DavidC

David B, David C and myself returned to Galashiels for another Audax, this one was the last one we needed to qualify for PBP. David B had decided not to go to Paris and was just doing this for the craic.  Davie Borland was planning on riding straigh through the night so he could meet his wife for stake and chips about 1pm the next day, the pace he set of at it seemed he would! he was flying and lead the field throughout the day, as this was 3 out and back legs we got to wave a couple of times. He sensible decided to stop after the second leg rest up and meet the wife. David C and my self had a more relaxed plan and after the first leg 230km we were feeling good, We then headed of into the night for the second leg towards Gretna and rode with a Friend of Campbells called Neil. He was stopping at lockerbie at the first passing, but we decided to continue on hoping to complete the 2nd leg without stopping, but our pace had dropped in the darkness and as we hit Gretna it was fairly cold. When we got back to lockerbie about 380km in we were very tired and the usual pains we each had were back. We decided to stop at lockerbie truck stop(from and Irvine Welsh novel) and sleep for 3 hours and head back over the climbs in daylight. 
When we woke we both agreed to head back to Galahsiels and call it, it was a tough call but by this stage we had difficult sitting down and our pace was abysmal. I suppose training for these events are a good thing! and the qualifiers did there job, and weeded out the chancers trying to do the bare minimum to get to Paris! any way we got back to Galashiels after 460Km and plenty of time to do the 140km left, but of to McDonalds and home we went! Thanks to David C and Davie B for the company on this adventure! one my buttocks will never forget!
Salut! 

Another epic ride guys.  Sorry to hear that there will be no PBP but 460km and all the km’s that have come before that this year is incredible. Another time maybe? 
David C......enjoy glasto! 

XxxCANCELLEDxxx  now having a lie in and going out later in the day  
 
9am clubrooms, in the general direction of Troon, 50/60 miles.

Slept in, not going to make run, enjoy 

Camped last night, family has got a cottage in port Ellen so staying there tonight, camping again in Tayvallich 

Im away just now, cycled to Ghigha yesterday via Arran and Campbeltown, over to Islay today, Tayvallich tomorrow and Home via Arran on Monday,
I could be up for a couple of nights over glasgow fair weekend.

You were not the only ones who went into the wrong service station, me and Duncan wet into one after which he confidently declared we only had 80kms to go and 20k to Moffat after riding hard for 40 odd minutes we still had no sight of signs for Moffat and see just about to turn back when John arrived with old skool technology (a map) and told us we had not even made it to Johnstone bridge yet.
Last 65kms I hated, don't know if this is a function of not having distance or time on my computer as it seemed that no matter how hard I pushed Selkirk would never appear. Physically ok for me but don't know if I want to do it enough to actually get enjoyment out of the challenge. Weather was actually ok and rode in shorts throughout.
You pair deserve a lot of credit for finishing I could not have spent that much time suffering on the bike, I would have chucked I.  and your right if you just look at maintaining  a low average speed it might look physically achievable with little prep neede but there is more to it than that. 

In our goal to qualify for Paris Brest Paris Myself, Davie B and David C headed down to Galashiels for the 400(420)km out and back to Barnards Castle. We stuck together until the Barnard Castle the half way mark and then Davie B continued at a faster pace with a couple of guys we had met and  David C and I started the dusk Wet Climb over some Moss hill.
Through the damp night we rode but! it was a balmy 12 degrees so it was not too bad. We did encounter few kms of road with 100s of frogs on it which passed the time trying not to squash any, which we managed! Until I heard David shout! -1 frog bless his soul, a few minutes later a Huge Rat ran into David's wheel but he managed to stay upright, I used to have a Rat her name was "Otago" David loves my patter. It was about then 3am? that Davids Knee started to hurt and our energy levels were very low, luckly we passed through lockerbie and had only 20km to a 24 hour with a service stop, I'm not a big fan of McDonalds but I was tonight. After about 5mins cycling David convinced me that the service station was here?? "Look" he said and pointed towards a BP sign behind some trees, But we stil had had 20km to go? I wasnt going to argue with him or his shiney new Wahoo gps, a few minutes later we got to a Service stop only to find it was the wrong one and nothing was open(Hammock Award Contender), a few swears were jokingly exchange and we rode on to McDonalds. Once we got there David went for a Sleep and I changed out of my wet clothes. I tried to sleep but people were intent on talking to me even though my eyes were closed, but best McDonalds I ever had, I even ate David's leftovers once he fell asleep. 
Back on the bike and back into the rain, With Davids Knee and my development of what I can only describe as "the worse butt pain in the world ever®" we took a nice steady pace back the last 100km.. the sun came out near the end and we were greeted by fried egg and bacon sandwiches by the organisers. A quick shower and off back up the road, I told David I would stay awake on the journey home as he was driving, I think I lasted abut 5mins.
Started at 9:00am finished next day at 10:17am 
Distance : 419.91km    Time pedaling 18:48:33     Elevation 3,922m
Avg Speed    22.3km/h    Elapsed Time    25:17:05
Anyhow only a 600km to do to qualify, To be honest i thought these would be easier than they are... yes they are physically draining but it really is all in the mind. Thanks for the company Lads

