GGCC 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SPORTIVE - Sunday 7th August 2016
This Sunday we would love you all to join us to celebrate Part 1 of our 5 year anniversary! Its our yearly Sportive and it would be great if you can head out and join the fun!
Part 2 is our Ceilidh at Sloans on the 19th where we will have our Awards Ceremony so Part 1 is all about riding bikes and good craic!
This years Sportive heads North taking in some of our beautiful roads, countryside and climbs before stopping off in Strathblane for an extended coffee stop at The Kirkhouse.
The route is posted here and we appreciate its a big day in the saddle so there are some potential shorter options for those that want / need it and also if the weather doesn't behave we can have a plan B!!
We have planned it so the coffee stop is very much towards the end of the ride and day so 'if' we are damp from the weather its only a short hop home. Hope that's suits most members.
We are planning to head along to Dumbarton and then along to Balloch, from there we head along the A811 to Drymen and then towards Aberfoyle and right at the roundabout towards Thornhill past Port of Mentieth. Right at Thornhill, along the B822 and straight through the roundabout up to Kippen (nice climb!), Fintry, Crow Road and then Lennoxtown. From there right to Strathblane. From Strathblane after our coffee stop we head back into town as we usually do. As mentioned above we can discuss and agree any shortcuts people want but we ask that EVERYONE make sure they are comfortable with the route prior to Sunday!
The Broons will be at the Arch when we set off so if you want spare kit available at Strathblane you can put it in the car. The ride wont be supported but your kit will be available at The Kirkhouse.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/13182291
Please meet under the McLennan Arch on the green for an 8:30am sharp start. It would be great to have time for another group photo so please get there in plenty of time.
Sundays Sportive is a social ride so there will be NO PACED GROUPS, this day is about riding at a nice pace and having the time to mix the groups and enjoy the days riding, its not a training ride.
Could the ride leaders please all chip in and help where they can and make sure the run goes as smoothly as possible throughout the day. We will make each group around 10 - 12 riders but have stops along the way to enable mixing of groups and we can discuss the finer detail on Sunday and welcome your ideas too as its your day!
Please remember your £2 for coffee which we will be collected once we get to the Kirkhouse. The Kirkhouse has been called and arranged and are expecting us all and jugs of coffee and tea will be waiting for us. There 'may' be a cake or too but bring extra funds in case you want some food there like soup or extra cakes.
If any new riders come along, can folk buddy up where possible?
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)
Weather is to be cloudy and overcast but dry with only a 20% chance of rain. STRONG WINDS are forecast however so we will need to take care and keep the groups tight. Temps will be around 12 - 14 degrees but the strong winds will be 23mph from the SW gusting to 45mph.
We would suggest that shallow rims are ridden on Sunday with the threat of strong winds if you are not used to riding in winds with deep sections.
NOBODY gets dropped on Sunday as its a social so we ask that everyone really works together on Sundays Sportive, thanks
**Please remember tubes, pump, levers, multitool and also please ensure your bike is in good working order, oiled, lubed, maintained and clean**
We look forward to seeing you and we hope that you all have a great day!