Blog Bulletin

This Saturday is one of those rare, but nonetheless regrettable occasions when for a variety of reasons, a number of ride leaders are absent. We definitely need more. Our Ride Leaders Code of Conduct, which you can see here, sets out what would be expected of you. It's then just a simple matter of the club registering you with our insurers Cycling UK.

That said, fear not, as it will be more or less business as usual. I'm just not able to provide you with the cafe destination and courses yet.

Party goers outside of The Angel

Wow! There's breaking records and then there's absolutely smashing them out of sight. Saturday's birthday bash at The Angel, Sherston attracted no less than 28 members, easily beating our previous best last year of 21. It might have been 27, but Alyson came along on her recumbent trike with a membership form and a cheque. In doing so, she became our 47th member. 

Our huge birthday cake

We left the Cross Hayes in 3 packs. With military precision, the Sporting and Social Groups merged as one at the Sopworth crossroads. We arrived together at The Angel, where we found Howard's group already in residence.  

We just about managed to fit in our usual room, but if the club continues to grow, we'll definitely need more space next year. The chef had baked us a very moreish birthday cake. Sandwiched between the light sponge was a film of sweet jam and a generous amount of butter cream. There was more than enough for everyone, and even after some members had enjoyed seconds, there was still plenty left.

Suitably refreshed, Helen Mayhew took our annual photograph outside. All that remained afterwards, was for members to head back to Malmesbury. A mixed contingent of Sporting and Social Group members rounded off a thoroughly enjoyable morning by riding out to Acton Turville and back. 

Howard's Way: Caroline, Dave, Heather, Howard, Mike P, Simon L and Steve M.

Social Group: Bryan, Des D, James, Mike G, Pete B, Phil, Sian, Steve C, Stuart, Ted, Tim H and Tim W.

Sporting Group: Alice, Karine, Malc, Peter C and Tommy.

Other riders/members: Alyson, Andy Parker, John and Jonathan.

I aologise in advance if I've attached someone to the wrong group or missed anyone out. Please let me know if I have.

Simon riding in Thailand in his club jersey 2014/2015

Absent friend and former Clarion, Simon Barnes sent us his happy birthday wishes from somewhere in South East Asia. Simon keeps in touch with events at the club via the blog, as do a number of former members who have moved away from the area.

Congratulations were also received via Twitter from Saddleworth Clarions, which was very thoughtful of them.

Former Clarion Max Girdler employing good cadence technique

And now for the next installment in Mike's Mechanics. I don't mind admitting that about a year ago Mike spoke to me about how I could improve my riding by deploying my gears in a more efficient way. There's a lot we can learn from him.

Gears, Their Use and Why

To many MCCC members, the following will be the norm, but to others, maybe not. No offence is intended.

Riding your bike is fun. It can be hard or relatively easy.

Part of that falls to the gearing you are using, and not the make or number of gears.

Power from you the engine is transferred through your legs via the pedals, through the drive train (chain ring, chain and cassette) to the rear wheel and you move forward.

The transfer of that power is at its most efficient if the chain ring/cog and chain are in a straight line.

You the engine are at your most efficient if your cadence is between 60 to 100 rpm. Cadence is the number of times your chain ring makes one complete revolution in one minute whilst you remain seated. Some people can and like to push, some to twiddle (spin).

In order to be efficient at riding your bike it’s necessary to keep your cadence as even as possible! In order to achieve this you need to use your gearing.

When the chain is sitting on the largest chain ring and on the smallest cog on the cassette, your gearing is at it’s highest (harder to pedal). One revolution of the chain ring drives the rear wheel further around.

When it's on the smallest chain ring and the largest cog on the cassette, your gearing is at it’s lowest (easier to pedal). One revolution of the chain ring drives the rear wheel the least around.

So it follows that as the chain moves up the cassette the gearing gets lower.

As you ride along the terrain changes, wind changes. Each to a greater or lesser degree.

