Ride our club runs - 16th + 17th April

Club Captain Neil Greer has sent in the ride information for the coming weekend

Hi All,

Since I took on this role of Club Runs Captain last September I have been keeping some stats - I know, very sad! - about the week-end runs.

Well, for those of you interested in this sort of thing, please see below a summary of what we have all been doing. BTW, many thanks to Gordon Bonallo for some invaluable Excel help in compiling this data.

I think the most telling stat is the 25k miles that we have collectively ridden in the 6 months to last week-end. Bearing in mind how much snow-bound time that includes, what do we think our full year achievement will end up being? 60k, 75K - the mind boggles!

Anyway, to contribute to that tally, you may want to try the the club runs this week end, which are:

16-Apr-11
Linlithgow
Dalmeny Estate 9.00 am
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Dalmeny-Estate
Ride Leader(s): TBA

East Calder
Carnwath / Apple Pie 8.00 am
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/463272
Ride Leader(s): TBA

17-April-11
For Sunday's run - can I suggest its "decide on the day time" again, as folk rode the Dalmeny route last week.
Leave from The Cross at 9 am.

Remember, please arrive 10 mins earlier to get away "on the hour"

The forecast doesn't look as promising as last w/e with the temp falling to single figures again and light rain with a 17 mph S, see:

http://www.metcheck.com/V...ipcode=eh278dq&day=3

So, for all of you that have collected your new Club Kit, this will be a great opportunity to try it out!

C'mon - lets see how much gold, black and white we can adorn ourselves with!

Enjoy your rides.

Cheers,

Neil

Before you arrive please read our ride guidelines here: http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns
Make sure you familiarise yourself with the route

Latest limited edition prints have arrived

The new limited edition prints have arrived from the printer. The superb artwork will now be signed and numbered by the artist Garry Marshall, ready to be posted to art lovers across the country.

The Illustration depicts a Clarion cyclist arriving at the Wallace Monument in Stirling, location of this year's Easter Meet and West Lothian Clarion's Easter Hill Climb.

http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/easterraces

Craigie's Farm Cafe Bike Day 7th May

Anne Baird from Craigies Farm Deli and cafe has sent in the details of their bike day on 7th May

West Craigie Farm, south Queensferry in conjunction with Hervelo cycling club are holding a bike day on Saturday 7th May 2011 from 11 am till 1 pm and we would like to invite you and the club along on the day. We have the following attending

Dr Bike, Spokes, Sustrans the Bike Chain, Pedal Power, two cities Dunfermline/Edinburgh race events, activities for children obstacle course for bikes plus lots more.

We are trying to encourage cyclist and families to come on the day as the first 50 past the post on bikes will get a Craigies Goodie Bag.

If you require any more information please call or email.

Anne Baird
anne@craigies.co.uk

http://www.craigies.co.uk/home-page/about-us

Mull It Over Audax report

Neil Fraser sends in this great report from the Mull it over Audax - inspiring stuff!

I thought it was going to be good, but it was better than that! Best ride I've done in a long time. Starting by getting a ferry to Mull meant that I had the chance to enjoy Calmac's finest full cooked breakfast, not the usual bit of toast before a 6am start. As soon as we hit the road on Mull the sixty riders split into groups. I found myself in the second group, going all out to complete the 75km round Mull quickly enough to get an early ferry over to Morvern. About 2 miles from the Ferry terminal at Fishnish we say the ferry coming across from the other side. We hammered the last two miles and managed to get into the ferry - just. As soon as I was up the ramp they were raising it behind me.

Having gained 45 minutes by getting that ferry, I spent the next 40 minutes sitting in the sunshine outside the cafe at the other side, eating a lovely venison burger and drinking coffee. Let most of the group leave without me then headed off with Kevin from Musselburgh, who I spent the rest of the ride with.

By the time we got to Strontian we were overheated and our water bottles were empty. Que a 10 minute stop at the post office to re-fill the bottles and enjoy an ice-cream. Strontian to Glenfinnan was probably my favourite stage, despite being the hilliest. The scenery was excellent - big open vistas of sea lochs and mountains alternated with close-in views of ancient forests of scots pine.

At Glenfinnan control we stopped for soup, sandwiches and a wee beer. Met about a dozen other riders there so had a good chat before heading out again. Had a choice of routes from there to the next control at Kinlochleven - main road via Fortwilliam or back road round the South shore of Loch Eil and down to the Corran ferry. We chose the Corran ferry route and it was lovely. First time I'd been down that road but I really liked it - good surface, cracking views of Ben Nevis, no traffic. Just missed the ferry at Corran so had to wait half an hour for the next one. Luckily there's a good pub at the ferry terminal so the time wasn't wasted.

At Kinlochleven we had a snack from the Co-op and put the lights on for the final leg back down to Oban. The 50km from Ballachulish down to Oban is one of my favourite roads and as usual it was smooth and quiet. Not as interesting in the dark as it is in daylight, but we saw a few owls, deer and bats. And Kev kept the conversation up all the way to the finish. After a final sprint to avoid the drunks in Oban I finished at 11.10pm, giving me a time for the route of 14hrs 50 minutes. Didn't break any records but it was really too good a day to hurry.

Membership cards have arrived

The 2011 membership cards have arrived and will be handed out by club secretary, Matthew Ball, at club runs and socials. If you're keen to get hold of it sooner email him on secretary[AT]westlothianclarion.co.uk to arrange a pick up.

