Rule # 1

Rule # 1 - Never ever show your ignorance by asking what the rules are.

Cross

I took this one at Auchentoshan and thought it was a great picture! Thought you might like it. I added a batch of photos on flickr as well today. Enjoy.

My Friday thought....

Without the usual Wed night rides to blog about I find my head somewhat occupied by certain musings and rambling thoughts with no outlet for them, so I have taken the opportunity thus to set pen to paper and share then with you.

As a case and point I was driven to consider my buttocks today. Perhaps not in the way many of you will be thinking and please don't stop reading now for the fear of being violated as that is certainly not my intention, is was more to do with it's sensitivity. As shown by one of the photos that was shared earlier in the blog, ones' derriere is a very sensitive instrument and thus I can now appreciate the injury received by a fellow club member. I treated mine (arse) lightly this week and exposed it to a pair of specialized shorts, and thereafter have been branded with a saddle shape scar! I feel that this was unfair given it was only a 90 minute ride in moderately damp conditions and I have now vowed never again to treat it with such disdain as to subject it to nothing but assos. This and a fairly liberal application of chamois cream I trust will prevent such an injury developing once again. So it drops into the rule book as # 2 - respect thy arse. Enjoy the weekend.

My Friday thought/

Rapha Winter top XXL

New Greenish one in XXL for £60 before it goes back, anyone want it?

Rapha T Shirt

New black rapha t shirt in size L to the first who wants it @ £25. RRP £35 before I send it back. Anyone want it?

Somebody sent this Ti 29er photo

Now that's the first one in the club to be shared publically, but do we have another one in the club hiding somewhere? Who posted the comment under the original link?

New bell for the cross?

Could be the one for us.....

Green ceramic jockey wheels for someone....

The flying mount

I just love the way he jumps on to ride this! Another shot of Giancarlo in the woods.

KCNC Jockey Wheels

With a bit of gear slippage on my cross bike I decided it was as a result of worn jockey wheels. I thought I might try and coordinate the red bike a bit further and so bought these! Beautifully machined and very nice to look at. Other colours available including a nice electric blue.... Will probably get dirty very quickly, but hey thought they looked good. www.kcnc.com.tw

Mull 2008

I uploaded some photos that David kindly provided from 2008, you might notice something strange in that there are only two people racing. That's because David and Bruce chose not to race on the second day. The use of the word "chose" is perhaps ill used given the way Saturday night went, although I don't know if Bruce would have been able to race. You see he is generally very concerned about his kit and how clean/dry it is. Please read very anal! So he went to great lengths to try and dry his cycling shoes for next day by stuffing them with newspapers and placing them on the nice wood burning stove to speed this process up. It wasn't until later when the melted plastic was bubbling on the stove that we realised his mtb shoes with their grippy soles had been transformed into a nice smooth road shoe! The one above is off us getting washed before we headed home as we had been thrown out our cottage!

Mugdock

Well it seems like Sunday was a good race but that the mud put off a few of the team..... Giancarlo had a good race, with Gordon taking the tape for the team again. Photos courtesy of Bruce Heron.

Strathpuffer

2 becomes 4, we had a pair in, now we have a quad. Old age has caught up on David and I and we have entered the Puffer as a quad now along with Giancarlo and Roddy. Don't know if anyone else is up for the challenge but the entries are filling up fast. It may be a good excuse to test a new ti 29er.....

Glenmore Cyclocross Round 4

This round is in Aviemore and a few people are going up for the weekend. There is a race on the Saturday and the Sunday. The plan at the moment is to stay up on the Saturday. I know Giancarlo and Paul are sorted for accommodation but if anyone else is coming up and wants to share can up please let me know today.

Fast & Furious!!

The racing today was fast and furious. He looks like a fighter in this and boy were the guys working hard. The course was a great combination of speed technical and a few tricky climbs testing everyone to the max. The boys went well. Looked like Gordon off the front, with Paul sucking Giancarlo's wheel until the last lap with Bruce in the mix. It was a very fast course today and looked great fun! A few supporters on the side with the Heron's myself and young Ben. Roll on next week where they are considering holding 2 races but they may put the vets off with the ladies and just run all the senior men together! Some of you may get a long lie....

Beautiful things are made to be looked at

And I thought I was bad......

Bit of a guys page and many of you may have been there already for a squint, but look as "The Tab" page and see what he has bought in the last year! Looks like he has an addiction. http://www.velodramatic.com/

Endura G3R Kit

Just for info before anyone asks, the order is in but I don't have any dates as yet. As soon as I hear I will let you know. Apologies.

Gordon stunt doubles for Lance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CbQOLqZ8IA&feature=related watch this for a sight of Gordon's excellent handling skills as he does the stunt double for Lance.

On One Ti 29er

Must be the sign of autumn, with the leaves falling and the nights drawing in that our dreams of high end carbon summer and TT bikes shift to mud pluggers..... But check out this little beauty to fuel those exotic dreams at night. It is the On One Ti 29er and has been dropped to £799 from being over a grand. Anyone else who wants to join one of our members in buying one is free to view on http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/?p=3422.

Spare Kit

Hi, I tried to add a spare kit bit at the bottom, to put postings of spare and desired kit. See if it works or you use it.

Some more photos from Relentless

The first is the root section that was a little drop and the second is the view from the top of the first hill before we take in the big climb of the day......

Not! These are courtesey of Roddy who rode the 330 kms, 9,000 m of ascent, from Chamonix to Zermatt just before Relentless http://www.ridethealps.com/. He completed it unsupported, travelling very light!

G3R in Hawaii

Quick photo of the G3R kit that went to Hawaii! Not generally available as it doesn't comply with the guidelines but thought you might like to see it. At least this time you get to see the shorts.

Rapha apron and Chef

Roberto will man the bbq suitably attired in the Rapha apron and will be serving burgers and onion marmalade after the race, served with a chilled mineral water or irn bru! Let me know if you want a burger thrown on so I know how many to bring.

TDF 2010 route announced

Looks like some cobbles for next year and a yellow jersey for Fabian on the first day! Route available on link http://www.steephill.tv/tour-de-france/

Cyclocross Sun 18th, Auchentoshan

This is a local race starting at 12.00 and costs £8.00 to enter on the day. Come and watch it only takes an hour and you will see a fair amount of action. I can chuck the bbq in if someone fancies cooking while we ride! Its at Auchentoshan School, Mountblow Road, Glasgow. You don't need a cross bike, bring a mtb if you want there were plenty on them at the last race.

Santa comes more than once a year................

Look at my new baby.... next to my old baby. Hmmm not too sure which is nicer?? Comments? Gone for a smaller top tube so not as stretched. I now have a surplus set of 175mm sram red cranks going spare and a custom P3 if you know anyone that wants one...

Just read on Twitter one or of riders in crutches!

Roberto, get well soon big guy. Keep the weight off the leg.

The World LDMR Challenge 2009

As if a marathon on the flat is not enough...... In the course of the Tour de Tirol 2009, the Kaisermarathon was the location for the world long distance mountain running challenge (Wolrd LDMR Challenge). Iona was representing Scotland and came 14th overall! The Kaisermarathon was taking place for the 4th time and covers 42.195 km and gains over 2000 meters mainly through the Skiwelt Wilder Kaiser. The Course record holder is the 6 times mountain running world champion Jonathan Wyatt who absolved the course in 3h and 3 min. The womans bestlist is headed by the tyrolean triathlete Monika Feuersinger in 4h and 6 min. Not bad going for a burd ;-). Look forward to seeing the photos.

Relentless G3R and 4GR - Update

So we had 2 teams in the race, G3R and 4GR. Roddy Proudfoot ex colleague of mine, with David and I in the trio (G3R) and Robert, Paul, Giancarlo and Bruce in the quad (4GR). The course and setting were fantastic and the views superb. Thanks to David and Robert for providing the tent and Roddy for the additional disposable cover (his girlfriend got it as a present and it broke, it was the first time out the box)! The day got off to a good start with Paul and Roddy leading the teams off. Thereafter we settled into a lap on, lap off for each member until darkness set in. The mood at the camp was good although there were a few anal cyclists in the teams who obviously have a fetish about clean bikes! A little too much I sense :-). The first lap for most went smoothly and the first bbq went down well. Giancarlo arrived back with a squint nose and grazed cheek after one lap but was still going well. Robert took a tumble and twisted his knee and Paul had a few scrapes. I managed a creative dismount over the bars only to land on my feet with Bruce viewing the entire thing and giving me an 8/10 for style. The flapping arms dropped me 2 points I understand as I tried to defy gravity and fly! As night arrived a few of the members tried to ride by the force and Giancarlo and I were caught by dusk on our final day light lap. As for the others without lights, it was your own fault! Night time was a little less social and 2 laps on, 2 off as the geared quad began to slow. David and I on singlespeeds didn't need to wash our bikes and Roddy was keeping his end of the bargain and not failing us on his geared full suspension bike! The night wasn't kind and the rain was heavy for those out. As morning broke both the teams were still riding and I was on my final stint and for the second lap was joined by Bruce and was duly dropped as he sped away on the downhills with his gears and suspension! When I returned the quad had finished. Roddy and David managed a final lap for the trio and then it was over! The results aren't out yet and there are plenty of photos. One or two deserve a posting in there own right to explain why we have so many of Bruce eating....... or even me in my dandy gentleman's cap! Perhaps I will get to that later as well.

