robster82

Alan, you are my hero in every possible way, but did you really go up the Paterberg and Koppenberg in a 54-25 or was it a typo, if you did then you will assume God like status,
 

We are going to largs the week after George 😕 please don't make us go again, variety is the spice of life and all that 😉
How about club house, bridge, Milngavie, Mugdock, Lennoxtown, over the crow, Fintry Killearn, Blanefield over ballachalairy yett climb then right to croftamie left to Balloch and home roughly 75 to 85 all in.

Men
 
I created a wee route on Strava today for you's to check out, rather than Stewarton Largs thought we could head over Kilcreggan way then home via Glen Fruin. Just a suggestion, gonna be seeing a lot of Largs over the winter! We can discuss tomorrow and I'm happy to go with the flow.
 
Cheers

you guys not got work to go to 

Men
 
I created a wee route on Strava today for you's to check out, rather than Stewarton Largs thought we could head over Kilcreggan way then home via Glen Fruin. Just a suggestion, gonna be seeing a lot of Largs over the winter! We can discuss tomorrow and I'm happy to go with the flow.
 
Cheers

Well, that was a fantastic day on the bike indeed!
 
Iain Cowden, Ronnie Chard & myself arrived in Gourock with loads of time to spare, so a wee visit to "The Continental" was called for for some coffee & hot chocolate.
9.15am sitting in a cafe while out on the bike was definitely a new one for me. :-)
 
The 10am ferry to Dunoon had bikes outnumber cars on board was a real sight!
 
Most of us went over the Ardentinnay climb (nasty) while the "chief drum-up technical team" went straight to the site for some serious fire wood chopping for us to enjoy as soon as we arrived! Big thanks to Linda, Geoff Smith, Iain Lochrane & others for doing that!
 
10 Wheelers had various degree of drum up "preperations", from only just a couple of gels?????? to bags of sausage & whiskey etc. but Gerard wins it hands down with a coffee pot, gas stove dangling from his bike & SAUCES for the sausages. Man, I thought I was prepared, but he is a professional Chef after all :-)
 
Seeing Alan McBride & Iain67 "passionately & expertly" going about first heating up & then grilling their sausages was a real treat, I even got to taste some too, magic! Thanks & Well done, guys!
 
It was even better than last year in terms of food & weather, I think we should do this more often :-)
 
The cycle back to the ferry was punctured by Alan's second mechanical of the day, but we still made it in time for the 2pm ferry back to the mainland. By the time I got home with Iain Cowden, I had 148km on the clock, tired & smelling like a smoked sausage :-) but really happy to spent the day with my fellow cyclist - young & old doing things more than just cycling. It was a great experience (I believe) unique to Scotland! And long it may continue!
 
Thanks again to Linda & Geoff Smith of Velo Preda & Iain Lochrane for the invite & organisation of the drum up!
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Hi Folks
 
Happy to do this, midweek. I'm a bit tied up for the next three weeks but will propose a date after that. Ideally looking at very late Oct or early Nov. The intention is to cover the basics of bikefit: saddle height, cleats, stem length, handlebars etc. Perhaps, if time permits, we might be able to address individual cases/issues.
 
I'm afraid I won't really have much to say about TT bikes. Billy might be the man for this.
 
Darryl

Alans post on the club run section about the Drum up over to Loch Eck on Sunday reminded me of this article from a few years ago, worth a read if you have a spare 5 minutes.
 
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12607829.Old_boy_racers_get_on_their_bikes/
Old boy racers get on their bikes

In a clearing in a small wood, just off a narrow lane a few miles outside Glasgow, a group of men sit talking around a wood fire. They’re wearing shorts and the brightly coloured tops of cyclists everywhere. Expensive road bikes rest against trees, and laughter and banter rise up with the smoke from the fire.

The men have craggy, worn, lean faces, but every one has a sparkle in his eye. Some are in their late seventies, some older. One man, Bobby Brodie, is 89. All have ridden here, some covering more than 20 miles. Later, they’ll ride home – and next week they’ll do it all again. Sometimes someone is unwell, or the weather is so foul not everyone can get out, but there are always some of the group pedalling along the lanes on their swift, slim machines. They descend on this spot, a few miles south of the city, light a fire and then talk bikes, tell old stories and rib each other endlessly.

