Friday 30 April 2010

Enter the Clarion's Open 10TT

open10tt

Entries close 8th May so get your entry form in the post!

Discipline: Time Trial
Classification: Regional C
Date: 16.05.2010
Closing date for entries: 08.05.2010
Cheques Payable To: West Lothian Clarion
Entries on the day: No
Location: Cambusbarron Hall, St Ninians Rd, Cambusbarron
Promoted By: West Lothian Clarion CC
Fee: £10

Race Organiser:
Mr Tobias Bauer
Grange Stables
Linlithgow
West Lothian EH49 7RH
Tel: 01506 840036
Email: president[AT]westlothianclarion.co.uk

Comments:
Change of course to 10/1, the Cambusbarron course near stirling. New HQ venue at Cambusbarron Hall.

Incorporates the National Clarion 10 mile TT championship

To download entry form click here (second weblink on page)
Where to stay in Linlithgow: www.linlithgow.com/stay
Where to stay in Stirling: www.stirling.co.uk/accommodation

Ride with the Clarion





The club run details can be found on our main website: www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns

Saturday Club Runs:
1. Two different paced groups (Active and Social) start at the Linlithgow Sports centre at 9.00am.
2. Another Social Ride leaves the East Calder Sports Centre at 8.30am

Sunday Club Run: Meet at the Cross in Linlithgow for 9.00am for a Social ride.


Tuesday Night Chaingang
Numbers are increasing at the club's chaingang or training ride which meets every Tuesday at 7pm to ride around the Whitehill Industrial Estate in Bathgate.

The bunch are split into groups of different abilities and ride about 20 laps around the 1 mile circuit. Great training and ideal for improving group riding skills.

The small circuit means that if you get dropped you can easily miss out a lap and then jump back on to the pack as they come by again

Club Social in Linlithgow Monday 3rd May



We meet up on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. Come along and chat about the weekend's riding, swap dvds and books and plan your next big event.

First Monday of the month
8.30pm The Four Marys on Linlithgow Hight Street

Third Monday of the month
8.30pm the Black Bull, Mid Calder

See you there!

Thursday 29 April 2010

Club Track Day at Meadowbank



The club has been in contact with Allister Watson at the East of Scotland Cycle Association to sort out a track day at Meadowbank, including a coaching session for novices.

Bikes can be hired if a track bike with the right specification is not available

We will make the session into a club event so when you sign on, it that would cover you for liability insurance if you don't have a British Cycling License.

Date: 22nd May.
Time: 10-12.30am

If you want to experience the thrill of racing on the track or have any questions, email secretary@westlothianclarion.co.uk

Image by: Fuzzytnth3

Wednesday 28 April 2010

2010 Club TT series

Waiting...

Our club confined TT series is starting on Thursday 13th May but the series only works if we get enough volunteers to marshal and time keep.

It can be quite daunting timekeeping first time, so top timekeeper, Jimmy Harris, from the West of Scotland Clarion has offered to give volunteers advice on how to time a TT.

Come along to familiarise yourself with the stop watches and pick up the tricks of the trade.

You'll feel more comfortable about timekeeping and realise it isn't all that tricky.

DATE: Thursday 6th May
TIME: 7.30
LOCATION: Matt's house

RACE CALENDAR
Steven Fraser has volunteered to be this year's TT coordinator and will shortly start posting race details and requests for colunteers on the member forum. He has already been busy moving the start and finish to make the course safer.

Each week 20 points will be awarded to the winner, down to 1 point for 20th place. There are two trophies awarded, one for a Women's competition the other for the Men's competition. The winner of either series will be the person with the most accumulated points.

The series is open to all first claim club members only.

If you ride you have to volunteer and be prepared to marshall at least once. This event can only work if we get members volunteering as a timekeeper, and pusher-off every week.

