Ride with the Clarion on Sundays

A steady social ride of around 45 miles leaves the Cross in Linlithgow every Sunday at 9.00am. Groups of 4 or 5 have been riding out since the new year, with Allan McCrimmon leading the way. Why not come along on our club run around the local lanes?

To find out more about our Social rides, go to our main website here: www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns

Get out for a social Sunday run

Allan sends in his report from Sunday's Valentines day club run. "There were three riders out today, me Denis and newbie shaun. We had already decided on the two bridges route, which we rode with a few variations compared to the normal route"

"We started by going up and over the Flints to Boness, just to warm the legs and finished the ride by popping over to Blackness, then up to the Bonsyde Hotel and then dropping back down into linlithgow at sun microsystems."

"We rode at a good pace and stayed together well, even clocking 29mph on the town's speed monitor going into cairneyhill. The weather was fantastic with hardly a breath of wind, when we crossed the forth bridge the water was millpond flat.

"A great ride thanks to Denis and Shaun, It would be great to see more Clarion members out on our Sunday morning Social ride."

Denis said "It was a really enjoyable run today. The distance was 43 miles with a 16 mph average. That last hill was a bit of a leg burner!"

All the ride details here: www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns

Sunday Run 7th Feb

Allan sent in this week's report about the Sunday's run:

"There were four clarion members out this morning, Denis, Eve Neil and I and we kept it pretty local: Philpstoun, Hopetoun Estate, Queensferry, Dalmeny Estate, Kirkliston and Whinchburgh."

"Neil had a spectacular blow out at Dalmeny which ripped the sidewall of his tyre, he was unable to continue and had to phone for the emergency services (his wife) to come and collect him. The rest of the group continued and had a good tailwind all the way back to Linlithgow. Ride time was about 2 & a half hours, not sure on milage but I think Denis will post up as he had a computer."

The Sunday run looks like it has attracted a good core of ridrers, why not get out and swell the ranks of this social ride.

All the club run information here: http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns.html

Weekend ride reports

Linlithgow Saturday rides

Although it was cold on Saturday morning, the bright winter sunshine, dry roads and clear views across West Lothian made it a great day for riding a bike. 14 riders were out on the Social and Active rides that left the Linlithgow Sports Centre at 9.00am.

Club Captain, Andy said "It was a fantastic turnout today, myself, Matt, Lesley, Jamie, Donald, Neil, Graham, Simon F, Steve and new riders, Ryan and dad Neil set off in one group up to Torphican. We met up with Bill, Stevie and Simon K. in the centre of the village and then split into the Active and Social groups."

"I took the social group, via Bathgate, Blackburn, Addiewell, Woolfords, Auchengray, Forth/Climpy, Fauldhouse, Blackburn and home. It must have been a fairly relaxed Active group, as the social group was on their tail and had them in sight to Woolfords. In the tortoise and hare scenario maybe they were just a rabbit today!"

"Thanks to everyone who supported the run today, who knows how many will be out on a hot summers day!"

The Active run rode along the same route as the Social ride. At Woolfords they realised the Social group was just behind, so the group picked up the pace. This didn't suit everyone and three riders were shelled out the back, with one or two picked up by the following group. Six riders continued and stayed together for the rest of the faster paced club run.

New member, Simon Kenny said "I really enjoyed the Active run, the pace was demanding but that's what I wanted, great fun and look forward to joining the gang for much more cycling shenanigans"

Linlithgow Sunday ride

Sunday run stalwart, Allan McCrimmon sends in this report "It was a cold morning but the roads were dry and the sun was shining with just a light breeze when Dave, Malcolm, Lewy, Eve, and myself set off. We opted for the two bridges route, out through Polmont Grangemouth and Skin Flats."

"The speed detector at Cairnyhill clocked the group at 22mph but overall I think the average for today was around 15mph, distance, about 40 miles. Well done to Eve, as I think this was her biggest run so far. Thanks to everyone for the company and I hope to see you all again next weekend."

All club run information can be found on the main website:

http://www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/clubruns.html

Weekend club runs

SATURDAY RUN
Nine riders set off from Linlithgow on Saturday. Andy W, Steve, Tobias, Andy H, Neil, Jamie, Simon from Torphichen, Angus and Louis sorted themselves out into the Social and Active groups and headed towards the South of the county.

Andy H. was in the active group and says "Despite cold, drizzle and filthy roads, spirits were high, probably because we were all just glad to be actually back out cycling after a month off outdoor cycling with the snow."

