Weekly Chat Wednesday 27th November 2013

I thought it would be a good idea to try and keep everyone in the loop by letting you know what's just been discussed at the weekly chat. These are very informal affairs over a cuppa lasting around an hour and are open to everyone.

• Saturday's ride will include a coffee stop at Riffs Bar, Greatfield, near Wootton Bassett, which incorporates an independent coffee shop.

• How best to manage two groups on the Saturday morning rides. (A formula which meets everyone's individual requirements must be found).

• Tim H is keen to organise a 100 mile MCCC cycle ride for next Summer. The trip will include the Avonmouth Bridge and refreshments at Tim's Mother's house in Portishead. It might be possible to incorporate parts of the Avon Cycleway which follows a similar route. http://avoncycleway.info/

• The possibility of holding one or more closed MCCC time trials in 2014. This would of course depend very much on the level of interest from members. (Although we're only a small club, my personal feeling is that establishing our own records is an important step in the long term development of the club).

• MCCC membership cards. There are plans to negotiate discount for members with local cycling/fitness related businesses. These will require the production of a membership card. The design now needs to be printed.

Please feel free to leave your thoughts by commenting below.

The Cycling Monk

Club Ride Saturday 23rd November 2013

Sadly, following my tumbles last week, this was one I had to sit out. . . . . . . . . blah, blah, blah, blah. I’m only joking. Of course I went on the ride. Rule 81 and all that, but as to my rapid recovery, if there are any children reading this please don’t try it at home. I discovered a strip of tablets I’d been given some years ago for a bad back hiding at the bottom of the medicine cabinet. A couple at bedtime found me waking Saturday morning feeling like a new man (please, no mention of this to my wife, the new man that is, she already knows about the misuse of prescribed medication).

In time honoured tradition we assembled outside of the Jackdaws Café where we found early-bird Mike basking in the strong winter sunlight. Among the regulars was guest-rider John who is hoping to set up a Clarion section in Swindon. We wish him every success in his venture and look forward to a time when we’ll be able to meet up with them for the occasional joint-ride.

Setting off down the side of Jackdaws towards Oxford Street, I felt my bike veering violently to the left. Like a disobedient dog I quickly brought it to heel. At first I feared a mechanical defect until I quickly realised that it was just the bike trying to reach the Foxley Road. Sorry, not this week old friend, the Organic Farm Shop Café just outside of Cirencester was awaiting our arrival.

The initial plan was to stay as one group, but with an early brisk pace being set, splitting into two seemed sensible.

A genuine highlight of the outward journey and a first for me was having to wait at the Minety rail crossing for a train to pass. Please see the picture above showing a rather dejected group of Clarions disappointed that no one had bothered to wave at them.

An interesting feature of the route was the suicide mission which saw us having to dismount and walk (run) across the A419 to reach the other side. (Very creative Howard. Thank goodness I’ve just renewed my life assurance policy).

The café is reached at the end of a long lane. Our al fresco days are a long way behind us now and the chance of any warmth is never wasted. Making ourselves comfortable in the easy chairs, the banana and sultana loaf scored very highly with me and George W, but our drinks could have been a lot hotter.

The return journey saw the advance party embarking on an impromptu quest to find Performance Cycles. Being so close to Poulton it was too good an opportunity to miss. By more luck than judgement we found them just as we’d almost abandoned all hope.

The cycle shop was one of those where you feel very comfortable lingering with no particular purpose in mind. Just being around bikes and other cyclists felt good. Tim H did buy some spares which at least lent our over-stay a bit of credibility.

A golden comic moment well worth mentioning, but definitely one of those where you had  to be there to appreciate the full humour of the situation, was spending some considerable time watching the failed attempts of the proprietor to load up a program on his computer which, was linked to a demo bike on a high-tech stand. Dave was very much to the fore and we incorrectly assumed that he was waiting to try out the bike, which wasn't the case at all, he was just politely waiting for us.

With some distance to cover we set off with a vengeance riding south through Down Ampney, the village sign informing us that it is the birthplace of the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, before heading west across to Cerney Wick and back home.

Mileage: 46.2 miles for the route described, but with some variations depending on the return journey.