I first come across them after a chance encounter with Bob Mair, a retired tax officer. Bob, from East Kilbride, is on his bike climbing a long hill across a moor; I’m out for a walk in a brief bit of autumn sunshine. We stop to talk, and he mentions there’s a fire lit at a spot down the road. A little later, I make my way over a stile and into the trees to find the group. The welcome is instant, the men are relaxed, and there is the feeling that laughter could break out at any time. I think of my own parents, around the same age, cooped up in a nursing home with locked doors and constant care, coping with the awful decrepitude of stroke and dementia, and I hope to heaven my old age is like this.

From somewhere or other, blackened tin cans, wires threaded through their rims for handles, are produced and propped up among the embers. The water boils and I’m given tea. Then someone takes pity on me for having no food, produces a couple of sausages and cooks them for me. Listening to the stories the men tell, I ­realise I have stumbled on a piece of a world that is almost gone.

There was a time, starting after the First World War, when men and women poured out of cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen every weekend, to escape the factories and foundries, offices, shipyards and docks, and the smells and smogs of town. They didn’t come in cars, ready to drive back as soon as they got wet or hungry or needed to sleep, but on bikes, in buses, by thumb and on foot, with rough camping gear, old cans for kettles, and battered penknives.

To begin with, many were walkers and climbers. By the 1950s, hundreds of others would cycle out from Glasgow and the surrounding towns, part of clubs such as the Nightingale, St Christopher’s and the ­Glasgow or Glenmarnock Wheelers. They would race, time-trial or just enjoy the long, looping rides around the Campsies, Loch Lomond and Strathaven – and often further afield. The men I meet were among them.

They talk of lighting campfires on the shores of Loch Lomond, where smoke could once be seen rising from a dozen such “drum-ups†of a weekend. Sunday night meant a return home for work the next day – and if you were slow packing up, the rival clubs would ring their bells as they passed, challenging you to send out your best men for the weekend’s finale. The groups would start to cluster on the road, and with the first lights coming on at the edge of the city, the unofficial race, or habble, began.

Eighty-year-old Charlie Donnelly joined the Gilbertfield Wheelers as a young man in the 1940s. “After a run, we’d be coming down the Loch Lomond road and we’d meet the Douglas Cycling Club,†he says. “We’d be talking nice to these guys as we rode along: ‘How did you do in your 25-miler?’ ‘Oh, very good, and how was your 50?’

“Then one of them jumped [raced ahead] – and that was the habble. Two racing clubs, the whole road, and it was a race into town, heads down and arses up, to Anniesland to see which club was top.â€

Donnelly is a former shipyard worker, and the sheer physicality of his life when he was in his twenties is startling. Every day, after doing a manual job, he was cycling on track or road, weightlifting or indulging in his other great passions, ice hockey and skating, before Sunday’s racing finale. He and his friends would think nothing of pedalling down to Blackpool for a holiday, sleeping in barns on the way. “It was the freedom of it we loved: the bikes could take us anywhere.â€

Now this weekly gathering is probably the last of the drum-ups. Landowners have become stricter and cafes more popular. The hordes of riders have shrunk away and there are not so many who remember those hard, happy days.

Tales of war and industry

Over the next few weeks I pass by the drum-up a couple of times, and call in to chat. There’s a steady core of eight or 10 men there, but there are also younger cyclists they’ve met on the road, and acquaintances from years back. Tales of wartime Glasgow spin out, the bombing and fire-watch duties; then later of working in the foundries, and the old days when Springburn was a centre of the rail industry. Then there were the races and the time trials, from Port Glasgow to the Cloch at Gourock and back, and the long runs to the Highlands or the Borders and into England, and the trips cycling in America and Europe.

Camping by Loch Lomond on the way to Inverness in the late 1940s, one man put all the soaked leather cycling shoes to dry by a fire. The heat shrank them to the size of ­children’s shoes, so they cycled barefoot to Fort William before they could buy more.

