Club Constitution

The club constitution, which was passed at the AGM with a couple of amendments, can now be downloaded from the club's home page. If you have time please take a look. Many thanks to Sadiq and Foz for writing it and getting the details sorted out.

John's Midweek Ride Out: Tue 24th Feb.

John McComisky sent in a report about his midweek ride with David and Jason. They organised the ride using our forum's ride buddy thread. If you're looking for someone to ride with then take a peek.

John says" Dave McTurk, Jason Bell and myself took on the wind and buffeting today with a run out from Boness. The idea was to have a steady paced ride, so Jason could get used to being in a group. We need not have worried as the boy done good and his membership is in the post.
I normally take a battering while training on my own, so it was a nice change to have this run of around 50 miles, taking in Kincardine, Clackmannan and a nine mile run along a railway cycle path to Oakley in Fifedom. A steady pace of around 15mph, no heroics but we did some through-and-off work into a headwind at TT pace, which was hard going for us all but good fun nonetheless.
David regaled us of his pre-ride nutrition which consisted of a Chicken Tikka Masala Curry, a cunning ploy, I personally think, as he was kept downwind as much as possible! Dave has to get the mileage of the month award, he reckons he's ridden 400 plus miles already!-good effort mate.
Jason has potential on climbs and blasted up a couple of lengthy numbers with ease, leaving us trailing in his wake. (I think we need to enter him in a couple of junior races at some point). As with all good rides a café stop (Loganlea) was included at Forestmill and that was a good end to a day in the saddle. We had to battle the gusts back across the Forth and away from the Kingdom of Elves, Goblins and pixies-lol.
I'm making the most of a week's holiday but if any of you fancy a midweek spin just get in touch, as the banter alone is worth it, and the pace can be altered to suit anyone.
Route: Boness-Falkirk-Kincardine-Oakley-plenty of back roads-Saline-Forestmill Kincardine-Falkirk-Grangemouth and Boness. (40+ undulating miles).

Saturday Run Report 21 Feb

Another good turn out for our Saturday run, Bill sent in this report: "Eight of us today and nearly nine if Steve had made it on time to the KWM. I took the group on a bit of a mystery tour, but we eventually went through, wait for it! Slamannan! The head wind was hard going and myself and Stevie led the group for most of the way via the wind turbines and eventually back to Avonbridge where we regrouped and headed home towards Torphichen. Highlights today: Craig surprised us all by sneaking an early 30 sprint only 2 miles into the ride. Malcolm took the next one at Slamannan by a nose or a wheel or something and I got a puncture, again! Don't know who won the Avonbridge sprint as I told everyone to head off to save them getting cold whilst I changed a tube. My moment of glory came when I took the Westfield sprint, at last I have one in the bag! All in all a great run today with some big efforts into the wind and on the hills so everyone should have benefited from the pace. Thanks to Jonathon and Peter for taking turns with me and Stevie on the western leg after Slamannan. Good effort by Craig on a reasonably fast paced ride because he's not used to this style of riding. Looking forward to next Saturday and we may even get the fixed wheels out hopefully, Rgds, Bill"

Mr Reliability

Sadiq rode the Falkirk Reliability Trail on Sunday. Here's a little report from the man himself "lovely day for the reliability. Into a headwind all the way to just outside Drymen then we got blown all the way back along the A road between buchlyvie and stirling at about 28mph. I was going alright till the scratch group caught us at Cambusbarron but got cramps during the melee as we all tried to grab a wheel. 63 miles at 20.5 av. speed. feel beaten up now - can't wait to get off the winter bike!

