Duror Cyclo X

Sunday 14th March

Meet at Duror Forest car park 10am for 11am start.

Final round of the three race series.

Fearnoch Cyclo X

Sunday 21st February

Meet at Fearnoch Forest car park 10am for 11am start.

Round two of the three race series.

Boy Bossard Bent his Bars

and Beaten by the Boss

Club boss Charlton (41) held onto his late lead on the finish line after Bossard (20ish) stopped on the previous lap to deal with bendy bars. Charlton who had stayed in contention knowing Bossard's propensity for mechanicals struck home the advantage with a second to spare. "I've always said it's overweight multi geared full suspension bikes that win races, and today I've been proved right" said jubilant Charlton after the race. Gunn Davey (80 if he's a day) and Brand (39) completed the four finishing 8 laps. Macfarlane (pushing on now) back in the fray after time out made six laps. Heycock (26) suffered another broken chain to leave Treasurer (25) and Gunn (27) to fight it out for the ladies. The pair swapped the lead as Gunn took time to enjoy the scenery and take photos. Gunn finished 5 laps first.

Support Kidney Research UK

David Turnbull is currently fundraising for Kidney Research UK ahead of his charity cycle from London to Paris starting on the 30th June. Just over a year ago his wife received a successful transplant at the Western Infirmary following renal failure due to Polycystic Kidney disease. He would greatly appreciate any donations or cycling related fundraising ideas from within the club. Please have a look at the links below if you want to support the charity or take part in the event.

http://www.kidneyresearchukevents.org/DavidTurnbull

http://www.kidneyresearchuk.org/__assets/asset551.pdf

http://www.kidneyresearchuk.org/events/detail/cycling/147/london-to-paris-cycle-ride

Bossard Beasts Barcaldine In A Bike Breaking Bonaza

Clashes with other races resulted in a diminished field for the Sutherlands Grove cyclo-X. Seven set off but only 4 completed the grueling 1 hour multi lap event. First to drop was Lucy who was tipped to pick up 1st lady, denied by a snapped chain on the first climb! Tim went next after 4 laps his rear wheel comming adrift and bending his mech, nasty. Finally the man chasing down the eventual winner. Gavin blew a tyre (see left the bit of Rylock which fell off Nick's bike) and that blew it for him as Mike cruised round one more time to claim victory. Mike 7 laps, Nick 6, Gavin, Dave, Tom 5, Tim 4. Full results

Tour of Loch Awe

80 mile Road Ride

Easy to lunch 50km

Own pace back to Oban

Sunday 16th August

Meet Oban Clocktower 9.30am

see diary for full details.

Final TT for 2009

Thursday 3rd September

Meet South side under the bridge start 7pm

see diary for full details.

2010 Cyclo-X

Sunday 31st January 2010

Meet at sutherlands Grove 10am

It's Cyclo Cross format most

number of short laps over 1 hour. All welcome.

See diary for further details.

Loch Creran TT

Thursday 2nd July

Meet South side under the bridge start 7pm

see diary for full details.

Near perfect conditions at Loch Creran saw a good turnout and records toppled in both sexes with both Mike and Davy coming home inside the previous record. Fiona Gunn pushed the limit for the Women. Fast times all round, a puncture for Nick and Tom went for a run. Full results

Caption competition entries to me.

Bossard 1st in TEN

After years of gruelling performances in the Three Tens series Mike Bossard finally took the top spot in the solo event completing ten laps on a rigid frame. Well done to the Gunns who excelled as usual, Tim who I think still believes this is 9 hours too many (21st veteran 5 laps), Tom and Alex (6th senior 10 laps) and Nick and Greig (11th veteran 9 laps).

Fearnoch Fight

Despite the Low turnout with many riders puffed out from Ten under the Ben this XC was hard fought with the first and second place riders trading places right through to the finish. Nick took the tape as time keeper Tim broke his cadence to check the watch. Full results

Barcaldine Cross Country

Now a fun ride owing to Forestry Restrictions

Sunday 21st June

Meet sutherlands Grove car Park 10am

see diary for full details.

