PaulL

Etape du Tour 2015
 
A few wheelers asked me to write a report on my experience in the Etape, so here it goes... sorry if you get bored but I'm sipping a beer in the sun with nothing better to do just now.
 
I was based in the small town of La Chambre about 8km from the start of the Etape. I went out for a quick spin the day before(nice and flat) an manage to drink two full bottles in less than an hour, it was going to be a very hot day.
 
The Start was fun 16,000 cyclist all in their Sunday best, I had manage to get there feeling fresh and  only managed to forget one thing “Sun block†I asked one of the Medics did he have any sun block, This sent him into fits of laughter and he had to call his co-worker over to repeat what I had just asked. The two of them had a real good laugh and took a  Selfie with me, good start  
 
The route consisted of 4 categorised Climbs(Tomorrows stage of the Tour De France) and only 25km of flat,  as going up is my least favourite thing to do on a bike my plan was to just finish. We had a quick run to the start of the first climb Col du Chaussy 15.4km avg 6.3% I felt good going up, it was difficult with so many people going a different paces but it calmed down after a while. The heat was going to be a big factor of the day but I made sure I was drinking enough. Over the top we had a major pile up and were delayed while a the injured were airlifted out. This meant all the groups behind caught us and there was basically 10,000 people in one long line on the Col Du Chaussy. There was a lot of talk about being caught by the sweeper bus and being pulled of the course and people started running down the verges, was a bit crazy as the drop off's were huge. Once we go moving it was a slow descent to La Chambre.
 
At La Chambre I stopped and met the wife and kids at the food stop, had some photos I and was looking forward to the 25km of flat. The pace was slow around here, not sure why(maybe the fact the biggest climb of the day was next) why but I decided to press on. There was a sprint competition but I was pretty much on my own so decided just to roll through, but as I got closer to the Start I decided to give it a go(as you do). By the time I got to the foot of the Col du Glandon I was burning up and stopped to fill up my bottles. 
 
The Col du Glandon is 22.4km avg 7% and to be honest I underestimated how hard it would be, this is were I started to noticed lots of people walking and lying in the shade. It was at this point I added another goal, not to walk! Some of these guys were Skinnies!(panicked me abit) The first 15km was tough but manageable(My pace was very slow) but the last 5km(10%+) I was in a difficulty, cramp and just overheating. Luckily there were lots of spectators who came out with hoses and buckets of ice water, its amazing what a bucket of ice water over your face can do to motivate you. The amount of people walking and lying on the verges was hard to fathom, to be honest my speed on the bike was not much faster than the walkers... but I was still on my bike. At the top I took a long stop rehydrated and had some food(mini pizzas)(figs)(cola)(waffles)(salt biscuits)(raisins)(chocolate bars) Iain Coutie would have been proud of me. 
 
Next a climb to Criox de Fer it was about 3-4km but a nice wind and gradients weren't bad, the descents was incredible! I have never experience anything like it closed roads, not many cyclists around and long sweeping turns, cambered hairpins, worth climbing any mountain. The next climb was the smallest The Col du Mollard, a lot of people said this was a real hard climb, I have not recollection of this climb at all... The start of heat exhaustion??? I do however remember the descent this was my favourite part of the day, some French guy went zooming past me and I tried to stay with him, he either knew the descent or he was crazy, either way I was alike a big kid hurtling to my doom! Good fun
 
The last climb of the day La Toussuire 18km avg 6.1% This was the worse bit of the day for me the heat had really taken it out of me, I had nothing in my legs, this was the first time I had genuinely thought about stopping, lots of people around me were! lots of people walking and lying in the shade, the heat (to me)was unbearable, I cycled into the grass ion the side to unclip and start walking, but cycled straight back out, it was very close. My saving grace for the last 10kms were the family's and spectators who came out, kids wanting high fives and old couples with hoses and buckets of water. I basically focus on the next group of people up the road, high fiving the kids and slowing down to get soaked in water an stopping at every water stop, this distracted me and soon I could see the top. The run into La Toussuire was worth the ride hundreds of people along the barriers for the last 2km shouting and cheering, I even gave a little sprint for the line and soon after I hugging the elderly woman(to her surprise) giving out the medals. I  found a spot in the Grass with a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine! Now only a 20km descent and 10km ride home.... ah well
 
