Boots & Spurs January 2020

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The National Clarion Cycling Club Member Magazine

£2 (Free to members)

January 2020

Obituraries + The Touring Pages + The Ultimate Audax + Guest Contributor + Race Results + Section News and much more

A hard day out in the Dales – up from Goredale Scar

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BOOTS - EDITORIAL I

don’t know what the summer has been like for you, but here in Nor­ folk we have lost too many rides to gale force winds and thunderstorms. They always seem to occur on Satur­ days. Inconsistent I think would be the best way of describing the weather this year. I guess the wall to wall sunshine of last summer left us optimistic that this one would be the same and then the reality of a traditional British sum­ mer kicked in. But it seems from your articles and ride reports that Clarion members are made of stern stuff and are not put off by the weather, either at home or abroad.

For this, my second issue of Boots and Spurs, we have not only reports of the continuing success of our sections across the country, but also of national racing and time trial events, lots of touring both home and abroad, along with general enjoyment involving bicycles. Don’t let anybody try and tell you that the Clarion is only a club for competitive cycling.

Ever since bicycles were invented, rid­ ers have wanted to go faster or to be the fastest, but for most, bicycles were just transport to get to work or for leisure, with club members swapping wheels at the weekend and discarding mudguards, to ride competitively.

Whilst meandering around the lanes of North Norfolk a few weeks ago I can across an interesting piece of bi­ cycle related stained glass in Edgefield church, depicting Canon Macron. A remarkable man, in the 1880’s he had the original Norman church moved stone by stone across the road to its

current site, for reasons which weren’t entirely clear! But this is not depicted in the window, rather he is remem­ bered as the “cycling parson” with the words –“I have ridden every road high and low with tyres wood, solid and pneumatic” encircling an image of him on his bike. His life seemingly spanned decades of bike development

Perhaps we need a cycling curiosities section in Boots and Spurs to remind us of the wide appeal of the bicycle and cycling as a means of transport, a leisure activity and a competitive one. Pictures and articles please for the next issue, of all those oddments you have spotted on your travels.

Edward

bootsandspurs@clarioncc.org

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OBITUARIES

Hilda Fox: 23rd November 1924 to 24th January 2019 A

few years ago, I called to see Hilda on her 90th birthday. Her house was full of over 100 cards and flowers, from not only her family and friends but also from the great and the good of British Cycling. Such was the high regard in which she was held by all who met her.

Hilda bought her first bike when she was fourteen, paying half a crown a week from her wages at the mill where she worked. With this bike she developed a love of cycling that would stay with her all of her life.

She had been cycling for about five years when, whilst working for Fairey Engi­ neering, she met members of Stockport Clarion, who invited her to join. This she did in September 1942 under her maid­ en name of Hilda Shaw. According to the records she paid her six shillings and sixpence and bought an EPNS Clarion badge for one shilling and ten pence.

Although she enjoyed time trialling and club runs in these early years, it was only after her marriage to George Fox and the birth of her three children that she came to prominence in the racing world. George gave her encouragement and coaching and she improved a lot, leading to a bronze medal in the 1958 Ladies 100 mile championship, behind Beryl Burton and Millie Robinson. She also finished third in the Women’s B.A.R. that same year. Her 4 hours 46 still stands as the Ladies record for Stockport Clarion, together with her 50 mile and 12 hour times from that period.

It is interesting to note that although George Fox was a member of the Dukinfield Cyclists Club, they did not allow women to be members at that time and all Hilda’s racing was done for the Clarion. When Dukinfield eventually did allow women to join, Hilda became a member and was soon their first female president. She was also a member of the Manchester Ladies Cycling Association and the Rough Stuff Fellowship. She was of course a life member of the Clarion.

Whenever I saw Hilda she would say that buying a bike was the best thing she ever did and more than once she told me that if she could live her whole life again she wouldn’t change a thing. If only we could all say that when in our nineties.

The last time I saw Hilda was earlier this year when she stopped to wish me a Happy New Year. After chatting for a while she got back on her beloved Berry and Bentley and I watched her ride away. A little over a week later, she passed away peacefully at home.

Hilda leaves two children, seven grand­ children and six great grandchildren, the youngest of which is Monty Fox Dugdale who was born on the day she died.

Merlin Evans

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OBITUARIES

Peter Milsom P

eter Milsom, a lifelong member of the Calder Clarion cycling club and York Clarion Camping Club, died peacefully at tea time on Friday 9th August, a week short of his 81st birthday and after a 14 year fight with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Joan, two sons, Paul and Richard; and his five grandchildren.

Peter was part of the dominant Calder Clarion cyclocross team of the 1960’s and 70’s, however, he may be more familiar to the members of the National Clarion for both his distinctive beard and his participation in tandem racing at the Easter meets of the 1980’s and 90’s.

Peter continued racing cyclo-cross right up until the age of 75 and continued cycling whilst recuperating in between bouts of cancer, complaining that he

‘could only do two hours these days!’ Peter’s behaviour defined what it meant to give to a relationship. He undertook the role of chairman of the Yorkshire Cyclocross Association for more than 30 years, and together with Joan, hosted the committee meetings at their house for all of that time. His dedica­ tion to cycling is best demonstrated by the role he undertook in 1992 when acting as the course director for the World Cyclocross championships in Leeds.

Peter was extremely well loved and highly regarded member of the Clarion community and will be sorely missed. He was a regular at Easter Meets for many years and used to bring his fam­ ily with him. He also was an excellent cabinet make and made many of our trophy cases for the National Clarion, which provided valuable protection every Easter when transporting and dis­ tributing the club’s valuable silverware.

Ian Clarke

CONTENTS

Editorial 2

Obituaries 3

Blackpool in the Hebrides 5

West Lothian – Forest Cime Sportive 6

Tour de Nottinghamshire 8

Family touring in the Netherlands 10

More Dutch adventures 12

A ride across America 14

Team Flapjack Lejog 15

Some musings on fellowship & home­ made frame for a Sunday bike 16

Cinderella clubs 18

When Barry met the President 19

The ultimate Audax 20

Some musings on the T de F 22

Results 23

Future events 30

Section reports 32

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BLACKPOOL CLARION’S OUTER HEBRIDES TOUR MAY 2019. F

our of us drove from the Fylde to Oban’s SYHA for the first night of our ten day Tour.

The 5 hour Cal Mac crossing to Barra was not until the afternoon, so after a breakfast in Weatherspoons we visited the tidal Falls of Lora and Dunstaffnage Castle. In the early evening, as we arrived in Barra the weather was typically Scottish, we hoped it would pick up and it did!

The next day was sunny as we headed south via the causeway to Vatersay and the start of Hebridean Way, before calling at Barra Airport for a brew where we watched the planes land on the beach. A much later than planned ferry took us to South Uist where we were met by an incredible headwind resulting in our 10pm arrival at Benbecula’s wonderful Nunton House Hostel, which was the 18th century home of the Clan Chief of the MacDonald’s.

Causeways link many of the Islands including Benbecula and North Uist where we rode up Clettreval Hill overlooking Skye to the East and the distant St Kilda archipelago to the West. I was sporting my Clitheroe Clarion Jersey and a passing walker remarked “Excellent views, but not as good as the Trough of Bowland!”

At the stunning Malacleit beach a local couple invited us into their cottage for tea and cakes. We managed to drag ourselves away just in time for the last ferry to Harris and the scenic route along the west coast before turning East to Tarbet.

Over the next couple of sunny days we took in the Callanish Stones, the Butt Of Lewis at the Northern end of the Hebridean Way and Tiumpan Head on the Eye Peninsula from where we could see the many Highland Peaks from Cape Wrath to Skye.

Next it was back to Tarbet for the Skye Ferry and we climbed over the Quiraing and on to to Broadford YH, returning to the mainland with a stop at Glenfinnan Viaduct before our penultimate hostel at Fort William and a late ‘meal deal’ in Spoons. The final day’s ride, via Glencoe, returned us to Oban after a total of around 500 miles. The final day was the long drive before home via the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel.

THE TOURING PAGES

This issue sees a plethora of touring and sportive reports from our members, including family journeys, individual odysseys and group challenges. We salute you all for your tenacity and desire to spread the

Clarion name far and wide. Keep up the good work. Ed

For video see the tiny URL address. www.tinyurl.com/y3w5tz3v

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E

ight of us from West Lothian Clarion decided to take on the 3 day Forest Cime event based in the Jura Mountains with 180 competitors in total. This involved 3 back to back rides of approx. 130km each and with an uphill 10km time trial within each route. What we hadn’t catered for was a record breaking heatwave which at its max involved riding in 43 degree heat.

Logistics involved flying to Geneva with luggage / bike bags and picking up two vans to transport us to a lovely (but hot) hotel in Oyonnax for a very sweaty night’s sleep. We briefly popped over to Arbent for registration and bike set up and followed this with a carb loading dinner.

Day 1: was Arbent to Lamoura (150km and 3290M of ascent) with the timed climb on La Pesse at 107km in. Scenery was excellent, roads were quiet and tree lined which initially offered some protection, (we all became shade monkeys for the duration) along with Factor 50 and copious bottle refills from feed stops/ fountains and motor bikes with fridge boxes. We particularly enjoyed the food stops, with 2 local cheeses to saviour, as well as the first big descent. All seemed fine at the feed stop La Poizat 97km in to the ride. Then started the long drag up La Pesse. Any thoughts of posting fast times were long gone as we switched in to survival mode in the worst of the heat. Unfortunately there followed a 30 minute spell (better known as the great meltdown) as 6 of us succumbed to a mix of heat

WEST LOTHIAN CLARION TRIP TO

FOREST CIME SPORTIVE

2019: 28 - 30TH JUNE

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exhaustion and cramp and had to opt for the broom wagon 12km in while the remaining two soldiered on to the finish.

Day 2: was Lamoura to Lamoura and we, along with many others, opted for the reduced route option due to soaring temperatures, which meant 130km with 2179M of ascent. As a group we fared much better and resplendent in our Forest Cime event tops we fired down the fast descent of Col De la Givrine and straight on to the timed climb of Col Du Marchairuz which peaks at just under 1500m.

Rejuvenated after the feed station at the top, we descended back down enjoying the rolling Swiss countryside as well as making use of the fountains to soak our heads and feet. We finished all together back at Lamoura ready for a cold shower, feast and a beer.

Day 3: The road back to Arbent offered 130km and 2400m of ascent with the timed climb up La Faucille at 1323m occurring at 44km but not before another enjoyable long

descent off Col de la Givrine. The views at the top of Faucille were stunning, as was another long windy descent off Faucille which went way down as evidenced by the rapidly increasing air temperature. The final food stop couldn’t come quickly enough and we enjoyed its multi faceted delights, including local cheeses (Comte) in whatever shade there was. The final climb up Col de sur la Semine was hot but at least from there it was mainly downhill to Arbent where we all crossed the line together.

This was a very enjoyable event but proved a tough challenge in the soaring heat. Well organised with plenty local support throughout ,which helped keep spirits high as did the scenery including views of Lake Geneva, Mont Blanc and many cows with clanging bells on.

Six of us stayed on to head further south for 2 days in the Alps which involved Alpe Huez, Sarenne, Lauteret, Galibier, Glandon and Croix de Fer but under more manageable temperatures.

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TOUR DE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

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n idea conceived over a pint, with a gestation period of several years had eventually come around to this. Thirteen Tuxford riders of mixed ages and cycling palmarés met at 6.30 in the morning, alongside the River Trent to embark on an attempt to ride around the outer-most roads of the county in a day. With an ideal window of fine weather interrupting the British summer, 153 miles lay before us.

Due to my addiction to coffee and need to stay properly fuelled, I’d split the ride into six short legs. On the early roads south along the Trent valley, our stronger riders took the first few turns on the front and we’re quickly reprimanded for pushing the pace. We’d no need to ride at 20mph on the flats.

After Newark, we rode through the glorious Vale of Belvoir and onto the rolling lanes of the Wolds. Breakfast at the incredibly picturesque and welcoming, Old Wharf Tearooms in Hickling allowed us to refuel and observe Red Kites being chased by Crows, whilst a youngster pulled a perch from the wharf basin while fishing with his dad.

The Wolds turned into the Soar Valley at Stanford as we turned North for the first time. Normanton, Sutton Bonington, Kegworth and Ratcliffe sailed by with the group working well together. As we entered Long Eaton our country lane dreams were shattered as suburban Nottingham was enjoying a Carnival. Local knowledge quickly came up with a re-route to keep us moving and we rode on through busy roads to our lunch stop at 70 miles, 25 minutes ahead of our schedule.

A few more miles of busy suburbia and we were riding through rolling hills and pit villages bordering Derbyshire. As we got to our highest point in Huthwaite, a dramatic, un-coordinated slow up in the front riders saw Dave Smith touch wheels and hit the tarmac. With a sore elbow, Dave remounted and carried on otherwise unscathed.

Prior to a mid-afternoon cake stop in Pleasley, we came to the rescue of an elderly gent in need of an innertube change. We willingly assisted with the tube change and inflation but drew the line at going anywhere near the chain which was holding more oil than Texas.

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Fellowship is Life, but black hands are above the call of duty.

A blast around Worksop on main roads was necessary and again we were into open country and heading for our final break at Bawtry, the ‘Kings Road’ of Nottinghamshire. Miscommunications with Fred our trusty support man in Nige’s van found him six miles behind us waiting to watch us ride by! The local Co-op did the trick until Fred arrived. With a final re-stocking of pockets we were off on the 31-mile push for home.

As we got rolling and the heat started taking its toll, Dave Smith swapped his helmet for a headband, opting for a look that was somewhere between Laurent Fignon, Mark Knopfler and Rambo. For

the first time in the day, a head wind came into play. Step forward Matthew Burbidge, who, with 120 miles behind us and in just his second-year riding, took a gargantuan 12-mile turn on the front and took on the wind before swinging off as we turned south for the first time in many hours.

We were now riding for home on our local roads and realisation that it was ‘In the Bag’, with just one puncture, the slowest crash known to man and one brief loss of the support van.

We rode into the Pub Car Park in Dunham to cheers from family and club mates, having completed the longest Tuxford Clarion group ride to date. Over a pint, different voices were asking, ‘What’s next?’

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n the morning of July 28th, the Clarkes loaded up our bikes and set off for the Netherlands. Cycling from our house in East Markham to Retford where we boarded our train to Hull. Upon arrival we cycled through town to board our ferry in time for the 8:30 crossing.

Jenny and I were on the tandem with a air of pannier bags front and back. Ian and Monty were on their solos with a pair of pannier bags each; Ian also carrying an extremely useful bar bag containing such important items as tickets, passports, money and maps! To keep weight down, things were decanted into small bottles make-up and hairspray stayed at home! We limited ourselves to two casual outfits each. Travel wash was packed too so that we could make do with two sets of cycling clothes each; one in the wash/one on our backs! As well as cycling rain capes, we each had a non-fluorescent yellow pack-a-mac, for summer-shower sightseeing, plus a pair of civvy shoes each, first aid kit, sun cream and energy bars completed our loads. Monty may have compared cycling with pannier bags to carrying two small elephants, but we really did make sure his burden was kept to a minimum! Honest!!

We aimed to cover about 30-35 miles a day with stops every 10 miles or after every hour. Sometimes stops would be at a cafe for some cake, fries, ice-creams or coffees but also they could be just a little stop for some sweets and a chance to look more closely at something and take some pictures. Our days would start at about 10 am and we’d generally be at our next destination hotel by 4 pm. By which time we’d be ready for a shower, a meal and some city exploration on foot.

Our first night was at a place called Noordwijk, where we stayed at a StayOkay. These are exceptionally modern and exciting new International Hostels. We were impressed with their facilities and friendliness. Our first day to Noordwijk ended up being our longest! We cycled 10 extra miles than we’d hoped to do that day, after we realised that the Ferry had delivered us to the opposite side of the harbour to the one we were expecting! It was a hard day for the children riding along undulating dune cycle-paths we hadn’t been counting on in ‘flat’ Holland!

Day two had us cycling about 30 miles to Amsterdam, where we stayed at an Air

FAMILY CYCLE-TOURING HOLIDAY

IN THE NETHERLANDS

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B&B. We were a stone’s-throw away from the tram where we could catch a ride to the centre of the city. This was a bike free day to experience as much of Amsterdam culture as we could. Highlights included a river boat and hours of fun at the Nemo Science Museum.

Day four saw us heading off in a spot of drizzle, with our freshly laundered cycling clothes and bellies full of Coco Pops and croissants, excitement for being back in the saddle was high. We had a joyous ride through pretty villages and an area of lakes to accompany us on our way to Utrecht. Another 30 ish mile day before reaching our destination. Our route took us past beautiful Dutch houses with their own boats and moorings and we had regular sightings of water birds like Swans and their cygnets, Herons, Coots and even Cormorants. Early on that day, Ian had navigated us to a point where we had to board a tiny, single-car/ cycle ferry. By the ferry there waited a very efficient and kindly ferry captain who took us across the river for not a penny.

Day five was our trip from Utrecht to Rotterdam. We knew that at some point that day we’d get wet, and we did! It was another fabulous route alongside canals and picturesque lakeside dwellings, beautiful villages with cobbled squares and welcoming cafes. We found a gem of a cyclists’ cafe en-route, ran by an extremely enthusiastic and kind Dutch gentleman called Arjan. He fed us delicious cakes and hot drinks and chatted to Ian about his passion for vintage bikes and racing. He now has a very striking new National Clarion window sticker in his shop front for all to see.

We left our new friend hoping that we’d missed the rain but no such luck; it proceeded to rain on a biblical scale for the next hour or two!

At last we arrived at our hotel in Rotterdam; a sumptuous suite in the heart of the city, with a superb view of sky scrapers and the modern architecture of Central Station. Everyone soon got warm and after a meal of pasta and freshly baked bread, plus a Tom and Jerry movie, the day’s rain became a distant memory.

Day six saw us planning for our cycle back to the ferry. We had a fairly short ride of about 20 miles to complete, which we dovetailed with an enlightening visit to Rotterdam’s Natural History Museum. The ride back to the ferry was very pleasant although quite breezy. The tandem worked hard to make sure of a sheltered position behind Ian and Monty; the two boys cycling side by side. Ian’s hand giving Monty a gentle and reassuring push on the back as they cycled through the wind. The Pride of Hull was to be our final sleep away from home before heading back to Retford by train.

Jayne Clarke

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can remember getting a ‘Painting by Numbers’ kit at Christmas when Great Aunt Beryl had run out of ideas for a present. (Do they still do them today)?

Move forward 50 years and instead of painting by numbers it’s cycling by numbers as we followed various cycle routes across The Netherlands on a six day early summer ride using the well organised and numbered system of cycle paths. My brother, Nigel, on his trusty Mercian and me, Michael, on my Spa Cycles tourer, cycled from Selby to Hull for the overnight ferry to Europort to start the trip.

