A chance for the riders of G3R to dust down their bling and head to the start line on the Westferry for a ride against the clock...
Wednesday 1st June 2011 - 1st rider off at 7pm, start list compiled at 6.45pm.
Is G3R really made up of the fastest riders, or just those willing to drop the most cash on their tools...
G (The fast one...)
Tuesday 31 May 2011
Sunday 29 May 2011
Thursday 26 May 2011
Ground level report (guest journalist)
Thor, Pozatto, Brian (Ed Clancy???) marc, Euan, Emma, Aileen, Karen (who actually rode from Braehead!). Graeme was there but didn't appear until Kings Inch Rd. John drove in as we were leaving – I thought it was for his group but I think he was just late and Graeme went back to tow him round.
All worked well together in the rain on the West Ferry at about 29mph.
Thor, Pozatto, Clancy, Marc and Voeckler came off Woodhall roundabout together and worked as a 5. I had no idea if everyone was just keeping things together or whether no-one could go because the pace was too high! Voeckler upped it a wee bit and Thor was first out the back with Marc having to work to get round him. Not sure who got the tape but it was down to Voeckler, Clancy and Pozatto.
Only thing of note going up the Clune was Thor catching Pooley (who’d taken the short cut).
It was hard from Kilmacolm with it down to the 5 of us again pretty much straight away. It was a bit ragged as Thor jumped away on the wee climb past Knapps but that was only to get a head start as he thought he would get dropped. That didn’t work as he did get dropped just before BoW but Pozatto made them wait on him at the lights. Thor had resigned myself to a solo TT on the Georgetown and reeling them back in.
Georgetown was hard with Pozatto ensuring the 4 of us worked together to try to keep Voeckler in check. He made a break at the start of the Georgetown and we let him hang out for a bit, bringing him back slowly. He finally made another break on the last bend just before the dip on the M8 while Thor was on the front. Pozatto shouted to work as a 4 to bring him back but Thor was completely done and, at the same time as the shout, Thor tried one last dig to pull them as close as possible before popping… and he is now being likened to his brother!
As for the sprints…. It appears a week in the sun and 35,000feet of climbing has done Pozatto’s wheel sucking abilities no harm at all!
And please take note of Lance and Nicole’s absence. Their week in Thailand without bikes has made them soft!
All worked well together in the rain on the West Ferry at about 29mph.
Thor, Pozatto, Clancy, Marc and Voeckler came off Woodhall roundabout together and worked as a 5. I had no idea if everyone was just keeping things together or whether no-one could go because the pace was too high! Voeckler upped it a wee bit and Thor was first out the back with Marc having to work to get round him. Not sure who got the tape but it was down to Voeckler, Clancy and Pozatto.
Only thing of note going up the Clune was Thor catching Pooley (who’d taken the short cut).
It was hard from Kilmacolm with it down to the 5 of us again pretty much straight away. It was a bit ragged as Thor jumped away on the wee climb past Knapps but that was only to get a head start as he thought he would get dropped. That didn’t work as he did get dropped just before BoW but Pozatto made them wait on him at the lights. Thor had resigned myself to a solo TT on the Georgetown and reeling them back in.
Georgetown was hard with Pozatto ensuring the 4 of us worked together to try to keep Voeckler in check. He made a break at the start of the Georgetown and we let him hang out for a bit, bringing him back slowly. He finally made another break on the last bend just before the dip on the M8 while Thor was on the front. Pozatto shouted to work as a 4 to bring him back but Thor was completely done and, at the same time as the shout, Thor tried one last dig to pull them as close as possible before popping… and he is now being likened to his brother!
As for the sprints…. It appears a week in the sun and 35,000feet of climbing has done Pozatto’s wheel sucking abilities no harm at all!
And please take note of Lance and Nicole’s absence. Their week in Thailand without bikes has made them soft!
Biology or something akin to that......
A few well kent faces returned from their sojourn in sunnier climes to test the legs in the bunch. Voigts got stuck down south as a result of the ash cloud and had to partake in some retail therapy to dull the pain from missing the ride! He did however manage to charter an airplane to get home and then skip into a helicopter so he could follow the bunch Tour de France style.
What immediately struck him was the silhouettes that the riders cut, with one notable exception they were all the same. The exception - Pozatto, a head that looked like it could support it's own lunar system, he had returned.