Wilson Quits

Corrected. Forestry Recreation Manager Helen Wilson is moving to a new post at SAMS. Unknown to most of us Helen has been our first point of contact with the Forestry and has facilitated our use of the various forest areas for our races. We wish her well in the future.

The New Forum

Simple really. Meet Tommy Skid and Claire Wheely and pass the time of day on the Nacc Forum

Ten Under 2009

Good luck to all the Nacc entrants in this years Ten under the Ben. Tim on his own, Tom and Alex Jonson, Mike and Alex Glasgow, The Gunns and Nick and Greig. I think I am right in saying all these riders (except Tim) have won this event in one team or another. Tim has been heard to say in the past that a ten hour race is 9 hours too many, we'll see if his view is changed after Saturday. The Race takes place at Nevis Range Fort William and is a good day out for spectators to come and support the Nacc riders.

See below for the official Ten Under Warm down. We've got a new single track at Fearnoch so come and try it out.

Creran Time Trials are Back

Time to dust off your teardrop bonnets, squeeze into your catsuits, get some new carbon bits, do some wind tunnel testing or just pump the tyres up a bit on your roadster and get down to Loch Creran Thursday 2nd April 7pm for a race against the clock. Then first Thursday every month.

Nine trialists turned out to enjoy the spectacular views of Loch Creran in the evening sunshine. Being the first event no-one was really trying that hard especially Mike hitting the top spot with a very average 28.42. It's not about the bike? You wait 'til later in the season when the carbon gets an airing, riders are wiping excess grease off their bearings, shaving their legs and pumping their tyres to dangerous levels to gain a few seconds.

May Time Trial

Thursday 7th May

Loch Creran

Don't Forget

Sunday 31st May

Fearnoch Cross Country

Meet 10am Forestry Carpark

see diary for full details.

Forestry Commission Design Plan

Nacc attended the Lorne district consultation meeting at Taynuilt. This mainly concerns ongoing felling and replanting schedules far into the future. While this is not of direct interest to the club, it is a good opportunity to see what is planned in terms of new forest roads, accesses and other routes and to suggest where alterations might be made to benefit all forest users. The areas covered were Glen Nant, Fearnoch and Inverawe. Draft maps can be seen here. These also contain information of general interest such as archaeological sights, water courses, rights of way etc.

Barnes/Bossard at Barcaldine

Elite class mountain biker Michael Bossard was the clear winner of this years North Argyll Cycle Club off-road duathlon held in Barcaldine Forest on Sunday 29th of March. Bossard created a slight lead from fellow club members Alex Johnson and Tim Brand on the first run, which used the newly paved Sustrans path, before pulling away convincingly on the undulating bike section, benefiting from the weight savings of new rigid carbon forks. He remained in first place during the second run. Gavin Blaney pulled through the field on the cycle leg but could not quite catch Johnson, who held onto second place. Hannah Barnes(pic.) from Lochgilphead had an equally convincing win in the women's race overhauling Nicola Hunter and Bridget Halewood. In the Junior race Connor MacNeil was nearly 10 minutes clear of next place Des Halewood with Calum Kirsop gaining third. Fiona, the third member of the Halewood family to compete, was the winner of the junior women's race.
The club give thanks to Evo bikes for the prizes and Helen Wilson of the Forestry Commission for enabling the event. More pics. and Full results

Maclean Cross Champ

9, yes 9! of the hardiest mountain bikers descended on Barcaldine forest for the night time race. The dusk start allowed the riders to familarise themselves with the arduous course. From the off Ruari Watt from Fort William made his intentions clear, forging a lead up the long climb and extending it with some slick descending that following pair Gavin Maclean and Tom Smith couldn't compete with. Ruari was getting in the groove and contiued to extend his lead when..disaster! puncture! and no repair kit. The only thing for it was to run back to his van (half a mile away) and change bikes. By the time he returned he was a lap down on Tom and Gavin who were unaware of the drama! Gavin begun to push the pace and Tom began to wilt, it was thanks to Maggie Thompson who fed him every lap that he got round. Ruari's come back was hamperd again when on the most technical section he snapped his seat post and had to ride his remaining laps with no seat!
On the last lap Gavin and Ruari were head to head only Ruari still a lap down, with half a lap they caught Tom and Ruari was into 2nd place. Gavin held on to claim a well deserved win.

