Gerard Deeley

A relatively short route, Houston, Gleddoch, Port Glasgow, Kilmacolm, lochwinnoch road and cut off to Howwood, up the hill climb route to Bowfield, Gateside, Beith, Lochwinnoch and home on the cycle track. I reckon just upwards of 40 miles and over 2000 feet of up.
 
9:15 at the clubhouse.
 
Caution: May contain hills.

Many thanks to our timekeepers tonight, not the best of conditions but it turned out good for me, woo-hoo!

Day 3 I am home with the bags, heavy rain overnight but front had mostly passed by the time the 4 intrepid riders set of for home, Graham and Paul planning complete ride home and Carol and Dave bailing out at Sanquar rail station. The wind was with them to begin with but likely to be head wind for last third or so. Gerard and Amanda and I enjoyed a more leisurely breakfast and I left them to enjoy their child free day.
 
I enjoyed myself but it was a shame about the classic Bank Holiday weather.
The hotel looked after us well and the Tour of Britain is passing its doors soon. Sam was happy to secure the cycles in the boiler house and served very hearty cooked breakfasts. The hotel is an old building with a few idiosyncrasies but not Fawlty Towers. Real Ale pub opposite for keeping Paul C happy and good fare for dinner in ours. If you know anyone considering the Southern Upland Way Sam is happy to ferry folk as well.
 
Photos to follow!

Day two of our little jaunt was always intended to be easy going, very much a rest day for the more hardcore cycle back home sorts. We left mid morning into the lifting mist along the road to Castle Douglas. It was an undulating road into a light headwind, going down past Loch Ken. Usual mix of road surfaces, often changing from that sapping rumbling stuff to short teasing bits of flawless, smooth tarmac. We nearly all arrived together at Threave for lunch, the final dash up the driveway was short surprisingly steep.
 
Warmed and partially dried out after lunch, Graham and Jane chose to return by the same route, leaving Carol, David, Paul and myself to go back via Laurieston on the opposite side of Loch Ken. With the wind on our backs and the road starting to dry out it was a well paced blast back. Despite Carol's claims of innocence the sprint for the thirty had been accepted and I went for it the only way I know how, too early and too fast. David drew level with me on the finish and produced a photo finish. A good little route in different countryside for our mini bunch.

A bit late in leaving for meeting Graham at the clubrooms so not the best start, but it was to say goodbye to my kids so quite understandable. We met up and got underway quickly as we had to meet Paul at the top of Bowfield, we actually meet him halfway down as he was getting cold waiting. Steady pace down to Lugton, Dunlop and Stewarton where we were met bit the hailstones. It did not last and we made it to Kilmaurs for our first stop while the hail came down again.
 
Refuelled and recaffeinated we pushed on into the sapping headwind towards Tarbolton and Annbank en route to Rozelle tearooms in Ayr. Thanks to precision planning from Graham and steady navigation from Paul then no sooner had we sat down Carol and David arrived to join us for lunch.
 
Afterwards our route took us down the A731, now with the wind behind us. A brief stop in Patna to say hello to Jane making her way by car and we continued at a good pace with a couple of downhill sprints until Carsphairn. There our support wagon had stopped and the most carefully laid out feed station was ready to welcome us with hot drinks cake and sunshine.
 
Thereafter we headed on for the last short section to our hotel, becoming a little bit strung out with Paul winning the sprint for the 30 into St. John's Town of Dalry. Finishing the day with drinks and dinner in first rate company our thoughts are of tomorrow and the weather forecast.

I have signed it and I urge others to do so too.  This will not solve problems overnight, but must form a part of the cycling community's continuous campaign for greater road safety through law and education.

Many thanks to our timekeepers tonight, not the best of conditions but it turned out good for me, woo-hoo!

Many thanks to our timekeepers tonight, not the best of conditions but it turned out good for me, woo-hoo!

Cold, bright, with a stiff Westerly tonight and 2 riders.
 
Gerard 24:35 PB paid
Richard 22:23 will transfer directly.
 
Well done to both riders, and outstanding from Gerard on a big PB. Leaving off the parachute clearly helps.....
 
£3 transferred to the club account.

Thanks very much, Alan. Much appreciated.
 
Well done, Gerard. Pretty incredible pulling out a PB on a night like that.
 
PS Thanks to the other Alan for holding up.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/128190 will take you to the petition if you wish to find out more.
 
