News Roundup

Tim H’s 100

I think we’re now up to 8 confirmed riders with a few possibles. If you haven’t already done so, please let Tim H know if you intend to ride, to assist his Mum with the catering arrangements.

Tim H is booking a table for those wishing to dine afterwards at the Europa Italian restaurant. Some members are bringing their wives along too. The invitation is open to everyone regardless of whether they’ve been on the ride. Again, don’t forget to let Tim H know in good time so he can reserve enough tables.

Saturday Club Rides

A calendar will soon be up and running on the website which will give members advance notice of our intended destinations together with a link to the route.

In the meantime, this is where we’re heading:

2^nd August - Allington Farm Shop (Relatively easy ride ahead of Tim H’s 100)

9^th August - Sweetapples Tea Shop, Marshfield (Via Colerne)

16^th August - Wickwar Coffee Shop (Stunning scenery on the return leg)

23^rd August - Marlborough (Approximately 60 miles, returning later than usual)

Wednesday Evening Rides

These have proved immensely popular. Tim H has put together a varied selection of courses and this has undoubtedly added to their appeal. We’re also enjoying the company of some riders who can’t normally make Saturdays.  The plan is to continue with the Wednesday rides through to Autumn and maybe the Winter too depending on the level of interest shown. With sunset now getting earlier by the day, bringing front and rear lights might be a sensible precaution, although for the time being we’re aiming to be back whilst it’s still light.

Ken’s Carnival Ride

Just a reminder that this takes place at 10.00am on Monday 25^th August 2014, from outside of the Old Bell Hotel. The ride of around 20 miles costs just £5 and includes tea, coffee and biscuits, which will be taken out on the course.

As well as helping to raise money for local good causes, the ride is also an excellent advertisement for the Clarions and last year led to three new members joining. I’m sure Ken would appreciate seeing as many of us as possible. As a way of promoting our club, if you have MCCC kit, please consider wearing it.

Club Ride Saturday 26th July 2014

Click on the picture once to enlarge.

I’m sure you must have noticed the profusion of groovy people dressed in outrageous outfits visiting the town over the last few days. Anyway, enough of the cycle clubs that enjoy coming to Malmesbury, what about the goings on at WOMAD? Rather frustratingly, I’m in-range and so able to hear the sound of the festival from my back garden, but out-of-range, as far as being able to decipher any sort of a tune is concerned. The result is what seems like a never-ending drum solo randomly accompanied by an orchestra of bass guitars. Whether being any closer to the stage would improve things, is perhaps a matter of opinion.

On a musical theme, this set me thinking about records released by bands, which are related to cycling. In no particular order, below are my top five. (Actually, I could only think of five).

1.  Tour De France - Kraftwerk (They’re supposed to be cycling fanatics)
2.    My White Bicycle - Nazareth (Apparently a protest song)
3.    Riding on my Bike - Madness (More Cockney capers)
4.    Bicycle Race - Queen (Noted for its memorable lyrics)
5.   The Pushbike Song - Mungo Jerry

If you can come up with a few more, I'm certain the Daily Express would pay good money for the idea and will have the free CD’s out in time for the start of the Tour of Britain.

I don’t know how many records have been broken so far at the Commonwealth Games, but this morning we didn’t just break one of our MCCC records, we absolutely smashed it with a magnificent 17 riders taking part in the club ride to the Relish café.

Turning into the Cross Hayes at just a fraction after 10.00am, I was met by a sea of faces, four of which, I’d never seen before, who I quickly discovered were friends of Phil.

Introductions made and new names to remember, already forgotten, we set off in two groups. Phil had the honour of leading a peloton of 10 riders, comprising of 6 members and 4 guests, across the Common Road to Corston. Meanwhile, Howard, Dave and Clive embarked on their more direct route, joining up with Gary and Ted along the way. Simon and Heather completed the full complement.

With the exception of Callow Hill at Brinkworth, the course was fairly flat and allowed those in Phil’s group to reap the benefits of group riding. The only hiccup was an unscheduled stop near Dauntsey for a puncture to be repaired.

It was almost a case of standing room only around the outside tables at the café when we merged into one.

Andy Poolman roped in one of the waiters to take a picture of us. He immediately warmed to the task and enthusiastically climbed up onto a bench to get a decent shot. It was a shame he managed to get his own thumb in the picture, but a bit of cropping sorted that out.

Having remounted, Heather and Simon’s recumbent tandem stole the show as usual and easily attracted the most attention from the onlookers in the car park.

Four of us rode with Phil and his chums until just beyond Charlton, where we said our farewells.

Mr Doidge, who was my boss when I was a young lad in the Civil Service, once told me that life is full of peaks and troughs. I didn't know it then, but he was right. Today was definitely a peak in the life of our club. Of course there will be troughs too, but when there are, we'll just ride them out until we reach another peak. 

