Marc

All we need to do now is source a coach and we'll be sorted. 
If i can assist Charlie with anything just let me know. 

Great to be back out with the bunch today, think I seen Charlie going through once or twice...

Had to mix it up a bit thought broke away on my own until Michael flew past got his wheel and hung on to it until he started flicking his elbow...okay...so we took turns until Largs where my legs were screaming at that point. It was good fun think I gave him a good kicking 

Going to get my first kicking of year this Saturday. Leaving BOW 9.30 am if any one wants to join me on the road

Unfortunately not going to make it again!
Anyone want to buy a Ridley Noah Fast size small?

I’m not sure what the focus of this piece is or who it is aimed at.  Maybe it’s to inspire other women to take on similar challenges.  Maybe it’s just me saying ‘hello’ again and to let you know that I’m looking forward to getting back out with the bunch.  Whatever the reason is, someone suggested that writing a race report would be a good idea.  The only problem is, nothing I did this year was a ‘race’.  I’m not getting bogged down in stats and intricate details.  I am a girl who likes a challenge and I set myself a couple of challenges this summer.  They went something like this.
 August 2018 - Marmotte Pyrenees
160km, 5600 metres ascent
Ramsay and I had already decided to spend this summer in the Pyrenees.  We completed the Marmotte sportive in the Alps last year and loved it.  I knew that they did a similar event out of Argeles Gazost and by chance, it fell within the weeks that we were planning to be there.  The decision was made and we were signed up.  Unfortunately for Ramsay, his knee went again in June and he knew that he would not be ready to ride again for months.
We knew that a bunch of Wheelers were out riding too and Ramsay really enjoyed supporting everyone on the day (tonnes more photos of the boys on the Tourmalet than me, which is not a bad thing)!  It may sound selfish, but I knew that in order to make it to the finish at the top of Luz Ardiden, I just had to do my own thing and plod away at my own pace.  I love alpine climbs.  I love the challenge and the sense of accomplishment when you get to the top of those infamous Cols.  The scenery is spectacular and the baguettes with camembert at the pit stops are perfect!  I don’t know whether being a women helps.  I had so many shouts of “allez allez femme” which was brilliant.  Having spoken to some of the boys at the BBQ and confessed our body weights, being a women of a smaller stature, certainly helps when you are climbing an average gradient of 10% for several hours!  Yes, it was tough.  Yes, there were times when I asked myself why I was doing this.  It certainly felt harder than the Alps last year, but finishing was never in doubt.  After a hot shower and a good night’s sleep, the legs had recovered and I enjoyed ticking off so many more of those famous climbs during our time in the Pyrenees.
I can honestly say that one of the highlights was meeting up with the guys the following night for a BBQ.  Great food, lots of wine, even more beer and brilliant banter.  It reminded both Ramsay and I why we joined the club in the first place.  Thank you!
 
September 2018 – Around the World in a Day
245 miles from Machrihanish to Aberdeen, ~ 3500 metres ascent
 Then came the second challenge of the summer.  In 2017, Mark Beaumont set off to cycle around the world in 80 days.  He achieved this by riding an average of 240 miles per day.  The concept for this challenge was to have one rider to represent each day (80 riders in total) and us all to cycle 240 miles.  Hence, ‘Around the World in a Day’!  The day was planned exactly as Mark had ridden around the world.  Four times four hour sections of riding (approx. 60 miles per section) with a 30 minute stop in between (Furnace, Lochearnhead and Forfar).  The route started in Machrihanish and headed north through Ardishaig, before heading north east to Inverary and Dalmally.  We then turned east across the country to Forfar with the final stretch up the north east coast through Stonehaven to Aberdeen.
was one of ten female riders to start and one of eight to finish.  I had ridden 184 miles as a reccie earlier in the summer and only hoped that my weeks in the Pyrenees helped with final preparations and the final miles.  It was a typical Scottish day.....started cold, dark, wet and windy.  The sun came out briefly in the afternoon before it got cold, dark, wet and windy again.  My strategy was to keep a high cadence during the day and shelter within the bunch as much as possible.  I managed a few turns at the front and myself and a couple of the girls led the group for a few minutes when the boys stopped for a pee. Oh how we laughed!!  For the majority however, the boys looked out for us and made sure we were safely tucked in as much as possible.
The last 30 miles were probably the hardest miles I have ever ridden.  It was a rollercoaster of highs and lows and all I wanted was to be warm and horizontal!  I stepped off the bike in Aberdeen and was shaking with cold and exhaustion.  I thought I was either going to be sick or faint or both.  I admit, I cried when Ramsay came to give me a cuddle and it took me some time to reach the “that was an amazing experience” feeling.    But again, after two hot showers and a good night’s sleep, I woke up feeling ok and began to appreciate what had happened the day before. 
I guess that’s how I get through any of these challenges.  I know that even when it feels brutal and you hurt all over, it doesn’t last.  You will recover and you will get back on the bike again......quickly.  I don’t consider myself a powerful rider or a fast rider.  I don’t glide up the ascents.   I bob about in the saddle and do everything you shouldn’t!  I am a steady rider who is happy to tap away at the miles at my own pace.  In saying that, I didn’t just walk in to these events having done nothing.  I put the effort, the hours and the miles in this year.  If I’m honest, I did very little other than cycle and work for most of the summer!
It’s been a while, but I will be back out with the bunch again soon, enjoying the Sunday runs around Renfrewshire and beyond.  I’m looking forward to not just the training (must work on that power output over the winter), but for the banter and the camaraderie.  Hope to see you all soon.   
 

