TDF Social: Gallie wins stage 14

30 odd riders took part in the Tour de Bathgate Alpes club run on Saturday 16th July. The route took in 19 climbs in the Bathgate alps with the bunch split into two groups.

Steve McCaw pipped Brian Mcllelan to be unofficial king of the mountains .

After the ride everyone headed over to the Linlithgow Sports Club to watch stage 14 of the Tour de France.

The club was packed with Clarion members and guests, either in 'civvies' or or still wearing their mucky jerseys.

Organiser Stephen Henley had sorted out a superb spread for lunch - pizza, salad and lasagne was washed down with a few pints form the bar.

Stephen also sorted out a sweep for the stage winner so we were all glued to the TV in the last 20km to see if our selection was in with a chance.

Angus Gallie even surprised himself by winning the sweep, he didn't realise that he had the winning name in his possession until the final kilometre, as Jelle Vanendert crossed the line he was presented with a magnum of wine.


Stephen said "Thanks to everybody who made it today. There were about 25 riders out for the Tour of the Bathgate Alps and nearly 40 members were able to make it for the social afterwards in the Linlithgow Sports Club. It was great to see such a good turnout."

Thanks go to Neil Heyes who sorted out the venue and to Simon Fagan who helped out in the Kitchen with Stephen and Neil. Andy Weaving and Mark McCabe were the ride leaders so thanks to them also.

What you said:

A big thanks to Steve, Neil and all who contributed an excellent event. As far Matt and his torturous route around the Bathgate Alps I merely repeat Octave Lapiz's proclamation to the 1910 tour organisers...assasins
Ian Robertson

Great run today, good to see new and old faces again. thanks to Stephen and crew for all the grub, cheers.
Andy Weaving

Was a great social yesterday, good to see everyone again. Thanks to all the organisers, great venue too.
Ali McQuillen

It was a great day, we had a new rider out on the active group - Malc Webb from Winchburgh who I hope was not put off by such a hilly route, and decides to join up ! The social after was good fun with food, drink, conversation and Tour coverage.
Steve McCaw

As for the route, 3500 feet of ascent in 36 miles. 3 hills with 18% gradients plus, even going up Kingscavil was not the steepest part at a mere 16%. A great training loop to keep in mind, but hopefully not a regular club run route!!
Jim Macdonald

Big thanks to Stephen and all who were involved in the organisation of this great day. Magic!
Also, initially posted on another thread, but more appropriate here.
My new best friend...JELLE VANENDERT !!!
Angus Gallie

Club confined TT: week 6 - Iain rides fastest time of the year

Iain Elliot has improved by a massive 5 minutes since riding his first time trail in May and last Thursday rode to the fastest time of the year, with a 24.09.

Iain's first place moves him to within shouting distance of John Michael Howison and and Brian Mclellan, the mens' series leaders. With just 4 races to go it looks like this year's racing will be the most exciting yet with 3 contenders neck and neck.

5 Women rode the TT - equalling the record turn out from the ladies. Michelle Gregory's 1st place moves her closer to series leader Mandy MacColl with Diane Cox and Debbie Pollard not far behind.

It was good to see Alison McQuillen back on her bike and riding her first TT after illness. With Louise Rattray joining the club, we now have 23 women in the section, which bodes well for some competitive racing in the 4 remaining races.

WEEK 6 RESULTS

1st place, 20 points, Iain Elliott, 24:09
2nd, 19 pts, Frank Anderson, 25:06
3rd, 18 pts, Brian McLellan, 25:53
4th, 17 pts, Steve Darling, 26:53
5th, 16 pts, Steve Fleming, 27:34
6th, 15 pts, Grant Craven, 27:49
7th, 14 pts, Graeme Horne, 28:05
8th, 13 pts, H Williamson, 29:13
9th, 12 pts, John Hanlin, 29:17
10th, 11 pts, Jim MacDonald, 29:19
11th, 10 pts, S Bain, 30:21
12th, 9 pts, Michelle Gregory, 30:37 (1st lady)
13th, 8 pts, Diane Cox, 31:01 (2nd lady)
14th, 7 pts, Debbie Pollard, 32:43 (3rd lady)
15th, 6 pts, Alison McQuillen, 39:15 (4th lady)
16th, 5 pts, Louise Rattray, 40:21 (5th lady)

TT SERIES RESTARTS ON THURSDAY

Our TT series restarts after the summer break on Thursday - there are 5 races left each week until mid-August

Whether you're racing for the series win or just for your own PB come along on Thursday evenings and support the series, and maybe earn some bragging rights into the bargain.