In the womans race Fiona Gunn was the victor, Maggie knew she had the Women's vet category tied up so she chatted to marshall Claire and fed Tom until completing the course. Full results

New Events Planned

Sutherlands

Cyclo-Cross

Break out from booze ridden lethargy and get back on the edge at our first cyclo cross event. A short and challenging course will set the scene for this night time multilapper. 1 hour of intense close quarters racing, most laps wins. Good lights, helmets and steely nerves required.

2nd January 2009

Register 3pm at Sutherlands Grove

Further details diary page.

Neagle Swoops on Fearnoch

It was good to see a good showing again from the Lochgilphead area. Graeme Neagle won comfortably with nearly a three minute margin unaware of the tussle between local riders Tom Smith and Nick Charlton for second place. Nick thought he had it in the bag only to lose his chain yards from the line. Tom unsure as to whether to stop and help or go for the line broke his cadence momentarily before driving hard for the finish to take second. Nick Limped in third and James Macnab put in another good ride coming in Fourth.

Fort William Stalwart Maggie Thompson fully sponsored by Nevis Cycles dominated the Womens race and won confidently. Junior Connor MacNeil did what he had to do to take his win in good time.

Thanks to all for coming. Full results

Chairman Charlton Discharges Gunn

The second leg of the Three Tens at Kirroughtree tempted a number of Nacc teams and solos. The course was predominantly single track with snaking climbs, slippery root sections and a mixture of slow steep and fast sweeping descents. Short links of fire road were the only respite. Mike Bossard still could not find his way up to first place despite a valiant finish. He fiinished second with eleven laps three minutes behind the leader. Gavin Blainey put in a solid eight laps to finish in 15th place establishing his endurance credentials. Nick went for an early bath, well a sleep in the van 43rd. In the pairs Two Amigos (Greig Macfarlane and Peter Martin) took 8th place in the vets with a commendable 6 laps and those indomitable Gunns, Mixed vets - Team Mocha came in 2nd place with 7 laps despite apparently sleeping on the start line. (see photo). Looks like Gavin had too much coffee.

Full results

Bossards combination of strong climbing and agile descending is proving unbeatable. Ruari Watt needs to step up a gear to knock him off the top. The Gunn family are making their mark on the the headlines after a fine win by Fiona. 30 competitors were met with a very tricky wet course, all handled the conditions well and tonys " tricky trickster" section provoked the usual post race banter and a few ashen faces. There were several retirals but no serious injuries. Thanks too Evo bikes and Argyll pottery for prizes, Fiona was too quick and left without her prize! Full results

The rain stopped and the sun shone for last night's Creran TT. Lucy Heycock continued her progress to getting under 30 minutes for 10.5 mile hilly course. Tim took full advantage of the absence of the boy Bossard, who kindly stood in a cloud of midges for 40 minutes recording the times. Unusually Nick Charlton beat Tom Smith who only just managed to stay upright on his TT bike; a man/machine combination that is not entirely at ease when cornering. Full results

Ten under the Ben ace David Gunn won the only category for real men: The senior vets solo. He completed seven laps in 10 hrs 6 min against stiff opposition. Real men never smile.

Nacc riders competed at the now legendary 10 under the Ben endurance race in blazing sunshine. Regulars Spokey Dokeys under Gavin Blainey's rod of iron continued to improve. Tom lead out with a sound first lap and Nick took over puncturing early, in the middle and late on in the first lap. Gavin on great form put in impressive times to try and save the day but the Glencroft Rabble machine was unforgiving taking the top spot. Spokeys held off the Edinburgh Road Club to take second place.
Mike Bossard rode solo. He settled for second place after refusing the last lap. He claimed not to know how close he was to Steven Macinnes the leader.
Two amigos Mark Evans and Greig Macfarlane joined the single speed revolution. They claimed fist place in the duo singlespeed vets. Unfortunately a category unrecognised by the organisers.
A good day out for all. I recommend this to everyone. Over a thousand riders of all ages and abilities turned out. Look out for 10 at Kirroughtree in July.