In order to maintain a regular even cadence, you need to vary your gearing.

Going uphill or into a headwind or both you need to progressively lower your gearing.

Too low and you will spin quickly, twiddle and run into oxygen debt (breathless).

Too high and you have to push harder, your legs will complain and you will struggle (breathless).

On the flat or going downhill, too low and you spin as above, too high and your legs complain and certainly on the flat you struggle. Downhill you go faster, not always the best and safest option.

So it follows you need to look ahead and read what is happening on the terrain and gear accordingly.

Going uphill you change gear (preferably) one at a time getting progressively lower and lower.

Going downhill the same applies only in reverse higher and higher.

You are at your most efficient seated, out of the saddle (honking) more muscles are required, more energy is burnt and you tire quicker.

So the aim is to climb at an even, steady cadence. 60 to 100 rpm. Clearly on a steep hill maintaining that cadence becomes harder to impossible, so by using your gears the aim is to maintain the highest cadence you can.

On the flat, ride at an even steady cadence.

Ideally having your chain on the smallest chain ring and smallest cog is inefficient mechanically, as the chain is at an extreme angle (friction loss and high wear rate).

Similarly, having your chain on the largest chain ring and largest cog, is as above.

Having a dirty chain and drive train, is as above, inefficient and the wear rate is higher.

Mike G

Blog Bulletin

Before I tell you the arrangements for this Saturday's members only birthday party, I thought it would be interesting to dip into the club's archive for an insight into the very early days of the Malmesbury Clarions.

The bottom of the High Street looks like a Christmas card scene

The first club ride was to have taken place on Saturday 11th February 2012, but as you can see from the photographs above, the snow put paid to that idea.

The eagerly anticipated inaugural ride was previewed by Howard on the blog:

The weather for Saturday looks OK, at the moment! So, I reckon it is a good opportunity for our first ride out. The route I have in mind can be found at the following link -

We can meet outside the Jackdaw cafe in Cross Hayes at 10.25 and try to be off by 10.30ish, we are a laid back club after all.

The route heads out on the Foxley Road and passes the Vine Tree pub. It continues over the ford and heads in to Sherston. A break here perhaps, for a chat and to make a few decisions re how we want things to develop, opening a bank account and anything else we can think of. From there we head back to Malmesbury via Shipton Moyne. Total distance about 15 miles. However, distance can be shortened or lengthened as required.

One of the earliest club photographs. If I'm any judge of the back of people's heads, I'd say it's Tim H, with of course, Dave

The ride took place, as planned on Saturday 25th February. Although it wasn't reported on, the second outing was described by Howard in some detail:


We met, as I hope becomes usual practice for the club, outside the Jackdaw Cafe at 10.20am for the 10.30am 'Grand Depart'. Apparently I was late by about 3 minutes, so sorry about that. Nevertheless, a group of 5 assembled, one more than on the first ride (welcome Sue) and set off on a ride designed by Mike. Initially 21 miles with a cafe stop, but with a few well chosen deviations from the original plan we completed the ride with over 27 miles on the clock and finished with an excellent cuppa. Again we have Mike to thank for that.

The route had many 'enjoyable' features including an ascent, early on, of Malmesbury's most spectacular Blicks Hill! We continued through Milbourne and Garsdon and by-passed Brinkworth to the north and climbed the hill known locally (at least to Dave and me) as L'Alpe. A rapid decent of Callow Hill followed and we continued on to what turned out to be the hardest climb of the day up to the A3102. Eleven miles completed and the Cafe stop in Lyneham was within sniffing distance, well a mile away.

The main road was voted too busy and we agreed a deviation via Tockenham. This added about 3 miles to the route but included a section between Tockenham and Lyneham that I had not ridden before, a rare treat for me. Piggy's Cafe in Lyneham was reached after about 15 miles and the Peloton was treated by Mike to drinks and snacks. Thanks, much appreciated, my round next maybe. Even the weather was good to us and the break was enjoyed sitting outside.