Well done to everyone taking part today, really horrid conditions. 
  As a club we constantly bang on about getting folk to take part in confined events, so not to get a start I thought was bad craic.   

Best ride of the year. reminds me why anyone would want to be in a cycling club...Jets were awesome! McCusker if I had alot answer for you would be in a taxi to Glasgow 

just noticed i got a KOM after all the best bit is that Wout van Aert, Dimitri Claeys, Jaspar Stuyven, Greg van Avermaet and Jelle Wallays were joint KOM holders so they will all have received the message.

 

Lots of you will already have seen your smiling coupons on the Amaretto fb page. If not, please get over there and give it a like
 

Hold my beer! 
 
 

At last Committee meeting it was proposed that Club should purchase bike boxes for benefit of members. Will be hired out for a modest Sum ( just enough for u to look after box). Need suggestions on what box to buy as saw many boxes at marmotte and not sure what best. Suggestions welcome

The usual...
Pacey non-stop 50 miles around the coast. Departing 9.00am from BoW lights (the ones closer to Kilmacolm).
Post if you would like to join.

Greg & I did 2 up tonight. Shared the points

Great video, don't know how you could concentrate with that music blaring all day though...

Great video, don't know how you could concentrate with that music blaring all day though...

We can always go by the original result before the timekeeping mistake was noticed then everyone is happy
 

 
 
While having a look on braveheart at previous results in 2016 there was a new tandem record set - 16.55. Doesnt seem to have been broken last year so maybe a record for Graham and Gerard?

2nd Overall so well done to everyone

 
I've got some medals to pass on for whoever was in the top 8

Great picture Jane! 
 

Deleted

Here is the list - A lot of names from other clubs that i dont recognise, so i dont know what the competition is like. The gales are missing a few of their fast guys from last year so there will probably be a new winner this year.
 
