Blog Bulletin

This week's musical entertainment is provided by Scottish punk rock and new wave band, the Skids. Formed in 1977, the single 'Into the Valley' released in 1979, was their biggest hit. And if you're thinking that you wish you'd seen them in concert back in the day, then you'll be pleased to hear that they are currently out on the road with their 40th anniversary tour.

The request stems from the Sporting Group's recent ride to the Allington Farm Shop. Labouring up to Kingsdown, whilst admiring the spectacular scenery below, someone remarked that we were 'going out of the valley.' This was enough to evoke memories of Skids' top 10 record.

You can enjoy the Skids here. Please resist the temptation to pogo around your living room especially if you have low hanging lights.

Welcome to Castle Combe Race Circuit

This Tuesday there's an opportunity to ride with club mates at Castle Combe. The circuit is open from 5.30pm. Some of us will be riding over, leaving from outside of the Town Hall at 6.00pm. The cost to use the track is just £3 for adults and £1 for juniors, but there is a one-off £2 registration fee. To save time on the evening you can pre-register by following the link here.

If you plan on meeting us there and have a club jersey, you'll be much easier to spot. 

Slow riders use the outside of the track, fast ones the inside and medium paced through the middle. 

Whether you're looking to flex your top gears, improve your fitness or just enjoy some traffic-free cycling, it's a great place to ride.

Depending on the weather, there might be an optional stop afterwards for a glass of something fizzy at the Neeld Arms in Grittleton.

The cycle to and from the race circuit, and time spent on the track, are not club rides.

Clarions at Honeystreet Cafe in April 2016

Next Saturday sees a parting of the waves, as the Sporting Group embark on May's longer ride. The destination is the excellent Honeystreet Cafe on the outskirts of Pewsey. As a location, it has a lot to offer. There's a long, thundering descent under the ever watchful eye of the Alton Barnes White Horse, which delivers you to the banks of the Kennet and Avon Canal. Hot drinks and light snacks can be enjoyed in the spacious garden, as the boats gently chug by.

You can view and download the 59.7 mile course from here. There is 2,953 feet of elevation.

Please note that departure will be at the earlier time of 8.30am.

A good gathering of club members at Toomers on 19th April 2014

The Social Group will be visiting Toomers Garden Centre at Lydiard Millicent for their longer monthly ride. The outward leg includes a ride through Cricklade's attractive High Street with its impressive, brightly painted, Grade 2 listed Jubilee Clock.

Unless they've gone up since we last called there, Toomers' prices have got to be the cheapest on MCCC's cafe carousel. Cake portions are firmly rooted in the generous category, and if you drop a few crumbs outside, don't worry, as the chickens will soon hoover them up.

Similarly, you can view and download the 44 mile course from here. There is 1,490 feet of elevation.

The ride will be leaving at the usual time of 10.00am.

Not a Third Way ride, but it does include some of the group

Please look out for details of the Third Way's excursion later in the week.

Please don't forget that there's an alternative midweek ride every Tuesday evening run by Tim H. Distances typically are between 20 and 25 miles. The pace is slower than that of the Wednesday evening Knight Riders. Departure from outside of the Town Hall is at 6.30pm. Everyone is welcome, so if it sounds like your cup of tea, do go along. 

Tuesday's ride was a figure of 8 out to Minety and back. 

Riders: Simon Locke, Stuart, Sue Akers and Tim H.

Despite Wednesday evening's Knight Rider session probably being the warmest of the year so far, sitting outside for a post-ride drink would still have been a little on the chilly side. Even so, cycling shorts were definitely de rigueur.

We were pleased to welcome back Ian Else who made up our quintet of riders. Deploying a flat course, we visited Cirencester. Our last trip there was just before Christmas 2016, and so we were keen to see the completed work in the Market Place where the tarmac has been replaced with stylish block paving. I must say that I was hugely impressed. The scene makes a very pleasing vista, and one which the town can be rightly proud of.

Riders: Ian, Peter C, Simon Akers, Steve Clark and me, Tim W.

No longer Nymphsfield

Expectations were high for Saturday's first-ever excursion to the Fieldfare Cafe at Thistledown Farm, Nympsfield. 

Unless my eyes deceive me, from the milestone above, photographed at the top of Frocester Hill, it looks as though the village was once known as Nymphsfield.

On an overcast morning, 5 Sporting Group riders rolled out of the Cross Hayes car park.

Andrew and his daughter Kirsten - it takes two to tandem

At Hawkesbury Upton, two yellow jacketed cyclists on a sporty looking tandem, cut through us like a knife through butter. Much to our surprise, we realised that it was Andrew and his daughter Kirsten, who were running a little late.

New riders are always welcome, and younger ones especially so, as they help considerably to lower our average age. Hopefully we'll see Kirsten again soon.

Our peloton, boosted by the dynamic duo, rode the roller coaster of ups and downs into Wotton under Edge and around to Cam.

Alice looking strong at the top of Frocester Hill

Steve Clark powers his way to the top

Andrew and Kirsten picking up speed again near the summit

With just Frocester Hill standing in our way before we could reach the cafe, the only thing we could do was to mount a spirited assault. At some point the sun burst forth and emerging at the top in a euphoric mood, we wasted no time in reaching our intended destination.

Peter C notified the cafe in advance that we would be calling. Staff thoughtfully reserved a long table indoors for us. My poppy seed and elderflower drizzle cake was light and zesty. The pot of loose leaf tea delivered four good sized cups of full bodied brew, so no complaints from me.

Before we'd had a chance to familiarise ourselves with our new surroundings, we were pleased to be joined by the Social Group, which was being led by Bryan. Well done Bryan for volunteering. 

After our refreshments, with the sun having disappeared and been replaced by a blustery wind, our combined pelotons rode together back to Malmesbury. 

Social Group: Andy Poolman, Bryan, Des D and Simon (Nairo).

Sporting Group: Alice, Andrew, Ian, Kirsten, Peter C, Steve Clark and me, Tim W.

Tasty treats galore at The Old Stables Cafe, Hullavington 

Meanwhile, the Third Way, with Paul Hadley deputising for Howard, enjoyed their trip to The Old Stables Cafe at Hullavington. 

Hats off to Paul too for helping out.

Third Way: Caroline, Dave, Paul and Sue Alexander.

Sunday Series riders at Northleach

The first ride in the Sunday series took us to Northleach. Bryan tipped us off that the intended cafe stop at the Oxhouse had gone posh, so we headed for the Cotswold Discovery Centre, just out of town on the main road, which had plenty of seating inside and out, and is recommended.

A really enjoyable route so well done to the creator and a great day out.

The next Sunday ride will be prepared by Chris and will take us to Bradford on Avon via the canal path. All are welcome. 

Those riding were Des, Sue A, Stuart, Andy Poolman , Chris and Tim H.

Tim H