Weekly Roundup

I must confess to suffering from a bout of blogger's block. Its not quite as serious as writer's block, but the symptoms are the same; a tendency to slip into well-worn cliches and familiar sentences whilst struggling to say something new. Apparently the only known cure is complete rest from the keyboard for as long as possible. Should anyone fancy doing a bit of blogging, then the floor is well and truly open. In the meantime I'll still be providing a reduced roundup service.

Wednesday:

I haven't verified this with our club statistician (Tim H), but I'm fairly certain that 9 riders for the midweek ride was a new club record. We were joined by Peter from Malmesbury. This wasn't exactly his first MCCC ride, but it was the first one he's started with us. Our paths crossed previously earlier this year at School Hill, Brinkworth on a Sunday ride. Peter had unfortunately suffered a puncture and after we'd rendered some assistance, he accompanied us back to town. We look forward to seeing him again soon.

Saturday:

This Saturday's ride to Sweetapples Tea Room in the High Street at Marshfield saw two new riders; Steve from Malmesbury and Des's friend, Ed. Hopefully they'll be both back over the coming weeks to share some more miles with us. 

Riding for the second time (I missed his first outing) was Mike from Tetbury. I've actually come across Mike twice before on Audax rides when he's been manning a control. The first time was in January at Chipping Camden and then Lacock in March. Again, we hope to see lots more of Mike and of course his partner Anita who made her maiden trip last week.

We were also pleased to welcome back Malc after an absence of some months, bringing us up to eleven. Four of us took the longer route and seven the shorter one. Those going the shorter way later fragmented forming a third group.

The outward leg saw us having to contend with a stiff headwind, but with batteries recharged after coffee and cake, apart from the climb out of Castle Combe, we hardly had to touch our pedals on the way home.

Meanwhile, our Senior Citizen's Section headed up by the intrepid Michael and Maureen set sail from Malmesbury at about 11.00am and travelled via Startley and Upper Seagry to Sutton Benger where they met some friends at the cafe adjoining The Bell House Hotel. From there, it was onto The Somerford Arms for an early lunch and then home on the back road. By all accounts this was a very relaxed and social 18 miles. In Michael's own words, 'Just right for us geriatrics!'

Editor's note: I'm pleased to hear that there was no mention of gambling this week.
Shorter course 34.4 miles http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7605766

Longer course 39 miles http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7605286

Weekly Roundup

Well, that's the end of another busy week. 

Tuesday was the first evening session of the season run by Andy Cook Cycling at the Castle Combe race circuit. The track has been resurfaced and really delivers the smoothest possible ride imaginable. There was a mixed bag out on the track from small children with stabilisers to some serious looking dudes on high performance road bikes. In between was a host of mountain bikes, a hand-operated recumbent and a tandem trike. It's pretty much a case of anything goes and impossible for anyone to feel remotely out of place.

Sign-on begins at 5.30pm. Adults pay £3 and under 18's just £1. You then get to do your own thing. Slow riders use the outside of the track, fast ones the inside and medium paced through the middle. 

Whether you're looking to flex your top gears, improve your fitness or just enjoy some traffic-free cycling, it's a great place to ride.

Leighterton's Parish Church

In view of the good weather and extended daylight, Wednesday's evening club ride spread it's wings out to Luckington and up to Leighterton. Tim H has a varied selection of courses and they're definitely worth supporting.

On Friday Howard, Tim and possibly some others drove down to Bitton and then used the cycle path to ride to the Bespoked Bicycle Show at Brunel's Old Station adjoining Temple Meads railway station in the centre of Bristol. 

Saturday's club run was to The Canteen at Nailsworth. According to my wife who just happened to be walking into town at the time, the peloton made an impressive sight as it snaked its way along Bristol Street.

Also on Saturday, I rode a 200km Audax starting from Royal Wootton Bassett. The course ran through Cirencester, Lechlade, Woodstock, Lambourn, Hungerford and Marlborough. In order to qualify for my Randonnee Round the Year award I have to complete a ride of at least 200km for 12 consecutive months. This was the fourth and so just another eight to go!

Riders lining up

(Click once to enlarge the pictures)

On Sunday George raced for the first time. It was good to see our club colours on the tarmac at Castle Combe.

After a faltering start when it took two attempts to click in his second cleat, he soon got into his stride. By the time he'd reached the end of lap two he'd moved into second place. Apparently no one wanted to do the hard work at the front and as the leaders eased off, he unexpectedly found himself heading the race.

Over the next five laps he sat comfortably in the pack and finished in the top half of a field of around sixty.

Coming down the home straight

Whilst the MCCC might not be a 'racing club' it can still serve as a very useful launchpad. Without doubt had George not joined the Clarions he would never have started racing. Howard's encouragement, Max's guidance and those in the peloton who pushed him on during his early days with the club, such as Tim H, Malc, the two Andy's and Jamie, all played a significant part in him reaching the starting line.

Club Ride Saturday 11th April 2015

I wasn't present on Saturday and so can't offer a firsthand account, but I understand there was a good turnout for the trip to Toomer's Garden Centre at Lydiard Millicent.

Home from university John made a welcome return and our ranks were boosted further by Steve and Heather's daughter whom I believe was making her maiden voyage with us. With mum, dad and brother Ewan riding too, having four members of the same family on our club run must surely be a record.

