Club Ride Saturday 6th September 2014

Record breaker John Woodburn sets a new Cardiff to London record on a Moulton Speed

Moving with the times, I’ve been doing a bit of tweeting. Whilst this will be old hat to some, it’s all new to me. Using the club’s twitter account I tweeted that Saturday’s ride would be visiting The Teapot at Bradford on Avon and included their twitter account name.  The Teapot then tweeted us back and said that they would be ready for us, which I thought was a nice touch. A bit of banter then ensued between Howard, a seasoned twitter user and The Teapot. This was all great fun but I couldn't get Eileen Barton's 1950 hit record, 'If I knew you were coming, I'd have baked a cake' out of my head.

Incidentally, we now have 42 followers.  As you might expect, there’s a fair few Clarion branches and some of our own members too, but we’re also followed by Majestic Wines at Cirencester, the Wiltshire National Gardens Scheme and the Vine Tree at Norton!

No visit to Bradford on Avon, birthplace of the mighty Moulton, would be complete without a quick look at the legendary bicycle.

The first of Dr Alex Moulton’s bicycles was launched in 1962 at the Earls Court Cycle Show. The design was a revolutionary fresh take on the classic bicycle. It was an instant success and even though the factory at Bradford on Avon was doubled in size, it still couldn’t cope with the demand and so production had to be transferred to another site.

Within a month of the launch, the Cardiff to London record was broken on a Moulton Speed, with the 162 miles being covered at an average speed of 24 miles per hour.

Looking to gain further credibility within the market, Moulton Bicycles supported some of Coventry CC’s riders. On the track the bikes enabled them to keep in a tight group and out on the road, the smaller wheels reduced the aerodynamic drag. As a result, the riders were unstoppable and with an established reputation, the bikes were readily accepted by club cyclists.

Ah, I hear you say, if they’re that good, how come you never see one being ridden in the Tour de France. Well, following the introduction of the Union Cycliste Internationale, rule 1.3.018 states that Moultons are not permitted in road racing events.

Of course Moultons aren't for everyone and I happen to know that Tim H as a young lad living in Bradford on Avon had been promised a new bike. Tim H had his heart set on a new racing bike, but to his disappointment, he was presented with a Moulton instead. Had it been a Moulton Speed, perhaps it might have been a different matter.

Eight riders rallied around the Clarion banner Saturday morning and enjoyed a very pleasant excursion to Bradford on Avon.

Jim contemplates the impending climb out of Bradford on Avon (Sorry Steve, George's head got in the way)

Agreeable refreshments were taken with our new friends at The Teapot. The large wedges of carrot cake looked very tempting, but I played it safe and opted for a toasted teacake. A pot of Somerset tea made a perfect accompaniment.

If you're planning to catch the Tour of Britain as it speeds through Bradford on Avon on Friday, be sure to visit Winsley to see the 20 x 50 metre cycle sculpture. It has moving wheels made of people and will be set in motion at 10.30am. The human bicycle formed by 200 volunteers and designed by a BAFTA award winning designer will be filmed by a helicopter and broadcast on TV worldwide.

Garmin reference: http://connect.garmin.com/course/7825828