EricL

Great wee run today under what turned out to be very good weather indeed!
 
8 met at the club room - Boyd, Chris, Carol & Dave, DavidC, Graham, Paul (LA_Guns) & myself setting off down the track to pick up Len at Lochwinnoch.
 
A wee mechanical disaster just before Lochwinnoch, in the form of Dave's puncture, while trying to get the back wheel off, he some how managed to snapped off the skewer handle even before the wheel came off, must have been Carol's secret EPO breakfast he had earlier with that strong fingers.
Luckily between us we managed to figure a way to sort the problem out & got going again. Be it minus some skewer handles to save a bit of weight for the rest of the days climbing
 
We made good time despite the puncture hiccup & got to Largs just before 11am where we past Iain Couttie going up the Haylie as we just came off it, apparently Charlie was heading to do the Fairlie which we just missed him, hope you guys had a good one too today!
Anyway, Paul was time constraint which meant he just carried on without the café stop at the BB, we of course didn't and enjoyed a lovely cuppa outside the sun .........ah bliss!
 
The second part of the route is a bit more challenging what with the Brisbane Glen & Whinhill to come. Chris went up the Haylie & back to Beith while the remaining lot made our up hill & down hill way back to Kilmarcolm then on the track again & home for everyone.
 
120km for me by the time I got home & a decent sun tan as a result of todays better than forecast weather, brilliant!
 
Thanks for the company today guys & gal, the wheels for most appreciated.
 
P.S Some lovely view down across the Clyde up the Whinhill ....... cannae beat it!
 
Cheers
 
Chung

A few photos taken on our way back from Largs...excellent cycling weather

Thanks to Richard - acting as " PR /promoter / agent " on my behalf, the wheels are now SOLD.
 
Now I can get some new ones  ............yes!

Should be at the club rooms for 9

Hi Folks,
 
Just to confirm that meeting & starting from the club room at said time - 9.00am for the original proposed route.
 
Charlie is needing the hilly km so will be doing his secret training but hope to rendezvous with us at the BB later on :-)
 
See youse all tomorrow then
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Hi guys Claire here. Darryl wanted me to let you all know that he is ok and wants to thank everybody for taking such good care of him. He is now in the rah ward 23 and it has been confirmed he's broken his femur. Surgery probably tomorrow. Will keep you all posted. Thanks claire

Hi Folks,
 
I have for sale the following:
 
Wheel Set
- Fast Forward FFWD F2R
- Full carbon TUBULAR Rims
- 20 spoke front & 24 rear
- DT Swiss 240s Hub Front & Rear
- DT Aerolite Black colour spokes, brass nipples
- Campagnolo 9/10/11 speed free Hub (2 of) &
   also include Shimano 9/10/11 speed free hub included as well
- Original FFWD skewers (I think its titanium - light at 85g for the pair)
- Used set of Vittoria Corsa Evo CX 23mm tubular tyres already glued on, the front one is much newer than the back one
   but it still has plenty of life in them yet.
- Wheel set weights only 1120g (very light)
- Sale includes everything above & the double padded wheel bag as shown in pictures.
 
https:[email protected]<script data-cfhash='f9e31' type="text/javascript">/* */</script>/albums/72157668418723976/with/26793381550/
 

 
Condition
Used but very good condition, 8.5 out of 10 I would say.
There is a very tiny chip (2mm) on the clear coat lacquer on the rear rim, as shown on image 8, but only cosmetic.
Also, I have always used the SwissStop yellow king carbon specific pads on these wheels (2 & half summer riding) so how the front have caught some of the yellow colour from the pads on the breaking surface, but again it's only cosmetic.
Rear skewer slight scruff on them.
I just want to be up front about these little things so that everyone is clear on this.
 
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/fast-forward-f2r-carbon-tubular-240s-wheelset/
 
Wheels are extremely light but stiff at the same time, a great set of climbing wheels.
It’s a great piece of kit if you want to experience the benefits of riding or racing tubulars, at a fraction of its original price!
 
