Hello Ken

Ken Ord
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

Another rider from the East Calder Crew joins up this week, Welcome to new member Ken Ord.

Ken Says: "I was a keen mountain biker during university here until I moved to London and seven years there saw me get married, buy a house and have a child but not touch a bike."

"The family moved back to Scotland and a neighbour I took Munro bagging persuaded me to start riding again. My first choice was a mountain bike, a bog standard Specialized Hardrock Pro, but I spent all the time on the road so early last year I resolved to get a real bike. A long planned cycle from Livingston to Aberdeen over the Summer now looked like a possibility."

"After much deliberation I chose a Van Nicholas Amazon prepared for me by Big Al at Wheelcraft. During the spring I got involved with the cycling effort at Sky and joined other staff on the Polkadot Challenge in the Peak District. This was my first experience at riding in a group and I liked it."

"I cycled 150 miles to Aberdeen in June over two days, heavily loaded with camping gear and taking a hilly route. An injury on the way there stopped me returning on the bike, but nevertheless I was hooked. In the autumn I met you guys for the first time on the President's Run and now meet for the East Calder social ride as often as I can."

"This year I'm joining 100 other Sky staff to do the Etape du Tour, and take part in the Etape Caledonia, the Trossachs Ton and more, perhaps even the new Etape Hibernia."

"Training programmes for us are being planned by the pro-team coaches. Sky have also asked me to be a ride administrator so I'll organise information for routes, calendars, training and such for the other riders. Lots of responsibility and I expect I'll be leading rides with the dozen Scottish staff Sky has on the programme, and perhaps members of the public on Sky Rides too.

"Recently I led a ride consisting of Sky and Clarion riders from East Calder which all the Sky participants greatly enjoyed, and it convinced me to get my WLC membership."

Hello West Lothian

Lewy Parkinson
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

Lewy Parkinson has been out on a few club runs, stretching the other riders' legs and he joined up earlier this year.

Lewy says:

"Ever since I was a kid I've been cycling, basically to get away from my parents (only kidding mum) and see the sights and sounds of Tayside. It was only really after I left uni and was living in London did I start to ride a lot more. I bought a Marin Rocky Ridge and used this to do some off road trails and basically get as far away from London as possible on the weekend."

"When I moved back to Edinburgh I bought a Felt Q820 hardtail, a lovely bike but I mainly to used it to commute on. I moved out to Linlitghow a couple of years ago and last year I started to commute to Edinburgh in preparation for a charity challenge to cycle to Manchester in 2 days."

"The first day of the ride was my first ton but loved it even though it was raining and we had 20+ mph headwinds all the way. Ever since I've been hooked on the road. I've been out on a few weekend rides and really looking forward to the warmer (dryer) weather and more miles. I'm also determined to win a sprint for the 30 at least once!"

"I'm really looking forward to this years riding. I've entered my first couple of sportives, the Etape Caledonian and the Cairngorm 100 and hopefully I'll have time to enter the TT series all in preparation for my main goal completing the Etape du Tour in July."

"I need to lose a fair few pounds and get some distance and hills in my legs so any training tips/ routes will be gratefully received! I'm currently riding a 2009 Focus Cayo and soon a Ribble Audax I'll be using to commute on."

Welcome to the Clarion Lewy

Hello Clarionistas

Stuart Andrew
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

Stuart Andrew joined up last year, this is his story:

I’ve cycled on and off for years, mainly commuting and (cowardly) mountain biking. I started road cycling this summer when we moved to Linlithgow, to fit some decent exercise round family committments. I’ve been enjoying exploring the Bathgate alps, which seem to have everything from bings to llamas. I’d definitely say I’m in the ‘slow and steady’ category.

My road bike is a Felt F75. I also have a Specialized Rockhopper mountain bike which is showing its age. A bit like its rider.

I’ve entered this year’s Etape Caledonia so I’m hoping to get as many miles in as I can before then – I’m due for a humiliation on the Mam Ratagan at the end of March. Also hoping to get out on a few more club runs, including the Radtour. And get round the hairpins on Preston Road a bit faster.

Hello West Lothian Clarion

Dave Hills joined up at the last Linithgow Social and has already been out on one or two club runs, here is his story:

I started cycling about about 6 years ago when my knees and ankles suggested that my amateur football days were well and truly over. My first time on a road bike was during a week in the Vercours in France which is close to Grenoble. Needless to say I got the bug and not knowing anything about the best bikes or equipment, went straight out and bought an all-black Cannondale R700, solely because it looked good. I also have a fair weather bike after I invested in a Specialzed Roubaix Pro which comes out in the warmer climes (so not very often).

