RyanF

We had discussed this earlier this year and now have confirmed details.
Boyd, Morna, Carol and myself have now booked a 7 day trip to Port de Pollenca , Majorca from  Saturday 19th  May to 26th May.
There is no sportive involved and we don't plan to cycle 300k each day, it will be more of a social cycle tour , and hopefully soaking up good weather, good roads and all the dramatic scenery that the north of the island has to offer.
We are based in the Fergus Pollensa Park Hotel and if anyone else would want to come out for the week or a few days you are more than welcome as it would be great to see the blue and yellow of the Joansin on a suuny tour.
Dave.
 

The first of the 2018 Reliability rides, the Tour of Renfrewshire, 40 miles and only slightly lumpy, is on Sunday 4th February.
All rides will leave from clubrooms on Miller Street.
Can we have a keyholder available to open the clubrooms prior to the first bunch leaving.
As normal, there will be three bunches with the slower bunch leaving at 9:00am, the second bunch leaving at 9:30am and the fastest bunch at 9:45am.
The route
http://www.mapmyride.com/gb/elderslie-sct/reliability-no-1-tour-of-the-shire-route-1730016
Tea, coffee, soup, rolls, cakes will be served in the clubrooms at the end of the ride, donations of food gratefully accepted, please indicate what you will be bringing in your posting. One contribution per person across the 4 weeks of Reliability rides will mean a hearty snack for all at the end of each ride.
A non riding volunteer please to heat the soup, etc. for this first week.
If you don't feel ready for the full 40 miles at this stage in the season, don't worry there will be others in the same boat and there are various shorter options available. Just come along and work up an appetite for the soup!

Started at sea level from Woodhall roundabout in the hope of avoiding ice and snow.... so was pleased to find probably the only usable road in the west on our usual coastal route to Largs. Solo for much of the way but knew there would be a small bunch following on, met Scott Newman to help share the work from Skelmorlie into Largs. The bunch of Paul, Joanne, Cedric and Galeb duly turned up and after a welcome coffee break we re-routed back up the coast with a strong and steady through and off. Great weather, stunning views of the Clyde coast and another good workout, thanks to all.      

Great run today chaps that cheese cake got me through it although could have sent me into a sugar induced coma, wind was nasty

Dunoon attempt number 3? 

The red wine has ailed most of my pains. Everything is superficial and I'll be out on the bike (winter) this week!
 
And sorry Robbie. I'll be sitting on your wheel for 500 miles regardless!

A heads up on the train front. When i took my bike from Inverness to Glasgow the train had a maximum of two bike spaces and your bike need a ticket to get on the train/through the gate. That was last year on Lejog but this might have changed since then.

A heads up on the train front. When i took my bike from Inverness to Glasgow the train had a maximum of two bike spaces and your bike need a ticket to get on the train/through the gate. That was last year on Lejog but this might have changed since then.

Yes a very brisk return ride! The fast bunchers (6) took over this intermediate run which elevated my average speed to 17. Still an enjoyable ride to Troon.

I made a right arse of things this week   

Fortunately todays times are tied so no-one is losing out on points already awarded - James ties with Robbie in 3rd with 4 points and Ryan ties with Eric in 4th with 3 points
 
Revised overall
 
 
Iain Mct 40
Colin 35
Robbie 32
Ian A 32
Paul Mcd 24
Marc 15
Eric 14
Paul L 10
Ryan 9
Ian H 8
Anthony 7
Graham 6
James 4
Alex 3
Charlie F 2
Billy 2
Greg 1
George 1
Alan mcl 1
Steven 1
Andrew F 1

Very disappointing day. Cycled 60 miles for kilcreggan eggs benedict to discover there's bacon in it. Cycled home again. 122 miles at end of day. Extra 2 miles was spent confusing Kilmalcolm with Kilbarchan.
 
Despite these blows. The company was grand!
 
Andy

I love a tranny route. I'll be out in my trannny gear

We couldn't have asked for a better day for the Fred. As we rolled out at 7.30 it was quite nippy, but it would warm up throughout the day. I'll leave it for others to add their thoughts but a couple of things that stand out for me are that we managed to ride the event together as a club, which made a very hard day seem slightly less so. Everyone was on good form and survived what is acknowledged to be the toughest UK sportive.
The climbs before 90 miles soften you up for the main event of Hardknott and Wrynose. Bloody hard, barely rideable steep steep roads.
Had to walk a bit on Hardknott but was ok apart from that.
 
Thanks to all who took part and were part of an epic day out.
 
cheers

Think the concencus for most is a great day to be on the bike in beautiful countryside on a very challenging course-BUT NEVER AGAIN.
 
We also won a watch with our hostel & choice of pub on Saturday evening.
 
I felt great up until 90 miles, hills until then were rideable, descents very sketchy-some poor chap was air lifted away.
 
Then we got to Hardknott & Wrynose. Jeezo! Nothing I have ridden comes close. Absolutely brutal and never ending. Most people around me were walking in sections and I joined them as a) it was so hard my front wheel was lifting c) with all the walkers it was difficult to get a line.
 
