SPRING 1999
Official Magazine of the NATIONAL CLARION
o Derek Hodgins becomes World Champion
Dave Langlands goes sub-20 minutes
oO Heald and Butterworth join National Squad
Alison Ede takes BCF womens track omnium title o New Birmingham Clarion started
A MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY
Well still haven’t moved from Peterborough yet, but the ‘for sale’ sign is up in the front garden and have my fingers crossed. The current lack of buyers provides time to get out training in the howling winds and biting cold that seeps through the sweat sodden clothes during long clubruns.
It’s only weeks away from the first races in the programme, you may like me feel that it’s too early and want to start your racing year off with a bang at Easter. Then why not pick a race that’s non-standard distance and one that won't depress you as you compare it to last season’s best? Bangor’s the place to be for this one, round off the training miles in the beautiful North Wales hills and test your form against those old Clarion chums. Alternatively leave the bike at home and take in a bit of mountain walking or try the Snowdonia am steam railway.
We certainly tested our pace against Clarion chums when we (Fenland) met up with the Stockport in Ghent last November. Drinking pace that was, but more about this later on.
We have another new section started up. Last October was in
Page 2
Scarborough with the lads for a training weekend and Trevor’s mobile phone rang...’Here speak to Roger Shayes” passing it over to me. Roger spoke to me and said how he had been frustrated with local division politics and was thinking of starting a club. His wife, Margaret, reminded him how nice those Fenland chaps were at the club dinner last year (we were on our best behaviour) and so he called me. More about the Birmingham Clarion later.
So who knows what 99 will bring the Clarion? Let’s meet up at Bangor and have a beer or two to talk about it...
lan Clarke National Secretary Sapperton, Werrington, Peterborough PE4 5BS Tel: 01733 577108
lan Clarke winning the Clarion 5mile trophy in 1994 at Teeside Track
SPRING 1999
NATIONAL CLARION JERSEYS STILL AVAILABLE
The first batch of jerseys have, all bar a few odd sizes, been snapped up so we were forced to order another batch. These fetching jerseys in the Clarion official colours of red and yellow are made in short-sleeved only designs (get your own arm warmers) in the latest airtex style with 80% polyester 20% cotton material.
The front has a small Clarion logo and the rear has a large logo together with 3 pockets for snacks, money, Clarion propaganda etc.
Sizes: extra-small 34”,small 36”, medium 38”, large 40”, extra-large 42” Please note that each size is tight rather than baggy.
Price: £35 each
Please send cheques made to National Clarion Cycling Club to lan Clarke.
Merlin Evans sporting the National Clarion jersey at the Manchester Velodrome
SPRING 1999 Page 8
EASTER MEET BANGOR NORTH WALES
Bangor is in North Wales on the mainland, close to Anglesey. It is within easy riding distance of:
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwilllantysiliogogogoch
And not too far from many other North Wales tourist attractions such as Snowdon and it’s mountain railway and Caernarfon Castle.
We have block-booked the University Halls of Residence, which are only some 3 years old and very modern. From which the view below is taken from the top floor. The rooms are grouped together with 8 rooms per block and a self-catering kitchen area. It’s ideal for groups of friends or clubs wishing to keep together.
Other activities and attractions in the area: Penrhyn Castle
Portmeirion
Porthmadog
Llanberis Lake Railway Ffestiniog Railway
Electric Mountain (Hydro-power station)
Anglesey Sea Zoo.
Page 4 SPRING 1999
BANGOR EASTER MEET Accommodation options:
Option Half board accommodation at the University halls of residence.
The rooms are all well furnished, clean and very new. Each room has it’s own shower and toilet and tea/coffee making stuff. For every 8 rooms there's a kitchen for group use. The price will include breakfast and an evening meal.
Price for this option is £105, please send deposit of £20 to Merlin Evans or get someone in your club to organise a block booking with Merlin.
Option 2 Do it yourself accommodation Following last year’s comments we will give people the choice to find and book their own accommodation in Bangor City and area. A charge will be made for attending the evening
functions.
