20Timetable%202014-15%20%28Website%20Copy%29.pdf
 
I know a couple of you were keen to either finish off the accreditation process or start it so probably worth booking soon so you can to try and avoid the inevitable bottleneck that will happen in a few weeks time.

finish, usual story of going far too early for a sprint but it was just too hard to resist holding back  and not trying to go round the final corner on the front of a group of about 50
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ouv86Dd-tDI

Cracking weather for it heres a video of the stretch along the Georgetown
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LctQAszppKM

Cracking weather for it heres a video of the stretch along the Georgetown
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LctQAszppKM

There is some xc riding up the Glennifer Braes - possible to ride from the back of Elderslie to Barrhead covering sides of Robertson Car Park past Paisley golf course Glen Park, Brownside Farm and Firenze . This is mostly all traditional xc mountain biking rather than specific trails so can get muddy when its wet. There is some hardpack too which stands up to the weather better on the Brandy Burn side towards Elderslie at Windyhill Woods
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_svn4JmfZU
 
At Clyde Muirsheil you can follow some of the paths and go up to the old mine, at Lochwinnoch there is Parkhill Wood there is a short loop in there.
 
Fairly close by there is the Commonwealth Games course at Cathkin Braes (which is closed just now for the games) and miles upon miles of access roads at Whitelee Windfarm plus a small mountain bike skills area which is due to open soon.
 
Further afield then Glentress down in Peebles is the big one. Purpose built trails to suit all levels of ability, would definitely recommend a visit there.

There was a large entry of 80 riders for this race which I'd entered as I can't manage WOSCA race next week. All started well enough and was feeling comfortable at the end of the first long climb up to black loch. The pace was fairly high on the descent from the Loch into the tight wee left hander where the course became more rolling. This caused the bunch to string out and I was miles from the front at this point (not so good). However didn't panic and just got on with things Then came the short sharp climb on the back end of the circuit. Held on well here also until a crash in front of me saw a split in the bunch a few riders in front which I wasn't quick enough to notice. I chased back on however and managed to bridge across. So ended lap 1. As lap 2 began I realised on the next ascent up to Black Loch that I'd pretty much emptied my tank by loitering around too much at the tail end of things instead of battling for position more into the climbs. So as the ascent began I felt the elastic snapping and just had to soldier through the remaining laps catching many others who had been caught out behind the crash earlier. However felt I was getting stronger as the course continued. Well done to Lewis Mulholland on 3rd overall and I think 1st junior as well. A good course this one and very well run. Look forward to the reports of Wednesdays race which I won't manage. Good luck to all riding.

My only reason for entering races is so I can write a report afterwards, Andy. I've rambled on here because I'm still too switched on to sleep (and because I like rambling on.) Skip to the end for the important bit.

Tonight's contest was a well-organised Glasgow Green CC production over two and a bit laps of the Stewarton circuit: twice over the Dams and the Clunch, with the finish line just outside East Renfrewshire's Newton Mearns rubbish tip. (I'm sure you all know it well.) There were 60 riders on the start sheet, and we rolled out from the Indian restaurant at the Malletsheugh in glorious sunshine, with me and Colin in the mix for the Wheelers. Roadside support by Chung and Ken.

The race kicked off by heading south on the A77. The first two miles were neutralised, but with no lead car directly in front of the bunch, the pace was brisk with lots of jostling. There was a keen westerly wind and you could clearly feel how much easier it was to ride near the gutter compared to the outside of the bunch. At the Galston roundabout we did a U-turn back towards the Malletsheugh. Colin was sitting in the front third; I'd done my usual front-to-back routine, easing away from erratic riders in the name of self-preservation.