He could make out Lance at the back directing traffic, passing orders, policing the bunch and then deciding he had had enough, tailing off the back. Perhaps reflecting on the summer ahead. Or perhaps he has a lot on his mind with all the rumours that abound about him in the media and press speculation about getting beaten by a man with two chins. What we all know is that whatever they are saying, we know his fondness of pigmy goats is purely platonic and that he is looking to use the pelt as a covering for his saddle on his new bespoke fixie...
The bunch looks a large amoeba from above, flexing the boundaries of the group pushing forward, absorbing riders back in by phagocytosis when the gaps appear but secreting the weak to the rear, as if by some form of organic digestion. What the bunch did seem to do was offer some brief asylum from the elements with the brave and strong at the front offering support to the weaker. The collective force of like minded individuals being greater than that of the individual as is generally the case in life.
The strong, Hushovd, Pozatto, Voeckler and Fabio (Fabio Felline - Young Mark) were working at manipulating the boundaries of the bunch as it ground forward. The first test of the night on the West Ferry left carnage behind with Voeckler returning to the form that earned him the nickname of the baby faced assassin. Pozatto demonstrating that his sojourn had done no harm and that the miles in his legs were now paying dividends. Talking of financial payback Hushovd was there in the mix! The boy is getting strong and has a delivery plan now allowing him to deliver over the entire ride. His commute home was however a step too far.
Dropping below the cloud cover and pushing into the wind the helicopter struggled to stay with the pack on their alpine climb of the Clune, Lance finding his legs once again, Fabio looking eager on the climb as usual and Thor grinding it out at a cadence that makes Pic jealous. The switch backs testing the pilots skills to the max did nothing to prepare him for the deadly descent that was about to take place. The fall from the Knapps to Bridge of Weir saw the amoeba succumb to gravity and thus the symbiotic relationships of the fellow riders finally broke and by some form of miraculous conception or perhaps even by mitosis we had two bunches.
The climb from Bridge of Weir tests the strong. To attack there takes courage, delivers pain for the roulers but levels the playing field for the climbers in the peleton. Voeckler attacked! The amoebas rolled and the strongest bunch of Voeckler, Hushovd, Pozatto and Fabio tested the theory of evolution. Searching for the weak! The camera captured the run in as the amoeba flexed. Pain=gap! It's easy to see from above. You don't need to see the eyes, hear the laboured breathing or feel the pain. It's a mathematic formula from above pain=gap! Everyone was in pain as Voeckler gapped them and took the tape on the George.
The sprints, well there really is only one bridesmaid isn't there.... No not Kate, keep it clean! Thor, he took both.
What immediately struck him was the silhouettes that the riders cut, with one notable exception they were all the same. The exception - Pozatto, a head that looked like it could support it's own lunar system, he had returned.
He could make out Lance at the back directing traffic, passing orders, policing the bunch and then deciding he had had enough, tailing off the back. Perhaps reflecting on the summer ahead. Or perhaps he has a lot on his mind with all the rumours that abound about him in the media and press speculation about getting beaten by a man with two chins. What we all know is that whatever they are saying, we know his fondness of pigmy goats is purely platonic and that he is looking to use the pelt as a covering for his saddle on his new bespoke fixie...
The bunch looks a large amoeba from above, flexing the boundaries of the group pushing forward, absorbing riders back in by phagocytosis when the gaps appear but secreting the weak to the rear, as if by some form of organic digestion. What the bunch did seem to do was offer some brief asylum from the elements with the brave and strong at the front offering support to the weaker. The collective force of like minded individuals being greater than that of the individual as is generally the case in life.
The strong, Hushovd, Pozatto, Voeckler and Fabio (Fabio Felline - Young Mark) were working at manipulating the boundaries of the bunch as it ground forward. The first test of the night on the West Ferry left carnage behind with Voeckler returning to the form that earned him the nickname of the baby faced assassin. Pozatto demonstrating that his sojourn had done no harm and that the miles in his legs were now paying dividends. Talking of financial payback Hushovd was there in the mix! The boy is getting strong and has a delivery plan now allowing him to deliver over the entire ride. His commute home was however a step too far.
