What's On

Tim H's Ride to the Seaside

Clarions relaxing in the sun at The Salthouse overlooking Clevedon's bay 2014

Following the success of last year's epic ride to the seaside, news of whether the excursion would be repeated, has been eagerly anticipated. Tim H's recent email informing members that plans are well advanced for what undoubtedly has become the highlight of our calendar, was warmly received. 

The event will take place on Sunday 23rd August 2015 and is restricted to members only. As per last year, a meal out in the evening to include partners, is planned. To assist Tim H's mum with the catering arrangements for our stop at Portishead and booking enough tables later, please contact Tim H.

Severn Bridge Sportive

Just a quick reminder that On Sunday 30th August 2015, the Severn Bridge Sportive staged by Andy Cook Cycling takes place from the race circuit and runs alongside the Castle Combe Family Cycling Day.

This one offers a choice of either a 100km or a 100 mile course. Online entry in advance is £29 or on the day £35.

http://www.severnbridgesportive.co.uk/

Ken's Carnival Ride

Riders gathered for their tea, coffee and biscuits 2013

A cluster of Clarions 2013

Riders ready for the off in 2014

Ken MacLennan's Carnival Bike Ride takes place again on Monday 31st August 2015, departing from outside of The Old Bell at 10.00am. Entry is just £5 and includes a hot drink and a biscuit served out on the course. This is a leisurely paced, family-friendly ride, which often generates a number of enquiries from people keen to learn more about us. If you can make it, wearing club kit is definitely encouraged.

Via Roma Criterium Racing at Cirencester

Having enjoyed Ken's Carnival Bike Ride, why not round off the day by watching the twilight criterium racing in the centre of Cirencester. Support races on the 1km closed road course begin at 6.00pm and end at 9.00pm with the main event under floodlight. Spectating is free.

                              
                              Audax Rides from Rodborough, Stroud

I generally shy away from advertising events taking place on a Saturday as I don't want to dilute our club run, but as this one will have a fairly limited appeal, I don't think it will deplete numbers too much.

On Saturday 19th September 2015, there are three hilly Audax rides from Rodborough, Stroud.

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-553/ 

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-531/

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-75/

Jole Rider Sportive

Jole Rider are holding their Cotswold Sportive on Sunday 20th September 2015, based at Westonbirt School. There's a 30, 70 and 100 mile course to choose from. Pre-booked entries are discounted and cost £15 to ride the 30 miles, and £25 for the 70 and 100 mile courses. 

Further information can be found at:

http://jolerider.org/

Wales in a Day Sportive

Phil recently brought this one to my attention and if I wasn't already booked to ride elsewhere on Saturday 26th September 2015, I'd have given it serious consideration.

Wales in a Day is a 190 mile course from Caernarfon in the north to Chepstow in the south with 4,500 metres of ascent.

Places are limited to 300 and there are still some available. Speak to Phil if you're interested.

Further details including coach transfers can be found by following the link below.There's a brilliant video on the home page showing the route, which is well worth watching.

http://www.opencycling.com/wales-in-a-day/

Weekly Roundup

Kingscote Village Hall

Wednesday evening saw 7 riders complete another of Tim H's great courses. This particular ride is a favourite of mine and when Tim H asked for any suggestions at the start, I didn't waste any time putting a shout in. Whilst there aren't any standout killer hills, there are some challenging ascents, a few technical descents and a chance at the end to flex the top gears. 

You can see where we went by following this link:

https://www.strava.com/activities/346842935

Arriving outside of Kingscote Village Hall we were treated to the sound of a steel band from within. A bit of internet research has revealed that they were the Kingscote Steelpans who meet every Wednesday at 7.00pm. Back in January they were looking for more members, so if you fancy joining in, you know where to go.

Saturday's club ride was to Gloucestershire's home of shabby chic at The Canteen, Nailsworth. I understand there were at least two groups and that Heather and Simon were back out on their recumbent tandem; something not seen on a club run for quite a while.

I've also received word from Dynamo Mike that the club's Geriatric Division enjoyed their outing to USAF Base Fairford for the airshow. He informs me that his and Maureen's mileage was 36 and time taken was all day! Well done Mike and Maureen and I hope you didn't get stiff necks watching all of the aerobatics. 

Riders getting ready to leave Bath
(Picture courtesy of Audax Club Bristol)

Also on Saturday, I rode the Raglan Castle 204km Audax from Bath and topped up the distance by cycling to and from the start.

The route first went northwards up to near Wotton-under-Edge and then turned southwards to Aust and across the Severn Bridge. By the time I reached Chepstow I'd already ridden over 100 miles and my legs were definitely not at their best. The undulating road to Monmouth became a real struggle and in desperation I ran a quick check through my memory bank to try and establish if there was a railway station there. I must have misfiled this piece of information, as the answer wasn't forthcoming. 

Another concern was the creaking sound coming from my bike. A plan began to take shape in my mind whereby I could withdraw due to a yet to be determined mechanical failure whilst at the same time feigning disappointment at my bad luck. The missing element was how exactly was I going to get back home again.

