Welcome to new member Ali McQuillen

Ali McQuillen
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

I’m Ali and have lived in Linlithgow with my two children aged 11 and 8 since February 2007 and recently I’ve swapped my running shoes for a road bike…

My first introduction to West Lothian Clarion was with the Kids Club and was encouraged to join the club in September 2010 following the very sociable Ladies ride in July. I really enjoyed this ride, albeit I was riding on my full suspension mountain bike without locking out the suspension, it was hard work to keep up with the speedy road bikes!

In February this year I visited Club La Santa with friends for some warm weather training, where I did a fair amount of road biking as well as running up and down volcanoes. On my return home I had vowed to get myself a road bike but didn’t quite get round to it. However, two months ago a very shiny new red Specialized Allez Elite road bike arrived in the bike shop and I have clocked up a few hundred miles on it already!

To be honest I had been a bit reticent about joining the club, as I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to keep up on the club rides. However, Debbie and Diane convinced me that I would be fine on a club social ride. There’s definitely room for improvement though.

I’ve had a few bikes over the years: my first bike with gears was a Raleigh Shopper in a lovely shade of brown; later in life I bought a second hand road bike and unfortunately it was stolen in Edinburgh a week into the student term… Next came a mountain bike from Halfords, apparently it was made from RSJ’s my friend said as we heaved it over a gate on a mountain biking expedition in the hills. I quickly replaced it with a front suspension Specialized mtb, then another and I’m now riding a full suspension Specialized XC, which is as comfortable as an armchair in comparison to a hardtail but it’s not exactly light!

Cycling has been more of a secondary activity for me with all the running but I have tried a variety of different bike races over the years, some more successfully than others – I’m no athlete! Trailquest events are fun if you can decide on a good route although the navigation is easy. I’ve competed in one of the Open 5 Adventure races, which mixes running and mountain biking together with navigation, which was fun but exhausting! I’ve also dabbled in mountain bike orienteering but prefer to do this on foot. I’ve also tried a couple of mini triathlons at CLS. After doing the Loch Ness Marathon last year I felt like a change so I dusted off my mtb and have had some epic trips (mostly soaking wet) round the 7Stanes red routes this year. Some of it was quite terrifying!

For 2011 I hope to get my uphill cycling legs sorted, do some 10mile TT’s and perhaps even some road and cyclocross races. So far I’ve enjoyed every minute (excluding Kingscavil) on my road bike so long may this continue. My bike is booked in for a service next week and a bit of tinkering will be required to get the brakes and handlebars just right and my pedals worked on so that I can get my feet out more easily! Oh dear, it seems I have caught the bug…

Why you need to know about the Mid Scotland Cycle Association

Many thanks to Grant and Tobias who attended the Mid Scotland Cycle Association Meeting (MSCA) AGM on Monday

The MSCA is our local contact with the Scottish Cycling Union, we coordinate our open races with them so that we don't get any other clashes with other Mid clubs.

Part of your race levy is distributed to the MSCA when you enter an open event.

The MSCA has a number of championships throughout the year, including 10TT, 25TT and road race championship. You become champ by being the best rider out of the MSCA clubs (see below) The champs are usually races within other events.

Clarion's Steve McCaw is the 2010 MSCA 25TT Champ

MSCA donated a £50 prize for the fastest Mid rider at our Kingscavil Hill climb (won by Robin Wilkins of Stirling Bike Club)

West Lothian are obliged to supply volunteers for marshalling at MSCA championship races. This year we were asked to help marshal at the 50TT champs and the road race champs.

The 50TT was cancelled but Dave Hills and Steven Fraser kindly offered to help out at the road race organised by Falkirk BC. Falkirk were very grateful for their contribution and in return have offered to help us out where necessary in the future.

In 2011 the club will be asked to provide volunteers, we hope that enough members will be prepared to donate their time.

The MSCA provided a £500 grant to help us set up the kids club. We wouldn't have been able to set up the kids section without this generous donation.

