Saturday 13th Club runs

LINLITHGOW GROUP
Both groups set off separately on the Dalmeney loop that Andy had posted on the forum. We decided to avoid the rough stuff at Hopetoun House and rode the whole way on the B roads.

Four riders were out on the Social run (Tobias, Michelle, Dean and Jim) and I think 11 on the Active ride (Craig, Jamie, Donald, Simon, Graham, Gary from Pedal Power, Neil, Col, Me and joined later by Stevie and Bill)

We rode steadily down to the Dalmeny Estate, via Blackness, Philpstoun, Kirkliston and Winchburgh. The group rode cohesively with slick changeovers on the front. On the hill out of the Estate Simon and Graham pressed on at the front splitting the pack but we waited and regroup at the top. Average speed to this point was 18mph.

As we chatted and refuelled, we met 2 members of a new women's cycling club based in Edinburgh, they cracked on towards the Forth Bridge and we headed to South Queensferry where Bill and Stevie joined us.

The way back to Linlithgow is predominantly up hill, we took a route to the north of Kirkliston and down to Hopetoun and then headed up the Steps, over the canal and railway bridges before stopping to to regroup at the junction with the 10TT course.

With Bill on the front we took the B8046 into the Alpes at the Three Mile Town, the pace steadily rose as we motored up past the top of Kingscavil before, those still in the group, went their separate ways.

Bill said "Stevie and I couldn't make the start but we rode today's, pre-determined route. in reverse to catch the bunch. This is an advantage to anyone that wants to hook up with the group during a ride because the routes are published in advance on the forum"

"A great ride at a reasonable pace and everyone stayed fairly well together within the group, so for an active ride I thought it worked very well."

Tobias led the Social group and said "Dean, Michelle and I met Jim near Tesco and persuaded him to join us. We followed the standard route along the B9080 to Dalmeny, through the estate and back via Dundas Castle and Philpstoun. I didn't have a computer but I think the average speed was about 14mph. Good coherent group and I was particularly impressed with Dean who hadn't been on a bike since September."

EAST CALDER GROUP
"There were fewer members out than usual on Saturday, mainly due to the school holidays" says Keir Bradie. Debbie, Ian Keir and Steve met in the sub-zero temperature at the East Calder Sports Centre at 8:30am.

Keir continues "It was agreed to stay on low main roads, due to the temperature and risk of ice. Making for Linlithgow we skirted through Livingston, navigated by Steve, on a tour of the town's bike paths appreciating avoiding the A71."

"Back on tarmac, we made for West Calder and over the back road to Bathgate. We skirted the Bathgate Alps, taking the lowland route out of Bathgate, past the Sports Centre and onto Torphichen. By now the first, almost warming, rays of sun were picking us out, the ride was most pleasant."

"The decent from Torphichen into Linlithgow was fun, as ever, a bit of over exuberant braking by Steve on his Boardman bike, saw his back wheel attempt to overtake his front, but it was collected without an off!

"Into Linlithgow and the usual teas, hot choc and cakes at the Cross. It was cold heading back outside, but the drag up to Winchburgh on the TT course started to warm us up. We saw marshals from Edinburgh Road Club clearing some warning signs after their Duathalon that morning."

"Right hand turn at Winchburgh and left round Niddry Castle, then over the A89 and into the farm roads towards Almondell, legs tired but sun in our faces."

Ian, Debbie and Steve all heading to Mid Calder & Belsquarry, I headed back along the Drumshoreland Road, I returned to Kirknewton through Almondell. A great day, gentle speed, average 13mph, 35miles for me, probably nearer 40 for the other three."

All the ride details here: www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns