2014

That's 2014 over now with my biggest annual mileage to date. 

3318 miles, a little short of the 4000 I had hoped for but still 1000 more than 2013.

Here is a little summary video from STRAVA on my 2014 

and here's to 2015!

Back to the Gene Pool

I went cycling yesterday in the playground of my forefathers.....with my father. On what was a chilly but sunny day my dad and I headed to Dalmellington and Loch Doon where he grew up and I spent many a Saturday afternoon at my Gran's.
We parked at the side of the loch before unhitching the MTB's and heading along the side of the loch and then towards Loch Reicawr.

We then continued for a mile or so till a small signpost indicates a mountain bike track, constructed some ten years ago. From here we followed it on this lumpy section to Loch Bradan which is a fresh water reservoir for thousands of homes in Ayrshire.

After we reached the point where the trail started heading towards Loch Doon and Finlass again, it became a bit of a hike-a-bike. The trail turned viscously upwards and the combination of gradient, boulders and ice it was impossible to cycle.
What should have been a great decent (and was a few years ago) was ruined slightly as the track has become cut up and boulder strewn. From tracks on the path it is clear that scrambler motor-bikes have decided to use the track which has cut it up considerably. We did find our way back on to the fire road and a nice decent for 3km back to the van.
This was once a good wee trail which would make for a better trail hike rather than bike these days, however the scenery and memories of weekends past made up for that.
A pleasant last ride of 2014!

Feeling Cross

So that time of year (for me anyway) has came and went. The time where I (attempt to) race the cyclocross season through the muddy months of October and November.
Callander Park:
With a very dry September the opening round at Callander Park was rather fast with not as much muck as usual. This suited me fine though as that is my favourite condition. Feeling fitter than the previous season already the fast paced race went by in a blur of speed. I finished my usual bottom half place but enjoyed the racing conditions and lapping a few competitors.

Strathclyde Park:

Next up was Strathclyde Park. The race got off to a flyer but on lap 3 transitioning from grass to road the bike disappeared from under me leaving a skint arse and a sprained wrist (still sprained 6 weeks later) so all placing was lost and I limped home as one of the last finishers, ableit, still not last! 

Ayr Doonbank Troffee:

The following weekend saw a local trip to Ayr for Ayr Roads first Cyclocross event. This was a non-series event so a much smaller field. The course was tough with multiple climbs and oodles of mud but still put in a good performance and lapped a few riders too. Always enjoy a local event. Less time in cars more on bikes!

Irvine Beach:

The next weekend saw another local event down at the Irvine Beach Park. I decided to warm up by actually cycling to the event which took place in howling wind and rain. This was a hard race to get motivated in. I found myself alone for most of the race (with the exception of leaders lapping me) so kind of lost the impotence to fight for a position. Still enjoy the challenge of the sand path though!

Auchentoshan:

So frustrating. I was having my best race of the season on my 5^th consecutive Sunday racing and was making the climb out of the bomb hole every lap until lap 5 so that annual happening “the broken rear derailleur” occurred. I limped to the pits and waited for the chequered flag before walking over the line for a finish and my most frustrated race of the season.

This was definitely a better season than last year where I managed to avoid illness and injury and only one broken bike part. This may though be the last full time season for my CUBE. It has clocked over 6000 miles and 5 seasons of cross in its life and both literally and metaphorically its paint is starting to fleck. I am still deciding what next but next year’s cross season might see it semi-retired as a spare to a new shiny cross bike…….(n+1)

Galloway Gallop

I took part in the most scenic sportive I have ever entered on Sunday. The Galloway Gallop Adventure Cross. It was 67 miles of cross country (fire road, singletrack, tarmac) for mountain bike or for Cyclocross bikes through the Galloway hills, Glen Trool, Loch Trool, Dee and Clatteringshaws. I chose the hard mans option obviously and did the long route on my Cube X-Race cross bike.
For the end of September the weather was as perfect as you could ask for. Bright sunshine, not too warm, no wind and no rain.
Only thing (nearly) spoiling the day was a ripped tyre and two punctures as a result, but luckily they happened within yards of a steward who helped me shape up a "get to the finish" repair.
Riding time just over 5hrs 15 mins for one of the most scenic challenges I have ever done.
Now for the cross racing season to begin.......

Number 4

So I have purchased bike number 4. I wasn't intending having a winter bike but saw this Giant Defy in my size second hand in Walkers Cycling for £100. The frame and carbon fork were worth it alone. I raked around the garage for pedals, saddle etc to keep costs down, used workable parts still on the bike and with a few refurbs (wheels) and part purchases I now have a acracking winter bike.
Shimano Sora Triple with Mavic wheels (One Kysrium Elite, 1 Aksium) and some elbow grease to make it shine!

2 Weeks, 3 Sportives, Much Rain

My summer holidays finished with 3 sportives in 3 succesive Sundays over 2 weeks. The first was the tour of the shire starting in Crossford and heading down to the Lead Hills. I was meant to do the longer route but got cycling with a good group doing the medium and just stayed with them. The road was diabolical as was the wind and rain and by the end the so called medium route was only 15km shorter than the long one.

The next week I blagged a free entry into the Obree Sportive which coincidentally was on roads that surround where I live. It was the hardest sportive I have ever done. Firstly, because Ayrshire is lumpy and any 80 mile ride in it is hard and the organisers had chosen every lump they could find and added them together. Secondly because the wind and rain were horrendous. They were so bad that my Garmin packed in and had to be replaced.

The last of the 3 was the Tour of the Borders which I had experienced in the worst rain ever last year. I did this with my mate Tony and the weather held off for some dry(ish) roads and only light winds. Any sportive with macaroni pies at food stops and closed roads is good and this was the best fun of the 3.

Whitelees MTB

So finally the MTB trail has opened at Whitelees. I was hoping for something a bit longer but its is a small blue inner and outer loop with red options. Its nothing special but you can see they are building more. It's better than nothing and might be fun for night riding in the winter.

Ayrshire Alps 100

Nice day of sunshine and I headed to the Carrick Hills to climb some Ayrshire Alps (Largs, Glenalla, Nic O' The Balloch, Tairlaw). Century all in for the loop and 1800m of climbing. Good Day.

Mallorcan Ride

Went  on holiday to Mallorca this year and managed a day on the (immaculate) roads. Check out the route and the pictures.