Live updates from the Scottish National Road Race Championships.
Women’s race starts at 10:00 and Men’s race starts at 13:30.
Live lap times available here.
Updates are shown with the latest at the top. If you’d prefer to get your updates from twitter, follow the hashtag #SCNatChamps.
Following on from member feedback and discussion at the 2023 AGM, from 1st March 2024 Moray Firth Cycling Club will be using Link My Ride for the organisation of club sessions. This will replace the Google registration form, and the club is keen for as many members as possible to utilise the the new platform. The club has been able to secure use of the app for free as we are the first club in the region to use Link My Ride.
Link My Ride is a cycling-specific organisational platform that allows members to explore, plan and create group rides. There is no cost to members to use the app, but there are a few steps that you need to take in order to start using it. Please do these as soon as possible so you can start using the numerous handy features on the app.
Account Creation and Joining MFCC Club
1) Download the Link My Ride app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
2) Once installed, open the Link My Ride app and select “Create account.”
3) Set up your account by filling in the required details on the pages.
4) Check your e-mail on your mobile device and click the “Log in” button.
5) Congratulations, you now have a Link My Ride account! If you would like to update your profile, modify the privacy settings, or modify your units of measurements (miles/feet or kilometers/meters) click on the menu button in the upper right hand corner of the app. Please note - MFCC is not responsible for the settings on individual member accounts, see "Profile, Settings, and Privacy" section below.
6) Please search using the Explore feature with 'Clubs' filter for MFCC - the club is listed as located in Inverness.
7) Click the “Join” button and MFCC members will be granted permission to join the MFCC club on Link My Ride.
Similar to Strava, you can "follow" other riders but this is not necessary. Following the MFCC club is the key part.
Attending MFCC Rides
Once you are are are a member of the MFCC group, you will see upcoming rides in your Home Feed.
If you want to join a ride, click on the it and select “Attend ride.”
If you would like to have the route on your Garmin, Wahoo. or other bike computer, select “Download route (.GPX),” select the Garmin, Wahoo, or other bike computer app on your mobile device to import the route.
You may comment on a ride before or after the event. This is a great way to tell the ride leader you will join the ride or partway along the route.
At the start location, the Ride Leader will use Link My Ride for attendance.
Ride Cancellation
If MFCC needs cancel a ride due to weather or some other circumstances, Link My Ride will be the method we use to communicate the cancellation.
If your notifications are on, you will receive a pop-up on your Home Screen. You will also see a cancelled indicator for the ride in your Link My Ride Home Screen. If you click on the cancelled ride, you will see the reason for the cancellation.
Other Link My Ride Features
Link My Ride is a relatively new platform with new features planned. You can also follow other riders, schedule your own rides, invite others to your rides, and message other users.
Profile, Settings, and Privacy
The Profile tab allows you to see riders you attended, who follows you, who you are following, and the clubs you belong to. In the upper right hand corner, if you click on the three bars (“the hamburger”), you can update settings and privacy.
The Account settings menu lets you update personal information, email address, and block future messages from users.
The Notification preferences allow you to select the type of notifications you receive from Link My Ride. MFCC suggests leaving the Ride reminders and Ride updates choices enabled so you may receive notifications about club rides.
Please review your privacy settings and determine the appropriate level for you. If you have the “Show my location on Explore” enabled, individuals may see you on the map in the Explore tab.
The Units of measurement settings allows you to chose metric or imperial as your preference.
If you have any feedback on using the app please let us know on info@mfcc.org.uk
Monday evening – Beginners & Recovery Ride
6:30pm on Mondays with final ride of the season on 4th September 2023.
Thursday evening – Chain gang
Meeting point Culloden Battlefield main car park (close to the visitor centre), please take care not to obstruct any other vehicles or users as we must share the space.
The last chain gang of the season will take place on Thursday September 14th.
– Thursday 31st August, 6:15pm start
– Thursday 7th September, 6:15pm start
– Thursday 14th September, 6pm start
Please note that to join the chaingang, you must be a current club member.
Following on from the success of last year, the club are pleased to announce there will be another series of coaching sessions run by member Andy Cowie, a British Cycling Level 2 coach.
This is a great opportunity to learn or brush up on important skills for road riding ahead of the Etape Loch Ness and other events. A flyer for the coaching sessions is below, if you have any questions please contact coaching@mfcc.org.uk
Entries are now open for the club's annual reliability ride, with a route of just under 50 miles from Muir of Ord on Sunday 19th February. Last year's event was a huge success and we enjoyed welcoming riders from many other local clubs.