To make sure we get the necessary volunteers, each timekeeper will be awarded 18 points, and the pusheroff 17 points

Please read all the TT information, do's and don'ts and risk assessment at www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/10tt

ROUTE MAP
Click here to see the Bridgend-Kirkliston-Bridgend course on Bikely

13th MAY
5 mile Development Ride Mile
Bridgend-Kirklistion

20th MAY
1. Ten TT contributing points to league
Bridgend-Kirklistion
DEPUTY WANTED

27th MAY
2. Ten TT contributing points to league
Bridgend-Kirklistion
DEPUTY WANTED

3rd JUNE
3. Ten TT contributing points to league
Bridgend-Kirklistion

10th JUNE
4. Ten TT contributing points to league
Bridgend-Kirklistion

17th JUNE
5. Ten TT contributing points to league
Bridgend-Kirklistion

24th JUNE
Ten mile pacing challenge
Bridgend-Kirkliston

1st JULY
6. Ten TT contributing points to league
Location TBA

8th JULY
7. Ten TT contributing points to league
Location TBA

15th JULY
8. Ten TT contributing points to league
Location TBA

22nd JULY
9. Ten TT contributing points to league
Location TBA

29th JULY
10. Ten TT contributing points to league
Location TBA

5th AUGUST
2-up Ten TT
Location TBA

Weekend race reports

Humbie 25TT
Sadiq Mir and Steven Fraser are regularly entering open TTs, at the weekend they rode the Hilly Musselburgh Roads promoted race around the East Lothian countryside

Sadiq said "A rewarding ride, I had second thoughts after seeing the poor weather when I left West Lothian, and still had them when I set off for a warm-up in heavy rain, but conditions cleared a bit for the start. There will certainly be harder 'hilly' TTs than this one, there were a few drags and steepish bits but nothing that went on for any length."

Steven said "Thoroughly enjoyed this course I would certainly recommend it to club members for next year "

1st Stuart Moran Perth United 58:52:00
22nd Sadiq Mir West Lothian Clarion 01:04:56
37th Steven Fraser West Lothian Clarion 01:16:15


Tour of the Meldons
Julie Dominguez was brave enough to be the substitute stoker on a Tandem in the The Tour of the Meldons. The race, promoted by Edinburgh Road Club, is one of the classic time trial events on the Scottish Calendar with a history dating back to the 1930s

Julie said "I rode with a pal of mine - Greig - because his girlfriend couldn't make it. I was a bit nervous until Friday night when we had a training run, after that I settled in nicely.

The route starts at Eddleston on the main road and is flat for half a mile before it turns left onto Shiplaw - if you have not ridden here you must, Shiplaw is brutal! Over the top we followed the lanes through the fields, then a long descent (where we ran out of gears) before another sharp left into another fast drag. Here we motored like a super-charged truck reeling in 3 riders - a unique feeling for me!

What was to come was horrible, a long uphill section, ridden in damp mist, into a cold, constant head wind . Riding uphill on a tandem is not nice! We kept grinding and grinding until we got to the top.

Greig refused to tell me where the finish was! I asked about 5 times on the last hill. When we finally crossed the line, we both climbed off the bike and fell to the floor! 1hr 4 mins, Jim Cusick won in 54mins. We came mid-field so I'm happy with that.

The Food afterwards was amazing, and because we were early off we got there in plenty of time to tuck in!"


Scottish 10 TT champs

Sunday run regular, Allan McCrimmon, was the only rider representing the club in Fort William event on the 24th April.

Allan said "The course wasn't as hard as our kirkliston course and I put in the big effort, starting off at nearly 30mph. I couldn't maintain that effort and averaged just under 22mph. I'm disappointed with my time considering the good weather"

1st Arthur Doyle 20:37
97th Allan McCrimmon 26:22

SXC MTB 2010 Race Series
Another good turnout by the West Lothian Clarion at Round 2 of the SXC MTB 2010 Race Series.

Square Wheels of Strathpeffer, the local sponsor, had set up a short but very technically challenging course at nearby Contin.

There was a surprisingly large number of Youth, Juvenile and Primary racers for a relatively remote race location.

Jamie Mason, soon to be a Clarion member, was competing in the Juvenile category. The course was slightly shorter than the previous round but significantly more challenging with some fairly large rock "features" and some very steep, tight downhill sections. There was also a mandatory water splash!