Ice breaker 2-up TT report

Jez and I rode the icebreaker 2-up TT over in Ayrshire on Sunday. The preparation started a few days earlier when Jez, who stays on Islay, rode all the way to Edinburgh from his home. We met up in Linlithgow on Saturday and took a trip up to the Bike and Ski Clinic in Polmont to get a new 16-cog for my wheel, giving me a closer ratio to Jez's 84" gear.
Shop owner, Robin, was rushing off to the ballet (seriously!) but he still had time to make us a brew and have a blather while Tam swapped over the cog. Both bike mechanics stepped outside to gawp at what we were riding. They completely ignored my stunning bike and spent a good five minutes cooing over Jez's "beautiful" Bob Jackson, re-sprayed by www.freshtripe.co.uk, mainly I think, because it was a bit cleaner than mine.
On Sunday we arrived at Drybridge with enough time for a warm up and to find the start. In a personal triumph I remembered to bring some team toilet roll in case the locally sourced variety sold out - which it did!
Graeme Obree was spotted at the start chatting with riders and later we flashed by him as he marshalled at the first junction. You can't miss which direction he points because his hands are so big! In which other sport could you get one of the greatest ever sportsmen offering to marshal at a grass routes event?
We're planning to ride the Duo Normande 2-up TT in France later in the year so we need as much 2-up time as possible. Our race plan was to ride within ourselves so we could partice our through-and-off skills. We weren't using tri-bars or fancy wheels so our retro bikes looked slightly out of place next to the sleek carbon variety leaning up outside the HQ.
Our start time was at 10.am and we rolled up with plenty of time to spare. It was my first TT where there wasn't a pusher off, it didn't really make that much difference so I don't think it's completely necessary that we have one for the club's 10 TT series.
Straight away, we were nearly blocked in by a farmer, turning his tractor in the road, but managed to get round without any time loss, we quickly put this behind us and set to getting up to our planned 42 kmh.
The route was flat apart from two ramps off the dual carriageway, the first few miles were twisty as the route passed through a couple of RABs and we needed Mr Obree's help to point us in the right direction.
Once onto the dual carriageway we kept it tight and tried to be as consistent as possible, taking one minute turns on the front. The wind picked up towards the 2nd RAB and our wheels slowed as we rode up to turn. It was the only portion of the ride where we dropped below our target speed.
I wasn't using a speedo so found it difficult to keep a consistent speed on the new gear I was using. We were overtaken by a couple with all the aero kit, Jez had to stop me from chasing them down with a shout of "ride your own race." Towards the closing stages we managed to knock out a good rhythm and almost caught our two minute markers.
We crossed the line in 31st place with a time of 28.40, with both of us feeling pretty fresh and happy in the knowledge we could have gone faster. We gained valuable experience riding together which we can build on for events later on in the year.
Back in the event HQ you could see there had been a great turn out for this first TT of the year. We had a chance get a bite to eat and a cuppa and took in the relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Fullarton Wheelers ran a great event - many thanks to the organiser Willie Stephen, time keepers, marshals and helpers in the HQ.
Jim Cusick and Alan Thomson from Glasgow Couriers won with a 30.49.
When we got back to LInlithgow Jez gave me a master class in bicycle cleaning. Never again will I let my bike get into such a sorry mess again!
Jez shares a blog with David Harmon about their fixed wheel exploits in preparatin for the London to Paris ride.

2009 Clarion Easter Meet

The Clarion's annual social event will have its 114th edition in Ramsbottom, Lancashire this year. It's a packed weekend of riding and relaxation and there  are still a few rooms available at the Old MIll Hotel where the event will take place. This photo was taken at the Shrewsbury Easter Meet in 1914.

Matt and Jez will be cycling down from Linlithgow over three days, hoping to win the milage trophy, awarded to the section with the highest total miles cycled tot the event. If you are interested in attending contact Matt at secretary@westlothianClarion.co.uk

WHAT'S ON
FRIDAY 10TH APRIL
Assemble and sign on in the Evening.

SAT 11TH
Day: Hill Climb, Heritage Walk, graded bike rides and annual conference
Evening: Grand buffet and band.

SUN 12TH
Day: Witches' Challenge Sportive finishing at the Clarion Club house or a Leisure ride to the club house
Evening: Annual dinner and prize presentation

OTHER ACCOMODATION:
Besides the Old Mill Hotel There is other accommodation available in the area too, including self catering cottages and a 5 star caravan park, contact the organiser, below, for more details.

MEET LEVY
£36 to cover buffet and dinner (not including accommodation)
Paid to organiser, Peter Roscoe: proclarion@freeuk.com

Where am I?

where am I?
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

After my efforts at Tuesday's Hangar of Anger I needed a recovery ride, so I took an easy trip around our county today. This is one of my favourite roads - any guesses as to where it is? First person to post the correct answer will get to go home from work early...

John's killer climb

killer climb 1
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

John McComisky is hoping to start a trend, He sent me his favourite local climb, and wants to start getting other members to do the same. Why not post your time for riding john's route?...

John says "Now hailing from the Kingdom of Bonessia, I thought it appropriate to let you all know about my favourite wee climb. For those of you not familiar with the area, head through the centre of Boness as if heading toward Falkirk and Grangemouth.

You will encounter a roundbout next to the site of the Pub once known as Girsie Nichols. Simply take a 90 degree left and get the bike into a good climbing gear for you (around 10mph is tops for me).

The climb has it all, as it snakes upwards past the old graveyard and iconic war memorial. Still climbing upward through a series of high drystone walls and on on a slick road service, this little leg burner of just over a third of a mile tops out just past the Richmond Park hotel and BP garage.

