BEFORE YOU COME ON A GROUP RIDE

Riding in a group has many advantages but it also places certain responsibilities on each rider. Punctures, mechanicals etc, whilst often bad luck, can be less of a trial if certain precautions are taken before the run:

1. Make sure your bike is safe
Check brakes, wheels, rims and steering. Also ensure that nothing is loose (especially mudguards) or liable to fall off.

2. Check your tyres
Worn tyres are the single biggest preventable cause of punctures. Multiple punctures, apart from being a pain, won't endear you to other riders waiting for you on a cold day !
Make sure you know how to fix a puncture - practice beforehand if you need to.

3. What do I need to bring on a club run
Pump, spare inner tube, tyre levers, puncture kit, multi tool, rain jacket (it it looks inclement) snacks, water bottle. If it is very overcast fit a set of flashing lights
You should be capable of repairing a puncture. In the Winter fit mudguards. Also, bring some cash so if the ride stops at a café, you can get something to eat and drink.

4. Keep it light
You'll feel it if your bike is over laden, so avoid pannier racks, and panniers, you don't need the kitchen sink!

Many thanks to the ERC

SAFE GROUP RIDING

West Lothian Clarion is concerned for members' safety and that of other road users and expects members to ride responsibly. Every rider is responsible for their own safety whilst out on any club run, and is expected to contribute to keep the ride safe for all.

1. Obey the Highway Code.

• Click to see DfT guidance for cyclists
• Absolutely keep 2-abreast

• Be considerate to other road users.
• Stop at red lights and pedestrian crossings
• Keep to the correct side of the road;

2. Stay close
• Riders won't suddenly stop infront of you get used to riding about 2 feet behind the rider in front and about 1 foot from the rider at your side.
• Keep the spaces small and the group compact.
• Don't ride too far away from your partner because the wheel in front of you intimidates you.
• The gap you've left between you and your partner is a waste of space and to a motorist behind, it appears that you are three wide.

3. Be attentive
• Call the behaviour of errant riders and be prepared to heed warnings from others

4. Communicate
• You're responsible for your own safety but think of others.
• If you see an obstacle ahead like a pothole, then warn the others with a shout or hand signal.
• Give warning of approaching vehicles (but do not take risks with riding one-handed); Shout 'nose' to warn of oncoming vehicles and 'tail' to warn of vehicles behind.

5. Be Predictable
• Remember riders are following you closely behind
• Avoid sudden braking or sideways movements except in emergency, maintain a steady straight line
• Be aware of the cyclists directly in front of you, in case they slow or stop.
• Be aware that if you stand up in the saddle abruptly your bike will suddenly move backwards
• If you are on the front don't accelerate. When starting after traffic lights or a junction make sure the group is together
• If you have wait for for strugglers on a social ride, give them a few minutes to recover/have a drink/snack once they catch up. Don't set off again as soon as they arrive.

9. Singling out
• communicate clearly with the riders around you (the recommended technique is for the inside cyclist to go ahead. The outside cyclist is then able to see immediately when it is safe to move in.

10. Don't take risks
• Move to the back of the bunch if you need to remove clothing or do something else that might disrupt the bunch or involve risk.

11. Don't get distracted
• Do not use music players, check your phone or do anything that takes your attention or awareness away from other riders in the group and other road users.

12. Mechanicals
• If someone punctures or has a mechanical, everyone is expected to stop.

Many thanks to the ERC

GROUP RIDING TECHNIQUE

Riding in a bunch can be the most enjoyable experience if done in the right way. However, bunch riding can also be a huge pain if people in the group don't understand the rules. Everyone needs to know these rules for everyone's safety.

1. Hold your wheel
An appropriate gap between your front wheel and the person in front is around 60cm (2 foot). Keep your hands close to the brakes in case of sudden slowing. Sometimes people who are not used to riding in a bunch will feel too nervous at this close range - riding on the right side is generally less nerve-racking for such people as they feel less hemmed in. Watching "through" the wheel in front of you to one or two riders ahead will help you hold a smooth, straight line.

