Galeb

I know this won't be a universally popular decision but after what happened last week (and reading the messages on here and talking to a few of you) then for the next couple of weeks we are going to experiment with splitting the chaingang into smaller groups.
The reason for this is to try and improve rider safety and make things calmer, manageable and more controlled. Groups of about 8-10 should maximise safety, are most efficient for a chaingang while also giving a decent work out. If the numbers don't allow for three groups then will try two. It is important to remember however it is still a chaingang and training ride, it is not a social ride. The pace in the earlier groups will be a little slower but the idea stays the same - if you get dropped you still get dropped so know the route and be self sufficient. You can choose what group you are in however i'll give some guidelines for this.
First group. If you take the short cut regularly then this is the one for you. If you get dropped on the west ferry or Bishy Hill then take this one. If you are a strong rider but feel relatively inexperiened and want practice riding in a chaingang then take this one. If you tried the chainy earlier in the season and were put off due to not feeling quite fit enough, then now is the time to give it another go.  I will be leading this group.
Second group. If you are capable of hanging on in the chaingang but find yourself regularly missing turns or find it difficult to move up without stalling in the line then you may have more benefit going in the second group and working rather than just sitting on in the third. Are there any volunteers to lead this group?
Third group. Are you strong enough to spell through for all of chaingang and do you find parts of it relatively easy? Are you able to bridge gaps if the bunch splits and do you usually find yourself on the right side of these splits when they happen? Then third group for you.  Paul will be leading.
Be honest and realistic with yourself and (more importantly) to the other riders when choosing a group. It isn't a sign of weakness joining a slower group and nothing is set in stone, if you find one group too easy then you can move up the next week.
Group 1 will leave at 6.25 and will take Heggies. Group 2 leaves at 6.30 and group 3 at 6.35 and both take the Clune. If Group 1 is caught by the top of Clune then they wait and restart behind the next group.
Paul is going to post a few guidelines on good practice.
 

Keep saying it...bunch is too big. A few weeks ago I joined the north bunch chaingang and they split into 3 groups with no problems. 

Keep saying it...bunch is too big. A few weeks ago I joined the north bunch chaingang and they split into 3 groups with no problems. 

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!

great effort once again. It will happen

Solo Double Arran attempt today - defeated.
- Again 3mins down to start with...cant seem to be able to get out of ferry earlier than 8.07/06 these days (then plus 1min or so to put the bag of food on its spot). Its a bit of a damper to start like that...
- Weather cold in the morning then it would be short sleeve second lap. Decided to go for long sleeve underlayer and keep it on...bought extra water to drink at pit stop as knew I will be sweating more second lap.
-  Anti-clockwise today with mainly northerly winds. First time doing it this way...on first lap went up the string road by mistake so lost another 3-4mins!
- Bad start...nevertheless marched on thinking I should give it a go anyway. First lap done, I go to find that my food bag has disappeared! I look down the road and its on the side of the pavement 100m away. Turned out a hungry thief has been through it!! Took my bananas, jelly babies, flapjacks, energy bar, some nuts and most importantly my spare store bought bottle of water and gels! Only left me with my bike rack water bottles and pork pies! Thought at least I have my two bottles of water, took them and the pies and just marched on again. Buy now I was 9-10mins down.
- 30 miles before finish I knew I wasn't going to make it - was feeling dehydrated, half a bottle left, but thought I might as well finish what I came here to do (and decided not to take the Ross road shortcut). 
Finished around 12mins down...missed it this time!...Still not sure though if all the mishaps didn't happen, would have I been able to make it...?
By the way 56+50 strava link here: https://www.strava.com/activities/2505466988
 

Solo double attempt 2...missed her again. 
With north westerly winds, went for the anti-clockwise again (not my favourite). First lap went well...second lap after Lochranza lost the pace...I dont know why just couldn't get going again after the downhill section. A gel and a snack 15-20mins later I was back on again. But by that time lost probably 3mins or so on top of the usual 3mins at the start. Finished second lap around 8 mins down.
Ah well...may be one day. Probably need another month of the volume and intensity that I have been doing for the last 4 weeks. But play time is over now. Next week back to the usual 

Solo double attempt 2...missed her again. 
With north westerly winds, went for the anti-clockwise again (not my favourite). First lap went well...second lap after Lochranza lost the pace...I dont know why just couldn't get going again after the downhill section. A gel and a snack 15-20mins later I was back on again. But by that time lost probably 3mins or so on top of the usual 3mins at the start. Finished second lap around 8 mins down.
Ah well...may be one day. Probably need another month of the volume and intensity that I have been doing for the last 4 weeks. But play time is over now. Next week back to the usual 

Fantastic effort again Galeb, there is no question you will do this one day
 

Clip-ons and a skin suit and you will succeed. You'll need them for the Georgetown Cup. Plan to pop over myself for a crack in the full rig...