Kona Karen

There are times in everyone's life when you set a goal and are scared to commit to it. Making your goal public can be the hardest thing but often the best thing to make sure you don't forget it and never forget it's purpose. For you to openly state that you want to do needs believability and credibility, so when someone says they are going to qualify for Kona then you know that they will have thought long and hard about the sacrifices and reality of achieving such a dream. If I remember correctly that was her dream and she achieved it. She probably wanted more but being there and seeing what she saw from the start line is, as I said already, only something many of us can dream of. It is a road that takes years of dedication and sacrifice, and getting there is the battle. So well done for being brave enough to state your goal and congratulations for achieving it. Next time you will get more back from the race!

As for the race, the weather conditions for the 31st anniversary of Ironman were hot, with temperatures reaching well above 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the bike and run portions. The pros Craig Alexander and Great Britain's Chrissie Wellington defended their titles. Alexander added a second consecutive World Championship title to his resume, while Wellington added a third. Wellington's overall time of 8:54:02 broke the course record set in 1992 by Ironman icon, Paula Newby-Fraser.

As a final thought there were 1,770 athletes on the start line in the race in an attempt to conquer the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run on the Big Island of Hawaii, so if the world population is approaching 6.7 billion people that makes Kona Karen in the top 0.00002639% of potential triathletes in the WORLD! Read my lips "WORLD"! Well done you.

Team G3R across the globe!

What a weekend for the team. We had 3 events on and it could have been 4 if Gordon hadn't let the side down! Each deserves a bit more on the blog so I will just put a bit on now for each and fill you in later or tomorrow. The first was Iona, she's the one who is scared to ride with us, who was respresenting Scotland at the Kaisermarathon in Soll, Austria. It is effectively the world long distance mountain running championships and she finished 14th overall!!! Way to go girl. Second up was the girl with the sore toe and the pink Kit, more on that later......anyway Kona Karen was at the Ironman World Championships in Kailua-Kona. All didn't go well on race day as most of you know, what with her various injuries, illness and getting her implants done (ears not chest) she didn't have an easy run in, but an awesome display even to be talented enough to get to the start line. For some it is a dream to get there for others they have a chance, for me there is the athlete's lottery! And in final place were the Relentless teams doing the 24hr MTB race. Two teams, a trio and a quad. Both seemed to finish 8th in their categories, but not too sure why the quad team were listed as vets! As for Gordon, Stirling duathlon was given a miss to prepare for the cross this weekend! More later....

Hollywood and Paisley

It was a surreal night to say the least but I have never heard Paisley being compared to Hollywood. Admittedly Roddy doesn't know Paisley very well and when he turned to me and said "this reminds me of Hollywood", I actually thought he had caught a swatch of a snatch and seen a landing strip so to speak, but alas no he was referencing the view across the valley.

Well the night was supposed to start at 6, but a couple of riders arrived late so they missed the first 15 minutes, Heron senior, Mr Lees, Mr Ogg, Moi were on time with Giancarlo and Paul bringing up the rear so to speak. Heron junior was there as official photographer and images will be posted later. Mr Proudfoot (Roddy - gay full sus bike) turned up at 7 to ride for an hour or so with us.

One lap down and Heron junior had taken a spill, dead leg reported and off home to see if he could get a massage, Paul took a couple of spills on this lap and Giancarlo and Paul called it a day, so it was left to the singlespeed boys, Mr Lees and Roddy to plug away. A shreek from the steps hinted that we were about to lose another rider and sure enough a smiling Mr Lees rounded the corner saddle in hand. A sheared seatclamp had caused a pleasurable impalement. He survived and had to walk to the car. So of the 7 riders that started the three G3R team finished and the 4GR went home. Could be a fun weekend! See you all on Saturday.