2. Don't leave gaps when following wheels
Maximise your energy savings by staying close to the rider in front. Cyclists save about 30 per cent of their energy at high speed by following a wheel. Each time you leave a gap you are forcing yourself to ride alone to bridge it. Also, riders behind you will become annoyed and ride around you. If you are in the bunch and there is no one beside the person in front of you, you should move into that gap (otherwise you will be getting less windbreak than everyone else will). Conversely, if you are that person and no-one moves into that gap beside you, you should move to the back of the bunch, the next pair to roll off will come back and one of those riders will fall in beside you.

Keep the gap between you and your partner at the side to about 1ft (30cm) any more and it makes it more difficult for drivers to pass, also to the motorist behind it can look like you are riding 3-a-breast if you sit further out.

3. Don't overlap wheels
A slight direction change or gust of wind could easily cause you to touch wheels with the rider in front and fall.

4. Brake carefully
Ride safely and try to stay off the brakes. If you are inexperienced and too nervous to ride close to the wheel in front of you, stay alone at the back and practice. When the pace eases, don't brake suddenly, instead ride to the side of the wheel in front and ease the pedalling off, then drop back on the wheel. Practice on the back and soon you will be able to move up the line with a partner.

5. Rolling through - swapping off - taking a turn
After having a turn on the front, the right hand rider (i.e. the non-kerbside rider) moves in front of his/her partner and is joined at the front by the rider who was riding behind.
In addition to getting the opportunity to talk with everyone in the group this also means that the group never gets any wider than 2 riders.

6. Be smooth with turns at the front of the group
Avoid surges. acceleration causes gaps further back in the bunch which in turn create a "rubber band" effect as riders at the back have to continually chase to stay with the bunch. This is particularly evident in larger bunches when cornering or taking off from standing starts at traffic lights where the front of the bunch can be almost at full speed before the back of the bunch is moving.

7. No half wheeling
Make sure you know the general speed of the bunch, when you go to the front, keep your speed around the same, and keep your wheels and handlebars in line with the person next to you.

8. Always retire to the back of the bunch
If riders push in somewhere in the middle of the bunch rather than retiring to the back after taking a turn, it can get tricky and means other riders will have to wait longer for their turn on the front

9. Do not panic if you brush shoulders, hands or bars with another rider
Try to stay relaxed in your upper body to absorb any bumps. This is a part of riding in close bunches and is quite safe provided riders do not panic, brake or change direction.

10. Forward pressure
Many riders, even the experienced ones, freewheel momentarily when they first get out of the saddle to go over a rise or a hill. When doing this, the bike is forced backwards. Try to keep forward pressure on the pedals when you get out of the saddle to avoid this situation.

11. When climbing hills, avoid following a wheel too closely
Many riders often lose their momentum when rising out of the saddle on a hill which can cause a sudden deceleration. This can often catch a rider who is following too closely, resulting in a fall from a wheel touch.

12. Look ahead

Do not become obsessed with the rear wheel directly in front of you. Try to focus four or five riders up the line so that any 'problem' will not suddenly affect you. Scan the road ahead for potential problems, red lights etc, and be ready.

13. Lead in front
Remember when you are on the front, you are not only responsible for yourself but everyone in the group. When you are leading the bunch, try to monitor potential problems and give plenty of warning of impending stops or changes of pace. Make sure you know where you are going

14. Don't use your aero bars in a bunch ride
Never use your aero bars in a bunch ride - not even if you are at the front. Using aero bars means that your hands are away from the brakes. Aero bars are for time trial or non-draft triathlon use only.

15. Experienced riders should share their knowledge
Experienced riders should point out any mistakes made by less experienced riders. This must be done diplomatically of course, but it is important to make people aware of unsafe riding and help them learn the right behaviour. Riding in a bunch is about everyone's safety.

Many thanks to the ERC and ourbrisbane.com

Two Clarionistas at the Stirling Duathlon

Angus sends in this report from last weekend's Stirling Duathalon, well done to both Angus and Dean who also took part.

This was my first year of trying to combine running and cycling so it seemed like a good idea to attempt a Duathlon.

The main scottish championships were on simultaneously, but I wimped out and entered the 'sprint' event. This was 5km run - 20km bike - 5km run .

I'd checked out the bike course the week before (first time using tri-bars!) and on paper I'd an idea of what I could do on the bike and the run(s).