I was determined not to tackle the Dams climb from the back, so I moved up as we approached the finish line for the start of the first lap proper. Not long after that, a break of about 8-9 riders slipped off the front with a good gap of about 60 yards. Jason Barnes went in pursuit and I chased after him. "Take a spell, Jason, take a spell!" My intentions were good but my ability to put a name to a face was not: it was Nicky Cronin from Glasgow Wheelers! Nonetheless, take a spell he did and we tried to get across. If we had a gap on the main bunch, it wasn't for long. We caught a few riders who had tried to get across to the break, but not the break itself - nowhere near them. I sat up as we turned left off the A77 and drifted backwards.

Going over the Dams, Colin was off the front in a second breakaway group of five or six. I swear I saw him turn around with a slightly puzzled expression on his face as he looked back across the gap to the bunch! He'll be able to fill you in on the details, but I reckon the second group were brought back by the top of the Clunch road. On the A77, we were told that the first break had a gap of about 1:40. We were travelling north quickly, but the chase wasn't organised with few contributing. I was happy to sit in.

Second time over the Dams and it's suddenly rather hard. Riders were flaking off the back of the group and I lost track of where Colin was. I managed to hang on, though, and was attached to the bunch as we turned for the Clunch. Could I actually make it to the end of a road race without cramping up?

Well, no, unfortunately. We're big-ringing it up the miserably steep introduction to the Clunch and I get that now-familiar feeling that my legs will not support my weight. Standing up is no longer an option, so I settle down in the saddle and try to make sure that I'm always in a gear I can spin. I managed to hang on over the top - just - after five minutes of teeth-clenching and muttering. Onto the A77 for the final time and as soon as the surge out of the corner had been dealt with, I was confident I'd make it.

As the finish line got closer, I recovered a wee bit and moved up the bunch. Don't get me wrong: I was wrecked, but I felt good enough to start thinking about whether it was worth sprinting through an unlit tunnel and onto the final rise with 20 or 30-odd guys for tenth place. "Probably not," I decided.

There were some daft moves over the white line in the last few miles (and throughout the race) and that made up my mind for me: try to stop a gap opening but no heroics. Although I was probably dead last, I think - I hope! - that was a bunch finish.

David Dalziel from the Nightingale beat his breakaway companions for the win and his second WOSCA victory this year. Colin finished a bit behind me - how much, I'm not sure, cos I was a bit spaced out when we were chatting back at race HQ. Exhaustion is also my excuse for losing my sunglasses in the last four miles and running over a dead pigeon on the way home. I just wish I could blame tiredness for calling Nicky "Jason" and for forgetting to start my Garmin. :-/

With the ride out and back, that was probably my longest run in the last eight or nine months. My legs might benefit from another race next week, but there doesn't seem to be anything in the West of Scotland. I've entered the next Glasgow Green WOSCA race in a fortnight and the Glasgow Road Club race at the start of August. Get your entry in now, Paul!

An enjoyable nights racing was had in beautiful sunshine although Richard and I couldn't decide if it was one water bottle or two for this one given the heat. As the race rolled out I was managing my effort well but my last words to Richard were that I woul be sitting on and trying to last the distance. Funny how you make these plans at the start. On the northbound leg of the a77 I was sitting in the first 3rd of the bunch but riders were veering across the white line constantly so in the interests of holding position I duly moved up on a riders wheel. The rider then decided to give chase to a small group who had gone up the road and I had to make a decision to stick or twist. I went with him and got into the breakaway of about 6 guys .
 
I knew I was over cooking it and when I was pulling through for my turn it was at the bottom of the first climb up the dams road so was really on full gas. This gave me a good 1 min advantage up the climb do decided to sit up and drop back in to the bunch.
 
Over the top feeling ok but recovered a bit too much and ended up in poor position going up the clunch road hung on ok but the poor road surface at the top nearly caused me to come off the bike a couple of times and I lost a bit of ground as the bunch accelerated over the top so realised it was day over.
 
Linked up with a couple of other riders and tried to chase back on but it wasn't to be. Hmmm a lesson in pacing me thinks
 
Well done to Richard for finishing strongly and good to see Chung out in support

Ive always thought of this as a polite and civilised forum, certainly compared to the rest of the internet!