1 09:01 Ian Loughran Velopreda
2 09:02 Barry Marshall Velopreda
3 09:03 Douglas Stevenson Velopreda
4 09:04 Ian Martin Velopreda
5 09:05 Edward Mullen Velopreda
6 09:06 Paul Keir Velopreda
7 09:07 Euan Walker Velopreda
8 09:08 John Leonard Velopreda
9 09:09 Andrew Mcghee Velopreda
10 09:10 Mirjam Allik Glasgow Wheelers
11 09:11 Elizabeth Wisdish Glasgow Wheelers
12 09:12 Radoslaw Rachwal Glasgow Wheelers
13 09:13 Fiona Cockburn Glasgow Wheelers
14 09:14 Deirdre O'reilly Glasgow Wheelers
15 09:15 Neil Griffiths Glasgow Wheelers
16 09:16 Harry Tweed Glasgow Wheelers
17 09:17 Graeme Muir Glasgow Wheelers
18 09:18 William Munro Glasgow Wheelers
19 09:19 Ronald Difelice Glasgow Couriers
20 09:20 Alan Linstead Glasgow Couriers
21 09:21 Scott Newman Glasgow Couriers
22 09:22 Stephen Hill Lomond Roads CC
23 09:23 Richard Burchmore Lomond Roads CC
24 09:24 Brian Lafferty Lomond Roads CC
25 09:25 Douglas Dorrington Lomond Roads CC
26 09:26 Chris Brown Lomond Roads CC
27 09:27 Peter Dorrington Lomond Roads CC
28 09:28 Graeme Daly Lomond Roads CC
29 09:29 Brian Cameron Lomond Roads CC
30 09:30 David Barclay Lomond Roads CC
31 09:31 Gordon Dick Lomond Roads CC
32 09:32 David Ross Falkirk B C
33 09:33 Claire Davidson Falkirk B C
34 09:34 Blair Martin Falkirk B C
35 09:35 Diana Macgregor Falkirk B C
36 09:36 Mark Donaldson Falkirk B C
37 09:37 Gerry Robertson Falkirk B C
38 09:38 Bruce Fullerton Falkirk B C
39 09:39 Alexander Mcculley Falkirk B C
40 09:40 Ian Conn Falkirk B C
41 09:41 William Turner Falkirk B C
42 09:42 Stephen Makin Falkirk B C
43 09:43 Murray Ferguson Falkirk B C
44 09:44 Joe Shaw Falkirk B C
45 09:45 Stuart Grady Falkirk B C
46 09:46 Ian Macgregor Falkirk B C
47 09:47 Robert Hutchison Falkirk B C
48 09:48 Robin Mullin Falkirk B C
49 09:49 Douglas Macdonald Fullarton Wheelers
50 09:50 Steve Donaldson Fullarton Wheelers
51 09:51 Alistair Kinnaird Fullarton Wheelers
52 09:52 Alan Mccall Fullarton Wheelers
53 09:53 John Todd Fullarton Wheelers
54 09:54 Scott-alexander Mckendrick Fullarton Wheelers
55 09:55 Peter Mclardy Fullarton Wheelers
56 09:56 Guy Walker Fullarton Wheelers
57 09:57 Stevie Watters Fullarton Wheelers
58 09:58 Sean Barron Fullarton Wheelers
59 09:59 Frazer Bell Fullarton Wheelers
60 10:00 Derek Skinner Fullarton Wheelers
61 10:01 Allan Duncan Fullarton Wheelers
62 10:02 James Ryland Fullarton Wheelers
63 10:03 Gordon Stead Fullarton Wheelers
64 10:04 Christopher Staples Fullarton Wheelers
65 10:05 Gordon Graham Fullarton Wheelers
66 10:06 Darren Kean Fullarton Wheelers
67 10:07 Allan Clark Glasgow United CC
68 10:08 Scott Macpherson Glasgow United CC
69 10:09 Ian Hepburn Glasgow United CC
70 10:10 Alasdair Mcalpine Glasgow United CC
71 10:11 John Mcaliece Glasgow United CC
72 10:12 Richard Macpherson Glasgow United CC
73 10:13 John Mccrory Glasgow United CC
74 10:14 Mark Daly Glasgow United CC
75 10:15 Liam White Glasgow Green Cycle Club
76 10:16 Iain Martin Glasgow Green Cycle Club
77 10:17 Murray Soutter Glasgow Green Cycle Club
78 10:18 Richard Hogg Glasgow Green Cycle Club
79 10:19 Kieron Redmond Glasgow Green Cycle Club
80 10:20 Sandy Taylor Glasgow Green Cycle Club
81 10:21 David Sykes Glasgow Green Cycle Club
82 10:22 Derek Brown Glasgow Green Cycle Club
83 10:23 Martin Godfrey Glasgow Green Cycle Club
84 10:24 Michael Mcpartlin Glasgow Green Cycle Club
85 10:25 Alan Clark Glasgow Green Cycle Club