Carol Collis of North Argyll Community Trust is assisting in a consultation being carried out on behalf of Sustrans regarding the implementaion of the Oban to Fort William cycle route. Of interest is the map of the route between Oban and Ballachulish and Consultation Poster. Artists and craftsmen amongst you may want to bid for work on seating, shelters, signposting etc. for the route.

Dour Duror is no more. The addition of an extra off road section added interest and gave a welcome break from the fire track at the top of the course, even if it did mean cartwheeling into a mossy bog. Doughnut powered Mike Bossard dominated the long climb and finished comfortably 3 minutes ahead of Gavin Blainey. 1st lady on the full course was Bridget Halewood (I hope that's right. I think Lindsey was on the short course). and Tom Macmahon was first under sixteen. Well done to Ben Miller U16 who took on the full course. Many thanks to David and Callum Shellcock. for timekeeping. Good to see some new faces. We hope to see you all again at Barcaldine in June. Tom is hoping to include some new single track. There may be some work to do to get the tracks into shape. Volunteers will be needed neaarer the time.

The final round of the West Highland Wheelers winter league was held at Leanachan forest last week. NACC riders did well with Mike taking the race victory after his three month break in Hawaii. Tom won the league just doing enough in 4th place to take home the trophy.. KT Tuer was the women's winner on the day and over all league winner. Jamie Maxwell took the junior trophy.
Nick spoke in depth to Spook about his aspirations to revolutionise mountain bike racing with his shoeless/pedalless device, good luck with that.

overall rankings.

Nacc Cross Country Race at Duror

27th April 2008

Nacc cross country race at Duror. This will be
a figure of eight race. See Diary for details.

Creran Time Trials

First Loch Creran road time trial of the year on this Thursday, start times from 7pm onwards. These are very low key events. (You may have to time your self!) Riders start at 1 minute intervals from under the bridge on the south side of the loch. Two laps of the loch roughly 11 miles.

results

Next Creran Time Trial Thursday 1st of May

Nineteen runners and riders turned out for this gruelling event. The inclusion of Shank's pony in this bike event meant that all who took part clearly represent the hard core of athletes. Alex Rawcliffe took first place crossing the finish looking pretty comfortable. Behind him it was a grim tale of pale faces and exhaustion; the promised pictures were almost too horrific to publish. For full race times.

     

Up to 92 km of bike and hike (with short routes available) across Mull and a big party. Click picture for info. Saturday 23 August 2008. The event will start at 7am on Tobermory High Street.

The Nacc hosted cross country at Fearnoch was well attended with nearly fifty riders accepting the challenge. We were very pleased to see many youngsters racing alongside the more experienced riders. The course was mostly hard pack with a couple of uncomfortable quad track sections. In the two lap race Gavin Maclean showed impressive return to form winning comfortably ahead of consistent Grahame Neagle and Gavin Blainey. Lucy Heycock lead the women's race. In the fun race there was great spirit shown with riders helping each other round where the going got tough. Prizes were presented virtually at random. Full results

WOLFTRAX BITES BACK

On sunday the 24th February Round 5 of the West Highland Winter League was held at Wolf Trax near Laggan.
The course took the riders round the fantastic new red loop then up to complete the old red loop with its twisty rocky turns and finaly down the green family trail to finish back at the car park.
First lady was Katie Tuer beating championship contender Collen Foggo to second.
Kinta Gallachar was first home for the men in 36.17 an inpressive time for the runner up British youth champion, Ruari Watt did well to keep him in his sights and Ewan Thorburn showed what a single speed could do in capable hands; just two mins adrift of Watt. Tom Smith of NACC came in 7th, still holding on to the league lead with 4 races to go with his nearest rivals finishing 5th and 6th. It should be exiting!
Full results
Next race is at Roy Bridge on the 9th of March.