Our plan was to cycle a rectangle course staying at Gouda, Breda, Middelburg and arriving back at Europort for the return crossing, with an average of 50 miles each day using a combination of dedicated cycle paths and minor roads. I’d plotted the route each day on a wonderful website: https:// www.hollandcyclingroutes.com that took us from location to location. Arriving at a junction we followed our path to the next numbered junction on our list until we

arrived at our overnight stop. The early part of the first day does go through an industrial port area but we soon turned our back on oil storage tanks and construction work to head off into countryside, the only sounds coming from the whirr of chains and frogs croaking in the dykes. The paths generally have good surfaces and are well maintained. You’ll share them from time to time with small powered two wheelers but everyone gets on fine. We crossed rivers using small ferries, snacked on coffee and apple pie, visited the obligatory windmill and chatted with groups of elderly ladies out for a morning ride on their Dutch cycles.

We arrived ahead of schedule in Gouda and found our hotel. The bikes we locked in a nearby plumber’s workshop and after a welcome shower and a pot of tea we headed out for a stroll. The following day promised thunderstorms and we left with a warning to be careful from our hostess. It did rain, but not until we were tucked up in bed at our next location, Breda. We were treated to

MORE DUTCH ADVENTURES

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a lightning show across the city. Getting to our next destination, Breda, involved a ferry crossing in a National Park. The ferry had to be summoned with a telephone call. Each time I dialled I couldn’t get through, leaving us with the realisation that we’d have to turn back and cross elsewhere, then we spotted a pair of cyclists tootling along the track towards us and the ferry crossing point. They were Dutch and soon had the small ferryboat chugging across the water to collect all four of us. The forecast for the following day wasn’t the best as we retrieved our bikes from a secure cycle park in the town a couple of minutes away from our hotel. The first few drops of heavy rain splattered on the pavement to herald our longest day in the saddle.

A head wind made matters worse as we cleared Breda and rolled out into countryside. Getting slaps on the knees from rain soaked path side greenery and struggling to see with obscured glasses took the edge off the experience. We chased brightening skies and eventually the rain stopped, improving our demeanour for the rest of the day that included another fairly long ferry crossing. On the map a cafe was marked at the crossing point to enjoy a coffee as we waited for the ferry. I asked the

waitress at what time did the ferry come and she replied ‘July”. Oops.

We had to be at that night’s hotel by 5pm and time was running away from us we retraced our route to cross the water so we compressed the mileage with a short train hop. No need to book cycle space on Dutch trains but be aware that bicycles are not allowed on trains between 4:00 and 6:30pm.

Arriving in Middelburg and finding our ‘digs’ for the night was a relief, amplified by the forecast of sunshine and tail winds for the next day. The sun was out as we headed north at a good pace on our route from Middelburg to cross water defences keeping the North Sea at bay. We enjoyed our last coffee and apple pie stop and rode past a row of charging points for battery powered bikes. The Dutch do seem to have ‘joined up writing’ when it comes to cycling.

Arriving with plenty of time at the port we were on board and enjoying a drink well before departure time. A calm crossing had us back in Hull the next day by 7:30 am and home by 2pm, just ahead of torrential rain. Total 307 miles.

Mike Cowling

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T

he Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is raced as the Tour Divide each June. 2800 miles of unsupported dirt road mayhem dodging grizzly bears and mountain lions from Banff, Canada to the Mexican Border along the Rocky Mountains. The record time is fourteen days. Or if you are sane and a mere mortal like me, you can take several months riding the route over the summer, enjoying the stunning scenery and sampling the amazing western hospitality.

You are the modern day cowboy on an iron (aluminium/carbon/titanium) horse with saddle bags. While most steeds were MTBs ridden bike packing style, I chose a flat barred gravel bike set-up with panniers. It served me well apart from some knarly technical descents which needed to be taken “slowly”.

The route for the most part consists of gravel vehicle tracks which are shared with the occasional pickups or quad bikes. There are some sections of narrow forest road and single track with some tarmac sections interconnecting the dirt roads. Even if you ride solo you’ll hook up with other riders at some time and share one of the multitude of formal or wild campsites on the route. There are some amazing climbs with awesome views. The 11,900 ft Indiana Pass

in Colorado is the highest point on the Great Divide but like the rest of the route the gradient isn’t actually too severe, but the ascents can last for hours.

While bears are always on your mind, the only thing that was a genuine problem at times was access to water and a water filter is an essential piece of kit. I haven’t had to use one while touring previously. Even here, on sections like the Great Divide Basin in Wyoming, you have to find mapped water stops or you could be in real trouble in the high desert wilderness.

While the route officially ends at the Mexican border, I peeled off early and rode back across the New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Nevada deserts on road, thankful of my newly found hot weather riding and water saving/finding skills. I had one final big climb over the Sierra Nevada Mountains before the long descent to San Francisco and the flight home.

It was an incredible journey that I would recommend to anyone. The route is mapped by the Adventure Cycling Association with all the service points and I blogged daily at www. facebook.com/BritOnABike

Nigel Blandford

THE GREAT TOUR DIVIDE –

A RIDE ACROSS AMERICA

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TEAM FLAPJACK LEJOG APRIL 2019 T

he team consisted of Andrea Latham, John Yates, Nicola Deegan and Paul Vanderkamp with Adele Vanderkamp in a supporting role. The brief was that the journey would be covered at a leisurely pace, taking a scenic route with stops at anywhere of interest, including the odd pub and café, having fun was compulsory! The intention was to make a 9am departure each morning and average approximately 80 miles per day over thirteen stages.

Here are some extracts from Adele’s Team Flapjack news reports:-

Stage 1 Set off north at 9:25am this morning, first a brief stop at St Michaels Mount and then we met at Bikechain Ricci in Redruth for a coffee and a spot of shopping in the sale with some great bargains for the girls! Next stop was lunch at Porth Beach Newquay and then they tackled some big climbs and the ferry across from Padstow to finish up at Pityme just outside Wadebridge. We have seen some beautiful beaches and stunning scenery, all in all a grand day out !

Stage 3 First coffee stop was in Wiveliscombe followed by Taunton for lunch, then a quick photo stop in Glastonbury with the finish for the day at Axbridge. Weather didn’t hold out so they arrived a bit soggy! Not such a hilly stage today 3500 ft climbing over 75 miles, so after the last two days the ride was relatively flat. Once again stunning scenery before and after the Somerset border. I had a walk around Axbridge and chose not to go out for a ride in the rain.

Stage 4 Team Flapjack set off at 9:25 this morning; it was a little chilly. First village was Cheddar and it was really nice. If you ever find yourself in the area its definitely worth a visit. Cheddar Gorge is stunning, starting off steep, 10% +, but then levelling out to about 6-7%. It would have been better without the headwind! They then headed for Bath via Chew Valley Lake, had a coffee stop and did some serious sightseeing in Bath where the sun came out!

Next stop Bristol, with amazing scenery along the way, the steep climb and the amazing views from the top of Clifton Suspension Bridge were fantastic! Afterward they headed off for the Severn Bridge crossing, still not had lunch yet but Paul was aware that time was running away with them so over the bridge and into Tintern for late lunch /early tea !! Then rode the last ten miles to our stopover in Monmouth only to have to get up a 15% hill to the B&B! There was nowhere at the B&B to park the motorhome so we set off to look for our overnight spot and we are 2 houses down on someone’s

driveway! If you don’t ask you don’t get !! Stage 13 last day. After thirteen days of cycling 1022.12 miles, 55022 ft of climbing Team Flapjack arrived at John O’Groats. They have cycled on hundreds of amazing roads and a couple of not so good ones, the scenery has been amazing! They have been so lucky with the weather only one afternoon of heavy rain and an hour of drizzle, they did have to battle the wind in a few places but it paid them back with a tailwind on some days. Only 2 punctures for the cycling members, 3 for the drivers bike! Twelve amazing B&B’s, one not so good (haunted!) and a night at home.

They left Helmsdale at 9:15 this morning and set off inland on the A897 this was 40 miles of cycling bliss, I drove it and it was amazing, only a single track road but it had plenty of passing places . I pulled over after 27 miles and we warmed Nicola and Andreas pizzas up from the night before and had a coffee and tea before they set off for Thurso. After I left them I drove straight to John O’Groats and made them a Banoffee tart for when they finished, I then got on my bike and set off to meet them on the road in. After seven miles we met up and started to cycle to the end, at one mile to go I had a puncture yet again, so our resident puncture repair man John quickly fixed it and we were back on our way, finally we arrived at the marker post and celebrated with bubbles and cake !

A massive thank you to all that rode with them, came to meet them along the way and sent messages it really gave them a boost when they needed it!

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I

think Brighton and Hove Clarion justly prides itself on fellowship, or to put it another way, having a jolly good time, not forgetting the ginger pop.

We all have different talents and engage with Clarion in different ways; I love the brilliant photographs taken by so many of you which bring recollected joy after a cycle ride; some of us have a deep knowledge of wildlife – Julian is much missed here – and can sight a bird that brings the rest of us to a juddering halt; some appreciate the finer points of Sussex crafted beers while other guzzle lemonade; others step in to lead a ride when we are leaderless on a particular Sunday; some people write burstingly factual and utterly accurate ride reports which are a model of Trumpian truth and honesty; many of us give up time to do recces and lead rides; others can de-clog a stuck gear chain in the twinkling of a spanner.

We all, most of the time (apart from the peskiness of those wretched hills designed to

sit in the landscape and inhibit our progress and enjoyment) have a great time. Our bicycles are different and our riding styles are different and our paces are different. People get lost and are then found, and we wait at junctions and we let people slowly pant to the top of hills and shake our heads as they recklessly whizz down them. We don’t, as a rule, leave people behind, even if allowing for the chasms in our different political beliefs, or even if they have none at all. We are there with one another and for one another.