Well done

Good ride and pretty lucky with the weather until the final half hour...the wrong turn up the dead end was a tough climb then after the descent 3 of us lost the bunch. Iain was short of time so he headed off for a shortened route and Davie and myself went to Largs over Fairley Moor via Swinlees, tough shift into the headwind. Arrived at the bagel basket before the bunch but after Alan T. After that onto Brisbane Glen, aided by a tail wind. As the descent started i was just thinking to myself that the last time i was on the old largs road a Paisley Velo rider who had been a bit in front had ended up in a ditch and got covered in mud. However by the time i had remembered this i was at the corner in question and overcooked it due to not being able to brake on the gravel on the road and straight onto the grass verge with Alan M following me - however we both managed to stop without coming off. Then we noticed Ian A hadnt been so lucky and had ended up in the ditch. Fortunately the mud provided a soft landing!

Cat 4 A race tonight, started off dry and then started raining heavy after 15 minutes which made things a bit sketchy in the corners. Pace was hard but felt ok in the bunch but as the race went on i was too far back and kept finding myself on the wrong side of people losing the wheel in front or going round the corners too cautiously and letting gaps develop as a result. I tried to get further up but it was hard to do when things were strung right out. A split happened late on with a 4 man break with a few seconds advantage then a split in the rest of the field into 2 big groups, naturally i was in the back group however managed to bridge (i think i was the only one) but it was the final lap so no chance of recovery and that was me nothing left in the tank so i ended up drifting off the back as pace quickened before the final corner and sprint. However major improvement on week 1 and 2 (last week was harder to judge if the improvement was only due to being in the B race) so feel like i am progressing however with the last race being this saturday its coming to an end just a bit soon!

Going to be down in the borders so going to try and make it along if i can (i think entry on the day is possible). What time are you planning to start at?

B race for me tonight and i did a bit better. Felt comfortable in the bunch, rather than hanging on the back and then getting dropped. Partly it was a bit slower although my fastest lap tonight was better than ive done in previous weeks so partly it recovery from injury and finding a bit of form and getting to know the course better as i was able to carry more speed through the corners that were giving me difficulty previously. Anyway i didnt do any work at all only moved up the group if someone attacked so i could get mark any moves if someone tried to bridge. I had no intention of bridging myself though! Last lap a sizeable group (i think about 12) still together, i moved up on the double corner before the back straight but someone drifted off their line and i had to go on the grass. It didnt slow me much but i lost a few positions so had to make my way through again through the zig zag (someone near the front was forced onto the grass here so i made up a place because of that) then by the final bend i was sitting about 5th then round the bend and into the sprint, managed to overtake one guy on the corner gap then chased down the guy in 3rd. Soon as he checked his shoulder i knew i had him However i didnt have enough distance left to get 1st or 2nd. Happy with 3rd, but feel i had the speed to have gone better if i'd made it through the final corner 2nd or 3rd wheel which had been my intention - but presumably also the intention of everyone else too!
 
There is a new feature on strava that lets you track riders that have passed the same gps co-ordinates as you on a ride, makes for a virtual race playback. Perhaps not very interesting for a crit that ends up in a group sprint but will be good to see for road races to see when winning moves and attacks are made.
 
http://labs.strava.c...W8IHeFvCNYFcAg=
 
Anyway ive typed too much - still buzzing a bit (from the race that is ive not been following the Boonen recreational activities!)

B race for me tonight and i did a bit better. Felt comfortable in the bunch, rather than hanging on the back and then getting dropped. Partly it was a bit slower although my fastest lap tonight was better than ive done in previous weeks so partly it recovery from injury and finding a bit of form and getting to know the course better as i was able to carry more speed through the corners that were giving me difficulty previously. Anyway i didnt do any work at all only moved up the group if someone attacked so i could get mark any moves if someone tried to bridge. I had no intention of bridging myself though! Last lap a sizeable group (i think about 12) still together, i moved up on the double corner before the back straight but someone drifted off their line and i had to go on the grass. It didnt slow me much but i lost a few positions so had to make my way through again through the zig zag (someone near the front was forced onto the grass here so i made up a place because of that) then by the final bend i was sitting about 5th then round the bend and into the sprint, managed to overtake one guy on the corner gap then chased down the guy in 3rd. Soon as he checked his shoulder i knew i had him However i didnt have enough distance left to get 1st or 2nd. Happy with 3rd, but feel i had the speed to have gone better if i'd made it through the final corner 2nd or 3rd wheel which had been my intention - but presumably also the intention of everyone else too!
 
