Firstly, a reminder that the Cyclists Church Service will be at 2.30pm on Sunday 10th April 2016, at St Andrews Church in the Market Place, Castle Combe.
This event has taken place every year since 27th May 1945. It is a celebration of cycling and a service of thanksgiving for the men in cycling battalions who fell in the Great War and for the many cyclist soldiers, commandos and paratroopers who did not return from World War 2.
The Castle Combe church service, like the services held in May on the village green at Meridian, the centre of England, and at Coxwold, a few miles north of York, is now a memorial service and an informal, ecumenical gathering especially for today's cyclists in the West Country.
The service will be followed by tea and cake served in the church.
Mike and me are riding over, but it would be good if some more members were able to pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Research Team, in the guise of Mike and me, headed south on Wednesday. Our intended destination was the garden centre at Woodborough; somewhere we've been once before. On our way there, quite by accident, we came across the Honeystreet Cafe on the bank of the Kennet & Avon Canal, and what a gem it was. The rhubarb and plum bakewell slices were an absolute triumph!
The cafe could well feature in this year's Sunday Series. I don't think you'll be disappointed if it does.
Also on Wednesday, the evening Knight Riders' (we might as well stick with the name) first daylight session, got off to a flying start.
The magnificent seven who set off from the Town Hall were Peter C, Phil and Steve K from the Clarions, Graham Simpson, Pete Clegg and Mark Walsh from the Sherston Velo, and last, but by no means least, Gary Walker, who is about to open a new cycle repair business in town. Expect to hear more about this over the coming weeks.
The weather was on good form too. The dry, sunny weather meant that it was still light until after 8.00pm.
I understand from Peter that Pete Clegg was wearing a short sleeved jersey and shorts! They've either been experiencing some better weather at Sherston or they're a much hardier breed.
You can see the route here.
At long last, we were treated to some Saturday sunshine. It was probably no coincidence that we had a very healthy turnout of riders. The Sporting Group consisted of Andy Poolman, Colin, Des D, Malc, Peter C, Phil, Steve K, and riding with us, I believe for the first time, Shelly from the Sherston Velo, whom we were delighted to have along.
Meanwhile, the Social Group was made up by Atherton, Dave, Steve C and me (Tim W).
Dave's sleek body lines, his aerodynamic positioning in the saddle and well measured pedal strokes, are among the tell-tale signs of a man who knows what it is to give your all once the stopwatch has started ticking.
It's not every day that you get an opportunity to ride with someone who has a collection of CTC medals, and who competitively, as part of a three-up, during a 100 mile TT, finished in under four hours. When we chatted about this again on the way to Allington, Dave modestly added that they were on flat roads around Oxfordshire at the time, but even so, maintaining an average of over 25mph for 100 miles is some achievement.
The Sporting Group rode a longer course to the Allington Farm Shop and just managed to pip us at the post. As our orderly queue snaked its way through the cafe, the smell of smoked bacon and mushrooms wafted up from the tables.
Rearranging the furniture allowed all of us to sit inside together. I'm not sure if I chose my bakewell slice based on the generous size of the portions or because it was something I really wanted. Either way, I was intrigued by Dave's vegetarian cooked breakfast. A toasted bun of some description, each half topped with a single large mushroom, inside of which, were perfectly cooked poached eggs. Oh, and some wilted spinach strategically placed for good measure. (I might well try this on my next visit)
Refreshments taken care of, Des D transferred to the Social Group, leaving the rest of the Sporting Group to head over to Lacock for an assault on Bowden Hill.
Don't forget, that with the exception of the Sunday Series Trophy, point scoring for all of the other club activities, started on Friday 1st April 2016.
If you missed the original blog post concerning the various trophies being contested, they are explained here.
The Grimpeur Challenge will be awarded to the rider who gains the highest accumulated elevation between 1st April and 30th November 2016.
As hopefully Karine will confirm, if asked, a grimpeur in French, is a climber, the feminine of which, is a grimpeuse.
Mike has compiled a table showing in metric the elevation gained by each member of the club who records their rides on Strava, up to and including 31st March 2016. This figure will form the base line. Only elevation above this total will count. Next year, when all competitions can start on 1st January, it'll make things less complicated.
Heather 264
The Research Team, in the guise of Mike and me, headed south on Wednesday. Our intended destination was the garden centre at Woodborough; somewhere we've been once before. On our way there, quite by accident, we came across the Honeystreet Cafe on the bank of the Kennet & Avon Canal, and what a gem it was. The rhubarb and plum bakewell slices were an absolute triumph!