We recount our exploits over varying pub lunches with some eating vegan and some mainstreaming steak and kidney pudding and others eating nothing. We talk, we laugh, we have a good time, but I think we know we are all in it together, for the fun of it, not because we are a ruthless peleton heading up the Pyrenees but because we are all there for the fellowship and group camaradie.

SOME MUSINGS ON FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship features strongly both in the past and the present amongst Clarion members. Angela Devas from Brighton and Hove Clarion has penned a few words on what it means

to them. I think you will all be able to relate to these comments. Ed

A HOMEMADE FRAME FOR A SUNDAY BIKE T

hree years ago, an article was printed in B&S about a frame building course that I went on at Ironbridge Clarion members Peter Bird and Rob Wade’s Bicycles by Design. Well it’s taken those three years to get round to building it and here’s the final product.

It wasn’t just finding the time to do it, but more importantly I had specific thoughts on what equipment would look right on a custom Reynolds 853 frame, and it took a while to decide on and source those components.

The frame design and geometry was based on frames I raced on in the 90s, namely 24” ctr to top, and 22.5” top tube (ctr to ctr) and 74° parallel head and seat tube angles. That was the base idea but before building the frame I had a bike fit with Pete Bird in his showroom above their workshop, so there were a few tweaks to those dimensions. The end result is a relatively race-bred, shortish wheelbase frame without clearance or brazings for mudguards, this is only ever going to be a fine day café bike. Ideally I was looking for 9 or 10 speed, new old stock Campag Record, because I feel the gear change positiveness is more reliable than

17

their current 11 speed, which seems to need constant fettling if you are using it regularly. However, despite plenty of overpriced and over-scuffed second hand Campag stuff on ebay, I couldn’t find any.

But I didn’t want any carbon fibre (carbon steel is OK) on this bike, so silver aluminum was the way to go, and after a lot of searching my local bike shop turned up some oldish stock of 11-speed Campag Athena which looked great. I prefer the more traditional 5 arm spider versus the 4 arm Potenza although I had to accept 11-speed as a sacrifice.

Bars and stem came next and I have always loved the Cinelli XA stem’s clean lines and it’s more reliable than the 1R stem; I managed to stumble across a very clean secondhand one at a bike jumble last year. The wheels were an easy choice. I had an excellent pair of 20 year old Campag Record hubs laced to some Mavic red anodized CXP22 rims, that I knew would go perfectly with the Tuxford red bands on the frame tubes. Tasty tyres were needed and with amber side walls, I chose some 25mm Veloflex to set things off.

Finally, I wanted to source something British that I could put on the frame that I had built at the birthplace of industry that is Ironbridge, but the only thing I could find that seemed right was one of Brooks new Cambium saddles. Perfectly fitting my vegetarian leather avoidance principles,it’s made out of some combination of canvas and rubber and held to the frame with a Campag Record titanium seat post. The allday comfort has yet to tested, but if it’s good enough for Tuxford’s Steve Makepeace, I’m hoping I can cope with it.

So that’s about it, apart from a few screws and cables…the bike is finally built in time for a few sunny and dry autumn days, and at time of writing I’d only taken it out for a few miles of testing and fine positioning adjustment, but it feels great. The biggest two surprises are, firstly how ‘racey’ it feels, maybe due to the steeper angles and shorter wheelbase than my current Enigma Etape Ti bike, and secondly how stiff the frame is when climbing. It does of course feel heavier than the Enigma, but then most of that bike is either Titanium or Carbon, so you’d expect that wouldn’t you.

Ian Clarke

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he Clarion and the Cinderella Clubs Child poverty is a world-wide scandal. Even in our own, comparatively affluent, country the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) says that 1 in 4 children still live in poverty. That’s 4.1 million kids in the UK. The CPAG tell us that between 1998 and 2011 some 800,000 were lifted out of poverty, but we have gone backwards since then.

There was even more child poverty in the 1890s but then the local Clarion organisations were determined to at least try to do something about it. Their answer was to form what were called Cinderella Clubs, dedicated simply to the notion of giving deprived and disadvantaged kids the sort of good time enjoyed by their more prosperous contemporaries, whether this was a magic lantern show with a feast or a day trip to the seaside There are reports of a Clarion Glee Club starting one Cinderella Club and many were set up in, among many other places, Wrexham and West Islington. Clarion Cycling Clubs also took part. The Nottingham CCC reported that :-

Until I did a bit of research for this article I assumed that all the Cinderella Clubs had died out long ago. But I quickly discovered that at least one is still going. The Bradford Cinderella Club has been helping to mitigate child poverty since 1890 – a good year before the Clarion paper started although Robert Blatchford, founder of the Clarion was the main inspiration.

It would probably be too tall an order for our sections to set up Cinderella Clubs nowadays but we might want to consider how we might honour and continue in some way what our predecessors did more than a century ago. Perhaps there is some local organisation doing similar work? There is no shortage of national and international ones. We might also like to contribute to the work of the only surviving Cinderella Club in Bradford. This can be done via donations@ cinderellaclub.org or by sending a cheque to the Bradford Cinderella Club, 111 Fagley Road, Bradford, B22 3 LR.

CINDERELLA CLUBS

I had no idea what these were until I received

this piece and delved in to the internet to find out more. The do of course feature in the late Dennis Pye’s excellent history of our club available from the web site shop price £ 8. Ian Bullock’s article below adds his own research to

the subject. Ed

“The Clarion Cycling Club have utilised the energy gained by the summer runs by forming

a Cinderella Club, which I am pleased to tell

you is doing good work. Favoured by liberal subscriptions, we are enabled to give a good meat

tea and entertainment fortnightly to about 200

children.”

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he following piece has kindly been written for us by Chris Sidwells, cycling journalist and author. Many of you will have copies of his numerous and thoroughly researched cycling books on your shelves, including Tour climbs, a beautifully photographed account of all the climbs used in the Tour de France, a text on historic jerseys and most recently his biographies of Tommy Simpson and Barry Hoban. The off roaders amongst you are catered for with the newly published Wild Rides, a compendium of 50 off road rides in the UK. It was a pleasure to meet him at the 125th Anniversary lunch back in February. You can find out more about Chris and details of all his books at www.chrissidwells.com or find Chris on Twitter @ChrisSidwells. All his books can be purchased via Amazon or through his web site www.cyclinglegends. co.uk, where you will also find lots of other interesting stuff to read and purchase. Ed

An ex-Clarion member who became one of Britain’s top pro racers recalls when he was taught about the Clarion’s roots by an unlikely source.

With eight stage victories in the Tour de France the ex-Calder Clarion member, Barry Hoban lies second in the all-time British Tour stage winners’ list. Okay, he’s a bit behind first place Mark Cavendish’s 30, but still one ahead of Chris Froome with seven. Add winning

Ghent-Wevelgem, third place in both Paris- Roubaix and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and a host of other successes, and the Wakefield-born Clarionista had some career.

It’s a well-documented one too, but here’s an incident you might not have heard about; one that shows the wide renown of the Clarion movement. It comes from the day when Barry met Francois Mitterand, who became President of France from 1981 to 1995, and learned something about his own roots. “I was doing the round of post-Tour de France criteriums in 1964, my first year as a pro and after my first Tour de France when this happened,” Barry says, recalling the incident.

“Chateau-Chinon was the one of the biggest post-Tour criteriums in France, and it was also where Francois Mitterrand came from. I did all the post-Tour criteriums that year with an older pro, Jean-Pierre Genet, who was in my first team, Mercier-BP and with whom I’d struck up a friendship. “Jean-Pierre was from Brittany and he knew everything and everybody, so when I saw this important looking older guy in a suit chatting to Jacques Anquetil I asked Jean-Pierre who the guy with the red rose in his lapel was. “Oh, that’s Mitterand, he’s the leader of the socialists,” he said. And I said; “What’s a socialist?” I didn’t know anything about politics, but I found out later that Mitterand knew something about me.

“There was always a celebration in those days after a criterium, a meal for riders and local dignitaries, plus others who bought tickets. I’d done well in the race and Mitterand, who loved his cycling, came up to me and said; “Ah Barry, I see you are a good socialist, you were part of a Clarion cycling club before you became a professional.” Well, I didn’t know that about the Calder Clarion, or that the Clarion movement had its roots in socialism, I joined because it was my dad’s club, but I nodded like I understood, and Mitterand went away happy.

WHEN BARRY MET THE PRESIDENT

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John Scholes of West Lothian Clarion took part in this year’s Paris- Brest – Paris 1200k Audax – a massive feat of endurance steeped in cycling history. This is his account of the pain and pleasure of long distance cycling the Audax way. For those of you not familiar with the discipline of Audax riding, more information can be found at aukweb.net

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t’s 8pm on a Sunday evening in France and I push off on my bike with the challenge to ride almost continuously for three and a half days. An unusual start time for a bike ride but this is indeed an unusual event.

In 1891 206 cyclists set off from Paris and rode to Brest on the west coast and then back again to Paris. 100 riders finished the event back in Paris a total distance of 1200km. (750 miles). Since then it has risen in popularity with endurance cyclists and the French public so that on 18th August this year over 6000 riders left Paris bound for Brest. The challenge now was to complete the ride in the allotted 90 hours.