Dropping below the cloud cover and pushing into the wind the helicopter struggled to stay with the pack on their alpine climb of the Clune, Lance finding his legs once again, Fabio looking eager on the climb as usual and Thor grinding it out at a cadence that makes Pic jealous. The switch backs testing the pilots skills to the max did nothing to prepare him for the deadly descent that was about to take place. The fall from the Knapps to Bridge of Weir saw the amoeba succumb to gravity and thus the symbiotic relationships of the fellow riders finally broke and by some form of miraculous conception or perhaps even by mitosis we had two bunches.
The climb from Bridge of Weir tests the strong. To attack there takes courage, delivers pain for the roulers but levels the playing field for the climbers in the peleton. Voeckler attacked! The amoebas rolled and the strongest bunch of Voeckler, Hushovd, Pozatto and Fabio tested the theory of evolution. Searching for the weak! The camera captured the run in as the amoeba flexed. Pain=gap! It's easy to see from above. You don't need to see the eyes, hear the laboured breathing or feel the pain. It's a mathematic formula from above pain=gap! Everyone was in pain as Voeckler gapped them and took the tape on the George.
The sprints, well there really is only one bridesmaid isn't there.... No not Kate, keep it clean! Thor, he took both.
Tuesday 24 May 2011
Wed 25th May
The hour approaches again. Seems only the other day we were out. Not too sure who is going to make it and if Lance will function after eating just lettuce. Ash may prevent play for me as I am stuck down south. Fingers crossed the train will get me home for the ride. Until tomorrow as they say.
Monday 23 May 2011
Thursday 19 May 2011
Wed 18th May 2011
Weather separates the men from the boys. Voeckler, Schleck, Lance, Cooke, big Thor, Voigts, young Mark and the budgie smuggler.
So as I was saying, weather and men. A tough wind was out to play along with the threat of rain. Only eight turning up. Schleck flew in especially for this from Mallorca and wasn't going to let the weather stop him. He posed the question when we would get a full cast out? Guess we need to wait for the better weather.
Whilst waiting for the off Budgie Smuggler got a twitch in his shorts. Must have been some seed on the ground as he decided to get a closer look with a slow motion fall. It was then we noticed a stig mark on the wrong leg! Seemed he had mounted the bike the wrong way earlier, Cooke was sure she heard him asking someone where his bars had gone....
Lance's chat focussed on restraint, no cross wheeling, (Schleck obviously mistook this for cross chaining and decided to try this all night), maintaining even gaps, a bit extra space what with the wind, and working smoothly together. Leading us out Schleck seemed to forget where he was briefly being on the wrong side of the road! Budgie Smuggler joined in this week and Lance was buffeted by the wind before we even left Braehead.
The out to Bishopton was slow, easy in the shelter and hard up front! The rain arrived on the rise out of Bishopton. Falling hard it felt like hail. Shelter was taken albeit briefly under the bridge that starts the 10 TT. The rumble down to the Westferry and onto the dual carriageway was controlled, Lance had a hold of Voigts bungee cord. The bunch stayed together and worked well for a while. Voeckler and Schleck obviously thought the pace was too slow and started to break it up. Cooke injected the final surge that started to hurt the peleton. Schleck fainting pain, young Mark still hanging on, Thor playing his cards close to his chest and most making it up to the final roundabout. The hammer dropped, testosterone started flying and the pace jumped. Voeckler, Schleck and Thor left to fight it out with Voigts bringing up the rear.
The clune brought it's usual fun and Lance danced up as if to make a point. Budgie boy tried to buzz Voigts but he wasn't having it. Taking him back at the final roundabout. Voeckler, Schleck, Lance and young Mark going after the KOM jersey.
With dark clouds approaching it was an immediate departure once Thor had arrived, faking cramp he took off like his younger sibling. With his two best friends with him, gravity and wind he drove us hard to Kilmacolm, the legs were heavy and the pace increased on the drop towards the Knapps. Schleck driving the bunch too hard and stringing it out. Only Voigts decided to test the young man's legs and drive upwards past the Knapps. Rounding the corner the string had snapped. Two riders free, Schleck and Voigts, could they stay away and work together or was it going to be the Schleck show all over again. Sharing the load to Bridge of Weir the lights afforded a brief interlude until Voigts jumped the lights. Schleck hit the front climbing the hill and immediately gapped him. A brief look over his shoulder and he hesitated and waited for his older partner. Whether the thought of the wind on his own was too much or that he wanted to make sure Voigts put in an honest nights work he kindly waited. The pair worked together, Schelck the stronger of the pair but Voigts able to come through and provide some shelter. Rounding the corner they eased off expecting the lights that Lance had warned them about. An old head slowing the head of the race, but alas they never appeared. Schleck let Voigts hit the front under the bridge and left hanging him out to dry as the finish line came into sight. Rumour has it he took a call to say what he wanted for dinner before he rode up alongside Voigts and congratulated him for his effort.
