Blog Bulletin

The Wishing Well Inn at Codrington

Our musical accompaniment this week comes by way of a suggestion from Andy Poolman, who made a welcome return on Saturday after his skiing holiday. Inspired partly by our conversation about the unfortunate incident last year when a woman fell down a well in Malmesbury and partly by our having passed The Wishing Well Inn at Codrington, Wishing Well as a song title came easily to mind. The only dilemma was whether to go with Free's Wishing Well or Terence Trent D'Arby's. Both have their merits, but I've gone for Free's, which was recorded in 1972 and featured on their sixth and final album titled Heartbreaker. So, 

Take off your hat, kick off your shoes 
I know you ain't going anywhere
Run round the town singing your blues
I know you ain't going anywhere

and listen here.

Members returning from Relish on 11th February 2016

Next Saturday's ride is to Relish at Cotswold Water Park. You can view and download the Sporting Group's 42.2 mile course here. The Social Group will use a shorter route. For those members of Howard's peloton, please look out for his email nearer the time. And don't forget the Sporting Group only will be leaving at the earlier time of 9.00am.

I thought I'd let you in on a true story. Around the late 1970's, five work colleagues of mine, who shall we say, were very image conscious, decided to take up water skiing. I'm not sure what attracted them the most, it might have been the thought of looking like a bronzed Adonis. When they grew tired of long drives to the south coast, they decided to look for calmer waters closer to home. An opportunity arose to purchase a worked-out limestone gravel quarry. It came at a price, which was then considered a lot of money, but today would struggle to buy you a decent secondhand car. That lake just happens to form part of what we now know as the Cotswold Water Park. If it's within the development area, I'll wager it's worth an absolute fortune. 

Clarions in the mist by the Somerset Monument on Saturday

Peter C has put together some interesting courses for the Sporting Group. These can be found on the calendar page of the website. I'd become guilty of relying too much on tried and tested courses. Peter's zest and enthusiasm for route designing will see a lot of hitherto unexplored roads and lanes being deployed. 

The Social riders under Tim H's stewardship are heading for the same venues. The idea is that the Sporting Group will ride a longish outward leg to the cafe and the Social Group a more direct route. This should allow the two groups to overlap at the coffee stop.

Things seemed to get off to a good start on Saturday. The Sporting Group left at 9.00am with 9 riders. Battered by a very perky headwind for most of the way, the Wickwar Coffee Shop provided a welcome sanctuary from the elements. We soon generated a very lively atmosphere. This was further enhanced by the appearance outside of Tim H in his club jacket, heralding the arrival of the Social quartet.

Boosted by Pete B, who met us at Wickwar and Rob, who transferred across, we beat a retreat across Inglestone Common. Also making their way in the same direction as us, was a good showing of Thornbury CC Improvers' Group riders, and a very friendly bunch they were too. I've since made contact with Lee, their Ride Leader, via Strava. We'll be sure to keep a look out for them with a cheery wave in the future.

We avoided the agony of a frontal assault on the ascent to the Somerset Monument, by slipping along the lane at the base of the hill and taking the road up from Hillesley. The pain-free experience left me wondering why I'd never adopted this simple solution.   


Sporting Group: Alice, Andy Poolman, Mike G, Pete B, Peter C, Phil, Tommy and me, Tim W. Plus guest riders Carl from Malmesbury and Paul from Chavenage, who we were delighted to have along. Paul has ridden with us once before on a Wednesday evening and this was Carl's first outing.

Social Group: Bryan, Stuart and Tim H, together with Rob riding as a guest. Some of you will have already met Rob, but I haven't, as yet introduced and welcomed him on the blog.

Where did the last 3 years disappear? Members in the garden at Sweetapples Tearoom, Marshfield on 17th May 2014

Another change to our usual format is the introduction of a monthly longer ride for the Sporting Group. This will take place on the last Saturday of each month and begin on 29th April 2017. On this occasion, the club's nominated coffee stop at Sweetapples Tearoom, Marshfield, will be used, but on subsequent months, we'll be spreading our wings and visiting some MCCC favourites like the Berkeley Tearooms and the Ox House at Northleach.