Activities The following is a provisional list of events and activities:
Friday Night Arrive and check in. Relax in the bar with friends from the Clarion
Saturday
National conference 10:00am
33 mile mountain time trial based on a circuit over the Llanberis Pass next to r
Snowdon starts 3.5 miles from Bangor (OS grid ref. 582-672) course D133
Ceilidh band evening and Welsh theme Earn ara, dinner with wine pepe Fancy Dress competition on the
Saturday Night
=a
FFRIODOEDD SITE
15, CONFERENCE OFFICE 18 OSWALDS RESTAURANT
1. NEUADD RATHBONE
HUW OWEN
Sunday Organised MASS group club run, start
at 10:30am with a cafe/pub stop Prize presentation and disco on the
Sunday Night a
A-RAILWAY STATION 6, THEATRE
Please note that accommodation is STAON C.POLICE STATION PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL Za at (1), check in at (2). 0. CATHEDRAL J. MUSEUM GALLERY S POST OFFICE K PIER 4
EPUBUS UBRARY’ Enaurte Compiex (1) 10 Main Collage complex (9) thm
SPRING 1999 Page 8
Awards ceremony Bangor Easter
The awards from last years racing and club competitions will be presented at the Easter Meet at Bangor on the Sunday night.
So if you are one of the people below or you want to support a club mate then make sure you come to Bangor this Easter.
Senior BAR 50 100 |2hr Av’Speed Ist John Royle Fenland 2.00.41 4.19.17 234.45m 22.51 2nd Alf Howarth Crewe 2.18.08 4.53.19 209.02m 19.86mph Vets BAR 25 50 100 Av’Speed Ist Derek Hodgins Stockport 56.09 1.56.08 4.07.43 25.58mph 64 yrs plus 7.48mph John Royle Fenland 59.47 2.00.41 4.19.17 24.36mph yrs plus 4.45mph 3rd Alf Howarth Crewe 1.07.21 2.18.08 4.53.19 21.48mph 70 yrs plus 4.14mph Ladies BAR 10 25 50 Av’Speed Ist Cheryl Trueman Crewe 25.43 1.06.36 2.21.56 22.22mph Junior BAR 10x2 25x2 Av’Speed Ist Jamie Williamson Crewe 22.21 22.22 56.10 56.12 26.65mph Juvenile BAR 10 10 10 Av’Speed Ist Peter Allen 26.37 26.52 27.13 22.30mph Fastest 50 of the year Simon Whitaker Nottingham 1.53.45 New Clarion 10 mile Record Dave Langlands Fenland 19.57 Clarion Road Race Champion Will Sanderson Stockport Clarion Road Points Champion Dave Langlands Fenland (72 points)
Clarion Road Race Junior Points Champion Martin Smith Nottingham 46 points Clarion Track Champion Martin Smith Nottingham 16 points Clarion Team Pursuit Champs Stockport (Mortell, Armstrong, Sanderson, Hewitt)
Clarion Track 5-mile Champion Tim Duckett Fenland
Page SPRING 1999
Other awards to be presented at the Easter meet
Tom Groom best club of 1998 Stockport Clarion
Awarded to the Stockport Clarion for all of their efforts and participation in all Clarion activities. Stockport ran the road race championships and the track championships. They also attended the Easter meet, Wortley Hall weekend, 25 championships and just about everything else. If you have never heard of the Stockport Clarion then you have never been involved in the National Clarion. They also drink incredibly large quantities of alcohol at every opportunity and this seems to do nothing to affect their riding abilities.
Runners up were Nottingham, Bolton and Calder.
Clubwoman (girl) of the year 1998 Joan Lister (Calder)
This years award goes to Joan Lister of Calder Clarion. Joan is the membership secretary of Calder and helps regularly with all events.
Runners up were Ann Burchell and Barbara Hodgins. Clubman (boy) of the year 1998 Derek Hodgins (Stockport) Many a younger man wishes they were as fast as Derek is.
Derek this year won the World Masters 60+ age category. He is also President of Stockport Clarion. Derek attends pretty much all Clarion events and is a true Clarion member.