After an initially slow uphill start Jamie managed to overtake a few riders on the long uphill before hitting the mainly singletrack downhill section. The testing downhill section brought on a full over the handlebars crash near the end which slowed him up a bit but he still finished a solid 12th place.

David Mason, in the open category, had his normal start where the whole of the pack seem to accelerate away at light speed but he was soon pulling them back in on the climb and technical sections fairly. 1st lap was fairly messy over the rocky sections but a good clean 2nd lap resulted in a 9th place.

Cameron Mason, in the Primary 4/5 race, had a "smashing" start when he was involved in a 4 bike pile up at the start ! This left him in 7th place with the lead riders about a third of a lap ahead. Cameron managed to pull back 2 places on the first lap then got up to 2nd place in the final lap. With just 50m to go he was only a couple of metres behind 1st but a poor final corner kept him in 2nd place on the podium. Another good race and character building too !

Well done to Jonathan Buckley, finishing 5th in the Men's Masters just 30 seconds of a podium place

Friday 23 April 2010

Fort William World Cup Dirt Crit 2010

Scottish Cycling is pleased to announce that the entries for the Fort William World Cup Dirt Crit 2010 are now open on Entry Central, spaces are limited so log onto Entry Central and get your entry in quick!
Entries are £15 per rider which includes entry to the race and a free one day entry pass to the Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup for the rider and one parent/Guardian. So after the race you will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the World Cup village and watch the Downhill qualification and the 4X racing.
 
To find out more about the Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup go to www.fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk

Thursday 22 April 2010

Clarion Go-Ride Kids Club Coming Soon

kidsclubposter4

kidsclubposter3

Launches: Wednesday 19th MAY
Where: Linlithgow leisure centre
When: Wednesdays 6.30pm
How much: £2 per week, £5 to join
Age group: 6-14

Weekend Rides

East Calder Saturday 24th Ride
Neil Greer says "This week's ride will take us over the bridge to do a loop around Loch Leven with a café stop at Vane Farm.

Judging by the forecast looks like we may have some assistance getting there... see metcheck. So, who's up for a 63 mile round trip across to the Kingdom?"

The ride starts at 8.30am from the East Calder Leisure Centre.

Linlithgow Saturday 24th Rides
The Social and Active rides will follow a route to Forth and Climpy and leave from the Leisure Centre at 9.00am:
www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Climpy-Forth

Linlithgow Sunday 25th Ride
Allan is racing in the Scottish 10TT champs (good luck!) at the weekend so won't be there to lead the ride, but the run will be leaving the Cross at 9.00am as usual.

All the club run details, including times and locations, can be found on our main website:

Tuesday 20 April 2010

Moffat Toffee Audax: Hard to swallow

Audax events are a traditional part of the cycling calendar, they are more relaxed, cheaper and less glamourous than their more prominent cousin, the Sportive. Next weekend Graham Foster and Stuart Andrew ride the "Scone the flat way" Audax and last weekend Neil Fraser completed the Moffat Toffee event.

The Moffat Toffee is a 200km audax that starts and finished in Galashiels. The route went Gala - Innerleithen - St Mary's Loch - Talla - Beeftub - Moffat - St Mary's Loch - Berry Bush - Hawick - Melrose - Gala.

It's a lovely route normally - good roads, some stiff climbs and some ace cafes! For the last few years this event has had really good weather, but the luck ran out yesterday. Started off fair, with just a wee shower of rain going over Talla. We'd all dried off by the time we got to Moffat and when we went into the cafe I was optimistic about some sunshine for the afternoon. Wrong! When we came out the rain was bouncing off the pavement. The temperature dropped as the day went on and I was wet through and freezing by the finish. A tough day out but as usual with audaxes the good company on the road made the day worthwhile.

Monday 19 April 2010

Ride the Tour De France - in Linlithgow!



Calling all Clarion, A unique opportunity to ride the Tour de France in Linlithgow!

Have you heard of the Linlithgow Riding of the Marches event?

