stevie

Some day for a spin.
I seem to have lost you all in Bearsden- I was riding slightly ahead & think I took a left when I should have gone right. Came out couple of miles before Glengoyne Distillery. Waited at bridge but not sure if you guys were ahead or behind by that time.
Only negative was so called friends negative comments towards my bespoke JWCC socks. 
Haters gonna hate....

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

Headwind, speed humps and no bloody caravan!

Shame I wasn’t going to say anything 

Made it just in time...had to change plan slightly and after the clune decided I needed to keep going not sure how much time that saved but it did something as bunch didn't catch me. Might sneak in sometimes since I know I can just about make it in time without getting killed...just 

It’ll be all attack attack off the front after the end of the GT road!

You boys play nice now 

Kenny,
Not disputing it being easier for timekeepers & more sheltered for them. I’m also not disputing that it’s the riders responsibility to ride safely, however, if someone is on for a good time or PB they are going to hammer it into the roundabout.
My face is testament to the fact that some riders, in the heat of the moment, put (a wee bit) more speed over safety.

Usual meet @ bus stop on Georgetown Road. 6.30 pm depart

I know it  is voluntary and takes a lot of time and it is hugely appreciated but I've been cycling about aimlessly since Monday morning trying to find this weeks segment!

I was just lucky all the hitters were away racing or at the etape this weekend!

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.

 

Stevie starting to run away with it now.
Also Ross has 5 bonus points pending - these points can be redeemed next week should he attend the chainy
Oil fields
Stevie - 3.01 - 6 points
Iain mct - 3.06 - 5 points
Ian A - 3.12 - 4 points
Marc - 3.13 - 3 points
Ross - 3.18 - 2 points
Paul mcd - 3.18 - 2 points
Alan T - 3.19 - 1 point
Colin - 3.22 - 1 point
Robbie - 3.23 - 1 point
Eric - 3.34 - 1 point
Glen - 3.39 - 1 point
Anthony - 3.48 - 1 point
Jann - 4.57 - 1 point
 
 
Overall

Name Week 1 + 2 Munters Munt Southbar to A8 Oil Fields Overall Stevie 11 6 3 6 26 Ian A 10 4 4 4 22 Iain mct 7 5 5 5 22 Paul mcd 8 6 1 2 17 Glen 3 5 2 1 11 Paul L 1 2 6   9 Robbie 6     1 7 Gerard   1 4   5 Eric 3 1   1 5 Marc 0 3 1 1 5 Ross     2 2 4 James S 1 2 1   4 Anthony 1 1 1 1 4 David C 1 1 1   3 Robert   2 1   3 Jann 1   1 1 3 Galeb     2   2 Alan T   1   1 2 Billy 1       1 Graham   1     1 Chung   1     1 Darryl   1     1 Charlie   1     1 Ian mcg   1     1 James M   1     1 Colin     1   1 Paul C     1   1 Richard B 1       1

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. 

oh please lord, don't let me have the same time on the segment as Toole ! The shame, I might have to give up cycling. However as the good lord will know, I had to freewheel for a bit just before the mini roadworks this morning as the guy had a stop sign up, defo cost me a second, so I suppose I can just about live with myself.

Still being relatively new to the bunch and fast group riding I am still learning and hope that any transgressions on my part are viewed in that light.
The larger more varied group certainly makes a more steady chain difficult but if it wasn't for the open and inclusive nature of the club/group I would not have come back after being spat out the back at every available opportunity last summer and quite possibly would not have joined the club or been in the position fitness wise to take part this year.

For what its worth, canvassing a view from the visitor that I brought last night he reckoned that the group was, in safety terms exceed only by the northside Scratch group and much safer than the southside bunch.





 

Still being relatively new to the bunch and fast group riding I am still learning and hope that any transgressions on my part are viewed in that light.
The larger more varied group certainly makes a more steady chain difficult but if it wasn't for the open and inclusive nature of the club/group I would not have come back after being spat out the back at every available opportunity last summer and quite possibly would not have joined the club or been in the position fitness wise to take part this year.

For what its worth, canvassing a view from the visitor that I brought last night he reckoned that the group was, in safety terms exceed only by the northside Scratch group and much safer than the southside bunch.





 

Still being relatively new to the bunch and fast group riding I am still learning and hope that any transgressions on my part are viewed in that light.
The larger more varied group certainly makes a more steady chain difficult but if it wasn't for the open and inclusive nature of the club/group I would not have come back after being spat out the back at every available opportunity last summer and quite possibly would not have joined the club or been in the position fitness wise to take part this year.

For what its worth, canvassing a view from the visitor that I brought last night he reckoned that the group was, in safety terms exceed only by the northside Scratch group and much safer than the southside bunch.





 

Still being relatively new to the bunch and fast group riding I am still learning and hope that any transgressions on my part are viewed in that light.
The larger more varied group certainly makes a more steady chain difficult but if it wasn't for the open and inclusive nature of the club/group I would not have come back after being spat out the back at every available opportunity last summer and quite possibly would not have joined the club or been in the position fitness wise to take part this year.

For what its worth, canvassing a view from the visitor that I brought last night he reckoned that the group was, in safety terms exceed only by the northside Scratch group and much safer than the southside bunch.





 

When the numbers are big an APR format might be the answer - the Gales do that  (as does the Northside bunch) my concern would be if the faster group make the catch on the west ferry.  In some respects the big bunch has been fine before the Clune its been after that there have been issues. So maybe ride as normal to there then set off in groups from the top? If someone gets put in the slow group then dont see it as a slight but as an opportunity - a head start for the finish!
I'd like to see it remain inclusive and have guys like John, Scott and co welcome - the bunch benefits from their experience.

Agree with all said above.  Getting to a bit of a crossroads maybe with bunch so big. One route would be cut back to just JWCC members or another route might be to start an APR format, last night we could have had 3 groups of 10, keep the regroup at top of clune but try and set the time gaps to make it realistic for someone from first group to get the clune points. Just a thought and up for debate on whether there is the same APR format after clune.
For sure I agree we ride tempo on the bad bits particularly the rise from the traffic lights - which is a shame as it is a good attack point but safety must be first. I'm sure it will eventually get resurfaced.
 

Jan is quite right, the safety of participants has to be paramount. This is the case whether it is a race or not. However, people are always less inclined to look after others and to take risks in races, despite the commissars’ warnings about crossing the line etc. 
The JWCC Thursday night chaingang has changed from the initial idea introduced by Charlie. It was conceived as an opportunity for club members to train in a much more controlled context than the free for all of the Renfrew Bunch. 
It now resembles a race. The ethos seems to be to drop people and to go through the line at ever increasing speeds. It has always been the case that everyone looks after themselves, but the pace seems higher and less steady now with lots  of jumping, surging and switching. Indeed, the fact that there are points on offer (which is good fun btw) has added a competitive element to the mix that unfortunately makes it more likely that people will take a few risks. 
The roads are also poor in places which, at race pace, can lead people to switch line to avoid crashing.
What to do? In my view, given that we all know the course and where the bad bits are, we should refrain from all out full gas efforts until the bunch is safely through them.  There are areas such as the Westferry, The Clune, The Georgetown, where full gas might be the order of the day, but  perhaps a less full on effort at various ‘bad bits’ would be sensible. This only needs to be an informal common understanding. After all, it is our club run which means we can  make it more controlled, in the interests of safety and providing a positive experience for riders.
 

 

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.