John C

Thank you to everyone who helped out today.  The event went really well and we had some great rider feedback about the day.  Just in case, if anyone notices any of the signs still up then let me know.

Trying to get out but may need to bail at The Green Kettle and head back via Killcregan ferry.  Just haven’t got the miles in the legs this summer.  If I’m not at the bridge at 8:30 don’t wait.

Trying to get out but may need to bail at The Green Kettle and head back via Killcregan ferry.  Just haven’t got the miles in the legs this summer.  If I’m not at the bridge at 8:30 don’t wait.

Hi Jane, planning to bring along sausage rolls

Hi Jane, planning to bring along sausage rolls

i'd have have thought a wee bit of hill climbing training would have been just whats required 😂

I am getting this all together now.  It is so good to see so many people helping out, everyone is needed and important to the day being a success.
I will be at Bishopton Community Hall from 0700h, with me I will have an allocation of signs, zip ties, hi viz jackets and a note of where you are positioning yourself.  The first rider is off at 0801 so please arrive to give yourself plenty of time to get into position.  Please do wear the hi viz while you are marshalling (it is in the risk assessment) your own safety is your first priority on the day.  Just use a bit of common sense when positioning any signs, making it reasonably visible to other road users and please remember to bring them back.  You there on the day as the eyes on the course so we do want any emergency.  I will have my mobile number on the hand out, give me yours and I can text you to say your work is done.
Here is who I have where
Start Line - Scott M
Holding up - Ginty
West Ferry R/about - John C
Langbank R/about - Tommy & Greg B
Woodhall R/about - Ian McTavish, Ian Carvill, Colin Sales
Dead Turn - Karen G & Richard
Newark R/about - Davic C, Paul L, Marc
Exit - Chung
Finish Line - Stuart
I hope everyone is okay with this, please like this post if you are so I know you have seen it. 
Looking forward to a great event for the club.

Great turn out.  
The scores on the doors are....
Keir & Sam   17:26
James & Joseph   18:15
Charlie & Alan   17:52
Colin & Tommy   20:14
Stuart & Colin   16:14
Iain & James   16:44
Ian & Iain   16:07
Marc & Galeb   DNF (puncture)
 

Great turn out.  
The scores on the doors are....
Keir & Sam   17:26
James & Joseph   18:15
Charlie & Alan   17:52
Colin & Tommy   20:14
Stuart & Colin   16:14
Iain & James   16:44
Ian & Iain   16:07
Marc & Galeb   DNF (puncture)
 

Contrary to my post title - I managed NOT to get a soaking after all 🙂
Being Johnny-no-mates for the day, I opted to start from Glasgow instead of heading for the Bridge.
Got to jump on a Bunch of "Lomond Roads" coming into Milngarvie, after introducing myself to them, I slotted into the group seamlessly since our Club colour are pretty much the same ........ very friendly Bunch of cyclist so they are 🙂
Pretty much got dropped off by them at the door step of Aberfoyle where upon it seems every cyclist in the Glasgow area was there, including Iain McTarvish & Jess. Got there so early that we sat OUTSIDE in the sun for more than an hour waiting for the Peloton to arrive - ETA 12.10noon. It was all good weather wise up till that point, but just as we were about to head up the Duke's, the heavens opened but luckily for me, I took shelter underneath a porch & stayed dry, while most must have got drenched up on the climb.
Waited for the convoy & then the Race Peloton to pass, everyone (especially the Police Moto riders) look cheering & enjoying themselves, well, apart from the Riders :-)
Then back down the climb & a detour with Big Ronnie Chard over the Lake of Monteith & another cafe stop in Kippon, then the Crow & home without getting wet at all. In fact, it was pretty hot later on the day, strange weather indeed!
End up being a really nice day on the bike for me, loved it!
Cheers

Well said. Still going to give u a kicking though!!

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!

The Jim Daly or Largs 30

Good run out today.
The bunch got a bit fractured after Aberfoyle, with Chung and Alex carrying on round Loch Katrine, while the rest of us wimped out after climbing Dukes Pass, then re-traced our route back home. The road back to Alexandria from Croftamie was a bit busy with cars, so we hit the cycle track back to the bridge, as we reckoned  - rightly so, as it turned out - that the A82 would be very busy. We met up with Tommy (who had been at the Helensburgh sportive) at Bowling, and had a good run back to Bishopton.

Hi John, not sure yet, there's always the Crow which you "enjoyed" so much on your first ascent last year :-) ........ seriously though, we can decide on the day!
We'll be heading up the Pipe Track on the way out via Cycle Route 7 to Croftamie, so will see if we return the same way!
Looking forward to it, chaps!
Cheers

What are you thinking return route Chung;
Straight back via pipe track and Drymen?

That’s Camp XXX 2020 now full, Me Charlie Gorge John and WIllie G 
If anybody else wants to go you can pick up a Villa fairly cheap , 

Don’t let that put you off. He’s a good winch.

Yes from me if given a vote of acceptance.  A good reason to train hard over the winter.

Outstanding run today. Just right for a proper shakedown of my shiny newly renovated Gazelle, which I have to say behaved impeccably, apart from going upwards, which may be more to do with the engine than the frame.

Graham, I’ll post up in the “Club Run” section near the time, so watch out for it!
They depart George Square 11.15am, reckon around 1 hour to Dukes?
So, say 9am clubroom, 9.30am at the Bridge then a cycle up to Aberfoyle via the Pipe track, might even have time for a coffee before heading up the Dukes to wait for the Peleton 🙂
Like I said, confirm near the time, yes!
Cheers

I can do that. I'll pm you.

Great day for a cycle and great to be back in the saddle but I didn’t half suffer.  Thanks to Glen and Charlie for towing me back along the cycle track.

Morning traffic light mishap