The bunch regrouped for the sprint. A long lead out from Voigts saw the battle of the big boys and Thor ground out a victory at 18mph on a 63 cadence. Riding home Hushovd and Voeckler vied for the final sprint with Thor taking the tape.
Fortune favours the brave, let's hope we get payback for riding on a night like that. Miles in the bank as they say. All safe and sound and some fun thrown into the mixing bowl. Not a bad way to end a Wednesday.
So as I was saying, weather and men. A tough wind was out to play along with the threat of rain. Only eight turning up. Schleck flew in especially for this from Mallorca and wasn't going to let the weather stop him. He posed the question when we would get a full cast out? Guess we need to wait for the better weather.
Whilst waiting for the off Budgie Smuggler got a twitch in his shorts. Must have been some seed on the ground as he decided to get a closer look with a slow motion fall. It was then we noticed a stig mark on the wrong leg! Seemed he had mounted the bike the wrong way earlier, Cooke was sure she heard him asking someone where his bars had gone....
Lance's chat focussed on restraint, no cross wheeling, (Schleck obviously mistook this for cross chaining and decided to try this all night), maintaining even gaps, a bit extra space what with the wind, and working smoothly together. Leading us out Schleck seemed to forget where he was briefly being on the wrong side of the road! Budgie Smuggler joined in this week and Lance was buffeted by the wind before we even left Braehead.
The out to Bishopton was slow, easy in the shelter and hard up front! The rain arrived on the rise out of Bishopton. Falling hard it felt like hail. Shelter was taken albeit briefly under the bridge that starts the 10 TT. The rumble down to the Westferry and onto the dual carriageway was controlled, Lance had a hold of Voigts bungee cord. The bunch stayed together and worked well for a while. Voeckler and Schleck obviously thought the pace was too slow and started to break it up. Cooke injected the final surge that started to hurt the peleton. Schleck fainting pain, young Mark still hanging on, Thor playing his cards close to his chest and most making it up to the final roundabout. The hammer dropped, testosterone started flying and the pace jumped. Voeckler, Schleck and Thor left to fight it out with Voigts bringing up the rear.
The clune brought it's usual fun and Lance danced up as if to make a point. Budgie boy tried to buzz Voigts but he wasn't having it. Taking him back at the final roundabout. Voeckler, Schleck, Lance and young Mark going after the KOM jersey.
With dark clouds approaching it was an immediate departure once Thor had arrived, faking cramp he took off like his younger sibling. With his two best friends with him, gravity and wind he drove us hard to Kilmacolm, the legs were heavy and the pace increased on the drop towards the Knapps. Schleck driving the bunch too hard and stringing it out. Only Voigts decided to test the young man's legs and drive upwards past the Knapps. Rounding the corner the string had snapped. Two riders free, Schleck and Voigts, could they stay away and work together or was it going to be the Schleck show all over again. Sharing the load to Bridge of Weir the lights afforded a brief interlude until Voigts jumped the lights. Schleck hit the front climbing the hill and immediately gapped him. A brief look over his shoulder and he hesitated and waited for his older partner. Whether the thought of the wind on his own was too much or that he wanted to make sure Voigts put in an honest nights work he kindly waited. The pair worked together, Schelck the stronger of the pair but Voigts able to come through and provide some shelter. Rounding the corner they eased off expecting the lights that Lance had warned them about. An old head slowing the head of the race, but alas they never appeared. Schleck let Voigts hit the front under the bridge and left hanging him out to dry as the finish line came into sight. Rumour has it he took a call to say what he wanted for dinner before he rode up alongside Voigts and congratulated him for his effort.
The bunch regrouped for the sprint. A long lead out from Voigts saw the battle of the big boys and Thor ground out a victory at 18mph on a 63 cadence. Riding home Hushovd and Voeckler vied for the final sprint with Thor taking the tape.
Fortune favours the brave, let's hope we get payback for riding on a night like that. Miles in the bank as they say. All safe and sound and some fun thrown into the mixing bowl. Not a bad way to end a Wednesday.