There was no easy ride for John who found himself heading up the group taking the longer route.

Unfortunately Mike and Maureen arrived a little too late to join the ride and so formed their own splinter group heading off into the wind for Shipton Moyne, Tetbury and Chavenage (closed until 1st May) which ensured a tailwind home.

A very pleasant stop at Cafe 53 followed by some foolish wagers on the Grand National rounded off their afternoon.

The Famous Five's Foray to the Fish Farm

Our peloton held at the lights in Cirencester before the start of the Whiteway
(click once to enlarge the pictures)

Firstly, thanks Steve for coming up with the very apt title of this piece covering Sunday's ride.

Tim H again demonstrated why he would be a very worthy candidate for the Clubman of the Year award, that's if we had one, by joining us on his third choice bike. I say 'joining', Tim H was actually leading us, albeit shouting instructions at the back, as he was the only rider with the course on his Garmin. I've a feeling that revenge will be sweet just as soon as his number one cycle is ready.

Under a bright sky and with a stiff wind more or less behind us, we headed for Bibury.

Here they come again . . . . . . . . . 

Dropping down through Withington Woods we were met by a convoy of Land Rovers on a club rally travelling in the opposite direction. A little further on, just past the entrance to the Chedworth Roman Villa, our paths crossed again. One of them just happened to be driven by a former work colleague of Steve who recognising him, pulled over for a quick word. I seem to remember something similar happening with Steve when we went to Bradford on Avon to watch the Tour of Britain. 

The unspoiled countryside between Withington and Bibury was absolutely stunning and a pleasure to ride. Chapeau Howard.

Something fishy going on?

The morning's exertions had built up a bit of an appetite and sandwiches for lunch proved a popular choice at the Trout Farm cafe, although no one opted for trout in any of its various guises. 

A nuisance or an attraction in its own right . . . . the yellow car

Before leaving the village we showed Karine the almshouses and pointed out to her the yellow car which has recently been the subject of complaint, as it spoils some of the visitors' photographs.

Next stop Malmesbury

The return journey wasn't quite the quick 20 mile ride enjoyed by the two Andy's when they checked the course on Easter Monday. Instead, we rode straight into a lively headwind which when it wasn't battering us in the face, did its best to shake us off our bikes with sudden sideways gusts. 

Crossing the Cotswold Water Park the inevitable happened. Well, I suppose it was just a question of when. No, not a puncture, Steve was spotted again, this time it was someone from his village. 

Karine came up with an interesting theory that Steve might actually be famous and that's why he gets to be recognised so much. 

With the sun having deserted us a long time ago and dark clouds gathering, we were pleased to return home in the dry. 

Easter Roundup

This interesting contraption was recently photographed by Howard, I believe whilst on holiday in Barcelona. Much to Alison's relief, Howard's offer to purchase the tricycle was rejected by the museum. 

Now that Easter is behind us, I thought it might be useful to have a quick roundup of what’s been going on.

There were 7 members for the first Wednesday evening training ride on 1^st April 2015. Tradition dictates that any pranks on April Fools’ Day have to be played before mid-day and so with the 6.15pm start we were safe from any practical jokes.

Out on the Foxley Road we faced a brisk headwind. A Dyson employee living in Bath overtook us on his way home from work. Never slow to take advantage of an opportunity, those at the front gratefully tucked in behind him.

Saturday’s club ride saw 12 riders taking part. We welcomed back Zoe for what I believe was her second outing with us. There was a new face too as we were pleased to be joined by Derek from Malmesbury. As well as the usual suspects, it was also good to have Peter and Tony from Corston back with us again.

We left in two groups for Allington Farm Shop, although misfortune was to later bring us together a little earlier than expected.

Mark suffered a compression puncture in the potholes between Norton and Hullavington. This section of road really could do with resurfacing or at the very least, the worst of the holes being filled in (again).

Having successfully negotiated the tourists in Castle Combe we undertook the testing ascent from Ford up towards Biddestone. This particular lane running roughly parallel with the main Bristol Road sees little traffic of any description. Undeserving of any attention it was neglected for years, but has now been tarmacked, from top to bottom. The smooth surface certainly made the climb much easier, but it left me wondering on what basis road improvements are prioritised.

Turning the corner on which the impressive Biddestone Manor sits, we came across Howard, Zoe and Tim H who had a puncture. The spectacle of 12 cyclists gathered near the manor’s gates had attracted the attention of two charming ladies from within. Pleasantries exchanged and Tim H’s inner tube replaced, we completed the short distance to our coffee stop.

The return leg took us over to Kington Langley, across the Draycott Straight to Sutton Benger and up to Seagry.

https://connect.garmin.com/course/8242291 - 30 mile course.

https://connect.garmin.com/course/8524088 - 36 mile course.

Sunday saw the two Andy’s doing some sterling expeditionary work by checking out next Sunday’s course cunningly devised by Howard. By all accounts it’s an absolute cracker and with a stop in Bibury for tea and cake, what’s not to like?

And finally, Simon Barnes, who is a member of Thailand Cycling, has kindly forwarded this link to a cycling magazine covering the Asia region.

http://issuu.com/54858/docs/bicycles_united_asia_vo1_issue_1_20