Raglan Castle, Monmouthshire

Hurtling down towards Monmouth all thoughts of 'packing' quickly evaporated, particularly as I'd traced the source of the mysterious creaking to my cycling shoes. Over exposure to the sun had clearly taken its toll on me. The perfect remedy for my temporary insanity was a pot of tea, a slice of iced lemon sponge and some Welsh cakes at the delightful Raglan Castle Cafe.

With renewed enthusiasm I headed for Usk. The roads were far less brutal and absorbed by the glorious scenery I allowed my mind to wander. Could it be that the route back to Chepstow would meander along a never ending flat lane? No, it couldn't, because this was Wales and having left Usk, the road began to gradually rise and then the 16% sign appeared.

MCCC rules dictate that members should never dismount on a hill if they're wearing their club jersey and so I stuck to the task. However, to my eternal shame, with my heart rate running out of control, I deemed it sensible to stop just short of the summit to allow it to return to something approaching normal, before continuing.

Olveston Stores

Having crossed back over the Severn Bridge the last control was at the Olveston Stores. Already awash with tea and cake, a refreshing ice cream made a nice change.

The arrivee was at the Boathouse Inn, Bath. After a quick glass of ginger beer and a bag of crisps, priced at a shocking £3.80, I completed the last leg of the 179 mile ride. The ascent of Box Hill tipped the elevation gain to just over 10,000 feet.

Weekly Roundup

Look hard enough and you should see a field mouse

(Click once to enlarge the pictures)

By our normal standards this has been something of a quiet week.

On Wednesday evening six riders completed a 24 mile course. I missed him last week on his first outing with us, but I was pleased to be able to exchange a few words this week with Rob from Malmesbury. We look forward to seeing Rob on a Saturday too, once he feels he's ready. If the speed with which he repaired his puncture is anything to go by, it won't be long. 

There are a few towns locally which, should make great places for a coffee stop, but a lack of seating, absence of safe storage etc, has meant that we've always struggled to find somewhere suitable. Wootton Bassett, Cricklade and Cirencester are three that spring to mind. 

As you'd expect, the MCCC Research Team never rests. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it. An initial visit by them to The Cake House, Bishop's Walk, Cirencester, was a success and so it became our destination on Saturday. 

Eight riders mustered at our usual meeting place on Saturday morning. No one was in any particular hurry and so when Howard suggested that we all rode the outward leg of the longer course together, the motion was carried unanimously.

The combined ride was to prove a useful opportunity for all of us to get to know people we don't normally cycle with a little better. 

Just outside of Minety our peloton was brought to an abrupt halt by a small creature scurrying across the road. I foolishly thought it was possibly a shrew, but Paul, who clearly knows much more about these things than I do, identified it as a field mouse.

Having successfully negotiated a group of cyclists, the furry little fellow ran for cover and tried to hide in the clover. (Mention of the clover is just a lame attempt by me to regain some credibility).

The peloton waiting whilst I play at being Sir David Attenborough

We arrived at The Cake House and immediately laid claim to the vacant tables at the front. Seconds later we were joined by Simon Locke. 

There was a good selection of reasonably priced cakes inside. I enjoyed my generous wedge of bread pudding. Unfortunately the pot of tea I shared with Mark was a disappointment. There was an overpowering taste of limescale and the unpleasant sensation of bits of limescale on the tongue. 

Clarions soaking up the sun

The front of the cafe overlooks the busy public car park, but relaxing outside I couldn't help feeling a little smug watching the frustrated motorists completing endless laps searching for non-existent parking spaces.

I'd be happy to return to The Cake House, but they'll need to descale the kettle before I order any tea again!

Suitably refreshed, Howard suggested a slightly more adventurous route home via Daglingworth and again winning universal approval, we threaded our way through Cirencester.

Heading northwards towards the Gloucester Road

It's at this point that I have the immense pleasure of handing the blog over to Paul for a fascinating insight into Cirencester's rich Roman history.

Roman remains at Cirencester

Our ride on Saturday took us through prehistoric and Roman landscapes.  North Wiltshire and Gloucestershire were the territory of the Iron Age kingdom of the Dobunni tribe, whose  capital town was the hillfort at Bagendon, not but a few hundred yards from our  home bound route through Daglingworth.  

The Dobunni controlled much of  what is today North Wiltshire and  Gloucestershire, plus  parts of Somerset, Warwickshire and Herefordshire. They appeared to be on pretty good terms with Rome before the Claudian invasion and may well have done a deal with Rome whereby they would not resist the invasion in return for retaining some level of their autonomy. Trouble was, the Catuvellauni, who led the resistance to the Roman invasion,  were the dominant tribe, to whom  the Dobunni,  like many of the other southern British Tribes, paid  homage and tribute. This made life tricky  for the Dobunni but luck was with them as the Catuvellauni were broken and fled North before the Roman legions reached Dobunni territory. The Catuvellauni story is more interesting – even the subject of Shakespear's  “Cybeline”  - but I'll save that  for when we ride our time machines through their territory. 