The only reason that I’m selling is because I’ve got my eyes on something “new†:-)
 
I’m looking for £390 to fellow Wheelers or anyone local.
 
PM me or get in touch if you’re interested, more photos can be arrange or viewing is definitely do-able.
 
Thanks for looking
 
Cheers
 
Chung

well that was a good day, Chung's summary just about says it all!
 
Stunning views down the lochs, sunnier day than expected and some decent quieter roads (apart from A82 and duck bay)...well done all!

I was going to wear old kit too for same reason. I have checked the rulebook and old or new is fine so long as blue and yellow.
 
Can everyone please ignore the extra summer 1515 ferry service. Please note it does not exist for the purposes of this exercise so dismiss it from your minds. The only ferry that matters is the 1355 from Brodick. We have to catch that ferry to complete the Official DA. Any deliberate slacking of pace, blocking the front, going through slowly, to catch "the later ferry" will be dealt with severely and receive a DNF.
 
Complete defaillance, jour sans, total bonkfest are the only acceptable reasons for late ferry and will of course not be regarded as a DA but may be mentioned in dispatches as a worthy attempt. Personally I expect the man with the hammer to give me a call somewhere around Machrie on the second lap.

Thanks to everyone that turned up today for the run, despite the fact it was a late posting.
 
I counted 13 Wheelers from the bridge, I like to think that it was my charming personality that brought everyone out today or to see my lovely "new toy"  But the truth of the matter is the weather was lovely for a bike ride  .........fact!
 
Alan Mclean, AllanM, Andrew, Boyd, Campbell, Eric, Graham, Iain (JanUllrich), Paul C, Paul (LA_Guns), Peter,  Ritchie & myself made up a fair size bunch & off we went towards Helensburgh, then Rhu & the bunch split just at the Farslane roundabout where Boyd, Graham, Paul & Ritchie opted for an earlier café stop at Garelochhead to leave the rest of us 9 heading round the peninsula climbing & descending our way towards Kilcreggan.
 
A planned & welcome café stop enable everyone to refuel & Doctor McLean doing his very best to pitch & recruit more DA'ers (Paul will be proud of his effort )​ for next Saturday. I wonder how many he's persuaded?
 
After the café at Kilcreggan, it was a rather brisk ride to the foot of Cote de Glen Fruinn, where upon everyone climb at their own pace to the top. No rush really as Doc McLean had his 2nd puncture of the day on the way up which he was fixing at the top & Andrew also notice his crank was coming loose as we were about to set off. A quick check confirm that his crank axle was cracked, but luckily it was still ride-able .......... thank your lucky star & time for a NEW BIKE I think!
 
Another quick blast back to the bridge with everyone taking good spells at the front for what was a lovely day of cycling in good weather & great company as always!
 
Hope everyone got home ok without too much issue or mechanicals!
 
Thanks again for the wheels & more of the same please
 
P.S Campbell, any chance of posting some of your photos?
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Fantastic ride Darryl, Iain and Mark..... weather was tops, completed 100 miles and company was great...now sitting with a Coors light waiting for the football to start 

LA_Guns (Paul ?) - as Billy said, usual meeting point just next to the garden centre on the bridge, above the bus stop that you mentioned.
Will see you there tomorrow then! :-)
 
O.K, lets confirm to all meet at the bridge then at the said time of 9.30-9.40am, weather looking half decent & hopefully more of the same like today.
 
See youse all tomorrow, remember to bring some lunch money folks :-)
 
Cheers
 
Chung

Sounds good for me!!
Definitely there this week but couldn't do the full route I imagine.
Is anyone going to be at the clubrooms?

I fancy a shorter version of this also. The Kilcreggan ferry is not running on Sunday's, so suggest cafe stop at Garelochead and back on Chung's route via Glen Fruin as a shorter option. This may suit some 30 milers?
 
Eric, I'll see you at the Pullman at 9:00, to meet the others at the bridge at 9:30 / 9:40.

Can't make Saturday epic so probably be at bridge 0930. Eric, I will post to confirm. ?meet up in village first.

