Gerard Deeley

What a great day out on the bike with the Wheelers, Alex covered most of it. I not sure how Alex stay upright as he caught his hand in some plastic fencing, I saw his front wheel go sideways and I braced myself for eating some concrete. Great skills shown to stay upright and moving forward although I think his darts game may have taken a hit. Highlights for me were "Trying" to smash some of the cobble sections, burning matches by the box load in the first 150km. Hanging on the Alex's wheel jumping after groups, riding echelons in the wind and generally stomping by people saving themselves for the climbs, I did do a few turns here and there The descents were beautiful and fast, except the cobbled ones... I know the previous wheelers that went to Flanders did these cobbled descents in the wet... all I can say is Chapeau for staying upright. 
 
I nearly made it up the koppenberg, I don't think I have ever sweared or shouted/pushed so much but it was just a stramash of clip clopping cyclist trying to scramble up slipping cobbles. Ran into the back of some chap walking right up the middle with his two mates side by side, I wont repeat what I called him... But It makes me laugh everytime I think about it, I think he took it in good spirits I did manage to remount on the koppenberg #crossskills paying off and ride over the top. Fair play to Alex for making it up, a show of both physical and verbal strength. Porto made a resurgence on the later climbs motoring passed me a one point shouting something about "being back in the game!" I think he paid for it later as we had to drag him away from the Red Bull girls on top of the Karnemelkbeekstraat. Iain and his Brother John looked strong on the final climbs, Richie joined up with Chung, Alan M, Peter and another Alan(pity we never got to have that beer afterwards, Next time!). I felt I was running on empty over the last few climbs but a happy empty as I could almost taste the Belgian beer in Oudenaarde!  
 
 
Overall the first 40km are a bit of a mess, but it was so well organised(I only missed a turn twice, not the organisers fault). Great company and laughs. Lots of healthy Belgian beer and food! Would I go back again?? Yes please
 
**Richie cross did manage to stop the Legend Eric Zabel and shake his hand... Nice, which I reckon is a sign to do to Milan–San Remo... But it looks like the call of cobbles may be too strong?

Sorry - couldn't type and drink beer at the same time!
 
My view of Tour of Flanders...
 
Started out badly with the added security at the airport but finally got to the hotel with Richie and Paul around 8pm to be greeted by Ian Porteous, Iain Carvill and his brother in law John and some lovely Belgian beer.
 
Early start the next day for a very well organised coach transfer to Brugge which dropped us off around 5 miles from the start. I love the European sportive starts, No mad rush, just go whenever you feel like it. We set off in our group of six and were herded on cycle paths for the first 25 miles or so. A bit of a split but we'd agreed to regroup at every food stop (as we were all in the same van back to the hotel at the end). Cycle track pretty monotonous, although I had a close call with scaffolding when my finger caught some orange plastic scaffold covering and ripped several meters of it off (and caused Paul to see his life flash before his eyes as my front wheel twisted sideways.) Many wasted miles of cycle track later we regrouped at the food stop and bumped into Chung's group who had set of earlier.
 
With food stops every 25 miles we limited any spilt to around 5 minutes tops.
 
For the next section Paul and I broke away and jumped from group to group until we hit the first section of pave. Paul was powering up the middle of the road. I was trying to find shelter from the shocking bumps and vibration and jumped onto the smooth pavement and immediately got stuck behind a really slow group, but with no way to get back off the pavement onto the road at this point I watched Paul smash it up the road and disappear. After the cobbles I worked with three guys from University College London and we led a large group at 23-25mph to try and catch back on with Paul. Great fun on the flat and caught Paul just as we hit the next food stop.
 
After this one things started to get a bit more interesting. 2 climbs and 3 stretches of pave (total 2.4km). Pace ramped up a bit and the first of the famous climbs. Wolvenberg (700m av 7.9% max 17.3%) giving an intro of what was to come. Nothing for it on these but to keep powering on and never relaxing as the cobbles sap every bit of energy and forward momentum you have. Then Molenberg (500m 7% av 14.2% max). Every climb was well signposted letting you mentally count down the metres until the summit.
 
Another food stop. Richie was struggling a bit at this point and jumped in with Chung's group (think this was more mental struggling than anything as he survived to the end no problem and was in fine spirits at the line!)
 
