stevie

Another cold cold TT at least I rode without leg warmers and jacket, but still had gloves and winter base layers. First time on this course fast start and first half ok apart from three roundabouts close together that slow you down on the way back I struggled to keep any speed , don’t know if it was the cold or the road but never felt in top of it finished with a 25 something which is slow but power average was north of 265 which is better. Don’t think I can ride fast at under 10 degrees. Don’t know how the others rode it apart from George who DNS sick 
Finished 19th 24:24
 

It’s never the coach it’s always the athlete that makes things better 
Though sometimes there are challenges that are just too big in all senses of the word Charlie 

Blushing Jan - thanks. Hopefully that’s not me peaked already!
Thanks to Ecosse performance coaching for helping me out over the winter

ok Stevie
It is 56 miles around arran. The classic challenge is the single loop between to 0700 ferry and the return at 1105. effective time once you get off ferry and get back on in time is 2h45m which means an average just over 20mph for the 56 miles. It is challenging as the roads are twisting turning up and down which means lots of braking and hits the average. Approx 20 people are in the hall of fame for the single. Once you do that which I think you definetly could do, there are  4 other halls of fame.
1) The 56+50 which is one single plus a second loop with a minor short cut, this between 2 ferries (5 in this Hall of fame)
2) The solo single (3 have done this)
3) The new kid on the block, the winter single which must be on winter bike and winter ferry timetable (4 people attempted this winter but no one done it yet)
4) The mythical and immortal DA, the Double Arran, 112 miles at average 20mph (2 in this Hall with lots of help from super domestiques). You should definetly set your sights on this as it will truly change your life. It will also cripple you for a week
am I selling it
 
 

First time out on the chaingang.  Great fun, I think? 
Spent the last few years training  to cycle at a steady pace, saving somethIng for the marathon.  This all out pace is just mental.  
And I love it !!!!!
Best decision ever to tag along (and get dropped....(common theme)) on a Sunday bunch ride.  Thanks to JWCC for being so welcoming and patient with us newbies.

Jesus he will be unbearable now

Good turn out!  Few riders going well - special mention to Stevie, didnt make it around the whole way in the bunch at all last year but not only managed that this week but got points on the Clune, the intermediate and the finish.
Also well done to David, i think that is the first time making it round with bunch too.   So if any of you got dropped tonight dont let it put you off coming back out
Tonights scores
KOM
Me 3
Robbie 2
Stevie 1
Intermediate
Me 2
Stevie 1
Finish
Me 6
Paul Mcd 4
Stevie 2
Current standings. Apologies if ive missed anyone out.
 

Jan assured me no points on first night. It was just a reconnoiter 

Stevie, I will surely meet you soon, maybe tonight at chaingang. Then you can hear all about this incredible, unique, inspiring, motivational, enriching and life enhancing challange.
 
 

Just wanted to reminisce before tonights championship gets underway.
Remember the famous Mctavish/Hughes breakaway, light was 'Amber', seized the opportunity to steal a small gap, we were like a classic Rolls Royce purring down the Georgetown being chased by angry 30+ bunch, sealed a classic 1 2 victory....

You've just made Paul McDonalds DAy 

First rule of Arran Challenge- Don't talk about Arran Challenge.
If only Paul McD would adhere to this....

Tweaked my TT position so if dry will be down to ride it 

What happened to “no no no” & “I’m not riding confined events”
naughty schoolboy skulks back into the fold with tail between his legs.
you are an utter sausage! 

Yip. Just need to find a bike that works

With the clocks changing that means the Thursday night chaingang is due to start  - meeting at 6pm at the bus stop on Georgetown for the first few weeks (it will be a bit later as the nights get lighter). 
For those that havent done it before this is the route https://www.strava.com/routes/2016619
As a  training run / chaingang, if you get dropped or have a mechanical then the group wont wait. There will however be a regrouping at the top of the Clune.  If dropped on the west ferry there is an opportunity to take a short cut up Heggies. This is the route for that https://www.strava.com/routes/2016627 Don't let the fear of being dropped put you off coming out, it's a good training ride and one that will bring on your fitness  quickly.  Leaving it for a few weeks and trying to build your fitness up won't help as much as jumping right in, if you get dropped by Bishopton so be it - come back again next week and you will hang on longer.
Rear light probably a good idea for the ride home
 

Your coming down this year Mctavish I've spent the whole winter in the gym lifting polo mints, I'm a beast now!
Looking forward to it. 

Me and George are still talking to each other so a successful day
The day didn’t go great George managed to break a bit on his bike and then the belt on his rollers so no warm up
My day also started poorly as at the start pulled my wheel so 10 m in had to stop and re set my wheel, after that it went ok George started getting cramp in his arms so at the half way we nearly stopped and had a chat about chucking it decided to carry on and finished with 42 minutes so nothing to write home about , but first TT done

Same again lumpy route Track Kilmalcolm, west glen langbank, then some loops round the hills about 30/45 mile depending on laps 
0900 Morrisons, 0915 BOW 

Maybe maybe maybe

I wasnt racing so didnt want to turn up wearing kit like John Terry did with Chelsea in the champions league a few years back
 

Both u & Gerard asked this. If leave johnstone @9am think will b after 10.00 before we get to Ferry but if George & Billy @ front we will b so much quicker

Stevie
Race advice much the same as what’s given , though save as much energy as possible, use the bunch to get shelter , try and make sure your in the wind a little as possible , try and be towards the front if there is a section you may struggle with so you don’t get dropped , if the bunch is going well take your turn but make it short, if in the running towards the end of the race try and sit one rider in from the centre of the road gives you wiggle room and stops you from getting boxed in but more importantly enjoy 

Spare wheels (at our level of racing) are really just to be able to ride back to the HQ - by the time the service car arrives and you get the wheel changed the bunch will be long gone. With discs and through axles there is unlikely to be a spare if you havent given them one so it may be worthwhile carrying a tube and co2 in your back pocket just incase.
Them having a spare to give you isnt a guarantee anyway - ive punctured and had the guys in the car drive by and not notice i had signaled them over. Fortunately it was only a couple of miles walk back to the hq rather than the opposite part of the circuit.

Sorry cant help with the jersey.
For the race, probably 2 most important things which apply to bunch rides as well but even more so racing is to hold your line/be predictable and protect your front wheel. With it being an APR it is a bit different to a normal race and more like a chaingang. You'll be in a group of about 20 and it is to everyones advantage to co-operate and work together - but do this in a measured way. If you are feeling good dont sit on the front like Tony Martin and give everyone a free ride. Likewise if you are struggling a bit just sit on the back and try and recover.  Sitting at the back and missing a turn  isnt a good tactic to use if you are feeling comfortable though - your best chance for a result is your group managing to stay away not through saving something for the scratch making the catch.