 
Cycling in the UK has become a truly popular sport and way of commuting, but we still vulnerable.In 2014 21,287 cyclist were injured in reported road accidents in the UK, 113 were killed and 3,401 were seriously injured.The Highway Code, Rule 212 states giving "plenty of room" when passing cyclists.
More details The lack of a clear specification may result in a personal decision what a "plenty of room" means in terms of distance. Therefore, introducing a minimum legal passing distance when overtaking cyclists will considerably reduce the number of cyclist casualties, aiding in a safe cycling practice. Suggestion of 3.28 ft (1 m) when overtaking cyclists on roads with speed limits up to and including 30mph. On roads with higher speed limits, the minimum passing distance should be 4.9 ft (1.5 m).
     

Many thanks to our timekeepers tonight, not the best of conditions but it turned out good for me, woo-hoo!

A bit late in leaving for meeting Graham at the clubrooms so not the best start, but it was to say goodbye to my kids so quite understandable. We met up and got underway quickly as we had to meet Paul at the top of Bowfield, we actually meet him halfway down as he was getting cold waiting. Steady pace down to Lugton, Dunlop and Stewarton where we were met bit the hailstones. It did not last and we made it to Kilmaurs for our first stop while the hail came down again.
 
Refuelled and recaffeinated we pushed on into the sapping headwind towards Tarbolton and Annbank en route to Rozelle tearooms in Ayr. Thanks to precision planning from Graham and steady navigation from Paul then no sooner had we sat down Carol and David arrived to join us for lunch.
 
Afterwards our route took us down the A731, now with the wind behind us. A brief stop in Patna to say hello to Jane making her way by car and we continued at a good pace with a couple of downhill sprints until Carsphairn. There our support wagon had stopped and the most carefully laid out feed station was ready to welcome us with hot drinks cake and sunshine.
 
Thereafter we headed on for the last short section to our hotel, becoming a little bit strung out with Paul winning the sprint for the 30 into St. John's Town of Dalry. Finishing the day with drinks and dinner in first rate company our thoughts are of tomorrow and the weather forecast.

Day two of our little jaunt was always intended to be easy going, very much a rest day for the more hardcore cycle back home sorts. We left mid morning into the lifting mist along the road to Castle Douglas. It was an undulating road into a light headwind, going down past Loch Ken. Usual mix of road surfaces, often changing from that sapping rumbling stuff to short teasing bits of flawless, smooth tarmac. We nearly all arrived together at Threave for lunch, the final dash up the driveway was short surprisingly steep.
 
Warmed and partially dried out after lunch, Graham and Jane chose to return by the same route, leaving Carol, David, Paul and myself to go back via Laurieston on the opposite side of Loch Ken. With the wind on our backs and the road starting to dry out it was a well paced blast back. Despite Carol's claims of innocence the sprint for the thirty had been accepted and I went for it the only way I know how, too early and too fast. David drew level with me on the finish and produced a photo finish. A good little route in different countryside for our mini bunch.

Day two of our little jaunt was always intended to be easy going, very much a rest day for the more hardcore cycle back home sorts. We left mid morning into the lifting mist along the road to Castle Douglas. It was an undulating road into a light headwind, going down past Loch Ken. Usual mix of road surfaces, often changing from that sapping rumbling stuff to short teasing bits of flawless, smooth tarmac. We nearly all arrived together at Threave for lunch, the final dash up the driveway was short surprisingly steep.
 
Warmed and partially dried out after lunch, Graham and Jane chose to return by the same route, leaving Carol, David, Paul and myself to go back via Laurieston on the opposite side of Loch Ken. With the wind on our backs and the road starting to dry out it was a well paced blast back. Despite Carol's claims of innocence the sprint for the thirty had been accepted and I went for it the only way I know how, too early and too fast. David drew level with me on the finish and produced a photo finish. A good little route in different countryside for our mini bunch.

A bit late in leaving for meeting Graham at the clubrooms so not the best start, but it was to say goodbye to my kids so quite understandable. We met up and got underway quickly as we had to meet Paul at the top of Bowfield, we actually meet him halfway down as he was getting cold waiting. Steady pace down to Lugton, Dunlop and Stewarton where we were met bit the hailstones. It did not last and we made it to Kilmaurs for our first stop while the hail came down again.
 
Refuelled and recaffeinated we pushed on into the sapping headwind towards Tarbolton and Annbank en route to Rozelle tearooms in Ayr. Thanks to precision planning from Graham and steady navigation from Paul then no sooner had we sat down Carol and David arrived to join us for lunch.
 