Entries are available here and close on Thursday 16th February. Organisers James and Laura Shewan are looking for sweet and savoury food contributions to enjoy a spread after riders are home. If you can contribute please contact James on the email address on the British Cycling event page.
As of Monday 24th May, as part of the Summer schedule the club is to resume the Monday Beginners/Recovery ride. This club ride is aimed at anyone new to road cycling who is interested in trying out group riding. If you are comfortable riding on your road bike and want to try a group ride the club would love you to come along. Riders will need to be self-sufficient with food and water, roadside puncture repair and wear a helmet. This ride is open to cyclists out-with the club and are welcome to try out the club ride a couple of times before deciding whether they wish to join the club. The ride can also be used for anyone who wishes to have a recovery ride. The Monday evening rides will cover a distance of between 20 to 30 miles and no one will be left behind on the ride. Riders are to meet at Bishops Road Car Park with the ride commencing at 1830hrs sharp.
To help the groups to be organised prior to the club ride taking place, it’s appreciated by the organisers that registration is done by 1800hrs on the Sunday prior to the ride. It’s the same web-link to register as per all other Summer club rides. Just be sure to include the correct date when filling in the details:
From Thursday 6th May, Chain Gang is back as a trial for 4 weeks. If the trial is successful, then this will continue during the summer. Due to the current COVID restrictions, to ensure social distancing can be maintained whilst congregating at the start, the meeting point is to be UHI Campus Car Park (Post Code IV2 5NA) at 1800hrs sharp. Organisers will then inform riders of which group to ride in. Groups will then ride at a steady pace, as per the normal staggered starts up to the normal Chain Gang start at Culloden Battlefield, from which the Chain Gang will start. The normal course will then be ridden. To help the groups to be organised prior to the Chain Gang taking place, it’s appreciated by the organisers registration is done by 1800hrs on the Wednesday prior to the ride.
Starting on Sunday 2nd of May the club is organising a women's only ride for anyone who fancies giving club riding a go to come and try. If you are comfortable riding 30 miles on your road bike and want to try a group ride (need to be female obviously!) the club would love you to come along. Riders will need to be self-sufficient with food and water, roadside puncture repair and wear a helmet. This ride is also open to women out with the club.
If you have any questions, just get in touch on social media or email info@mfcc.org.uk
Given that this is a new club ride, it is initially planned for Sunday 2nd May and 16th May. Riders will be limited to a maximum of 18 (two groups of 9 riders) at first so be quick!
If there is sufficient interest in these club rides, then it is envisaged for these rides will take place twice a month through the summer and the maximum number of riders increased. Again, all riders need to register prior to the club ride taking place. To help the groups to be organised prior to the club ride taking place, it’s appreciated by the organisers registration is done by 1800hrs on the Saturday prior to the ride. It’s the same web-link to register. Just be sure to include the correct date when filling in the details:
In light of the Scottish Government’s most recent announcement of moving into Level 4 from Boxing Day, MFCC are proposing 4 weekly rides to be introduced from Tuesday 28th December. These will be reviewed weekly depending on response. According to guidelines from Scottish Cycling, group and led rides can take place with up to 7 people from unlimited households. As previously the track and trace registration form MUST be adhered to, along with face coverings & social distancing for meeting up. As a club, we are conscious of the physical benefits of cycling but more importantly during these uncertain times, the importance of meeting others outside for mental well-being. Many will be on their own during lockdown and this is a chance to not be. The following club rides are planned :
- Saturday 26th December (Boxing Day pudding burner!) – Road Ride. Start time 0900 Hrs. Ride time 2 hours approx.
- Sunday 27th December – Gravel Ride. Start time 0800 Hrs. Ride time 3 hours approx.
- Tuesday 29th December - Road Ride. Start time 0900 Hrs. Ride time 2 hours approx.
- Thursday 31st December - Gravel Ride. Start time 0800 Hrs. Ride time 2 hours approx.
- Saturday 2nd January Road Ride - Start time 0900 Hrs. Ride time 2 hours approx..
- Sunday 3rd January Gravel Ride - Start time 0800 Hrs. Ride time 3 hours.
All the planned rides are weather permitting (in particular road rides) and those registered will be contacted the night before if there are changes.
If you are to join one of the rides please complete register details using the link below:
Wishing you a peaceful, safe and merry Christmas!!
