Thursday 29 December 2011

Hogmanay club runs

Club Captain Neil Greer tells us about Saturday's Hogmanay club runs. We now have a three ride format at Linlithgow: 12mph, 15mph and 18mph+ groups, make sure you get the ride you want by choosing an appropriate group. If there aren't enough to fill three groups we'll run two.

Read our ride guidelines here: http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns.html
and technigue here: http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/technique.html

Hi All,

I hope that everyone had a great Christmas and, no doubt, you have consumed too much and exercised too little, so what better way to burn off some of the excess than getting out on either of the last Club Runs for 2011!

Just a reminder that the routes are:

Linlithgow Leisure Centre Start
Route: Braehead
Start: 9.00 am
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Braehead
Ride Leader(s): TBA

East Calder Sports Centre Start
Route: Biggar
Start: 8.30 am
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/434342
Ride Leader(s): TBA

The forecast is looking fairly reasonable with 10C, light rain and a 16mph SW (gusting to 30mph).

So, hopefully, this bodes well for a good turnout and will set everyone up for a good NY celebration too!

Whatever you do, ride safely and enjoy yourselves!

Neil

PS - I forgot to make the award for the most seasonally adorned rider on the Christmas Eve ride to Craigies, so, on the "better late than never" basis, Stephen Darling gets my vote for his 2 ft tinsel dreadlocks!”

So who’s up for this run? We have house guests, but I am hoping that I can persuade my cousin to join us on the Biggar run…

Cheers,

Neil

Saturday 24 December 2011

Merry Christmas and a happy new year

Boxing Day Gut Buster Classic

Our annual Boxing Day Gut Buster Classic starts at 10.30 from the Cross in Linlithgow and returns to the Four Marys after a short 20-25 mile social ride says Social Secretary Stephen Henley.

The route will be decided on the day.

If you don't fancy the ride then the Four Marys opens at 11am so you can join us for a drink around 12.30pm.

In the last couple of years the snow has meant that the ride didn't really happen although a few of us did cycle to the pub.

Anyone interested in taking part this year?

Cheers

Steve

Friday 23 December 2011

Christmas Eve ride



Our club captain, Neil Greer provides the details for our special Christmas eve Saturday ride:

Having spent most of last week-end in a red suit handing out presents to loads of eager kids, and nearly falling over on the ice many times in the bargain, I am relieved to see that it looks like the weather will be far kinder for the Christmas Eve Club Runs.

So, Craigies have been forewarned to expect a large influx of hungry Clarion riders ready to demolish their mountain of mince pies!

The drill will be that LLC riders will meet at 9 am and travel via the Dalmeny Estate route and EC riders will meet at 8.30 am and do some of the Balerno hills before wending their way to the welcoming site that is Craigies Farm. Let's aim for about 10.30 am...

And, on a festive note, I'm prepared to buy a turkey roll / Christmas pud for the most Seasonally adorned rider and bike! No appeal - my decision will be final...

See you there,

Neil

Tuesday 20 December 2011

Festive pedaling



We have two club runs over the Christmas weekend and a turbo session at Philpstoun on Thursday this week.

1. Hangar of Anger
7.30 Philpstoun village Hall
The last of the year's weekly turbo session
Come along and have a mince pie afterwards

2. Christmas Eve Ride
The club will be riding from East Calder and Linlithgow for a mince pie at Craigie's Farm Cafe.
Start times will be 8.30 from East Calder Sports Centre and 9.00am from Linlithgow Leisure Centre
Keep a look out on the forum for details

3. Gut Buster Classic
Boxing Day
We've never actually managed a proper club run on Boxing Day, its always been snowed off!
It'll be a short 30 miler with drinks afterwards.
Keep a look out on the forum for details

Tuesday 6 December 2011

ALL NEW CLUB RUN FORMAT ANNOUNCED

Club Captain Neil Greer announces the details fo our new club run format

As you are aware, the club committee has met recently to consider changes to the format of club runs. Inputs have been distilled from both the meeting held in September plus numerous other individual contributions from members. Given the breadth of membership now this has not been an easy task and inevitably there have had to be some compromises.

The committee recognised the difficulty of trying to please all of the people all of the time.

They accepted that all club members should recognise their personal responsibility to choose the run most appropriate to their ability or desire and to make personal decisions about when to peel off or to drop back to another group.

Equally, the committee was firm in recognising the importance of development rides and the need for the club runs structure to be flexible enough to accommodate the club’s core aim of encouraging people to reach ‘the next level’.

Accordingly, the committee now proposes that the following structure should be put in place, starting on the 10th December

NB There are no changes to the standard start times.

PRE-RIDE
• All riders are responsible for ensuring their bikes are roadworthy and, in the Winter, fitted with mudguards.
• All riders are responsible for familiarising themselves with the published route in advance of the ride.
• Riders should not underestimate the level of fitness required for each of the ride speeds.
• All riders should adhere to the published average speed for each group
• Depending on the terrain and weather conditions, the speeds may vary slightly so individual groups are responsible for agreeing amongst themselves how to ride on the day.
• Riders participating for the first time in a run should introduce themselves as such and be welcomed by the group.