We all have our obligatory lights and high vis vests on from the start. Everyone carries their own “brevet” card which is stamped at the start and at various control points along the way. I spend the first few miles trying to get into a large group riding at a comfortable pace. Darkness descends very quickly and we follow a trail of red lights into the night full of nervous anticipation of how the next few days will unfold. The villages welcome us with more lights and cheers of encouragement “bon courage!” from the locals sitting outside bars. We reach the first control at Mortagne-an-Perch at 118km and the first of many baguettes au jambon! On into the night to the next control at Villainesla-Juhel (217km) and another baguette.

It is now early morning and I plan to ride through until late afternoon but I cannot seem to shake off the night’s drowsiness. Eventually I stop and lie down at the roadside and almost immediately fall asleep. A few minutes later I am awake and alert I get on my bike and ride off. The sleep was bliss and gives me a fresh start each time. The sun comes up, warms my body and the adventure continues.

PARIS-BREST-PARIS THE ULTIMATE AUDAX RIDE

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hort stops at the controls of Fougéres and Tinténiac bring me to Loudeac (440km) and I need some proper rest. I have a welcome hot meal then pay five euros for a camp bed and blanket in a huge hall with hundreds of other tired cyclists. Sleep comes quickly but only for two and a half hours. Once awake, I know I will sleep no more so may as well get back on the bike again. A quick breakfast of croissants and grand café first though – this is France!

Out into the night. I feel good and pass a few riders on the hills. As I ride I chat with an Australian on a recumbent bike. He resembles a giant beetle scurrying along the road. Early morning is cold and again I feel sleepy so have another thirty winks in the dew covered grass then set off again.

The plan today is to ride to Brest and back to Loudeac (320 miles). There is a long hill before Brest and my period of feeling strong is long gone. People are passing me and it’s time to dig into the reserves I hope I have built up over all my training rides. Finally I reach the famous bridge at Brest and like everyone take a few photos. The control at Brest is mayhem so a few of us decide to stop at a patisserie we spotted on the way in. A great decision as there are so many cakes to choose from! Back on the bike and a long uphill section but the signs now read Paris rather than Brest and that feels great!

I meet a fellow Scottish rider and we swap stories of the highs and lows of the last 700km. Eventually I roll into Loudeac. Another day done and time for hot food and sleep. One and a half hours rest this time. It’s barely sufficient, but I’m awake again so back on the bike riding through the night with a few short naps at the roadside. In time the

cold night is over and I feel warm again. After a hard morning’s riding I have an early afternoon nap which gives me a surprising lift. I reach the control Villaines-la-Juhel full of cheering well-wishers and a live French commentary broadcast round the town. I feel like a professional rider but maybe I am hallucinating! The next stage of the ride is my most enjoyable. I feel strong and we ride along like it’s a Saturday morning club run, racing each other on the climbs and drafting each other on the long descents. Its exciting riding! I know I will pay for this later but I’m having too much fun to care.

We roll back into Mortagne-au-Perch again to draw breath. I have gained some time and for the first time feel confident I can finish this crazy adventure. A proper rest now would be pleasant but I can almost touch Rambouillet and the finish 120km down the road. Maybe even finish in time for Thursday morning breakfast. First I need to ride through another night so I ride for 20km before drowsiness hits me and I stop for a nap under the stars. I continue and there is a woosh of air and three Germans on a tandem fly past like a train. We chase after them and shelter in their wake, but not too close as we are all shattered and a crash would not be fun.

One last control is at Dreux where everyone is either creeping around like zombies or sprawled on the floor motionless as corpses. I have a final snack then set off for the last 45km. It’s still dark but there is a hint of the dawn. Mist is lying on the fields resembling water. The combine harvester working through the night appears like a passing ship! Eventually it’s light and we slowly ride through the forests of Rambouilet where three and a half days ago we sped along with ease. Into the town and through the grounds of the château up to the finish. A final stamp on my brevet card and it’s done. I park my bike and join hundreds of other finishers in the marquee for a meal shared with an American couple who completed the ride on a tandem. We discuss cycling and world politics and ponder which is more important in life.

John Scholes

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A

t the start of the season we were all anticipating an Ineos (nee Sky) one, two on the podium in Paris, along with Mark Cavendish blazing his way down the Champs-Elysees to win yet another stage in his search for the record. Then it all went pear shaped. Chris Froome had a very bad training accident sideling him probably for the rest of the year, Geraint Thomas had a less damaging crash which put him out of the Tour de Suisse and Mark Cavendish, after an underwhelming performance at the British National Road Race Championships, where he finished 28th, was dropped from the Dimension Data tour team, on instruction of the owner!

But of course Ineos are not the only team at the Tour. This year’s most successful European team so far this season has been Deceuninck Quick Step from Belgium, affectionately known to their fans as The Wolfpack. Lurking in the pack is an upcoming sprinter called Mike Teunissen and he blew everybody away to take stage one. From that day until stage 19 the boys in blue didn’t look back. Teunissen handed the yellow jersey to his team mate Julien Alliphillipe on day 3 and against the odds and the musings of the pundits, Alliphillipe retained it with some dignity, until his legs finally let him down on stage 19, where he slipped to second place. Freed from domestique duties by Thomas, who couldn’t match his pace at altitude, Bernal rode away to lead the race, notwithstanding the snow storms, landslides and the race abbreviation, which so upset the breakaway just as our very own Simon Yates was hunting down his 3rd stage win of the tour.

On Stage 20, the last day in the Alps Bernal was imperious, with Thomas riding for him in a role reversal from the previous weeks. By late Saturday afternoon, on a course which was curtailed to not much more than a time trial due to more landslides, Bernal was crowned the first Columbian winner of

the Tour de France and the youngest post war winner at 22. Thomas finished second with the gallant Alliphillipe slipping to fifth. So that leaves us with a single brit on the podium.

The king of the mountains jersey could have gone to any number of riders right up to the last stage, with bonus points being available at various summits along the way. In the end the tenacity of Romain Bardet from AG2r, instantly recognisable by their blue and brown kit, saw him gather up the points and the polka dot jersey. Some consolation for the French fans.

For completeness I have to report that the Green Jersey, for the best overall sprinter, went to Peter Sagan the irrepressible Slovak, who has now held this virtually unchallenged for 7 years in a row.

But what of the other sprinters in Cav’s absence – how we missed the sweary tantrums and the twinkling smile, mingled with that Manx accent. After two years of illness, your correspondent reluctantly concludes that Cav’s days at the top on the road at least, may be over. In his place you need to watch out for Dylan Groenewegen and Caleb Ewan as well as the aforementioned Teunissen. Ewan, the “Aussie rocket” claimed the bragging rights on the final day, ripping up the Champs- Elyesses from behind the charging Edvald Bossan Hargen of Dimension data, to finish in a strong first place, with Groenewegen a wheels length behind.

The changing of the guard truly played out across France this July.

SOME MUSINGS ON THE TOUR DE FRANCE

- by your roving correspondent.

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1st Jack Levick Tuxford 52.56

2nd Rod Mason Stockport 54.53 & 1st Vet & team

3rd Gavin Wright Bury 57.04

4th Paul Whitaker Stockport 58.38 & team

5th Michael Geaney Stockport 58.50 & team

6th Ian Clarke Tuxford 59.44

7th Jon Longworth Bury 59.45

8th Karl Norman Bury 1.01.14

9th Paul Preece Bury 1.01.43

10th Joanna Cebrat Bury 1.04.34 & 1st Lady

11th Nigel Wood Bury 1.07.05

12th Sarah Minchin Calder 1.20.51

Team winners: Stockport 2hrs 52.21

INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP

R

iding in his first claim colours of Rose Race Team, Jack Levick who has been a member of Tuxford Clarion since it was formed, produced a storming ride of 52m 56 secs in the Stretford Whellers open event on the J2/9 course around Jodrell Bank in Cheshire. The championships had been rescheduled from late July following the very heavy rains in the North-West that cancelled so many events. But this event was run off at around 25degC, with a 10-15mph Easterly wind, not a great day but some fast times recorded nonetheless.

Fastest lady on the day was Joanna Cebrat of Bury Clarion, with the fastest team being taken by Stockport Clarion with three riders all under the hour.

The J2/9 (Goostrey or Twemlow Green) circuit

is an interesting circuit with lots of variation, a few short climbs and a few tricky junctions. Riders complete 1 and a half laps of this circuit and I have to say that the last half seemed a lot harder than the first …I was really struggling to hold my average pace, only spurred on by not wanting to be caught by Jack Levick for 11 minutes. As it happened I held him off and he ‘only’ beat me by 7 minutes. With 4 or 5 miles to go, I turned at Ollerton, and the need to freewheel the corner gave me intense cramp in my left calf…interestingly, almost the same place where it happened in the Clarion 50 champs about 9 years ago. Riding through that cramp whilst looking at my average speed hovering around 25.0mph was something that I won’t forget for a while.

Ian Clarke

JACK LEVICK STORMS TO WIN CLARION 25 CHAMPS,

AND OVERALL ‘OPEN’ WIN

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Now including the Easter Meet circuit races from York

Women’s Competition:

1. Joanna Cebrat Bury 180

2. Lindsay Clarke Fenland 180

3. Sarah Minchin Calder 120

4. Hannah Bayes Yorks Coast 50

5. Jayne Clarke Tuxford 40

6. Melanie Evans Fenland 40

Men’s Competition:

1. Jack Levick Tuxford Clarion 190

2. David Glew Calder Clarion 70

3. Paul Whitaker Stockport 60

4. Alex Ball West Lothian 50

5. Dave Langlands Fenland 50

6. Phil Longstaff Calder 50

Section Competition (including the 3 up)

1. Tuxford 267 points

2. Calder 160

3. Stockport 130

4. Fenland 103

5. Bury 92

6. Nottingham 57

NATIONAL CLARION HILL CLIMB CHAMPS

– BEELEY MOOR

– DERBYSHIRE P

romoted by our close friends in Chesterfield Coureurs (of whom at least 5 of them are 2nd Clarion Tuxford Clarion), this year’s Hill Climb Champs, were yet again held on the fantastic Beeley Moor Hill not far from Chatsworth House. This year, roads were closed, making for an even better attended event of some 130 riders, although only 10 riders from the Clarion had entered.

