Hello Iain

You'll know Iain from our Linlithgow Active rides, read on and get to know him some more

"I've Been biking in some shape or form as far back as I can remember, mostly recreational mountain biking until I moved to Kirkliston in 2006 for job as cancer specialist pharmacist at the Western Deneral hospital. Previoiusly I lived and worked in Dundee and rode with the Dundee Thistle who got me properly into road biking and where I purchased my Bianchi Alu. Joined ERC in 2007 and focused mainly on mountain biking endurance events, 10 and 24hr events.

I ran the ERC kirkly 10 for 2 years but decided to let someone else take over from now on. Started going out with the Clarion around 2009/10 and decided suits me better location wise (and the fact they have meetings in the pub!) and enjoy the banter.

Treated myself to an Opera Canova carbon end of 2010 and been smiling ever since! Total bike collection to date is Orange 02 hard tail mountain bike, Merida 1000D full suspension (short-travel), Bianchi ML7 (alu) road bike, Opera canova 2010 carbon, Giant TCR TT (self-build), MTB style tandem!, 1990 GT Dyno BMX (in need of overhaul). i think that is about it.

oh almost forgot....i have a wife and a dog!"

Week 3 TT results

Diane Cox sends in the results for  this week's TT :

On another blustery Thursday, the 3rd 10TT of the series went ahead with 16 members taking part, including our first junior of the season (who did great by the way!)

The results are as follows:
1. John Howison ... 26.11 ... 20 points
2. Brian Mclellan ... 26.31 ... 19
3. Grant Craven ... 27.12 ... 17
4. Charles McLaughlin ... 27.13 ... 16
5. Iain Elliott ... 27.32 ... 15
6. Neil Wilson ... 28.00 ... 14
7. Kevin O’Hara ... 28.09 ... 13
8. Steve Fleming ... 28.17 ... 12
9. Mandy MacColl ... 29.40 ... 11 (1st lady)
10. Michelle Gregory ... 30.42 ... 10 (2nd lady)
11. Diane Cox ... 31.22 ... 9 (3rd lady)
12. Dave Adams ... 31.25 ... 8
13. Stuart Bird ... 31.29 ... 7
14. Keri Greig ... 33.56 ... 6 (1st junior)
15. Shona Greig ... 35.16 ... 5 (4th lady)
16. Martin Greig ... 35.38 ... 4

Thanks to Angus Gallie, timekeeper, and Steven Darling, pusher off who will be awarded 18 points towards their series total.

Thanks to all who participated from Diane, Tom B and Grant.

Read Michelle's first hand account of the race here

And take a look at the photos here

Photo of the week: Night ride

This snap was taken during the first hour of our 2009 Night Ride.

It was only dark for 3 hours and a car wasn't seen between 11pm and 8.00am

If you're interested in riding this year's Night Ride, on 19th-19th June, sign up on the forum thread

Why I like hanging around in lay-bys

Club Treasurer, Michelle Gregory is a time trial newbie, but now she's hooked, here's why:

I just wanted to say how much, to my surprise, I am enjoying the club TT series. In the past I have never been interested in riding a time trial, mainly because I prefer to be riding in the hills on nice quiet roads.

Last week I rode my first TT, with the view of riding one at least once in my life and to see what sort of time I could get. So I rode over and gave it a go. While my time won’t break any records, I found that I enjoyed the discipline of pushing myself constantly for 30 minutes. As a long distance rider I am used to “pacing” myself to ensure that I can sustain the distance. So it is quite a challenge mentally to not hold back.

The atmosphere is really friendly – it is fantastic when the faster riders shout out encouragement as they go past. It is also great to be able to chat to riders at the start and finish who I normally wouldn’t have the opportunity / speed to ride with on a club run.

Anyway, I found myself drawn back last night to improve on my time. So it looks like my Thursday nights will involve hanging around road lay-bys…and if I ride over then I still get to put in a ride in the hills too. I would encourage people to give it a go because you might find it is, strangely, enjoyable.

How the series works
Our club confined time trials take place on Thursdays, Sign on 7.00-7.15pm, first person off 7.30pm

Three races have taken place with seven left in the series, plus a 2-person team time trial.

Each week 20 points will be awarded to the winner, down to 1 point for 20th place. There are three trophies awarded, one for a women's competition, one for the men's competition and another for best under 18.