Afterwards our route took us down the A731, now with the wind behind us. A brief stop in Patna to say hello to Jane making her way by car and we continued at a good pace with a couple of downhill sprints until Carsphairn. There our support wagon had stopped and the most carefully laid out feed station was ready to welcome us with hot drinks cake and sunshine.
 
Thereafter we headed on for the last short section to our hotel, becoming a little bit strung out with Paul winning the sprint for the 30 into St. John's Town of Dalry. Finishing the day with drinks and dinner in first rate company our thoughts are of tomorrow and the weather forecast.

Day two of our little jaunt was always intended to be easy going, very much a rest day for the more hardcore cycle back home sorts. We left mid morning into the lifting mist along the road to Castle Douglas. It was an undulating road into a light headwind, going down past Loch Ken. Usual mix of road surfaces, often changing from that sapping rumbling stuff to short teasing bits of flawless, smooth tarmac. We nearly all arrived together at Threave for lunch, the final dash up the driveway was short surprisingly steep.
 
Warmed and partially dried out after lunch, Graham and Jane chose to return by the same route, leaving Carol, David, Paul and myself to go back via Laurieston on the opposite side of Loch Ken. With the wind on our backs and the road starting to dry out it was a well paced blast back. Despite Carol's claims of innocence the sprint for the thirty had been accepted and I went for it the only way I know how, too early and too fast. David drew level with me on the finish and produced a photo finish. A good little route in different countryside for our mini bunch.

A bit late in leaving for meeting Graham at the clubrooms so not the best start, but it was to say goodbye to my kids so quite understandable. We met up and got underway quickly as we had to meet Paul at the top of Bowfield, we actually meet him halfway down as he was getting cold waiting. Steady pace down to Lugton, Dunlop and Stewarton where we were met bit the hailstones. It did not last and we made it to Kilmaurs for our first stop while the hail came down again.
 
Refuelled and recaffeinated we pushed on into the sapping headwind towards Tarbolton and Annbank en route to Rozelle tearooms in Ayr. Thanks to precision planning from Graham and steady navigation from Paul then no sooner had we sat down Carol and David arrived to join us for lunch.
 
Afterwards our route took us down the A731, now with the wind behind us. A brief stop in Patna to say hello to Jane making her way by car and we continued at a good pace with a couple of downhill sprints until Carsphairn. There our support wagon had stopped and the most carefully laid out feed station was ready to welcome us with hot drinks cake and sunshine.
 
Thereafter we headed on for the last short section to our hotel, becoming a little bit strung out with Paul winning the sprint for the 30 into St. John's Town of Dalry. Finishing the day with drinks and dinner in first rate company our thoughts are of tomorrow and the weather forecast.

Day two of our little jaunt was always intended to be easy going, very much a rest day for the more hardcore cycle back home sorts. We left mid morning into the lifting mist along the road to Castle Douglas. It was an undulating road into a light headwind, going down past Loch Ken. Usual mix of road surfaces, often changing from that sapping rumbling stuff to short teasing bits of flawless, smooth tarmac. We nearly all arrived together at Threave for lunch, the final dash up the driveway was short surprisingly steep.
 
Warmed and partially dried out after lunch, Graham and Jane chose to return by the same route, leaving Carol, David, Paul and myself to go back via Laurieston on the opposite side of Loch Ken. With the wind on our backs and the road starting to dry out it was a well paced blast back. Despite Carol's claims of innocence the sprint for the thirty had been accepted and I went for it the only way I know how, too early and too fast. David drew level with me on the finish and produced a photo finish. A good little route in different countryside for our mini bunch.

A bit late in leaving for meeting Graham at the clubrooms so not the best start, but it was to say goodbye to my kids so quite understandable. We met up and got underway quickly as we had to meet Paul at the top of Bowfield, we actually meet him halfway down as he was getting cold waiting. Steady pace down to Lugton, Dunlop and Stewarton where we were met bit the hailstones. It did not last and we made it to Kilmaurs for our first stop while the hail came down again.
 
Refuelled and recaffeinated we pushed on into the sapping headwind towards Tarbolton and Annbank en route to Rozelle tearooms in Ayr. Thanks to precision planning from Graham and steady navigation from Paul then no sooner had we sat down Carol and David arrived to join us for lunch.
 