Runners up were Ken Clarke, Peter Milsom and Phil Collins.
NOMINATED OFFICIALS FOR 1999
President: Bob Waddilove Crewe
Secretary: lan Clarke Fenland
Treasurer: Nick Biden Stockport
Racing Secretary: Vacant consider nominations, volunteers. Committee/Membership Secretary: Kevin Hulbert Birmingham Committee/Easter Meet Organiser: Merlin Evans
Committee/Team Manager: Graham Pearce
Committee: Frank Bibby
Committee: Ken Hemsley
Nominations for the racing secretary will be accepted at the conference. Motions to the conference at Bangor for Easter 1999
That the Clarion affiliates to the CTC 2 That the Clarion accepts second claim members at full membership fee 3 That the colours of the Clarion are red and yellow.
SPRING 1999 Page 7
21 reasons why you should go to Bangor...
To have the most fun you could have at Easter
To ride the best roads possible
To visit the longest place name in the world probably
To ride the Snowdon mountain railway
To ride the Llanberis pass on a bike
To listen and dance to your first ever Ceilidh band whatever that might be To ride alongside Merlin Evans
To drink more than Dave Armstrong
To ride a time trial that no one could ever compare to your best 25 mile time 10 To meet the most exciting people in cycling and sleep with them
II To take part in the worlds greatest lottery The Burchell’s raffle
12. To ride on the Clarion Easter Club Run
13. To dress up as a girl and get a prize for it
14 To dress up as Trevor Reade on a bike and not to get a prize for it
To eat Welsh food
16 To visit the home of the Bangor Clarion
17 To attend the Clarion conference and sleep through the important bits
18 To be at the last ever Easter Meet in this millennium
19 To avoid the decorating
20 Easter eggs and pretend that you are carbo-loading for the time-trial To meet beautiful people and beautiful sheep
3 allowable reasons why you cannot to attend... You really do enjoy decorating
2 You can hand deliver a note from your mum
3 You don’t drink, eat, party or ride a bike
The most mileage to an Easter Meet trophy...
If you think you are up to it, start planning now. This award, the BWSA trophy is presented to the section who amasses the most miles riding out to an Easter Meet.
You can take as long as you want, but it helps to take some club mates. The more riders you have the better chance you have of winning the prize away from the Stockport Clarion.
The Bangor Clarion are unlikely to win this trophy until the Easter Meet is in Dover. The Crewe Clarion are probably next least likely on account of being the closest section to North Wales. The Fenland Clarion are not even likely to ride to the end of the driveway to put their bikes on the roof racks.
So again, it looks like the Stockport Clarion are hot favourites but may be held back by William Sanderson who is currently training for the North London allcomers Sumo Championships, according to sources close to this rider.
Neil Duckworth Trophy
This trophy will be awarded at the Easter Meet to the section who has the most members attending.
Page SPRING 1999
Clips and straps don’t forget them
Velodrome track bikes
Stockport Clarion have allocated two bikes at Manchester Velodrome for their members to use. They haven't said if they are available for other Clarion sections but I’m sure that contributions to their Ghent 6-beer trip (that’s 6-day) may influence their decision.
Track bikes 2...
Graham Pearce Clarion Team manager and cycle trader has sourced a supply of track frames. Graham has most sizes of frame ideal for Manchester track and made of Oria tubing. £125 is a snip, contact Graham on: 0161 448 1982
Llanberis Pass
At 365 metres the Llanberis Pass is going to be a tough old slog. Still, never mind, it’s a good excuse to take it easy and enjoy the views.
Martin Childs of Fenland Section is a regular attendee of Easter Meets
SPRING 1999 Page 9
All you didn’t know about the Clarion...
(if you have read Denis Pye’s book then please skip this page)
When was the Clarion formed? In 1894 at Birmingham.
When was the first Easter meet and where? This was at Shrewsbury in 1895
What’s all this stuff about politics?
Well, the Clarion was named after a newspaper called the Clarion. The Clarion was a socialist paper. The members started by riding to villages and towns with copies of the newspaper in their bags to preach the merits of socialism to the working classes.
