Saturday 30 April 2011

Gateway to the Highlands Sportive Sun 24th April 2010

Report by Alan Rutherford

A sportive organised by West Lothian Clarion, this event was on its inaugural launch this year, with a good few hundred at least on the start line. The route started from Cambusbarron near Stirling and headed north  to Callander, then west to Aberfoyle going past Loch Venacher, over the Duke’s pass (500 feet of climbing over 2 miles), south to Drymen near Loch Lomond and then east back to Cambusbarron going past the Carron Valley.  A total distance of 70miles, West Lothian Clarion, were hosting the national Easter Clarion event.  If you want to know more about Clarion clubs, then do a web search.

All in all it was a great day with no real complaints - expect for a couple of missing signs! I arrived a bit late and it seemed like I was the last rider off at 09:37am.  I had decided that I was going to go for, all guns blazing over the distance and try to get a decent time. The weather was a little on the chilly side, but a covering of embrocation helped out. In fact the gilet jacket was never off the whole way round.

Conscious of the fact that I was last, I hurried along the course looking out for the sign arrows. For quite a few miles I never came across another rider, until I spotted someone far off in the distance wearing a red top. I closed in on them and  eventually passed by. I was ready to have a joke with them that they were wearing the appropriate coloured top as they were now the 'lantern rouge' - the last person in the field. However it turned out that they were actually from Stirling Triathlon club and not even doing the event. Damn, I was still last.

So I pressed on and it was good to see some marshals at the main turning points. At least I knew I was on the right track. In a strange way, it does give you much more of an incentive to ‘gun’ it along when you are last. I think I went along for the whole 31 miles to the feed station stop without over taking anyone. I was wondering  ‘where the heck is everyone?’.  This question was answered when I go to the feed station. They was a large bunch of riders there, lots of them all tucking into the energy food and drink on offer. In accordance with my aim to do the course fast, I only stopped for a bottle refill. I actually felt a tad on the impolite side as I tore off again without stopping to socialise and chat!

So I pressed on around the course and started to come across riders strung out along the route. I over took them, but as stressed earlier, this wasn't about racing against them and overtaking people – but racing against myself.  It was then up and over the legendary Duke’s pass, with 500 feet of climbing to be done and then down the mighty descent to Aberfoyle. What a descent this is, it gives you a real feel of what it must be like to race in the Tour or the Giro.  The route sign was hard to sport in Aberfoyle, but I eventually headed in the right direction, but only to be held up at the next round about where there was no sign. So I had to wait up for some other riders to find out which direction I should head in. Here we turned south towards Drymen, a few miles away from the Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. It felt strange cycling into Drymen, probably because I’ve been through it a hundred times in car, but never on a bike.

The route then turned east passing along some very small and rough country lanes. All the while, I was overtaking more riders. Sections of this road had been re-surfaced and were tarmac heaven, where it was possible to glide along at very fast speeds and wishing that every road could be like this. With about 10 miles to go, I over took another bunch of riders from different Clarion clubs. One chap was from Bolton and he was riding something that wouldn’t look out of place in the vintage Strade Bianchi ride, a really old looking touring bike with down tube shifters.  This group were going well and with a surge I passed them by and moved on ahead down the course.  After a little while a rider passed by me coming in the opposite direction. I though, ‘oh oh, this doesn’t look  too good’ and when I got to the end of the road, there was no sign to turn anywhere. Pondering which way to go, the group that I had overtook caught me up. It turned out they had been following me, thinking I knew where I was going. We had missed a turn off at further back at Carron Bridge and agreed that the sign was absent. Pranksters maybe? Who knows, but luckily 2 of the riders were local from the West Lothian Clarion and they led us back to the finish at Cambusbarron. It wasn’t a scenic route thats for sure – but at least it got us back. We did an extra 3 miles and  73 miles in total. My time was 4hrs 29mins, so that would probably have been about 4hrs 20mins. I’m sure if I hadn’t got lost and had to stop a few times, then I maybe, just maybe I could have got under 4 hours. 

The post ride drum up was very impressive with soup, rolls, cakes, cakes and more cakes.  I chatted away to the rider from Bolton and was surprised to learn that he had in fact combined his trip up north with a touring holiday and had in fact cycled up from Bolton on his trusty touring bike (with the down tube shifters). That would account for his good form then. Another rider was Brighton Clarion and had traveled all the way up for this event. I was surprised by the camaraderie, dedication and friendship network offered by the Clarion system. So hopefully the event will run again next year.  Is so, its a definite must even date for your diary.

Sunday 24 April 2011

Sportive Kinross Report


                                                        Fife is not as flat as I thought

I spotted this event in the Autumn of last year and thought it would make a good early season ride. To my amazement when I tried to sign up for it late in 2010 it was full, which was surprising since the event had never ran before,  I guess it must of caught the imagination of the local riders. I got a place on the waiting list and in January I received an email saying I’d got a place.