To whet your appetite, here's a sneak preview of Peter C's 57.6 mile course, which employs the Bristol and Bath Railway Path to deliver us into Bath. There is the hill at Bannerdown to conquer, but just imagine the sense of satisfaction you'll feel once you've reached the top. Also, how you'll be able to eat the sweetest confection you like at Sweetapples with a completely clear conscience.

The course might require a little tweaking through Bath, so please don't download it just yet.

Readers of a certain age will be familiar with this long running programme on BBC Radio 4. First commissioned in 1955, a number of BBC foreign correspondents deliver a sequence of short talks reflecting on current events and topical themes in the countries in which they are based. They range from the significant to the inconsequential, and in that respect, it's similar to the blog.

I'm ever mindful that I don't want the blog to come over, as being all about the Sporting Group and nothing else. To help accomplish this, I do need the help of some correspondents who are prepared to write a few words and take the occasional photograph from within the other groups. No qualifications or previous experience are necessary. I normally try and post the blog bulletin by late Sunday evening, so anything to me by 6.00pm would be very much appreciated. Viewing figures are extremely healthy, so your efforts definitely won't be wasted. 

Blog Bulletin

Judging by the very positive feedback I had last week, I'm not the only one who finds Tina Turner's 'Simply The Best' an inspirational piece of music.

The musical backdrops aren't about to become a weekly feature, but I thought I'd try you with a bit of Booker T and The MG's, to accompany your reading of the blog. The instrumental 'Time is Tight' was a hit in 1969. It will be instantly recognisable to some, as Radio 1 DJ, Johnnie Walker, used it during the 1970's, as his back-up music for his weekly rundown of the BBC chart.

In the best radio tradition of linking music with news items, the eagle eyed reader will soon begin to notice a time related theme running through this blog bulletin.

You can listen and relax by following the link here.   

If you have any requests, please let me know and I'll be happy to oblige.

Clarions at the Rose and Crown, Lea last summer

With the lighter evenings creeping ever closer, last Wednesday we'd almost reached the half-light stage when we set off at 6.30pm. It's also getting warmer too, which allowed for less layers and a satisfying, but false impression of being trimmer than usual.

Our quartet eased out of Malmesbury and by the time we'd reached Cleverton, we were engulfed by the darkness.

Sitting behind Peter C and Phil, James H and me explored a wide range of topics of conversation. Midway through identity fraud, it suddenly dawned on me that I'd become so engrossed in the subject matter, I had absolutely no idea where we were. Fortunately, the more responsible riders at the front had been paying attention.

With the clocks due to move forward at 1.00am on Sunday 26th March, it won't be long before we start leaving in the daylight. Then, once the temperature becomes pleasant, we'll be able to start enjoying our very popular end of ride public house visits.

In the meantime, the countdown has started for James H, as his firm's contract in Malmesbury nears completion. If you haven't met him yet, please come along on a Wednesday evening before it's too late.

And the last word goes to Mike G, who unfortunately missed us at the start, but in trying to catch us up, recorded some useful miles and an impressive average.

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

It's green for go! The 9.00am trial for the Sporting Group begins this Saturday. Other rides will continue to start at the usual time of 10.00am. Apart from the earlier start, the Sporting Group's rides will remain the same. They'll maintain an average of around 14mph and cover approximately 40 miles. Allowing for a break for coffee, the aim is to return to Malmesbury at about 12.30pm. 

I've updated the website to reflect the new start time and also the introduction of Howard's group.

Our bikes outside of Wickwar Coffee Shop October 2016

To get the ball rolling, we're off to the Wickwar Coffee Shop. There's always a warm welcome waiting there for us. 

Peter C has crafted an interesting 43 mile course for the Sporting Group. The outward leg to the cafe is 28.3 miles. The estimated time of arrival is approximately 11.15am.

The Social Group's suggested 34.9 mile course takes a direct 16 mile route there. The 12 mile difference between the two courses should facilitate an overlap at the Wickwar Coffee Shop. 

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

Similarly, you can see and download the Social Group's suggested course here. The actual route will be at the discretion of your Ride Leader.

Please take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the course you intend to ride. If you have a Garmin or a similar device then please download it. Both will be very helpful to your Ride Leader.

Please keep an eye out for Howard's email later in the week for details of his ride.