Is the Clarion still a political organisation? Well in practise no, but there is still reference to it in the constitution and rules so technically we
still are a socialist organisation.
So what type of organisation is the Clarion, is it an association?
No, the Clarion is not an association, it’s a club. It’s a club that has some 20 sections. Each one of these sections is like a club in it’s own rights but every member is also a member of the National Clarion Cycling Club.
How many members are there? About 500, some sections have only half a dozen whereas sections like Fenland, Nottingham and Bolton have between 50 100 each.
Who runs the Clarion? Some would say that lan Clarke does, but actually it’s the committee with lan Clarke as the secretary.
Who tells the committee what to do? Usually nobody because so few people attend the conference to guide them.
Conference, what conference? The conference is like an annual general meeting of all sections. Each section can send delegates to vote on important issues, but all members can attend and have a say. The conference is held at the
Easter Meet.
So it’s democratic then? Yes, very much so, if you want to change the Clarion you can if there’s a majority.
So what happens in the Clarion?
Lots, we start the year with the Easter Meet, racing, drinking, dancing etc. Then we have the Road Race Champs, the 25 TT Champs, thoughout the summer. We also have the track championships, which are now held at Manchester. At the end of the year we have the Wortley Hall weekend which is near Sheffield. The weekend is in October and includes cycling, the Hill Climb Champs
and more drinking.
Page 10 SPRING 1999
What sort of cycling does the Clarion do?
Pretty much all types, we currently have a reigning World Track Champion, National Track Champions, many road riders and also a penny-farthing Champion.
However many Clarion members don’t bother racing because they enjoy cycling too much. We have many touring members and quite a few mountain bikers.
What type of riding depends on the local section, some sections concentrate on specific areas of the sport, the best way to find out is to contact your local section.
So what’s the best thing about being in the Clarion?
If you have to ask, then you are probably new to the Club or haven't tried any of the National Clarion events.
The best things is getting to know all your fellow members around the country and then meeting up with them throughout the year. Sometimes you'll meet them in a bar or a cafe, other times you'll be in the same race. It really is like one big club.
Do we have a motto? We've had a few mottoes over the years, from ‘Socialism the hope of the world’ to ‘The club for wise cyclists’ to ‘fellowship is life’ the latter one at one time ended with
‘Lack of fellowship is death’.
What about club colours? Our colours are red and yellow in diagonal wavy lines. Most sections are affiliated to the racing organisations so they have their own colours.
Easter Meet organiser Merlin Evans no end to his talents
SPRING 1999 Page
RESULTS OF CLARION HILL CLIMB CHAMPIONSHIPS 98 held at the Wortley Hall Weekend
Ist Martin Smith Nottingham 2 mins 41.2
2nd Simon Whitaker Nottingham 2 mins 46.0
3rd lan Clarke Fenland 2 mins 57.4
4th Tim Fahy Nottingham 2 mins 57.9
5th Dave Armstrong Stockport 3 mins 10.0
6th Dave Smith Nottingham 3 mins 16.4
7th Merlin Evans Stockport 3 mins 31.5 fixed gear mudguards 8th Stuart Waller Nottingham 3 mins 33.6
9th Antonia Whitaker Nottingham 3 mins 45.7 First lady 10th Bob Waddilove Crewe 3 mins 49.6 President IIth Paul Mitchell Nottingham 4 mins 10.5
12th Tony Bowles Bolton 4 mins 50.6
13th Amy McLarty Bolton 5 mins 00.4
14th Will Sanderson Stockport untimed
Martin Smith of Nottingham in a somewhat flatter time-trial. Let's get together
Page 12 SPRING 1999
LETS GET TOGETHER
All sections will have been circulated with a letter from our President Bob Waddilove. The letter is trying to rally round support for an idea to promote inter-section activity.
Most organisers of races, club dinners, social rides and what-have-you, will know that it is often difficult to get as much support for these events as the promotional effort deserves. What better idea than to spread the word around other sections and get to meet all of your buddies.
We wish to find no more than 3 events nominated by different sections that can be added to the Clarion’s diary dates and promoted throughout the Clarion.