Afterwards our route took us down the A731, now with the wind behind us. A brief stop in Patna to say hello to Jane making her way by car and we continued at a good pace with a couple of downhill sprints until Carsphairn. There our support wagon had stopped and the most carefully laid out feed station was ready to welcome us with hot drinks cake and sunshine.
 
Thereafter we headed on for the last short section to our hotel, becoming a little bit strung out with Paul winning the sprint for the 30 into St. John's Town of Dalry. Finishing the day with drinks and dinner in first rate company our thoughts are of tomorrow and the weather forecast.

Day two of our little jaunt was always intended to be easy going, very much a rest day for the more hardcore cycle back home sorts. We left mid morning into the lifting mist along the road to Castle Douglas. It was an undulating road into a light headwind, going down past Loch Ken. Usual mix of road surfaces, often changing from that sapping rumbling stuff to short teasing bits of flawless, smooth tarmac. We nearly all arrived together at Threave for lunch, the final dash up the driveway was short surprisingly steep.
 
Warmed and partially dried out after lunch, Graham and Jane chose to return by the same route, leaving Carol, David, Paul and myself to go back via Laurieston on the opposite side of Loch Ken. With the wind on our backs and the road starting to dry out it was a well paced blast back. Despite Carol's claims of innocence the sprint for the thirty had been accepted and I went for it the only way I know how, too early and too fast. David drew level with me on the finish and produced a photo finish. A good little route in different countryside for our mini bunch.

Day two of our little jaunt was always intended to be easy going, very much a rest day for the more hardcore cycle back home sorts. We left mid morning into the lifting mist along the road to Castle Douglas. It was an undulating road into a light headwind, going down past Loch Ken. Usual mix of road surfaces, often changing from that sapping rumbling stuff to short teasing bits of flawless, smooth tarmac. We nearly all arrived together at Threave for lunch, the final dash up the driveway was short surprisingly steep.
 
Warmed and partially dried out after lunch, Graham and Jane chose to return by the same route, leaving Carol, David, Paul and myself to go back via Laurieston on the opposite side of Loch Ken. With the wind on our backs and the road starting to dry out it was a well paced blast back. Despite Carol's claims of innocence the sprint for the thirty had been accepted and I went for it the only way I know how, too early and too fast. David drew level with me on the finish and produced a photo finish. A good little route in different countryside for our mini bunch.

Day two of our little jaunt was always intended to be easy going, very much a rest day for the more hardcore cycle back home sorts. We left mid morning into the lifting mist along the road to Castle Douglas. It was an undulating road into a light headwind, going down past Loch Ken. Usual mix of road surfaces, often changing from that sapping rumbling stuff to short teasing bits of flawless, smooth tarmac. We nearly all arrived together at Threave for lunch, the final dash up the driveway was short surprisingly steep.
 
Warmed and partially dried out after lunch, Graham and Jane chose to return by the same route, leaving Carol, David, Paul and myself to go back via Laurieston on the opposite side of Loch Ken. With the wind on our backs and the road starting to dry out it was a well paced blast back. Despite Carol's claims of innocence the sprint for the thirty had been accepted and I went for it the only way I know how, too early and too fast. David drew level with me on the finish and produced a photo finish. A good little route in different countryside for our mini bunch.

A bit late in leaving for meeting Graham at the clubrooms so not the best start, but it was to say goodbye to my kids so quite understandable. We met up and got underway quickly as we had to meet Paul at the top of Bowfield, we actually meet him halfway down as he was getting cold waiting. Steady pace down to Lugton, Dunlop and Stewarton where we were met bit the hailstones. It did not last and we made it to Kilmaurs for our first stop while the hail came down again.
 
Refuelled and recaffeinated we pushed on into the sapping headwind towards Tarbolton and Annbank en route to Rozelle tearooms in Ayr. Thanks to precision planning from Graham and steady navigation from Paul then no sooner had we sat down Carol and David arrived to join us for lunch.
 
Afterwards our route took us down the A731, now with the wind behind us. A brief stop in Patna to say hello to Jane making her way by car and we continued at a good pace with a couple of downhill sprints until Carsphairn. There our support wagon had stopped and the most carefully laid out feed station was ready to welcome us with hot drinks cake and sunshine.
 
Thereafter we headed on for the last short section to our hotel, becoming a little bit strung out with Paul winning the sprint for the 30 into St. John's Town of Dalry. Finishing the day with drinks and dinner in first rate company our thoughts are of tomorrow and the weather forecast.

I'm sitting having breakfast and looking at the weather so wish you guys well for today!