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.