Here's where we're heading for the rest of March and April:

25.03.17 - Relish, Cotswold Water Park
01.04.17 - Jolly Nice Cafe, Frampton Mansell
08.04.17 - The Old Stables Cafe, Hullavington
15.04.17 - The Canteen, Nailsworth
22.04.17 - National Trust Tearoom, Lacock
29.04.17 - Sweetapples Tearoom, Marshfield

Other dates of interest:

Cyclists' Service, Castle Combe

2.30pm Sunday 09.04.17 - Cyclists' Church Service, Castle Combe

This event has taken place every year since 27th May 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 soldiers, commandos and paratroopers who did not return from World War 2.

The Castle Combe church service, like the services held in May on the village green at Meridian, the centre of England, and at Coxwold, a few miles north of York, is now a memorial service and an informal gathering especially for today's cyclists in the West Country.

Last year Mike G and me represented the club. We were proud to take our places alongside the rest of the congregation, mostly made up of CTC members from Bath, Bristol and Stroud Valleys branches, all wearing their respective club colours, having ridden to the service. You don't have to be religious.The important thing is that we continue to remember those who for our tomorrow gave their today.

The service will be followed by tea and homemade cake served in the church. Donations welcome.

George coming round the outside at Castle Combe 

(blue helmet) in his MCCC skinsuit

Friday 14.04.17 - Easter Classic cycle racing at Castle Combe Race Circuit

There will be some ex Clarion interest in the Category 4 race. George is racing this season in the Veloton Pro-Cycling Team colours. He has 6 British Cycling race points so far, having finished 4th overall in a 3 race event at Maindy, Cardiff in February. Another 6 points will see him become a 3rd Cat rider.

No news yet on whether our other racing ex Clarion, Max Girdler will be competing too. Unfortunately Max failed to retain his Category 2 status by just 1 point last season and so has returned to Category 3. 

Blog Bulletin

Clarions at Toomers Garden Centre on 19th April 2014

We haven't had a musical backdrop for a while. After the roaring success of our 5th birthday party, I've lined up what I think is a very appropriate record. I'm going to dedicate it to each and every member for their personal achievements, whatever they might be, and to the club itself. It's not intended to be an elitist statement, but we have to believe in ourselves and each other. 

I'll let you discover for yourself what the song is, but you might recognise it from the lyrics taken from the first verse. It sums up what the club means to an over-sentimental fool like me. If you're ever passing my house at 9.45am on a Saturday morning and I've got my bedroom window open, I can pretty much guarantee that you'll hear this.  

I call you when I need you
When my heart's on fire
You come to me, come to me
Wild and wired
You come to me,
Give me everything I need

You can listen and hopefully enjoy it here.

If you found the music inspirational, and you're now well and truly wild and wired, perhaps you'll take the plunge and volunteer to become a Ride Leader. The situation has already gone beyond critical. Being a Ride Leader won't be for everyone. That's fully understood and appreciated. However, we can't run rides without them. We are affiliated to Cycling UK (formerly CTC), who are our insurance providers, and as such, it's a requirement that we provide them. It also stands to reason that we need someone who knows the way, either because they've studied the course and made some written notes or because they have a technical device of some description.

Tim H has provided an excellent service ever since the Ride Leaders were first introduced. Before that, he piloted members around for years. He's now taking a well earned break. I'm still leading rides, but driving George around to cycle racing circuits and participating myself in Audax events, both mean I'm not available as much as I used to be.

Mike G has returned to the skeleton crew and Peter C, to his credit, is present virtually every week. His absence last Saturday was a very rare exception. Apart from a few cameo appearances from some others, that's about it.

Peter C has offered to lead the Sporting Group this Saturday, and so on that basis, we're able to offer the 39.9 mile course to the Folly Row Cafe at Kington St Michael. It's a fairly flat route with just 1,472 feet of elevation. Departure will be at the usual time of 10.00am.

You can view and download the course here.

If you intend riding with the Sporting Group, please take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the route and if you have a Garmin or a similar device, please download the course. Both will be helpful to your Ride Leader.

If there is a volunteer who would be willing to act as a Ride Leader for the Social Group, and if they're new to the job, they can be registered in time, then I'll be pleased to post a suitable course, which should allow both groups to meet at the cafe.

For those wishing to ride with Howard, please look out for his email later in the week.

I quite often say that if you lived your life according to the weather forecast, you'd never do anything. Frequently, thank goodness, the predicted bad weather fails to materialise. On the other hand, there are those times when it really does deliver everything that was threatened. Wednesday evening's Knight Rider session was one such occasion. 