My cycling claims to fame are at both ends of the spectrum. I wrote an article which was published in Cycling Weekly in January 2008 in the "Killer Climb Section", from Linlithgow to Cairnpapple, only because I was fed up reading about killer climbs in Kent that were only 100 yards long. My worst day on a bike was when I went over the handlebars on the cobbled section out-side the Four Mary's in Linlithgow. My cleats were too tight and the bike smashed into my face, resulting in 8 stitches under my eye and a broken collar bone.

Despite not being the fastest climber in the world, my conquests include Tourmalet, Port de Bales, Alpe D'huez, Galibier, Izoard, Mount Teide and the hardest of them all, Ventoux. I am what they call, a plodder. With the big 5-0 approaching next year, my targets this year are more modest but include the Etape Caledonia and the Ariegoise in June which finishes at the top of Plateau de Beille. You may also spot me at various charity events including Drumlanrig Castle and the Cat & Fiddle, that is if my wife and kids let me out !

Jonathan joins up

Jonathan Buckley
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

Blackburn based Jonathan joined up in January and says "I've been riding with the Clarion on the Saturday runs since December 2007. My first love is mountain biking and I used to compete on the SCU XC series in my youth. Nowadays I tend to ride on the road more since moving to West Lothian in 2004."

"This season I intend to compete in the Scottish MTB XC series, The TT league and participate in Clarion rides through the year, I may even try a road race or two, who knows?"

New member!

Welcome to Lorne Callaghan who joined up last week, here is his story:

I’ve always enjoyed road cycling since being enthralled by the Greg Lemond – Lauren Fignon battle that was the 1989 Tour. However I am ashamed to say that as soon as I passed my driving test in 1992, I didn’t have anything to do with bikes for another 12 years.

I returned to cycling in 2004 when my wife Liz and I moved out to Linlithgow for the birth of my son, William. I had been playing American Football for the Edinburgh Wolves and topped the scales at 20stones, but with family commitments, I needed to find a way of losing the weight without spending hours in the gym. I bought a cheap Raleigh town bike and began commuting to work in Edinburgh, taking the train home with the bike in the evenings. As the weight fell off I began to rekindle the passion I had once had as a child and started to ride longer distances.

I entered Pedal for Scotland in 2006, after buying a Specialized Tri-Cross and completed the ride in just over three hours. Rode this again in 2007 and 2008 before deciding to set my targets a little further for 2009, when I signed up for Action Medical Research’s London to Paris trip. In preparation for this, I also entered the Trossachs Ton, completing it in 7 hours (6 hours 10mins ride time) and regularly rode variations of the Two Bridges route on weekends, followed by a busy day of looking after my daughter, Sara born March 09. London to Paris itself was a great experience and I got in with a good pace-line which saw our daily average speed increasing from 16mph on day 1 to 20mph on the final day into Paris.

I am planning a return to Paris in 2011, but this year will concentrate on the Etape Caledonia (May), the Trossachs Ton (June) and the new Cross Border 100 (September). I also hope to be competitive in the club time-trials.

In addition to the Specialized Tri-cross, I have a 2009 Specialized Allez Elite and recently splashed out on the Specialized Tri-cross Singlecross with a fixed gear for my winter commuting.

Grant joins up

Grant Craven
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

Grant, 45, is married to Kim with 3 kids Ben (18), Elliot (15) and Lara (10). He has always enjoyed cycling but has come a long way since his early Chopper days.

Grant says "I've been cycling to work since 1998, always on a MTB and since giving up playing football with Spartans (as well as attending my elder sons rugby games at Currie) I have been looking at getting out more on the bike especially on the road as well as some hillwalking."

"It took until last spring to add a new road bike alongside my MTB in the form of a Specialised Tricross thinking it would serve all purposes of commuting, leisure and cycle events."

"I now have a third bike, a Boardman Comp road bike which I won in the ITV TDF competition! This was the impetus to get me to join the Kirknewton roadies section of WLC and have been enjoying every minute."

"Previous years I've done the Edinburgh to St Andrews trip (since 2005) and our own charity cycle along the canal from Anniesland to Ratho (http://www.pancanal.co.uk/), and last year did the Pedal for Scotland."

"This year, on top of those events I've also entered Bealach Beag and Etape Caledonia in May. I'll need to up my fitness and lose some weight, which, based on previous outings, will be made more enjoyable with the company and camaraderie of fellow WLC members."

New member!

John-Michael Howison
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

Thirty one year old ex rugby player John-Michael (JM) Howison joined up last year

Originally a MTBer through his teens and twenties, he has made the transition to road cycling over the last few years following a number of knee surgeries due to a persistent rugby injury.

John says "My rugby CV includes playing for the Edinburgh Academicals 1st XV, Edinburgh U19s and U21s at Centre or Wing. I have fully embraced road cycling and my only regret is not making the move from MTBing earlier. My current bike is a Trek Madone 5.2. My weekly training consists of 2 weights sessions, and either 1 turbo session and 2 road cycles, or 2 turbo sessions and 1 road cycle."

"My wife and I have recently moved from Edinburgh to West Lothian and are expecting our first child in April. The challenges of a new baby, work and training could conspire against me, although the current plan for 2010 is to compete in the full 10mile TT series, along with a few sportives (starting with the Caledonian Etape) and longer TTs, when I get the chance."

Welcome to the Clarion JM

Hello West Lothian Clarion

As requested by Matt, here's a brief intro from your newest member:

I've been cycling for a few years now, but started putting in a few more miles after signing up for my first sportive in 2008 (Southern Uplands Sportive, or Radar Ride as it is now). I did three sportives in 2008 and five in 2009 (I've now done the Radar Ride and Ullapool Mor a couple of times each, plus a few others).

The nearest thing I’ve done to group riding in the past is when I’ve hooked up with a few people during sportives, so when I first join you on club runs, you’ll need to bear with me on this side of things.

I have one 'good' bike and two winter/bad weather bikes - the former being a Focus Izalco 2007 and the latter comprising an Edinburgh Bicycles/Revolution 'Country Explorer' (big heavy tourer - not fast, but comes in to it's own during windy weather) and a beaten up old Pinarello Prince I bought second hand a few years ago. For any of the club runs I come on in the next few weeks, it'll most likely be the Pinarello I use.

For the past couple of years, I've generally managed between five and eight hours a week on the bike, sometimes less, sometimes more. As with most folks, it just depends on all the other stuff going on in my life (e.g. - inconvenient things like work and family and important things like drinking beer).

I'm hoping to do a few more sportives this year (I've already signed up for the 'Cumbrian Killer' and 'Bealach Mor'). I'll just see what happens apart from that.

Look forward to putting some miles in with you all soon.

Cheers,

Simon

Welcome to the club Mike

Mike balances family life and keeping fit by getting most of his miles in on his way to work.

Mike says "2009 will see me crack the 100 mpw barrier for the first time, mainly doing the 32 mile work round trip. But as I was once a competitive runner, I still get the urge to ride harder, so I've done the odd TLI race and sportive – Bealach Beag in 2007 (about 10% down the field) and the Northern Rock Cyclone (60 miler) in 2008 have been the highlights."

"My first target for 2010 is to keep off the operating table. I’ve already had one major hip operation (called a resurfacing) and arthritis is gradually getting the better of my left hip too; but that’s what great about cycling – the modest stress on the joints means you can still push yourself. So I’m aiming for the Lakeland Loop in April then as I’m 50 in 2010, I want to get in a few >50 events, such as the TLI Cumbrae RR. One thing I’ll probably never do though is beat my work colleague, Mike “the cannibal” Ewart to a 30 mph road sign! (I know the feeling - Matt!)

"I do most of my miles on a B’twin – basic frame built up mainly with 105 kit. I also have a Planet X – again an aliminium frame – which I’m re-building with Sram Rival/Force and a new wheelset this spring. Somewhere lurking in the shed is a vintage Specialized Rockhopper that does as a hybrid when I need it; of course, it’s donned with slicks."

"Every year I say I want to do more cycling so hopefully joining the Clarion will help and I won’t be too much of a stranger. It’s great to see more people out on bikes and I’m sure the Clarion has made a big difference locally. So keep up the good work!"

Welcome to Simon

Simon Fagan
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

Simon Fagan joined up last week after coming out on a Saturday 'Active' ride. Simon says "I'm married with two daughters of 11 and 6. I’m a keen cyclist though haven’t always been. I ride for fitness, fun and not least to reduce the carbon emissions I’m responsible for. That’s why I’m involved in the Cycle Action Group and the Kids Club developing."

"I’ve been into mountain biking for about 10 years. The things I enjoy most about it is the escape from cars and the concentration required on technical bits. Often I end up at trail centres which are great but it’s the big outback rides that I find the most rewarding. Just for the scenery and the sense of adventure. I recently did a loop round Ben Alder which was absolutely stunning; well recommended."

"All that said I recently bought a road bike and am really enjoying it. I guess I’m doing about 50:50 on and off road now (so hopefully the components will last twice as long!) and will enter some sportives in the coming year."

"I’ve got two MTB’s (Santa Cruz Superlight and an Orange P7) and the road bike of course is a Focus Cayo with a compact chainset (we’ll see if I make it up the Bealach na Ba before I pass judgement)."

2010 membership

Membership is now open for 2010. Senior membership is £15.00. And household membership is just £10.50 (for partners or those aged 15-17). If you are renewing your membership there is no need to re-submit a membership form unless your personal details have changed.

New members can download a membership form form the website here: www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/join.html

Cheques should be made payable to "West Lothian Clarion"

Last week Jim Bird, Neil Fraser, Andy Richards, Neil Heys, Bob Simpson and Angus Gallie rejoined for another year.

Introducing another new Clarionista

Welcome to Yorkshire man, Steve Henley (celebrating the big four-O in December) who moved to Scotland 15 years ago and now lives in Bellsquarry, Livington with his wife, Sarah, and two children, Nathan (7) and Milly (4).

Steve says "I have always enjoyed cycling however family life meant that time was limited and I found that my fitness levels were dropping. In 2008 I decided to enter Pedal for Scotland, raise some money for charity and invest in a new bike. I completed the ride and raised over £800 for Myeloma UK cancer charity. After watching me complete the ride my son, Nathan, wanted to complete the 2009 ride with me. As he was not allowed to ride by himself I said he could ride on the tag-along behind me if we were able to raise over £1,000. I completed an Edinburgh to St Andrews ride in June as a warm up beforehand. We raised £1,300 and my son cycled the full 50 miles behind me. He was in a better condition than I was at the end!"

"I had been thinking about buying a road bike for a while and decided to purchase one of the Chris Boardman bikes for my 40th. Given the investment I thought I should join a club to ensure that I got the most benefit from it. Having always cycled on my own I hope that this will help me to improve my fitness levels, as well as meeting fellow cyclists. I hope to get out on a Saturday morning as often as possible during the winter, family commitments permitting. At this moment I tend to prefer the downhill sections of the ride and struggle on the climbs, hopefully this will change the more that I cycle in a group. In 2010 I hope to raise some more money for charity by cycling again with my son in Pedal for Scotland and also by completing a long distance (100 mile) ride."

New Member!

Debbie Pollard
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

A big welcome to Debbie Pollard who joined up this month. We met Debbie for the first time on a Sunday run last year when she came along to the Forth Bridge as a taster.

This Winter she has been out on the Saturday social runs riding her fab new Specialized

Debbie says: I've been cycling most of my life, for fun and fitness, also for some short journeys instead of using the car. At the moment I cycle about 50-60 miles per week, with 25 miles being a long run, and over the past couple of years have progressed from mainly using cycle paths to doing most of my cycling on the road."

I have recently bought a Specialized Vita, which is basically a road bike with flat handles. I am married with two children, a 9-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy. I have a special "piggy-back" trailer for my son, who has severe autism, which I tow with my Raleigh Metro on short family bike rides."

"I joined the club to meet other people who are into cycling and to improve my fitness - my aim is to get out on club rides as often as possible so that I can enjoy the company while cycling further and faster than before."

New Member!

Ian Robertson
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

Welcome to Ian Robertson who joined recently. Ian has cycled pretty seriously for the last 15 years or so with the balance moving from an initial focus on MTB to the point now where he is almost fully road orientated.

Ian says "I try not to let the winter weather put me off too much albeit ride lengths are inevitably shorter. Typical mild weatrher rides are 70 - 100km two/three times a week whilst cold weather riding tends to be 40 - 60km once or twice a week."

"I take at least one overseas trip per year to attempt to bag as many of the iconic continental climbs as possible with Ventoux being my primary challenge for 2010.

"My pace is modest - 25/27kph on a typical lumpy run, and a climb rate opf c700metres vertical per hour. So you can imagine that Europe's highest pass, Col de la Bonette, at 2,802m required a lengthy stretch in the saddle!"

"Equipment wise I have, like most cycling fanatics, accumulated an ever expanding garage full of gear. My dry road bike is a Specialized Roubaix/DuraAce/Mavic R-Sys combination that is both light and comfortable."

"Winter riding is done on a Lemond Alpe Duez/105/Mavic Aksium combination. For travelling I have an Airnimal Chameleon folder and an old, but beautiful, Flying Scot 653. Traditionalists would despair however that I have kitted out the latter with DuraAce and Easton EA70 wheels to ensure the going up and coming down off mountains is all the more enjoyable. My rare foray on MTB is done on my Cannondale F700SL/XTR/Mavic Crossrides."

"I very much look forward to joining the Club's runs and activities."

New member!

Welcome to Darren Crumpton, 44, who started out as a roadie, switched off-road and now rides the road again.

Darren says "I hadn't raced before 2009 but have completed a few sportives this year including the Cairngorm and Bealach events. I did some duathlons, team triathlons and even managed to tackle the mighty Tourmalet."

"For me, 2009 was about training to compete in events, I really enjoyed it and now I know what I have to do for 2010."

"I've joined the Clarion because I'm fed up riding alone into a head wind, flicking my elbow and then no one comes to the front! I found out about the club by seeing the club jersey at a few events, especially the guy with all his gears sealed in his hub (Malcolm!)."

"I have two bikes, a Kona Kapu which is my favourite and a Cube agree, boxed standard bikes but appropriate for what I do."

"In 2010 I hope to enter as many UK Sportives as possible and ride one abroad too, I also want to complete a full triathlon and continue with other adventure race commitments. I'm going to France to watch the Tour too and plan to ride up the Ventoux while I'm there"

Introducing another new Clarionista

Keir Bradie
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

Welcome to Keir Bradie, who has been riding the East Calder Saturday rides and joined up this week. The 42 year old ex-rugby front row forward now rides to keep fit, socialise and lose weight and is married with one exceptionally energetic 7 year old boy called Angus.

He coaches rugby at Currie Rugby Club, working with the younger kids and teenagers there.

Keir says "I've been cycling now for just about two years encouraged onto the road bike by the guys in Kirknewton Village where I live. Since I retired from rugby I have been struggling over the years to find an active hobby to replace rugby that I enjoy. Cycling is perfect for me, quality exercise without stud marks down your back the morning after!

"I would like to use this opportunity to thank now fellow members Neil, Rob and DD for relentless encouragement when I started, you were right guys, and all these month later I am indeed hooked."

"Moved up to a Van Nicholas Euro this year from my 'entry level' Allez. Love the bike and it suits my style of riding. Never felt that I possessed the bodily aerodynamics for a carbon flyer but there is always time. The 'Van' is now a firm friend and the titanium frame gives a big guy like me a load of confidence."

"My aims are to continue to improve, 12 months ago I would have laughed at anyone suggesting I ride 30 miles non-stop, now doing twice that quite comfortably. Very much enjoy the social side of the rides out of Kirknewton and delighted to have formalised as a Social ride under the Clarion banner, this move has already brought us some new faces, long may it continue. (Saturday morning’s East Calder Sport Centre- 8:30am)"

"I still have not ridden an event, had to call out of the Et-'tack' Caledonia 2009 last minute this year as my retina detached and needed a quick bit of eye-surgery. Have my good eye fixed firmly on doing it in 2010."

"I look forward to meeting more of you as time goes on, my thanks for the welcome to the club."

New Members

Michelle Gregory joined up this week after coming along on the Saturday run. You'll recognise New Zealand born Michelle as the winner of the women's open hill climb in October. That was the first race for this prolific sportive rider who rode for the Ribble Valley CC in Lancashire before moving north of the border

Also joining this week in Lynda who stays in Stirling. She bought a road bike about a year ago and didn't really use it until recently. After cycling 20-30 mile rides on her tod she has upped her milage on longer rides with her brother, who has introduced her to he joys of riding up hill, they even completed a Dunning Glen 60-miler in the Autumn.

Lynda owns a GT series 5 but intends to buy a new bike at the start of next year, She says "hopefully one that goes a bit faster! My aim is to keep building the miles and try some speed training. I also want to do the Trossachs Ton in June."

New Member

79 year old Alex Keys has ridden for the Clarion all his life and joins us from the West of Scotland section. He says he'd like to help out at club events and I'm sure we'll benefit from his considerable experience.

Alex was a keen time trailer before he hung up the wheels of his Higgins bike, which had tapered tubes to the bottom bracket. During his racing career he finished the Tour of the Trossachs in 1 hour 12 minutes, and knocked out a 1 hour 6 minutes for a 25 TT.

Welcome to the club Alex!

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