Sitting tonight with some recovery juice and thoughts turned to DA. In terms of strategy I am thinking as below but welcome other thoughts and suggestions,
 
- single pace line, straight to back just like the pro's do on a long TTT
- pace regulated at SA pace plus a little bit extra from the start
- looking like a decent number so probably about 30-45 secs on front which will mean a spell every 4-5 mins
- important point is do not increase pace, keep it smooth as possible with guy swinging off easing back and going straight to back, no macho keeping the power on to make the next guy work to come through
- if you are having a good moment then go a bit longer on front before elbow flick
- elbow flick is mandatory, we do not want people behind accelerating to get through and do a spell
- be realistic about your personal ability, flick that elbow as soon as you start to let the pace drop or preferably before
- communication is critical. I will take personal responsibility for making the call to up or down the overall pace with the help from my data friend whom I hope will have the last but one single stored for up to the second pace comparison on his Garmin (I will contact you separately Jan to check out your thoughts on this)
- mechanicals, sorry but we all sign up for not stopping, it is just not feasible, I really hope it does not happen to anyone,
- please think about your personal strengths and play to them, obvious examples would be Robbo or James leading on the climbs into the headwind or Jan and Alan doing longer turns on the flat. But, and this is the really important bit, if you are particularly strong at one discipline please remember others are not so ride to the teams abilities rather than your own,
- the best team player will lead the team within their abilities on their preferred terrain but will sensibly pull back when it does not suit them,
- it is very likely most people will have a crisis in confidence or form at some point, it is just fine to either miss spells or roll through for a very short spell
- it is not fine to miss spells without shouting to the team that they should drop in in front of you
- when a single line goes round a corner or makes a descent round a corner the line always stretches with gaps opening, remember the first guy can take the best line and see the pot holes etc but everyone behind cannot, if you are on the front the very best thing to do is hold back for a few seconds to let the line reestablish itself, this is best for the team effort,
- and finally, shout out the pot holes for the team behind,
 
 
Some practicalities
 
- we make a stash about 500m from ferry for spare bottles, food etc, so poly bag or similar with provisions for 2nd lap should be brought along
- the stop time will be about 4 minutes max so think ahead on quick changeover of bottles, food etc
 
Look forward to your comments and additions. I can't wait to give this a bash as I Truly believe that everyone is up for dong whatever they can to make it happen.
 
DREAM IT, BELIEVE IT, ACHIEVE IT

Hi Chung, I'm up for this...time to get back on the bike!
 
I'll be at bridge 09.30/40.

Hi Chung, I'm up for this...time to get back on the bike!
 
I'll be at bridge 09.30/40.

just checked the garmin, I was doing 32mph when I went over the hump back bridge

I have been on a few runs over the last couple of years invitied along by Alex B, but this week i finally signed up to the Wheelers.
 
Hope to see more of you lot in the coming months which will be good preperation for my 9 day LEJOG in September.
 
Ryan F

Great Run and company. Glad Eric is ok. Thanks lads for seeing me through last bit I was bust/shredded or in my native tongue fecked!

Hope the fallers OK.
You are all mad!
I fondly recall my main bunch days when I am talking to my grandchildren with ma wee blanket over ma knees.

Eric good to hear you're ok after your spill.
 
Turned out a fine day, the strong easternly wind apart which definitely picked up later in the day. Ended up doing a ton and a smidge, and clocking up 2335 metres of vertical. Legs creaking on the final ascent of the crow.

good challenging route, thanks Billy, group worked well up the Khyber, Crow and along Loch Carron, up Tak and down with a few added dramatic adventures! No reverse Tak and Crow for Alan and me but respect to the hardmen who went back for more! A short coffee break in Lennoxtown gave me the chance to assess the damage, looks just likes lumps and cuts and the bike responded well on the way back. Thanks to Alan for straightening out brakes/shifters and the bunch for insisting I head for home after 'binning it'. Still got nearly 74 miles and 5400 feet on a pleasant day.