Blog Bulletin

This is the last blog bulletin for 2016. I've therefore previewed the next four club rides on 17th, 24th, 28th and 31st December. (Not forgetting the Knight Riders on 14th and 21st). Please support the rides when you can. Your participation is very much appreciated.

The ride on Saturday 17th December 2016, is to the Folly Row Cafe at Kington St Michael. 

You can view and download the Social Group's 35.2 mile course here. It has 1,275 feet of elevation.

Similarly, you can find the Sporting Group's 40.6 mile course here. It has 1,448 feet of elevation.

Given that the cafe is likely to be busy, I'm going to ask if they can reserve us some seats. I'd like to be able to give them some idea how many of us there will be. Please could you email me by Wednesday if you plan to ride. You can of course still cycle with us, regardless of whether or not you've said that you're going to.

Please take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the course you intend to ride and if you have a Garmin or a similar device, please download it. Both will be of great help to your ride leader to assist with the navigation.

Clarions returning from Cirencester on 24th January 2015

The following week, on Saturday 24th December 2016, we have something rather special for you. Steve Mayhew is going to throw open the doors to his house at Great Somerford, where mulled wine and mince pies will be served. This is an incredibly generous offer on Steve's part, and hopefully one which, lots of you will take up.

Departure from outside of the Town Hall will be at the slightly earlier time of 9.30am. Only one course will be used. We'll ride together as a club, at a leisurely pace, with the aim of arriving at Steve's en masse, at about 10.45am. The ride will officially end at his house meaning that riders can leave when they're ready to go or Steve decides to throw you out.

You can view and download the 16.3 mile course, not including the distance back to Malmesbury, here.

There's also the option of cycling straight to Steve's house and of course, driving there too. 

To assist Steve with the catering arrangements, it would be helpful if you could let him know that you'll be attending.

For those that might be riding independently or driving to Steve's house, but don't know where he lives, please email him for directions. You'll find his email address included in the global circulation list.

Let's spread the word and all make this a big success.

Clarions outside Pye Corner on 28th August 2015

On Wednesday 28th December 2016, the Knight Riders are cycling to Pye Corner in Chepstow, leaving at 9.30am. You can view and download the 66 mile course here. It has 3,740 feet of elevation.

Whilst we've been to Pye Corner a number of times in the past, this will be our first ever Christmas expedition there. The outing promises to be a great ride and offers a perfect opportunity to burn off those excess calories.

On Saturday 31st December 2016, departing at the usual time of 10.00am, the club ride will be stopping at Cafe 53, Long Street, Tetbury.

There are two courses to choose from. Both are a little under-distance, but this is to allow for the fact that cafes tend to close a lot earlier than normal on New Years Eve.

You can view and download the Social Group's 33.7 mile course here. It has 1,132 feet of elevation. 

Similarly, you can find the Sporting Group's 37.8 mile course here. It has 1,189 feet of elevation.

Peter C's bike with additional lighting!

Wow! Wednesday evening really was a cracker! With the weather a staggering 15 degrees warmer than the previous week and barely a flutter of wind, it really was a perfect evening for cycling.

The McDonald's 2016 range of festive hot drinks

Our Clarion Christmas contingent was boosted by Graham and Mark from the Sherston Velos. An enthusiastic charge out to Cirencester via some familiar lanes, safely delivered us to the Market Square. After a circuit of the town centre, and having gazed in amazement at the spectacular lights, hot drinks were enjoyed inside the recently refurbished McDonald's.

Suitably refreshed and in good spirits, we headed for home riding in much the same vein, as before.

Having returned to Malmesbury, we bade farewell to the Velos and watched as they disappeared into the night, the common consensus being that the ride should become a fixture on the Knight Riders' calendar. 

Riders: Graham, James H, Mark, Peter C, Phil and me, Tim W.

Inside the AV8 Cafe, Cotswold Airport

Considering the early light rain Saturday morning and the predicted heavy rain later, 11 riders turning up for the trip to the AV8 Cafe at the Cotswold Airport, was a magnificent effort.

Sian became our latest new member and Andrew returned for his second trip with us. 

Peter Snow's legendary swingometer, made famous during all of those election night specials, would have gone into meltdown, as for the first time in some weeks, numbers wise, the pendulum swung erratically in favour of the Sporting Group.

Both packs arrived at the cafe within a couple of minutes of each other, and then amazingly managed to repeat the feat on our return to Malmesbury. 

As forecast, the heavy rain made an appearance on our way home and well and truly tested the waterproofing qualities of our cycling kit. The chink in our armor was our gloves. Most needed a thorough wringing out by the time we'd reached the town hall.

Social Group: Sian, Steve C and me, Tim W.

Sporting Group: Andrew, Brian, Ian, James M, Mike G, Phil, Peter C and Stuart.