There is a new feature on strava that lets you track riders that have passed the same gps co-ordinates as you on a ride, makes for a virtual race playback. Perhaps not very interesting for a crit that ends up in a group sprint but will be good to see for road races to see when winning moves and attacks are made.
 
http://labs.strava.c...W8IHeFvCNYFcAg=
 
Anyway ive typed too much - still buzzing a bit (from the race that is ive not been following the Boonen recreational activities!)

B race for me tonight and i did a bit better. Felt comfortable in the bunch, rather than hanging on the back and then getting dropped. Partly it was a bit slower although my fastest lap tonight was better than ive done in previous weeks so partly it recovery from injury and finding a bit of form and getting to know the course better as i was able to carry more speed through the corners that were giving me difficulty previously. Anyway i didnt do any work at all only moved up the group if someone attacked so i could get mark any moves if someone tried to bridge. I had no intention of bridging myself though! Last lap a sizeable group (i think about 12) still together, i moved up on the double corner before the back straight but someone drifted off their line and i had to go on the grass. It didnt slow me much but i lost a few positions so had to make my way through again through the zig zag (someone near the front was forced onto the grass here so i made up a place because of that) then by the final bend i was sitting about 5th then round the bend and into the sprint, managed to overtake one guy on the corner gap then chased down the guy in 3rd. Soon as he checked his shoulder i knew i had him However i didnt have enough distance left to get 1st or 2nd. Happy with 3rd, but feel i had the speed to have gone better if i'd made it through the final corner 2nd or 3rd wheel which had been my intention - but presumably also the intention of everyone else too!
 
There is a new feature on strava that lets you track riders that have passed the same gps co-ordinates as you on a ride, makes for a virtual race playback. Perhaps not very interesting for a crit that ends up in a group sprint but will be good to see for road races to see when winning moves and attacks are made.
 
http://labs.strava.c...W8IHeFvCNYFcAg=
 
Anyway ive typed too much - still buzzing a bit (from the race that is ive not been following the Boonen recreational activities!)

Reaches parts the Renfrew bunch can't reach, Andy.

A full field of 60 on an overcast but largely dry night on the Drumclog circuit. Lots of decent riders in the field and a particularly classy turnout from the Gales, who must have had at least seven in the race. Me and Paul McD for the Wheelers after Colin's mechanical problems and Andy's sore back. Mul providing roadside support and a pre-race pep talk. A stiff headwind on the way out; a fast run-in to Strathaven with the wind at our backs.

Keen to avoid a repeat of last year's early bath, I was riding in the front 15 of the bunch when the comms pulled in the neutralised flag. Felt OK on the way out to the first turn. The surges always come as a shock to the system but it was manageable. A few chancers cutting across the white line and moving up the bunch on the wrong side of the road. Paul McD doing his usual floating-through-the-head-of-the-field routine. (This magic trick began with the roll-out. I was sitting 12 riders from the front, waiting in the queue for the race car to lead us out. Paul's leaning on a wall, talking to some folk about 20 yards behind me. As soon as the race car starts to move, Paul's directly behind it, close enough to touch the bumper with his tongue!)

Anyway, a quarter of a mile from the first ascent of the climb to Dungavel, I look behind me and find that I'm the last man and somehow at the back of the bunch. Hanging on for dear life up the climb with the juniors throwing their tiny featherweight bodies into the slope with venom. Safely back in the pack at the end of the first lap.