Overall I really enjoyed this event, I was pitifully under prepared to climb so much, but the organisation and encourage during the ride was brilliant and kept me going. I felt my pace on the hills was really slow but anytime I tried to increase I was just start to melt, When I found out nearly 6,000 people didn't finish I didn't feel so bad. I know a lot of wheelers have done the Etape and many return, I for one will be back! Lighter? Faster? …. Older 
 
Results:  16,000 starters 9,877 Finishers My Position 8,009
 
10H 9'23â€
 
Challenge King of the Mountain 
 
2h 30'58† Place 8706 out of 9,877 
 
Average speed 7.71 KM/H
 
Challenge King of Sprint
 
0'15†Place 104 out of 9877 
 
Average speed 60 KM/H
 
 

Etape du Tour 2015
 
A few wheelers asked me to write a report on my experience in the Etape, so here it goes... sorry if you get bored but I'm sipping a beer in the sun with nothing better to do just now.
 
I was based in the small town of La Chambre about 8km from the start of the Etape. I went out for a quick spin the day before(nice and flat) an manage to drink two full bottles in less than an hour, it was going to be a very hot day.
 
The Start was fun 16,000 cyclist all in their Sunday best, I had manage to get there feeling fresh and  only managed to forget one thing “Sun block†I asked one of the Medics did he have any sun block, This sent him into fits of laughter and he had to call his co-worker over to repeat what I had just asked. The two of them had a real good laugh and took a  Selfie with me, good start  
 
The route consisted of 4 categorised Climbs(Tomorrows stage of the Tour De France) and only 25km of flat,  as going up is my least favourite thing to do on a bike my plan was to just finish. We had a quick run to the start of the first climb Col du Chaussy 15.4km avg 6.3% I felt good going up, it was difficult with so many people going a different paces but it calmed down after a while. The heat was going to be a big factor of the day but I made sure I was drinking enough. Over the top we had a major pile up and were delayed while a the injured were airlifted out. This meant all the groups behind caught us and there was basically 10,000 people in one long line on the Col Du Chaussy. There was a lot of talk about being caught by the sweeper bus and being pulled of the course and people started running down the verges, was a bit crazy as the drop off's were huge. Once we go moving it was a slow descent to La Chambre.
 
At La Chambre I stopped and met the wife and kids at the food stop, had some photos I and was looking forward to the 25km of flat. The pace was slow around here, not sure why(maybe the fact the biggest climb of the day was next) why but I decided to press on. There was a sprint competition but I was pretty much on my own so decided just to roll through, but as I got closer to the Start I decided to give it a go(as you do). By the time I got to the foot of the Col du Glandon I was burning up and stopped to fill up my bottles. 
 
The Col du Glandon is 22.4km avg 7% and to be honest I underestimated how hard it would be, this is were I started to noticed lots of people walking and lying in the shade. It was at this point I added another goal, not to walk! Some of these guys were Skinnies!(panicked me abit) The first 15km was tough but manageable(My pace was very slow) but the last 5km(10%+) I was in a difficulty, cramp and just overheating. Luckily there were lots of spectators who came out with hoses and buckets of ice water, its amazing what a bucket of ice water over your face can do to motivate you. The amount of people walking and lying on the verges was hard to fathom, to be honest my speed on the bike was not much faster than the walkers... but I was still on my bike. At the top I took a long stop rehydrated and had some food(mini pizzas)(figs)(cola)(waffles)(salt biscuits)(raisins)(chocolate bars) Iain Coutie would have been proud of me. 
 
