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George think you will find the Garmin timer started before I started the race however it was still quicker than you think that’s 4-0 so far 

It’s worse it actually happened lost about 90 seconds to 2 minutes but saved £500

Well what can one say , don’t like the new end to the course, but otherwise not that much different
Today the easterly wind made for a fast ride out, I still can’t get round the dead turn we’ll need to practice the way back was hard but not that bad , thought I was going well cam round Newark RB and was jus about to catch my minute man , when I heard something fall from my bike thought it was my water bottle so carried on glanced down at my Garmin only to notice it wasn’t there , so stopped and waddled back to the roundabout and managed to save the Garmin don’t think the guy in the blue BMW expected to see me standing in the middle of the rb got back on and finished 1 minute and 18 seconds over the hour, recon I lost about 2 minutes with stopping and then going again but I never do well early in the season 

Well what can one say , don’t like the new end to the course, but otherwise not that much different
Today the easterly wind made for a fast ride out, I still can’t get round the dead turn we’ll need to practice the way back was hard but not that bad , thought I was going well cam round Newark RB and was jus about to catch my minute man , when I heard something fall from my bike thought it was my water bottle so carried on glanced down at my Garmin only to notice it wasn’t there , so stopped and waddled back to the roundabout and managed to save the Garmin don’t think the guy in the blue BMW expected to see me standing in the middle of the rb got back on and finished 1 minute and 18 seconds over the hour, recon I lost about 2 minutes with stopping and then going again but I never do well early in the season 

Shame I wasn’t going to say anything 

Shame I wasn’t going to say anything 

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booked flights, looks like I am going

Forward planning a bit , so how about my favourite ride 0900 Club Rooms
Track to Kilbirnie 
Hill 1 Healy Hill 2 Fairlie Hill 3 The one from Dalry to Healy Hill 4 Too half of Healy Bagel Basket.  Hill 5 Loch  Thom Hill 6 Whynn 
Track Home about 80 lumpy miles 

Great run today with mixed Weather  Beers after! Top stuff
 

Firstly I would like to congratulate Iain McTavish for making the chain gang such a popular event. The introduction of points has made it even more fun. 
We just need to remind ourselves that fast bunch riding can be dangerous. We now have quite a few new members who bring fantastic fitness & enthusiasm to the bunch but have not had a lot of experience of racing or big bunch riding. We also have members who perhaps need a wee refresher. I suggest that the likes of Paul McDonald jann Darryl remind us all at the start of what is expected. A bit like the chat u get from a Commissaire before a race.
I like the present format as i am riding my bike with friends. I like it when Paul Leavy shouts at me to get over Bishie hill. Ilike the fact the bunch waits for us at top of Clune. I like it that Paul McDonald went back to check we were all there( sorry Alan T u were just a bit late last thurs) I like the buzz of hanging on to end. I like it when new members tell me how much they enjoyed The Chain Gang and I like to hear Stevie say he has gone from being dropped last season to being a racer this season. We actually may have something that provides fun and is a stepping stone for those who aspire to race.
I did not see the manoeuvre that put Stevie in danger but whoever it was needs to be told. When I was out with Renfrew bunch it was common to hear experienced riders give an earful to any one who rode erratically.
 
 
 
 

Team Thursday night
I have been in touch with the 'friends of JWCC' who often join us on a Thursday night, all briefed and in support of neutral zone from BOW lights to exit from BOW.

 

No sweating, as the gentlemen of the main bunch allowed me to sit in all day. Took the occasional foray to the front when there was a chance of casual spectators but made sure only to glass crank it while there. 
Fabulous day out, the Moretti tasted just fine back at the sponsors hoose. 