Choosing to ignore the predicted heavy rain, 6 of us set off from the Cross Hayes full of expectation. The light rain did little to dampen our enthusiasm. 

Emerging out onto Minchinhampton Common, the raindrops quickly grew in size and rapidly increased in their frequency. In the darkness it was impossible to tell whether this was a heavy rain shower or the start of a sustained period of heavy rain.

With riding glasses misting over, some chose to remove them. A cautious descent of the 'W' was undertaken. Regrouping at the bottom, those riders with disc brakes were particularly pleased with how their steeds had performed.

Too wet to loiter, we made an ascent of Horsley Hill. Keen not to hang around unnecessarily, PR's were surprisingly recorded by some over the Strava segments on the ascent.

Having reached the top, we eagerly headed for home down Bowldown Road. Further on, the Sherston duo peeled off at the Hare and Hounds, Westonbirt leaving the remaining quartet to complete the last part of the ride to Malmesbury.

Peter C and me gratefully returned to our homes in Malmesbury, while Mike G and Phil headed off into the night, back to theirs.

Yes, wet and cold maybe, but after a hot drink and a shower, it still felt good.

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

Mike G and Tim W Audaxing in 2016 with a stop at Bitto(n)

Our ever-expanding Audax section was out in force for Mr Pickwick's March Madness 200km from Tewkesbury on Saturday.

I enjoyed the luxury of a ride up to Tewkesbury in Tommy's van. There was room for 3 bikes in the back, but Mike G in true Audax spirit, elected to ride to the start. This was certainly no mean feat, as Mike G was up and away by 3.30am.

Arriving at the Royal Hop Pole, he naturally felt quite chuffed with himself. Speaking to a fellow Audaxer, who had also ridden there, Mike G asked if he'd come far. 'From Northampton, I left at midnight' came the reply! (Having checked the AA Route Planner, avoiding motorways, that's a distance of 72.6 miles. Oh and he also rode home again afterwards).

After a complimentary breakfast of fried egg rolls for Mike G and Tommy, and toast for me (I couldn't wait any longer for my sausages in a roll to arrive), we set off for the ride proper at 7.30am. 

After a flat first 10 miles, we then started the slow climb up to British Camp at the top of the Herefordshire Beacon in the Malvern Hills.

Flowerdew's

Our first control was at the excellent Flowerdew's Cafe in Bromyard. The owners are keen cyclists themselves. They know exactly the sort of food cyclists like to eat when they're out on the road, and always get it out quickly too.

On the approach to Bromyard my rear wheel suddenly started to slip from side to side. Looking down, I could see that the tyre hadn't deflated. The problem persisted for a short while. Before going inside Flowerdew's I checked the bike over and unable to find anything amiss, was left puzzling over what had happened. (I was later to discover that there was in fact a diesel spillage, which had brought a number of riders down).

The Forest of Dean Heritage Centre's rooftop cafe

From Bromyard, we rode southwards into the wind, through the rolling hills of Herefordshire. Our route skirted Much Marcle, birthplace of the loathsome mass murderer, Fred West.

It was with some relief that we arrived at the Forest of Dean Heritage Centre. With a 76km ride to the next control, we all made the most of the opportunity to refuel. 

Shortly after leaving, we experienced our first shower. Rain jackets were quickly deployed, but luckily it didn't last long.

Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester

Having crossed the Severn Bridge, the last leg took us up the Severn Estuary to Gloucester, and from there, courtesy of the A38, back to Tewkesbury. We made good progress thanks to a tailwind. 

Near Littleton on Severn, a cyclist not taking part in the Audax, on seeing our club kit, asked if we had to cycle back to Malmesbury. It only occurred to me afterwards that when I said we were actually on our way to Tewkesbury, he might have thought I was being facetious.

Navigation through Gloucester is always a bit tricky. There's a 2 mile section along the towpath of the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal and a maze of cycle paths, which take you past the Gloucester Cathedral. Matters weren't helped by the cars leaving Kingsholm Stadium, home of Gloucester Rugby Club.

Mike G sensibly joined us in Tommy's van for the trip home. The thought of having to ride back down the A38 to Gloucester being too much for even Mike G to bear.