The event offered 3 routes, the Blue route - an easy 44 miles  , the Red route a flatish 79 miles  or the Black route a hilly 87 miles. I signed up for the Black route, even though it was billed as  a hilly route I thought Fife was pretty flat so it couldn’t be that bad could it?

The Friday before the even was a scorching hot day and I was worried it would be a bit too hot, so I packed my short sleeved shirts and light shorts I didn’t give the wet weather gear a second thought, something I’d later regret. I got up early on Saturday morning, it was damp and overcast but I thought it would brighten up before I reached Kinross. I put on a liberal coating of sun cream and set off.  It was 14 C when I left Strathaven by the time I reach Kinross it was a miserable 8 C. As soon as I stepped out the car I was back in to see what extra cloths I could find, luckily I’d picked up my St Chris Jacket before leaving the house and I found a pair of 2/3 length tights in the back of the car (I’m not sure they had been though the wash but they’d need to do).

It was a rolling start you could start between 8.30 and 9.30. By the time I’d signed on there was a queue of  several hundred riders waiting to start, I guess everyone thought 8.30 was a good time to start. I slipped in near the front and waited to start, unfortunately there was an accident on one of the roads we were using and the police made us wait until it was cleared so there was a fair bit of waiting about in the cold. Eventually we were off, set off in groups of 10 riders ( so I was glad I’d slipped in near the front).

I looked for a group to join but most people seemed to be taking it easy so I just pushed on alone. After about 10miles we hit the Lomond hills, my legs were fresh so it wasn’t too difficult , however the sun was starting to burn through the cloud as we climbed and I  wished I hadn’t put on the extra layers. However the fast descent was cold and I was glad of the Jacket to keep me warm. The next section through Falkland and Freuchie was flat and fast, there were marshals at most of the junctions so it was easy to find your way and you didn’t need to slow, Police motorcyclists also patrolled the route. The Police didn’t really assist in any way and I found they got in the way at junctions. I think their presence was to make sure the cyclists behaved rather than to assist.  The local community had really got behind the event there were people out tocheers us though the villages, some waving flags, which was really nice. With the fast pace, police outriders and cheering crowds you could imagine you were a pro.

The next 15 miles were fast, I joined up with another rider and we made an effective 2up sharing the work and keeping the speed high . I did worry we were overcooking it a bit going so hard so early but it was fun eating up the miles at such a pace. Because of the fast pace first food stop came a bit early, I needed to stop for water but my partner pushed on, I was tempted to to the same but I only had one water bottle and I didn’t know when the next stop was. What a food stop!  I’ve never seen such an array of food and cakes, It seamed a shame not to take full advantage but I only needed to top up my bottle. So I was quickly on my way again. After a few miles the flat roads ended and the hills started,  first with the Wicks o' Baiglie which was  a stiff climb, the weather had turned colder and a light rain had started, which I didn’t mind on the climb. The road for the 25 miles was a series of long hard climbs and treacherous descents, the road surface was not good with a lot of gravel, the light rain turned to heavy rain which made the descents almost as bad as the climbs, I didn't enjoy them at all. I was half way through the race soaked to the skin and pretty miserable. The field had thinned now and it felt a lonely road with no one in sight for long stretches. After the steepest and worst descent  of the day I reached Dunning for the second feed stop. It was a busy place, which was surprising after such a lonely ride but the Red and Black routes converged here so a good number of these people were from the other route. Amazingly after a few slices of cake I felt better and set off again for the longest climb of the day (5.5Km). Although it was long it wasn’t as steep as the earlier climbs I almost started to enjoy myself again but the rain was now torrential and I was frozen especially on the descents.   Finally we were back onto some fast roads but with so much standing water it was still treacherous and in places difficult to see. Finally the rain stopped and the last 5 miles were on flat main roads, the different routes merged here so there was a long line of cyclist stretched out as far as the eye could see. Flat out at 25mph I was able to speed past dozens of rides, which was great fun and a great end to a hard day.
Back at the finish line there was a meal (pasta, soup, filled rolls). My time was around 5.40 which I was pleased with.

I was taken by surprise how difficult the event was, I didn’t know Fife contained so may steep hills. I think because most of the hills were in the middle part of the course it made it feel worse. I can’t really comment on the scenery I didn’t see much of it in the rain, I’m sure on a clear day there would have been some fantastic views. However this was the best organized event I’ve ever attended. The route was well marked and there were marshals at every major junction, some of these folk must of stood four hours in the rain which couldn’t of been fun. The food stops were stocked with fantastic home baking and even a meal at the end! what more could you ask for.  Well perhaps better weather but that all the more reason to return next year. I’d recommend you look out for this one next year, if you don’t fancy the hills the Red route still gives a reasonable 77 Miles but less climbing.


