West Lothian Roadies
Comments
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Hi All
Got out today for a 32mile route from the house from Livingston to,Blackburn,Bathgate,Faucheldean,Winchburgh,Kirkliston,Newbridge,East Calder,Mid Calder and home.Up on the hills it was freezing with all the fog
Hope you all have a good New Year and see you soon.
Regards
Mark.0 -
Hi, everyone
Got bike back yesterday after crashing last week. Mechanic done super job and bike is as good as new.
Went out today and managed 30 miles on flat roads at no more than 75% of HRM. Won't divulge my average speed as you wont believe I could balance on a bike at that slow speed without falling off.
Hope everyone has had a good christmas and good start to the new year. Will be out at the weekend as soon as the mornings become a bit lighter.
Regards
David0 -
How was the Classique des Alpes today? Many takers?
Anyone out tomorrow? Depending on the weather/daylight situation, I might struggle but I'm full of good intentions at the moment.================================
Cake is just weakness entering the body0 -
probably won't be out - racing at the super x in Stirling on Sunday...
OS 650 -
I wont be out, I am day shift all weekend.
So ...how were the hills today?
And good luck at the super X OS 65
Andy0 -
Went up to the KWM this morning for just after 9am, waited to around 9.06 but no one else arrived so headed of as it was so cold. Went down into Linlithgow out past the Champaney into Philipstoun and got a rear puncture :evil: , earlier I had been thinking what a cold day for a puncture the that happened. After I got that sorted went up to Threemile Town , Ecclesmachen over to West Binny then towards Cairnpapple and down past the Vue restaurant home to Bathgate. Had just over 25 miles when I got home. It was baltic though :oops: with black ice everywhere and the inside of the water bottle freezing, but it could be worse it could have been raining.
Happy New Year and hope to see you all soon.
Andy.0 -
Andy,
i was out today too......nobody replied to my 'is anyone going out on sat' post so i had a lie in and went out at 11am, it was still cold but i didn't see any ice!
maybe catch up next week guys?
Bill, is the hanger open for business on thursday evening?0 -
Think I'm gonna wimp out of the super cross tomorow. It does sound like great fun, thrashing around my old uni but alas a combination of cold/cough, bad weather forecasts and the need to get some work done on my dissertation mean that I really can't justify spending the day getting wet/cold/muddy.
Maybe next year!
M@0 -
Never made it out due to having a THUMPING ear infection,that has gone from left to right I may stay off the bike until it clears up(well out of the cold anyway)
Anyone got a cheap Oversize 90mm stem??
Mark.0 -
I made it out yesterday morning but due to it not getting light soon enough and a desire to use main roads I didn't make it to the KWM until 9:12. As I was going up the road from Torphichen, someone in a light coloured top crossed the road end and headed past the monument without stopping. I trried to catch up but they were a bit fearless on the descent into Linlithgow (which was in shade) and I lost them.
Went up to 3 mile town and headed north through East Calder and up to Kirknewton before heading home. Decent 42 miles but agree with you: it was baltic.
It's getting lighter each week, so maybe next time I'll be there at 9.================================
Cake is just weakness entering the body0 -
sorry i missed you malcolm, i'm off next saturday so i'll be at KWM for 9ish and i'll wait 'till 9.15 weather permitting.0
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so who rode the super x today? How did u get on? Any pics? I'd be interested to see what the course was like and where exactly it went.
M@0 -
Me and Stevie were the fearless descenders into Linlithgow on Saturday as we found that no one had turned up we just carried on past.
Ended up doing 37 miles on some well dodgy roads but managed a good average for the distance.
The hanger of anger will be open for business on Tuesday and Thursday of this week if anyone wants to come along I will be training anyway both days.
Bill0 -
Happy New Year all,
7 of us made it out on the 2nd for the Classique Des Alpes.
I'm no good with second names so hopefully the people below will recognise themselves from my descriptions!: -
Myself, Allan Black (his first venture out in 6 weeks), Mike 'the Cannibal', Jim on his Revolution Continental, Neil on the refurbished Holdsworth, Peter 'the Hammer' on his two-tonne Dawes tourer and another chap who I can't remember his name but who had a nice Raleigh with bling-tastic gold brake levers and calipers.