Seeing if there is anyone else interested in doing a bit of touring with wild camping flung in.
Next summer hoping to do 5 nights or so with approx. 50/80 miles a day, possibly heading over to Orkney / Shetland Isles.
This year thought I might do a taster with 2/3 nights a bit more local, probably a long weekend in July.
Anyone else have a similiar interest?

This sounds interesting, I may be up for some of it.

this appeals to me, but not sure how much time I would have next year, could possibly do a long weekend …. 

Seeing if there is anyone else interested in doing a bit of touring with wild camping flung in.
Next summer hoping to do 5 nights or so with approx. 50/80 miles a day, possibly heading over to Orkney / Shetland Isles.
This year thought I might do a taster with 2/3 nights a bit more local, probably a long weekend in July.
Anyone else have a similiar interest?

Also interested in the touring part but prefer to stay in b&b or hotel.

Nice one David!
I like the “touring” part but not so much the “camping” bit though 
I’ll watch this development with interest .......... followed! 
Cheers

Seeing if there is anyone else interested in doing a bit of touring with wild camping flung in.
Next summer hoping to do 5 nights or so with approx. 50/80 miles a day, possibly heading over to Orkney / Shetland Isles.
This year thought I might do a taster with 2/3 nights a bit more local, probably a long weekend in July.
Anyone else have a similiar interest?

Galston Transmitter route this Sunday. Meet at club rooms at 9am.  Bowfield, Stewarton, Galston, transmitter loop and back. 55-60 miles. 

Cheers mate, here’s praying 

Intermediate bunch is back :-)
Elaine and DC of the Amstel (Hamoc) party, Andy Ross and me managed 50 odd miles without any wrong turnings today. Some great views from the top of the Fairlie and then a tailwind up Brisbane Glen and the Whin. 
Thanks for the route and the company. 

Great, James MacLaren will probably be there too, so that makes 6 of us so far, should be a good ride.

that's fine Graham.... myself and Iain Cowden and possibly Dave Cathcart and Jim Killoran too... see you at the bridge at 8.40

Happy to help, Would be more than willing to do a talk on map reading and route planning

Paul, it’s destiny!
Specialized have Sagan!
Canyon have van de Poel & soon ........ you! :-)
I think you’ll rock the Aeroad!

I just might have to get one now!

No Chung, he is on holiday this weekend with the family. Are you about on Friday, and I can return your bike rack?

Driving through to Edinburgh on Sunday morning 28th April to have a spin on a Canyon demo bike.
Anyone else interested let me know and could possibly car share.
 
 
 
 
DEMO FLEET CONFIRMED!
Here's what we'll be bringing up to Edinburgh with us later this month
Ultimate CF SL Disc 8.0 sizes XS-L
Ultimate WMN CF SL Disc 8.0 sizes XS & 3XS
Endurace CF SL Disc 8.0 Aero sizes XS-XL
Endurace WMN CF SL Disc 8.0 sizes 2XS, S & M
Aeroad CF SL Disc 8.0 Di2 sizes S-XL
Grail CF SL 8.0 sizes S-L
Which one are you most looking forward to taking for a spin?