I’m sitting next to Jimmy Docherty, and he’s telling me about a new Cannondale bike he’s acquired, and how he still has the cycling shoes he bought in 1948. He’s 78, and says he often cycles about 20 miles to meet up with the gang, coming up the long way round on a good day. His wife wants him to carry a mobile phone, but he’ll hear none of it. Her concern would be understandable given his age alone – but the fact he was half-paralysed by a stroke 22 years ago, and still has limited use of his right hand, makes it rather more so. “You won’t stop me cycling,†he says with a smile.

Eddie Brown, a former steel worker aged 77, has been riding since he was a teenager. He shows me a photograph of himself – a shy-looking, dark-haired boy – out on the road in the early 1950s. He still gets out cycling twice a week. “It doesn’t make you live longer,†he says. “But it does make you happier. When I got to my fifties, lots of fellows I knew went down with heart disease and strokes, and I could have been one of them. But I was able to keep going. Doing things like this makes you enjoy life more, makes it worthwhile.†A few weeks ago, Eddie tells me, he caught a salmon on a stretch of his local river. “Getting out, doing stuff … that’s the secret.â€

The others feel the same. Bob Cunningham is 80 and works two days a week at Tunnock’s confectioners in Uddingston. Bob Grieve is the same age and still plays ice hockey. Jack Maguire, another 80-year-old, is an old friend of the gang from New Jersey and has turned up on his bike. He’s on holiday, but that doesn’t mean sitting around doing nothing.

Bob Mair, the man who introduced me to the group, is 70. In the summer, he completed a 550-mile trip to the Highlands, setting off from Glasgow to Ardrossan, taking the ferry to Arran and crossing to Kintyre before ­reaching Oban and taking the ferry to Barra. He cycled half the length of the Outer Hebrides, caught a boat to Skye, cycled to Glen Shiel, climbed half a dozen Munros, then pedalled back home.

He’s done Land’s End to John O’Groats twice, the last time seven years ago, and marked the start of his retirement by riding around the coast of Ireland. The only difference from his younger days is a little caution: “When you get older you don’t want to fall off because it takes time to heal. I cracked some ribs in a fall and it took forever to sort out. You don’t want a broken hip now.â€

The ‘baby’ at 65

A few weeks later I borrow a good road bike and, on a bright autumn morning, join a little peloton climbing up out of Glasgow, behind the seemingly tireless legs of Terry McGee. The baby of the bunch at 65, he is a former council worker and merchant seaman who began his retirement with a ride across Australia’s Nullarbor Plain. He smokes roll-ups and I think this might mean I have a chance to keep up with him.

After tea brewed on the fire at the usual spot, we head out again for another 10 miles, across the hills, with one glorious descent of about three miles. The target, a cafe, is a mile or so off – so McGee, who now captains the Glenmarnock Wheelers, announces a sprint finish and I take the lead. Fifty metres from the line, I’m panting – and my 65-year-old rival sails past, arm aloft in mock triumph, not even pedalling.

On the way back it’s mainly downhill and I begin to revel in the speed of the bike, cornering fast and feeling its responsiveness. Then I hit a pothole at about 25mph and come crashing off, skidding along the road and into the verge. A bit bruised, I lag at the back on the rest of the ride home. We’ve covered 40 miles, a fairly easy day by the standards of men 30 years older than me, and that evening I’m bone-weary. But the thrill of taking the light, fast machine out across the hills stays with me. I think I begin to understand what this cycling game is all about.

As winter approaches and rain and frost gain the upper hand, I expect the ranks at the drum-up to be thinned, but these men are made of sterner stuff. Out come the fleeces and the waterproofs, on go the warm hats and gloves, and the wet, the wind and the cold are just another small problem to be overcome.

Eddie Brown is a vision in a pair of ripped overtrousers, waterproof top, woolly hat, helmet and wraparound sunglasses to keep the low-lying winter sun out of his eyes. Apart from that, there are few concessions to the season. Perhaps they’ll put a few more logs on the fire and build it a little higher, and maybe they’ll fit winter tyres with a slightly sounder grip.