All good things come to an end and we continued on our way. Another slight adjustment to the original plan found us sweeping down Dauntsey Bank and on to Great Somerford. Here the excitement mounted as we were led through the largely unexplored (by me) outer reaches of the village. At Little Somerford the last hill. Once Clay Street was conquered the route followed Cresswell Lane via Cleverton to Mike's house in Lea. This was really the end of the ride although for those of us that do not live in Mike's house, there was the small matter of the 3 miles to Malmesbury, already cycled by our host earlier that day.

For the record there were no breakdowns - mechanical, physical or emotional.

We owe our founding-fathers a huge debt of gratitude. Without them, there would be no club today.

The 15 mile course for the first-ever ride was to become known as 'The Circuit.'  Since then, it has been repeated many times, and was a staple for the original Wednesday evening summer ride. 

      We've asked for a darker shade of green for this year's cake

Returning to the here and now, we have a room booked at The Angel, Sherston from 11.30am to 12.30pm for our exclusive use. It's the one we've used for the last 2 years. The chef has our requirements for the cake, which will be served free of charge to members in the room. 

Please pay for your hot drink when you place your order. It will be helpful to the staff if you have the correct money. Everyone turning up with a £10 note will only add to the delays at the counter.

We look forward to seeing as many members as possible. When the party breaks up, we'll assemble outside at the front for our annual photograph. 

If for any reason you can't make any of the rides, then please feel free to ride or drive directly to The Angel. Whichever course you use, and however you get there, the main priority is to arrive by 11.30am. If necessary, abandon the course if you're going to be late and take the shortest route to Sherston.

It's only fitting that all three courses incorporate 'The Circuit.'

You can view and download the Sporting Group's 36 mile course here.

The Social Group's 24.1 mile course can be viewed and downloaded here. This can easily be extended post refreshments, if required, by following the Sporting Group's course out to Acton Turville and back.

There's also 'The Circuit' which is 15.5 miles in total and will be led by Howard, weather permitting. Similarly, you can view and download the course here.

Phew! I think that's everything. All we have to do now is just enjoy ourselves.

See you all on Saturday.

Blog Update

This week's Saturday excursion is to the AV8 Cafe at the Cotswold Airport, Kemble. Our last visit there was shortly before Christmas. Staff then were a little preoccupied with the helicopter rides to see Santa. As Santa returned to Lapland nearly 2 months ago, normal service should by now have resumed. 

It goes without saying that there's two courses to choose from.

You can view and download the Social Group's 33.3 mile course here. It has 1,395 feet of elevation.

Similarly, you can find the Sporting Group's 39.1 mile course here. It has 1,577 feet of elevation.

As always, 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 helpful to your ride leader.

Luminous-painted bikes?

Wednesday evening's Knight Rider outing was the Kingscote Hidden Valley Figure of Eight course. The short, sharp climb up through Easton Grey soon got the lungs working, but the ride quickly settled down afterwards. With the usual lively chatter, the miles quickly passed, and having successfully negotiated the Hidden Valley, we made the most of the gradual descent along Bowldown Road. 

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

Clarions returning from Relish on Saturday

Bryan paid us a visit at the start of Saturday's ride to Relish. It was good to see him out and about, and looking so well following his recent operation. Bryan isn't riding again just yet, but he's hoping to be able to cycle over to The Angel, Sherston for our 5th birthday party there on 25th February 2017.

With just 5 members deciding to venture forth on such a chilly morning, we rode as one group and trimmed the excursion back to a sensible 33 miles. Once we'd started moving, it soon warmed up, and with little or no wind, it made for very acceptable cycling weather. 

If you haven't got a bike, you can always rent one!

I was interested to see these steeds for rent outside of Relish. It's a self-service arrangement that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By using an App and Bluetooth on your phone you can lock and unlock the bikes at your leisure.