Good Ride today and a nice bunch , well done to the new guy on the Bianchi 

Good Ride today and a nice bunch , well done to the new guy on the Bianchi 

Mark I was more talking of coming through from behind as last rider. Because of group being large with riders having varried fitness splits tend to happen in the fast lane and with some riders sitting in you don't actually know when it's your turn to come through without having to check your shoulder frequantly.  Ideally you would shout out 'last' for the last rider in the slow lane when you are the last rider coming through to fast lane. But with not knowing who will be getting back onto the chain from riders that are sitting in you can't really do that.  
APR good idea...but think it might be a bit difficult at the start to split into groups relative to fitness. 6.30 comes and people want to set off...
Generally as some have already said, up to the Clune seems to be ok, so I think Billy's suggestion might work best. One group to Clune and then after that split into two groups with the faster one going first. 

Would prefer that the committee dose not get involved in this , we can police it ourselves, IMO if we change this too much , more than half the bunch will go out as aFB/ other social media group , and all we will have left is a slowish chain gang which was not the point of this ride .
i have no issues with sitting in we all do it but let’s keep the structure and if your not going through move to the left 

I dont think warnings on Renfrew bunch page are needed - it's only a handful of guys who know us and they havent caused any issues.  It's always been a bit vague on this - the last time this came up it was sort of agreed that strictly speaking it isn't a club ride. It was a Charlie and friends training ride then Charlie had his injury and i started posting it up. 

Would prefer that the committee dose not get involved in this , we can police it ourselves, IMO if we change this too much , more than half the bunch will go out as aFB/ other social media group , and all we will have left is a slowish chain gang which was not the point of this ride .
i have no issues with sitting in we all do it but let’s keep the structure and if your not going through move to the left 

Good fun last night hit 1147 watts peak and 980 for 5 seconds need to find another 21 watts for 5 seconds 

Not naming any names,  not pointing the finger at anyone in particular and i dont want anyone else to do it either. Everyone has made mistakes from time to time so this applies to everyone including myself.
There was a moment tonight on the rise between Kilmacolm and Bridge of Weir when  Stevie, through no fault of his own, was forced onto the white line as a car approached due to someone switching from the left line to the right without looking.   Not a pleasant couple of seconds seeing this unfold in front and was only a few cms from turning nasty very quickly.
On a couple of other occassions tonight riders were crossing the white line to move up the bunch or maintain their position. If there is good visibility and there are no cars about (and importantly you check there are no cars!) and its clear, then crossing the line briefly then fair enough. No complaints about that and ive done it myself. But doing it going round a bend when you dont know what is coming or even worse doing it when there are  cars coming the other way then forcing your way back into the line so you can avoid them - then not cool at all.
Try and remember it is a training ride not a race  so look out for one another. Actually same applies to races too.

To make matters worse i changed my wheels just before coming out but forgot to change the spare tube in my tool bottle so only had one with a 42 mm valve, not very good for 60mm wheels. I normally have a valve extender too but couldnt find it!
Another source (i have spies everywhere) suggests Jess held on for third, so will call it a tie with her and Stevie. Good to see Billy back winning the intermediate again, won about 75% of them last year!
To make scoring a bit easier i'm going to stop the parallel scoring and just keep kom and sprint points to wheelers, non wheelers get the point for turning up so can keep track of how many are out. Current standings
Name Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 overall Galeb 12 8   20 Iain mct 8 9 3 20 Marc   3 9 12 Stevie   4 4 8 Paul Mcd   1 7 8 Billy 3   3 6 James 2 1 1 4 Jesse   1 3 4 Eric 1 1 1 3 Charlie 1 1 1 3 Paul L 1 1 1 3 Andy P 1 1   2 Scott N   1 1 2 Ian A   2   2 Andy G 1   1 2 Colin   1 1 2 Anthony   1 1 2 Alan T   1 1 2 Darryl   1 1 2 John Cr   1 1 2 Robbie   1   1 Ryan   1   1 Alan mcb   1   1 Alan mcl   1   1 Glen     1 1 Michael J     1 1 Ian mcg     1 1 Gregg O     1 1 David W     1 1 Gary D     1 1 Richie     1 1                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Only if they are slow

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With support like that how can I say no? See you Sunday.