"We went to Winchburgh, Broxburn, Almondell Country Park, East Calder, A70 for a bit, West Calder and Bathgate. The Strange Cycling Event of the Ride award goes to Angus’ cranky Crank. It snapped off (it was that cold!) at icy Almondell leaving the metal crank/pedal attached to his shoe but not to the bike! He had to phone for a taxi home. Simon punished us with Puir Wife’s Brae out off Bathgate and then Cairnpapple to finish off an energetic 40 miles."

Andy W. rode in the social group and says "The two fatties, Tobias and I, decided to be the social group but we all set out together as far as Bridgend. We then meandered over through Faucheldean,Winchburgh, Broxburn and Almondell country park to East Calder."

"We met up with the faster group again as they had stopped due to a broken crank on Angus's bike, after making sure he got sorted out with a taxi we cycled on to the lang wang. We continued along here for aroung six miles and then went down through Harburn and West Calder and home."

"I had cycled about 42 miles including my run over to L'gow before the start. New member Simon certainly has some miles in his legs, he stuck in well with the active group and hopefully he'll be out on many more runs. As for Tobias and me, we need more miles, less beer and less lbs on the scales, but today wasn't a bad start."

SUNDAY RUN
Melwin, Allan, Mike, Graham (who had cycled over from Caldercruix) and Matt set off from Linlithgow at a steady, social, pace to Dunblane and up on to Sheriffmuir, before the weather closed in and it started to snow. The group decided to return back to lower ground and make their way back to Linlithgow following the same route.

Route: Linlithgow, Polmont, Grangemouth, SkinFlats, Airth, Stirling, Bridge of Allen, Dunblane. About 55-60 miles in total.

Matt said "A good social ride, the group kept together well. Despite the social pace, my legs were sore afterwards and Mike says his were too, I suspect Melwin will take a few days to recover..."

All the ride details can be found on the website

Weekend Rides

West Lothian Dogs
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

Saturday run
With many regulars riding Spotives at the weekend the club runs still managed a good level of participation. It might be tough getting up for the 8.00am start but the riders can get in a load of miles and be home for elevenses!

Matt, Bill, Stevie, Steve, Dave and Andy set off through Westfield, Avonbridge, Slamannan (of course) and past the wind farm then back towards Torphichen.

Bill, feeling the effects of his recent trip to the States said "We had a good ride at a reasonable 15 mph with some hill efforts and good group riding for the entire 30 miles. Great to see people still willing to turn up on a poor weather day and put the miles in. The rain started on our way home but only for the last mile, so managed to miss the heavy downpours. Back home for 10.30am!

Sunday Run
Allan, Mike and Melwin met up at the Cross in Linlithgow for 9.00am Allan said "We covered 43 miles at a gentlemanly and sociable 14.5mph along the two Bridges route (including the new Kincardine Bridge)"
Melwin is getting stronger each week, Allan said "Melwin did OK, slightly off the back at times but we weren't trying to burn anybody off so he was there at the end, still smiling and saying that he had enjoyed the ride"

Club run details here

Weekend Riding

Saturday's club run saw a group of 5 riding along some new roads at the Eastern end of the County. Malcolm lead Peter, Matt, Dave and Andy over his regular training routes at the foot of the Pentlands. 

The ride began with the ascent of the Knock and then a quick left at the top, along a road we don't often use, to Dechmont. We headed back towards the Alps and then to Kirkliston where Dave nabbed the 30 sign. New comer Dave looks built for sprinting and and has a good turn of speed... with a bit of conditioning we might have our very own 'Cav'!

We continued on into uncharted territory for most of the group, Malcolm has kept these glorious local roads close to his chest, he says he finds our regular routes to Slammanan more of a thrill!

These early starts mean you can build up the miles, by 9.30 we'd been on the road for an hour and a half and had bagged 20-odd miles. Nevertheless our tummies were rumbling and we jumped at Malcolm's offer of a refuel at his gaff. But first we took in one of his hilly local circuits which ended up in Balerno and then Cafe 'Wake' in Ratho. Malcolm's better half, Jackie, served us coffee, and what looked like, the top tier of their wedding cake. (Thanks for the hospitality!) The four remianing riders headed back to Linithgow, with a tiring Dave still managing to bag a couple more 30 signs before his legs finally gave up.

Three riders were out on the steadier Saturday ride which meets at the bottom of Boness Road in Linlithgow. Newbie Melwin rode out on his fabulous new Gios with Jim and Steve, along a flat route based along the Edinburgh road. Melwin is starting to get in the miles so it won't be long before his enthusiasm translates into 30-sign sprints!

