GGCC Club Run, Sunday 3rd February 2019 - Balloch Loop - 40 Miles
Since the weather has taken a turn for the worst this week, and it is due to be particularly cold with temperatures around zero, we will default to a safe, low land winter route to Balloch. I'm sure you will agree that safety is number one priority, and at this time of year the un-gritted roads north and south that we normally populate will be too dangerous to ride on skinny tyres, especially on the higher ground. Besides, this route has a Maccy-D's stop in it!!
Please meet under the McLennan Arch on the green for 8:30am start.
We plan to head out this weekend towards Balloch, Heading along past SECC and South Street onto A82 Dumbarton road past Clydebank and A814 out to Dumbarton, where we will turn right towards Renton, Alexandria and onto Balloch where we will feast on Coffee and Sausage Mcmuffins at the Mcdonalds after the roundabout! After which we will head back through Balloch village and onto the A813 back road through Bonhill and rejoin the A82, returning the same route we took out. Please bring money for your food/drink.
**GROUP LEADERS will be identified and nominated at Glasgow Green and a quick brief will be discussed for the ride ahead and agreed. At the split point before we move to paced groups, each group leader will get their respective group together and brief the group on the etiquette of the ride, what should and will happen and the format of the day so everyone in the group fully understands so everyone gets the most from the group they take part in.
We will go through some basic safety, group riding etiquette and group riding technique, first aid and basic bike maintenance before we set off so that everyone stays safe and knows exactly what’s happening on the ride.
For those of you who are first aid trained and have been issued first aid pack, can you please bring these along on Sunday (and each run you attend)
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LOOK AT THE ROUTE PRIOR TO SUNDAYS RIDE.
https://www.strava.com/routes/16983533
Forecast for Sunday morning is to be dry at the start, with a slight risk of rain by lunchtime. Temperatures around 0-2 degrees, with a 7-8 mph SE wind gusting to 14 mph.
We will split into STEADY, CHALLENGE, CHEEKY CHALLENGE
Groups should contain no more than 10 riders.
Steady is steady and usually sit between 14 – 16 mph average **NOBODY gets dropped**
Challenge should push your ability and sits about 16 - 18 mph average.
Cheeky Challenge is slightly faster and is around 18 - 20 mph.
ALL RIDERS/GROUPS PLEASE EXERCISE EXTRA CAUTION WHEN RIDING IN THESE CONDITIONS, TRY TO AVOID SUDDEN BRAKING / SHARP TURNING, AND RIDE SMOOTHLY.
**PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ALL GROUPS STAY TOGETHER AND WORK TOGETHER - THIS IS A TRAINING / SOCIAL RIDE
**these are the averages you should expect over the course of the ride in the above groups and there will be sections ridden faster and some slower depending on road profile and conditions
**Please remember to communicate within your group. If you get split due to junctions, traffic, roundabouts then get back together. If you get split as someone is really dropping off the pace then that rider steps down a group, (or steps up if going through to hard) **THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT SO BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING OR FEEL FRESH - Group Leaders may suggest a step up or down for the sake of the smoothness of the remaining group
**If you need to ask the group to slow up, we would suggest you step down as you may be in the wrong group
Please pick your group carefully and remember that all groups work together to promote group riding but steady is the only group that rides at the pace of the slowest rider and the other groups don't wait for dropped riders unless agreed amongst the group and riders on the day
**Please remember tubes, pump, levers, multitool and also please ensure your bike is in good working order, oiled, lubed, maintained **
Thanks from The Team @ GGCC