Next a climb to Criox de Fer it was about 3-4km but a nice wind and gradients weren't bad, the descents was incredible! I have never experience anything like it closed roads, not many cyclists around and long sweeping turns, cambered hairpins, worth climbing any mountain. The next climb was the smallest The Col du Mollard, a lot of people said this was a real hard climb, I have not recollection of this climb at all... The start of heat exhaustion??? I do however remember the descent this was my favourite part of the day, some French guy went zooming past me and I tried to stay with him, he either knew the descent or he was crazy, either way I was alike a big kid hurtling to my doom! Good fun
 
The last climb of the day La Toussuire 18km avg 6.1% This was the worse bit of the day for me the heat had really taken it out of me, I had nothing in my legs, this was the first time I had genuinely thought about stopping, lots of people around me were! lots of people walking and lying in the shade, the heat (to me)was unbearable, I cycled into the grass ion the side to unclip and start walking, but cycled straight back out, it was very close. My saving grace for the last 10kms were the family's and spectators who came out, kids wanting high fives and old couples with hoses and buckets of water. I basically focus on the next group of people up the road, high fiving the kids and slowing down to get soaked in water an stopping at every water stop, this distracted me and soon I could see the top. The run into La Toussuire was worth the ride hundreds of people along the barriers for the last 2km shouting and cheering, I even gave a little sprint for the line and soon after I hugging the elderly woman(to her surprise) giving out the medals. I  found a spot in the Grass with a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine! Now only a 20km descent and 10km ride home.... ah well
 
Overall I really enjoyed this event, I was pitifully under prepared to climb so much, but the organisation and encourage during the ride was brilliant and kept me going. I felt my pace on the hills was really slow but anytime I tried to increase I was just start to melt, When I found out nearly 6,000 people didn't finish I didn't feel so bad. I know a lot of wheelers have done the Etape and many return, I for one will be back! Lighter? Faster? …. Older 
 
Results:  16,000 starters 9,877 Finishers My Position 8,009
 
10H 9'23â€
 
Challenge King of the Mountain 
 
2h 30'58† Place 8706 out of 9,877 
 
Average speed 7.71 KM/H
 
Challenge King of Sprint
 
0'15†Place 104 out of 9877 
 
Average speed 60 KM/H
 
 

Etape du Tour 2015
 
A few wheelers asked me to write a report on my experience in the Etape, so here it goes... sorry if you get bored but I'm sipping a beer in the sun with nothing better to do just now.
 
I was based in the small town of La Chambre about 8km from the start of the Etape. I went out for a quick spin the day before(nice and flat) an manage to drink two full bottles in less than an hour, it was going to be a very hot day.
 
The Start was fun 16,000 cyclist all in their Sunday best, I had manage to get there feeling fresh and  only managed to forget one thing “Sun block†I asked one of the Medics did he have any sun block, This sent him into fits of laughter and he had to call his co-worker over to repeat what I had just asked. The two of them had a real good laugh and took a  Selfie with me, good start  
 
The route consisted of 4 categorised Climbs(Tomorrows stage of the Tour De France) and only 25km of flat,  as going up is my least favourite thing to do on a bike my plan was to just finish. We had a quick run to the start of the first climb Col du Chaussy 15.4km avg 6.3% I felt good going up, it was difficult with so many people going a different paces but it calmed down after a while. The heat was going to be a big factor of the day but I made sure I was drinking enough. Over the top we had a major pile up and were delayed while a the injured were airlifted out. This meant all the groups behind caught us and there was basically 10,000 people in one long line on the Col Du Chaussy. There was a lot of talk about being caught by the sweeper bus and being pulled of the course and people started running down the verges, was a bit crazy as the drop off's were huge. Once we go moving it was a slow descent to La Chambre.
 
At La Chambre I stopped and met the wife and kids at the food stop, had some photos I and was looking forward to the 25km of flat. The pace was slow around here, not sure why(maybe the fact the biggest climb of the day was next) why but I decided to press on. There was a sprint competition but I was pretty much on my own so decided just to roll through, but as I got closer to the Start I decided to give it a go(as you do). By the time I got to the foot of the Col du Glandon I was burning up and stopped to fill up my bottles. 
 
