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.