If sections wish to nominate their events for inclusion please write to Bob Waddilove or myself with your details.
NATIONAL CLARION RACING SQUAD
Don’t forget the reason why you are in the Clarion, it’s to enjoy your riding more, to meet better people, to be in a better club and to ride better races.
If you think that you need to try a higher class of race and would like to ride as a team in a good standard of road races then please let our team manager Graham Pearce know.
This year Graham is planning to enter teams in good races in the UK, some 2-day races and a couple of Belgian races.
Whilst we will need some capable Ist and 2nd cat’ riders Graham is happy to work with stronger 3rd cat’ riders and up-and-coming Juniors for development and experience.
You've got nothing to lose, so why not drop Graham a line?
70 Springdale Gardens, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2SS. Tel: 0161 448 1982.
You could be part of the National Clarion Racing Team
SPRING 1999 Page 13
National Clarion Road Race Championships 1999
Date: 16th May 99 Venue south of Peterborough
This year they will be organised by myself with a huge amount of support from the Fenland Clarion. We are planning two races this year the first will be the 3, 4, J event for the Junior Championship and the second will be the Senior Championships for |,2,3 categories.
Few outsiders will have ridden this course, based at Great Gidding about 20 minutes south of Peterborough. It’s quite open with a few short climbs and one major drag, which is likely to be into the prevailing wind. This should guarantee to split the big race making for a tough race where sit-in sprinters are unlikely to have their day. Without the wind it could be a different matter.
Expect a sunny day, as this has already been booked in advance. Get you entries to me as soon as possible and keep training.
Stuart Waller and Tim Fahy of Nottingham in preparation for this years Road Champs
Better Late Than Never
Some people are born in to the Clarion, some people marry in to the Clarion, and some people join at an early age and stay with the Clarion for many years.
Jack Breslan of Middlesex called me and said that he always wanted to join the Clarion but had never got round to it. “Really, what sort of cycling do you do?” asked. “Not much these days, I’m 90 years old you know!”
Well he joined us in January and promises to come to the Easter meet in Bangor, if he arrives know that you'll all make him welcome.
Page 14 SPRING 1999
What’s going online Clarion
All in about the space of a year the Clarion has dragged itself onto the NET. So far we have about four different websites throughout the Clarion. If you ever get chance to go and browse the NET then bookmark the following sites:
National Clarion website http://members.xoom.com/Nclarion/ Bolton Clarion website http://www.acs.bolton.ac.uk/~jh7 Nottingham Clarion website http://members.aol.com:/dmack|953/Clarion.htm
Stockport Clarion website
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/stockport_clarion_cycling_club/
If you or your section has a website that we should know about then drop a line to even better why not set up a link to one or all of the above websites.
Useful email addresses the Clarion
If you don’t know what an email is then you probably don’t need to know this. However if you have access to the internet then please keep these people in touch with what's going on in your part of Clarion world.
would also appreciate any articles or views on the Clarion via this method because it saves me having to re-type them.
lan Clarke currently: ian_cal@compuserve.com soon to be: ianc@cal-controls.co.uk
Doug Clark dougclark@lucent.com
David Hall davidh@gremlin-studios.com
SPRING 1999 Page 13
Birmingham Clarion a birth or a rebirth?
Roger Shayes of Solihull has started the Birmingham Clarion whilst it has no connections to the original Clarion that started in Birmingham in 1894 it is still very good to see a new section to start in an area where we have little coverage.
Roger Shayes is a cyclist, an enthusiast, a track rider, a commentator, the BCF National Handicapper and a little bit of a nutter. So he seems highly qualified to be a Clarion member and secretary, we of course will welcome him to our fold heartily.
This new section already has half a dozen members and looks set to grow from strength to strength. Who knows, Roger, a keen Grass Trackman may even decide to run a Clarion Grass Track Championships.
Kevin Hulbert National membership secretary has now moved over from Clitheroe Clarion to the new Birmingham section.
Get well soon George
As we understand it George Mackay of the West of Scotland Clarion, former National Treasurer and crooner of many Wortley Hall weekends is currently poorly in hospital.
