robster82

Hans Solo tonight. Only company I had was a Bee which stung my right eyelid. Is that not ironic

Cheers Alex
 
Think you were right regarding segment ending at telephone mast as there is over 1 minute difference from moving time (5.07) and 6.11 recorded! 
 
Must cycle past telephone mast
 
Must cycle past telephone mast
 
Must cycle past telephone mast......

Darryl
U can pull us all round after your fine effort on Sat

Another splendid Arran adventure.
2 new inductees to the 56 loop Darryl and Charlie. First time it's been done with a puncture en route. And the Laurel and Hardy moment when Alan tested the braking power of a gilet in the front wheel, thankfully he is ok !
2 new inductees to the 56 plus 50 challenge, Jan and Ian.
Good bunch of 7 on loop 1 were fairly comfortable for the target ferry when with 10 miles to go QC Chas punctured. Resulted in a much harder effort to get Charlie and Darryl to complete the 56 challenge for the last 10 miles. This took its toll on me and the two Alan's as we dropped away at various points into lap 2. But we are made up for Charlie in particular who really ended himself to get the single ( think it was the thought of Billy having done it and he hadn't ). Darryl put in a lot of the work knowing he was heading back after the one lapper.
Jan and Ian put in a truly stonking performance to join the exclusive 56 plus 50 club.
Thanks for coming guys, I think the JWCC roll of honour now reads ( I was thinking about a scroll for the clubrooms )
 
Single lap hall of fame ( have I missed any )
Me, Alan McLean, Alan McBride, Mark O, Colin, Davie B, Fergus, Judas Toole, Darryl, Charlie, David Thompson, Billy, Jan, Ian Arch,
 
56 plus 50 Hall of Fame
Me, Jan, Ian.
Also Greg O and Andy Mullen from other clubs.
 
 
I hope this will motivate more people to want to join the Halls of Fame.
 

We have an perfect posse size
Ian mcJan
Ian Arch
Alan McB
Darryl
Paul McD
 
Mibeez Chas
Mibeez dark horse Alan (yes we would like a hand, especially from one of the original pioneers of the single challenge, remember that one many years ago with Davie B and Fergus)
 
Any one want to team up at my house company would be welcome. I plan to leave about 0600 so I have time to spin a small gear for 15 mins before ferry. This is cunning plan to address the long drag straight off the ferry then the Ross after about 5 miles
 
A short word on domestics without telling me granny how to suck eggs. If you fancy the double then previously we stashed a poly bag about 200m up the hill from ferry with additional bottles and grub. A 5 min max stop is permitted to reload food and drink and unload liquid behind a tree if reqd. There is NOT unfortunately time for a shop stop. However when you get back to boat the full Bhoona mash, 3 bangers and beans goes down a treat.
 
Briefing on ferry on how to install a motor in your frame from Jan.
 
 

He didn't deny the motor though

Alex B - just noticed you were on forum - why not bin your sportive and join us - we could really do with your horsepower

Will book a high chair for you

My vote is Costa Blanca for 4 ish days. Plentiful flights. Plentiful accommodation. Almost guaranteed weather. I would be happy to do route maps and such like as I know the area well and would like to share some of the best cycling roads in the world. Long climbs, short climbs, no climbs ( relatively speaking) , it's all there.
Having said that would also be up for the iconic tour climbs etc. logistics and weather just a lot more risky as demonstrated at LBL this year !
 
 

Me also. 3/4 days in the alps doing 3 big rides taking in some of the iconic climbs of the tour would be something special.

Come on George, after watching the tour, its got to be the Alps. 😉

Been there, got the T-shirt. Alps or Pyrenees for a week next year George.

Was talking to/at Darryl last night and we thought it would be a jolly wheeze to have a cheeky wee night out to celebrate how brilliant I am.
 
Of course you can (briefly) discuss other topics but I can't think why you would want to and, lets face it, talking about my utter excellence at cycling could take all night.
 
So we were thinking that Amaretto in Bridge of Weir(d) would be a good venue. Darryl suggested riding out and back as "it's just a ride along the track" but that has an eerie ring of famous last words about it as they sell booze. I'm sure we could share taxis. 
 
A nice dinner with a few goblets of mead would be a fine way to round off the cycling year, nes pas?
 
We can then head up the hill to MC Charlie's where he will amaze us by hitting the decks and blasting out some of his favourite hot trance and techno beats.
 
I'm thinking Friday 11th of September. 
 
Could anyone that wants to go let me know on this thread and I'll book tables.
 
Of course this is open to ALL club members and their friends and family.
 
Bonjour.

Well done Paul sounds great! Would absolutely love this also! 

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
 
 

I think they have Marcel Kittel doing an advert too. Took me three watches to figure out he was saying "I like my hair" I like his hair too.
 
He does look like a cross between Ross Toole & Dolph Lungren tho.
 
As for Degenkolb, I can't take anyone with a moustache seriously. Especially cyclists. I make an exception for Hitler, Sadam Hussein & my mother in law as they were all very serious cruel dictator types. Not to be taken lightly in any way shape or form.
 
Back to shampoo, I used to use head & shoulders shampoo. Now I just use shoulders

Will try and post the correct month next week

a few wee photos from Sunday's epic ride...

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.

Great ride today guys, longest run so far, struggled from 95-110 miles! so apologies for lack of work at the front, recovered after a miracle mars bar in Darvel and was only 10 minutes late for work :-)

Aye bad luck Iain especially when you have good form. Was a fairly typical race and the circuit was really good. the drag out of Kilmaurs was the main challenge and it seemed the neutral zone passing of this drag was the hardest in the race!
I was able to stay near the front ok except on the drag when I drifted back to meet Colin drifting forward. Was quite a few breaks in the race but only really one that looked a serious threat to the yellow jersey that Alan was wearing as leader of the WOSCA series. It was my duty to muster the bunch to chase it back and it actually worked fine we caught them pretty quick when we got to it.
I had Alan on my wheel in the habble to the last corner which was an important point to be in first 10 as it was a tailwind rip to the line from there. Unfortunately he got caught in the melee after the corner.
Scorecard at end of day was me 16th, Alan 22nd, Colin 26th.
Good for Scottish cycling to see a podium that were ages with my daughters.

In pub. Beer & cigars. Will see how it goes.

Sorry, Charlie but I can only manage a long ride one day this weekend and although I enjoy your company the thought of a ride in glorious sunshine on Saturday appeals more than your jabbering on in the hosing rain on Sunday.
 
I'll start a new thread....

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
 
 
 

Another cracking Tuesday night
 
 
This week was the fastest its been from Stewarton Cross to the stables -  21:45 which is 40 seconds faster than last week which was also about a minute faster than the other times this year. So you must be hitting some good form if you are finding it easy