On Sunday Neil, Jim and David met up at the Cross and headed around the two bridges route Jim said "We used the new Clackmannanshire bridge and the connecting cycle paths, before finishing, Etape du Tour style, with a haul up Kingscavil (which I hit did at a steady 3.9 mph - any slower and I would have fallen off!). All in it was 45 miles, but at 17mph average, not 15. Sorry! No sprints though, although these guys can motor up hills like nobody's business! Great run and I was suitably sleepy on Sunday afternoon"

Weekend Ride Reports

Sat run 18th April
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

The new, earlier, summer start time of 8.00am for the Saturday run has thinned out the pack a little but the dedicated are managing to get in a good ride and still get home for elevenses!
Last Saturday Mike, Neil, Peter, Calum Matt and newbie Melwin set off for an easy first hour to Kirkliston and back to Linlithgow so Melwin, on his clunker, could get used to riding in a group for the first time. Melwin is pretty keen and has already invested in a fine retro Gios racer since the ride. Rather worryingly for the rest of us, he is a student and says his course finishes in May so he can dedicate himself to training for the next three months!
After we dropped Melwin off in Linlithgow the rest of the group rode along the Boness ridge to Polmont then up to California, Avon Bridge and Back to Linlithgow along the River Avon. Mike was the sneakiest on the day, managing to win most of the 30-sprints.

Five riders were out for the Sunday run, Jim, Neil, Jim, Newbie Dave and Johnny.
Jim says "With Neil setting a cracking pace, we went out to Winchburgh, Avondell, Newbridge, some roads I'd never seen in my life, Kirkliston, up onto the top of the hill, past Hopetoun Fishery and then back onto the old A9 at Threemiletown. 28 miles and average speed of between 17 mph, despite the hills. It was a beautiful day, and for once, hardly any wind. 
Modesty prevents me from saying who claimed the 30 sprint at Winchburgh but I paid dearly for it as I was knackered when these guys were powering up the hills at 15mph plus at times. 
I went out again in the afternoon for a spin around the Bathgate Alps, via Preston Road, Cairnpapple, the Knock, Bangour, back up from Dechmont to Ochiltree, and back to Lithgae. Just a great day to be out, so I made the most of it!"

Sunday Club Run 5th April

Andy Brown sent in the ride report for this weekend's ride:
Two riders turned up, newbie Doug Allan from Lithgae Brig and myself. After a bit of discussion about a route we headed out to Kirkliston and on to South Queensferry then through Hopeton House estate and on to the Abercorn church junction from here we crossed the road and headed on to some of Doug's favourite roads and some cracking hills. This took us on to the road coming back down from Beecraigs back into Linlithgow we managed about 30 miles and 450 m ascent (Doug had an altimeter on his cycle computer).
Doug was good company and we parted our ways at Linlithgow Bidge and I had a gentle cycle back to Laurieston.

St David's Day Sunday Run

Leeks and daffodils were conspicuous by there absence on Sunday as five riders left Linlithgow Cross for the Dalmeny Estate. Andy was happy to repeat his Saturday ride, Matt was on his fixed, Lesley arrived on her expedition-level Peugeot and first timer Craig, from Lauriston (AKA Long Legs Lance) was on a 62cm Trek. His bike is so tall that we had to get special permission to ride by Edinburgh airport. Jim turned up complaining about a mysterious bug he'd picked up on a trip to Peru, and 'talked up' his five weeks off the bike.
We took a steady pace out of the town, chatting about unusual Scottish names such as 'Versace McClatchy' that Jim had come across and whether the club will be entering a women's team into the Scottish TTT champs. Surprisingly, an 'ill' Jim took the 30-sprint into Kirkliston in a style that was described as 'Ewartesque'
On the return leg we had the pleasure of riding the newly surfaced road to Dalmeny before we split at Kirkliston, Jim and Leslie headed back to Linlithgow while Matt, Craig and Andy took the high-and-mucky roads into the Bathgate Alpes.

Sunday Ride 1st Feb

Three riders met up at the Cross last Sunday. Peter on his second club ride of the weekend and newbies Allan (A Lands End to John O'Groats super tourist) and Pete (an instructor from the Lowport Centre in Linithgow). Peter said "We did 30 miles round Dalmeny estate and got back just before the first snow showers started!"

Sunday Run Report: 18th Jan

Neil and Jim were the two brave souls who ventured out from Linlithgow on Sunday. Jim says "Neil and I did about 16 miles or so, up through Whitecross, Maddiston and the hilly back road to Avonbridge, through some dodgy snowy sections, before returning via Standburn and Muiravonside to Linlithgow. The wind was freezing! I went back out in the afternoon and did a loop of Bo'ness including the Flints, up Carriden Brae and the Red Brae, then up to Philipstoun, Winchburgh, Faucheldean and back via Ochiltree. I'm only just getting the feeling back in my face!"

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.."