86 10:26 Michael Gaddis Glasgow Green Cycle Club
87 10:27 Calum Mcvie Glasgow Green Cycle Club
88 10:28 Andy Jack Glasgow Green Cycle Club
89 10:29 Gavin Morton Glasgow Green Cycle Club
90 10:30 David Mcgill Glasgow Green Cycle Club
91 10:31 Craig Ross Glasgow Green Cycle Club
92 10:32 Darren Carruthers Glasgow Green Cycle Club
93 10:33 William Hinshelwood Glasgow Green Cycle Club
94 10:34 Ian Mcginty Johnstone Wheelers
95 10:35 Graham Findlay Johnstone Wheelers
96 10:36 John Clark Johnstone Wheelers
97 10:37 Mike Ferguson Johnstone Wheelers
98 10:38 Alan Thomson Johnstone Wheelers
99 10:39 Scott Mcintosh Johnstone Wheelers
100 10:40 Iain Mctavish Johnstone Wheelers
101 10:41 James Snodgrass Johnstone Wheelers
102 10:42 Sam Mcgrath Johnstone Wheelers
103 10:43 Paul Leavy Johnstone Wheelers
104 10:44 Marc Kelly Johnstone Wheelers
105 10:45 William Macdonald Johnstone Wheelers
106 10:46 Ian Archibald Johnstone Wheelers
107 10:47 Iain Couttie Johnstone Wheelers
108 10:48 Bill Davies Law Wheelers
109 10:49 Rowena Kennedy Law Wheelers
110 10:50 Wilma Phillips Law Wheelers
111 10:51 Gordon Innes Law Wheelers
112 10:52 David Walker Law Wheelers
113 10:53 Robert Clements Law Wheelers
114 10:54 Jasper Post Law Wheelers
115 10:55 John Mchutchison Law Wheelers
116 10:56 John Russell Law Wheelers
117 10:57 Ronnie Graham Law Wheelers
118 10:58 Colin Sergeant Law Wheelers
119 10:59 Graham Smith Law Wheelers
120 11:00 Tom Moffat Law Wheelers
121 11:01 Enda Williamson Road Club Cumbernauld & Kilsyth
122 11:02 Craig Macwilliam Road Club Cumbernauld & Kilsyth
123 11:03 Dean Lewis Road Club Cumbernauld & Kilsyth
124 11:04 Bobby Armour Road Club Cumbernauld & Kilsyth
125 11:05 Andrew Phillips Road Club Cumbernauld & Kilsyth
126 11:06 Phil Hunter Road Club Cumbernauld & Kilsyth
127 11:07 Kenny Macniven Road Club Cumbernauld & Kilsyth
128 11:08 Alistair Leith Road Club Cumbernauld & Kilsyth
129 11:09 David Hodson Road Club Cumbernauld & Kilsyth
130 11:10 Neil Mitchell Road Club Cumbernauld & Kilsyth
131 11:11 Joshua Higgins Road Club Cumbernauld & Kilsyth
132 11:12 Rory Porteous Road Club Cumbernauld & Kilsyth
133 11:13 David Sabate VC Glasgow South
134 11:14 William Craig VC Glasgow South
135 11:15 Colin Mackintosh VC Glasgow South
136 11:16 Allan Maxwell VC Glasgow South
137 11:17 Jim Mcharg VC Glasgow South
138 11:18 Calum Doyle VC Glasgow South
139 11:19 Ian Barton VC Glasgow South
140 11:20 David Mylett VC Glasgow South
141 11:21 Stuart Mcgibbon VC Glasgow South
142 11:22 Andrew Smith VC Glasgow South
143 11:23 Charles Adams VC Glasgow South
144 11:24 Frederick Connor VC Glasgow South
145 11:25 Oscar Marletta VC Glasgow South
146 11:26 David Morrison VC Glasgow South
147 11:27 Jim Barr VC Glasgow South
148 11:28 Sandy Wilson VC Glasgow South
149 11:29 Karl Farmer VC Glasgow South
150 11:30 Jennifer Nix Ayr Roads CC
151 11:31 Andrew Conway Ayr Roads CC
152 11:32 Paul Rodwell Ayr Roads CC
153 11:33 Bobby Mcghee Ayr Roads CC
154 11:34 Aileen Fisher Ayr Roads CC
155 11:35 John Gemmell Ayr Roads CC
156 11:36 Scott Knox Ayr Roads CC
157 11:37 Craig Allison Ayr Roads CC
158 11:38 Harry Brawley Ayr Roads CC
159 11:39 Edward Clifton Ayr Roads CC
160 11:40 Michael Curran Ayr Roads CC
161 11:41 Calum Macdonald Ayr Roads CC
162 11:42 Paul Mccrorey Inverclyde Velo
163 11:43 David Irving Inverclyde Velo
164 11:44 Tom May Inverclyde Velo