The reality of putting it all together was of course quite different and I was initially a bit dissapointed, however I guess I've got to be pleased with 17th overall out of 133. There were 6 or 7 vets in front of me. I might have been fastest super-vet (over 50) if it wasn't for a certain Mr. Bud Johnston, who finished 2nd overall. I'm sure he's an ex scottish champion or something! (He should have been doing the championship event!). The bike course was ok but as you know there was a pretty strong west wind on Sunday, so the second half along the 'foothills' was pretty brutal.I reckoned the course was a wee bit longer than 20 km and I did it in about 37:30 (so maybe equvalent to a about a '29' ten) It's a quite unique experience coming straight off a TT on the bike and then trying to run!!

Anyway, I met Dean at the start who was giving it a go despite having only run on a gym treadmill! So his time and overall placing was brilliant (50th). Maybe he'll add to this thread with a wee report?

Scottish Cycling Volunteer & Coaching Conference 2010

On Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th January 2010, Scottish Cycling are organising a Volunteer & Coaching Conference. The location of the conference is yet to be confirmed.

A variety of courses will be offered, ranging from officials training and coaching development sessions to sports equity and child protection workshops. It will be a great opportunity to extend your knowledge, share your thoughts with others, get advice from experts and learn new skills.


The following courses are already confirmed:

Saturday 16th January (full day): Assistant MTB XC Commissaires Course* (new)
Sunday 17th January (full day): Assistant Road Commissaires Course*
Sunday 17th January (full day): Coaching Development workshop
Keep an eye on the SC website for updates on courses and the location of the conference.

For more information or to register your interest, please contact Rudi Doorn, Volunteer Support Officer, on 0131 3179704, 07508 040068 or rudi.doorn@scottishcycling.org.uk

*Participant must hold valid British Cycling Membership

Kingscavil hill climb report

A West Lothian hill was turned into Scotland's version of the Tour de France's King of the Mountains stage.

The notoriously steep Kingscavil hill was the scene of a hill climb hosted by West Lothian Clarion, and which attracted a field of 38 riders, some putting in final preparation for next weekends National Hill Climb champs in Fife.

The race was the club's first open event and competitors travelled from as far afield as Lancashire and the Scottish Borders - and one of only two bike events to take place on a closed road in Scotland this year. To close the road, permission had to be granted by West Lothian Council.

The riders were encouraged by an enthusiastic crowd, complete with bells, horns, whistles, banners and cheers. To add to the festival feel, each rider was piped across the line by Linlithgow bagpiper, Jim Crawford.

Organiser, Bill Young, from Torphichen, said: "It was great to see such a big turn out from spectators and competitors, it felt like West Lothian's version of the Tour de France. There was a great atmosphere on the course and it was a real family event with kids to grandparents watching and making a lot of noise to cheer the riders on."

The closed road, funded by tourist agency VisitWestLothian, was fully appreciated by the riders and spectators and helped to make the event unique in Scotland. Added Young: "I'd like to thank VisitWestLothian for generously paying for the event and West Lothian Council for agreeing to the road closure; many participants commented on how the closure made the event special and have already signed up for next year."

The winner of the men's event was David Martin from Edinburgh's Bicycle Works team in a time of 2 minutes 16 seconds. He said: "Thanks for a well-organised event. It was good to race on a closed road; not something we get to do very often. There also seemed to be more spectators than you would usually find at a Scottish hill climb, so thanks to them for the encouragement. As for the hill, it's horrible and always has been. I think I started a bit fast and was struggling a bit over the top, but it's always hard to get such a short effort right."

Said Michelle Gregory, the winner of the women's event in a lung-busting time of 3.59: "I thoroughly enjoyed the morning. The closed road, support of the crowd and the piper all made for a great atmosphere. That, along with the time trail style start, made me go all out at the start and I almost had nothing left for the steepest parts of the climb. I don't think my heart monitor has never read so high before. My first impression of West Lothian Clarion is of a very organised and welcoming club. I will be back again next year and hope to see plenty of women competing."