We all wish George a quick recovery and look forward to seeing him at Clarion events soo
Derek Hodgins becomes World Champion
Derek Hodgins of the Stockport Clarion took his Clarion jersey to the Manchester Velodrome hosting the World Masters Track Championships and went home with a World Champion's Jersey
his own.
Competing in the over 60's 2000 metre pursuit event, Derek even managed to beat ex-world Champion Norman Sheil by over 2 seconds.
Page 16 SPRING 1999
Fenland Girl Alison Ede takes ladies National Championship
Alison Ede Fenland Clarion’s superfast track rider renowned for her ability to finish in the main bunch in the Welwyn Track League |0 mile used her experience to take the Ladies Champions title
in the Women’s Omnium Track Series. Alison sealed her title at the Edinburgh event in August returning with her Champion’s jersey and
Series Trophy.
30-mph Fenland Boy makes good with a 19.57
Dave ‘Boy’ Langlands a.k.a buffalo has set a new National Clarion record as the first Clarion rider
ever to break the 20 minute barrier. Despite riding only a few time trials last year Dave has tried to concentrate on short distances in
preparation for the World Master Pursuit.
Buffalo Langlands takes bronze at World Masters
Dave Langlands the Fenland strong man took his sturdy track bike to Manchester for the World Masters pursuit Champs. Riding in the 3000m pursuit semi-final Dave was over second down on his opponent before pulling it all back in the last lap.
Bolton track men get selected for National team
Bolton Clarion is a section that over the last few years has grown back to its former strength. It must be so pleasing for all concerned to see some of their top junior riders compete so well on the track. In fact both Tom Butterworth and David Heald have competed so well that they have
been selected for the National Squad.
No stopping Hodgins UCI World Hour Record attempt
This man has no brakes and what’s more he’s going for the UCI World Hour record attempt on the 23rd of February at Manchester track. Derek is aiming for both the British and World records
for 65 plus age group. SPRING 1999 Page 17
Marian Lamb Memorial Picture Unveiled
at Wortley Hall
Both Marian and Harold were regular visitors to Wortley Hall so it seemed a fitting place to put up a picture of Marian.
The picture was unveiled by an old friend Gwyneth Cleveland who attended the weekend for the first time since moving back to the Stockport area.
The picture shows from left to right Gwyneth, Kath Leese, John Leese and lan Clarke in the ladies reading room at Wortley Hall
The picture shows Marian holding a bike which according to Geoff Manson is a Berry and Bently with 26” wheels and had a twin cable derailleur (made by cyclo). Geoff became the owner of that bike and rode it for many years on club runs and rides into Manchester centre. He later took the bike into Johnny Berry's shop for a respray and was instantly told the month and year that it was made over 30 years previous.
Obituaries
Basil Kite
only met Basil Kite once, he attended what seem to remember was a recent Easter meet at Llandudno a couple of times ago.
Basil Kite was National Secretary from 1958 to 59 and as a Londoner ran the Wembley Clarion. Basil, left the Clarion after this time and took the Wembley Clarion with him to rename it as the Wembley Phoenix.
Basil died recently at the age of 76 after a short illness.
Page 18 SPRING 1999
Wortley October 1999
What? hear you cry, Wortley Hall and we're not even ready for the Easter Meet yet!
It was decided at Wortley Hall 1998 National Committee meeting that we would have an Entertainments Officer this year. was duly volunteered for the job; sorry mean volunteered for the job; and with the able assistance of Anneater Hemsley and other members of the fabulous Nottingham section intend to make the Wortley Hall weekend an even better experience than it already is.
The role of Entertainments Officer is to organise activities and does not affect the booking of accommodation, which will still be carried out by Ann and Brian Burchell.
It is our intention that you are issued with a welcome pack upon your arrival. One of the things that this welcome pack will contain is a programme of events that will keep you informed as to when and where activities are taking place and meal times and locations.