IMPORTANT - To run the series we require two volunteers each week, one timekeeper and one pusher off, neither job is terribly difficult and if you've not done it before, instructions will be given and there will be plenty people there to keep you right. If you're going to race in the series then you should volunteer at least once throughout the series, when you volunteer you will be awarded series point so that you don't lose out, (in fact for some of us these are our highest scoring weeks).

Click here to volunteer here: TT series forum

Please post up on the forum to volunteer for specific dates, I would like these roles to be filled at least two weeks in advance so that we can organise the handover of the TT equipment bag to the next volunteers each Thursday evening as far as possible.

The full details are here http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/10tt.html

All riders should fully familiarise themselves with the risk assessment.

The series dates are noted below, lets get the volunteer slots filled as early as possible to ensure the smooth running of our series.

Dates for the series:

There are 5 races left in the 10 race series with the overall league still up for grabs in both the women's and men's events. Your best 7 results count towards the sries

The TTs run every Thursday on the following dates:

TT6: 21st July

TT7: 28th July

TT8: 4th August

TT9: 11th August

TT10: 18th August

Registration is between 7.00 and 7.15. Race starts 7.30pm

Linlithgow club run, Later start time on Saturday

Remember folks, the Linlithgow club run has a later 11.00am start this Saturday 

We are riding the Tour de Bathgate Alpes before arriving at the Linlithgow Tennis club for the Tour de France Social

Route: http://www.bikely.com/map...h/Tour-de-Bathgate-Alpes

Social group ride leader: Andy Weaving
Active group leader: Mark McCabe

All the details here: Saturday Tour de Bathgate Alpes and TDF Social

East Calder Ride
Biggar Route - meet 8.00 am
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/434342

Sunday 19-Jun-11
Meet at the Cross in Linlithgow for 9.00am
Route: decided by participants on day

Ride with us this weekend

Neil Greer sends in a reminder about this weekend's rides, there were 37 riders out last Saturday - a club record. We split into 3 groups so we had a social, active and hyper-active rides!

Hi All,

I shall be away for the next 3 week-ends, so this is just a reminder of where all the details can be found about the forthcoming Club Runs: See this link -

http://westlothianclarion.yuku.com/topic/2037/Club-Runs-for-next-3-Months-to-6th-Aug-2011

SATURDAY
LINLITHGOW
Saturday July 9th
Route: Forth-Climpy
Start: 9.00 am
ROUTE http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Climpy-Forth
Ride Leader(s): TBA - Please volunteer

EAST CALDER
Saturday July 9th
Route: Avonbridge Loop
Start8.00 am
Route: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/394450

SUNDAY
Meet at the Cross, Linlithgow at 9 am, route to be decided on the day.

SATURDAY 16th JULY
Please also note that on Saturday 16th July there is the annual Tour de France Club Run / Social which, this year, starts at 11 am and tackles some of the climbs in the Bathgate Alpes before giving riders the opportunity to settle down and watch one of the key stages of this years TdF with some refreshments; details can be found under Club Events click here

There is already a lot of interest for this one, so make sure you register your interest (on the thread) if you want to be sure of your pasta!

So enjoy your riding, develop those tan-lines and let's hope Wiggo, Cav & co can do it for the Brits - is about time!

See you, hopefully, on the 30th.

Cheers,

Neil

Women's road coaching: 16th July

West Lothian Clarion are hosting a women's only road coaching session organised by Scottish Cycling coach Mark Young.

The club's Matthew Ball will be one of the coaches working with Mark

The session will take place on traffic free, smooth tarmc, in the car park of of Oracle in Linlithgow, it's the same location used by our kid's club.

Where: Oracle Linlithgow
When 16th July 10.am-2pm

There will be a maximum of 40 places so get in contact with Mark to secure a slot.

mark.young@scottishcycling.org.uk
Tel: 07968385695

West Lothian are having a Tour de France Social in the afternoon and riders are welcome to come along after the session details here: http://tinyurl.com/6kq4le6

Mark has 25 years experience as an SC level 3 road, TT and track coach, Matt is a level 2 road an TT coach.

LOCATION

View KIds club location at Oracle in a larger map

WHERER TO PARK: CLICK MAP TO ENLARGE