The Oxford based company, Bainton Bikes, offers a number of locations from where bikes can be hired, including Tetbury, Kemble and Cirencester. I read an article some months ago in the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard about how they hope to entice visitors arriving at Kemble from London Paddington, onto their bikes, for an enjoyable day out in the Cotswolds.

Less journeys by car and more on pedal cycles, makes a lot of sense, and so I wish them every success in their business venture.

Riders: Peter C, Steve C, Stuart, Tim W and Tommy.

What else would you eat on the Flapjack?

Sunday produced a great effort from the Clarions. This was easily our best ever attendance on the Chippenham Flapjack 100km Audax. Mike, Peter C, Tommy and me, Tim W met in Malmesbury at 7.35am. We rode over to the New Inn at Seagry, where we met up with Andrew and Phil. 

Shortly after we'd arrived at the Bath Road car park, Chippenham, Graham arrived with his first claim club, the Sherston Velo CC.

What about John, where does he fit in, I hear you ask. Well, we spoke to John at the first control, at the Brinkworth Village Hall. John was riding with relatives.

After hot drinks, flapjacks and slices of what I originally thought was a very tasty fruit loaf, but cake connoisseur Peter C probably correctly identified as a tea loaf, our sextet (a formation of 6 members), headed northwards.

Beans means Heinz

An early lunch was served at the Kemble Village Hall. Stored in the kitchen was the largest collection of individual tins of Heinz baked beans, I'd ever seen. Tommy gave the beans a miss, opting instead for another slice of flapjack, which he declared was best eaten first dunked in his tea. 

Light and fluffy Victoria sponge

The next stop in our culinary carousel, interspersed with some cycling, was Sherston Village Hall. The light and fluffy Victoria sponge cake had by now become something of a firm favourite. I resisted the temptation of a second wedge, and opted instead for what might have been a Tracker bar.

Vegetable soup and a roll

(Picture courtesy of Peter C)

The end of the Audax ride was rounded off very nicely by soup and rolls at the Derriads Lane Scout Hut in Chippenham. With just a small corner to fill, my willpower quickly evaporated when I saw Andrew and Phil helping themselves to another wedge of Victoria sponge cake. Washed down by a warming cup of tea, it set me up perfectly for the last leg back to Malmesbury.

Riders: Andrew, Graham, John, Mike G, Peter C, Phil, Tim W and Tommy

You can use other manufacturer's inner tubes as well

As promised, here are the additional steps required from Mike to replace an inner tube on your rear geared wheel.

We'll assume that you've realised that the tyre is deflating, you've shouted out to let your fellow Clarions know, changed gear so that the chain sits on the smallest front chain ring and the smallest rear gear, and come safely to a standstill.

Step by Step Guide

• Release the rear quick release brake lever.
• Having persuaded a fellow Clarion to assist, get them to support the frame (by holding the saddle) and lift the wheel off of the ground. Undo the wheel quick release skewer. This should allow the wheel to drop out from the forks.
• Now the fiddly bit. With one hand move the gears slightly backwards and manipulate the wheel/cassette free of the chain. You can now fully remove the wheel. As you get to work, your friendly helper needs to keep your beautiful clean frame (it is clean, yes?) off of the floor.
• With the wheel in your hands, proceed as per the instructions for the front wheel. Follow the steps to remove one side of your tyre (preferably the side furthest away from your cassette). Avoid as much as possible getting covered in grease and oil from your immaculate, pristine cassette. (This will only apply if you clean your bike, which of course you do every week?).
• Having remembered to check the tyre for foreign bodies, insert a new inner tube and slightly inflate your tyre.
• The next fiddly bit is to return your wheel to the frame and to fit the chain around the cassette. Centre the hub into the frame and then the wheel. Tighten the skewer. This is all easier to do, than it is to explain.
• Thanking your fellow Clarioneer for his or her assistance, inflate the tyre as you would do with the front, only a bit harder. It supports most of your weight after all! Clean the crud off of your hands. Make sure your gears change smoothly and the brake works.
• Thank your fellow riders for (patiently) waiting for you! Offer to buy the coffee and cake for everyone, and hope that they refuse your generous offer.
• Return all of your tools etc to their rightful place in your tool bag, and don't forget to put your pump in its proper place.

