Morna

Hi people,
the title of my post might have set alarm bells ringing. Sorry for that.
So.... I’ve not been well for the past 3-4 years. Up & down. Making bad choices then punishing myself for it. Caught in a loop. Eventually went to get help.
Basically l, I had a really bad experience when I was young that I hidaway from.Denied it happened. Beat myself up for it. 
Eventually, I sought help. I was referred to a councillor and a CBT therapist. I won’t lie, having to discuss my issues and experiences was brutal. 
Why am I telling you this? Because if I hadn’t I probably wouldn’t be here.
Things got so bad that, what I thought was my salvation, “cycling” became toxic. Watching my weight, training, trying to keep up &, as life unravelled, being dropped was very crushing. I saw cycling as being my validation but it became a pressure & a stressor.
Thanks to mental health professionals & some very good friends in the club who have given me council, I’m on the mend. Thanks, guys.
I’m still cycling but for now I’m just going out when I feel like it. I’m also eating like a horse with no qualms or worries about “racing weight” I never raced much anyway!
Why am I posting this? We live in a society that is so driven by aspiration and the need to “get on” and compete. I’ve come to the conclusion that after my experiences I’m just lucky to be here. I’m quite proud to be alive.
So my message is- if you are struggling, don’t be ashamed to seek help and if you think a friend is struggling don’t shy away from asking if they are ok.
you just might savesomeone’s life. 
If you are struggling and looking for help, message me. I might not have the answers but I can signpost you to people who can help you.
It’s ok not to be ok!

Bravely put George.
Enjoy riding your bike, and do it because you want to.

See you both tomorrow morning Dave

Carol is time constrained this Sunday and she is planning to tag along with the intermediates as far as Dunlop Dairy just outside Stewarton for a coffee stop.
Out and back is approx.36 miles and ideal for anyone not wishing to go all the way to Troon.
 
Clubrooms  9.30am
 
 
 
 

No run this week as we are hosting the  Habbie Habble Road race in  Kilbarchan. See post under Road Races. If you haven't already volunteered or are taking part in the race, come along and support.
 
Cheers
Dave

A good day out, but not quite what was planned. Four of us pushed hard to get up to Lochranza in time for the ferry, only to find that the ferry had broken down and a replacement was going to take some time to get there (if it ever did), so we decided to carry on round Arran. We stopped at Shiskine Golf Club for a good lunch and some relief from the southerly breeze,  before heading back round to Brodick.
 
The one good point was that Calmac took our complaint on board - they should not have sold us Five Ferries tickets at Ardrossan because the Lochranza ferry had broken down the previous day - since they refunded the tickets and gave us complimentary tickets to get back to Ardrossan, which paid for a beer at Brodick golf club before we left the island.

Hope your okay Ian, knee looks rather nasty.  Falling off is character building you said :)  Lol

Hope your okay Ian, knee looks rather nasty.  Falling off is character building you said :)  Lol

Hope your okay Ian, knee looks rather nasty.  Falling off is character building you said :)  Lol

Oh no,Morna knows that I crashed !

Very enjoyable wee run this morning. 6 up from the clubrooms, but Ken Mac was feeling poorly and turned round after the rocky road. The Dalgarven Mill cafe passed Graham's £5 test, and they've adopted the JWCC too - a photo of a clubrun group now on their menu.
 
Coffees drunk and then home via NCN and the track. Good to see and have a quick chat with John and Rita Montgomery who were out with a number of other youngsters from Glasgow Wheelers and the Ivy. 
 
At Kilbarchan Morna persuaded me to add on an extra wee loop so we headed up Burntshields road while Dave, Carol and Boyd headed their own ways home.
 
73km in the legs and home before the rain. Great stuff.

Thanks for the company everyone today and Martin has summed up the run above except for the occasional attacks on the hills from Team Cowan,

I've got this one on the calendar. See you at Ardrossan.

Me, Carol, Morna and maybe Boyd are planning to take the five ferries route starting from Ardrossan on the 9.45am ferry.
 
The route goes from Brodick to Lochranza to Clonaig to Tarbet to Portavadie to Colintraive to Rothesay to Wemyss Bay and is a bit of a classic. Although appox 51miles is hilly in places and an all day trip to include the ferries.
Would be suitable for early retired, pensioners, students, teachers etc and anyone on holiday from work like me  .
 
Others are welcomed to join us
 
Dave
 
 
 
 
 
 

Lovely run today, apart from one small problem - my Garmin ran out of battery before I got home so I lost a few miles, but certainly over 60 completed - probably nearer 65.
 
No damage done from coming off apart from a small bruise on the palm of the hand that Carol did not stand on - which gives me an excuse in case I lose my golf tie tomorrow :twisted leer . The bike's fine too. My theory about helmets making your head hit the road harder has also been proven.
 
Hope Morna's not too sore tonight after two of us landing on top of her.

Was thinking the same thing,,,should be there plus Dave..

How about another go at Whitelees Wind Farm - 9am at the clubrooms?

Great morning with fab company
 
Bill is definitely the coolest cyclist Iv met ✌â€â™€âœŒ

Clubrooms 9 am
 
Second attempt at Eaglesham Wind farm at easy pace.
 
Bowfield, Lugton, Dunlop, Stewarton, Fenwick, old A77 towards Farm.
 
Approx 45miles with a great decent into Newton Mearns on return
 
Please post up if coming
 
 
 
 

Great morning with fab company
 
Bill is definitely the coolest cyclist Iv met ✌â€â™€âœŒ

Morna did make it afterall along with Boyd, Anthony Carol, me and a welcome return by Bill T.
Headed uo Bowfield hill to Lugton, Dunlop, Stewarton and then change of plan due to time constraints and windy conditions, went for coffee stop at Rendezvous  Cafe in Kilmaurs.
Returned via Torranyard, Barmill circuit to Beith and then back along track, with a tailwind and the sun out.
Thanks to Boyd for the route and the guys and girls for the company in what was the Real Intermediates group..
 
Dave

Good ride and a sensible pace for the old guys.
 
Thanks for the company and see you all in a couple of weeks, hopefully.

Me too

I'll be at the clubrooms for 9:30 for an easy run. Was thinking of visiting the wind farm on Eaglesham Moor, but open to other suggestions depending on who is out.

Forecast a bit mixed for Sunday but if ok plan to head to Argyll.
 
9.00am Clubrooms Miller St to head along track to Clune Brae and round coast to McInroys point for 10.30am  Western Ferry to Hunters Quay.
 
Options for others to meet at ferry for 10.30.  Buy tickets in Paul's grocers in Gourock Main Street as much cheaper.
 
After ferry turn right and head for Loch Tarsan,Glendaruel, Strachur, Lock Eck and coffee stop at Sheila's Diner..Argyll loop is approx 47 miles
 
Return to Ferry and retrace route up Clune or option of train if flagging !!
 
Please post if coming out
 
 
Dave