Well done, again. Once again we were riding on Arran while you were smashing it!

Solo double attempt 2...missed her again. 
With north westerly winds, went for the anti-clockwise again (not my favourite). First lap went well...second lap after Lochranza lost the pace...I dont know why just couldn't get going again after the downhill section. A gel and a snack 15-20mins later I was back on again. But by that time lost probably 3mins or so on top of the usual 3mins at the start. Finished second lap around 8 mins down.
Ah well...may be one day. Probably need another month of the volume and intensity that I have been doing for the last 4 weeks. But play time is over now. Next week back to the usual 

Solo double attempt 2...missed her again. 
With north westerly winds, went for the anti-clockwise again (not my favourite). First lap went well...second lap after Lochranza lost the pace...I dont know why just couldn't get going again after the downhill section. A gel and a snack 15-20mins later I was back on again. But by that time lost probably 3mins or so on top of the usual 3mins at the start. Finished second lap around 8 mins down.
Ah well...may be one day. Probably need another month of the volume and intensity that I have been doing for the last 4 weeks. But play time is over now. Next week back to the usual 

Solo double attempt 2...missed her again. 
With north westerly winds, went for the anti-clockwise again (not my favourite). First lap went well...second lap after Lochranza lost the pace...I dont know why just couldn't get going again after the downhill section. A gel and a snack 15-20mins later I was back on again. But by that time lost probably 3mins or so on top of the usual 3mins at the start. Finished second lap around 8 mins down.
Ah well...may be one day. Probably need another month of the volume and intensity that I have been doing for the last 4 weeks. But play time is over now. Next week back to the usual 

Well done to Cedric who won the Sam Robinson road race today - he joins a who's who of Scottish Cycling on the trophy including wheelers like Brian Smith, Willie Gibb and Robert Melrose!
Chapeau
 
 

Solo Double Arran attempt today - defeated.
- Again 3mins down to start with...cant seem to be able to get out of ferry earlier than 8.07/06 these days (then plus 1min or so to put the bag of food on its spot). Its a bit of a damper to start like that...
- Weather cold in the morning then it would be short sleeve second lap. Decided to go for long sleeve underlayer and keep it on...bought extra water to drink at pit stop as knew I will be sweating more second lap.
-  Anti-clockwise today with mainly northerly winds. First time doing it this way...on first lap went up the string road by mistake so lost another 3-4mins!
- Bad start...nevertheless marched on thinking I should give it a go anyway. First lap done, I go to find that my food bag has disappeared! I look down the road and its on the side of the pavement 100m away. Turned out a hungry thief has been through it!! Took my bananas, jelly babies, flapjacks, energy bar, some nuts and most importantly my spare store bought bottle of water and gels! Only left me with my bike rack water bottles and pork pies! Thought at least I have my two bottles of water, took them and the pies and just marched on again. Buy now I was 9-10mins down.
- 30 miles before finish I knew I wasn't going to make it - was feeling dehydrated, half a bottle left, but thought I might as well finish what I came here to do (and decided not to take the Ross road shortcut). 
Finished around 12mins down...missed it this time!...Still not sure though if all the mishaps didn't happen, would have I been able to make it...?
By the way 56+50 strava link here: https://www.strava.com/activities/2505466988
 

Solo Double Arran attempt today - defeated.
- Again 3mins down to start with...cant seem to be able to get out of ferry earlier than 8.07/06 these days (then plus 1min or so to put the bag of food on its spot). Its a bit of a damper to start like that...
- Weather cold in the morning then it would be short sleeve second lap. Decided to go for long sleeve underlayer and keep it on...bought extra water to drink at pit stop as knew I will be sweating more second lap.
-  Anti-clockwise today with mainly northerly winds. First time doing it this way...on first lap went up the string road by mistake so lost another 3-4mins!
- Bad start...nevertheless marched on thinking I should give it a go anyway. First lap done, I go to find that my food bag has disappeared! I look down the road and its on the side of the pavement 100m away. Turned out a hungry thief has been through it!! Took my bananas, jelly babies, flapjacks, energy bar, some nuts and most importantly my spare store bought bottle of water and gels! Only left me with my bike rack water bottles and pork pies! Thought at least I have my two bottles of water, took them and the pies and just marched on again. Buy now I was 9-10mins down.
- 30 miles before finish I knew I wasn't going to make it - was feeling dehydrated, half a bottle left, but thought I might as well finish what I came here to do (and decided not to take the Ross road shortcut). 
Finished around 12mins down...missed it this time!...Still not sure though if all the mishaps didn't happen, would have I been able to make it...?
By the way 56+50 strava link here: https://www.strava.com/activities/2505466988
 

I can do that. I'll pm you.