We were mega lucky with the weather. In all honesty, had it been raining I would have packed as the descents don't bear thinking about in the wet.
 
Paul had a minor off but is ok.
 
Have to say the organisation was 2nd to none and the volunteers were awesome-roaring you on & ringing cowbells on the climbs & rushing up to fill your bottle and give you some great food at the feeds. Even got a free alcohol free pint & pie and beans at the finish.
 
Box ticked. Something different next time.

Alex, I thought you'd be in your suite at the Grasmere Raddison Blue & be transported to start by chopper. Or is chopper not coming?

I asked the same thing, but told only need a towel (and perhaps pillow for comfort). That was from David C though. I can picture him chuckling whilst cosey in his sleeping bag with me shivering under my towel...

Good luck to all the JWCC dong the Fred this weekend. Hope all goes okay and weather gods are kind to you all

Ryan rest might help you a few days off the bike

That's a shame Ryan, hope its not serious

Ryan, that's a pity.
 
From reading the bumf the organisers sent it looks like entrants have to provide photographic ID at sign on. Given that you are at least 40 years younger than Coutts & considerably better looking than him this could be problematic.
 
They may be reasonable tho.
 
Suppose Iain could ride anyway-it's not closed roads.
 
Coutts, no offence but you are old & ugly.

Pure belter of a 100 miles. The roads over the watter are just fantastic. Great day with Ryan, Alex, Andy and Richie. Andy Prenelle with us to C11 but unfortunately not feeling too good so headed back.
 
Can't remember the last time I spent an hour in a cafe just eating, drinking coffee and taking about cycling, need to do it more often.
 

Ryan and mibeez Alex
 
Get you at Kilmacolm, on cycle track, at 0745?
 

Does anyone want to meet on the track at say Bridge of Weir?

Any appetite for 6.30 from next week, a few seem a bit tight for 6.15 including me!

Hi Folks
 
The Fred is nearly upon us, and, judging by some of the chat in the bunch, it is starting to worry some. No need to worry, it is just a long day out and should be fun. However, it is not to be underestimated either. The following tips from nammynake on Bikeradar chime well with my own experience:
 
1. Pay close attention to the weather forecast and dress appropriately. If it's raining, the wind-chill going over Cold Fell can be pretty bad (as in the 2013 event). I'd much rather carry a slightly bulky rain jacket than risk taking something light without sufficient protection.

2. Try to pace the early climbs. You'll be feeling really fresh are raring to go, but your legs will thank you later if you reserve some energy for Hardknott.

3. Get into a group on the long flat section towards and through Keswick (but take your turn on the front if you're feeling fresh). The A66 section is pretty open to the wind so save your energy for Honister.

4. Be careful on the descents. Even if you're competent descender, you'll be riding in close proximity to inexperienced riders, so give everyone enough space and expect the unexpected. There are some nasty corners which catch out riders every year.

5. Be cheery with the marshalls. They are all volunteers and stand in the same spot for hours on end. A cheery wave or simple "thanks" is really appreciated.

6. If you want a decent time, don't fanny about at the feed stops. Fill your bottle, scoff a banana or whatever and get cracking. It's easy to spend 20 minutes pottering about, which can add a big chunk onto your time if you repeat this at the second feed stop. You won't benefit from 'resting' for that amount of time, and if anything your muscles will cool down which could hamper you until you've warmed up again. Note that the first feed stop is IMMEDIATELY before Newlands Pass. This is a pretty tough climb and you wouldn't want to tackle it with cold muscles. Also note that the queue for toilets can be long at the feed stops, so maybe find a suitable hedge before/after.

7. Hardknott - this has reached almost mythical status for those new to the Fred Whitton. Yes it's a very very tough climb, but try not to be intimidated by it. It doesn't help that you can see it looking in the distance as you approach along the valley floor, but keep your legs spinning easily so they're not loaded with lactic acid before you start. It's really two climbs, interlinked with a very gradual incline where you can get your breath back. So tackle it in two sections. Focus on getting up the first bit by sitting in your lowest gear and alternate in/out of the saddle if you're able. Note that on the steepest corners your front wheel may lift off the ground so try to get a good balanced position if seated. Keep spinning that easy gear on the gentle bit and try to bring your heart rate down before you reach the final section. This is the steepest section and where the photographer cruelly awaits. Get your 'relaxed' face on and out of the saddle to attack this short stretch. Once you're over this it's still a few hundred meters to the summit so again pace yourself. If you have to dismount and walk (many do) then please keep to the edge of the road and be aware of riders coming back (probably not much faster!). If you're completely done in, then wait a minute or two at the top before descending to get your breath back.

8. Wrynose is the last serious climbs, and while it's not as savage as Hardknott it's still very tough. The decent of Wrynose is pretty sketchy and VERY fast towards the bottom, so again please take care and be aware of vehicles ascending.

9. If you're still feeling fresh after Wrynose then now's your time to dig in and TT to the finish.

10. Finally, enjoy it. It's a unique event and the support from volunteer marshalls and members of the public is fantastic. They come out in spades even when it's raining! If it's not p*ssing down then soak up the scenery - if you've not been the Lakes before it's a stunning place.