This must of been near the start (my shoes and socks are still white, everything was a muddy grey at the end)

Stats: 87 miles, 5500 ft, Time 5.42 

Monday 18 April 2011

VC Glasgow South 10ml TT

4 St Chris rides took part in the VC Glasgow South 10ml TT at Bishopton on Saturday morning (16th April). This was the first 10 at Bishopton this year, the weather was good but a bit of a head wind on the way out made it tough going.
Arthur Doyle put in another impressive performance with a time of 20-33, unfortunately we were somewhat further down the field however I'm sure our times will  improve significantly as the season progresses.  


Some dates for your diary 


1 May  Boomerang 2-up Time Trial (Thornhill 2up)
4 May Margaret Dooley 10mile TT (Bishopton 10ml) 
7 May VC Glasgow South 10mile TT (Bishopton 10ml) 
8 May 10m TT - Inverclyde Velo  (Bishopton 10ml) 


Full results:


1 Arthur Doyle Dooleys RT 20-33
2 Graeme Cockburn Glasgow Wheelers 21-16
3 Jim Cusick Glasgow Couriers 21-25
4 Ian Sim Glasgow Couriers 21-48
5 Grant Smith Dunfermline CC 21-52
6 Steve Beech Sandy Wallace Cycles 21-56
7 David Gibson Dooleys RT 21-56
8 Craig d1ck Glasgow Wheelers 22-06
9 Matt Hennon Inverclyde Velo 22-13
10 James McPake GJS Racing Team 22-20
11 Tam Gordon Dooleys RT 22-21
12 Graeme Hay Stirling BC 22-23
13 Sean Gray Dooleys RT 22-37
14 Alan Robertson EKRC 22-47
15 Christopher Staples Fullarton Wheeelers 23-00
16 David Ward WestLothian Clarion 23-11
17 David Millar Glasgow Couriers 23-12
18 Tom Worthington Vortex RT 23-15
19 Wilson Kane EKRC 23-28
20 Graham Jones Edinburgh RC 23-29
21 Nick Tyron Lomond Roads CC 23-29
22 Sian Tovey Dooleys RT 23-29
23 Sadiq Mir West Lothian Clarion 23-36
24 Scott Newman Inverclyde Velo 23-41
25 David Anderson Glasgow Nightingale CC 23-47
26 George McCarter Inverclyde Velo 23-52
27 Bill Ainton EKRC 23-53
28 Christine McLean Shetland Wheelers 23-59
29 Derek Robinson Inverclyde Velo 24-01
30 Mike Ferguson Johnstone Wheelers 24-06
31 Scott Robertson Glasgow RC 24-07
32 Tom Bishop Dunfermline CC 24-09
33 Alan Mooney Royal Albert CC 24-14
34 Benjamin Peacock Johnstone Wheelers 24-19
35 Scott Glasgow Glasgow Nightingale CC 24-21
36 Greg Balden Johnstone Wheelers 24-25
37 Richard Reade VC Glasgow South 24-51
38 Peter Smith Glasgow Wheelers 24-56
39 Bob Taylor Dooleys RT 25-04
40 David Dalzeil Glasgow Nightingale CC 25-06
41 Derek McMillan St Christophers CC 25-22
42 Vicky Begg Johnstone Wheelers 25-33
43 Andrew Dunfermline CC 25-35
44 Colin Meikle St Christophers CC 25-38
45 Gary Bratt Lomond Roads CC 25-45
46 RobertSrevenson Inverclyde Velo 25-55
47 Gabriella Nordin Glasgow Wheelers 25-55
48 Jim Reid Dunfirmline CC 25-57
49 Diana Farrell Hervelo 26-19
50 Neil McFarlane Falkirk BC 26-24
51 Alli Smith Stirling Bike Club 26-26
52 Robert Cooper Stirling BC 27-04
53 Alan Rutherford St Christophers CC 27-06
54 Alan Jardine Law Wheelers 27-07
55 William Brian Royal Albert CC 27-25
56 Isobel Fletcher Glasgow Wheelers 27-36
57 Stephen Mooney Glasgow Nightingale CC 27-52
58 David Haddock Inverclyde Velo 28-45
59 Eddie Brown Glasgow Nightingale CC 28-47
60 Andrew Wilson St Christophers CC 28-49
61 Adam Thomas SVTTA 32-51
62 Frank Anderson West Lothian Clarion DNF
63 Craig McGowan Law Wheelers DNS
64 Duncan Warwick Deeside Thistle CC DNS
65 Jessica Wilson-Young Edinburgh RC DNS