2015

So 2015 is nearly over and 2016 upon us.
It wasn't my worst year ever on the bike but fell below my mileage of last year. Still better mileage than most previous years and ended on a slightly sour note with my ankle injury, however it did usher in my first bit of cycle touring and a podium place in a mountain bike race!
Check out my stats and video below.

CX Season....well most of it....2015

So I haven't posted in a while, mainly owing to being so busy at work but I did manage to complete the Scottish series of Cyclocross (well most of it) on my new bike.
First up was one of my favourites Callander Park in Falkirk, followed by a very muddy Strathclyde park and a non series race in Plean.
All were enjoyable but just felt my fitness wasn't at its best this year especially when it came to the Scottish Champs at Irvine run by my own cycling club Walkers Cycles.
On the Friday before the race I had a bad sprain to the ankle (see pictures) which put me out of the race.

The season is normally over at Christmas and officially the Scottish series is but there is a continuing South Lanarkshire series of 4 races of which I have signed up for the first and the Super Quaich series which includes Dig in at the Dock and another 3 races. Lets hope my ankle holds up and allows me to continue my season a little longer and help get 2016 off to a flyer.

Anyway check out some of the photos from my pre-xmas races below.

Battle of Balloch CX

Sunday the 4th of October so my opening CX race of the season and my first race on my new Kinesis. The race was at Balloch Castle Country Park on the shores of Loch Lomond. The last time I had been in the field there it was to watch OASIS in the summer of 96.

As this was a non series race there were A and B categories. I entered the B race and came 12th.

It was nice to actually race for a top 20 position for a change instead of just being fodder for stronger athletes to lap.

It was a a very enjoyable, fast and dry course (the way I like a cross course) and I hope they stage races here again in the future.

Galloway Gallop 2015

I headed to Kiroughtree for the Galloway Gallop Adventure Corss. This was my favourite sportive last year and this year I was doing it on my new kinesis crosslight 5T cross bike.
I really enjoyed the route again and finished in the 8th fastest time. No photographs this year but I was interviewed in the event video.
I love this sportive. The scenery and challenge are just perfect plus the new bike is a speed machine.

Etape Trossachs

I entered the 100 mile Etape Trossachs in September. It started and finished in Fintry but after a few weeks off the bike with injury I called it at the 75 mile mark as I passed the start.
It was a nice ride however including climbing the Dukes Pass near Aberfoyle twice and rounding Loch Katrine where I was eaten to bits by midgees.
Hopefully with a bit of better fitness I will manage the ton next year!

Johnny 5 is Alive

So the Lone Biker is continuing the old cyclists equation for how many bikes you should own - N+1 where N represents the number you already have.
So number 5 is my brand new Kinesis Crosslight 5T.
Its my second cross bike as the other one is 5 years old and its on its last legs (wheels).
It is also my first foray into the world of disc brakes on the cross bike......it is also bright orange which is very cool!
So welcome number 5 and roll on CX Season 2015

Podium Podium Podium

On Tuesday I went along to take part in Glen Afton Mountain Bike Club's first crit at Woodroad Cumnock.
It was a good wee circuit and after being in the lead for the first few laps of the adult race I was able to hang on for 2nd place and a very rare spot on the podium.
It's nice to remember being a mountain biker and what it feels like to get a medal!

Tour of the 7 Ferries

I recently tried my hand at a bit of touring for the first time. I got some panniers and a rack for the winter bike and set off with my mate Tony.
Our intention was to reach Islay by ferry. We made by crossing from Ardrossan to Brodick, on to Lochranza to Clonaig where the lateness of the ferry made us have to catch a later ferry to Islay. This proved we could cycle/ferry to Islay. The change of Islay ferry however was a bit of a shame as the original ferry was the one to Port Askaig which would have allowed us to cycle through the island to Port Ellen. The later ferry went straight Port Ellen which meant little of the island was seen.
Our second day we headed to Rothesay, again with some ferry hopping. We sailed back to Kennacraig, cycled to the Tarbert- Portavadie ferry then through the Cowal Peninsula (including a tough climb out of Tignabruach) to the Colintraive- Rhubodach ferry onto Rothesay.
Day 3 was the last of our trip and we sailed from Rothesay to Wemyss Bay before cycling home.
It was a great idea and much more interesting than Tony and I's annual sportive which usually costs more than its worth to cycle on roads we could go on anyway.
We will definitely do another trip next year.
Check out the route below and some pictures.

Vuelta e Menorca

I haven't been blogging that much as I haven't been riding as much. Crap weather and a pretty tough year so far personally and professionally so the time has slipped away.
Thankfully though, holidays do arrive and this year I was off to Menorca. I rented a bike from
Tot Velo in Cuitedella (Carbon Trek Domane) and headed off to explore as much as I could.
As with Majorca the roads are fantastic and the respect for cyclists is excellent.
Being a smaller island with not coastal road there is fewer option for cycling a loop.
I did manage to keep it interesting by heading up to the highest point on the Island, Monte Toro. In the heat the 15% switchbacks were fun (!"$!) but the reception from the French tourists clapping and cheering at the top made it worth it. I also cycled to the most northerly point on the island Cap de Cavalleria which was an adventure into the wilds.
As cycling goes its a good place to go if you don't mind doubling back on yourself a lot but Majorca is still the best place to cycle in the Balearic's.