GROUP RIDING SKILLS
• All members are asked to participate in a club run coaching session so that the club's group riding technique can be communicated to the membership. (The next session will be 10th December)

RIDES STRUCTURE
• The club will now offer four rides on a Saturday. Three will leave from the Linlithgow Leisure Centre (LLC) and one from the East Calder Sports Centre (ECSC)

On a Sunday the club offers one club run starting from Linlithgow

 SATURDAY RIDES 

CAFE RIDE
• Start Point: Linlithgow Leisure Centre
• Average speed: 12mph over mixed terrain
• Cafe stop: Yes
• What kind of rider are you? 
You are riding regularly and have built up enough fitness to complete 30 miles in 2.5 hours over mixed terrain. 
If you are keen to develop your cycling ability, gain fitness and pick up the skills necessary for riding in a group then these social rides would be an ideal and welcoming place to start. 
• These rides are not suitable to those new to cycling or occasional leisure cyclists. No one will get abandoned but riders can get dropped on climbs, if this happens the group will wait and regroup.
• If you find the pace too high please SPEAK UP so the speed can be slowed or the route altered to get you home safely
• Please do not underestimate the fitness required to ride in a a group at 12mph.

THE CLUB RUN
• Start Point: Linlithgow Leisure Centre & East Calder Sports Centre
• Average speed: 15mph over mixed terrain
• Cafe stop: East Calder start: Yes   Linlithgow start: No
• What kind of rider are you? 
You are riding regularly and can complete 30 miles in two hours.
You have built up a good base of fitness and want a traditional club run in a consistent cohesive group with an opportunity chat to your club mates.
• You may be participating in or are planning to enter open events like Sportives, Audaxes and time trials or just want to keep up a good level of fitness.
• You may also be a fitter rider who wants a less strenuous work out.
• The club run is ideal for developing your core fitness and is an opportunity to refine your group riding skills.
• There are frequent changeovers on the front but the ride is not a race and the two riders on the front should not be overtaken.
• The group will aim to accommodate a reasonable range of abilities, but those significantly slower than the general pace of the group should be prepared to navigate their own way home

HARD GROUP TRAINING
• Start Point: Linlithgow Leisure Centre
• Average Speed 18mph but faster on a flatter route. As the ride progresses the group may split into two enabling faster riders to make progress
• Cafe stop: No
• What kind of rider are you?
You are racing or riding faster sportives or simply want a hard training session where your abilities will be stretched.
The pace is kept up over climbs and larger groups will rotate in a chain (through and off).
Riders may need to navigate their own way home if they can't keep up. 

DEVELOPMENT RIDE
• Start Point: Linlithgow Leisure Centre
• Average speed: 12mph over mixed terrain
• Cafe stop: Maybe!
• What kind of rider are you? 
You are probably fairly new to road cycling, but you are riding quite regularly and have built up enough fitness to complete 30 miles in 2.5 hours over mixed terrain. 
You may not have ridden in a group before, but are keen to understand and learn about what this involves

On the first Saturday of the month there will now be this additional development ride leaving Linlithgow.
This ride will be for members who wish to progress onto our Club Runs.

It is a good opportunity for riders to improve their fitness and skills in preparation for moving onto the Club Run proper.

 SUNDAY RIDE 
• Start Point: Linlithgow - The Cross 9 am
• The ride on a Sunday will follow the 'CLUB RUN' format described above
• It will leave promptly from the Cross in Linlithgow at 9.00am

The committee looks forward too seeing this new format adopted by all members, but recognises that it may be necessary to review it again some time in the future.

Enjoy your riding!

Neil

Sunday 4 December 2011

Friday 2 December 2011

Clarion rides this weekend


Club Captain Neil Greer reminds us of the club runs this weeekend

Before setting off on a club run please read our ride guidelines:
http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns

And information on how to ride in a group:
http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/technique

Just a reminder that this Saturday's Club runs have been planned with the Santa Cyclo Cross in mind as well, so that riders can drop in on the CX event and see how their fellow members are doing....and, no doubt, grab a mince pie in the bargain too!

The routes are:

Saturday December 3rd
Linlithgow Sports Centre 9.00 am
Dalmeny Estate Route:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Dalmeny-Estate
Ride Leader(s): TBA


East Calder Sports Centre 8.30 am
Avonbridge Loop:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/394450
Ride Leader(s): TBA

The forecast is showing Mostly Clear, 5C (but feels like 1C !!) and an 18 mph W - I guess Winter has actually arrived now guys....

For Sunday, meet at The Cross in Linlithgow for 9 am, route decided upon on the day.

Enjoy your ridin', but take care, some forecasters have started mentioning the dreaded "frost" and "ice" words...”

I won’t be able to make it myself as I have my umpteenth cold of this year!

The good news is I must be building up a helluva immunity for next year…

Cheers

Neil