Codg1e

Not going to make it this morning.  Apologies.  Hopefully back out next week

Latest news from Arran ….
Me, Jan McT and my daughter Emma set out for an SA today on the 7am ferry. Knowing the relative form of the three of us I thought it was pretty much a sure thing. However, every day is a schoolday as they say. The wind was ENE and Jan and I conferred and concluded clockwise was the best option. In all these years neither of us have ever done it with an Easterly or similar wind and we discovered the hard way that it is pretty dang hard. We both produced higher normalised power than 4 weeks ago when we did a pretty comfortable SA and Emma worked with us toe to toe until the final 3 to 4k yet we were about 7 mins slower and were not allowed to embark the ferry as they had just locked the gates ! So it doesn't count
I think I speak for Jan as well in that we knew it was a lot harder even before seeing the numbers, with the exception of the south side run it was basically head or cross head all the way and it felt like it.
I was gutted for Emma as she really deserved the SA on her first attempt with a really strong ride.
There will be plenty more opportunities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I know the route - could tweak it a bit and head to the cafe that Mark recommended a couple of weeks back?
(by tweak could potentially miss out the whole transmitter climb )

Galston Leg Bender. I can’t remember the route so be good if someone that knows it traps.
same as this week, groups of no more than 5. Phone numbers to me before we leave. Please stay away if you have symptoms.

This rules Charlie out then! 😂

Thanks, I had no transport to travel to Ardrossan for the 7am ferry and didn't have a booking for the next ferry, so wouldn't be guaranteed a place on that.  So planned to leave the house at 5am at a nice gentle pace to get there for about 6.30 and get on ferry.  Trouble was, I woke at 4am to get ready and get a massive bowl of porridge down me, heard the rain outside so took one look at the rain radar and realised it was waaay to hazardous to get to Ardrossan in the torrential rain (attached screenshot - the yellow and red stuff was heading straight across my route), so it never happened.  Rain wouldn't have gone off til about 8am and that appears to have been what happened so glad I put it off.

Arran will always be there, I'll hopefully get this done by the time the timetables change in the autumn lol.

Ah the Scottish weather!! Better luck next time 

I'm booked for 07:00 ferry this Tuesday 11th August, and booked to return on the 13:55 sailing.  Think there's still space left so any socially distant company is welcome.  Looks like a northerly wind forecast, so will probably go anticlockwise.  If legs feel good might attempt a solo SA, depends how much energy I've put into cycling to Ardrossan at silly o clock in the morning to catch the ferry since I tend to be late all the time lol.  Should be a nice gentle tailwind down the western coast so looking forward to getting over there.  

I'm booked for 07:00 ferry this Tuesday 11th August, and booked to return on the 13:55 sailing.  Think there's still space left so any socially distant company is welcome.  Looks like a northerly wind forecast, so will probably go anticlockwise.  If legs feel good might attempt a solo SA, depends how much energy I've put into cycling to Ardrossan at silly o clock in the morning to catch the ferry since I tend to be late all the time lol.  Should be a nice gentle tailwind down the western coast so looking forward to getting over there.  

So here is the updated Hall of Fame - just waiting for more names to be added to the illustrious list.
I'm just thinking - 2021 will be the 10 year anniversary of the first SA - and also the 5 year anniversary of the first DA, so it would be fitting to get a load of new SA inductees  next year and maybe even another DA if anyone was looking for a stretch target for next summer
#SAforever
 

 

Hi, the council is looking for the public's views on its proposals to use it's allocated Spaces For People budget for specific cycleways.  Details and plans at: http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/SpacesForPeopleCycleways and the public are invited to email [email protected] with views by 26th July
Thought it may interest a few of us!
Best,
Colin.
 

Hi, the council is looking for the public's views on its proposals to use it's allocated Spaces For People budget for specific cycleways.  Details and plans at: http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/SpacesForPeopleCycleways and the public are invited to email [email protected] with views by 26th July
Thought it may interest a few of us!
Best,
Colin.
 