Great RadTour Photos

IMGP3299
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion
Rob Hemesley took some atmospheric photos while out on the RadTour, take a look here:
http://tinyurl.com/5sgoyz6

Wednesday night is kids club

The kids club has moved to a Wednesday evening, making use of the longer evenings. The 6th April saw a cracking session with a large group of riders developing their grass track racing skills, in preparation for the club's Grass Track Races in Bridge of Allan

Riders were put through their paces sprinting, riding a team pursuit, 2-UP pursuit, devil racing (last rider each lap is removed) and chasing the tail (if you catch the rider in front they are knocked out)

Riders were racing for a full hour and a half and fully enjoyed their cycling, see you next week

More details here: http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/kidsclub

The club kit has arrived

Dave Dourley says the Club Kit is due this week, here are the details for collection:

After a bit of sorting out, it should be available to pick up from Dave's house on -

Evenings only after 7pm
Sunday 10th , Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th

or

All day Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th. (If no answer either at school with kids or in back garden)

Those on the reserve kit list - I'll contact you direct via e-mail with what is available

Sat nav ready? 8a Whitemoss Road, Kirknewton, West Lothian, EH27 8AF

If you are unable to make any of these dates, email clarionkitorder@hotmail.co.uk to make a date for collection

New Bathgate Alpes T shirt

We've got a new Bathgate Alpes T-shirt in the pipeline. Stick your name down on the forum if you want one.
Click here to sign up

Day out at the races

10 senior riders and 2 juniors were out racing at the weekend.

Read about their exploits by clicking the links below:

1. Royal Albert 10TT
2. Gordon Arms Mountain TT
3. Super Six B Race
4. Kelso Youth Crits

Best place finisher was Alex Ball, 4th in the under 8s at Kelso and Paul Nunn who did well to finish in the main bunch in his first race back after a period off the bike

Simon Kenny gives it full beans in the Super 6 race below

SONY DSC, originally uploaded by turb24.

This weekend's club runs

Before coming on the club run, please familiarise yourself with the route (see below) and our ride guidelines: http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns

We are also looking for a club member to lead this week's rides, this isn't an onerous task and is your chance to put something back into the club. Please contact Neil Greer to put your name forward: clubruns[AT]westlothianclarion.co.uk

Read on for Neil's ride preview

Hi All,

If this week-end's forecast is anything to go by there should be some tan-lines by the end of the week-end!

Just a reminder that the rides for this Saturday are:

Linlithgow
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Climpy-Forth
Meet at 8.50 am for a 9 am depart, and

East Calder -
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Loch-Leven-Loop493977
Meet at 7.50 am for an 8 am depart

Sunday
The same Linlithgow route, meet at The Cross for a 9 am depart.

Last week-end saw 29 riders out on the Sat/Sun club runs, so let's see if we can keep the momentum going - you won't get much better conditions!

Enjoy your rides.

Neil

A great weekend for a bike ride

Last weekend saw two big groups riding the Saturday club run and 8 riders out on the Sunday run.

Read the reports here: http://tinyurl.com/6dut554

Picture shows Saturday's Social group

Find out more about our club runs here: http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns

This weekend's club runs

Club captain, Neil Greer, sends in the plans for this weeknend's club runs

Hi All,

With this Saturday being the first one in April this will be another opportunity for riders from both start points to join up for a Combined Club Run.

The forecast is currently looking slightly challenging - mild (8C), but with a 24 mph Southerly gusting to 29 mph, see:

Click for weather check

The route is the Caldercruix loop with a refreshment stop at the Cup Cake for those so inclined (aka the EC Crew!), so this run will forever now be known, neatly, as the:

"Clarion Caldercruix Cup Cake Cafe Combined Club Challenge" - try saying that after a beer or two....

click here to see the route

The run(s) will aim to leave LLC at 9 am, so please be there for 8.50 am. EC riders an hour earlier at ECSC to leave at 8 am for the ride across.

For Sunday, meet at the Cross for 9 am, with the option for riders to also try this challenge.

So, who is up for the "CCCCCCCC" this week-end ?

Cheers,

Neil

Find out more about the clubs runs here: http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns
Read about how to ride in a group here: http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/westlothianclara
Remember, you are responsible for your own safety so make sure you know the route

4 days left to book your Easter Meet

This year's big Clarion gathering in Stirling looks to be the biggest for years...

Don't miss out on all the fun, look what we've got planned:

Friday 22nd
1. Scottish Welcome and sign on
2. FREE Whisky Tasting
3. FREE Observatory tour
4. FREE live music

Saturday 23rd
1. Hill climb
2. Clarion conference
3. Social ride to the Carron valley
4. Kids grass track races
5. Clarion Ceilidh and buffet

Sunday 24th
1. Easter Egg Hunt
2. Gateway to the Highlands Sportive
3. Very social ride to the Falkirk Wheel 4. Stirling castle tour 5. Champions banquet with guest of honour Chris Sidwells

There is something to suit everyone, from social rider to racer, and family members and friends are welcome too!

Find out more including all the timings: http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/eastermeet

North Cheshire Clarion ride through West Lothian

Five North Cheshire riders are cycling to the Easter Meet and will be passing through our county on Friday 22nd April as they make their way to Stirling

Why not accompany them on their way?
Sign up for the ride on the forum: CLICK HERE