Wednesday 18 May 2011
Wed 18th May so what's it going to be like tonight...
Looking forward to riding with my friends tonight. Forecast looks grim with a bit of rain and a nice strong headwind to contend with. Hope some of the Rouleurs turn up tonight to share the wind and that I don't end up behind a pin like Lance!
Must be getting reflective in my old age. Tonight's blog could go either way.
Heid/Pic, you will be missed tonight.
Must be getting reflective in my old age. Tonight's blog could go either way.
Heid/Pic, you will be missed tonight.
Tuesday 17 May 2011
Graham's nightmare
No it wasn't his recent 70.3 race in Mallorca, although we await for his race report to be posted on the blog. Composed on the bog - posted on the blog! I think that's the working title anyway....
As you know his sleep was a little deprived before he departed for sunnier climes, not quite to Cormac's extent, but this was partly because he was pumped having towed the group down Westferry at up to 34mph, but mostly because of frustration at the etiquette (LACK OF) on display last night!
I will let him explain in his own words....
"I have taken the time to find a link to a simple and concise description of a chaingang for anyone who is unclear as the what it is about....
http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/training/cycling-in-a-chain-gang/
The first point in the tips is the most important one. by all means attack, but half hearted attempts to cause a break will only break the rhythm of the group, and deter people from working through. And as such please note the following is NOT an acceptable interpretation:
Please note that this is a G3R ride. We are not road racers and we use this ride as a semi-structured training session i.e. we want a workout, and don't want to get stuck 4th wheel doing 100watts because people decide that they're really not that keen on hitting the front after all. Work through, or sit at the back. If you disagree with any of the above, feel free to go ride with any other group. The Renfrew bunch do the same route Tuesdays and Thursdays."
I was feeling the love.
As you know his sleep was a little deprived before he departed for sunnier climes, not quite to Cormac's extent, but this was partly because he was pumped having towed the group down Westferry at up to 34mph, but mostly because of frustration at the etiquette (LACK OF) on display last night!
I will let him explain in his own words....
"I have taken the time to find a link to a simple and concise description of a chaingang for anyone who is unclear as the what it is about....
http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/training/cycling-in-a-chain-gang/
The first point in the tips is the most important one. by all means attack, but half hearted attempts to cause a break will only break the rhythm of the group, and deter people from working through. And as such please note the following is NOT an acceptable interpretation:
- Ensure you are always sitting on a wheel and letting others do the work
- When you feel fresh and strong give all you have to ride to the front and create a gap between yourself and the group
- When, after 30 seconds, you burst (30 is probably generous) then let the group catch you and make sure you find a wheel to sit on
- Remain tucked up on a wheel until you feel recovered enough to repeat the above.
Please note that this is a G3R ride. We are not road racers and we use this ride as a semi-structured training session i.e. we want a workout, and don't want to get stuck 4th wheel doing 100watts because people decide that they're really not that keen on hitting the front after all. Work through, or sit at the back. If you disagree with any of the above, feel free to go ride with any other group. The Renfrew bunch do the same route Tuesdays and Thursdays."
I was feeling the love.
Wooden bike
I think this is one I have to add to the collection.
Anyone wanting one, circa £500 I think, should contact woodenbikeproject@gmail.com. The bike was designed and made by a group of students as part of their master's project.
Will get the G3R stickers on it!
Sunday 15 May 2011
Wed 11th May - riding with honour
So summer had gone. Pozatto was off down south on a fashion shoot and shopping spree. Cooke was wielding the knife in the theatre; Macbeth, Schleck was off to language school and also to race sans decent wheels and Cippolini was still arguing with the UCI about what he could wear. Evans and Mechov were absent, in fact rumours abound that they have eloped (Mechov taking), Cancellara, well he was enjoying his other interest.... Hincapie was polishing his rocket no doubt, an "A" race beckons in Lanzarote. Pic had decided to test her cadence levels against the clock and we await details.
Lance gave us the pep. Quealey, Hushovd, Ullrich, Voigts, Voeckler, Lafferty (aka thief) all listened. Pooley joined late so missed the chat, so she will have to arrive for the 6pm depart to receive the wise words. Young Mark made a school boy error forgetting his cycling shoes. Mentally dress yourself from your feet up so you don't forget anything. That's your check. Don't do it again.