Can't really leave the subject without mentioning  Cirencester where we  stopped at the “Cake Hole” to partake of refreshments. Once the Roman legions had mopped up in the South, they needed to build the infrastructure to support  their advance North and for the general colonization of Britain.  Cirencester was built on the crossroads of 3 major Roman roads: The Fosse,  Akerman street and Ermin Street.  The  Cake Hole  stands within the  walls of the old Roman town of Corinium  (Cirencester); these  city walls encompassed an area of around 230 acres and you can still see parts of the old walls if you take a stroll into the church gardens. I can't remember the name of the church but it is the imposing one in the centre of town where all the buses stop.  Corinium was second only in importance to London in Roman times and became the capital of Britania Prima following the partitioning of  Britain  by the emperor Diocletian.  Many people think Britain was but a backwater of the Roman Empire; not so: there were 4 legions and a similar number of auxiliary troops  stationed  here    numbering c 50,000 men to keep order.  Many insurrections started in Britain and Diocletion decided to ….........but I'll spare you that. 

Paul Hadley

Weekly Roundup

Clarions relaxing at the Cat & Custard Pot, Shipton Moyne

Mention of a stop at a public house resulted in 7 riders taking to the road on Wednesday evening on what was the hottest day of the year. It was good to see Steve K back on the saddle. On the return leg from Leighterton the pit stop was made at the Cat & Custard Pot for a well deserved pint. I understand that Malc was very much at home with a drink in his hand and there are unconfirmed reports of him staying behind after the others had left.

Cafe 53, Long Street, Tetbury

I apologise if I've miscounted, but by my reckoning there were 16 riders on Saturday. This included Des and Simon who were both on their second ride with us. We always like to give a name-check to new faces and a warm Clarion welcome. We hope that they'll share many more miles with us. 

There was a time when if someone mentioned Simon for instance, having just one member by this name, we instantly knew who was being referred to, but we now have 3 Simons, 3 Andys, 2 Steves, 2 Peters etc, but it's definitely something we're happy to grapple with.

11 riders opted for the longer course and 3 for the shorter one. The mathematicians will have immediately noticed that 11 plus 3 doesn't equal 16. There was a third group comprising of Mike (as in dynamo and not the one from Barrow) and Maureen (as in, well actually it doesn't matter, as we only have one), who rode their own route. Mike kindly gave me one of his dates at the start. No, not a telephone number from his black book, a piece of dried fruit and very tasty it was too. The humble date boasts an impressive list of benefits, is easily digested and makes a pleasant change from some of the bland energy bars on the market. 

Clarions at the midway point on the Severn Bridge

(Click once to enlarge the pictures)

Five members took to the Welsh hills on Sunday. The forecast of heavy rain showers meant that everyone had sensibly packed a rain jacket, perhaps more as a precaution, but it was going to be a necessity. 

Looking out across the water towards the Forest of Dean

The two Tims admiring the vista

The Severn Bridge offers some really spectacular views. I know that looking at someone else's holiday snaps can sometimes be as dull as ditch water, but it's not every day the Clarions ride to another country.

  

Part of our peloton crossing the bridge

Refreshments were taken at the Chepstow Garden Centre. Here, the first few spots of rain fell. The complex has a butcher's shop, where you can buy half a sheep for £44.99. As none of us had any panniers, we had to pass on this offer.

Cyclists and dogs share the same door to the cafe patio

Leaving the Chepstow Garden Centre

Threading our way through a housing estate at Caldicot the heavens opened, trees shook and debris flew merrily around us. With no cover in sight, it was a case of heads down as we battled on.

The Wentwood Reservoir

Having left the urban sprawl behind us, we began to ride through some glorious Welsh countryside. Gradually gaining height the rain stopped and the sun came back out.

Tim H remounting after looking down at the reservoir

Wentwood or Coed Gwent in Welsh is a forested area of hills and rises to 1,104 feet. It is the largest ancient woodland in Wales.

With steam rising from the tarmac, Tim H and Peter complete their ascents to the top of the forest

The Brecon Beacons in the distance taken from outside of the picturesque Methodist chapel at Pen-y-cae-mawr on the edge of Wentwood Forest

Afterwards, there was a 7 mile descent (I kid you not!) all the way back to Chepstow. Along the way we passed a sign for the curiously named Bully Hole Bottom. If I was feeling brave I'd Google it, but I'm too worried about where it might lead. In Chepstow the opportunity to dry out some of our kit was taken over another round of hot drinks and cake, this time at the much more reasonably priced Pye Corner Cafe. 

Our thanks go to Mike for not only putting this ride together, but also for leading most of it from the front. Mike also has a similar 104 mile excursion up his sleeve with an additional 2,000 feet of climbing. Expressions of interest to Mike. I'd certainly like to have a crack at it.

The consensus was that a 60 mile Chepstow and back Saturday club ride would make a great outing. Those looking to cycle less miles could stop at Alveston, Aust Services or for that matter, anywhere they fancied along the route. If the demand is there, we'll make sure it happens!

Course http://ridewithgps.com/routes/8827287