The Col du Glandon is 22.4km avg 7% and to be honest I underestimated how hard it would be, this is were I started to noticed lots of people walking and lying in the shade. It was at this point I added another goal, not to walk! Some of these guys were Skinnies!(panicked me abit) The first 15km was tough but manageable(My pace was very slow) but the last 5km(10%+) I was in a difficulty, cramp and just overheating. Luckily there were lots of spectators who came out with hoses and buckets of ice water, its amazing what a bucket of ice water over your face can do to motivate you. The amount of people walking and lying on the verges was hard to fathom, to be honest my speed on the bike was not much faster than the walkers... but I was still on my bike. At the top I took a long stop rehydrated and had some food(mini pizzas)(figs)(cola)(waffles)(salt biscuits)(raisins)(chocolate bars) Iain Coutie would have been proud of me. 
 
Next a climb to Criox de Fer it was about 3-4km but a nice wind and gradients weren't bad, the descents was incredible! I have never experience anything like it closed roads, not many cyclists around and long sweeping turns, cambered hairpins, worth climbing any mountain. The next climb was the smallest The Col du Mollard, a lot of people said this was a real hard climb, I have not recollection of this climb at all... The start of heat exhaustion??? I do however remember the descent this was my favourite part of the day, some French guy went zooming past me and I tried to stay with him, he either knew the descent or he was crazy, either way I was alike a big kid hurtling to my doom! Good fun
 
The last climb of the day La Toussuire 18km avg 6.1% This was the worse bit of the day for me the heat had really taken it out of me, I had nothing in my legs, this was the first time I had genuinely thought about stopping, lots of people around me were! lots of people walking and lying in the shade, the heat (to me)was unbearable, I cycled into the grass ion the side to unclip and start walking, but cycled straight back out, it was very close. My saving grace for the last 10kms were the family's and spectators who came out, kids wanting high fives and old couples with hoses and buckets of water. I basically focus on the next group of people up the road, high fiving the kids and slowing down to get soaked in water an stopping at every water stop, this distracted me and soon I could see the top. The run into La Toussuire was worth the ride hundreds of people along the barriers for the last 2km shouting and cheering, I even gave a little sprint for the line and soon after I hugging the elderly woman(to her surprise) giving out the medals. I  found a spot in the Grass with a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine! Now only a 20km descent and 10km ride home.... ah well
 
Overall I really enjoyed this event, I was pitifully under prepared to climb so much, but the organisation and encourage during the ride was brilliant and kept me going. I felt my pace on the hills was really slow but anytime I tried to increase I was just start to melt, When I found out nearly 6,000 people didn't finish I didn't feel so bad. I know a lot of wheelers have done the Etape and many return, I for one will be back! Lighter? Faster? …. Older 
 
Results:  16,000 starters 9,877 Finishers My Position 8,009
 
10H 9'23â€
 
Challenge King of the Mountain 
 
2h 30'58† Place 8706 out of 9,877 
 
Average speed 7.71 KM/H
 
Challenge King of Sprint
 
0'15†Place 104 out of 9877 
 
Average speed 60 KM/H
 
 

Etape du Tour 2015
 
A few wheelers asked me to write a report on my experience in the Etape, so here it goes... sorry if you get bored but I'm sipping a beer in the sun with nothing better to do just now.
 
I was based in the small town of La Chambre about 8km from the start of the Etape. I went out for a quick spin the day before(nice and flat) an manage to drink two full bottles in less than an hour, it was going to be a very hot day.
 
The Start was fun 16,000 cyclist all in their Sunday best, I had manage to get there feeling fresh and  only managed to forget one thing “Sun block†I asked one of the Medics did he have any sun block, This sent him into fits of laughter and he had to call his co-worker over to repeat what I had just asked. The two of them had a real good laugh and took a  Selfie with me, good start  
 
The route consisted of 4 categorised Climbs(Tomorrows stage of the Tour De France) and only 25km of flat,  as going up is my least favourite thing to do on a bike my plan was to just finish. We had a quick run to the start of the first climb Col du Chaussy 15.4km avg 6.3% I felt good going up, it was difficult with so many people going a different paces but it calmed down after a while. The heat was going to be a big factor of the day but I made sure I was drinking enough. Over the top we had a major pile up and were delayed while a the injured were airlifted out. This meant all the groups behind caught us and there was basically 10,000 people in one long line on the Col Du Chaussy. There was a lot of talk about being caught by the sweeper bus and being pulled of the course and people started running down the verges, was a bit crazy as the drop off's were huge. Once we go moving it was a slow descent to La Chambre.
 