We set off from the Leisure Centre and headed out the Lanark Road at quite a 'brisk' pace :shock: which left myself at the back as we regrouped in Torphichen and poor Allan coughing his lungs up whilst keeping me company. It was decided to apply some additional weight to Peter's Dawes to slow him down somewhat although this didn't really have the desired effect! and we then went up to Preston Road where there was unbelievably around 1cm of snow and slush on the roads whereas there hadn't even been a sign of frost down in Linlithgow.
It was decided to head down to warmer climes at Winchburgh and the bunch gingerly made it's way down there via treacherous roads past Ochiltree and Faucheldean. We then set off at a fast pace to Kirkliston and around the backroads past Turnhouse and back to Kirkliston via the Dalmeny Estate - up to 19-20 mph at times.
From Kirkliston it was a run home via the 10 course although the bunch split with myself, Mike and Allan bringing up the rear albeit maintaining a good 16-17mph along the drag into the wind which shows how fast the rest were going.
Mike 'the Cannibal' annihilated the field at every 30 sprint on his turbo charged Ribble.
I missed out on the glory coming back into Kirkliston as we were being drafted by 'Ra Polis and so I didn't want to be up before the committee with a speeding ticket at the AGM - Jim sneakily took advantage of my law abidence and crossed the 'line' first to claim the honours.
Meanwhile the Cannibal was preparing for his assault on the Winchburgh 30. He reeled in a 200 metre breakaway and charged off the front to take the spoils yet again.
I could have had him at Linlithgow however I decided discretion was the better part of valour and didn't put up a challenge seeing as i'd sat on his wheel for the previous 7 or 8 miles and thought it would smack of desperation if I took advantage of him in such an ungentlemanly fashion.
All-in-all a good run although I think we need to be careful of keeping speeds down a bit if we've advertised a ride as a social paced one - especially at this time of year!
On the return to the leisure centre I spotted Freddie the Whippet taking Matt for a walk and stopped to chew the fat for a minute or two. Freddie was sporting a natty thermal jacket (Rapha?) and Matt had a lovely pair of green wellies on
Cheers all, hope to see you out on the road soon!
Grantus0 -
Grantus,
Sorry I could not make it on the 2nd as my Mum decided to bring the family New Year dinner a few hours forward which ruled me out.
Catch up with you soon.
Rgds, Bill0 -
No probs Bill.
I won't manage to the hanger this week as I've got a cold so will not be exerting myself too much to try and recover as quickly as possible.0 -
grantus wrote:On the return to the leisure centre I spotted Freddie the Whippet taking Matt for a walk and stopped to chew the fat for a minute or two. Freddie was sporting a natty thermal jacket (Rapha?) and Matt had a lovely pair of green wellies on
Grantus
Nice write up Grant! Even innocent bystanders get a mention!
Never mind Rapha, I'm hoping I can get some WLC kit for Freddie!
Conditions at the Stirling Uni Super Cross were alot warmer and the circuit more technical than the Plean x last November. The event was really well organised, it even had beer tent/canopy that the race went through!
Most of the route was on grass which got boggy and really tough to ride through during the later laps. The toughest portion was running up a flight of steps with a heavy weight 1990's MTB on my back...all good training, next club ride I'm gonna run along side you lot with a bike on my shoulders!
I didn't warm up this time and I can't get my feet into toe clips quickly, by the time I was set to go the pack had disappeared! Gradually through the hour I worked myself back up the field and had a little battle with 3 other riders midway through the race but managed to get the better of them.
It's an intense workout, especially after remounting and riding through uphill mud after some jump-overs!
A lot of riders have got really good power and can put on a burst of speed to open up gaps - something I aint got!. Getting the right line through corners is crucial, mistakes open up gaps which are hard to close.
I came 22 (and got lapped by the winners) it felt like I had to race much harder to improve my position on the last race (which had a bigger field) by just a few placings... thinking of getting a cross bike for next season and maybe not eating quite so many mince pies next xmas.
After watching the race my 7 year old is keen to take part in the junior races. they look like good safe fun if you want to get kids racing their bikes.
There is another cyclo cross in Glasgow in a couple of weeks
And some proof I did the race, nice to get a photo in which I'm not gurning!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13639738@N08/3168260142/
OS 650 -
I am tempted to try the CX however if you are finding it tough then I don't fancy my own chances.
I do have that old Peugeot road frame which it could be interesting to try and convert to a cheap crosser! All I need is cheap wheels, tyres and a rear mech and i'm good to go.
Can anyone recommend cheap wheels that would suit cyclocross?