Second lap, second time up the climb and I'm starting to cramp. Can't really stand up so I have to sit and spin like mad. Dropped near the top but I managed to get myself back on before Brown's Bridge after two and a bit miserable miles of chasing. End of the second lap and I'm safely in the bunch, but resigned to the fact that the final time up the climb on lap three, I'm toast.

So, lap three out of Strathaven and into the wind again. Paul's now about four riders in front of me, looking good. Maybe about 20-25 riders left in the bunch. Not totally sure about that. Jason Barnes and Nicky Cronin are off the front together. The sky over Drumclog is very, very dark and it's starting to rain. We arrive at the foot of the piggery climb for the final time. I'm not dead last, but I'm still at the wrong end of the bunch. Before we get onto the slope there's a crash in front of me on the outside. A couple of riders down, including Lewis Mul, I think. A slow-motion wheel slip. Nobody hurt. I go round the rider on the deck and onto the climb. Spin, spin, spin, but my body's had enough for today. I move to the side and wave the cars through before spelling about over the last five miles with a guy from Icarus.

Even without the crash, I was always going to get dropped on that last ascent. Too far back and too many matches burnt already. The crash victim I overtook at the foot of the climb remounted and left me for dead before the summit! Lewis Mul finished fourth overall, second in the bunch sprint after the breakaway stuck. Nicky Cronin from the Glasgow Wheelers took the win. Paul McD finished safely in the bunch. Jason from the Gale was second. No' bad for a TT-er! :-D

Great race, great course. Really well-marshalled; riders (on the whole) looking out for each other. A lovely atmosphere in Sandford village hall with kids helping their parents out with the food and the sign on. Well done, East Kilbride RC!

B race for me tonight and i did a bit better. Felt comfortable in the bunch, rather than hanging on the back and then getting dropped. Partly it was a bit slower although my fastest lap tonight was better than ive done in previous weeks so partly it recovery from injury and finding a bit of form and getting to know the course better as i was able to carry more speed through the corners that were giving me difficulty previously. Anyway i didnt do any work at all only moved up the group if someone attacked so i could get mark any moves if someone tried to bridge. I had no intention of bridging myself though! Last lap a sizeable group (i think about 12) still together, i moved up on the double corner before the back straight but someone drifted off their line and i had to go on the grass. It didnt slow me much but i lost a few positions so had to make my way through again through the zig zag (someone near the front was forced onto the grass here so i made up a place because of that) then by the final bend i was sitting about 5th then round the bend and into the sprint, managed to overtake one guy on the corner gap then chased down the guy in 3rd. Soon as he checked his shoulder i knew i had him However i didnt have enough distance left to get 1st or 2nd. Happy with 3rd, but feel i had the speed to have gone better if i'd made it through the final corner 2nd or 3rd wheel which had been my intention - but presumably also the intention of everyone else too!
 
There is a new feature on strava that lets you track riders that have passed the same gps co-ordinates as you on a ride, makes for a virtual race playback. Perhaps not very interesting for a crit that ends up in a group sprint but will be good to see for road races to see when winning moves and attacks are made.
 
http://labs.strava.c...W8IHeFvCNYFcAg=
 
Anyway ive typed too much - still buzzing a bit (from the race that is ive not been following the Boonen recreational activities!)

Didnt realise there were other Wheelers riding! Hope you all enjoyed yourself
 
Was an enjoyable event. Pleased with my time and also my sprint placing, have much to improve on with the king of the mountain section though. Highlight was towards the end - there is a tough little climb at Logierait that catches riders unaware because most are in the big ring then take a corner directly onto a steep slope which is hidden from view. Anyway because i knew it was coming i'd changed down in advance and overtook a guy on a Boardman bike who was also wearing Boardman top...it was only after i noticed these things that i realised it was Chris Boardman himself.

Good ride tonight enjoyed it. Although maybe not the descent of the braes at the end as a deer darted across the road just metres in front when we were going about 40mph!