Weekly Roundup

Tim H enjoys his last morsel of cake

A little later than usual this week (my fault entirely) and so without further ado, on with the show.

Saturday's ride to the National Trust Tea Room at Lacock was well attended, with 11 members cycling in 3 separate groups. The social group consisted of Howard, Dave and Steve C, and covered a total of 37 miles.

Two groups rode the longer route, and arrived at the coffee stop within 5 minutes of each other (but about 15 minutes behind the social group). They covered a total of around 45 miles, including 28 to the tea room. One was formed by Steve K, Steve M, Peter and Andy Parker, with Tim H, Alice, Ted and Malc making up the other.

Empty tables outside of the Tea Room

Rides to Lacock are normally accompanied by good weather, and Saturday's was no exception. However, it should be noted by the official record keeper that, possibly for the first time ever, members took their refreshments inside the tea room rather than bask in the sunshine outside. And as the camera doesn't lie (unless the pictures have been photoshopped) the proof can be found in the pictures above.

Thank you Howard for the report and photographs.

Does this cycle helmet make my nose look big? Yes Tim, it does

Also on Saturday, Mike G and me rode the Jack and Grace Cotton Memorial 100km Audax from Aztec West, Bristol. We clocked up some extra miles by cycling to the start and then riding home again afterwards. 

Mike's suggestion of a cup of tea at the Wickwar Coffee Shop on the way back sounded a great idea, but when we pulled up outside, the tables and chairs were being taken indoors, and the dreaded closed sign was already displayed on the door. Not to be beaten, we headed off to Chipping Sodbury to make use of the cafe at Waitrose. 

The cycle bars outside of Waitrose included one with just about every tool you're likely to need on a bike ride, hanging down, individually secured by lengths of metal cable. Worth knowing if you ever develop a mechanical issue and you just happen to be riding near Chipping Sodbury.

Wednesday evening was perfect for cycling. Four members, Peter, Phil, Steve K and me (Tim W) were joined by Mark, the Sherston Velo's Club Secretary and Phil, one of their members. Both are well known to Peter, who'd invited them along, and very welcome they were too. 

Speaking as a very recent convert, the Wednesday evening ride in the dark is a lot of fun. If you haven't been before, give it a try. The ride starts promptly at 6.30pm.

February is free coffee month at Performance Cycles, Poulton. Simply pop in on any Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday with your bike and the hot drinks are on them. It's also worth noting that they're now only open on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, by appointment.

Weekly Roundup

Inline with a number of other local cycling clubs, a unanimous decision was made Friday evening by the committee, to cancel Saturday's ride. With the overnight temperature predicted to fall below zero, there was a risk of ice forming on the road surface. The club has a duty of care to its members, and not wishing to see anyone get hurt, we felt that it was the right course of action. A definite case of better safe than sorry.

On behalf of the committee . . . . . . . . . . . . 

There might not have been a club ride on Saturday, but there's still plenty to talk about.

On Thursday evening, Tim H kindly hosted the committee meeting at his house, at which, Mike Greer accepted an invitation to become a committee member. Mike brings with him a wealth of cycling experience, and will, I'm certain, be an asset to the club.

During the course of a lively discussion, a date was set for the Annual General Meeting. This will take place on Thursday 18th February 2016, at the Hobbes Parlour inside the Town Hall. As a local community group, hire of the room costs just £6.00 per hour.

Invitations are extended to all current members and to make the process a worthwhile exercise, we'd like to see as many there as possible. The room has seating for 20 people. The AGM will start at 7.45pm. However, please arrive at 7.30pm to allow time for you to sign-in, take your seat and make yourself comfortable before proceedings begin.

It was also decided to place on record our thanks to Peter Cattermole for the dedication and enthusiasm shown by him in his organisation and running of the Wednesday evening Knight Riders. Encouraging others to leave the warmth and comfort of their living rooms is no easy task.

The 40.5 mile course for the first, members only, Sunday ride on 31st January 2016, can be found here. Some of you will recognise it from the first Sunday ride in the 2015 series.

Please note that as per last year, the ride doesn't include a coffee stop, so do make sure that you have sufficient food and drink to meet your needs. 

Weekly Roundup

Hopefully everyone had a great Christmas, and here's to a fantastic New Year. Now that the festivities are well and truly behind us, we can focus on the cycling year ahead.

The 2016 members only, Sunday Series, gets underway on 31st January 2016. The subsequent rides will normally be on the last Sunday of each month. However, as the last Sunday in March, May and August falls on a Bank Holiday weekend, the ride might be switched to a Monday. This formula proved popular last year.

Mike G, with my hindrance, sorry, that should be help, will be putting together the courses. 

The last two series have culminated in Tim H's 100 mile ride to the seaside. This time we're aiming for a final excursion of 120 miles. 

Starting with a course of around 40 miles, as each month goes by, we'll be increasing the distance and difficulty.

On Saturday 27th February 2016, we'll be celebrating our 4th birthday. The club's inaugural ride was on 25th February 2012. Following our extremely successful party in 2015, we will again be riding to a suitable venue for hot drinks and of course, a slice of birthday cake. Last year we managed to assemble 21 riders. Let's see if we can get even more this year.

Also in February, on a date to be announced, MCCC will be holding its first ever Annual General Meeting. All members will of course be cordially invited to attend and able to cast their votes.

I'm not sure how many, if any, are real, but there's a bit of a craze of drawing pictures on Garmin and Strava using the outline of your ride. Whether by accident or design, Howard had a pretty good go with his course to the Grounded Cafe Bar at Corsham on Saturday, making a hoisted trouser leg complete with a heeled boot.

Some of the Clarions outside of the Grounded Cafe Bar, Corsham

Peter, Phil, Steve K, Tim H and me (Tim W) made up the Sporting Group, whilst the Social Group comprised of Howard and Steve Cox. We were also joined at the cafe by Ted and Alice.

Following the full outline of the leg and boot clocked up 42.19 miles, whereas Howard's other creation, a face with a pointed nose and a thin neck, came to 32.19 miles.  

Service at the Grounded Cafe Bar was efficient and came with a smile. My large cup of tea and slice of carrot cake came in at a reasonable £3.65. There's plenty of room inside and bikes can be left at the front of the building. A worthy addition I would have thought to our repertoire of coffee houses and tearooms. 

Our thanks go to Tim H for the recommendation. If there's a cafe which you think would make a good coffee stop, then please let Howard know, and we can pay them a visit. 

Apart from a short-lived downpour when we left for home, we managed to avoid the falling rain, if not the surface water, which in some places completely covered the road.