Well, the club is proposing to have a fun day out at this annual event, with the idea of promoting the club in the Linlithgow area and showing that we are an active part of the community.

The 'Marches' involves a day long parade thru' the town with a variety of marching bands and floats etc.

Our proposed 'float' would be having as many riders as possible, wearing full Clarion regalia, in a bunch, cycling (at marching pace!) through the ancient 'burgh. There would be a 'team' car(s) suitably decked out as a support vehicle(s) in TDF style.Additional enhancements/ideas welcome!

Tradition dictates that the event is held every year on the 'first Tuesday after the second Thursday in June', which this year means Tuesday the 15th of June (it's basically an all day event).

The committee has approved of and is enthusiastic about this event, so, guys and gals if it appeals to you and you can get a day off work then let me know thru' this thread to suss out if we can get viable numbers.

There is a meeting for prospective entrants this Tuesday (20th April) in the Linlithgow Bowling Club at 7.00pm for 7.30pm.
I will attend to get a bit of a briefing, I am looking for any club/committee members to accompany me?


regards
Angus Gallie

Club Social tonight in Mid Calder



We meet up on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. Come along and chat about the weekend's riding, swap dvds and books and plan your next big event.

First Monday of the month
8.30pm The Four Marys on Linlithgow Hight Street

Third Monday of the month
8.30pm the Black Bull, Mid Calder

See you there!

Ride our Chaingang



The club's chaingang or training ride meets every Tuesday at 7pm to ride around the Whitehill Industrial Estate in Bathgate. The bunch are split into groups of different abilities and ride about 20 laps around the 1 mile circuit. Great training and ideal for improving group riding skills.
The small circuit means that if you get dropped you can easily miss out a lap and then jump back on to the pack as they come by again

Weekend club runs

SATURDAY RIDE
Despite many members competing and riding other club runs, the Saturday ride still managed to attract seven riders. Club Captain Andy Weaving sends in this report.

A Good turnout considering the other events that were on today. We met a few new faces because some of the Sunday Run riders joining us (maybe anticipating the next day's rain).

Simon, Trevor, John, Dave, Andrew, Joyce and I rode the Lang Wang route in reverse, heading out Bathgate, West Calder, Kirknewton and Broxburn. The wind was in our face most of the ride until we turned left onto the Lang Wang and then a fantastic tail wind pushed us down to Kirknewton where we met Steve McCaw and Julie Dominguez on the road for a few miles. A Tough windy ride but good fun and good company.

Route: www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Lang-Wang

SUNDAY RUN
The poor weather on Sunday meant only two riders managed to make it to the Cross says Allan McCrimmon.

I was late arriving at the Cross but quick enough to catch Eve leaving! I think she was about to head for home due to the weather but instead we headed out on the Edinburgh Road.

The rain didn't look like easing and I don't think either of us was really enjoying it, so we cut the run short and rode back towards linlithgow after a quick loop. 14 miles for me and 8 for the group run average speed 15 mph.

All our rides details here: www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns

Dunning Glen Delight

Dunning Glen Ride 17th April-4

The right day was picked for a club away day on Saturday, bright sunshine and lovely countryside meant a hardy group of riders had a terrific time on roads less travelled, Andy Richards picks up the story

Initially 7 of us set out from Larbert, Neil, Lynda, Euan, Paul, Lewy me and new rider Tom were joined later by Matt and Simon.

The route from Larbert took us through some fantastic scenery, up a few steady climbs (just over 3000 feet of them according to Bikely ) and down two long decents that almost made up for the ridiculous head wind that hounded us for a good deal of the route.

When the wind was our friend it was exhilarating to bomb along at 20+ mph especially the decent down of Comrie moor and the run back from Stirling towards Larbert. It was a good assist on the first leg from Larbert up to Dunning aswell but the artificially high initial speed eventually took its toll on me and by the time we were stopping for lunch in Comrie I was showing signs of being 'done in'.