Moray Firth Cycling Club
December 20th is the last MFCC Sunday Ride before Christmas so, it is all about fun!! This involves a 60 minute challenge in pairs at Moy Windfarm, gravel or mountain bikes are advised. Meeting point is 08.00 hrs at Rollerbowl, Culduthel Road (wearing face coverings please) or 08.45 hrs at Moy Windfarm for those not wishing to cycle out. If you want to take any spare clothes, food, etc. with you then Graham Whyte will be at the Rollerbowl to collect any items and then transport in his van to Moy.
All registrations need to be completed by Saturday 18.00 hrs using the following web-link https://t.co/LtSC2O60cE
| MFCC Winter Club Ride RegistrationWeekly Club rides are on Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday. Check www.mfcc.org.uk, club Facebook page or Twitter account for further details.t.co |
For any questions, please contact Graham Whyte - email whyte590@btinternet.com or Facebook message.
Hot drinks and mince pies will be ready at the end of the challenge, even a beer for the needy.......
Look forward to seeing you there!
Looking for something to do on these winter nights? Why not join the Deeside Thistle and Moray Firth Zwift Racing which takes part every Wednesday at 1925Hrs. The event is now into it’s second winter with a good number of riders joining from many parts. The best place for information is via Facebook via this web-link:
https://www.facebook.com/DeesideMorayFirthCrit
This winter it is to be points racing, so riders need to look out for where sprints/KOM’s are going to be. Categories will be starting separately to ensure riders are racing with others of a similar ability. The Deeside Thistle and Moray Firth Zwift Racing is to run until the spring, with results and league standings being found on Zwiftpower :
To be eligible for points riders will need to register on Zwiftpower:
If you have any queries on how to get involved then send a message via the Facebook page and the administers will be more than happy to respond.
For a 2 week window club kit can be ordered via the Bioracer club shop. All you have to do is register for an account and then order what you want from the club shop. Due to COVID, instead of the normal group order it will be individual orders only. Follow the link below to Bioracer. It will be open until 2nd November, so hurry and get those orders in!
With the clocks now changed, as of this weekend (Saturday 31st October) the new winter club rides will commence as agreed at the recent AGM. The club rides will be:
Saturday (first ride 31st October)
Training ride using the regular route from Bishops Rd Car Park (0900Hrs sharp) to Maryburgh Roundabout (approx. 40 miles). Dependent on the riders taking part it can be decided to extend to rider to include the Brahan climb. It is encouraged that mudguards are used ( it is winter now and fellow riders will appreciate them being used!).
Sunday (first ride 1st November)
Intention is for the club ride to involve 2 groups (a fast group and an intermediate group) and until the Christmas period it will be predominantly a gravel ride. Each week the route will be determined (factoring in the weather forecast etc.) with the details being put on the club website, Facebook page and Twitter on the Friday. Ice tyres may be required when sub-zero conditions are expected! The meeting place will alter from week to week dependant on which side of town the ride is to be. Club ride will depart at 0800Hrs sharp. Mudguards to be used at the rider's discretion.
Wednesday (first ride 4th November)
Club ride that will until the Christmas period be predominantly a gravel ride. Each week the route will be determined (factoring in the weather forecast etc.) with the details being put on the club website, Facebook page and Twitter on the Monday. Ice tyres may be required when sub-zero conditions are expected! The meeting place will be Tesco, Dores Rd and depart at 0900Hrs sharp. Mudguards to be used at the rider's discretion.
To help the general public distinguish any organised club ride from an unorganised cycling group, if possible, please wear the MFCC club kit. This can currently be purchased via the Bioracer club shop which is open until 2nd November - https://www.bioracer.co.uk/en/mybioracer/?r=h1nsnDBRJc
Due to the current COVID restrictions these rides can only go ahead if the club complies with current guidelines. Therefore, every rider taking part in a club ride must completed the relevant details requested in the web-link below. It must be ensured this is completed before the ride takes place. If not completed the rider cannot take part in the club ride. All that is requested is name, contact telephone number and date of the session.
As a reminder of other COVID restriction guidelines, please note :
Under the current guidelines, club rides can take place with up to 30 people from unlimited households. However, out with the club ride this rule does not apply and therefore the “6 people from 2 households” rule applies. Unfortunately, no café stops will be planned as part of any club ride for the foreseeable future.
