Watch out!

West Lothian Council is warning about the very high risk of black icy patches on all routes as melting snow washes grit from roads and refreezes.

Spin class club run

Desperate to go on a club run, Clarionistas from all over the county took part in spin classes at the weekend. Nine members descended on Linlithgow Leisure Centre on Saturday, Malcolm took part in the EICA Ratho spin class and a few members from the East Calder group attended the Craigswood Sports Centre in Livingston.

At Linlithgow, Bill, Stevie, Denis, Steve, Neil, Jamie, Craig, Ewan and Alan came out of the class with faces of varying shades of pink. They all seemed to benefit from the work out and there was a good bit of banter afterwards over a coffee in the cafe.

If you haven't been to a class before, some bikes can take spd shoes on one side of the pedals. It gets very warm in the class so wear your cycling gear, and take a towel and drink in with you. The Linlithgow class requires all participants to register on their system for free, before the start, so arrive with plenty of time to spare.

Click for more information
EICA Ratho
Craigswood Sports Centre
Linlithgow Leisure Centre

Pass the salt

Looks like the spin class club runs are even more inviting: The amount of grit West Lothian Council has in stock has now reached critically low levels, says the council's web site.
Read more

Next club run is a spin class!

West Lothian Clarionistas are going stir crazy, many having been snow bound for three weeks. To make sure we get a club run this Saturday Bill came up with the idea of attending a spin class at the Linlithgow leisure centre.

When? Saturday 9th
What time? 8.40am for a 9am start
Where: Linithgow leisure centre

• You don't need an induction to go spinning
• There are 36 newly refurbished bikes
• The classes do get quite busy but you cannot prebook - first come first served
• You DON'T have to be a member of the sports centre or Excite you WILL have to register on their system, so you'll need to go along 5 or 10 minutes earlier to have enough time to do that, or you could go along before Saturday to register.
• Wear your clarion summer kit, it'll be your only chance for a while.

UPDATE FROM THE EAST CALDER CREW

Neil says "for those who'd like a later start the Craigswood Sports Centre in Livingston has a similar class starting at 10.15 - not sure how many spin bikes they have though... for more details click here

Malcolm also says "For those further to the East, there's one that starts at 10am at the EICA Ratho, I tried one last night and they've got a new fleet of bikes." For more information click here

Cyclists on ice

Neil Greer on an alternative Clarion club run in Kirknewton:

"Hi All, Just to let you all know this is why the bike has not been out! ...actually, we were just doing the weekly shop...
Cheers, Neil"

Weekend ride reports

Unsurprisingly, due to the state to the roads, few riders made it out on the club runs at the weekend. Saturday's weather was so bad that Bill even opened up the Hangar of Anger for an indoor club run!

Allan brrrrravely made it to the Cross on Sunday, here is his report "I wasn't surprised that no one showed for the Sunday run given the conditions. The icy roads meant it took me a little longer to get out of Philpstoun, so I didn't get to the Cross till 9.05 am, there wasn't anyone there and the snow was just coming on so I didn't hang around"

"I headed out on the Edinburgh Road through Winchburgh and Kirkliston, and because it was still snowing, I turned and retraced the same route. The ride was uneventful and nothing of interest happened, the distance was only about 20 miles ridden at a reasonable pace, just fast enough to keep me warm and slightly out of breath and took about an hour. I should add it took me longer to clean and lube my bike than it did to get it dirty!"

This week's award for the hardest rider in the club has got to go to Allan!

Tips for riding on ice

Thanks to Giles at North Cheshire Clarion for this link:

http://road.cc/node/12090

This weekend's club runs

Allan will be at the Cross in Linlithgow on Sunday for 9.00am, and says "Not a great forecast for the weekend but i'm planning a ride from the cross at Linlithgow 9am along to Cramond and back, aprox 25 miles, if anyone wants to join me, I'll see you Sunday."

The 'Social' and 'Active' Saturday rides will leave Linlithgow Leisure Centre at 9.00am but there won't be an East Calder Saturday ride this weekend.

Saturday's weather looks like it will be more inclement than Sunday's, if its raining, the Linlithgow group will be sheltering at the entrance of the Leisure Centre but if the roads are icy there may not be many people turning up.

All our ride details can be found at http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns.html

Weekday Rides

Last week John McComisky met up with fellow West Lothian Clarion member, Craig Marshall, and went on a 48 mile jaunt around a sodden West Lothian and Central Region.
John says "Craig has been a customer at the shop I work in (Halfords) and our discussions had turned to meeting up for some Etape training. Mista Marshall will be in good form by then, I am sure, as he left me wheezing on any climbs especially the run up to the Flints in Boness.
Although the weather for the Boness-Lithgae-Avonbrige-Grangemouth-Newton-Winchburgh and Grangemouth was foul, the chat was mighty and as all good cyclists do we were able to put the world to rites. We put up with a fair amount of sleet, cow dung and fading light but even at this time of year it was a good paced ride of around 15mph.
The only thing I would mention is that Craig is possibly the clubs very own puncture demon, I managed three on the day followed by another on the way to work. It turns out that another Clarion member had a similar experience with Craig the previous week...lol.Spurs, boots, Stiletto's!"
If anyone fancies a midweek ride get in contact with John at jmccomisky[at]hotmail.com.

Another member, Ronnie Thomson, is also looking for weekday ride partners and has planned a series of rides over the next few months, go here to see the list

Saturday Run Report 24/01/09

Neil Hayes sent in a report for last week's Saturday ride. He says "It was a Good turn out, 7 in total, despite the cold, including myself, Peter, newbie Matt, Steve and Craig. Due to the icy conditions we stuck to the main roads going across to Bannockburn via Skinflats and Airth. Returning via Falkirk and Maddison. In total about 45 miles. On the flat roads through Airth to the Stirling by-pass the group maintained a very good pace"

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...