New Member

Welcome to new member, Andrew Hemingway. Andrew joins his partner Lesley in in the club and is the first person to take up our reduced membership fee for couples!
Andrew has been out on three or four Saturday rides and has been giving a few of the regulars a run for their money. He Says "My background is in cycle touring and triathlons/duathlons (though not done one of these for a few years). Generally just like getting out on the bike as a way of staying fit and it makes a welcome change from running. I’ve an old titanium Raleigh Dynatec racing bike in a nice pink colour, a Specialised Hardrock mountain bike and a Thorn tandem. Hoping to do a cycle sportive later this year.

Free BCF Bronze Membership

Message from Grant:

Free Bronze membership to British Cycling for WLC members (if you've not been a member of British Cycling before).
Gets you the Provisional Race licence needed for anyone wanting to try racing for the first time this year plus discounts at certain places, etc. Only takes 2 minutes to fill out online.
Grant says"I've done mine. Anyone else up for some racing this year? See if we can't stay one step ahead of the Broomwagon at these events."
www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/bcf/membership_type_check.asp

The league international

Grant found a link to the Scottish TLI events in 2009. A few local riders rode TLI events last year and speak of them highly - why not give them a go?
www.theleagueinternational.com/scotlandsolway.htm

Ronnie's Rides

Ronnie Thomson has planned a few mid-week rides and is looking for some company, Ronnie said "I would like to propose a regular planned set of rides for members who can get out for a ride during the week in the daylight. Here is a list of rides I will use over the next 2 Months of which I have ridden before. If club members can join in at a point in the route I would be grateful for the company."

Start time for all the rides is 9.30am. To find out more email Ronnie at: ronald.thomson[AT]talktalk.net
Or if you are interested make a comment!

WED 4TH. FEB. Duration of ride 1 -1/2 hrs
East Calder - Kirkliston-Boness-Bathgate-Livingston-East Calder

WED 11TH FEB. Duration of ride 2- 1/2 hrs
East Calder - Kirkliston-Linlithgow-Polmont-Whitburn-West Calder-Livingston-East Calder

WED.18TH FEB. Duration of ride 3 hrs
East Calder- Kirkliston -Linlithgow- Falkirk- Slamannan-Caldercruix-Armadale-Bathgate-Livingston-East Calder

WED. 25TH FEB. Duration of ride 3 hrs
East Calder- Bathgate-Armadale-Airdrie-Chapelhall-Whitburn-Blackburn-Livingston- East Calder

WED. 4TH MARCH. Duration of ride 3 hrs
East Calder -West Calder -Carstairs-Carnwarth-Kirknewton-West Calder

WED. 11TH MARCH. Duration of ride 3 hrs
East Calder -West Calder-Wishaw-Carluke-Lanark-West Calder-East Calder.

WED.25TH MARCH. Duration of ride 3 hrs
East Calder -Whitburn-Bathgate-Linlithgow-South Queensferry-Cramond-Barnton-Currie-Balerno-East Calder

WED.1ST APRIL.Duration of ride 3 hrs
East Calder -South Queensferry-Inverkeithing-Rosyth-Kinkardine-Grangemouth-Polmont-Linlithgow-Winchburgh-
East Calder.

Now two turbo sessions a week

Bill is opening up his 'Hangar of Anger' in Torphichen for an extra session every week. Get up to Bill's place for a good work out every Tuesday and Thursday 7pm for 7.30. email Bill for more details: Bill.Young@trucomm.co.uk

Order your kit at the AGM

JERSEY_WINNER, originally uploaded by westlothianclarion.

Bill will be taking orders for kit at the AGM on 29th January. He has samples from Endura which he'll bring along so that you can get an idea of sizing. It looks like Endura's sizes are on the large side. Bill is making the order on the 30th to claim an extra discount. If you can't make it to the AGM get your orders in before hand by emailing Bill at bill.young@trucomm.co.uk
If you don't meet the deadline it will be a 6-12 months before the next order is placed.

Sadiq at the Super 6 in Gifford

super 6 gifford - first ever RR , originally uploaded by sadiq5.

President Sadiq during his first ever road race last year

AGM and COMMITTEE MEETING

COMMITTEE MEETING
The committee will be meeting on Thursday 15th January.
Please forward any items you would like to be put on the agenda to Matthew at secretary[at]westlothianclarion.co.uk by Thursday January 8th.

AGM
The AGM will take place upstairs at the Black Bitch in Linlithgow on Thursday 29th January at 8pm. All members are invited to attend.
Please forward any items you would like to be put on the agenda to Matthew at secretary[at]westlothianclarion.co.uk by Thursday January 8th.
TIME: 8pm
LOCATION: Upstairs at the Black Bitch, Linlithgow
DATE: Thursday 29th January

Matt at the Stirling Super Cross

stirling_175, originally uploaded by gaitor92.

At last a photo where I'm not gurning at the camera!

Matt gets down and dirty

Super Cross, Stirling University Sunday 4th January
Conditions at the Stirling Uni Super Cross were alot warmer and the circuit more technical than the Plean x last November. The event was really well organised, it even had beer tent/canopy that the race went through!

Most of the route was on grass which got boggy and really tough to ride through during the later laps. The toughest portion was running up a flight of steps with a heavy weight 1990's MTB on my back...all good training, next club ride I'm gonna run along side you lot with a bike on my shoulders! I didn't warm up this time and I can't get my feet into toe clips quickly, by the time I was set to go the pack had disappeared! Gradually through the hour I worked myself back up the field and had a little battle with 3 other riders midway through the race but managed to get the better of them.