Would something like Shimano WH500 be suitable or are they not strong enough?0 -
Thing is Grantus - your MTB skills will help you a lot and even if you get dropped it doesn't matter, just ride on until the end of the race - you get a good workout and have fun at the same time. There are all levels of riders doing these events
OS 650 -
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Excellent write up Grant. Enjoyed the ride on the 2nd and had good chats with Allan and others regarding cycle touring ideas. Definitely keen to get a couple of trips sorted out for the spring/summer. Agree that the speed was a bit on the high side though.
I decided to head down to Glen Tress with a mate on Saturday. Glorious day down there, but track was pretty twitchy at the top due to ice. Didn't seem to worry the teenage lads I saw setting off at the top wearing jeans and a t-shirt - oh to feel that indestructable again. Managed to get a good workout though as my disc breaks were rubbing pretty badly and didn't know how to sort it out. :?:
Plan to be down at the Hanger on Tuesday.
Mike0 -
Mike,
Thought about GT on saturday but decided to go out on the road instead. See you at the hanger on Tuesday.
Is anyone up for a double lap of the red route one Saturday soon???
Bill0 -
grantus wrote:Where is the Glasgow venue?
see here:
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/si ... sultspp=20
I'd be happy to go on the Beecraigs MTB - Its longer than I originally thought
OS 650 -
Hi folks,
i need to get my bike an MOT,Bob said to take it up to Robins shop,
anybody got a link or a phone no for the shop?
cheers0 -
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thanks Bill! 0
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Bill
I'd be well up for another trip down to GT soon. I was surprised to see that theres been a whole load of work done on the uphill track from the Red squirrel car park - shows how long ago it was since I last visited.
Mike0 -
Great write up Grant.
I thoroughly enjoyed Friday's Alpine tour, even if it did feel like a training ride in places! It took a good 5 miles to get used to the pace, and I felt the effects all weekend. So did the old Revoliution - new drivetrain and brakes getting fitted today!
It's a shame the ice and snow ruled out Cairnpapple and the Knock, but the North Mains road was treacherous ( I very nearly came off, and would have taken others with me) so getting nearer sea level was the right thing to do.
Modesty prevents me saying who won the first 30 sprint of 2009 at Faucheldean!
Chapeau to the boys in the tourers who hammered up to Torphichen, and kept the hammer down all the way round. Peter's Dawes must have been a good 2 kilos heavier than any other bike there. Not that it held him back.0 -
Hey Jim,
Forgot about the 30 at Faucheldean! That was two for you on Friday, none for me and around 243 for Mike
I'd be up for a lap or two of Glentress towards the end of the month.
Mike, are your brakes hydraulic?
If so it's possible that either the rotor is warped, the caliper needs re-positioned or the pistons aren't retreating back into the caliper properly.
I'm not an expert but have learnt through experience that Hayes HFX-9 brakes are prone to becoming corroded which prevents the piston going all the way back into the caliper. This is fine until you renew the pads! It can be impossible to prise them back home.
If this is what's happening try applying a little of the brake fluid liberally around the edge of the piston and leave it overnight. The fluid will soak in and can free up the piston enabling you to push it home with a screwdriver.
Be careful what fluid you use. Shimano brakes use mineral oil and Hayes use DOT 4 fluid. You can get a small container in Halfords for 3 quid and apply some to the brake with a small brush.
It's a lot cheaper than getting your brakes bled in a shop which will cost you around £20. To bleed them yourself is tricky and the kit can cost up to £25 alone.
If the pistons don't free up you'll need to get them re-built. This will cost around £80 so you'd probably be better getting new brakes.
I know this from past experience! Apparently Hayes brakes are prone to this.
Alternatively if they're mechanical disks then an allen key is all that is needed to adjust the clearance between the pads and the rotor.
God, i'm such an anorak
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Made it out for a while on Saturday but just shuttled round trying to get my bike set up so I was happy with it. The deraillier is still jumping but I have another casette that I will get on tomorrow. I was also utterly devastated at the nick I was in, just followed the cycle path mostly from armadale to slateford and back via the canal to broxburn then armadale stopping frequently to try and adjuste the gears. Should be an easy run at the speed I was going. Result is that I have ordered the trainer chain reactions have knocked down to £60 so I can try to get my form up a bit. Dont really know how good it is but even that price is pushing the budget a bit right now.0