Every open race requires a time keeper and a commissaire, these two important roles are also coordinated through the MSCA. The Clarion now have 4 Assistant commisaires (Simon Fagan, Tobias Bauer, Matthew Ball and Mark Ewing) and two Assistant MTB commissaires (Mark Ewing and Simon Fagan) We also have one assistant time keeper registered with MSCA (Matthew Ball)

If you'd like to find out more about becoming a time keeper or commissaire, get in contact with club secretary, Matthew Ball on secretary[AT]westlothianclarion.co.uk

MSCA clubs are: Denny RC, Stirling BC, City of Stirling Wheelers, Falkirk BC, West Lothian Clarion, Royal Albert CC, Law Wheelers, Rock & Road Cycles, Squadra Porcini, Western Titans BMX.

Come along on the 2011 President's Ride

West Lothian Clarion members are cordially invited to join Tobias on this year’s President’s Run.

The length of the ride is around 55 miles but there is a possibility to catch a train back after 40 miles.

Date: Saturday 30 October 2010

Start time: 9am

Start/finish: Linlithgow Leisure Centre

Pace: Social (13 to 15mph)

Destination: We’ll see

Coffee stop included.

Look forward to seeing as many of you as possibly.

Welcome to new member David Ness

David Ness from Bo'ness who joined this week. David started cycling in April 2009 after knee injuries caused by half marathon running. After 6 months on mountain bike switched to Road Cycling.

In 2010 after riding the Etape Caledonia on Trek Madone 5.9, he tackled several Action Medical Research 100 mile events including London 2 Paris.

David says "My main challenge for 2011 is to do Paris Brest Paris (assuming I make it through the 4 qualifiers)"

Running and Duathlon Results

The duathlon entries helped to bump up the cycling numbers, and we hope to build on this aspect next year, all being well.


Running results

Name Club Cat Time
1 James Harrison * Newhaven Harbour Tri. MS 03:34.8
2 Gordon Chisholm * Perth United CC MV 03:48.4
3 Alex Hay Motherwell A.C MV 03:57.4
4 Gary Milne Fusion Triathlon Club MS 03:59.1
5 Stephen Crawford * Kinross Road Runners MV 04:05.5
6 Paul Hammond * West Lothian Clarion CC MS 04:07.4
7 Graham Burrows Linlithgow Harriers MSV 04:33.1
8 Varry McCullough * Edinburgh Road Club FSV 04:56.5
9 Diane Clayton * Unattached FV 05:21.0
*Denotes Duathlon Entry

The Duathlon Result

Pos’n Name Club Cat Run Cycle Total
1 James Harrison Newhaven Harbour Tri. MS 03:34.8+02:51.7=06:26.6
2Gordon Chisholm Perth United CC MV 03:48.4+02:38.7=06:27.1
3 Paul Hammond West Lothian Clarion CC MS 04:07.4+03:10.2=07:17.6
4 Stephen Crawford Kinross Road Runners MV 04:05.5+03:22.6=07:28.1
5 Varry McCullough Edinburgh Road Club FSV 04:56.5+03:46.0=08:42.5
6 Diane Clayton Unattached FV 05:21.0+04:19.0=09:40.0

Winning Team - Runner + Cyclist

Pos’n Name Club Cat Run Cycle Total
1 Gary Milne Fusion Triathlon Club MS 03:59.1
1 David Griffiths Glasgow Wheelers 02:17.6 06:16.7

Kingscavil category winners

MEN
1 Arthur Doyle Dooleys RT 2.14
2 David Griffiths Glasgow Wheelers 2.17
3.Robin Wilkins Stirling Bike Club 2.20

JUNIOR
Jordan Stokes Pedal Power 2.38

YOUTH B
Rory Mellis Carnegie Cyclones 3.29

YOUTH A
Dale McAllum Edinburgh RC 2.36

FIRST YOUTH
Dale McAllum Edinburgh RC 2.36

VET
Alasdair Begbie Unattached 2.29

WOMEN
1 Sharon Doyle Sandy Wallace Cycles 2.54
2 Elaine Lowden Glasgow Wheelers 3.35
3 Fiona Crawfod Kinross CC 3.39