Additional Note

An alternative to someone supporting the frame for you, is to invert your bike and set it down in the mud or grass on its saddle and handlebars, and then proceed as above. This method does make access to your gears etc, easier, so a possible trade off!

Mike G

I just wanted an opportunity to explain that although I write the article for our contribution to the Branch News section in Boots&Spurs, I don't come up with the captions. The photographs I submit are accompanied by the date and location. The editor is inclined to exercise a certain amount of editorial licence. Gathered outside of Relish, we've previously been credited with standing on the beach at the seaside. This was again the case in the most recent edition, where the caption under the photograph of the Sunday Series riders at Honeystreet, suggests that this is the Thursday mid-day diners at The Angel, Sherston.

The closing date for submissions for the next edition is 31st May 2017. Please let me know if there are any significant events, achievements or anything of note for inclusion. Photographs are also welcome too, but they need to be high resolution. 

Blog Bulletin

Clarions at Relish on Saturday 31st January 2015

Saturday's ride is to Relish at the Cotswold Water Park.

You can view and download the Social Group's 34.5 mile course here. It has 1,163 feet of elevation.

Similarly, you can find the Sporting Group's 39.0 mile course here.  It has 1,419 feet of elevation.

Both courses use the same route back to Malmesbury.

Please take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the course you intend to ride. If you have a Garmin or a similar device, please download the course. Both will be of great assistance to your ride leader.

Beans means it's lunch at Kemble Village Hall on the Chippenham Flapjack

It's not exactly a club ride, but there's a good showing of Clarions taking part in this Sunday's Chippenham Flapjack 100km Audax.

Entries are now closed and I understand will not be accepted on the day. 

Confirmed entries have been received by Ian, Mike G, Peter C, Phil, Tim W and Tommy.

Caroline mentioned a while ago that she would be riding, and I need to check with Andrew to see if his entry was successful.

Other local clubs will be well represented, so please fly the flag and wear your club jersey if you have one.

We'll be riding over to Chippenham for the start and home again afterwards. An email will be sent out later in the week with the departure time.

Look out for a review of the ride in the next blog bulletin.

Wednesday evening's Knight Rider session produced a good turnout. 5 members and 2 guest riders made up our peloton. A heavy downpour at 6.00pm had more or less petered out by the time we set off, but did contribute to some flooding. The deepest and largest pool of water was in a dip between Kington St Michael and Allington. Safely negotiating the lake was made all the more difficult when an impatient motorist decided to drive through it at the same time. 

Undeterred, but a little wetter for the experience, we made our way through Chippenham and out to Langley Burrell where we passed the Chippenham Wheelers Knight Riders travelling in the opposite direction. They might have numbered around 12, but considering how many more members they have, I think we can still hold our heads high.

Members: James, Mark, Peter C, Phil and me, Tim W.

Guests: Cleggy and Simon V.

George in the blue helmet heads the race

Former Malmesbury Clarion, George raced at Abingdon on Saturday. The circuit is notorious in winter for riders puncturing. The course is plagued by small shards of flint. Despite being swept before the start, a staggering 22 riders out of a field of 80 in the category 4 event, fell victim to punctures. Testing the field, George led for the first 2 laps, but as he came around for the 3rd, I saw him raise his arm to indicate that he had a mechanical. A piece of flint still lodged inside his back tyre had cut through the rubber and into the inner tube. British Cycling rules no longer allow a rider to take a lap out for mechanical reasons, and so he had to retire. 

2nd birthday ride Saturday 22nd February 2014

3rd birthday ride Saturday 28th February 2015

4th birthday ride Saturday 27th February 2016

Plans are well advanced for our 5th birthday ride and party on Saturday 25th February 2016. The annual event celebrates the club's inaugural ride on Saturday 25th February 2012.