As a special treat I normally continue skyward through Birkhill and up towards the Fire Station. At this point the legs will be starting to burn, so an out of the seat effort may be required or a sit in the saddle dig up to the very to of the Flints. Just when you think about a downhill squirt to Linlithgow, take a left at the crossroads and heave your way all the way to the top of the area and West Lothian Golf Course.

The view alone is worth the climb and aside from the prospect of some traffic, this is firmly on my list of Killa Climbs.

Total distance 1.5miles
Bike Used Carrera Vanquish
Best Time: God only knows, I just like a good flow and tempo to see me up to the top.

Would like to hear from other members what hills rock them."

Forum Frenzy

The club's Forum has been a great success in it's first week. There are already 18 members who have added 149 posts, with an average of 20 posts a day, the site has received a total of 6570 visits. The most popular topics are the Hangar of Anger (22 posts), Personal Bests (11 posts) and the Weekly 10 TT (15 posts).

It's a good place to visit if you want to know what the club members are up or if you are looking for a ride partner or want to see who'll be out on the club runs. If you are not on the forum yet, go and have a look and start posting!

Saturday Run Report 14 Feb

Mark sent in a report about the Saturday ride:
"I headed over to the KWM leaving Livingston at 8.00am and meeting up with five riders at 9.00. Mike, Neil, Angus, Steve, Peter and myself headed over the usual roads through Torphichen, Westfield, Avonbridge, Slammannan (Yeah!) Longriggend and back to the KWM via Avonbridge, Westfield and Torphicen. One sprint to me at Avonbridge from Waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy out! And one to Mike at Westfield by a wheel. Mike and I then headed over the tops and down to Faucheldean (where we didn't sprint but I won the lunge) and up to Winchburgh. Mike then headed back to Linlithgow and I headed home through Kirkliston, Newbridge, East and Mid Calder and back to Livi. 58 miles in total for me and the two turbo sessions this week have really hurt my legs today.
It was a good run on very dirty and potholed roads....Bring on the summer (not that the potholes will be fixed!)"

Club wins award

TomGroom.jpg
Originally uploaded by westlothianclarion

The West Lothian Clarion have won the Tom Groom Trophy. This prestigious award is given to the National Clarion's most meritorious section. We've been given this honour because of how quickly we've attracted such a strong membership over the last year. Well done to all 39 of you who joined our club and helped make it happen. 2008 saw Clarion riders on start sheets of cycling events in Scotland for the first time in a generation, reviving the Clarion name and continuing the history of this great club north of the border. Congratulations!
The Tom Groom Trophy was first awarded in 1949 to the Leicester section. According to the National Clarion book Tom Groom was a founding member of the Clarion in 1894. After he died in 1946 a memorial fund was set up which raised £120 to buy a trophy to celebrate his life. It takes the form of a globe which spins and is engraved with geographical accuracy.
The club will be presented with the trophy at the Clarion's Easter Meet gala dinner.

Musselburgh Audax Report

Foz sent in a report about the Musselburgh Audax last Sunday 15th.
Tobias and I made it round in decent enough style. It was supposed to be 66 miles but with a change of route and a few 'variations' of our own we counted 72.
The turnout was strong - well over 100 - and the main change of route involved abandoning the climb up Redstane Rig which was apparently closed until Sunday morning - certainly there was plenty of snow left up on the Moorfoots. So the organisers added a 'prologue' loop out along the coast to Lochniddry and back along a busier road. Various peletons (we were set off in graded groups of about 10) spun past in tight formation. It all got much more enjoyable in the countryside with quiet roads, thinning groups, a following wind and hints of spring. A long break was taken in Dunbar to steel ourselves for 29 miles back into the westerly wind and by Haddington the gloom was starting to settle. The final 13 miles back from Haddington didn't add much to the experience but we teamed up well - Tobias battling the wind at the front and me volunteering to be luminously visible at the rear!
We met Peter at the sign-in and Tobias said he saw Andy and Mandy around too. Hope they enjoyed it. It was a good ride and further than I rode in the whole of 2008. I'd like to get back to Redstane Rig some time....in fact I wonder it might be a good option for the overnighter in June?
Spurs!
Foz

Mark Beaumont Lecture

A message from Clarion friend Ron McCartan "Mark Beaumont is giving a lecture next Friday evening in the Botanic Gardens Lecture Theatre at 7pm. Tickets are available on-line or at the door. Maybe you already know but it might be a worthwhile evening for interested bikers."

RadTour lookin' pretty

Mark has been putting in the miles around the RadTour route, he took this rather lovely photo of the Carron Reservoir while he stopped for a breather. If you hadn't planned to ride the RadTour, surely this image will persuade you...

Club event calendar

We've now got a club calendar on the forum, if you are entering an event or know of one coming up stick the details on the calendar