The cafe could well feature in this year's Sunday Series. I don't think you'll be disappointed if it does.
Also on Wednesday, the evening Knight Riders' (we might as well stick with the name) first daylight session, got off to a flying start.
The magnificent seven who set off from the Town Hall were Peter C, Phil and Steve K from the Clarions, Graham Simpson, Pete Clegg and Mark Walsh from the Sherston Velo, and last, but by no means least, Gary Walker, who is about to open a new cycle repair business in town. Expect to hear more about this over the coming weeks.
The weather was on good form too. The dry, sunny weather meant that it was still light until after 8.00pm.
You can see the route here.
At long last, we were treated to some Saturday sunshine. It was probably no coincidence that we had a very healthy turnout of riders. The Sporting Group consisted of Andy Poolman, Colin, Des D, Malc, Peter C, Phil, Steve K, and riding with us, I believe for the first time, Shelly from the Sherston Velo, whom we were delighted to have along.
Meanwhile, the Social Group was made up by Atherton, Dave, Steve C and me (Tim W).
Dave's sleek body lines, his aerodynamic positioning in the saddle and well measured pedal strokes, are among the tell-tale signs of a man who knows what it is to give your all once the stopwatch has started ticking.
It's not every day that you get an opportunity to ride with someone who has a collection of CTC medals, and who competitively, as part of a three-up, during a 100 mile TT, finished in under four hours. When we chatted about this again on the way to Allington, Dave modestly added that they were on flat roads around Oxfordshire at the time, but even so, maintaining an average of over 25mph for 100 miles is some achievement.
The Sporting Group rode a longer course to the Allington Farm Shop and just managed to pip us at the post. As our orderly queue snaked its way through the cafe, the smell of smoked bacon and mushrooms wafted up from the tables.
Rearranging the furniture allowed all of us to sit inside together. I'm not sure if I chose my bakewell slice based on the generous size of the portions or because it was something I really wanted. Either way, I was intrigued by Dave's vegetarian cooked breakfast. A toasted bun of some description, each half topped with a single large mushroom, inside of which, were perfectly cooked poached eggs. Oh, and some wilted spinach strategically placed for good measure. (I might well try this on my next visit)
Refreshments taken care of, Des D transferred to the Social Group, leaving the rest of the Sporting Group to head over to Lacock for an assault on Bowden Hill.
Don't forget, that with the exception of the Sunday Series Trophy, point scoring for all of the other club activities, started on Friday 1st April 2016.
If you missed the original blog post concerning the various trophies being contested, they are explained here.
The Grimpeur Challenge will be awarded to the rider who gains the highest accumulated elevation between 1st April and 30th November 2016.
As hopefully Karine will confirm, if asked, a grimpeur in French, is a climber, the feminine of which, is a grimpeuse.
Mike has compiled a table showing in metric the elevation gained by each member of the club who records their rides on Strava, up to and including 31st March 2016. This figure will form the base line. Only elevation above this total will count. Next year, when all competitions can start on 1st January, it'll make things less complicated.
Simon S 39,212 metres
Tim W 33,536
Peter C 18,912
Howard 16,139
Steve K 15,738
Mike G 14,074
Phil 9,865
Steve M 7,755
Tim H 6,677
Malcolm 5,214
Andy Poolman 5,149
Ted 4,375
Tim W 33,536
Peter C 18,912
Howard 16,139
Steve K 15,738
Mike G 14,074
Phil 9,865
Steve M 7,755
Tim H 6,677
Malcolm 5,214
Andy Poolman 5,149
Ted 4,375
Simon
L
1,353
Karine 1,179
Paul 502 Heather 264
Force GB, the makers of the MCCC kit, now offer a range of leisurewear in club colours, complete with the National Clarion logo and our name. With warmer weather just around the corner, the smart T shirt and polo top, make the ideal apparel for those off-piste periods of relaxation. And when the sun goes in, you can take off the chill by wearing the hooded sweatshirt.
Rearranging the Allington Farm cafe furniture!? You could get us banned for life from there if you are caught!
ReplyDeleteI think we just about managed to get away with it, as we arrived before the lunchtime rush.
ReplyDeleteAnyone I've missed from competition lists please forward your detail to me 1948cyclist@Gmail.com
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