Schedule
TT4: 2nd June
TT5: 9th June
2-UP TT CHAMPS: 16th June

++4 week break to accommodate local and school holidays +++
Training rides are planned to replace the TT series during the break

TT6: 21st July
TT7: 28th July
TT8: 4th August
TT9: 11th August
TT10: 18th August

Full details here: http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/10tt.html

Week 3 TT Photos

Club Runs - Sat/Sun 28th/29th May 2011

Hi All,

Well, presuming the weather isn't as horrendous as last week-end we should all be able to get out and enjoy the scheduled club runs for this weed-end, see:

http://westlothianclarion...3-Months-to-6th-Aug-2011 

These are Dalmeny Estate for LLC (Depart at 9 am) and
The Vane Farm Loop for ECSC (Depart at 8 am)

A few members who normally ride out of LLC have expressed an interest in joining up with the ECSC run across into Fife (either fully or in part...), so, it that is the case, please be at the rendez-vous point on the Sth Side of the FRB at Sth Queensferry for about 8.45 am

The forecast is showing 9C, no rain and a 14mph W, so fingers crossed....

http://www.metcheck.com/V...ipcode=eh278dq&day=2

For Sunday, meet at the Cross for 9 am, route to be decided by the riders meeting up.

So who will be out this week-end? And if you are planning to join up with the ECSC run, please reply to this thread please!

Enjoy your rides.

Cheers,

Neil

New Bathgate Alps T-shirts have arrived

The new Bathgate Alps T shirts, featuring all the names of the climbs in the Alps on the back.

To collect your shirt email club secretary, Matt Ball on secretary@westlothianclarion.co.uk

Clarion all-night ride 18th-19th June announced

Paul Hammond is organising this year's night time ride...

The club's annual night ride will take place (overnight of course) from 18-19 June. The general idea is to set off at pub closing time or thereabouts, enjoy a leisurely cycle through the night and arrive in time for a hearty breakfast.

Being midsummer it's not actually dark for very long so you get to enjoy both the sunset and the sunrise. Last year we rode to Berwick-upon-Tweed and saw the sunrise over the North Sea, the only problem was that when we got there nowhere (apart from MacDonalds) was open for breakfast.

To avoid that problem this year I propose we cycle back to Linlithgow and enjoy breakfast at some willing volunteer's house (may even be mine!).

My original plan was to take the train to Pitlochry, have dinner in a pub and then cycle back via this route:
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=245275

The only problem is that there are no bike spaces left on any suitable trains. However I'm still keen to do this ride so I could take 5 or 6 bikes up in my car while their riders take the train. If more than 5 or 6 people want to do the night ride then we will take the train in to Edinburgh and enjoy a scenic ride home via the Borders.

Could you please let me know if you're interested in doing the ride so that I can decide what our best option is?

Post up on the forum here: http://westlothianclarion.yuku.com/topic/2077

Cheers,
Paul

CLUB 2-UP 10TT CHAMPIONSHIPS: THURSDAY 16TH JUNE

Race for the inaugural WLC 2up TT championship trophy, donated by Kevin O'Hara

The race will be run over the usual 10 TT course.

16th June at Bridgend,

Sign on 7.00pm-7.15pm for a 7.30 start.

Sort out your pairings and post up your team on the forum

If you have no partner but want to race post up on the forum asking for a partner.

Cowbells work!

Club Secretary, Matt Ball, was out supporting and snapping the riders at last night's club 10TT.

His cowbell ringing caught the interest of a herd of cows who came over to watch the race with him.

Matt said "I hadn't realised cows actually like the sound of cowbells. They came rushing over when I started ringing the bell. It was nice to have some company by the side of the road, if they went to a cyclo cross race they'd probably really enjoy it!

TT series week 2 results

A good turn out again at last night's TT. There was a stiff southerly breeze which made the course tough in both directions

Neil Wilson, Michelle Gregory, Gordon McKenzie rode their first ever TT and Mark Ewing, Colin Humphries, Dean Campbell and Angus Gallie rode their first race of the season.

1st - Mark Ewing 25.06 (20 points)
2nd - John Michael Howison 25.36 (19 points)
3rd - Colin Humphries 26.04 (18 points)
4th - Grant Craven 27.28 (17 points)
5th - Angus Gallie 27.49 (16 points)
6th - Iain Elliott 28.03 (15 points)
7th - Neil Wilson 28.04 (14 points)
8th - Gordon McKenzie 28.57 (13 points)
9th - Stuart Bird 29.48 (12 points)
10th - Craig Duncan 30.21 (11 points)
11th - Michelle Gregory 30.57 (1st lady) (10 points)
12th - Dean Campbell 31.48 (9 points)
13th - Debbie Pollard 32.22 (2nd lady) (8 points)

Thanks to the Tom Beattie and Allan Mccrimmon for time-keeping and pushing off, they will also be awarded points towards the championships.

Photos from 19th May club TT

More photos in our Flickr Gallery

New Member!

Avril Roy joined up last week after riding the Linlithgow Saturday and Sunday club runs - welcome to the club Avril

"Just over two years ago I bought myself a second hand Giant hardtail mountain bike and started getting out along the canal. I just loved it! After a few months a friend, who was also new to cycling, suggested doing the Artemis Highland 100. We signed up for it for September 2009. It's 83 miles, 70% road 30% off road - so quite a challenge for a complete beginner. I spent the summer of 2009 training and acquiring knowledge and equipment for my new addictive hobby! This included my new Cube Access WLS hardtail, which I got two weeks before the event."