I perked up a little after lunch although watching me get to the top of Comrie moor you may have thought otherwise! (This is where we met Matt and Simon). The decent was one of the better bits of biking that I have enjoyed so far. It was all too short lived though, once at Braco the run parallel to the A9 was bad... awfy bad into the wind. I dropped off the back like a stone. I just kept pedaling until it was over and I caught the group that had stopped in Dunblane.

The run from Bridge of Allan along the A91 was where I felt the 'Hand of God' for the first time pushing me along helping me to catch the group. Matt gave me boost for a mile or so, it worked a treat though... untill the next hill!

Once on the back roads again with the wind at our tail we zipped along at a good pace till the group split prior to Larbert with Matt and Simon heading back through Grangemouth and the rest of us going back to Larbert where cars and trains were waiting having ridden over 100 miles at 15 mph

A big thanks to everyone that rode today, and for helping me along and thanks for David McTurk for doing all the planning and making the route cards

Linda said "I agree with Andy, it was a great day out. The wind could have been a little kinder but the rain stayed away and for alot of the ride the sun was shining. The descent from the top of Dunning Glen was fab and to be honest with the gradual climb up from Clackmannan you didn't realise you were so high up. After lunch the climb up to Comrie moor seemed a terrible thought but at the top with the group together we motored along... until hitting the wind again!"

Hopefully we can get another club away day in the next few months.

Route: www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/401475
Club runs info here: www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns

The Pentlands Perisher

The East Calder crew rode a longer than normal route on Saturday in preparation for the Caledonia Etape. Neil Greer explains what happened and why the words "epic" and "eventful" could equally be used to descibe this ride! 5 punctures, 2 riders down, 3 having to abandon!

In what was a record for an EC social ride 12 riders met up; apart from me there was Rob Hemesley, Steve McCaw, Julie Dominguez, Ian Robertson, Iain Crombie, Steven Fleming, Jay (the Frenchman), Dave Gillies, John Craig, Grant Craven and, making his first appearance at EC, Shaun Heard. Thanks to all for joining this muti-option ride...

With a challenging westerly headwind and overcast conditions we set off round the back lanes of Murieston towards Auchengray. Shortly after the first short climb where we turned right we had our fist "incident". As Dave Gillies overrtook me and there was the sudden sound of metal on metal as one of his pedals tried to "massage" the spokes of my front wheel; Dave hit the tarmac, but not before being accompanied by the valve from said wheel - Puncture No 1 With no other damage we did the repair then resumed. We said farewell to Steve and Julie at Tarbrax as Julie is competing - on a tandem! - on Sunday (we hope it goes well...)

The 10 of us pressed on towards the junction with the Lang Whang where Iain Crombie turned back to towards Balerno to complete his 50 mile loop. Thanks to Ian Robertson's sound navigation we then took a cross country route towards Biggar via Newbigging. It was on that stretch that rider No 2 went down; in a classic "I'll have a drink now, but won't drop back a little" manoeuvre, Jay hit the deck after clippping Steven's rear wheel. Although a tad dazed as he sat by the roadside he was delighted to announce: "But I deed nut drop zee bottal!"

With no serious injury other than a dent to his Gallic pride the 9 of us pressed on to Biggar. There was now very little chance of meeting up with Bill, Steve and Jamie and the cafe staff confirmed that we had missed them by at least half an hour - I think they were being kind!

With no room at that particular feed stop anyway, we opted to press on down the glen road to Broughton and refuelled at the Tea Rooms there (c 35 miles)

Energised, we headed towards the Tweed and Stobo. It was on that stretch that things became "interesting". First Grant got a rear wheel puncture (No 2 for the group...). Tube replaced and inflated his bike was then turned the right way over, only for the dreaded Psssttt! sound to be heard again as his rear wheel instantly repeated its earlier act (No 3...) A split in the tyre wall was diagnosed and Rob brought all his engineering skills to the fore to strengthen the tyre before Ian provided a latex tube to finish the task. Gingerly, the bike was turned over again and Grant set off, appearing to be trying to keep his weight off the saddle....