At La Chambre I stopped and met the wife and kids at the food stop, had some photos I and was looking forward to the 25km of flat. The pace was slow around here, not sure why(maybe the fact the biggest climb of the day was next) why but I decided to press on. There was a sprint competition but I was pretty much on my own so decided just to roll through, but as I got closer to the Start I decided to give it a go(as you do). By the time I got to the foot of the Col du Glandon I was burning up and stopped to fill up my bottles. 
 
The Col du Glandon is 22.4km avg 7% and to be honest I underestimated how hard it would be, this is were I started to noticed lots of people walking and lying in the shade. It was at this point I added another goal, not to walk! Some of these guys were Skinnies!(panicked me abit) The first 15km was tough but manageable(My pace was very slow) but the last 5km(10%+) I was in a difficulty, cramp and just overheating. Luckily there were lots of spectators who came out with hoses and buckets of ice water, its amazing what a bucket of ice water over your face can do to motivate you. The amount of people walking and lying on the verges was hard to fathom, to be honest my speed on the bike was not much faster than the walkers... but I was still on my bike. At the top I took a long stop rehydrated and had some food(mini pizzas)(figs)(cola)(waffles)(salt biscuits)(raisins)(chocolate bars) Iain Coutie would have been proud of me. 
 
Next a climb to Criox de Fer it was about 3-4km but a nice wind and gradients weren't bad, the descents was incredible! I have never experience anything like it closed roads, not many cyclists around and long sweeping turns, cambered hairpins, worth climbing any mountain. The next climb was the smallest The Col du Mollard, a lot of people said this was a real hard climb, I have not recollection of this climb at all... The start of heat exhaustion??? I do however remember the descent this was my favourite part of the day, some French guy went zooming past me and I tried to stay with him, he either knew the descent or he was crazy, either way I was alike a big kid hurtling to my doom! Good fun
 
The last climb of the day La Toussuire 18km avg 6.1% This was the worse bit of the day for me the heat had really taken it out of me, I had nothing in my legs, this was the first time I had genuinely thought about stopping, lots of people around me were! lots of people walking and lying in the shade, the heat (to me)was unbearable, I cycled into the grass ion the side to unclip and start walking, but cycled straight back out, it was very close. My saving grace for the last 10kms were the family's and spectators who came out, kids wanting high fives and old couples with hoses and buckets of water. I basically focus on the next group of people up the road, high fiving the kids and slowing down to get soaked in water an stopping at every water stop, this distracted me and soon I could see the top. The run into La Toussuire was worth the ride hundreds of people along the barriers for the last 2km shouting and cheering, I even gave a little sprint for the line and soon after I hugging the elderly woman(to her surprise) giving out the medals. I  found a spot in the Grass with a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine! Now only a 20km descent and 10km ride home.... ah well
 
Overall I really enjoyed this event, I was pitifully under prepared to climb so much, but the organisation and encourage during the ride was brilliant and kept me going. I felt my pace on the hills was really slow but anytime I tried to increase I was just start to melt, When I found out nearly 6,000 people didn't finish I didn't feel so bad. I know a lot of wheelers have done the Etape and many return, I for one will be back! Lighter? Faster? …. Older 
 
Results:  16,000 starters 9,877 Finishers My Position 8,009
 
10H 9'23â€
 
Challenge King of the Mountain 
 
2h 30'58† Place 8706 out of 9,877 
 
Average speed 7.71 KM/H
 
Challenge King of Sprint
 
0'15†Place 104 out of 9877 
 
Average speed 60 KM/H
 
 

results
Iain couttie  2.11,48
mike            2.16,29
ian c            2. 21,24
 
bad day at the office

No worries paul, it was a tough day, think I need to sit in a bit more like I did at the start of the season and hope to be there for the sprint, staying at the front keeps you out the road of all the carnage though. Tried to get away a couple of times half heartedly and closed down a couple of attacks, this Might have cost me in the end but not a particularly enjoyable race.
 