But it was still a worthy event, one where Bury’s Joanna Cebrat’s winning ladies’ time of 13.17.1 beat Lindsay Clarion from Fenland, who only a few days before had become a World Masters Team Pursuit Champion.

The men’s event was won by Jack Levick of Tuxford Clarion, in a time a little slower than last year. Last year’s 2nd place rider Oliver Humphries dropped to 4th with Stockport’s Paul Whitaker producing a fabulous time of 10 minutes and 12 secs.

POINTS COMPETITION 2019 –

AS OF 3RD NOVEMBER 2019

1st Jack Levick* Tuxford Cl 10.07.6

2nd Paul Whitaker Stockport Cl 10.12.2

3rd Dan Ward* Tuxford Cl 10.34.7

4th Oliver Humphries Private member 10.40.4

5th Andrew Spittlehouse Calder Cl 11.01.9

6th Peter Campbell * Heanor Cl 11.47.7

7th Joanna Cebrat Bury Cl 13.17.1

8th Lindsay Clarke Fenland Cl 13.39.7

9th Steve Clarke Fenland Cl 16.31.0

Hill Climb Results

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CLARION 3-UP TEAM TIME TRIAL CHAMPS

Nottingham and Tuxford sections run the best event to date

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or the second year running as an open time trial, Francis Grafton in his 50th year of running time trials, put on a superb event with the help of friends from Nottingham and Tuxford.

The event was held again on Tuxford’s Polly Taylor’s course, which is two and a bit laps of their evening 11.3 mile course around Tuxford and various Trent-side villages. It’s a great course, wide, safe and relatively free of traffic and whilst you could describe it as a ‘sporting’ course, there were several sub-hour rides, including ‘open’ winners Rose Race Team led by Jack Levick. Jack is Tuxford 2nd claim these days and recorded a 50m 49s time with his team, only 9 seconds off the winners of last year’s eventOnce again the Tuxford Cup was won by Nottingham section’s A team, with Fenland A taking 2nd and Tuxford A taking 3rd. Most pleasing was the 19 teams in total of which there were 6 ladies teams, including 3 Clarion ladies team. Tuxford fielded 4 teams in total, with this being the first ever open time trial for several of their members.

Personally, my highlight was coming round the final corner in Tuxford town centre, on the last lap, to be cheered on by several teams who had already finished and were waiting enthusiastically on the pavement to encourage the rest of us. The whole event had a really professional feeling about it.

If you’ve never ridden a team time trial, then make sure you ride this one next year. Team time trials have a fantastic team spirit, creating a real ‘buzz’ between team mates that you just don’t get in any other form of racing.

Ian Clarke

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Lindsay Clarke wins world masters track medals – Manchester

Top of the billing must go to Lindsay Clarke of Fenland Clarion who, with her team mates Julie Scales, Jaine Daine and Lynne Biddulph beat the Americans to the Gold medal position in the Team Pursuit with a time of 5:01.58. The Americans one down on the final lap, couldn’t match the pace of Team “Swing Up Sister” and had to slow down to reform. This cost them time which proved to be fatal.

To crown a successful weekend after weeks of training at the Derby Velodrome, Lindsay also took home a bronze medal in the F55+ Scratch Race.

Congratulations on a magnificent and well deserved achievement – The Clarion’s very own World Champion – we are proud of you.

National Clarion Criterium Race Championship

On his 59th birthday – National Racing Secretary Steve Clarke, decided to put his organisational skills on hold and race his new (second-user) bike. The bike, a gorgeous Ridley Noah, could have been made for Steve,

white but with red/yellow/black graphics to match his Fenland strip…no ordinary bike this, it used to be world class road sprinter Andre Greipel’s bike…Steve rode his new machine to a credible 12th place.

Not so much fun for Steve’s wife Lindsay, resplendent in her BC vets National Champion’s skinsuit, or at least until 20 minutes into the race, when a crash in front of her, caused her to split her helmet open, and rip her National Champs skinsuit. Made of tough stuff, Lindsay jumped back on her bike so quickly, but after a few laps, realised she should probably stop and get her concussion checked out.

In this race, the senior winner for the second time was North Cheshire Clarion’s Paul Wilkinson, with Tuxford’s Jack Levick improving his last year’s 4th place to second. Bury came in 3rd and 4th with Junior Francis Woodcock pipping his mentor Joe Cadwallader to third place.

Earlier in the Youth races Gabby Scott of North Cheshire was third over the line in the Under 12 races, taking 1st girl award. Further disruption in the Youth ranks also by North Cheshire, when U14 rider Seb Grindley, beat the two U16 riders in a mixed U16/U14 race.

RESULTS

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U8 boys

1. Theodore Stanley Calder

2. Ben Richardson Bury

3. Dillan Cadwallader Bury

U8 girls

1. Betty Jones North Cheshire

2. Laura Tozer Fenland

3. Zoe Scott North Cheshire

U10 boys

1. Tom Warwick Calder

2. Monty Clarke Tuxford

3. Seth Jones Calder

U12 boys

1. Albi Jones North Cheshire

2. Harry Tozer Fenland

3. Matthew Hill North Cheshire

U12 girls

1. Gabby Scott North Cheshire

2. Auife Byrne Calder

U14 boys

1. Sebatian Grindley North Cheshire (also winner of the U16)

2. Jack Cook Calder

3. Simeon Kilroy North Cheshire

U16 boys

1. Lewis Smith Calder

2. Sam Jarrett Fenland

Senior, Junior, Veteran & Ladies race:

1. Paul Wilkinson North Cheshire

2. Jack Levick Tuxford

3. Francis Woodcock Bury

1st Junior

4. Joe Cadwallader Bury

1st veteran

5. James Duffy Bury

6. Carter Howe Heanor

7. Stephen Degnan Calder

8. Mark Jones Bury

9. Martin Jalowiec North Cheshire

10. Chris Shaw Fenland

11. John Fletcher Calder

12. Steve Clarke Fenland

13. Joanna Cebrat Bury

1st Lady

14. Matthew Cook Calder

15. Sarah Minchin Calder

RESULTS

Wins by section: North Cheshire: 5, Calder 3.

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Position Name Surname Club Cat Time

1st Stewart Bates Nottingham Clarion C.C. Vet 54 .27

1st Anthony Jackson Nottingham Clarion C.C. (A) Senior

1st Mike Cooke Nottingham Clarion C.C. Senior

2nd Simon Pitchford Fenland Clarion Vet 55 .16

2nd Paul Lunn Fenland Clarion (A) Vet

2nd Steve Kaye Fenland Clarion Vet

3rd Ian Clarke Tuxford Clarion Vet 59 .08

3rd Scott Harrison Tuxford Clarion (A) Vet

3rd Adam Coupe Tuxford Clarion Senior

4th John Odell Nottingham Clarion C.C. Vet 59 .12

4th Rob Saunders Nottingham Clarion C.C. (B) Senior

4th Daniel Heywood Nottingham Clarion C.C. Vet

5th Simon Fenwick Tuxford Clarion Vet 1.02.07

5th Neil Pike Tuxford Clarion C) Vet

5th Sean Longworth Tuxford Clarion Vet

CLARION 3-UP CHAMPIONSHIPS

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6th Matthew Burbidge Tuxford Clarion Senior 1.03.18

6th Andrew Goodwin Tuxford Clarion (B) Vet

6th Simon Grayson Tuxford Clarion Vet

7th Steve Clarke Fenland Clarion Vet 1.05.55

7th Philip Merritt Fenland Clarion (B) Vet

7th Ian Aunger Fenland Clarion Vet

8th Mel Evans Fenland Clarion W Vet 1.06.29

8th Lindsay Clarke Fenland Clarion C W Vet

8th Tonya Smith Fenland Clarion W Vet

9th Jessica Beyer-Lyons Nottingham Clarion W Vet 1.09.30

9th Clem Bird Nottingham Clarion W Espoir (composite team)

9th Jayne Clarke Tuxford Clarion W Vet

10th Rebecca Chadwick Tuxford Clarion W sen 1.14.55

10th Catherine Harrison Tuxford Clarion (D) W Vet

10th Rachel Tully Tuxford Clarion W Vet

CLARION 3-UP CHAMPIONSHIPS

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here are four events listed below which should appeal to a wide range of competitors and spectators. Starting with the track championships at Derby. If you have never been to a track event then this is a great one for spectators too. Riders and spectators get along to Derby to watch the excitement. I guarantee you will be hooked. This has to be one of the most exciting disciplines in this sport of ours as riders chase each other round a heavily banked indoor track, either in individual events or the mayhem of a mass start points race. You will find them all at Derby at the start of February.

If time trialing is your thing then you have to be at Granby at the end of May or at the Tuxford team event in July. How about putting a team together from your section. Get your TT mates to ride with you in this challenging event. Last year’s was described as “the

best ever” three up event, run successfully by Nottingham. Perhaps we can take the event to a new high in 2020.

At the end of the season our competitive minds turn to hill climbing. For those of you in the north this is of course second nature. Come and compete against the best in the Clarion at Beely Moor on Sunday 18th October.