On my last visit to the spot, I speak to Bob Mair and tell him I want to write about the days I’ve spent with the group. He is happy to have it recorded: like the rest, he treasures these days on the open road and by the smoky fire. But he makes me swear not to reveal the locations of their meetings, for fear someone, somewhere will object.

I say it seems like a little piece of history, from a time when the idea of escape from the city burned bright in the minds of people whose everyday existence was a struggle.

“Aye, they’re the dying embers, though,†he says.

That may be, but it seems they’ll be a long time dying. And as I head home I wonder what will finish these men, what could ever stop them climbing on their bikes and ­cranking up the hills, into the wide blue, wherever the hell it takes them.

Great event and course... It was an old skool start(not gridded) with two lines of riders in a field racing for first corner. Decided to try and get into the top few and see how long I could hold on. The pace on the front was hard and I lost a few places(fell on my arse) I did only fall off once . The last few laps I started to slip back but had some good battles and managed to claw back a place on last lap(which was fun). I finished 23rd... I was happy enough but need to work on my fitness, cornering, braking, dismounts, remounts... well everything. Thanks to Mike for the encouragement and other Wheelers, I could not make out who you were as I was going to fast(trying not to fall over).
 
I would highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't tried, it really is a blast!
 
 

 
 
 

With the closed road, the start house, the film crew, 30-odd riders, dozens of spectators, and sunshine(!) that was surely the ultimate club confined. Thanks again to Jann, Kenny, Martin and Graham for a great morning, and well done to Alan and Danny for showing the rest of us how it's done! (Though I think it bears repeating: that climb is a horrible, short, sharp effort into the red. It takes a fair bit of nerve just to get onto the line at the bottom of the hill and we all deserve a pat on the back for taking it on.)
 
Comparing times from different years can't tell the whole story without a record of weather conditions, too…however, it has to be worth noting that Danny's time of 1:35 and Hamish's time of 1:37 would both have been good enough to win the senior championship three times out of four between 2011-2014! Stellar rides, lads.
 
Given a half-decent day and another big turnout, hopefully someone can record the magical 1:20-something next year.

What I have found out so far
 
2 early morning flights to Malaga each day from Glasgow. Return flights about lunchtime. Easyjet and Jet 2. The place to stay is Ronda which has many hotels and looks rather magnificent in pictures. It's about 75 min drive from Malaga. The sportive start and finish point is in El Gastor which is maybe 20 mins from Ronda.
 
My suggestion is to hire a small car for every 2 people simply because in my experience it is more cost effective to do this than hire vans etc ( I know it's a bit surprising, so I would check it out again). Small hatchback can take 2 bodies and 2 bike bags with the seats down and the small hatchbacks are cheap to hire.
 
The 2016 date is Saturday 4th June. I propose to go early Thursday 7am flight, in Malaga about 11am with time difference, then in Ronda about 1pm after all the hire car faffing. Itinery would be
 
Thus pm, build bike and ride about 30-40 miles to explore the area.
Fri am, get out for a longer ride with at least 3 cafe stops, moderate pace.
Saturday, Lasufrida 195km, 5000m climb. Full gas.
Return flight lunchtime Sunday meaning leaving Ronda about 9.30am.
 
 
So I'm looking for a double up buddy
 
Also just as a pre alert - full Arran double will be a couple of weeks either side of this date when everyone is in the peak of fitness.

Well done lads

So the votes have been counted and.............drum roll........
 
10 for Lasufrida sportive in Spain end May
1 for Stelvio Mortirolo sportive end May
3 maybe 5 for Flanders sportive
Also Darryl heading to Pyrenees late summer
 
So for those with very understanding partners you could potentially have 3 trips next year!
 
Being as I promoted Lasufrida I will contact organiser to check out places and dates for next year. Then ideally Richie will want to come and feel compelled to organise everything it should be pretty simples though as multiple daily flights to Malaga giving many options for length of stay etc.
I'll investigate other logistics like start- finish point, town to stay in etc.