Andy broken colar bone on 1st crash and about 10/15 rider's down on lead up to sprint with face,knee and elbow cuts, few bashed bikes also. Never seen the crashes just heard them.

Met by sunny weather but strong breeze, first 50 so no idea how to ride it. time was 2,09,40 will have to double check when time come out.
A lot of up hill into the wind, just could not get into it, lost the will 2/3 of the way through, was in my own wee house of pain when big al blasted past shouting and  made me wobble dangerously, I did think of getting him disqualified but I am relay a good guy at heart.
 
I did have a good day though, and toped it of by stopping at Perth for mouls and frits, superb.
 
Not sure what times Iain cowden and mike got.
 
will post times of wheelers when they get posted.
 
iain

2 riders on a nice night, well done Gerard and James on PBs 
 
Gerard - 31.57  PB
James - 34.34 PB

Will come along tonight... Coffee stop sounds good

Karen I think confined rides can only be canceled by a committee member as it wasn't official cancelled I rode up and two riders were there. Would have been better to have more competitors, c'est la vie...
 Cheers
 
Paul

I'm still at work minus my bike, so can't make it either way now James sorry.

Myself, Simon Simpson and a guest from GMBC were up in Stonehaven this weekend for this event. Sunny on the drive up on Friday but drove into sea fog about 4 miles from Stonehaven. Visibility down to 100 m and the last we were to see of the sun till we were off the bikes. Camping overnight and ,on cue , the rain started 10 mins before our 6 am alarm. A couple of spoonfulls of porridge and off to sign on in the rain. Only 10 starters - should have thought better of it as Ronnie Chard was there but not riding. Getting soft after his Corsican trip !
Slow start but we were sure the guy with the PBP plate knew what he was doing - 400 is a long way. All other riders had packs, saddle bags , mud guards etc , we were on the usual set up. Rain got constantly heavier and by the time we reached the summit of Cairn O Mount everyone was getting cold ( I had 4 layers on). Organiser was waiting with his cold toddlers and welcome Mars bars and Snickers. Fairly subdued descent due to conditions but would still have taken a minute out of you Darryl !
Long stretch rising slowly along the Dee to Ballater where we upped the pace , to get some heat going and in anticipation of the cafe, and dropped the boys with the muddies. Rain at this point torrential. Into the first cafe where we proceeded to flood the place as water sluiced off of us. Simon pretty cold ( only 2 layers ! ) and talking about heading back. We agreed to ride on towards the Lecht and see if we were feeling any more optimistic. As we rode off Simons Garmin packed in. He was riding with a dyno hub and was attempting to use some adapter to charge it as we rode - probably not wise given the conditions. He told me later that the instructions said not to use it in the wet. Those of you who have been around enough to remember Simon will not be surprised by any of this.
With not even the thought of the kudos of posting a 400 on Strava to spur him on he was a broken man. We plodded on another 7/8 miles to the foot of the next climb and then made the call to head back. We were only about 90 km in and still about 110 to the turn in Inverness with no sign of any change in the weather.
Once the decision was made we made faster progress heading back into the headwind than we had on the way out. Another cafe stop was needed at the foot of Cairn O Mount before the last brisk run into a still fog bound Stonehaven. Oh, did I mention that the ford at the cafe had become unpassable since we rode through on the way out.
About 180 km all up, all except 5 mins in rain of varying degrees and in very poor visibility. I have been colder but not wetter. We will be back at some point though as the route looks like a good one. You are all welcome next time.

I stayed up til 2am playing my Playstation so was never getting up.

I'm in for the Troon run.