Last year's record attendance saw 21 members enjoy their free slice of birthday cake at The Angel, Sherston. It would be fantastic if we could attract even more members this year.

Weather permitting, there might well be a surprise party goer!

There are two courses, which are both designed to arrive at The Angel at 11.30am. I'll circulate these nearer the time. All members will be made very welcome. Please feel free to make your own way there whether you're cycling or driving. 

We'll also be lining up for our traditional team photograph before we leave.

As I'm not licensed to give financial advice, I need to be careful about making recommendations. However, I can inform you that National Clarion now offers third party liability insurance for £12. Existing members and those who joined in time to be added to the Boots & Spurs magazine mailing list, will be able to read more about the offer in the Winter/Spring 2017 edition. 

The policy underwritten by Royal Sun Alliance, provides cover for any claim made against a member while they are cycling anywhere in the world (except the USA and Canada) for injury or damage to a third party up to a maximum of £5,000,000 per incident. It covers commuting, club runs, time trials and Audax events. As with all insurances, certain things won't be covered.

Further information can be found on the National Clarion's website here.

You can also apply and pay online here.

Before committing, please ensure that the cover meets your needs. Members can also purchase 3rd party liability insurance from British Cycling and Cycling UK (formerly CTC).

Tim W repairs a puncture on 1st January 2015
(Spot the mistake!)

This is the second installment in Mike's Mechanics. The first generated a lot of interest. I'm certain that members will benefit from Mike's wealth of knowledge. Without further ado, it's over to Mike.

The Scenario

As we all ride on our beautifully maintained highways and byways, at some point we'll incur a visit from the Pssst Fairy. In other words, a puncture. The following will be well known to some, but not all, and there will be those who are too embarrassed to ask. Each step is fairly logical and should get you back riding again quickly.

If you feel your tyre deflating, front or back, on a club ride, shout out and let everyone know. Brake slowly and smoothly, giving consideration to your fellow Clarions, who won't want to crash into you. Change gear so that the chain sits on the smallest front chain ring and the smallest rear gear. If you don't feel able to safely execute these gear changes before you come to rest, you can always do them once you've stopped.

For the purpose of this exercise, we're going to assume that it's a puncture to the front tyre. We'll cover the rear tyre next time.

Before commencing the repair, for your own safety, move you and your bike as far off of the road as possible.

Des M tackles a puncture on 23rd May 2015

Step by Step Instructions

• Operate the quick release lever on the front brake. This will allow the caliper to open and the brake pads to move away from the rim.
• Pull open the quick release on the hub and unscrew the skewer until you are able to lift the front of the bike up and drop the wheel out of the forks.
• Using your set of tyre levers (you do have a set, don't you), insert one lever under the tyre bead between the rim edge and the tyre, and push down. This will lift the tyre up and away from the rim. Insert the second lever next to the gap you've created and repeat. Continue until all of the tyre bead is free from the rim.
• Unscrew the valve cap and valve securing nut. Put them somewhere safe (not on the floor).
• Carefully remove the inner tube.
• Run your fingers around the inside of the tyre to locate whatever fiendish item has penetrated your tyre. Remove said fiend. Usually this will be a thorn or a piece of glass. Do not proceed any further until you are completely satisfied that it's out. Check the rest of the tyre for any other miscreants.
• Obtain your spare inner tube (you do have one, right?). Slightly inflate the tube (with the pump you do have?).
• Place the valve through the small circular hole in the rim and lightly secure with the retaining nut.
• Carefully insert the inner tube under the tyre.
• At a point opposite the valve, re-engage the tyre on the rim, then carefully push the tyre onto the rim in both directions, working your way towards the valve. Ensure that the inner tube is not nipped/trapped under your tyre.
• This is where it gets harder. Continue pushing with your thumbs until the tyre is completely on the rim. Do not be tempted to use your tyre levers to finish this last stage. If you do, be prepared to repeat everything again, as it's likely that you will have damaged the inner tube.
• With the tyre now fully engaged on the rim, check that the inner tube is not trapped.
• Partly inflate the inner tube.
• Refit the wheel into the forks and tighten the skewer nut so that the locking cam locks the wheel in place when pushed. Make sure the wheel is central in the forks above the brakes. Adjust as required until it is central, then fully engage the cam. This locks the wheel in place.
• Re-engage the brake quick release, putting the brake pads in close proximity to the rim. Make sure the pads are equal distance from the rim.
• Fully inflate the tyre so that when squeezed between finger and thumb, it barely indents.
• Replace the valve cap.
• Put the punctured inner tube, tyre levers etc back in your saddle bag or jersey pocket (club one, I trust).
• Clean your hands either on grass or worst case, your shorts. Thank everyone for waiting and not helping.
• Check the front brake works properly, saddle up and ride off. 