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF ENTERING

ONE OF OUR NATIONAL COMPETITIONS.

2020 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Sunday 2nd February

Track Championships at Derby Velodrome

Details to be provided and entry via BC website in January.

Sunday 31st May

50 mile TT Champs – Granby Notts

Promoted by Nottingham Clarion, entry via CTT forms or CTT website 2 weeks in advance

Sunday 19th July

25 mile 3-up TTT Champs – Tuxford

Promoted by Nottingham Clarion, entry via CTT forms or CTT website 2 weeks in advance

Sunday 18th Oct

Hill Climb Champs – Beeley Moor - Derbyshire

Promoted by our friends at Chesterfield Coureurs – entry via CTT website 2 weeks in advance

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CLARION 100 RECORD TAKES A

THRASHING

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n 2017, Fenland’s Paul Lunn, took the National Clarion 100 mile men’s record down to a phenomenal 3 hrs 40 mins and 11 secs, 27.25 mph average on the A100/4 Uttoxeter bypass course on the A50 between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. But in September this year, despite Paul beating his previous time by over 2 minutes, Tuxford’s Shawn Gough, in his 2nd 100 TT (his first was a 3.41.02) went even faster on the same day and yet again on the A100/4 with a 3.34.26 a fraction of a watt below 28 mph.

Shawn started racing with Tuxford Clarion in 2016, having never ridden before and has become naturally suited to mid to long distance time trials. His first three 10 mile TTs averaged more than 30 mph, earning him the title Novice Champion for 2016. In 2019 he invested time and money in Boardman’s wind tunnel, which seems to have given him some additional aero benefits as the photo shows.

Shawn said “this year my main goal was to do a 100 mile TT in a respectable time. To go on and achieve the Clarion record was just unbelievable”.

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FUTURE EVENTS - WARWICK

EASTER MEET 2020

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t is the 125th Easter Meet of National Clarion and Warwick has been chosen to be the host of this special anniversary edition. The National Clarion has visited the town four times in the past for the Easter Meet, in1906, 1911, 1924 and 1931.

The organisers are planning a weekend that pays homage to and celebrates our club and its history.

Friday 10th April: 3pm Casual meet-up and collect your meet ribbons at the Warwick Arms hotel Tel: +44 (0)1926 492759 | www.thewarwickarmshotel.com where we have a special room rate agreed with them. Annual conference – 3pm to 6pm at the Warwick Arms Hotel

Friday April 10th to Sunday April 12th: Easter Meet, Warwick. Organiser Jessica Beyer email: jbeyeruk@yahoo.co.uk phone: 07725 736274 Saturday 11th April: Time trial near Warwick – course TBA Possible youth Cyclo Cross

Saturday evening: Main event: Annual Prize Presentation Gala Dinner at the historic Warwick School in the Pyne Room – a Victorian extravaganza complete with wood panelling and a minstrels gallery!

Sunday 12th April: 125km challenge ride for the 125th Easter Meet – Warwickshire and the Cotswolds Easter Egg Hunt for families Sunday evening: Casual and optional evening with entertainment TBA The National Clarion first attended Warwick for its Easter Meet in 1906, then also in 1911 & 24, but hasn’t been since 1931…we can’t think of a nicer and more central place to go for our 125th Easter Meet. With plenty to do for all the family, lovely old buildings, the Warwick Castle and much more.

To plan your stay, chose your accommodation, go to: https://visitwarwick.co.uk/ The weekend booking details will be on www. clarioncc.org in the new year.

This centrally located, historic town has a lot to offer with the castle, shops, cafes and plenty of other tourist attractions and we look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.

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NEWS FROM OUR SECTIONS

BLACKPOOL CLARION T

he members of Blackpool Clarion are a hardy bunch. It may be flat on the Fylde Coast, and any ride that requires a hill to be beaten means a ride of at least 55 miles, but we do deal with some extreme weather with winds and waves lashing the fabulous Blackpool Coastline. This in no way inhibits our hardy members from getting “on their bikes”.

As a club, we regularly get between 55 and 65 members recording rides through the club Strava page each and every week, even through winter.

Blackpool Clarion is also a club that caters for a wide variety of rides and rider abilities, from the Easy Ride, catering for the beginner or returning rider, or even a family hoping to gain some miles in the safety of a official group, to our A riders, who this year have tackled rides in Mallorca, France, Scotland while also competing in the Fred Whitton challenge and the Struggle Yorkshire Moors sportive.

The club also has some extremely experienced riders who have taken to visiting the far flung reaches of the British Isles with wild camping trips through the north of

Scotland and the Outer Hebrides, visiting some beautiful scenery and ancient stone circles.

The club has even had a member decide to visit Ireland to, again, do some cycle touring while wild camping.

All of this from a section with 89 members and it is wonderful to see so many that are fully active cyclists.

Our club also met a group of German cyclists who had ridden from their home town of Werne, near Frankfurt, to visit their twinned town of St Annes. The Germans were met at Dunsop Bridge and were led trough Lancashire via Fleetwood to a civic reception at the St Annes town council offices.

The club has successful members in other areas of sport and not just cycling. We have had members complete the Lanzarote Iron Man competition, along with triathlons throughout Europe. We have also had a member represent Team GB at the recent Transylvanian Multisport European Championships where she came 8th in her age group.

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BARNOLDSWICK CLARION M

embership continues to rise with 56 members including 14 lady members. The club runs have continued throughout winter with, thankfully, very little ice about. Heavy rain didn’t mar our spirits with pretty good turnouts considering. Sportives continue to be popular with our members, the last one of 2018 being The Cumbria Cracker where six of us finished in ice free conditions and blue skies. A dry Eden Valley Sportive was the first of 2019, followed by a very wet and cool West Riding Classic, with torrential rain turning into heavy hail on the descent to Halton Gill. The Majorca trip to Porto Pollensa once again excelled apart from one incident involving a local youth, showing off to mates on the prom, who swerved into one of our group bringing him down rather badly.

Christmas dinner at the hilltop village of Tosside proved interesting, after the usual merriment we opened the door to find the cars, bikes and road had been hit by a sever ice storm. The 14 mile ride back was rather testing, all getting home safely.

Club member Mark Sandamas (Pennine Events) organised Radio Lancashire’s Rickshaw Challenge for Children in Need in November, visiting primary schools with Pudsey Bear. The event finished outside Blackpool Tower which was turned yellow for the occasion, while presenters Sally Naden and Graham Liver, raced in led by Clarion members Mark (Sally) and Mick Meath (Graham) to a large crowd of spectators and entertainers from the Tower Circus.

Martin Brass has taken over from Mick Kruppa as race secretary and has organised events incorporating local time trials. Colin and Sharon Urmston organised another successful weekend to Kettlewell with a ride and lunch in the pub at Hubberholme on the Sunday.

Chairman George Bradbury handed over a cheque for £100 to Clarion House from the club which included a short ride, stopping

off at Colin and Sharon’s en-route for refreshments. Member Mark Brown took part in the Help the Heroes’ Pilgrim Bandits’ New Zealand ride. Mark and his colleagues rode the full length of both North and South Islands. During recent months Mark has been active in publicising the work of Help for Heroes, visiting schools and organisations throughout this country giving talks.

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BOLTON CLARION

MEN & WOMEN OF IRON D

uring the course of 2018 it became evident to me (BCCC Treasurer) that our healthy but limited finances would start to gradually deplete from January 2019 onwards and if left unattended, would leave us penniless within 5 years, mainly it has to be said due to the increased charges we all now have to pay to National Clarion. So, our committee discussed numerous options at length & issued a survey to all members, resulting in some recommendations being put forward & subsequently supported at our AGM to mitigate the projected losses. Little did we know that within weeks of the AGM, two gift-horses would be presented to us – and we chose not to look either in the mouth!

The first was to accept an offer from our bank (RBS) to relocate to another bank, netting us a cool £750 – Not bad for a 90 minute meeting with our new bank to complete the transfer!

The 2nd was an opportunity presented to us by one of our members, Chris Evans, for us to supply stewards to marshal some of the road junctions on the Bolton Ironman cycling course; with another £750 on offer this was too good an opportunity to miss.

So, on Sunday 14th July, 23 of us woke early (circa 4:30 am) in order to cycle to our designated junctions by 6:00 am in preparation for the Ironmen cyclists; many of the junctions we covered were incidentfree but others weren’t! Possibly the most alarming being a motorist who insisted that he was going to drive through, to get to the golf club, in spite of the cyclists coming around a blind-bend at speed & in numbers!

As the official stewards we were under strict instructions not to physically stop anyone so we reluctantly had to step aside but fortunately, members of the public, who were stood nearby watching the event, dashed forward to prevent what could have been a

very nasty incident & from that moment there was no way this particular individual was getting to his golf club via that junction.

So, some unsavoury motorists had to be dealt with but overall it was a rewarding morning which we followed with a club ride &, if invited, we might just do it again next year; by the way, as I write this, we haven’t received a penny from either venture!

Mike Singleton, Bolton Clarion.

BROADLAND

CLARION B

roadland Clarion arose from a discussion about insurance amongst an informal group of east Norfolk cyclists over a coffee and cake break. One of our sons had recently ridden in to the back of a Tesla and being presented with a bill for £7500! Anybody else got insurance I asked? – There was something of a pause in the conversation. It transpired that just one other had insurance, through British Cycling. So “why not form a Clarion Section” I said, you will get insurance, a copy of Boots and Spurs, the feeling of belonging to something bigger and also have something to write in the space where it says club on your Audax entry form. Five signed up, so here we are, the first ever Clarion section in this part of the world, with a membership of six – we had to start somewhere. We now need to think how we can grow this in to something more durable than a group of friends, in the heart of rural Norfolk, riding their bicycles – perhaps that’s all there is to it, find some more like minded cyclists and turn them in to friends, club members and possibly even Audax riders.

