Blog Bulletin

I always try and avoid causing any offence on the blog. I know it's not a laughing matter, but seeing poor old Pete B with his head bandaged up, I couldn't help thinking of The Bangles' million-selling single 'Walk Like an Egyptian.' Released in 1986, it was the American Billboard magazine's number-one song for 1987. It was re-issued as a single in the UK in 1990.

As I know that Pete is such a good sport, you can listen to this very catchy tune here.

Honeystreet Cafe

This Saturday the Sporting Group embark on June's longer ride. The destination is the Honeystreet Cafe on the outskirts of Pewsey. 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.

Folly Row Cafe

The Social Group meanwhile will be visiting the excellent Folly Row Cafe at Kington St Michael.

You can view and download the 34.2 mile course from here. There is 1,116 feet of elevation.

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 the course. Both will be helpful to your Ride Leader.

For Third Way riders, please look out for Howard's email later in the week.

Clarions preparing to leave The Food Gallery, Marlborough on 30th August 2014

(From left to right, Simon L, Heather, Colin, George, Phil and Tim H)

The following day, on Sunday 18th June 2017, there's another opportunity to visit the Marlborough Downs, with the second outing in the 2017 Sunday Series.

Tim H reports that this is a lovely tried and tested route with some great scenery on the way, but advises that there are a few very steep hills to negotiate.

You can view and download the 58.02 mile course here.

The ride will leave at 10.00am.

Clarions at Callow Hill, Brinkworth

Not that any further evidence is needed to demonstrate just how unseasonal this current weather is, but here's a photograph taken on Wednesday 8th June 2016, of members at Callow Hill, Brinkworth waiting for the Flying Scotsman steam train to pass under the bridge.

In sharp contrast, last Wednesday was overcast and windy. It did stay dry though for our ride to Chalford and back, for which, Peter C, Johnathan, who was taking a short break from his revision and me, were all most grateful.

Peter C has sent the following report regarding Saturday's club ride to the AV8 Cafe at the Cotswold Airport, Kemble: 

The Sporting Group, which left at 9.00am, consisted of myself, Malc and Simon Akers - numbers were down due to many members being away doing other activities.

Nothing to report back apart from it was a very blustery ride, which none of us were particularly impressed by!

AV8 were very quick and efficient with the 3 of us going for the savory option for sustenance.

We passed the Social Group, made up of Bryan, Des D, Karine, Lyndon, Nairo, Steve Cox, Sue Akers and Tim H, on the road from the A433 to Rodmarton, where we were informed that they were delayed in meeting us for coffee by a puncture.

The ride back home was again dominated by the wind. We returned to Malmesbury at 12.30pm.

Peter C

Editor: Analysis of Howard's ride on Strava leads me to believe that he visited Jennie's Kitchen at the Cotswold Water Park. A possible reconnaissance mission ahead of the club's visit there on 24th June 2017?  

A slightly damp looking Tommy and me at Tewkesbury

Further afield on Saturday, Tommy and me completed the Mr Pickwick's High Summer Meander 214km Audax from Tewkesbury.

With rain expected in the Tewkesbury area at around 6.30pm, we were keen to complete the ride before then. Unfortunately the wind did its best to thwart our efforts. We were plagued by a headwind for the first 50 miles. The only respite came with the tree-cover in the Forest of Dean. The long awaited tailwind never really materialised. Instead, the wind swirled around in all directions throughout the remainder of the ride. A wrong turn, which added an extra 4 miles and incurred an unnecessary lengthy ascent of the appropriately named Breakheart Hill into Mitcheldean, meant that we were rained on over the last 3 miles.

If the idea of riding a 200km Audax or further appeals to you and you'd like to join us, please speak to Tommy or me and we'll tell you the rides we have planned. There's a very good chance we'll be doing a 400km in July. We're also eagerly awaiting Mike G's return once his hand has recovered sufficiently. Non-Audax UK members pay just £2 extra.

Danger Route Submersible

Myself and Sian visited the Vendee region of France during the bank holiday week for rest and to experience riding on the wrong side of the road (which I do quite a lot in the UK too!).

http://vendeevelo.vendee-tourism.co.uk/

Vendee is situated in Brittany and is around 3.5 hours drive from Caen. The area is very flat and was blessed with some of the best roads I have ridden in a long time. Many of the villages and towns also have dedicated cycle ways which are publicly funded and the French motorists all give you space when passing - I found out that it's an on-the-spot fine if this rule is violated.

Not a cloud in the sky

Most mornings we were out for 2/3 rides prior to returning to our camp site where we enjoyed Kingdom Coffee (also available in Malmesbury Abbey) and a nice soak in the pool prior to doing other activities in the afternoon.

Peter does his bit for British exports by advertising Stowford Press cider

My highlight of the week was riding across The Passage Du Gois, which is a 3 mile causeway linking the mainland to the island of Noirmoutier, which is only accessible at low tide - here is the link to the webcam:

http://uk.ile-noirmoutier.com/ot-noirmoutier-en/principal-en/my-useful-info/meteo-marees-webcam-en/webcam

This crossing has been used as part of the Tour de France course and will be used on the first day next year.

The causeway stretches out into the distance

We set off at 0630 on the Friday after studying the tide times to cross it at 0810 that morning. When we arrived the lights were flashing to say do not cross, but I had ridden that far and so there was no turning back. I can safely say that we did not get wet feet!

After all that excitement we had to call in to a local patisserie from a quick coffee and a pain au raisin prior to riding back home.

Peter C

Editor: Thank you Peter for a very interesting insight into your recent vacance. Now that we're entering the summer holiday season, it would be great to hear from other members about their holiday experiences.

Peter C has been quietly beavering away crafting courses to all points of the compass. You can find them on the MCCC Strava page for the Saturday rides and the Malmesbury Knight Riders Strava page for the Wednesday sessions. Alternatively, you can see them all on the calendar page of the club website.

I'm sure that you'll agree with me that there's an interesting and varied selection of routes and destinations.

Please support the club rides when you can.

To whet your appetites, here's where we're heading on Saturdays:

24.06.17
Social Group - Jennie's Kitchen, Cotswold Water Park
Sporting Group - Jennie's Kitchen, Cotswold Water Park

01.07.17
Social Group - Wickwar Coffee Shop
Sporting Group - Wickwar Coffee Shop

08.07.17
Social Group - Jolly Nice Cafe, Frampton Mansell
Sporting Group - Jolly Nice Cafe, Frampton Mansell

15.07.17
Social Group - The Canteen, Nailsworth
Sporting Group - The Canteen, Nailsworth

22.07.17
Social Group - National Trust Tearoom, Lacock
Sporting Group - National Trust Tearoom, Lacock

29.07.17
Sporting Group - Pye Corner, Chepstow (Depart 8.30am)