Mike Greer

Blog Bulletin

Clarions at The Canteen, Nailsworth on 10th January 2015

The good news is that Saturday's weather is looking very promising. Not only should it be dry, there's also the chance of some sun. However, with the amount of rain we've had, there's bound to be some surface water and potentially localised flooding too. 

Peter C has kindly offered to lead the Sporting Group on Saturday to The Canteen at Nailsworth. You can see the 41.8 mile course here.  It has 1,914 feet of elevation.

There are some important notes to make you aware of:

• The road off the top of Selsley Common runs very fast. Please resist the temptation to go hurtling down, as you'll miss the right turn to North Woodchester.
• Having made the right turn, there is another swift descent to the A46 Bath Road. Be prepared though to make a right turn prior to the T junction.
• The road running parallel to the A46 Bath Road has a number of short, sharp ascents. If you don't anticipate them, you'll find yourself stuck in too high a gear.
• There's a short section on the A46 into Nailsworth. As always, please take care.
• The ride could be shortened by 4 miles by riding directly from Hampton Fields to Cherington. However, from past experience, this road is likely to be flooded just outside of Cherington.

As usual, please take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the course if you intend to ride it. If you have a Garmin or a similar device, please download the route. Both will be of assistance to your ride leader.

Social Group riders will be advised on the morning of the intended course by their ride leader. 

Please disregard the following if you are no longer a  member of Malmesbury Clarion Cycling Club or have no intention of renewing your subscription.

As advised by Howard, the 2nd Annual General Meeting will take place in the Hobbes Parlour at Malmesbury Town Hall on Tuesday 28th February 2017. Please arrive by 7.20pm to allow yourself time to sign in and be seated. The meeting will start promptly at 7.30pm.  It is only open to current members. Last year 17 members attended. The committee would again like to see as many members in attendance, as possible.

Nominations and resolution proposals for voting on must be received in writing (an email is fine) by the committee by midnight on 10th February 2017. Any nominations and resolution proposals received will then be circulated by email to members on or before 14th February 2017, so that members have time to consider them before voting.

A resolution proposal is a suggestion for the club to do something new or differently. 

Should you wish to nominate a new committee member (assuming they have agreed to stand) you must be a current member. You will need a seconder who supports your nomination. Please include the name of the seconder who must also be a current member.

The current Treasurer, Tim H, is not seeking re-election. We thank him for his sterling work on the committee. I'm also stepping down from the committee too. If a new committee member can be found to take on the media portfolio, I'll happily switch all of the outlets over. If not, I am prepared to provide a holding service until such time as someone can be found, but I will no longer be involved in the decision making processes.

Both Tim H and me feel that it's time some other members came forward, took the baton on and moved the club forward.

Similarly, a resolution proposal can only be made by a current member. You will need a seconder who is also a current member. A member making a resolution proposal will be allowed 2 minutes to speak in support of it if they wish to do so.

It's your club, so please make sure you play your part by getting involved.