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BRIGHTON AND HOVE CLARION

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n our lovely part of Sussex, we have the sea. We have the countryside. We have the Downs … and the inevitable ups. And despite the ups, cycling is still one of the best ways to explore it all. On the whole we are Sunday-cyclists. “We” being 47 not-so-young and not-so-old enthusiasts (approx. equal numbers of men and women riders). We are more hi-vis anoraks than flesh-clenching Lycra dudes, but what we lack as pedal pushers, we make up for in keeping the Clarion ideals alive in our close bond of fellowship and our (not-too-heated) political discussions in the pub at lunchtime: the state of the NHS and environmental issues feature largely, but to be honest food does tend to be a major topic of conversation.

As we criss-cross Sussex at our leisurely pace, accidents are rare. They do occasionally involve other forms of transport, but fortunately not of the internal combustion kind – more or the “my bicycle handlebars were engaged in an unwanted embrace with the straps of a day tripper’s rucksack” kind … on the train. The train? Yes, we enjoy the creeks and inlets around Chichester, but not the 60-mile round trip to get there. Yes, the Weald is undulating

and leafy, but it’s on the other side of “them there” Downs. Yes, the Pevensey Levels are exactly what they say they are, but the train’s the way to go if you want to avoid Beachy Head to get there.

During the year more members indulged in longer trips: in September ten B+H members took train for Bristol, rode the canal path to Bath and enjoyed two nights in the YHA – despite it being atop a hill. In chilly May 2019, the Late Spring Break attracted four hardy souls for three days of cycling and two nights in a somewhat chilly eco-barn in deepest Surrey.

Above all, we owe our many thanks to our Secretary, Ian Bullock, to the many ride leaders who plan our trips and to the report writers and the photographers who have contributed so much to our great website: http://www. brightonandhove-clarion.org.uk/

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SUNDERLAND CLARION

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t’s been a busy spring and summer for the Sunderland section. Our club rides have now started to include a midweek, Wednesday wobble, alongside our ever popular Saturday and Sunday club runs. Although sadly with the exception of a few time trialists our racing side has dwindled in the last year. Luckily longer rides do seem to be getting a lot of attention.

We have had our annual reliability ride at the end of April. 13 Riders took part in the ride

over the border to Hawick from Bellingham, Northumberland. It was a good but challenging 87 mile ride, in spring sunshine, that took those who took part just over 5 and a half hours to complete.

A number of riders also took part in the Ride to the Sun in June, which saw riders ride over night from Carlisle to Crammond beach to catch the sunrise. This has added the benefit of being an unofficial meet up with the West Lothian section.

In additional long distance rides four members took part in the Cyclone ride in Northumberland at the start of July. The Cyclone for those that don’t know is a challenging sportive around some of the best roads the south end of Northumberland has to offer.

In June the club hosted its annual 25 mile time trial, which brought a great field of our regions top testers, with 63 starters on the morning. It was a close run thing with only one second splitting the top two riders. The time trial also saw our riders competing for the David Craig Memorial Trophy which was won by Peter Stokoe in a time of 58:24, who has been having an incredibly strong season on his time trial bike.

This autumn we are hosting our annual hill climb competition, which we will somehow try to juggle with getting down to Yorkshire to see the World Championships, as we have accidentally scheduled it for the Sunday of the Men’s Road Race, question is will we get more volunteers than the time trial on Fathers Day?

NOTTINGHAM CLARION S

pring and Summer were a busy time at Nottingham Clarion, with our members taking part in time trials, sportives, mountain bike, road and track racing. Our Thursday night 10 mile TT series has been well attended and our club runs continue to thrive, with regular Saturday rides now comprising three groups to cater for different speeds and distances.

As we moved into Autumn and Winter the cyclocross season took off, with many members from under 9s to over 50s taking part in regional, national and international ‘cross racing.

One of the most encouraging developments in 2019 is the resurgence in our Youth section, which has traditionally been very strong and developed some great riders. Regular training sessions with our qualified coaches helped to ready our Youth members for the cyclo-cross season, where Nottingham Clarion has been well represented in all classes, by both first and second claim members.

The club is also undergoing some changes, focusing on what makes Nottingham Clarion special in an increasingly ‘competitive market’, with many new clubs and groups springing up over recent years. We love to see people riding their bikes, regardless of what jersey they wear, but as a traditional club with racing at its heart, we have a lot to offer prospective members and we feel it’s important to promote these elements.

Unfortunately, we had to cancel our Open 50 TT (also the National Clarion 50 Championship) in June due to unplanned roadworks on the course. However, the 3up Open Team Time Trial (incorporating the National Clarion TTT) was a terrific success. Nottingham Clarion ‘A’ took 2nd overall and retained the National title, with two other teams (men’s ‘B’ and two riders in a women’s composite team) also competing. Our deepest thanks and congratulations to event secretary Francis Grafton for 50 years of running events.

Part of our renewed focus as a club in on fellowship and partnership and any of our fellow Clarion members are most welcome at Nottingham Clarion events, including our club races and regular club runs.

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YORKSHIRE COAST CLARION M

any thanks to Paul Anderson for finding the venue for the Easter Meet in York, Chris also did a lot of liaising with the Railway Institute. The brass band and the racing was successful, particularly for Hannah Bayes who caught up with the men then lapped the other women. Hannah has done very well in the Tour series and in criterium, including Otley and Barnsley. Keep up the good work. Three generations of Fishers, Walter, Andy and James attended the Prize presentation with Chris and it was excellent to catch up with other sections. Stuart and Chris also enjoyed the company of Barnoldswick, London and Stockport members in Bradford where good fellowship abounded, amongst many hills.

Stuart is making good progress following a crash in late December. He continues his good work at the Working Class Movement Library, in Salford. If you have not been yet, please do. Ruth and Eddie Frow founded the library and you will find Clarion banners, badges, documents, original copies of The Clarion newspaper and much more. It is also possible to sit on chairs that were originally at the Clarion cafe, on Market Street, Manchester!

Other good news to report is the increasing speed of Richard Cullen, setting many personal bests from 5 to 25 miles, on local courses. Natalie and Richard’s daughter has started doing some racing on off-road grass circuits, with success and Andrea Vaughan in her first Ironman Triathlon at Tenby finishing a very creditable 8th in her category of 31 with a time of 14hrs 43 mins.

Four members attended the unveiling of the memorial bench for Denis Pye and Clarion Sunday, the second Sunday in June. Both were very well attended and put Clarion House on your list of places to go. Denis’s bench is superb and there were many warm tributes to a great friend and author of Fellowship is Life.

Andy and James Fisher have done some good walking this year in Scotland and the Howgill Fells. Greystone continues in fine voice with his choir and Terry is building up his miles and continues to keep the finances of the club in good shape.

Look forward to seeing you out on the road or at a meeting.

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SECTION DIRECTORY

Our sections: The Clarion has some 28 regional sections who can be found by either their website or through the online membership system for example: www.membermojo.co.uk/barnoldswick-clarioncycling-club just replace the section name with the one below to find them.

Barnoldswick (Lancs) barlickclarionbike@hotmail.com Blackpool (Lancs) www.blackpoolclarion.webs.com Bolton (Lancs) www.boltonclarion.com Brighton & Hove (Sussex) www.brightonandhove-clarion.org.uk Broadland (Norfolk) broadlandclarioncc@outlook.com Bury (Lancs) www.buryclarion.co.uk Calder (West Yorks) www.calderclarion.co.uk Clitheroe (Lancs) www.clitheroeclarion.weebly.com Coatbridge (Scotland) www.coatbridgeclarioncycleclub.com Cotswold cotswoldclarioncc@gmail.com Fenland (Peterborough) www.fenlandclarion.co.uk Gosport (Hants) www.gosportclarioncc.org Heanor (Derbys) www. heanorclarion.org.uk Ironbridge (Telford) www.ironbridge-clarion.cc Italian (Torino) www.italianclarioncc.blogspot.com London (Greater London) www.londonclarion.org.uk Manchester peterbutterfield@googlemail.com North Cheshire www.northcheshireclarion.co.uk Nottingham www.nottinghamclarion.co.uk Saddleworth www.saddleworthclarion.co.uk Stockport (Cheshire) www.stockport-clarion.org.uk Sunderland (North East) www.sunderlandclarion.org.uk Teesside peter.smith567@btinternet.com Tuxford (Notts) www.tuxfordclarion.com West Lothian www.westlothianclarion.co.uk West Lothian Youth www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/youth.html West Scotland www.clarioncc.org Yorkshire Coast cgoode@yorkshire.net

As a member of the National Clarion regional section, your section membership fee includes your National Clarion membership fee (inc’ 3rd party insurance) of £12 (senior) and £8 (under 18) and £24 for family membership. Family membership is for two adults living at the same address with any number of Under 18s for the single family membership of £24, plus your section membership fee.

This is your magazine – we need your input, please write to the editor and have your say – the closing date for the next edition is the end of March 2020.

Submissions are preferred as word documents, max 300 words and sent as attachments to emails. This saves the editor time converting files to a usable format and loosing vital text in the process! We like photographs, preferably including bicycles and with captions if possible. For reasons of space and clarity, articles may be edited. We will do our best to retain names and places mentioned but this may not always be possible.

ill al