WOMEN'S VET
Fional Crawford Kinross CC 3.39

FIRST YOUTH FEMALE
Erika Allen Wallace Warriors 3.45

TEAM
Edinburgh Road Club
Colin May 2.22
Neil Taylor 2.27
Dale McCallum 2.36

FASTEST MID SCOTLAND RIDER
Robin Wilkins Stirling Bike Club 2.20

KIDS

YOUTH E
Girl: Audrey Doyle Unattached 1.10
Boy: Sam Chisholm West Lothian Clarion 1.16

YOUTH D
Girl: Morven Greer Unattached 1.19
Boy: Duncan Crawford Unattached 1.14

YOUTH C
Girl: Lulu Bartlett Edinburgh RC 0.40
Boy: Cameron Mellis Carnegie Cyclones 0.47

OVERALL YOUTH WINNER
Lulu Bartlett Edinburgh RC 0.40

KIngscavil Hill climb results

We'd like to say a big thank you to all the competitors who turned out today - 76 including the youth riders - double last year's entry.

There were even more spectators this year, especially for the kids race which had a great atmosphere - thanks for coming along on such a cold morning.

We'd also like to thank all the volunteers from West Lothian Clarion who helped to promote the event and to Jimmy Harris who was timekeeper.

The event wouldn't have gone ahead without Visit West Lothian funding the road closure.

Pedal Power, Rapha, Endura, Gary Hand, Michelle Gregory, Mid Scotland Cycle Association, generously donated prizes - thanks very much to you all.

Thanks also to local building services company, John N Dunn Group Ltd, for funding the kid's prizes and trophy

Provisional Results

1 Arthur Doyle Dooleys Racing Team S 0:02:14
2 David Griffiths, Glasgow Wheelers S 0:02:17
3 Robin Wilkins Stirling Bike Club S 0:02:20
4 Colin May Edinburgh Road Club S 0:02:22
5 Craig Adams Falkirk BC S 0:02:25:22
6 John Paterson Dumfries CC S 0:02:25:55
7 Neil Taylor Edinburgh RC S 0:02:27:44
8 Stuart Moran Perth Utd CC S 0:02:27:61
9 Alasdair Begbie Unattached V 0:02:29
10 Jon Clarke Glasgow Wheelers S 0:02:30
11 Dale McCallum Edinburgh Road Club YM 0:02:36
12 Joe Larner Unattached V 0:02:36:60
13 Jordan Stokes Pedal Power JM 0:02:38
14 Gordon Chisolm Perth United S 0:02:38:69
15 Jarlath Flynn Edinburgh Road Club S 0:02:40:19
16 Scott Anderson Royal Albert CC S 0:02:40:48
17 Will Davenhill Unattached V 0:02:42
18 Bradley Stokes Pedal Power YM 0:02:44
19 Philip Stout Unattached S 0:02:48
20 Keith Anderson Royal Albert CC S 0:02:49
21 David Gibson Pentland Triathletes V 0:02:51:02
22 James Harrison Newhaven Harbour Tri Club S 0:02:51:73
24 Jeremy Evans Unattached S 0:02:52:10
23 Simon Kenny West Lothian Clarion S 0:02:52:55
25 Sharon Doyle Sandy Wallace Cycles F 0:02:54
26 Luke Johnstone Chryston Wheelers YM 0:02:59
27 Andy Arthur Unattached S 0:03:01
28 Andrew Abbess Stirling Bike Club V 0:03:02
29 Duncan Boyd Unattached V 0:03:04
30 Grant Johnstone Chryston Wheelers V 0:03:07
31 David Dourley West Lothian Clarion S 0:03:08
32 Paul Hammond West Lothian Clarion S 0:03:10:20
33 James Davidson GS Metro S 0:03:10:82
35 Stephen Crawford Kinross CC V 0:03:22:60
34 Ken Ord West Lothian Clarion V 0:03:22:80
36 Rory Mellis Carnegie Cyclones YM 0:03:29
37 Steven Fraser West Lothian Clarion V 0:03:33
38 Elaine Lowden Glasgow Wheelers F 0:03:35
39 Fiona Crawford Kinross CC FV 0:03:39
40 Erika Allen Wallace Warriors YF 0:03:45
41 Sandra Scally Hervelo F 0:03:45
42 Matthias Barnet Edinburgh Road Club YM 0:03:46
43 Varry McCullogh Young Edinburgh Road Club FV 0:03:46
44 Michelle Gregory West Lothian Clarion F 0:03:49
45 Jamie Mason West Lothian Clarion YM 0:03:53
46 Keri Greig Unattached YF 0:04:06
47 Diane Cox West Lothian Clarion F 0:04:15
48 Diane Clayton Unattached F 0:04:19
49 Julie Hutchison Hervelo F 0:04:51
DNS Chris Bryant Peebles Cycling Club S
DNS Stephen McDowall West Lothian Clarion S 