Iain Robbie Alex and myself enjoyed the last chain gang of the season. Lovely night and we made it round the whole route before the fall of darkness
Despite the miserable summer weather I really enjoyed both the chain gang and the sewing bee this season. Thanks to all for the great company

Lovely day for it today, sun was out and wind was fairly kind to us.
 
Preparation for the event was pretty poor due to chasing the Joansin Elite round Arran last Saturday resulting in my dodgy knee raising its ugly head so next to no exercise for the week leading up to today.
 
Run1 - 5k  (18.34 Position 9)
Cycle - 20k  (33.20 Position 10)
Run2 - 5k  (20.09 Position 15)
 
Overall - 12th Place
 
Blew my chance of a top ten finish on the 2nd run! Calves were cramping up with every stride or there's Sniper in Gourock with a good aim!
 
Can't be too disappointed though as I couldn't of pushed my skinny arse any harder!
 
Cheers
 
Robbie
 
 

Thanks to Kenny for putting on a great event-pity you couldn't hold the wind off for a couple more hours
 
Thanks to everyone who gave up their time to marshal, push off, make & serve tea & provide some lovely grub.
 
Days like today & last week's road race show what a great wee club wee have.

Magnificent effort Iain, might need to consider an honorary mention in the Hall of Fame

failed today!
 
Ferry was 10 min late disembarking and it took me 10 min longer to get round than it should, so ferry was just pulling out when I got to the top of the town.2 hrs 50min. should manage 2.40 in a few weeks. nice day though.
 
iain

Thank you, Allan & the team at Thomson Cycle for your generous support for this race!
 
I would like to echo Allan's sentiment regarding today's helpers, I'll name & thank them individually because without everyone's help & support, there would be no race to take place today.
 
Jane & Mary at the Sign-on
AllanM, AndrewD, Carol C, Dave C, George, Iain Ginty, Karen, Paul C,Peter Graham & Susan for marshalling
Paul McDonald, Iain McTavish, Iain Cowden, Allan Pratt, Kayleigh B & AlexB for convoy cars
Jann for first Aid
Richard Montague as finish line support
Margaret at the Barrmill Hall
 
Folks from Team Thomson (sorry, I did not catch everyone's name)
 
Also special thanks prior to the race day - to Paul McDonald again & Kenny Steele for teaching me a lot re race organising, Mark O for his assistance in the risk assessment, Morven Brown of Scottish Cycling for putting up with my constant questions, Glasgow Green CC for lending "race boards", Richie Proven of Glasgow Couriers for the flags etc.........
 
Sorry if I missed anyone, but my brains just a bit frazzled now :-)
 
I was given very positive feed backs from the riders as well as the Commissaires, so we must be doing something right & we're proud to do that in honour of Donald himself! So, give yourself a pat on the back for a good job done! :-)
 
Unfortunately, a junior rider crashed heavily & was taken to hospital but thankfully he's not too bad. I'll try to get in touch and find out how he is doing & update everyone if need be!
 
Oh, we even manage to get the weather right...... :-)
Anyway, thanks for reading & I hope everyone had a really good experience. If you did, then there's another chance to do it all over again next Sunday at the Sam Dooleys, I believe Kenny Steele is still looking for marshals, so here's your chance :-)
 
On behalf of the JWCC, thank you all very much!
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Sorry, same as Bruce.

Watching European Football

Great day on the bike lads, Cheers to Paul for organising!
 
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
 
Anyone for hill repeats on the Clune Tomorrow......

I was joking Alan lol

Team. We have a plan to try and accommodate Robbie and Alan. It is to meet at 0715 for a sharp depart at the big roundabout above Lochwinnoch where there is a small factory and a slip road with easy parking. Means we should be at start point just after 0800 for an earlier start.
 
The roundabout is on the main Johnstone to Beith road A737.
 
To save the planet I can easy take another body and bike in my car or join in to someone else's car and just be navigator.
 
If anyone is planning to be there but a bit late then text me on 07939 733146. You will be publicly exposed for poor timekeeping though.
 

Yes bigman my plan is to get someone in early at 7 and leave straight from the station so hopefully down there for as close to 8 o'clock as possible.