Having got quite chilled hanging around we were looking forward to warming up again; unfortunately, in less than 200 metres Jay now punctured! (No 4....) Wheel repaired (and riders re-chilled!) we resumed only for Jay to puncture the same wheel again (No 5) with, oh, it must have been at least 1/2 mile this time (and, yes, in all cases the tyres had been thoroughly checked for thorns etc before the new tubes were inserted...) Not only that, he noted that his bike had suddenly become a "fixie" as the free-wheel hub had apparently seized too!! And all this on the most remote stretch of road at the furthest point from home - sense of humour failure was beginning to set in big time...

After considering all options, and because Grant was also now running so late, Jay and Grant agreed to cut their losses and walk back the 3 miles or so to the Broughton Tea Room where his dearly beloved had kindly agreed to come and rescue them from; we hope she likes the flowers and chocolates that Grant ordered....

So, now down to 7 riders, we had a collective pray and resumed the ride. By this point Ian, who was recovering from a mid week bout of some nasty bug, suggested that he might need to be the next in need of calling home. Despite being clearly well below his usual high standard of performance he soldiered on admirably to civilisation at West Linton (c 55 - 60 miles) before he decided to make that call; he was last seen going into a pub....

So, 7 became 6 as we looked forward to the Moor Road stretch that leads into Penicuik. This is an arrow straight, well surfaced back road and we had the benefit of a tail-wind now. The chain gand went into action and what started as an 18mph(paceline) / 16 mph (recovery) quickly cranked up so that after a few miles we were doing 32/30 mph as we approached Penicuik - arguably the most enjoyable part of the whole ride.

Fortunately the rest of ride was - relatively - incident free. Shaun, who was also now quite late, left us at Juniper Green to head back to Corstophine as the remaining 5 of us turned back into the headwind for the 9 miles back to Kirknewton. Our stats were c 80 miles at c. 14mph. and, by the way, I sauntered in at 10 to 5 to be met by kids saying: "How came Mum went out on her training ride at 2 o'clock and she got back before you?"

Just another routine day out on the bike really...

Route: www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/399508
Club runs info here: www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns

Friday 16 April 2010

The League International

If you are interested in taking a tentative step beyond sportives, but not go the whole hog and get an SCU racing licence, club member Mike Batley recommends the The League International (or TLI) races.

Mike says "The TLI organise their own races, time trials and APR's (handicap races) throughout the UK and they have a good presence in Scotland. There are very few events right in the central belt, but that is because they rely on volunteer organisers and they are based outside our region - but nevertheless virtually all the events are within 90 minutes drive of West Lothian."

"The events are relaxed with anything between 25 and 50 typically riding. APR's are not mass start but riders go off in 3-4 groups of roughly matching ability at set intervals with the slowest first, so that you're typically riding with people of a similar standard. There is also the odd age classified race such as the Cumbrae event on 11th June, where the road race is only open for over 40's (hurrah!)."

"Having raced at Cumbrae in the past, and done the odd APR at Solway Road Race League, I can thoroughly recommend giving these events a go."

Have a look at their website for more details; the Scottish section can be found on http://www.theleagueinternational.com/scotland.htm.

Thursday 15 April 2010

Women's Development Coaching Sessions

As part of the Women and Veterans Series 2010, Scottish Cycling is pleased to announce 3 Women’s Development Coaching Sessions on:
· 8th May at Ingliston Showground,
· 26th June at Caird Park
· 7th August at Ingliston Showground.

These coach led sessions will aim to teach women of all abilities the skills for road racing. Working with Scottish Cycling’s performance development coaches you will have the chance to develop your skills in a positive environment where the focus will be on skill development rather than physical ability.

The sessions will focus on:
· bunch riding skills and confidence,
· cornering,
· accelerations in and out of the saddle

Using coaching sessions that are designed to give riders the maximum amount of time on the bike while focusing on skill development; it will be a great opportunity to learn in a fun environment with like-minded people. A big part of the feedback process is using video analysis, this is only one of the ways the coaches will be able to support your skill development. By creating a beginner friendly environment where it is ok to not know! it’s hoped you will have the opportunity to ask those questions you have always had but never asked!