As a thankyou to local residents, West Lothian Clarion posted individual letters of appreciation though the letterboxes of all the neighbouring houses. The club would also like to thank Commissaire Alex McCulley and Time keepers Jimmy Harris, Alex Keys, Arthur Mcann and Graham Foster and all the volunteers who helped out.

April 2010 Majorca Cycling Camp

Mark Paul has organised a cycling trip next April in Majorca and is looking for interested parties who would like some decent cycling weather next April.

Date: Wed April 21st to Wed April 28th 2010 (To enable us to take in a weekend two day sportive)

Flight Fly Globespan Edinburgh to Palma and back again £117.98. Flight times are 6.00am out and 10.35am on the way back.

Hotel Aparthotel Duva Puerto Pollensa for 7 nights Half Board. In a previous post on the forum David had a response saying it costs 39.50 Euros PPPN, but I would look to confirm this. Rough costs at todays rate is £257.79.

Sportive (Optional) Sat 24th and Sun 25th April at a cost of 60.00 Euros for the two days. There is an option to enter one or both days.

Bike Hire (Optional)-Pro Cycle Hire. Various models, but carbon Giant costs £167.82 (180 Euros). Bike carriage on the plane costs £20.00 each way, but do we want the baggage handlers throwing all that Carbon around?

Hotel looks for a 25% deposit when booking, and the flight would have to be paid in full at time of booking.

Meet up For anyone that is interested, I would like to meet up to discuss the finer details at the Deer Park Beefeater (M8 Jct 3) at 20.00 on Sunday 18th October.

Alternatively give me a call on 07594 307886.

Cheers

Mark

members' gallery slideshow

Hill climb slide show

Women's champion: Michelle Gregory

Michelle Gregory from Bathgate won the women's championship

Photos of all the competitors have been taken by Trossachs photography and can be found on flicker here

Nick Hunter: Junior Champ

Nick Hunter from Falkik BC won the Junior championship

Photos of all the competitors have been taken by Trossachs photography and can be found on flicker here

Kingscavil HC: Men's Champ

Men's Champion: David Martin (Bicycle Works)

Photos of all the competitors have been taken by Trossachs photography and can be found on flicker here

New member!

Steve McDonald
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

Welcome to Steve McDonald who has been out on a few club runs and decided to join up
Steve says "After snapping my achilles tendon I took up cycling as a non-impact form of exercise to battle the bulge. The bulge is still winning, but I'm still cycling. Started on a Trek 3500 doing no more than a 14 mile round trip. I have recently bought a Giant Defy 1 which has improved my speed except on the hills and I am getting in some longer trips."

"I have taken part in a few Pedal for Scotland events but the highlight of my cycling was in March 2009 when I took part in the Cape Town Argus (Tour of storms) with winds of 55kph and gusts over 70kph it was tough going but I finished in a moderately respectable time.
I have been on a few club runs (I'm the guy you wait on at the top of the hills) and my target is to be one of the few at the top waiting on someone else."

New Member!

David Dourley
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

Welcome to David Dourley who joined last week

David says "In my early years I was lost when I had no bike to ride. I grew up as BMX took off and had a couple of Burners. The bog standard blue and yellow one and the more sought after chrome Pro Burner (which I still have).
As I got older the cycling was replaced by study and work although I have always had a bike throughout my life."

"I'm 33 now and over the past 12 years have used the bike mainly for commuting back and forth to work (fair weather cyclist mostly). In the past few years I have been encouraged by friends around the village to build on that. As such I have been out with the guys from Kirknewton on weekend and night time rides over the past 3 or 4 years."

"I have done the 3 Caledonian etapes (no punctures on any of them) and the odd sportive here and there. I recently completed Dunkirk to Martigues (727 miles) in 7 days as part of a team on a charity ride."

"Over the next year I hope to build on my ability and take part in more organised events and improve my standard of riding. Good in theory but with 3 kids family life sometimes takes priority. Joining the club seems like the next step."

"I'm currently riding a Specialized Allez Elite and have an old Giant winter bike for the salty commute, a hardtail mountain bike and the bmx (restoration in progress). The kids all have bikes too and my wife recently took delivery of a Specialized Dolce Sport. When we get time she enjoys clocking up some miles too."

Devilish supporters

Devilish supporters
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion