Two new Members!

Blair and Dean Campbell are two new members who joined at the AGM and lower our average age by a considerable amount. Blair said "I think I may be the youngest member in the club at 15. This will be my first cycling season, I would like to gain experience from the other members by getting involved in as much club events as possible. I was introduced to the sport by my brother Dean. I haven’t had a lot of practice leading up to the start of the season but I have been keeping in ‘shape’ through playing football. I currently own a Carrera Virtuoso which I will be using for this forthcoming season. I am hoping to compete in the 10 mile TT this season and bring back some mediocre times and I would like to do as many club runs as possible and just enjoy myself."
Dean (19) is a Biology student at Stirling University, and will be supervising Blair on rides and club events. Dean said "This will be my first cycling season therefore keen to get involved with anything to gain experience. I work in Halfords (Falkirk) where I was introduced to the sport by my friends' and colleges Ross and John. I must confess to not being out in the bleak weather but am getting some miles in through spinning classes. I currently have a Carrera Vanquish which i will ride this coming season and a Swinn custom build for playing on the trails. I hope to achieve some respectable novice times in the 10 mile TT this season and get involved with as much club runs as possible."
Look forward to seeing you on the road fellas, Halfords has quite a contingent in the club now - enough for a TTT!

Friday skiving

Blackness2 6/2/09
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

Took the afternoon off and rode around our great county, this was taken at Blackness at around 4.30pm, it got a bit cold after the sun went down but the roads weren't too icy even in the Bathgate Alps. You can see the start/Finish of the Sea to Sky Challenge, I wonder who will be the first to give it a go this year?
Matt

The Spring RadTour

Click on the image to see a bigger version!

The Spring RadTour
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

Distance: 50 KM and 115 KM
Date: 15 March 2009
Entry: £3 including scran
Start: 9am start for 115km; 9:45am for 50km
Entries on the day: Yes
Location: Linlithgow Leisure Centre
Map: Click here to see a google map of the start

Route: click here

Open to club members only.
Go here to download a membership form. You can join on the day of the event.

New member

Craig has been mentioned a few times on the blog already but under a variety of names and from the wrong hometown! apologies Craig, mistakes now corrected! (note to self: must employ a fact checker). Craig was spotted at the Hanger of Anger this week giving his bike some serious abuse on the turbo.
Craig says "First things first - to set the record straight - My name is Craig Marshall and I am from Grangemouth. After reading the WLC blog people will think I am Chris Marshall from Bo'ness!!!! Not to worry, I have been called alot worse.
I have been cycling for the last couple of years mostly to keep fit and get out and about in the fresh air. My trusty Carrera has served me well over the last couple of years but will be relegated to a winter/training bike as I have just ordered a TREK 1.9c - I can't wait for it to arrive.
This year I am aiming to do the Clarion Rad Tour, Etape, Northern Rock Cyclone and Pedal for Scotland. Given my intentions for this year I felt it was time to get involved in a club to help improve my fitness and to cycle in a group. I thought I was quite fit until I joined the WLC and realised I have a bit (alot) of work to do yet!!!!
I don't have a favourite route as such, I just enjoy getting out on the bike especially into the hills above Falkirk and Linlithgow."

Reliability Trial renamed RadTour!

Grant sends in an update for the clubs reliability trial, now re branded as the 'Clarion Spring RadTour'!

Grant says "Myself and Tobias have agreed a £2 entry fee with around £1.20 of that covering 2 bananas, 1 litre of isotonic drink and tea/coffee for each rider. The other 80p or thereabouts will go to club funds so if we get 25 riders that'll be £20 towards paying off some of the clarion loan! Tobias has also suggested an optional donation to club funds which I reckon is a good idea. Begging bowl can be passed round at the end perhaps?

Any other donations of homebaking shall be gratefully received for the mid-way snack-stop! Matt, is keeping a camping stove on stand-by, Tobias also has one so we can maybe arrange some soup as well - keep me busy up in Carron Valley, eh?

There will be an amendment to the route at the B8028 from Glen Village to Shieldhill. Foz has informed us that this stretch of road is pretty hazardous and that there is an unclassified road virtually adjacent which is more suitable (plus it's just as steep!) so I'll amend the Bikely route to take this into account.

Oh, one final thing - to give this event a 'unique' slant I thought we could give it a German moniker as a wee nod to Herr Bauer. The literal translation (so Tobias informs me) is Radtourfahrt. I think the Clarion Spring RadTour has a nice ring to it, just to be different. Everyone and their granny does a Reliability but we shall have a RadTour!"

Musselburgh Audax 15th

Foz is doing the Musselburgh Audax in a week and a half, on Sunday 15th February, entries close on 5th February. Foz says "I found a link with event details: (click through to 'events')

http://musselburghrcc.co.uk/menu_frame.htm

I'd be interested to hear some chat/opinions on the route, conditions etc - I imagine that the big climb (Redstone Rig) is a bit dicey right now. Whether I have 62 miles in the tank is another issue!" Foz

The event starts in Musselburgh and visits Pencaitland, Gifford, Whiteadder, Dunbar, Haddington and Longniddry before returning to Musselburgh. The Musselburgh website says you don't need to be super fit to take part, provided that you cycle fairly regularly, you should be able to complete the event.

Reliability Trail update

Grant and Tobias have sorted out the details for the club's Reliability Trail, it looks like a very fine ride.

Distance: 50 KM and 115 KM
Date: 15 March 2009
Entry: £3 including scran
Start: 9am start for 115km; 9:45am for 50km
Entries on the day: Yes
Location: Linlithgow Leisure Centre

Here is the route for the March Reliability run: Take a look
And here is the half distance route: Take a look

There will be a feedstop in the Carron Valley after the descent off Earl's Hill before the riders head back to the Carronbridge hotel. This is roughly half distance.
For the half distance riders there won't be a feed stop however you will be able to stock up at the start at the Leisure Centre on the same things that will be available to the full distance riders. Myself and Tobias haven't decided definitely what will be provided however it will include bananas, some form of energy drink and other edible treats and perhaps a hot drink. The cost of entry to cover this will be £2 to £3 however we will aim to keep it as low as possible.
As yet we have no arrangements for food at the finish however there is catering at the leisure centre where people can suit themselves if they need scran at the end. If there is demand we can enquire with the leisure centre to see if they would be amenable to doing some kind of deal on something like soup, sandwich and coffee, for example but it might be simpler for people to do their own thing as it will keep entry costs down.
We have not arranged use of leisure centre facilities yet (i.e changing and showers, etc.) however hopefully this won't be a problem.

Please note that for insurance purposes this event IS NOT an open event and is restricted to WEST LOTHIAN CLARION MEMBERS ONLY.

If you aren't signed up to the club yet then why not use this as the perfect opportunity to come along and meet everyone! Extra edible treats for anyone who joins the club on the day!
Route cards and descriptions will be provided on the day so no excuse for getting lost.
Let Grant know if you intend coming along. email Grant: tourettesthomson[AT]yahoo.co.uk Or simply post a comment

Grant's description of the route:
The run will leave Linlithgow and head out to Larbert via Grangemouth and Skinflats. From Larbert it will go up Carron Valley via Denny as far as the Carronbridge Hotel where you will then turn right and head for Stirling. Before reaching Stirling you'll turn off left past North Third reservoir then head up and over Earls Hill and drop back down to Carron Valley where I will be waiting in a nice warm car. You can then get something to eat if I haven't finished it all off by the time you get there
After filling yer boots you'll head back down Carron Valley to Carronbridge Hotel then climb Tak Ma Doon the easy way and drop down the steep side into Kilsyth. From there it's an easy run along the A803 to Falkirk through Bonnybridge.
I've decided you should all work for your grub therefore the route goes up the ridiculously steep unclassified road past the Battle of Falkirk monument before going up the even sillier unclassified road up to Shieldhill from High Falkirk. From there it's a drop down to Westfield via sunny California and Avonbridge. Sling a right at the Westfield roundabout and head up into Torphichen whilst doffing a cap to the Hanger! Right again to Bathgate then the final climb of the day will take you up past Cairnpapple and past the KWM where the WLC began many moons ago! and back down Preston Road where you will then return to the start where you will either congratulate me and Tobias on such a good event or give us a boot in the cherries for making you go up all the hills. Hopefully it'll be the former.
Half distance will go the same route to Larbert but then head back along the A803 to Falkirk when the full route heads off to Denny. There will still be the steep climb out of Falkirk to the monument and then Shieldhill to negotiate for the short route however they are spared Preston Road as they return to the leisure centre via the Lanark Road after the Westfield roundabout.

More club event here

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

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!"

SCU Consultation day

Matt and Tobias represented the club at the SCU's consultation day in Perth on Sunday. The SCU was asking for members to contribute ideas on how cycle sport is to progress in the future. The day was designed without an agenda so suggestions could come from the floor. We were split up into groups and went about a brainstorming different approaches. The day culminated with 4 groups presenting their ideas to a panel in a 'Dragon's Den' format. The day was a success but a bit more communication about what was involved and how much time it would take would have been useful, for instance, we didn't know it was an all day session. There were enough people present to make the format work but it was a disappointing turn out. Most clubs had not sent any representatives, even the well established ones. It was an opportunity to tackle major issues that are effecting our sport and day-to-day riding. More clubs should have been there to air their views and ideas, those clubs not present shouldn't have any complaint with the SCU if they are not prepared to stand up and be counted.

New members!

Six riders joined the club at the AGM, two of which were John McComisky and his Fiancé Jill Sneddon. A big welcome to you both!
John says "I got into cycling three years ago, and had used an old cyclocross bike on the road to get fit. My background is motorcycle racing but haven't raced motorbikes since my last race on the Isle of Man. I've had too many jobs to mention but at present work at Halfords in Falkirk. I have a Carerra Vanquish Road bike and a Gryphon Hybrid and use them both to commute. In 2008 I was a member of the ERC and competed in time trials finishing in the top twenty in the Kirky 10 series. For this year I want to get faster in TT racing and want to race in the Scottish Championships with better results.
My fiancee Jill is an occasional cyclist and also has a Carerra Vanquish Road bike. We've done a little bit of touring about locally, which she's enjoyed, Jill also does yoga with her mates to keep healthy.
I love the fact there is a club locally and will get more involved in the coming months as I think you have started a great initiative. Look forward to meeting you all in the coming weeks."
John has a cycling blog go here to visit

Honorary members

Jimmy Harris and Sadiq Mir were both made honorary members of the club last Thursday at the AGM. Jimmy lives in Condorrat and is Secretary of the West of Scotland Clarion and has been running the Clarion in Scotland since the 1960's. He also organised the Tour de Trossachs TT for many years. Jimmy used to race too, clocking up some superb Best All Rounder times and winning his club's trophy on a number of occasions (23.427mph in 1962 on a fixed!). Jimmy has been really encouraging towards our section and even donated four trophies to our club, so his honorary membership goes someway to say thank you to him.
Due to his work commitments, Sadiq had to stand down as our first president at the AGM. Sadiq started the club last year by beginning a post on Bikeradar.com calling for West Lothian roadies to get together for group rides. He's been a driving force behind the club and set the ethos of how we behave on our rides: No one gets left behind. On behalf of the club thanks for all your help Sadiq, and look forward to seeing you on the road!

Record turn out on Saturday ride

Twelve, yes Twelve! riders turned up at the KWM on a beautiful sunny morning last Saturday. Newbie Mark (on is Spankin' new Dawes Audax) Bill, Stevie, Mike, Tobias, Andy, Tim (our most southerly member from Lancaster), Newbie Angus, Peter, Neil and Steve set off down to Bathgate. The group then took the back roads to Armadale for the first climbs of the day, then heading to Slamannan over the long Avonbridge Road climb where the pack regrouped. During the quick snack stop at Slamannan Mark and Matt had to coax a chatty local rapscallion from destroying the poppies at the war memorial. Moral obligation complete the group set off to Longriggend via the climb at the wind turbines. On the way, Andy showed great skill in warding off some ferocious dogs (that could have come straight out of a Helms cartoon!) with pin point squirts from his water bottle. Unfazed by the commotion, Mike won the Longriggend, uphill, 30 sprint, by a bike length, from Matt and Stevie. We regrouped for a photo and headed back along the rolling descent through Limerigg, finishing off with the prestigious 30 sprint at Avonbridge, won, again, by the versatile Mike from 2nd place Bill by a nose. The group headed for home along the River Avon, with riders from different sides of the Bathgate Alps splitting into two groups at Strath House. Mark said "I Enjoyed the run today! Thanks, particularly to Matt and Bill for coaching me up the hills"

Jersey Order

Bill did a great job in organising our kit choices and making sure the ordering ran smoothly after the AGM. He worked late into the night on Thursday to get the paper work ready to send of to Endura the next morning. It looks like we are going to get a substantial discount. Many thanks to Bill for all his hard work.

AGM In brief

The club had it's first AGM last Thursday, 29th,  at The Black Bitch pub in Linlithgow. Here's a quick update of what went on. Full minutes to be posted later.

1. Sadiq chaired the meeting and gave a quick run down of the club's achievements in the last year, including our last place in the Scottish TTT champs, our increasing membership and popular the club runs. Sadiq then introduced Jimmy Harris to the club and presented him with honorary membership for his support and kind donation of 4 trophies.
Sadiq then announced he was standing down as President due, mainly, to work commitments.

2. After thanking Sadiq for his great contribution in setting up the club last year and getting us moving forward it was time to elect officials:
Presedent: Bill Young
Secretary: Matthew Ball
Treasure: Graham Foster
Rides Secretary: Grant Thomson
Race Secretary: Tobias Bauer
Social Secretary: Bob Simpson.

3. The club asked for volunteers for a rides rota and TT marshal rota, members agreed to put their names forward and will do so when the forum is launched. New member John McComisky volunteered to be the forum administrator.

4. The club constitution was passed unanimously with the amendment that the club colours wil not change for 10 years.

5. Subs will be £15 for seniors, £10.50 for family and £8.50 for juniors. The club now has 39 members after 6 joined on the night, welcome to Blair Campbell, Dean Campbell, Andrew Richards, Jill Sneddon, John McComisky, and Craig Marshall. Five are women, 33 Men and one Junior.

6. Matt Talked a bit about the National Clarion and encouraged members to take part in Clarion events. The club is now affiliated to the SCU

7. Foz gave his financial statement, it looks like we're doing fine, he's in the process of sorting a bank account out. More information on the accounts once Foz explains them to me!

9. AOB: Tobias proposed that Sadiq would be made an Honarary member and this was passed unanimously.

Grant said "A big thank you to everyone who came along to the club's first AGM last night. There was a lot of good ideas coming forward and the meeting was held in a good spirit and I reckon it bodes well for the future of the club. Big thanks also to Foz, Sadiq, Bill and Matt for doing a good job of keeping such a motley crew in order for the proceedings! Keep your eyes peeled for details of our first reliabilty ride which will be held on Sunday 15th March 2009!"
Malcolm went on to say "Good meeting last night and some good decisions made (apart from keeping the shirt colours for longer than it takes to wear it out)"