It's an intense workout, especially after remounting and riding through uphill mud after some jump-overs! A lot of riders have got really good power and can put on a burst of speed to open up gaps - something I aint got!. Getting the right line through corners is crucial, mistakes open up gaps which are hard to close. I came 22 (and got lapped by the winners) it felt like I had to race much harder to improve my position on the last race (which had a bigger field) by just a few placings... thinking of getting a cross bike for next season and maybe not eating quite so many mince pies next xmas.

After watching the race my 7 year old is keen to take part in the junior races. they look like good safe fun if you want to get kids racing their bikes.

There is another cyclo cross in a couple of weeks in Glasgow organised by the Glenmarnock Wheelers.

Grant's Classique Des Alpes

Grant's report from the ride on Friday 2nd January
7 of us made it out on the 2nd for the Classique Des Alpes.

I'm no good with second names so hopefully the people below will recognise themselves from my descriptions!: -

Myself, Allan Black (his first venture out in 6 weeks), Mike 'the Cannibal', Jim on his Revolution Continental, Neil on the refurbished Holdsworth, Peter 'the Hammer' on his two-tonne Dawes tourer and newbie, Niall on a nice Raleigh with bling-tastic gold brake levers and calipers.

We set off from the Leisure Centre and headed out the Lanark Road at quite a 'brisk' pace which left myself at the back as we regrouped in Torphichen and poor Allan coughing his lungs up whilst keeping me company. It was decided to apply some additional weight to Peter's Dawes to slow him down somewhat although this didn't really have the desired effect! and we then went up to Preston Road where there was unbelievably around 1cm of snow and slush on the roads whereas there hadn't even been a sign of frost down in Linlithgow.

It was decided to head down to warmer climes at Winchburgh and the bunch gingerly made it's way down there via treacherous roads past Ochiltree and Faucheldean. We then set off at a fast pace to Kirkliston and around the backroads past Turnhouse and back to Kirkliston via the Dalmeny Estate - up to 19-20 mph at times.

From Kirkliston it was a run home via the 10 course although the bunch split with myself, Mike and Allan bringing up the rear albeit maintaining a good 16-17mph along the drag into the wind which shows how fast the rest were going.

Mike 'the Cannibal' annihilated the field at every 30 sprint on his turbo charged Ribble.

I missed out on the glory coming back into Kirkliston as we were being drafted by 'Ra Polis and so I didn't want to be up before the committee with a speeding ticket at the AGM - Jim sneakily took advantage of my law abidence and crossed the 'line' first to claim the honours.

Meanwhile the Cannibal was preparing for his assault on the Winchburgh 30. He reeled in a 200 metre breakaway and charged off the front to take the spoils yet again.

I could have had him at Linlithgow however I decided discretion was the better part of valour and didn't put up a challenge seeing as i'd sat on his wheel for the previous 7 or 8 miles and thought it would smack of desperation if I took advantage of him in such an ungentlemanly fashion.

All-in-all a good run although I think we need to be careful of keeping speeds down a bit if we've advertised a ride as a social paced one - especially at this time of year!

On the return to the leisure centre I spotted Freddie the Whippet taking Matt for a walk and stopped to chew the fat for a minute or two. Freddie was sporting a natty thermal jacket (Rapha?) and Matt had a lovely pair of green wellies on

Cheers all, hope to see you out on the road soon!

Grantus

Sunday 28th Ride Report

Grant, newbie Kev, Andy, Stevie, Matt and MIke set off towards Kincardine for the loop around the 2 bridges. The pack kept together really well, one of the best Sunday runs's we've head. Grant, and Andy have seen a marked improvement in fitness, with Grant attacking any 30 sign he can sniff out.
Andy said: I enjoyed the run, All 50 odd miles of it , which for me is the farthest Ive ever cycled in one go. I was glad there was no one around to see me toil up the quarry brae to my house though. I certainly feel that I am getting fitter ( slowly) and am getting used to being on the bike. And the encouragment and little tips from you guys makes it all that bit easier, and thanks for that.
One day I wont be hiding in the pack and will take a turn at the front, till then though thanks for keeping the wind off me and for dragging me along.."

Saturday 27th Ride Report

Six were out today (Saturday) - Stevie (good to see ya again!) Mark, Bill, Matt, Jim and newbie Andy from Brightons. It was pretty darn cold, Water bottles froze and gloves didn't work (allthough Myself and JIm were feeling a liitle smug with our fingers nice and cosy in £5 Aldi gloves). Bill took us on a great new route down to Bathgate, Armadale and round the back to Avon bridge. I reckon we should test some more routes out over the Blackburn, Fauldhouse, forth areas. Mark destroyed the bunch with a burst of speed at the Westfield 30 sign. Roads were frosty and icy in places but noone came a cropper. I was impressed with stevies fitness after such a long layoff and Andy ain't as slow as he suggests...

Boxing Day 10 Report

It was almost a perfect day for a race - A bit chilly but no ice and no wind. Brian Bernard won the '10' with a time of 28.12, Bob Simpson came second with 31.57 narrowly piping Mark Paul by 30 seconds to third place. Grant Thomson came in fourth with a time of 34.24 but he rode out to the event and back. Brian looked like he was holding back too, crossing the line with his hands on the brake hoods! There were even spectators watching the race. (Hello to Ron and Anette!) Thanks to Allan and Mike for help pushing off and marshalling. So thats our first event over and done with, It couldn't have been organised without all the background help from Allan, Tobias, Graham, James at the SCU and Ian and Steve from the Clarion. Plus an extra big thankyou to the National Clarion for loaning us the equipment

Roll on May when we start the weekly 10s!

Update

Is anyone watching this blog?

Can we start using it and start passing the word around that it is active again?

Bill