Kincardine 12th July entries close Sunday

This wheeler managed to get a small cycling role in a video about taking a bottle of Islay whisky from the mainland back to Islay for the Whisky festival. To celebrate it's return, a few lads cycled round all eight Islay distilleries with cycling blogger Brian Palmer (of the washingmachinepost) before sampling a dram of the good stuff. I'm the one looking knackered on the red BMC, wishing I was on the Cervelo Di2 instead

 
Here's the video link, don't forget to turn up the sound. The music is by Skerryvore and it's a belter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Xx_SiGDEzo
 
 
 

Nine riders took part tonight in windier conditions than expected.
 
Fastest on the night was Richard with a 16.30 follwed by Alan and Gerard.
 
Gerard has gotten a Pb each week so far.
 
Times in the order people started were as follows:-
 
Dave - 20.48
Karen - 23.42
Carol - 20.33
Chris - 18.48
Gerard - 17.57(Pb)
Paul - 18.12
Tom - 18.32
Alan - 17.53
Richard - 16.30(Pb)
 
All riders paid. Chris x2.
 
Timekeeper - Mike Ferguson
Holder - Ian McGinty

Yep.....would appear now to have confirmation e-mail.

Well quick report what a day 0630 rise 90 min drive and got to the start no time for a warm up so straight into the TT
The start was fantastic downhill I was thinking brilliant this will be fast then a left turn into the Fife countryside and a headwind so pain and suffering for 10 miles the turn back the way we came fantastic tail wind 30 plus feeling great another roundabout about 30 and turn into headwind brought me back down to earth 18 mph and about ten miles latter disaster crank came off got it back on the it came off again DNF shame might have got around my target time

No luck Billy. You need to bin that chainset, methinks.
 
I was up at 4:30am for a drive to the start in Freuchie!
 
Have to say it really is a lovely course but certainly not conducive (to me) for a fast time. It's very rolling & there were some hard headwind stretches although I felt so good for the first 8 miles that I never noticed the headwind.
 
Of course it wouldn't be right if I didn't have a wee mishap-at 8 miles my aero super sleek water bottle bounced out of its cage & into my computer sensor which in turn jammed into my wheel. Thump Thump Thump-I had to stop & pull the sensor into place. The bottle was never seen again. From talking to Mike at the finish he had the same problem.
 
I had to rush off at the finish so don't know my exact time but I clocked a 2:12:58 on my Garmin so it'd likely be about that. My target was 2:10 so maybe I'd be in the ballpark on a faster course without bits falling off. I did the last 25 miles in 1:00:40 so finished strong despite the brutal headwind.

This is the bunch that was. :-)
 

Thanks guys for your nice comments and Morag says it was a real pleasure to serve you all! Yes, it was a day of underlying negatives with overlying positives! I really enjoyed your company again and I know Jim and John did too. Also, we were outnumbered by four good guys! 
 
Your report is an excellent summary of the day, Chung, and your pics, Campbell, serve as a nice record of a great day out. Chung, I'm glad I didn't know you felt depressed at the Biggar cafe stop, otherwise I might have become depressed myself. :-)
 
I am going to keep an eye open for a good-going JWCC Sunday run with a view to coming over and joining you. So, here's to the next time!
 
Dennis

Vets national at Falkirk yesterday kicked off at 10am in rain and 7c temp which was pretty grim. Dried out by the end though. It was 7 laps of a 9 mile circuit with a couple of miles run to finish, there was a short but steep climb each lap. Race was fast and steady with my average for 70 miles being 25mph including A few miles before and after. Break of 4 did a great job but ultimately got caught with about 10 miles to go. There were about 45 left for a bunch sprint with a drag up over the motorway with 1km to go. This was my undoing as body started to malfunction half way up the drag and I just could not get towards the front and finished 32nd in the midst of the large bunch spread across the road. Good to be part of it all, not good to be so far down but c'est la vie. Need to review training I think as struggling in road races this year.
 

Some photos from Dennis's Ride yesterday ☺
Thanks Morag and Dennis
Chapeau..!
Campbell

Great stuff Iain! and your report was only moderately boring