What could have been a solo double...
Settled with the solo 56+50 and what a day!
The highlights:
- Almost missed the outgoing ferry - made it just in time. Didn't take into account the weight of the 4 bottles of water and the 4000 kcal of food!
- Ferry full of cars meant I was out of the ferry at 0806 and a bit and by the time I found a spot for the bag of food I was around 3 mins down to start with! 
- Very variable wind conditions today that didn't help. At times there was Northerly winds - I might have been better doing it anti-clockwise?
- First lap done with 5mins behind schedule (plan was to finish fist lap at 1050)...ferry was right there and was contemplating chunking it. Refuelled with supplies and I was 10mins behind schedule by then. A quick clac and I estimated that I would just miss the ferry if I went for the double and so opted for plan B via Ross road. 
- Oh Ross road! the grind up that thing (with 39x25 was not easy) and then the technical decent didn't save me much time. I did make up 7 mins but I was still 3mins down on schedule. 
- I lost another 2 mins (making it 5min in total) - some of it due to paying for the effort on the Ross and some on getting a cramp up Lochranza and peddling with one leg while trying to shake the other out of the cramp!
-   Top of Lochranza climb took a Gel and buried myself to reach just in time around 1351 for the 1355 ferry!
Don't think I want to see Arran for a while now... 

What could have been a solo double...
Settled with the solo 56+50 and what a day!
The highlights:
- Almost missed the outgoing ferry - made it just in time. Didn't take into account the weight of the 4 bottles of water and the 4000 kcal of food!
- Ferry full of cars meant I was out of the ferry at 0806 and a bit and by the time I found a spot for the bag of food I was around 3 mins down to start with! 
- Very variable wind conditions today that didn't help. At times there was Northerly winds - I might have been better doing it anti-clockwise?
- First lap done with 5mins behind schedule (plan was to finish fist lap at 1050)...ferry was right there and was contemplating chunking it. Refuelled with supplies and I was 10mins behind schedule by then. A quick clac and I estimated that I would just miss the ferry if I went for the double and so opted for plan B via Ross road. 
- Oh Ross road! the grind up that thing (with 39x25 was not easy) and then the technical decent didn't save me much time. I did make up 7 mins but I was still 3mins down on schedule. 
- I lost another 2 mins (making it 5min in total) - some of it due to paying for the effort on the Ross and some on getting a cramp up Lochranza and peddling with one leg while trying to shake the other out of the cramp!
-   Top of Lochranza climb took a Gel and buried myself to reach just in time around 1351 for the 1355 ferry!
Don't think I want to see Arran for a while now... 

What could have been a solo double...
Settled with the solo 56+50 and what a day!
The highlights:
- Almost missed the outgoing ferry - made it just in time. Didn't take into account the weight of the 4 bottles of water and the 4000 kcal of food!
- Ferry full of cars meant I was out of the ferry at 0806 and a bit and by the time I found a spot for the bag of food I was around 3 mins down to start with! 
- Very variable wind conditions today that didn't help. At times there was Northerly winds - I might have been better doing it anti-clockwise?
- First lap done with 5mins behind schedule (plan was to finish fist lap at 1050)...ferry was right there and was contemplating chunking it. Refuelled with supplies and I was 10mins behind schedule by then. A quick clac and I estimated that I would just miss the ferry if I went for the double and so opted for plan B via Ross road. 
- Oh Ross road! the grind up that thing (with 39x25 was not easy) and then the technical decent didn't save me much time. I did make up 7 mins but I was still 3mins down on schedule. 
- I lost another 2 mins (making it 5min in total) - some of it due to paying for the effort on the Ross and some on getting a cramp up Lochranza and peddling with one leg while trying to shake the other out of the cramp!
-   Top of Lochranza climb took a Gel and buried myself to reach just in time around 1351 for the 1355 ferry!
Don't think I want to see Arran for a while now... 

great effort Galeb!
 
 

Hall of Fame updated to recognise this magnificent feat
 

Well done Galeb great solo effort

Brilliant effort mate very impressive!