Participants must not attend a ride if:
- They have Covid-19 symptoms
- Someone in their household has Covid-19 symptoms
- If they have been asked to self-isolate at home by the Scottish Government Test and Protect
system - They have returned from a country which is not on the exemption from quarantine list in the
last 14 days
During a club ride, each rider is asked to:
- Participants must practice good respiratory hygiene during the activity (i.e. coughing, sneezing into a tissue or the crook of an elbow)
- Participants must provide their own equipment and refreshments and should avoid sharing the likes of tools, water bottles and food.
- Face coverings are optional during activity, but riders should bring a personal face mask for their use in the event of injury requiring attention from a first aider.
If a participant develops symptoms of Covid-19, they should stop taking part, return home and follow the Government’s ‘Test and Protect’ guidelines.
After the club ride, each rider is asked to:
- All participants leaving the activity must maintain physical distancing
- Any participant developing symptoms after a club ride should immediately isolate and request a test straight away.
Hopefully that is sufficient information, but if you need further details please get in touch.
Following on from last week’s email regarding the return of Saturday and Sunday club rides we are pleased to confirm we are good to go with the first weekend rides being on:
- Saturday 19th September at 0900Hrs - Saturday Training Ride
- Sunday 20th September at 0900Hrs – Sunday Club Ride
For the time being the meeting point is to be at Bishops Road Car Park (near to the Cathedral/Eden Court) until further notice.
Guidelines to club rides returning
Club rides can only resume so long as the club and its members adhere to the new guidelines. So apologies for the lengthy details below but here are the guidelines we must follow :
To adhere to the Scottish Government and Scottish Governing Body (SGB) guidelines, MFCC require to have in place an appropriate process in place to take an accurate record of all attendees, for all club rides. To comply to this, any rider who wishes to take part in a club ride must complete the relevant details requested in the web-link below. It must be ensured this is completed before the ride takes place. If not completed the rider cannot take part in the club ride. All that is requested is name, contact telephone number and date of the session.
Under the current guidelines, club rides can take place with up to 30 people from unlimited households. However, out with the club ride this rule does not apply and therefore the “6 people from 2 households” rule applies. Unfortunately no café stops will be planned as part of any club ride for the foreseeable future. To help the general public distinguish any organised club ride (and allowing up to 30 riders) from and unorganised cycling group, if possible please wear the MFCC club kit.
Participants must not attend a ride or session if:
- They have Covid-19 symptoms
- Someone in their household has Covid-19 symptoms
- If they have been asked to self-isolate at home by the Scottish Government Test and Protect
system - They have returned from a country which is not on the exemption from quarantine list in the
last 14 days
During a club ride, each rider is asked to:
- Participants must practice good respiratory hygiene during the activity (i.e. coughing, sneezing into a tissue or the crook of an elbow)
- Participants must provide their own equipment and refreshments and should avoid sharing the likes of tools, water bottles and food.
- Face coverings are optional during activity, but riders should bring a personal face mask for their use in the event of injury requiring attention from a first aider.
If a participant develops symptoms of Covid-19, they should stop taking part, return home and follow the Government’s ‘Test and Protect’ guidelines.
After the club ride, each rider is asked to:
- All participants leaving the activity must maintain physical distancing
- Any participant developing symptoms after a club ride should immediately isolate and request a test straight away.
Hopefully that is sufficient information, but if you need further details please get in touch. After so long without any club rides, we look forward to seeing you soon!
After the bad weather forcing cancellation of the originally planned Reliability Ride, the club has now re-scheduled it for Sunday 29th March. Original route around the Black Isle is planned. Let's hope the weather gods are on our side this time !! The Muir Hub, Muir of Ord, IV6 7SU. Registration from 0930Hrs.
Please spread widely to maximise turn out for the event.
Next Sunday (1st March) is the Ivor Reid Memorial Ride. Enter on line at British Cycling. Entry is through voluntary donation with the suggested amount being £15. HQ is Kirkhill Community Centre, St Mary's Road, Kirkhill, Highland, IV5 7NX with the long route starting at 10:00 and the shorter route off at 10:15.
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/…/de…/222899/The-Ivor-Ride
A quick reminder to club members that this Sunday (16th February) MFCC have organised a Reliability Ride from MUIR OF ORD HUB with the route being the same as last years successful event, essentially going clockwise around The Black Isle. First riders to start at 1015hrs (Try to be there 15 mins beforehand to register!). After the event everyone is welcome to stay and catch up with fellow riders at the hub. The event is open to everyone, so feel free to invite any friends who may like to take part.
For the club geeks out there, see strava link below of the route and access to the .gpx and .tcx files :
https://www.strava.com/routes/23830040