Garmin reference:   http://connect.garmin.com/course/5192941

The Cycling Monk

Club Ride Saturday 16th November 2013

Back in August, as part of Malmesbury’s carnival programme, the Carrivick Sisters, a bluegrass and folk sibling combo, wowed a sell-out audience at St Mary’s Hall. Their finale piece, Today is a Good Day, is a very jolly number and proved to be a real crowd-pleaser.

I was lucky to wake on Saturday morning with the tune playing in my head. The record player arm (remember those?) was soon violently jolted when I was pumping up one of my tyres and the valve bent over and snapped off.

I managed to change the inner tube in record time and sped off down Bremilham Road having sent my son George W ahead to let the others know I was on my way. Turning left into Bristol Street, a horse lorry overtook me, suddenly pulled to the nearside and stopped abruptly. With little or no time to extract one foot from my SPD’s, I toppled over onto the pavement. Ouch, that hurt.

I arrived outside of the Jackdaws Cafe just a few minutes late to find a large gathering of riders eager to set off.

The High Street was as busy as ever and George A had to react quickly when a (female) driver opened her door without looking and nearly sent him flying.

As our impressive single-file line of cyclists streamed along Bristol Street, for reasons best known to himself, a pedestrian was strangely compelled to shout  ‘convoy’ at us.

Highway 61 (Foxley Road) safely reached, we settled into a comfortable pace, but soon found our progress hampered by the local hunt. Whilst those on horseback were extremely courteous, some of the hunt supporters insisted on tearing along the narrow lanes and had we not stood our ground, they would have forced us completely off of the road.

Note to the Route Master (Howard):  I assume this must be the hunting season, as just lately we seem to run into the hunt most weeks. Here’s a link to the Duke of Beaufort’s website, http://www.beauforthunt.com/  It might be an idea to factor in their meets.

North of Pinkney we split into two groups with some electing to warm up the seats at our intended destination, the tea shop in the High Street at Dursley. Conquering some very muddy tracks (I’m convinced they’d ceased to qualify as roads) we were rewarded with an exhilarating descent into Dursley.

Arriving at the tea shop, we found ourselves the subject of much attention from the purple rinse brigade taking a break from their Saturday morning shopping.  One lady took a particular shine to Tim H, despite him giving his feet an airing in a vain attempt to warm them up, only to drop him the moment Dave arrived. A special mention must go to the stollen cake, which was the best I have ever tasted.

The following group’s journey hadn’t been incident free. Simon’s black rubber stained hands bore the tell-tale signs of a puncture.

Happily re-united, there was a choice of routes by which to return by, with most, if not all, taking the Uley Road out of Dursley on the B4066 and then tackling the energy sapping Crawley Hill.

Disaster struck near Nympsfield when George W took a tumble cornering on a very greasy road surface. As I looked back to see what had happened, I became the next casualty, crashing to the ground as my bike slid from underneath me.

Undeterred we pressed on down into Nailsworth, but later whilst I was wincing in pain from my bruised hip, elbow and ribs, as we assaulted the hill up to Minchinhampton,  I was rather unsympathetically reminded of rule 81: Crashes may only be discussed and recounted when the rider or spectator has ended up requiring hospitalisation. Otherwise revert to Rule #5.

With the worst hills well and truly behind us, it was plain sailing back into Malmesbury for a hot bath whilst listening to my Carrivick Sisters CD. With the spills aside, today had still been a good day.

Official mileage: 40.86 miles, with some variations depending on the return route taken.

Garmin reference: http://connect.garmin.com/course/5157973 

The Cycling Monk

Club Ride Saturday 9th November 2013

The reassuring click of cycle shoes being locked and in one case pedal straps being tightened (probably accomplished in perfect silence) heralded the departure of the intrepid Malmesbury Clarions from the Cross Hayes car park. As we snaked through the High Street the sudden drop in temperature, as compared with the recent mild weather, was immediately noticeable and not helped by the persistent rain.

Whilst all roads might not lead to Foxley Road, quite a few routes certainly start from there. (No criticism intended). With bikes safely on autopilot members were able to chat freely. It soon became clear that the heavy rain experienced during the week had taken its toll on the meandering lanes with one section at Luckington transformed into a muddy swamp.

The Garmin, in my view always a poor second as a navigational aid against one of Tim H’s legendary pieces of paper, was being particularly troublesome. A series of about-turns were all taken with good humour though.