Strathfuffer 2010

The event entries went live the other night at midnight. We have one G3R pair already in anyone else fancy it?

A bruised toe from Hawaii

Ok, when I asked for photos, I did say "of nice bikes" not sore toes!

I haven't got the full story yet, but I think it was sustained whilst she was running away from young athletes that she slipped and stubbed her toe!!

The boys at Plean

Can't seem to copy these in so you have to follow the links.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/singlespeedwidow/3985200980/in/pool-scottishcyclocross

http://www.flickr.com/photos/singlespeedwidow/3981433932/in/pool-scottishcyclocross

Eagle Eyed

Someone has asked me to point out that if you look very closely behind Sian you can see David in the background just after she overtook him...... He is the chap on the orange bike!

G3R for Relentless

Check out my new pink Scandal 29er. How PINK is that! Perfect match to our G3R logo pink and goes perfectly with my pink Chris King rear hub. Not sorted the steerer column until I ride it on Wednesday night David so don't worry!

Anyone else got some nice bike pics they want to share......

Tornado Tom

Mr Boonen's bike from Paris Roubiax. A few comfort inserts in the forks and the rear end. Pretty close ratio in the front chainrings. Reminds me of Gordon's on his cross bike! Seems it's having a holiday in Hawaii!

Plean 4th October 2009

A civilised noon start meant that the appeal of Cyclocross has grown 2 fold since last year. 120 riders today meant that it was a big field and a lot of traffic although I didn't do much passing!

3 G3R riders and only 1 in his skinsuit. Gordon riding his new red trek and looking good with the legs to back it up. Results aren't out yet but he managed to lap me about 20 mins from the end! Bruce started with a bit of a cold and half way through the race packed it in to get home and on the road for recovery.

The next date for your diary is the 18th for cyclocross at Auchentoshan. See the link for details.

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/SCU/scu/sc_calendar.asp?evt_cp=1&evt_mode=1&evt_id={BC7C7448-B25F-4ACF-AD70-F3D6F73EDFD8}&evt_seriesid=&evt_myevents=No&RefID=&RefType=&evt_month=All&evt_kw=&evt_regions=Scotland&evt_disc=Cyclo-Cross&evt_class=&evt_cat=&evt_series=&evt_resultspp=20

You can find quite a lot of info on this blog ttp://www.scottishcyclocross.org.uk/2009/09/plean-country-park.html and even a small video of today. No results yet or photos of Gordon taking his two tumbles!

It's a rough old game cross.....

I can only guess that most of us have survived our cross practice today, but I got these two photos through earlier today. Seems the boys (Fabian and Vino aka Giancarlo & Paul) caught some air today and their bikes didn't survive. Both riders are fine but won't be racing tomorrow at Plean as they don't have any bikes!! Fingers crossed Dales get them sorted next week.

Call me mad!!

In an exchange with our IM World Championship representative she informed me how hot her feet were. I suggested that it may be heat gain because her black soles were absorbing the heat from the ground and that she should paint them white!! She has decided on silver and to continue the experiment is trying one silver and one normal. It seems my idea may have caught on and a few of them are spraying various bits of their kit. I may have however removed the cleats before the spray job but who am I to comment! Results of the experiment will be published in the next blog from Hawaii.

Rapha, Cross and the Frost

Last year was cold and fast as you can see from the weather. Fingers crossed it stays above freezing on Sunday. Sian may be the girl to beat for the boys, given her current form and at least the Edinburgh boy has some decent kit this year!

If only I could speak Spanish!!

This is my nice new XTR drive side chainset and if I could speak Spanish I might have realised I wasn't getting a pair!!!!!! The search begins for a 177.5mm non drive crank........

Relentless G3R and 4GR

With winter arriving the team has moved to the MTB's and next weekend (10th) will see the first 24hr race of the calendar. A few guest riders in the teams but 7 all the same as we head up for a social weekend! Event details below if anyone wishes to join us.....

http://www.nofussevents.co.uk/event/Relentless-24/1031/#info

Any spare lights available for the weekend would be greatly appreciated.

A full practice night of 3hrs riding next Wednesday will be organised if anyone wishes to join us. This will be from 6pm to 9pm, venue to be decided and a hot cup of soup afterwards will be provided.