Spectator and competitor parking at Kingscavil

If you live locally please cycle to Kingscavil.

If you are driving,  parking at the HQ is available at the Bowling club in Philpstoun, if you must park on the Main Street please do so considerately.

Parking closer to the course is available at (see google map):
1. Kingscavil cemetery on the B9080
2. Ochiltree farm at the top of Kingscavil hill.
3. There are also limited places at the canal opposite the Park Bistro

Do not park or drop off at Kingscavil church.
Do not park along the B9080  
Do not park on the road adjacent to the top of Kingscavil hill.
Do not park in the Park Bistro car park.



View Parking For Kingscavil Hill Climb in a larger map

Kingscavil hill climb - runners start sheet

Runners can sign on at the race HQ from 08:00 - remember to leave enough time to get to the start.

Event HQ is Philpstoun Community hall

Runners should note that the event starts at 09:00 and will be run as a 'time trial' e.g Runner #1 will set off at 09:01; Runner#2 at 09:02 etc.You should report to the timekeeper at 1 minute before your starting time. Late starts will not be permitted.'

Entries will be accepted, for the running event only, until Friday the 15th of October. Please contact Angus Gallie directly for a form or to enquire. e-mail angusgallie[AT]blueyonder.co.uk

1	Graham Burrows	Linlithgow Harriers		None
2	Alex Hay	Motherwell A.C		16207
3	Varry McCullough *	Edinburgh Road Club		None
4	Paul Hammond *	West Lothian Clarion CC		None
5	Stephen Crawford *	Kinross Road Runners		19718
6	James Harrison *	Newhaven Harbour Tri.		07253
7	Gordon Chisholm *	Perth United CC		None
8	Diane Clayton *			None

Kingscavil Hill climb: start sheet for kids

A good turn out from the kids. We're still taking entries until 10.15am on the day but if you want to secure a place for your child email: secretary[AT]westlothianclarion.co.uk

The Kingscavil Kids Hill Climb

Date: Sunday, 17th October 2010

START SHEET:
Children's Race: 11.00am start

No. Name Club / Team Name Cat Start time
1
2
3
4
5 Sam Chisholm West Lothian Clarion YM 11.05 am
6 Audrey Doyle Unnattached YF 11.06 am
7 Findlay Gilmour West Lothian Clarion YM 11.07 am
8
9
10 Cal Young West Lothian Clarion YM 11.10 am
11 Duncan Crawford Unnattached YM 11.11 am
12 Martin Johnstone West Lothian Clarion YM 11.12 am
13 Andrew Oxley West Lothian Clarion YM 11.13 am
14 Malcolm Ord Unnattached YM 11.14 am
15 Alex Ball West Lothian Clarion YM 11.15 am
16 Emily Dourley Unnattached YF 11.16 am
17 Eva Barnet Unnattached YF 11.17 am
18 Morven Greer Unnattached YF 11.18 am
19 Beth Pollard West Lothian Clarion YF 11.19 am
20
21
22 Lorna Doyle Unnattached YF 11.22 am
23 Iona Crawford Unnattached YF 11.23 am
24 Erica Oxley West Lothian Clarion YF 11.24 am
25 Katie Allen Wallace Warriors YF 11.25 am
26 Finlay Ward West Lothian Clarion YM 11.26 am
27 Calum Greer Unattached YM 11.27 am
28 Ryan Ewing West Lothian Clarion YM 11.28 am
29 Alexander Hay Glasgow Couriers YM 11.29 am
30 Cameron Mason West Lothian Clarion YM 11.30 am