A hard fought round of the West Highland Wheelers Winter League saw the first four riders separated by only 26 secs. Tom Smith (Nacc) took the honours increasing his league lead, closely followed by Jo Barnes in his slippers, Gavin "I'm not race fit" Maclean and Mike Bossard (Nacc) complaining of "too much chocolate". Nacc riders took 5 of the top ten places. Full results

Nacc Race at Fearnoch

27th January 2008

Nacc cross country race at Fearnoch by Taynuilt. This will be
a two lap race as at Barcaldine. See Diary for details.

Bossard bags Barcaldine

Michael Bossard was the winner of the first of the winter mountain bike races organised by North Argyll Cycle Club and held at Barcaldine Forest on Sunday the 11th of November. Forty six riders, with ages between 7 and 71, took to the mix of broad forestry track and narrow muddy descents on a 7.5 mile lap. Bossard was a clear winner in the seniors and juniors 2 lap event with Tom Smith, both riding for Nevis Cycles, two and half minutes behind. Coming in third was first the junior, Graham Neagle from Mid Argyll Cycle Club. Colleen Foggo of West Highland Wheelers took the senior women's event and John McNulty and Megan Munro were the successful winners of their respective under-15 1 lap events.
It was encouraging to see so many new faces and we hope to see them again. Many thanks to the sponsors, Evo Bikes, Flit and Owen Sails for providing prizes and competing in the event.

Results Photos

Ormistons and others took on this gruelling six day multi discipline team event in July. Read the Full story. Watch the Slide show.

Club Secretary

Responsibilities include receiving and distributing club mail.

Maintaining club records

Co-ordinating and minuting meetings

If you are interested in taking this up please contact any committee member.

Relentless Nacc Riders on the podium after 24hrs.

The Nevis Cycles/Woo-ha Ecosse had almost as many affiliations as riders. In fact at the start with missing Nacc member Bossard it was more. With the missing rider and three mechanicals hampering the early stages of the race, woo-ha had to play catch up. Glencroft rabble were stomping away with Fat Tread spin off team "pork pie and pizza powerd". The woo-ha (once Mike was out of bed) gradually clawed back some time on the strong Rabble team. Then the bad luck swung to the Rabble, a nasty off by Geoff Martin left him unable to continue. Through the night The Woo-ha team were leading and built on it through to the end to finish 1 lap up on the Pork pies..Not without drama as the mighty Woo-ha rider Bossard crashed on the teams last lap then snapped his chain! . The Glencroft Rabble faught on and impresively finished third with three riders.

Solo entrant Nick found himself chasing a Policeman for 180 miles after drinking 20 pints of a very suspicious tipple. Struggling in the dark hours before dawn and very sore the leaders got away and Nick had to settle for third place.

T.Smith/NC

Relentless Results

Ten under the Ben

Nacc fielded a solo rider and a team of three for this 10 hour endurance event. Mike Bossard led the singles for the best part of the race seeing off early challenges. He was eventually wound in by Ben Thomson his nevis cycles team mate and left to take second place. Picture shows end of lap 9 I think with the boys coming neck and neck through the transition.

Spokey Dokeys - Gavin Blainey, John Grant and Nick Charlton were never going to win with the Glen Croft Rabble about but put in consistent lap times in sweltering heat to gain a trophy in third place. A first for the team that has entered this race since the inaugural 10under in 2005.

Thursday evening road ride.

Lochs Etive and Creran - April to September

Come along and enjoy the challenge of the south face of Gleann Sallach on road bikes on Thursday evenings. Experience the pleasure of running out of gears as the gradient steepens and marvel at the ever changing scenery as you climb into the clouds….

Medium tempo road ride on either 15 or 25mile loop starting at the north side of the Connel bridge and going up the north side of Loch Etive and over Gleann Sallach (157m) into Barcaldine. Continue around Loch Creran for 25mile loop or return directly to Connel bridge for 15mile loop

Contact: Tim Brand 01631 720 696, Michael Bossard 01631 710097 for more details.

Training day - Summer madness in the woods and a visit from the gov'ner.

Eilid and John take on the Merida 100 endurance event at Selkirk. Looking for partners for Sleepless in the Saddle.

Tom going hard on the berms in Scottish Cross Country series.

Health and Lifestyle - Jon gulps down an energy drink before the mile at Taynuilt. (Wrong sport but same idea.).

Oban Weather - Met Office