The cosy Sweetapples Teashop in the High Street at Marshfield was a very welcome sight. Hot drinks and cake ordered we took our seats after following John’s sensible suggestion of removing the cushions from the chairs, as by now we were shedding more water than a melting snowman. Hot chocolate was a popular choice with the Junior riders and was served with a mountain of whipped cream, topped with a generous sprinkling of marsh mallows and a chocolate flake on the side. With an electric log fire blazing away Tim H entered unchartered territory with a second Americano. Unable to delay our farewells any longer, we donned our soggy headgear, jackets and gloves, and headed north.

Happily the rain soon stopped and with more than a hint of sunshine breaking through the clouds, we were able to enjoy some of South Gloucestershire’s very pleasant countryside. With spirits well and truly lifted we sped through an almost deserted Castle Combe and made easy work of the hill out of the village. (Well it looked easy from where I was riding some way back).

With one of the best preserved small villages (Sevington), sadly spoilt by having the M4 Motorway as an all too close neighbour, behind us, we breezed through Hullavington and back to more familiar surroundings. I say familiar, but it was here that one rider (George W) over-shot the turning and ended up in Corston. Meanwhile, back with the pack, at the Vine Tree we picked up the tempo for the last push home whilst looking forward to the prospect of a hot bath and a chance to thaw out frozen toes and fingers.

Distance covered: 33.72 miles (excluding add-ons).

The Cycling Monk

Club Ride Saturday 19th May 2012

Sub title: Of Sportives, Hair Do’s and Good Coffee.

 I sometimes believe that the coffee is taking over, or at least the quest for a good coffee seems to be. In the day, rides would be 2 or 3 hours without stopping and straight home and on to other business. Now, whatever the length of the ride, either time or distance, it (to me at least) is incomplete without some sort of break and so the quest for the perfect coffee. Coffee - cycling they go together like other things that go together. So it was with little expectation on my part that the club ride set off on Saturday. The plan was good enough. Cycle out in the direction of Long Newnton and meet two members there, one new, welcome Siobhan. Following a loop to include Ashley and Crudwell and so back home. Not much chance of a stop on that route then. Ashley is a tiny village, it does have a red telephone box but not much else and Crudwell was likely to be closed at the time we would be there. (Remember Sherston?).

But Crudwell was not about to disappoint.  Once there a unanimous decision was taken to see if any of the pubs were open, and indeed they were. There was even a choice and we chose the nearest, the Mayfield House Hotel. And very accommodating the staff were too. We were offered the opportunity to sit at the bar, in the lounge or outside. A split vote took us into the bar, I think, but the real star was the coffee and, perhaps, the best en route cup we have had to date. Orders were taken and we were served from silver trays (were they silver or did I make that bit up?). We were even offered separate bills!! Very welcoming and lovely coffee and hopefully another visit soon.

On this ride both time and distance were limited due to various activities planned by different members. A massive sportive the next day for two 'hard men' and a hair appoint that day for one of our guests. And I noted that there was some discussion as to whether the next appointment should be made for before rather than after the ride. An idea was mooted that it should actually be arranged for during the ride and we could all ride over to Sherston together, wait whilst the job is done and then continue on our way after. Not sure what the outcome of this discussion was, any one any idea?

In total 5 members and two guests (welcome Simon and Heather) completed the ride. The weather was dry and not particularly windy, so ideal cycling conditions. A good effort by all. Below is a link to our ride.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/179727102

Howiecycles

Club Ride Saturday 21st April 2012

The boys make their way, slowly, south west.

Some unnamed members enjoying the lull before the storm

There are many excuses for not 'doing' a ride - too tired, inclement weather, already done enough miles, mechanical problems, can't find my favourite shorts - I could go on. But the excuses offered to get out of this latest ride, well! I have to work, on a ride day? I'm cleaning a swimming pool; hang on, this is a cycling club not a swimming club! And perhaps the best of all, I'm dining at Harrods, what's wrong with greasy Joe's at the end of a ride?

Never-the-less, some Malmesbury CCC members are made of sterner stuff and 3 representatives set off to fulfil the obligations of a weekly club ride. (Since when did it become weekly?)