Club Ride Saturday 19th July 2014

Our destination, The Angel House Tea Room, High Street, Sherston

A strong case for the renaming of our club, with ‘and District’ being added, was made this morning when three times as many members from the outlying villages rode, as did those from Malmesbury itself. However, some would argue that Cowbridge is most definitely a part of the town, in which case there was an equal number. The mathematicians will by now have worked out that there were four riders.

A thought did occur to me whilst gliding down the High Street, that back in the day, as schoolboys, we’d probably have gone to find our missing mates and seeing our excited faces bobbing at their door, they would have eagerly come out to play. Why do we stop doing that when we become adults?

The three that set off from the Cross Hayes, of which I was one, only got as far as the Silk Mills before we stopped to take shelter from the downpour.  The option of retiring was given short shrift and so we scuttled out when something close to a lull arrived.

Meanwhile, Simon who was waiting for us at Cowbridge, having arrived a few minutes late, thought that we must have already ridden past and so embarked on a mission to catch us up.

By the time we reached Little Somerford, Gary and I were already as wet as we possibly could be, and so it no longer seemed to matter. Phil on the other hand had obviously spent wisely, as the beads of rainwater merrily bounced around on the surface of his rain jacket before tumbling harmlessly away.

On Seagry Road, at the junction with Five Thorn Lane, Phil pointed out the work which has started, to erect a memorial to two Spitfire pilots who died in April 1941, when their planes crashed over Seagry Mill whilst dogfight training.

A dedication ceremony to mark the installation of the memorial is due to take place on 14th September, which it is hoped will feature a fly-past from two Spitfires.

On the theme of Spitfires, Gary added an interesting anecdote. You might be aware that to help the war effort people were encouraged to club together to fund the construction of the Spitfires. During the planning for his village’s millennium celebrations, the committee realised that they were short of money. The gloom was soon lifted when an elderly resident remembered that there was still cash left in the Spitfire Fund!

We Love Cyclists, the Sign Outside of The Angel House Tea Room

After a soggy, but otherwise pleasant ride, we arrived at The Angel Tea Rooms in the High Street at Sherston, where with the rain having briefly stopped, we found Simon sitting outside. The staff made us very welcome and I enjoyed a pot of tea (£2.50) and a guilt-free, delicious light finger of shortbread, for just £1. 

Alfresco Outside of The Angel House Tea Room

With the crackle of thunder overhead and the first few spots of rain splashing into the remains of our hot drinks, we decided to make tracks. Again, giving up wasn't on the agenda and with the rain hammering down on our backs, the four of us headed northwards up to Leighterton, before returning via Westonbirt and Shipton Moyne.

Garmin reference: http://connect.garmin.com/course/7281234

Distance: 35.68 miles

More Bits and Pieces

Saturday’s Club Ride:

I wasn’t able to make the start on Saturday and so there isn’t a detailed review of the ride. With precision timing (who am I kidding?), we did manage to get all of the riders to Café 53 in Long Street, Tetbury at more or less the same time. The pleasant garden and glorious sunshine made for an enjoyable coffee stop.

Tim H’s 100 Mile Ride:

Our next Sunday ride on 3^rd August 2014, is the big one! The Sunday series started back in February and since then we’ve been gradually increasing the distance and difficulty. Our destination is Portishead where Tim H’s mum has kindly offered to provide us with refreshments. Tim H has been out on the road planning the route, which includes the seafront at Clevedon. Departure time will be earlier than usual. The arrangements will be finalised soon and the GPX file available for downloading. Six riders (Andy Poolman, Gary, George, Max, Tim H and Tim W) have already committed to the event. Hopefully others will be available too.

Route Planning:

Holidays and the Tour De France have delayed the advance planning of the Saturday club rides. Our intention is still to devise the courses a month at a time to give members plenty of advanced notice of where we’re heading.

Barbury Bash 110km Audax Ride:

Two members took part in this event on Sunday 13^th July 2014, starting from just outside of Abingdon. A couple of riders on seeing the MCCC kit were heard to remark, ‘Everywhere seems to have a cycling club these days.’ If I was quick witted enough I could have responded by saying that our club (National Clarion) was actually formed in 1895. I doubt if they could have trumped that one, unless of course they were members of the CTC which was founded in 1878.

Wednesday Evening Rides:

These are proving very popular. We’ve extended the distance to 25 miles and for those who like to emulate their racing heroes, the pace normally picks up over the last few miles. As ever, it’s not all about speed and everyone is welcome.

Via a combination of the Wednesday ride and Strava, we’ve been joined by Simon Barnes. It’s always a pleasure to meet new riders. We look forward to his company soon on a Saturday ride.

MCCC Kit:

Howard has placed an order with Force GB for some club kit which we can keep in stock. If anyone has been waiting in the wings unsure of what size they need, this should help them decide. Please be patient though, as Force GB are clearing a bit of a backlog.