The session on 8th May will start at 9am. The exact timings and content of the other 2 sessions will be confirmed closer to the time. The cost will be £10 per person for each development session and payable on the day.

This is a fantastic opportunity for women to be part of a specific coaching session before the start of the Women and Veterans Series which take place on the following dates:

16th May – Women and Veterans’ RR Series Event 1 – Dunfermline
3rd July - Women and Veterans’ RR Series 2 – Blairgowrie
22nd August - Women and Veterans’ RR Series 3 – Balfron

We would like to encourage as many women along to these sessions as possible whether experienced or novice riders.

If you have any questions regarding the sessions please do not hesitate to contact the Events Coordinator Ruth Volley on 0131 317 9704 or emailing ruth.volley@scottishcycling.org.uk

Wednesday 14 April 2010

Ride our club runs

Saturday 4th July run

The Clarion have been been getting out in large groups over the last few weeks, many thanks to all those who have attended our club runs, but especially Club Captain Andy Weaving and Neil Greer who have attended regularly to lead the Saturday rides starting in Linlithgow and East Calder.

The Sunday run is getting bigger and better each week thanks to the commitment of Allan McCrimmon who regularly leads those rides.

NEW TUESDAY NIGHT CHAIN GANG
The summer training ride, a chaingang around the Whitehill Industrial Estate in Bathgate, is now up and running. It starts at 7.00pm every Tuesday with the bunch riding about 20 laps around the 1 mile circuit, ideal training and great for group riding skills.
Click here for location map

ADDITIONAL 80 MILE SATURDAY RIDE: 17TH APRIL
There is an additional, longer, 80 mile club run this weekend, taking in a route around Dunning Glen, Leaving Larbert Railway Station at 8.30am.
Route map: www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/401475

LINLITHGOW SATURDAY RIDE AS USUAL
The Linlithgow Saturday rides will leave the Leisure Centre at the usual time following the usual format.

LONGER EAST CALDER RIDE
The East Calder run will be longer this week. The plan for this Saturday's ride is to set out on the "Tour of the Pentlands" www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/399508

Neil Greer says "If you do the full run it is 80 miles; however, for those who don't want to stretch their legs that far, there are the options of doing the shorter loops of Tarbrax (25 miles), Carnwath (40 miles) or Biggar (65 miles) so. hopefully, something for everyone... and plenty of options for cafe stops!

All our club run information can be found on our main website: www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns

National Clarion riders show off new club kit



Giles Perkins (North Cheshire), Ian Clarke (Fenland), Matthew Ball (West Lothian) and Alex Ball (Central Section) model the National Clarion jersey. Kit is still available to buy, email Ian Clark on clarion@clarkeyweb.co.uk for more details

Clarion Easter meet 2010 Photos

Race results



Clarion riders have been out in force racing over the past few weeks, some riding open events for the first time, Congratulations to all

Duncan Macgregor Super 6, Race B: 11th April
Jonathan Buckley rode to 15th place in his first road race since returning to competitive cycling. Jonathan said "I Really enjoyed the whole experience, great weather, course and fellow competitors. Learned a hell of a lot too, so with that in mind and better preparation who knows next time..."

Royal Albert 10 TT
Three West Lothian riders rode the TT on the Cambusbarron course. Well done to Sadiq Mir, Steven Fraser, and Allan McCrimmon, all managing new pbs

Sadiq said "The weather stayed good and the conditions meant it was a tougher outward leg and a speedy return. I managed 24.08... I made the mistake of pulling up 20 metres from the finish due to a misunderstanding regarding where a marshal was placed...still a PB so happy enough. With a mile to go I was convinced I was going to get my first 23 something but the finish just didn't come quick enough!"

Steve said "Well run event and thoroughly enjoyed my first time on this deceptively flat and fairly smooth piece of road. As someone who tends to ride on the hoods all the time it was a personal first to actually ride 10 miles on the drops."