165 11:45 George Mccarter Inverclyde Velo
166 11:46 Derek Robinson Inverclyde Velo
167 11:47 Paul Symington Inverclyde Velo
168 11:48 Kevan Mccartney Inverclyde Velo
169 11:49 Alan Holms Inverclyde Velo
170 11:50 Danny Mclaughlin Inverclyde Velo
171 11:51 Ian Marshall Inverclyde Velo
172 11:52 Lewis Beck Inverclyde Velo
173 11:53 Katie Priester Glasgow Nightingale CC
174 11:54 Alastair Pell Glasgow Nightingale CC
175 11:55 Karl Povey Glasgow Nightingale CC
176 11:56 Keith Armstrong Glasgow Nightingale CC
177 11:57 Julie Fitzpatrick Glasgow Nightingale CC
178 11:58 Martin Knox Glasgow Nightingale CC
179 11:59 Scott Glasgow Glasgow Nightingale CC
180 12:00 Tam Gordon Glasgow Nightingale CC
181 12:01 Joseph Thom Glasgow Nightingale CC
182 12:02 Alastair Anderson Fusion Triathlon Club
183 12:03 Lewis Anderson Fusion Triathlon Club
184 12:04 Callum Byrne Fusion Triathlon Club
185 12:05 Josh Hendry Fusion Triathlon Club
186 12:06 Laura Cluxton RT 23
187 12:07 Martin Gordon Coatbridge Clarion CC
188 12:08 Alan Macintyre Coatbridge Clarion CC
189 12:09 Alexander Macrae Dooleys RT
190 12:10 Georgia Young East Kilbride Road Club
191 12:11 Euan Sutherland Glasgow Cycle Team
192 12:12 Paul Robinson Loudoun Road Club
193 12:13 Derek Mcburnie Paisley Velo
194 12:14 Janette Hazlett Glasgow Ivy CC
195 12:15 Stuart Ross Airdrie cycle club
196 12:16 Leslie Mcguire Airdrie cycle club
197 12:17 David Mclenaghan Airdrie cycle club
198 12:18 David Telford Airdrie cycle club
199 12:19 Steven Horne Airdrie cycle club
200 12:20 Nicholas Jonsson Airdrie cycle club
201 12:21 Kyle Johnston Bio Racer - Project GO
202 12:22 Lynne Kelly Stirling Bike Club
203 12:23 Carole Dick Stirling Bike Club
204 12:24 Archie Johnstone Stirling Bike Club
205 12:25 Norrie Petrie Stirling Bike Club
206 12:26 Graeme Naysmith Stirling Bike Club
207 12:27 Christina Mackenzie Stirling Bike Club
208 12:28 Jordan Carlton GTR - Return To Life

A month to get fit and find your track legs. I dont think entry is open yet couple of things still to be finalised
Not totally confirmed but based on feedback from the rider survey the programme will be changing slightly. C and D groups as before with 4 races, A and B moving to 3 races but longer. Scraping the devil to add the laps to a points and scratch.
Will be sad to see the devil go as it was my most successful race last season but on the other hand longer points race should be good!

Route for tomorrow;
https://www.strava.com/routes/15268744

Usual time and place but a different route  due to the the A8 being down to one lane - https://www.strava.com/routes/15174783
To Bishopton as normal, left at the roundabout then towards Gleddoch and join the Clune half way up then ride as normal from there. No Clune points this week and try and keep it together going up the Gleddoch climb. It is about 5 miles from Gleddoch to the top of the Clune so if it splits there it will be a long wait for any riders that are dropped.  The descent towards Finlaystone has blind bends, gravel and sheep so take care there. Also watch out for the speedbumps after Finlaystone.
  Finish line points as normal.
 

All Wheelers safely over the Tourmalet.....the first time. 
Iain Couttie has just left the top of the Aspin and is looking good. Only 2 climbs left! 
Lovely day for an Pyrenean picnic, although must be hot climbing on a bike!