Wednesday evening's Knight Rider session attracted six riders. They were James, Peter C, Phil and me (Tim W) from the Clarions, George from Performance Cycles and Mark from Sherston Velo.
Despite the weather forecast predicting a mixture of light and heavy rain showers throughout the early part of the evening, we didn't see a single drop.
Riding the Badminton loop we had a very lively headwind on the outward leg to contend with, and then the benefit of the wind on our backs to help bring us back to Malmesbury.
Hopefully a few more Clarions can be persuaded to join us over the coming weeks.
Saturday's jaunt to the Organic Farm Cafe, near Cirencester saw 10 riders make the trip. Howard, accompanied by Atherton and Steve C, made up the Social Group. We were not only pleased to welcome back Lyndon for his second ride with us, we were also grateful that this time we were able to field more riders than on his previous visit. Lyndon joined the Sporting Group which consisted of Andy Parker, Colin, Des D, Karine, Steve M and me (Tim W).
The sun was shining when we left Malmesbury. It remained fine for most of the journey to the cafe, but the sky gradually darkened, and just when we thought we might arrive in the dry, we were caught in a hailstone shower.
The idea of some toast appealed to me. Des must have been on the same wavelength, but we were both left disappointed, when informed that toast wasn't available after 11.00am.
My thick wedge of coffee and walnut cake sadly didn't live up to expectation. The icing through the middle and on the top was no more than a thin film, and the sponge was a rather dry affair.
Unfortunately a navigational error meant that we were denied the Social Group's company. Instead they stopped at Relish.
With nothing to suggest that the rain outside was going to stop any time soon, we left the warmth and comfort of the log burning stove, donned our rain jackets and headed for home.
Sunday afternoon Mike and me rode to Castle Combe for the annual Cyclists' Service. This event has taken place every year since 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 servicemen who did not return from World War 2.
Neither of us are religious, but that doesn't matter. The important thing is that we continue to remember those who for our tomorrow gave their today.
At the end of the service, before we rose from our pews, the organiser made a head count recording numbers from the various clubs present. Bristol CTC easily made up the biggest contingent, with Stroud Valleys CTC and Bath CTC taking second and third places. He then asked if there were any other clubs represented. Grasping the nettle, and much to Mike's embarrassment, I stood up, pointed to the writing emblazoned across my club gilet and called out 'Malmesbury Clarions.' To the sound of cheering, I sat back down, unable to remember the last time, if ever there was one, that anyone cheered something I'd said.
Tea and homemade cakes were then served inside the church. One man approached us and asked if it would be possible for a friend of his who lives in Malmesbury to ride with the club. We took our refreshments outside, where a number of Stroud Valleys CTC riders were keen to learn about the history of the Clarions.
Before we left the organiser thanked us for attending and I said that next year we'd hopefully return with a few more members.
Alastair Goldie from Gloucester City Cycling Club, founded in 1891, has very kindly extended an invitation to our members, to join them in celebrating their 125th anniversary. This is indeed an honour, and one which, hopefully we'll take full advantage of.
Leaving Kings Square at 9.00am on Sunday 1st May 2016, the club's very first ride from Gloucester to Dursley will be re-enacted. As well as contingents from various local cycling clubs, the cavalcade will be led by members of the Vintage Cycle Club, on vintage cycles such as Ordinaries (Penny Farthings). There will also be some cyclists on Dursley Pedersens coming out from Dursley to meet the ride.
Refreshments will be served at the Bank Cafe, Dursley, which we're also welcome to attend.
You can view and download the route from Gloucester here.
Suggested options:
- Cycle from Malmesbury to the start in Gloucester
- Intercept the cavalcade en route to Dursley
- Ride directly to Dursley to see their arrival
- Ride out from Dursley with the Pedersens
If you do decide to come, please consider wearing your MCCC jersey, if you have one, to help raise the club's profile.
There's an interesting evening of live theatre at The Pound, Corsham on Saturday 14th May 2016, with curtain-up at 8.00pm.
Ventoux is the story of Lance Armstrong and Marco Pantani on the fearsome Mont Ventoux in the 2000 Tour de France. Their rivalry is re-staged by 2Magpies Theatre using breathtaking video accompaniment and a pair of road bikes, asking the question - how far will we go to succeed?
Standard tickets are £11 and concessions £10.
You can follow the link here to book tickets.
Not an error Tim, more a monumental cockup! We still had a very enjoyable ride though and did cover some new ground. We also saw George with the Performance Cycles peleton.
ReplyDeleteThe cockup caused by me, by the way.
ReplyDeleteGeorge said that he saw you. He was on his way back home then. Don't be too hard on yourself!
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm not religious, howeverI strongly believe we should remember the sacrifices our ancestors made so that we could have the life we have. A Clarion I think!
ReplyDelete