The rain was falling and the shouts in the main remained loud and clear. In the wind hand signals are needed and Lance reminded us of this.
A strong headwind meant it was tough from the beginning. The shelters within the bunch are getting less and less as the likes of Voeckler and Hushovd shed weight and inches. No big arses to hide behind!
Rolling onto the Westferry Lance kept us in check as we want him to, policing the bunch as our POTP. Voigts was obeying team orders for once, well at the beginning anyway and the work rate gradually increased along the Ferry. The new boy with the budgie smugglers sat off the back the entire way. He seemed to have taken some guidance from Menchov on acceptable cycling attire and had opted for something shorter than his standard Daisy Duke's!
The bunch thinned to Lance, Voigts, Voeckler, Hushovd and the thief as we approached Woodhall roundabout. An untimely increase in power by Voigts thinned it once again with Lance taking leave. Voeckler was caught napping as Hushovd stepped it up and dragged Voigts kicking and screaming along with the thief. The string snapped as Hushovd continued to apply the pressure and it was down to him and the baby faced pick pocket to fight it out. Hushovd showed his class and took the tape.
The feed zone allowed a brief rest before we dropped into Kilmacolm. Ullrich had popped something and attacked on the rise through Kilmacolm causing people to question their own tactics. Self doubt set in albeit briefly until the work ethic was restored. Through and off became the norm again as the rouleurs took advantage of gravity to drive the bunch towards Bridge of Weir. Lance and Ullrich were discussing old times as we approached Houston. Passion was evident from both.
Working evenly and honestly the string snapped again as Hushovd pulled the trigger. The thief continued in his wake stealing the shelter and following his wheel. Did he share, only Hushovd and he can answer. Who took the tape? Well that's for them to tell, but Hushovd has stepped up again!
Lance gave us the pep. Quealey, Hushovd, Ullrich, Voigts, Voeckler, Lafferty (aka thief) all listened. Pooley joined late so missed the chat, so she will have to arrive for the 6pm depart to receive the wise words. Young Mark made a school boy error forgetting his cycling shoes. Mentally dress yourself from your feet up so you don't forget anything. That's your check. Don't do it again.
The rain was falling and the shouts in the main remained loud and clear. In the wind hand signals are needed and Lance reminded us of this.
A strong headwind meant it was tough from the beginning. The shelters within the bunch are getting less and less as the likes of Voeckler and Hushovd shed weight and inches. No big arses to hide behind!
Rolling onto the Westferry Lance kept us in check as we want him to, policing the bunch as our POTP. Voigts was obeying team orders for once, well at the beginning anyway and the work rate gradually increased along the Ferry. The new boy with the budgie smugglers sat off the back the entire way. He seemed to have taken some guidance from Menchov on acceptable cycling attire and had opted for something shorter than his standard Daisy Duke's!
The bunch thinned to Lance, Voigts, Voeckler, Hushovd and the thief as we approached Woodhall roundabout. An untimely increase in power by Voigts thinned it once again with Lance taking leave. Voeckler was caught napping as Hushovd stepped it up and dragged Voigts kicking and screaming along with the thief. The string snapped as Hushovd continued to apply the pressure and it was down to him and the baby faced pick pocket to fight it out. Hushovd showed his class and took the tape.
The feed zone allowed a brief rest before we dropped into Kilmacolm. Ullrich had popped something and attacked on the rise through Kilmacolm causing people to question their own tactics. Self doubt set in albeit briefly until the work ethic was restored. Through and off became the norm again as the rouleurs took advantage of gravity to drive the bunch towards Bridge of Weir. Lance and Ullrich were discussing old times as we approached Houston. Passion was evident from both.
Working evenly and honestly the string snapped again as Hushovd pulled the trigger. The thief continued in his wake stealing the shelter and following his wheel. Did he share, only Hushovd and he can answer. Who took the tape? Well that's for them to tell, but Hushovd has stepped up again!
Thursday 12 May 2011
To remind you...
The cast is as follows :-
Lance – old boy, bit mouthy, can be grumpy but occasionally shows his class – David Ogg – occasionally goes by the name of Johny (Frank’s dad).
Cippolini – flamboyant dress sense, always in the wheel but boy can he sprint – John Dargie.
