Gerard Deeley

It is not going to be easy accommodating everyone’s expectations for the reliability runs. But can we at least agree that as they are club events then each group should stay together and no-one gets dropped. Any dafty can go out on their own at race pace and wreck themselves, these rides are with your fellow club members and have other qualities. The rides increase in length through the four weeks and we can adapt and change what we do each week. There is a post elsewhere on here showing the race calendar if that is your thing.

It is agreeing in advance on how long the time between the two departures is to be. Hopefully over the four events (they do not always happen though!) the faster bunch gets their pace and departure time spot on and there is no need for a let up or a split. At this stage I am just pleased to be discussing possible changes before a final decision is made. Meanwhile the earlier group just cycle along as they choose.

If the opinion is against it we do not have to do it. Hopefully the idea of keeping a bunch together is recognised, there is no glory in leaving your club mates behind.

That is where the skill is, leaving as long a wait as possible, still catching the first group and everyone finishing at Miller Street as one massive bunch. It has to be worth a try.

I have submitted what is the first edition of our confined events calendar for 2022. As a club we are currently looking into ways to increase participation and there is still much work to be done taking on board what has already been said. Therefor this is only the start! The calendar is, at the moment, presented with no changes. This is to show what would normally be done and allow everyone to see how things will evolve. New events need to be chosen and old ones will need to be discarded along the way as we look to adapt. For the first few events, the reliability runs, they are quite established and have been reasonably well attended during my time at the club. They will stay in place this year, but I propose a simple change. We discard the middle group leaving and only have two groups. The first group will depart at the allotted time and do the route as they have always done, which is a social pace that suits everyone in the group. The second and faster group shall then decide how much of a delay they should have before setting off. Let us all see if you have the skills to wait longer than usual and still catch the earlier group to finish as a whole club in Miller Street? A long lie in and bragging rights await. Please let me know how you all feel about this before it is confirmed. An open meeting for all club members will also happen soon to discuss the rest of the calendar. 2022 Confined Events #1 15 January.pdf

A pretty spot on observation from Billy. There are currently many different small groups of people riding different bikes at different times. As club members we really should be be trying to ride together as much as possible. In the past the planned diary of club runs and events have defined what you needed to do as an active club member but that model is not getting participation and we are now looking for a new way to do things. As time is progressing on this matter I will put up a provisional diary based on what we would normally have done, a starting point from where we can work from. Quickly following on the next task is to decide what we should keep and what we should change out with. Darryl has proposed a working group for discussing this and the invite is still open to everyone. Widespread contribution is vital, we all want to ride our bikes as club members, what would get us doing it together? This may also involve doing it over a video conference call that I have zero knowledge of setting up! I would rather bribe/encourage everyone with a drink at Amaretto.

The filth on that!

We need to hear from more members on this. What would encourage yourself to take part in the confined events? What is it about them that stops you from participating? This is a great opportunity for us all to shape the club and the events that we do together. Post up here or message me if you prefer.

We had hot mulled wine for that. Perfect energy drink for winter time.

Fantastic build, impeccable in every detail. You do know that gravel riding means off road, where the mud and muck lives?

Very nice looking build happening. A few tools in the background are ever so slightly out of alignment with each other though, quite distracting really.

Just the sort of positive stuff we need to hear.

Meeting in Kilmacolm at 1000h to start a trip across to Kilkreggan, Glen Fruin and back via the bridge. Post upmif coming along.

Meeting on the track at Amaretto in Bridge of Weir (many of you have it set as home in your sat nav). Steady pace over to Kilbirnie and return over the Braes.

Unlikely to make it, still busy at work.

It is for a 105 mech, I should have said that. Surely some things do not have to be proprietary! But if you have one I would be grateful.

My rear mech needs a new adjustment screw where the outer cable ends and it goes into it. Does anyone have a spare they no longer need?

Hope to be there.

Just got informed by my better informed sources that the Drum Up will be this Sunday the 7th 1000h ferry. I will be there with my coffee pot and various victuals. For those of you who are not familiar with it the Drum Up is a an open social ride generously organised by Geoff Smith from Velopreda that goes from Hunters Quay round to Ardentinney, over the hill and a campfire on Loch Eck. It is for everyone to join in, but bring your own grub to cook on the fire.

I got lucky in Dooley’s earlier this month; bike arrived on Friday for general sale, Carol Murray sent a picture and mentioned I could be interested in buying it and I got it home by Wednesday. I do however am keeping an eye out for getting a few other bits and bobs that do not seem to be immediately available.

I contacted Geoff about the Drum Up and his expectation is to do it on the 7 November, but that is not certain at the moment, the weather may decide otherwise.

It is due to be a lovely sunny day tomorrow. Meeting up behind Amaretto on the track and heading out to Stewarton and back via the dams. Post up if joining us.

What was looking online like a nice tidy bunch of about six quickly developed into a multitude of wheelers. After a couple of mechanicals very early on we were finally a complete bunch after the Bowfield climb. Steady progress down the Eglington Country Park. At the park a nameless and shameless member brought the club into disrepute with his handling of a standard puncture on a, frankly, filthy bike. Our return was at a nice pace with scones for fuel and a bit of a tailwind.

Meeting up at the clubrooms at 0930 for a wee jaunt through Howwood, Gateside and Blair Road to Kilwinning. Options from there are to head to either the country park cafe or to Troon for a caffeine hit, let us decide on the day. Post up if you are joining us.

I do not think this is happening tonight so I shall be making other plans. They will still involve bikes though.