KIngscavil Hill climb start sheet: Cyclists

The Kingscavil Hill Climb
A 0.9km event for cyclists and runners, including a youth cycle race

Date: Sunday, 17th October 2010

START TIMES:
Runners: 9:00am
Cyclists: 10.00am (including Juniors and Youth A and B categories )
Children race: 11.00am start (Youth C, D, and E)

No. Name Club / Team Name Cat Start time
1 Keri Greig Unattached YF 10.01 am
2 Erika Allen Wallace Warriors YF 10.02 am
3 Dale McCallum Edinburgh Road Club YM 10.03am
4 Jamie Mason West Lothian Clarion YM 10.04 am
5 Bradley Stokes Pedal Power YM 10.05 am
6 Luke Johnstone Chryston Wheelers YM 10.06 am
7 Jordan Stokes Pedal Power JM 10.07 am
8 Matthias Barnet Edinburgh Road Club YM 10.08am
9
10 Diane Cox West Lothian Clarion F 10.10 am
11 Julie Hutchison Hervelo F 10.11 am
12 Diane Clayton Unattached F 10.12 am
13 Elaine Lowden Glasgow Wheelers F 10.13 am
14 Varry McCullogh Young Edinburgh Road Club FV 10.14 am
15
16 Fiona Crawford Kinross CC FV 10.16 am
17 Sandra Scally Hervelo F 10.17 am
18 Michelle Gregory West Lothian Clarion F 10.18 am
19 Sharon Doyle Sandy Wallace Cycles F 10.19 am
20
21 Ken Ord West Lothian Clarion V 10.21 am
22 Colin May Edinburgh Road Club S 10.22 am
23 Will Davenhill Unattached V 10.23 am
24 Alasdair Begbie Unattached V 10.24 am
25 Steven Fraser West Lothian Clarion V 10.25 am
26 Duncan Boyd Unattached V 10.26 am
27 Paul Hammond West Lothian Clarion S 10.27 am
28 Chris Bryant Peebles Cycling Club S 10.28 am
29 Stephen Crawford Kinross CC V 10.29 am
30 Joe Larner Unattached V 10.30 am
31 Gordon Chisolm Perth United S 10.31 am
32 David Dourley West Lothian Clarion S 10.32 am
33 Philip Stout Unattached S 10.33 am
34 James Davidson GS Metro S 10.34 am
35 Andy Arthur Unattached S 10.35 am
36 Jarlath Flynn Edinburgh Road Club S 10.36am
37 Andrew Abbess Stirling Bike Club V 10.37 am
38 Simon Kenny West Lothian Clarion S 10.38 am
39 Grant Johnstone Chryston Wheelers V 10.39 am
40 Keith Anderson Royal Albert CC S 10.40 am
41 Jeremy Evans Unattached S 10.41 am
42 Stephen McDowall West Lothian Clarion S 10.42 am
43 John Paterson Dumfries CC S 10.43 am
44 David Griffiths Glasgow Wheelers 10.33am
45 Scott Anderson Royal Albert CC S 10.45 am
46 Neil Taylor Edinburgh RC S 10.46 am
47 Jon Clarke Glasgow Wheelers S 10.47 am
48 Stuart Moran Perth Utd CC S 10.48 am
49 David Gibson Pentland Triathletes V 10.49am
50 Craig Adams Falkirk BC S 10.50 am
51 James Harrison Newhaven Harbour Tri Club S 10.51 am
52 Robin Wilkins Stirling Bike Club S 10.52 am
53 Arthur Doyle Dooleys Racing Team S 10.53 am