Like the rest of the week, the weather was forecast to be showery/sunny intervals and we at least set off from the Jackdaw Cafe in the dry. In fact it was so dry, possibly sun was in evidence too, that, for some at least, shorts were the order of the day. First time this year I think. No names given but I sure as you get older it becomes harder to keep your legs warm so, for the more senior members, tights stay on well in to May.

So far the club rides have not really ventured to far north and it seemed like a good idea to remedy that now. Via Charlton, Hankerton, Oaksey and Ewen the half-way point was reached at Cirencester with its wide choice of, probably, suitable coffee stops. But stop we did not and we raced (well, cycled sedately) on. It did make a change actually cycling through a largish town though and handling the traffic as a group was kind of interesting considering we usually do everything to avoid it. So straight on and back in to the country side. I think we headed out on the Gloucester Road and left to Daglingworth. From there it is roughly south west all the back via Cherrington to Tetbury. The main point being that it is also quite a bit downhill, which, as a cyclist, is generally thought of as being good. And it was good!

So to Tetbury. It was here that the real business of the club ride took shape, the coffee stop. Stops can be a bit of a drag. You have to sit down, chat, enjoy a coffee and watch the world go by. All the time muscles are cooling and the longer the stay the harder it is to get going again. Especially if you have cake, we didn't. In fact we limited our stay just long enough to leave at the exact time the weather turned. We set off in the rain. Some of us would have quite happily waited for the all clear, it was a shower after all. Others were eager to be off, the weather being no obstacle at all. So off we set. It has to be said that, in fact, the rain did stop after only a few minutes but it coincided with cycling along the busiest road of the day. Not pleasant. Home via Shipton Moyne and finish in Cross Hayes, a total of 34 miles.


http://connect.garmin.com/activity/170209076#

Howiecycles

Club Ride Saturday 14th April 2012

Dave's Cherrington - Avening - Tetbury - Shipton Moyne run

Just under 19 miles but with many pub stop opportunities!

Sue’s Blog:

The second time out with the Malmesbury Clarion Cycle Club; this time not the only woman. Glad I dragged myself out of bed for a fairly easy 15 miles around lovely quiet and not very hilly country lanes to the west of Malmesbury. Nasty drizzle to start, the optimist in me was rewarded in the later stage with dry sunny weather. Finished up with a cup of real coffee at the Jackdaw Café, adjacent to Malmesbury Town Hall, mobbed by cyclists from further afield.

Club Ride Saturday 31st March 2012

Three riders set off from the usual start point, Jackdaw Cafe, at 10.30am. No concession was given to late comers as we speed off into the Malmesbury traffic at about naught mph. Taking about 5 minutes to clear the town we headed towards Shipton Moyne and, following the first directional surprise of the day, on to Tetbury. There was some thought of stopping for coffee, but I was out voted, it was too soon apparently. We continued past Chavenage, and why oh why is this road always so difficult? Once over the A46 we cycled through Kingscote and stopped, finally, for coffee at the Hunter's Hall pub. For one of us at least, the last few miles across the Hazelcote Valley was a first time experience and mention was made of it beauty. Don't be fooled though, the scenery may be great, it is, but the road surface is rubbish and there's a hill!!

An historic decision was made during coffee. For those that care anyway. A club jersey design was agreed. Slightly retro, it will be green with a white band wrapping the chest and similar white bands around the sleeve. The words 'Malmesbury Clarion CC' will be emblazoned on the white banding on the front of the jersey and, probably, running down either sleeve. Tim came up with the idea of our logo, a flying monk! His idea, but agreed by all present. I have found a company that will make as few jerseys as we like and I will contact them for prices soon. I'll let you know what I find out and people can choose whether to have one or not. So the club colours will be green, black and white.

With the excitement of that decision made, it was on with the ride. Brilliantly, we were able to exit the pub car park directly on to a little side road via the car park thus avoiding a 10 foot ride along a busy main road. Cycling continues to amaze and, on occasions, seems to go against the very laws of physics. What comes down, must go up! And yet another valley to cross, this time Newington Bagpath. Actually a rather stunning hill to be honest and one that I am sure the club will return too with the other members sometime soon. Once at the top the road is more or less downhill all the way home and we sped along like speedy along things. Home in no time.

In all we covered about 25 miles in slightly under 2 hours not including the stop.