"Artemis was my first cycle challenge and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. As soon as it was over I signed up for my next challenge and cycled from Vietnam to Cambodia in February 2010. An amazing experience. My enthusiasm and love of cycling encouraged seven new team members to take part in Artemis September 2010. All of who were completely new to cycling and are still loving it!"

"In the summer of 2010 my interest in road cycling was growing and in August I got myself a LS Giant Avail and two weeks later completed the York 100. That was me hooked! I decided that 2011 would be about road cycling and signed up for the Caledonia Etape. To help with my training I came along on a few of the Sunday runs, which really helped with my confidence and ability. I had no hesitation in joining the club. This is exactly what I'm looking for to improve my cycling and everyone is really friendly."

"I completed the Etape yesterday, 15th May, - a brilliant experience! My next challenge is to complete the Cross Border 100 on 22nd May, achieving my first 100 miles in a day. If that goes well I'm hoping to take part in the Trossachs Ton on 19th June this year and am open to more challenges as the year progresses."

Snow Roads Audax report

Neil fraser got back early and sent in this report from his 300km Audax at the weekend

This audax must be some kind of milestone for WLC - Four Clarion riders in a field of 40 meant that we were 10% of the field! Pretty good going for a hard event starting and finishing up in Kirriemuir. Only one of the local clubs - Angus Bike Chain - had more riders in. Anyway, now the ride report -

The Snow Roads is a 300km event designed to take in most of the main snow-gated passes through the Eastern Cairngorms. The big name climbs are Cairn O'Mount, The Cabrach, The Lecht and Glenshee but there are a few more colls thrown in for good measure, giving 4800m of climbing over the 301km distance.

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=245495 shows the route, but don't believe the altitude data, it was tougher than that.

It was tough! Fourth time I've ridden this event and this one felt the hardest. A strong NorthWest wind just ratcheted up the pain on the climbs and killed the average speeds on the flats, making a long day a lot longer. Weatherwise it was much colder than I expected, with very heavy showers turning to sleet and hail on the higher ground.

I spent most of the ride with Simon and spent most of the time struggling to keep up with him. For his second ever audax (the first being last year's 3 Glens) he seemed amazingly comfortable with the audax way of doing things - ride hard for a few hours, stop in a cafe, eat loads of food, ride hard for a few hours, stop in a cafe...

A summary of my ride -
Fast run out from Kirrie to the bottom of Cairn O'Mount. Got up the climb feeling fairly fresh and enjoyed a good blast down to Banchory. Breakfast in Morrison's Supermarket Cafe. Then a flattish stage up to the next control at Oyne, a cafe with great soup and sandwiches. Immediately after this stop the rain started and the waterproofs stayed on for the rest of the day.

Stiff headwinds up to and over the Cabrach, even had to pedal going down the other side. Cafe stop in Dufftown for a toastie and cake. Bad crosswinds on the run up to Tomintoul, turning to tailwinds when we finally got to the road for the Lecht. Climb of the Lecht wasn't too bad, it's steep but the final climb is really quite short.

Quick pint in the ski station cafe before a fast descent, made scary by strong crosswinds. Two more tough climbs in torrential rain before we reached Deeside and the chip shop in Braemar. Haddock Supper provided the essential fuel for the last 70km to the finish, which turned out to be the highlight of the day. The rain stopped before Glenshee and the clouds parted, letting the moon appear for a tailwind assisted stomp along Glen Isla.

Riding at dusk is a good time to see the wildlife and Glen Isla didn't dissappoint - young deer, owls, bats, hedgehogs and rabbits all on show. From a 6am start myself and Simon finished at 10:30pm, Peter came in about an hour later and Tobias arrived at 1:30am.

TT series Race 1 results

Diane Cox send in the results for the first race in the club confined TT series which took place last Thursday:

15 racers took part in the first race of the series and the results are as follows:

1st - J Howison 26:07
2nd - G Craven 27:05
3rd - C McLaughlin 27:06
4th - C Geddes 27:51
5th - S Fleming 28:09
6th - P Hammond 28:14
7th - D Ewing 28:19
8th - I Elliott 29:05
9th - M MacColl 29:29 *1st lady
10th - R Hemesley 29:36
11th - C Duncan 30:02
12th - T Beattie 30:31
13th - D Cox 30:32 *2nd lady
14th - S Henley 31:35
15th - D Pollard 31:42 *3rd lady

Even in the very windy conditions there were a few personal bests, with Debbie knocking over 5 minutes off her time from last year. Wow! A good start to the season for those who took part.

Thanks and points go to Matt Ball - timekeeper and Stuart Bird - pusher off.

The next race is this Thursday 19th. Even if you didn't ride the first race you'll still be eligible for the overall series as a rider's top 7 placings will be used to work out the final league positions.

Alternatively, if you simply want to try a time trial then come along and give it a go! all the details here