Times:
32 Sadiq Mir: 24.08
52 Allan McCrimmon: 26.15
66 Steven Fraser: 28.44

Mackie Tankard 25 TT
Steven Fraser and Neil Fraser entered their first 25TT on the 11th April. Steve said "The downhill start was excellent - even better for the guy starting in front of me who had the added benefit of tractor passing just as he was pushed off. Throughly enjoyed it and felt okay despite being out with the active group on saturday morning and kept a fairly steady pace all the way round. An excellent time for Neil - he started 7 behind me and was a few hundred yards shy of catching me at the end."

Neil said "I never saw anyone in front of me except all the folk that started behind me and cruised past! Was feeling quite grumpy with myself at the finish but after a shower and a bit of lunch I felt a bit better. It was only my first 25 and I learnt a few things from it."

Times
42 N Fraser 01:09:46
48 S Fraser 01:16:03

Up the Cleuch April 11th

Julie Dominguez and Steve McCaw rode their first TTs of the year in the Gala CC promoted event. Neither riders would call themselves climbers but both competitors put in good rides on the demanding course.

Steve came 8th, a first top 10 finish for a West Lothian Rider in a TT and Julie was third Woman, narrowly missing out on 2nd place

8 Steve McCaw 44.21
37 Julie Dominguez 56.58


Stirling Duathlon
Angus Gallie entered the 'age group' qualifier for the world championships being held in Edinburgh in September. Angus said "On the face of it, I've not made the 'cut' for the World's. I was 9th out of about 18 in my category. However it depends on what happens in the remaining qualifiers (if the standard isn't high enough they might look at the Stirling results again). Also I've entered the last qualifier down in Cambridge at the start of May. So I might as well give it another shot."

"I've got to be philosophical about it, it was only my second Duathlon (my first at the 'full' distance) and I can tell you it's harder than I could have imagined. My calf muscles started to go into spasms towards the end of the bike ride and I thought that I wouldn't be able to run the last leg!"

"I am sure it definitely takes a few years to build up the capability to 'perform' So maybe when I'm drawing my pension I'll be no too bad at it!"

Tuesday 13 April 2010

A big welcome to Paul

Paul Hammond

Paul Hammond joined up before Easter after trying out a few club runs

Paul says "I am a complete newcomer to road biking but have done a bit of mountain biking and general cycling. My most memorable ride to date is the West Highland Way which I did last year - 15 hours riding and 4 hours carrying!"

"I have just bought a Specialized Allez road bike and I also have a Giant XTC mountain bike and an old Revolution Courier which I use for my muddy commuting rides."

"My cycling plans for 2010 are just to get out as often as I can, build up my mileage and learn some new routes, although I am tempted to give the summer TT series a try."

Monday 5 April 2010

Ride the Trossachs Ton 2010



Club member Malcolm Wake is helping out with the Trossachs Ton Sportive again this year and has sent in these details:

Sunday 20th June 2010 will see the second Trossachs Ton (100mile) cycle takes place in Scotland starting and finishing in the shadow of Stirling castle. The Trossachs Ton is a 100 mile circular charity ride aimed at cyclists of all abilities and will raise funds for Action Medical Research. This year we have introduced a new shorter 100km circuit.

This challenging event has been organised by an enthusiastic team of cyclists and will take in some stunning scenery that only Scotland can offer; there will be lochs, glens, monuments and castles. Oh, and there will be the odd hill or two, but what goes up, does of course go down too! We’ll provide you with everything you need to complete the ride apart from a bike and the legs! This fully supported ride includes feed stations, lunch, sweep vehicle, bike mechanics and helpful crew.

The registration fee for the ride is £25.00 which covers the cost of the event and a further £25 is requested in support of the charity.

More details are available on the event website at www.action.org.uk/trossachs_ton where online entry is now open.

Action Medical Research is dedicated to touching people’s lives through funding the very best medical scientists and researchers to help babies and children suffering from disease and disability. Through our Touching Tiny Lives appeal we are researching the causes of premature birth and pregnancy complications. Very often, however a particular disease or disability needs that bit more help – a push for more awareness, more support, and more action.