Blog Bulletin

Peter Baptiste gives Toomers the thumbs-up on Saturday

(Photo courtesy of Ian Else) 

Well done to all those who rode on Saturday to Toomers Garden Centre, Lydiard Millicent. We were thrilled to be joined by three guests: Lucy Martin and Chris Davies were two of them, and the name of the third has yet to reach the MCCC Newsroom. We might not be able to promise them the sort of prices they charge at Toomers every week, but we can guarantee them some great rides in good company.

Clarions on our last visit to Wickwar Coffee Shop Saturday 21st May 2016

This Saturday the Sporting Group return to the Wickwar Coffee Shop. Tim H will be leading the 37.7 mile ride, which has 1,868 feet of elevation. For those that haven't ridden the course before, there are a couple of things worth pointing out:

• The descent from Tresham to Alderley is steep in parts. You are likely to encounter horses travelling in both directions and cyclists riding towards you.
• The left turn at the bottom of Tresham Hill is the one immediately before the T junction. A low gear is advisable just before you make the turn otherwise you can quickly grind to a halt.
• The climb from Horton to the A46 is a bit lumpy, but no where near as tough as the one up to the Somerset Monument.
• As always, please take care on the short section of the A46, which can be busy.

You can view and download the course here.

As for the Social Group, depending on who decides to ride and their personal preferences, I'll either lead a shortened version of the ride to Wickwar or something altogether less strenuous with a visit to the AV8 Cafe at Kemble.

                                      
Hopefully you all received your Boots & Spurs magazine. The photograph of us outside of The Angel at Sherston, was an absolute credit to our club. Apart from the combined section picture for the club run at this year's Easter Meet, we made up the biggest body of riders.

Talking of the Easter Meet, our presence at an Easter or Autumn Meet is well overdue. It's about time we rectified this. The 2017 Easter Meet will be held over 14th to 17th April. It's early days yet, but I'm just testing the water to see if anyone might want to make the trip to Chester. I'd cycle there and back, but there's always the option of driving.

Another one for next year, is a possible meet-up with our fellow Clarions at Gosport. If their photograph is anything to go by, we might be well matched. Our nearest neighbours are Hereford, but I understand they only have 12 members and that they ride fairly infrequently. If there was sufficient interest at both ends, we could meet somewhere in the middle for a joint ride.

Judging by their humorous club jersey,the Gosport Clarions don't take themselves too seriously.

Tuesday's committee meeting was the first in a while. Tim H kindly played host. Being a pleasant evening we sat in his garden. With lots to get through, we eventually finished in the dark. I'll put a more thorough summary together for the next bulletin, but as a brief overview, and in no particular order, these were some of the issues covered:

• There are no plans to sever our ties with the National Clarion. The committee will not be putting forward a proposal at the next AGM for us to leave. 
• Volunteers are being sought to act as Ride Leaders. Those willing to undertake the roll will be entered onto a rota based on their availability.
• Before trophies are purchased for the four club awards (Sunday Series, Chairman's Trophy, Grimpeur and Club Ambassador) we need to know that someone will be prepared to take over the collection and recording of the data from Mike G. If someone can't be found, then more modest cups will be bought and presented on a one-off basis.
• The 18th September, has been lightly penciled in as a possible date for the last in the 2016 Sunday Series. Peter C, Phil and me, Tim W, have expressed an interest in this date. Ideally we'd like at least one other rider. 
• The Sporting Group ride on Saturday 10th September 2016, will be to Bristol to watch the Tour of Britain TT in the morning, followed by the criterium race in the afternoon.
• Club advice to all members is for them to carry their own emergency contact telephone numbers and details of any medical conditions. This is in preference to the Ride Leader being responsible and having to possess all of the information.