Andy Schleck – younger brother of Frank, bit of a climber, naive but has come of age – Graham Leitch
Emma Pooley – tiny wee thing, does things by stealth, concentrating on cycling this year so could be dangerous – Karen Glendinning
Jan Ullrich – Fond of an off season diet but talented underneath it all, dedication over the winter means it may be his best season ever – Bruce Heron
Tina Pic - A cadence that's slower than the tick of a clock, all determination and experience our newest rider - Aileen Scott.
Hincappie – experienced and classy, eyes on retirement but he may have an Indian summer yet – Bruce Lees
Cadel Evans – anonymous a lot of the time – occasional brilliance if he turns up – Cormac MacCauley
Emma Davies – impressive palmarès, yet to be witnessed in the bunch – Emma Lamont
Nicole Cooke – undoubted winner on the road and a never say die attitude – Sian Tovey
Thor Hushovd – a big unit, class when he gets his frame shifting – Robert Heron
Pozatto – pretty boy of the bunch, all the newest shiny gear and with a preference for green - Gordon Durnan
Jason Queally – in his day one of the best riders on the track, living the dream again – Ian Churcher
Cancellara – sheer class on a bike, all power and undiluted adrenalin – Giancarlo Romano
Menchov – tall classy rider on his day, prone to having bambi like moments and a love affair with the tarmac – Stuart Reid
Jens Voigt – big unit, not that pretty to watch but effective – Brian Skinner
Thomas Voeckler – our own “petit blanc”" due to his small stature and pale complexion, famous for something once – he will have to remind us - Ewan Mulhern
Any other riders requiring a name?
Lance – old boy, bit mouthy, can be grumpy but occasionally shows his class – David Ogg – occasionally goes by the name of Johny (Frank’s dad).
Cippolini – flamboyant dress sense, always in the wheel but boy can he sprint – John Dargie.
Andy Schleck – younger brother of Frank, bit of a climber, naive but has come of age – Graham Leitch
Emma Pooley – tiny wee thing, does things by stealth, concentrating on cycling this year so could be dangerous – Karen Glendinning
Jan Ullrich – Fond of an off season diet but talented underneath it all, dedication over the winter means it may be his best season ever – Bruce Heron
Tina Pic - A cadence that's slower than the tick of a clock, all determination and experience our newest rider - Aileen Scott.
Hincappie – experienced and classy, eyes on retirement but he may have an Indian summer yet – Bruce Lees
Cadel Evans – anonymous a lot of the time – occasional brilliance if he turns up – Cormac MacCauley
Emma Davies – impressive palmarès, yet to be witnessed in the bunch – Emma Lamont
Nicole Cooke – undoubted winner on the road and a never say die attitude – Sian Tovey
Thor Hushovd – a big unit, class when he gets his frame shifting – Robert Heron
Pozatto – pretty boy of the bunch, all the newest shiny gear and with a preference for green - Gordon Durnan
Jason Queally – in his day one of the best riders on the track, living the dream again – Ian Churcher
Cancellara – sheer class on a bike, all power and undiluted adrenalin – Giancarlo Romano
Menchov – tall classy rider on his day, prone to having bambi like moments and a love affair with the tarmac – Stuart Reid
Jens Voigt – big unit, not that pretty to watch but effective – Brian Skinner
Thomas Voeckler – our own “petit blanc”" due to his small stature and pale complexion, famous for something once – he will have to remind us - Ewan Mulhern
Any other riders requiring a name?
Monday 9 May 2011
Pies to die for.....
Ok, I have to share this with you. Some of you may already know about them and have been keeping them a secret from me. If so, shame on you!! This shop makes the best pies I have ever tasted. The vension one is out of this world. We will have them at our next posh cycling day at the end of the summer, but if you can't wait to try them then you can buy them online! Oh and that's not my crockery "by the way".
http://www.piesbypost.co.uk/
http://www.piesbypost.co.uk/
Hydration and the Bobble
We all know how important hydration is but I hate tap water. Found this and works perfectly. It's a water bottle that filters as you drink. Created by the Move Collective and designed by famed industrial designer Karim Rashid. Bobble improves the taste of water from your tap and gives an environmentally friendly replacement to single serve plastic water bottles. Sold online or in Harvey Nics if you are in Edinburgh and it comes in the right colours. Mine is pink!
http://www.planetorganic.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=bobble&x=0&y=0&gclid=CP2iy_DG2qgCFQEY4QodNRdz_A
http://www.planetorganic.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=bobble&x=0&y=0&gclid=CP2iy_DG2qgCFQEY4QodNRdz_A
Thursday 5 May 2011
Wed 4th...a line in the sand
Take your turn on the front or Fuck off! Not quite politically correct but I think it conveys the message that the bunch wanted to put across.
Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. We like to ride well as a bunch. No accidents, look out for each other and respect the bunch. We choose to ride as a bunch because we trust and respect each other. Graham issued some rules let's try and follow them.
As it was it was another fabulous night. Lance had returned from his sojourn and our dedicated pro Graham was hurting the amateurs. Oh for the life of a pro rider. The ride out to the West Ferry was simple, through and off although a little fast. Aileen was half wheeling and causing Mark some pain as she wound the peleton up towards Bishopton. Looking left to the car park the open TT entrants were warming up, our own Cooke recording a 23.15 and Vandertoon not far behind with a mid 23.
A rumble down to the West Ferry and Voigts faked one of his usual attacks. All bluster with no substance.... A quad soon formed of Graham, Ewan, Crawford and Jens. Three working regularly with Jens taking the occasional rest what with being in his 5th decade now and age catching up on him. The run in to the end was fast and the trio broke away from Jens with Graham taking the tape.
Perversely the hill gave some rest bite and the group reconstituted at the top. An easy off from the top of the hill meant that Lance broke out his iPhone and was tweeting away until the peleton left Kilmacolm. Graham politely inviting riders through "take a fucking turn" yes please my good sir and the work started again. Lance attacked with vigour having found his legs again and drove us up the hill towards Houston. Jens attacked at the roundabout utilising his considerable mass in a game of momentum. Through and off was sporadic causing Graham to issue some more refined encouragement "come through or fuck off you bunch of lazy bastards". Quite how I found the oxygen to waste on a response surprised me. I confirmed that indeed my good man I was trying my best endeavouring to take a turn whilst on the rivet I think it came out thus "I am trying my fucking hardest". I am also at a loss as to what possessed me to try an attack 1,113 watts was my peak watts and I am certain it was the only time I dug like that last night. To be fair I only lasted 200m before the water collecting in the cheeks led me to conclude I was going to be sick. Find a wheel, find a wheel....Graham where are you when I need you. Salvation came in the form of Ewan towing G along. Through the S bends and G took the finish line again.
Boy has class in his legs.
Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. We like to ride well as a bunch. No accidents, look out for each other and respect the bunch. We choose to ride as a bunch because we trust and respect each other. Graham issued some rules let's try and follow them.
As it was it was another fabulous night. Lance had returned from his sojourn and our dedicated pro Graham was hurting the amateurs. Oh for the life of a pro rider. The ride out to the West Ferry was simple, through and off although a little fast. Aileen was half wheeling and causing Mark some pain as she wound the peleton up towards Bishopton. Looking left to the car park the open TT entrants were warming up, our own Cooke recording a 23.15 and Vandertoon not far behind with a mid 23.
A rumble down to the West Ferry and Voigts faked one of his usual attacks. All bluster with no substance.... A quad soon formed of Graham, Ewan, Crawford and Jens. Three working regularly with Jens taking the occasional rest what with being in his 5th decade now and age catching up on him. The run in to the end was fast and the trio broke away from Jens with Graham taking the tape.
Perversely the hill gave some rest bite and the group reconstituted at the top. An easy off from the top of the hill meant that Lance broke out his iPhone and was tweeting away until the peleton left Kilmacolm. Graham politely inviting riders through "take a fucking turn" yes please my good sir and the work started again. Lance attacked with vigour having found his legs again and drove us up the hill towards Houston. Jens attacked at the roundabout utilising his considerable mass in a game of momentum. Through and off was sporadic causing Graham to issue some more refined encouragement "come through or fuck off you bunch of lazy bastards". Quite how I found the oxygen to waste on a response surprised me. I confirmed that indeed my good man I was trying my best endeavouring to take a turn whilst on the rivet I think it came out thus "I am trying my fucking hardest". I am also at a loss as to what possessed me to try an attack 1,113 watts was my peak watts and I am certain it was the only time I dug like that last night. To be fair I only lasted 200m before the water collecting in the cheeks led me to conclude I was going to be sick. Find a wheel, find a wheel....Graham where are you when I need you. Salvation came in the form of Ewan towing G along. Through the S bends and G took the finish line again.
Boy has class in his legs.
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