Full route details can be found here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/163308435

Howiecycles

New Members 31st March 2012

I have two completed application forms ready to be sent to Clarion HQ. Welcome Sue and Siobhan. We now have 7 members in total. I feel the club is about to take off and am braced for the rush.

Howiecycles

Club Ride Saturday 17th March 2012

This is in fact the second ride of Malmesbury Clarion CC (I didn't get around to writing up the historic first outing.)

We met, as I hope becomes usual practice for the club, outside the Jackdaw Cafe at 10.20am for the 10.30am 'Grand Depart'. Apparently I was late by about 3 minutes, so sorry about that. Nevertheless, a group of 5 assembled, one more than on the first ride (welcome Sue) and set off on a ride designed by Mike. Initially 21 miles with a cafe stop, but with a few well chosen deviations from the original plan we completed the ride with over 27 miles on the clock and finished with an excellent cuppa. Again we have Mike to thank for that.

The full course can be found here 

http://connect.garmin.com/course/819236 .

The route had many 'enjoyable' features including an assent, early on, of Malmesbury most spectacular Blicks Hill! We continued through Milbourne and Garsdon and by-passed Brinkworth to the north and climbed the hill known locally (at least to Dave and me) as L'Alpe. A rapid decent of Callow Hill followed and we continued on to what turned out to be the hardest climb of the day up to the A3102. Eleven miles completed and the Cafe stop in Lyneham was within sniffing distance, well a mile away.

The main road was voted too busy and we agreed a deviation via Tockenham. This added about 3 miles to the route but included a section between Tockenham and Lyneham that I had not ridden before, a rare treat for me. Piggy's Cafe in Lyneham was reached after about 15 miles and the Peloton was treated by Mike to drinks and snacks. Thanks, much appreciated, my round next maybe. Even the weather was good to us and the break was enjoyed sitting outside.

All good things come to an end and we continued on our way. Another slight adjustment to the original plan found us sweeping down Dauntsey Bank and on to Great Somerford. Here the excitement mounted as we were led through the largely unexplored (by me) outer reaches of the village. At Little Somerford the last hill. Once Clay Street was conquered the route followed Cresswell Lane via Cleverton to Mike's house in Lea. This was really the end of the ride although for those of us that do not live in Mike's house, there was the small matter of the 3 miles to Malmesbury, already cycled by our host earlier that day.

For the record there were no breakdowns - mechanical, physical or emotional.

Howiecycles

Inaugural Ride

The weather for Saturday looks OK, at the moment! So, I reckon it is a good opportunity for our first ride out. The route I have in mind can be found at the following link -

We can meet outside the Jackdaw cafe in Cross Hayes at 10.25 and try to be off by 10.30ish, we are a laid back club after all.

The route heads out on the Foxley Road and passes the Vine Tree pub. It continues over the ford and heads in to Sherston. A break here perhaps, for a chat and to make a few decisions re how we want things to develop, opening a bank account and anything else we can think of. From there we head back to Malmesbury via Shipton Moyne. Total distance about 15 miles. However, distance can be shortened or lengthened as required.

See you Saturday.

Howiecycles

Dodgy Conditions Saturday 11th February 2012

Early Days February 2012

Malmesbury Clarion Cycling Club is now officially a section of the Nation Clarion Cycling Club. A minimum of 3 members is required and we have five. We exist as a club with our own identity and, at the moment, how we carry on is up to us.

I believe that there are a number of things we need to do. Probably the most boring is to open a bank account. We already have a surplus of £45 but a small amount of expenditure needs to be made; stationary and stamps to send letters to the national body and to print letters onto. I suppose that I may need printing ink at some stage.

Most importantly though, we need to arrange to meet as a club and go for a ride. I hope that in the near future we will meet regularly, even weekly for a Saturday or Sunday ride and how these meetings develop only time will tell. To begin with I have in mind a journey of some 15 miles with a coffee/cake stop at half way where we can have a chat and decide on a few things. This ride could start at 10am or 10.30am, either Saturday or Sunday and expect to be back by lunch time. The ride will take place at the pace of the slowest rider and the course can be extended or shortened as required or as necessary. I am not crazy about cycling in bad weather so I suggest also that we wait until the weather has settled down a bit and it is warmer.

Details of the proposed route will be published at a later date.

All bikes and all riders welcome.

Howiecycles