Next up another 4.2kmn of cobbles. By this time my rear wheel bearings had decided to loosed off a bit so my wheel had a fair bit of play, but nothing too bad. Water bottles kept trying to escape too, so half focus on them half on road. I hate cobbles. Any relief is sought on these sections, be it grass, mud, drainage gulley, a 2m wide driveway. Anything. Just for a moments relief from the constant pounding.
 
Four more climbs in this section Leberg (800m 4.2% av 13.8% max), Berendries (890m 7.2% av 12% max), Valkenberg (1100m 8.2% av 13% max) and Eikenberg (1200m 6.2%av 10% max). Same old slog. These hills are short and sharp, so the suffering doesn't last too long.
 
Another foodstop and regroup. The next section has the famous Koppenberg on it. No idea what to expect!
 
2.3km pave then the climbing...
 
I wouldn't generally class cyclists as an inconsiderate bunch but the behaviour on the Koppenberg was disgraceful. Almost everyone was walking up the climb, and some four abreast, effectively blocking the path for anyone that really wanted to give this climb a go.
 
At 500m (felt much longer) 9.4%av and peak of 22% this is a real grind. Its amazing how a very loud guttural Scottish accent can clear a path... I only shoulder barged through one group of walking Italians and managed to carry on grinding, wheelspin, then grip. Out the saddle, more wheelspin, back down and grip. Really tough climb on the cobbles but I made it to the top. During the climb I only saw one or two others actually pedal all the way to the top (the road blocks put paid to most peoples efforts). The crowd was right behind us all the way which was great encouragement.
 
After that I thought nothing can be as tough and the rest should be in the bag. Aye right...
 
4 more climbs before the next food stop - Steenbeekdries (500m 5.3% av 6.7% max), Taaienberg (700m 6.1% av 16% max), Kaperij (1000m 5.5% av 9% max) and Kanarieberg (1100m 7.7% av 14% max). Think it was the last of these I was climbing with Porto when the muscles above both my knees started to cramp and pop. Loads of drink and salty snacks at the next stop helped to recover.
 
Some great descending around this time to with Paul, Ian and I hammering downs some really smooth tarmac at 35-40mph. Absolutely brilliant!
 
Final foodstop, we agreed to regroup at the top of Patterberg and cross the line together. So off we went again. Only four climbs to go.
 
Kruisberg (1400m 4%av 9% max), Karnemelkbeekstraat (900m 4.9% av 10% max), Oude Kwaremont (2200m 4% av 11.6% max) all in the bag. Only the Paterberg to go (400m 12.9% av 20.3% max). After 130 miles this was the final sting in the tail. I had taken it easy on the second last climb to leave a bit for this one. It starts out steep and just gets steeper. Another crowd favourite and loads of walkers on this one, but at least they stuck to the side. Over the top and parked up to get some photos of the rest of JWCC climbing the hill.
 
After this an easy 10m back to the finish. We just sat in around 15-16mph all the way and made a nice space so we could spread out for a JWCC finish together.
 
Passed Chung in a bar and meant to return, but the finish collection point was about 5 miles past the finish line so we decided to head back to the hotel for some of Belgium's finest.
 
Mentally and physically draining. Really tough day in the saddle and one I won't be doing again. Too much cycle track and I hate cobbles! Why did I agree to do Paris Roubaix next year???!!! Mountain bike for me for that one I think!
 
Overall a great ride, superbly organised and some smashing camaraderie amongst the guys. Just need more blue, yellow and gold next year!

I will not be there for this one, we are off for a break to historic Northumberland.  If the castle has survived a few hundred years it will survive an afternoon with my boys... I hope.

It was a blast love Dunoon hate climbing though

Thanks for the wheels and waiting,billy for the run up the road. Forgot how steep the hills are over there.

Great run today. Enjoyed the café stop, but the chocolate cake was just one thing to far. Felt later on. Legs now gubbed, but probably not as gubbed as the flanders!!!

Fantastic day out with the main bunch, I do hope that I did not hold you up too much.  I think I got the best by driving down to the ferry and only cycling the best bits, the 'Director's Cut', the main vision without any added on stuff.  Got home to a Sunday roast being cooked, can you get better?