Another very memorable Arran, in this case it was bigger than childbirth, bigger than wedding day, this was the mighty SA for my gal Laura. First female in Hall of Fame so pretty special one. 
I reckon with Jan and Andy we've got the pacing down to a T, this was the smoothest SA I've done, no rush, no stress just an incredibly even paced ride, and thanks to the guys for a fantastic day out and their total commit to the team effort. If she didn't make it abundantly clear, Laura is truly made up and very grateful for this life experience.
The first hour in early morning was truly magical with very little wind and incredible views down to Ailsa Craig.
Roll on the next guided tour of Arran from your dedicated hosts Jan, Andy and me, would be a pleasure to get more inductees through the summer.
#SAforever
#DAonthecardsagain
#maybenextyearthough
 
 
 
 

Many of you will already be aware of the updated guidance issued yesterday by Scottish Cycling on The Way Forward for the sport and club activities, the full document can be viewed here https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/zuvvi/media/Scottish_Cycling_The_Way_Forwardv7.pdf
For now it appears that a continuation of 'social' solo and small group rides remains the only realistic course of action - max adult bunch size will likely be 5 if all riders are from different households, still nothing indoors (i.e. use of clubroom), no events, no confined TT. Maintain 2m distancing and personal hygiene (hands, mouth & nose). To avoid need for ride register maybe best to let ‘informal’ ride groups form. Much of the SC document relates to club coaching, which we don’t do, and activities for U17 (Jets).
This document from Scottish Cycling is being regularly amended however it does follow guidance from and requires prior approval of the Scottish Government as each relaxation is announced. so we can expect further changes in the coming weeks.
In the meantime have a good read through and self manage accordingly as there continues to be no official JWCC event until further notice.

Looks like Arran might be out of bounds for some time... unless we make a weekend of it:. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-52997026 👎

No words required. Received this magnificent photo today from an SA vet who quite understandably would love to become a DA vet 🤣

Since i have a bit more free time than planned I thought I would offer my congratulations to Coach Mul on winning the Scottish Cycling coach of the year , although I could never agree with Mul when I was a member , you have to give praise where it is due So👏👏👏👏👏👏well done Mul well deserved 

Thanks chaps. Only time I've laughed in the last two days. We are going to have SUCH a big club Arran attack once this is over. 

Pointless post.

It has been a few years ago since we last did it as a club run but down to Mennock Pass and up to the radar station is one of the most memorable rides ive had.  There was 7 of us out that day and i think everyone either blew up or was close to it at some point in the ride!  Needs decent weather and a long summer day - big miles (130+), rolling grippy roads and pretty committing as there isn't much in the way of  bail out options.
 
From last year this was a cracker - could be done from the clubrooms  https://www.strava.com/routes/21264510

I have a few favourites:
1.  The Five Ferries (door to door, no trains!) - https://www.strava.com/activities/997385522
Clubhouse, Clune, Gourock, Weymss Bay, Colintraive,  Tigh-na-Bruiach, Portavadie, Tarbert, Claonaig, Lochranza, Brodick, Ardrossan, Stevenson, Kilwinning, cycle path home.  110 - ish miles.
2. The 125 Mile Belter - https://www.strava.com/activities/1569912575
Clubhouse, Bridge, Helensburgh, Garelochhead, Arrochar, Rest, Hells Glen (or direct descent), Strachur, Otter Ferry, Loch Tarsan, Dunoon, Gourock, West Ferry or Clune home.
3.  Full Arran -  https://www.strava.com/routes/8304084
Speaks for itself.  Preferably not at Single Arran pace lol

My son’s set me the challenge of riding around Arran once each month of 2020.
I’m planning on doing the January lap on Sunday 5th if anyone fancies joining me. 
08:20 ferry 😴

This is interesting reading, very much on the pulse.  We are a great club with lots going on and this needs to be communicated, it is why we are members.  We all love cycling and we are busy people (so many Strava segments) and this will always have people collectively seeking convenience. Right now I use a WhatsApp group to organise my Tuesday runs, it works well.  But I have become aware that it is not in the spirit of the club so I will be posting my runs back on the Bunch as well, where all club members can view and participate.  I am open to progress in the future, if needed, so let’s have the discussion to find out what people feel they need to get the most from the club.

I think a WhatsApp group would only work for those who regularly post rides, just to agree a route and leaving time (not to say no one else can post a run, of course they can, this is just for club runs) Then the agreed route gets posted on The Bunch and linked to from the club's social media, so the main place for anyone to check for a ride will still be The Bunch (not everyone has FB, insta, twitter - some people don't even have Strava lol) so this is still the best place to check.

Is Tnder next?