I spotted a FB post asking about tonight’s rides. I’m not sure who’s riding at 7:45pm but Ryszard and I will be out at 7pm for the Intro ride. It looks like it’ll be wet. On the upside, we’ve got some cakes left over after the BBQ for post-ride munchies! It’s unlikely that the 7pm and 7:45pm rides will be doing the same route. In fact, I’m not sure there’s any such thing as a “route” in Mugdock.
NB: next week’s Intro ride is up at Carron Valley, for a change of scenery/midges.
If you’re interested, please read carefully & all the way through! If it’s going to work as a club trip you’ll need to let us know asap so we can get the limited accommodation booked up while it’s still available.
Intro
It’s probably fair to say Torridon is some of the best natural singletrack we have in the UK. MBR reviewed a smaller version of the planned route a few years ago…
“From the outset, this splendidly isolated trail ascends consistently and gradually — rarely does such great altitude come so easily. Only in a few places will you need to switch your brain on, and this firm, stony trail is rideable in all conditions, offering considerable grip. Once over the small wooden bridge, the mountains start to close in, the trail steepens and the challenges begin. Some fighting spirit and strong legs will see you up most of the climb; only in a few places will the best have to push.
Once up on Bealach Ban, you are greeted by one of the best views anywhere in the UK. To the north is the Liathach, a collection of Munros arranged along a West-East axis, and it’s here that the terrain of Torridon is at its most striking.
At the lochan above the corrie, the fun begins with some fast, rocky singletrack around the water’s edge that’s a taste of what is to come. Drop into the Coire Lair on some loose rubble, barrel though a series of crests and dips and keep the power down as the glen opens out. When a number of paths converge you’re at the beginning of arguably the best section of descent in the UK. The gneiss rock offers unrivalled grip and the turns keep coming. You might even find yourself laughing at the ridiculous quantity of grip on tap.”
Likely plan: Continue reading
Stuart and I are doing a local ride from the club hall on Sunday morning at 11am. There’s no specific route in mind other than a mid-ride cafe stop. All welcome. The pace will not be fast!!
Recently we’ve been working on making a few changes to integrate the club website and Facebook Group. You may have noticed a few of the changes already but here’s a summary if you haven’t…..
Waterproofs and midge nets at the ready – it’s nearly time for the GMBC Summer BBQ! With about 40 club members, guests/family etc signed up it looks like it’ll be a great night.
Courtesy of Edenmill Farm Shop & Cafe (en route to/from The Whangie) we now have some top quality burgers & sausages on order. Food shopping for the rest of the stuff has been planned and anyone who volunteered on the sign up sheet should now have an email listing a few things we need help with on the day – mainly setting up the BBQ area at the hall.
The party starts from 5pm onwards, looking forward to seeing you there.
Just as the legs are recovering from 10 Under The Ben, here’s another 10 hour endurance event you may be interested in (as a solo rider or as part of a GMBC team). Post up if you’re interested…..
This came in to the club email via our affiliation with British Cycling……
“With the exciting approach of the Tour de France, ŠKODA UK are recruiting for the Škoda Cycling Club. The Škoda cycling club will consist of 21 cyclists each required to ride a replica section of the Tour de France throughout the UK.
Invite your friends and family to get out and active with you on a day of your choice. All we ask in return is that you log your journey with pictures or a short video clip and make a note of any local pubs, points of interest and great viewpoints that you see along the way.
Your story will then go live at the Telegraph online cycling hub. Once all 21 sections have been completed each experience will be mapped and included in the new Škoda Cycling Club app to encourage the public to do the same.
Continue reading
From a request received from a BBC TV Researcher….
“I hope you don’t mind me contacting you. I am emailing from the BBC where I work on a BBC2 sciences series called ‘Trust me I’m a Doctor’.
We are looking for volunteers for an experiment on Monday 27th June to see how different fabrics affect the way you sweat and smell. The results will be analysed by the University of Manchester.
I was wondering whether any members of the Glasgow mountain bike club would be interested in taking part. We are looking for a group of 20 people to do 2 training sessions (for one hour) at a spin class. They would wear t-shirts we give them and then after the hour a quick under arm swab will be taken. That’s so the scientists can look at the bacteria you sweat out. Continue reading
As per an earlier request for volunteers, Jason Hammersley is requesting marshalls for the British XC Championships at Cathkin Braes on 16/17th July. If you are able to help then please contact Jason and advise that you heard about the request from GMBC. Thanks.
Gavin’s burger at last year’s club BBQ! **
Hi. So, do you fancy joining in with the club summer midge-fest BBQ? It’s open to paid up club members (plus guest). The club will provide the a few of the basics (buns, burgers/sausages, some salad, sauces etc). If you want to cook something specific then feel free to bring along whatever food you like. Drinks will be available via the bar at the Sports Club.
We need to get an idea of numbers so we can plan the food & drink. If you’re coming please can you:
** Not really, it’s this one…
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-hamburger