Fantastic day out with the main bunch, I do hope that I did not hold you up too much.  I think I got the best by driving down to the ferry and only cycling the best bits, the 'Director's Cut', the main vision without any added on stuff.  Got home to a Sunday roast being cooked, can you get better?

Got my timing wrong and was still in bed at 0841 but managed to get to 0930 ferry for wet and dry tour of Argyll.
 
The diretissima is hard due west from Dunoon, loch, climb, descend, repeat.
 
Great turn out with gradual whittling until only five of us were left for return up the Clune.
 
Argyll is magnificent with world class views and hard cycling. Big chapeau for Jim on his first big club ride who managed to bravely cycle himself to the end of the Cowal across some really big lumps,

Great ride today, although the Clune finished me off and then some at the end. Was virtually at walking pace going up it.
 
btw i was wrong about being the KOM on the Glenlean to Dalinlongart segment, i lost that crown last year...to Alan!

Well that was a blast. Every time you hit the Loch Tarzan and C11 you just don't remember how hard they are.
Anyway a great DAy out, freezing wet and grim to begin with, then just wet and grim, then dry and not quite so grim.
Utterly goosed but rejuvenated after watching another sensational Ronde.

Fantastic day and big kudos to Gerard also, plugged away and never gave up. Fantastic effort for your 1st major club run. Hardest climb of the day had to be the Clune, absolutely shattered by then. 110 on the clock 1st ton of the year. Well done to the boys that managed 145 in Belgium. Some effort

My understanding is that there will be a small mob denying me entry on the night unless I present my door pass/lemon tart.

How would everyone feel about arranging a meetup point for those departing from Johnstone and those who are getting the train to Ayr. The Rozelle Tearooms seems to fit the bill, has anyone been before? A time would need to be arranged to suit all. I am looking forward to an increasingly chatty bunch through the afternoon.

This Tour of Galloway is now confirmed. Accommodation is booked and routes pencilled in.
 
Anymore interest in joining us? Double or Single ensuite rooms available £45.00 per person per night for Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. - Group booking rate.
 
Luggage transport available. 
 
Day 1 Home to St John's of Dalry, DB&B - some taking train to Ayr and meeting up.
Day 2 trip to Threave, DB&B
Day 3 St John's of Dalry to Home - some using public transport for part of route.

Thank you to Jonny Jobson of the Sunday Herald, as well as our own Charlie McCusker, for all of their research and time in putting this nugget of club history together
 
JWCC1926-2016.pdf
 

I really enjoyed my first club confined. I was made to feel very welcome by all.
Thank you to the timekeepers.
Alan McM

Thank you to our timekeepers, any chance of a birthday bonus for Robert? Good runs from all.

Well done to All the riders(looked like a bit of hail on the way home) and Ian McGinty, Kenny and David C for pushing/timing/shouting .  took a few snaps at the finish line, gurns and all.
 

Scores on the doors......
 
Douglas    22.25
Carol         21.59
Dave         21.30
Alan Mac   20.08
Charlie      19.31
Lucia         19.29
Robbie      19.04
Gerard      18.48
AlanT        18.06
I Couttie    17.15
 
Well done to all on a chilly breezy night... forgot to ask for PB's, please post up if you had one ..
 
All seniors paid, so £21 for the club coffers...Thanks to PaulL, & DavieC for timekeeping...
 
Ian.....

24th overall 4th v50

Cold wet and horrible conditions this morning. Wind wasn't really a factor, but it was extremely moist. And cold. Clocked 24:28, 16 seconds outside my PB, but faster than anything I did last season. Took me two hours to warm up again afterwards.
 
Did I mention the rain?

Gerard. Just read your post today and that looks a good meet up point. We have never been here but there will probably be plenty of space for bikes rather than a High Street cafe.
Dave & Carol

Six riders on a beautiful still day. Paul L and I "responsible" for time keeping and pushing off.
 
Well done to all that took part.
 
1. Alan M 25:38
2. Iain C 26:32
3. Alan T 27:51
4. Iain M 27:56
5. Gerard 30:08
6. Mike 33:46
 
Like all great athletes the event appeared to be followed by a cool down run - to the cafe in Bridge of Weir!

My understanding is that there will be a small mob denying me entry on the night unless I present my door pass/lemon tart.