Many thanks to:
Visit West Lothian For funding the roasd closure and to Pedal Power and Rapha for donating prizes

 

Sadiq at the Tour de Trossachs

Sadiq was caught on Camera by Angus as he powered along the the Dukes Pass at the recent Tour de Trossachs TT

Jonathan gets third overall in Scottish XC series

Drumlanrig hosted the last Scottish XC of the season and some would say the best writes David Mason

The venue is well set up with good facilities and great viewpoints for the spectators with a big drop off right in front of the finish line.

Drumlanrig is known for its very natural feel trails with lots of in the woods rooty sections.
As a result Drumlanrig was one of the busiest and hotly contended races of the year.

The course ran very fast on practice day but some overnight rain changed that to slow it down but increase the technical difficulty. Although quite technical it was all very rideable with no real scary features to put some of the less confident riders off.

The course was just short of 5 miles so one of the longer ones in the series but it was great to race on if a bit of a physical challenge. There were long singletrack sections which flowed really well and demanded 100% concentration, these were thankfully broken up by fire road which gave loads of opportunity to overtake, unfortunately for some!

Racing started in the morning with David Mason in the Open category. He had a difficult first lap, mainly due to the traffic on the single track descent which slowed things up. He had a mechanical at the start of the 2nd lap which lost him quite a few places but he made most of that back up with a good 2nd lap although he was finished in more ways than one after that! With a 19th placing he was a bit off the pace but happy having had a tough race.

By the afternoon the sun was well and truly blazing for Jonathan Buckley in the Masters who was up for a tough 4 lap race.

Race results are still provisional but Jonathan finished 4th on the day which meant that he secured a fantastic 3rd overall in the 2010 series, a great achievement.

The SXC season has now finished but will be back up and running next spring if you want to give it a go. It’s great fun and very friendly. There are a number of levels to compete on as adults from 1 lap option in beginners upwards.

Click here for a video of the earlier Aberfoyle race which will give you a wee insight into SXC MTB. Prize for those who can spot Jonathan in action !

Joint club run with local women's club

Edinburgh-based women's cycling club Hervélo have kindly invited our female members to join them for one of two club rides after the open hill climb champs on Sunday 17th October, says, Women's Coordinator, Debbie Pollard.

There will be a social road ride incorporating a Craigie farm café stop, roughly 30 miles at about 12-13 mph and a longer, faster ride of around 50 miles at 14-15mph.

Julie Hutchison, organiser of the rides says:

"We would love to meet other local women and learn their favourite routes. I will be leading the shorter 30ish miler, and am ok on a route for that (Faucheldean, West Binny etc). I was wondering if after the hill climb one of your club members would be interested in showing us a 50 mile ride around your neck of the woods."

This promises to be a great day out. Come along and support Scotland's only closed road TT. Watch the suffering and cheer on those brave enough to tackle the wall of Kingscavil. Sample the delicious home-baking at race HQ. Then enjoy 30 or 50 miles cycling on West Lothian's scenic roads, in the company of other like-minded women cyclists.

And it's not too late to enter the competition itself - as far as I know we only have one clarion woman entering - five Hervélo ladies have entered already!!

If anyone would like to join the Hervelo rides or volunteer to lead the 50-miler, let me know.

Email Debbie on lasses[AT]westlothianclarion.co.uk

Buy a unique National Clarion Clarion print

We have a unique opportunity to buy a signed limited edition print of the cover illustration for Boots & Spurs (the national Clarion member magazine)

Each A3 (297mmx420mm) will be signed and numbered by the artist - Garry Marshall (based in Dollar, Scotland).

The prints will cost £25 including post and packing. With proceeds going to fund the National Clarion's Stirling Easter Meet.

Cheques for £25 should be made payable to "West Lothian Clarion" and sent to Matthew Ball by Saturday 13th November

Email Matthew on secretary@westlothianclarion.co.uk to place an order for christmas.