We are planning to have the usual Saturday afternoon club run and the hill climb on Sunday morning. We have got some other activities arranged but we would welcome and ideas or offers to organise more. Last year there was an excellent quiz and an interesting slide show. If you are interested in contributing to the weekend please contact:
Tracy Auty 68 Park View Court Bath Street Nottingham NGI IDE Tel: 0115 958093
Contacting me will ensure that your activity will be added to the programme and will not clash with anything else arranged for the same time.
Remember this is your weekend and you should be doing the things that you enjoy.
Tracy
SPRING 1999 Page 19
FOUR GO FIXED TO GHENT
three days to a six-day
A simple plan, drive to Dave’s mothers in Folkestone, stop over for the night and then cycle to Dover to start our weekend.
The weekend was to ride over to Ghent, watch the Friday and Saturday night of the six-day track race, have a few beers and meet up with a few other Clarion sections.
Myself, Trevor, Tim and Dave all rode out on fixed gear, Trevor and myself both had pure track bikes with only one brake and between the four of us we were riding gears between 67
and 74 inches.
The gears were perfect for the flat Belgian roads but a little challenging for the ride to the ferry port. We arrived in Dover with plenty of time to kill, the air was chilly but it was bright and sunny. We decided to ride up the 13% hill to Dover castle and then back down to ride straight on to the SeaCat with the cars, GB stickers on saddlebags and cross over to Ostende.
From Ostende we circled the city a couple of time before we reached exit velocity (we found our way out) and picked up the lanes which were to take us to Brugges. The road we found was perfect, alongside the canal on a cold November afternoon we picked up a couple of Belgian veteran roadies who tagged along behind us to Brugges.
Without stopping in Brugges we picked up the cycle paths all the way to Ghent. As the late afternoon darkened into evening the ride became quite cold with extra layers and poly bags to warm our cold bits we picked up the pace and reached Ghent in the early evening. We stopped shortly to get our Belgian Francs from the hole-in-the-wall machine and a quick slug of whiskey from the hip flasks we were warm and happy.
For about a night the hotel wasn’t expected to be great, it was fine though and full of English bike enthusiasts there to see the racing.
After pizza in a budget Greek restaurant we walked out and bumped straight into Steve (my brother) Lindsay and Joe who were over just for one night and then on to Holland for Lindsay to ride a cyclo-cross. So we walked together to the track, hip flasks poised and ready for the evenings racing.
won't try to explain the rules of six-day racing but you really should make the time to see at least one at some stage. Imagine 12 teams of two riders, in relay. Each rider rides flat out for about 2-3 laps before exchanging the race with his teammate by a violent hand-sling. All at 30 plus MPH often with 4 or 5 teams doing the same thing at the same time on a 50metre track.
There were a few thousand people watching, drinking a socialising with old cycling chums
and we were no different. During the weekend we met friends from Nottingham Clarion, Stockport Clarion and the new Birmingham Clarion. The racing
Page 20 SPRING 1999
finished at about |.00am in the morning and we found ourselves a few Belgian bars and started tasting the delights of Belgian trappist beers before stumbling back to our hotel rooms.
A late lie-in was rewarded by breakfast at 1.00am and a trip to a couple of bike shops before spending the remainder of the day touring the city, it’s bars and cafes.
More brilliant track racing that night, with derny (moped paced) races, more track centre beers, donuts and chats with cycling chums from England who too had ventured over for the racing. We left that night a little early with the Stockport lads, who had also ridden over, and headed off for a recommended bar where we stayed until 3.00am.
We woke a little worse for wear that morning with Tim looking decidedly queasy. After a good breakfast we headed off for Brugges along the cycle paths for lunch. Brugges was about 40km ride, leaving only 30km to Ostende we had plenty of time for a few photos and a good iunch.
Feeling a little over fed we picked way out of Brugges and headed down to our canal path which would lead us back to Ostende. It was another great ride, spinning those tiny gears and meeting more bikes than cars. We even found a frozen cart track along the canal for the last few kms into Ostende which despite loosening Trevor's saddle provided a fun fixed wheel cyclo-cross route.
To cross the channel was two hours and followed by a scary dark ride along the A20 back to Dave’s mums.
We weren't tired, we'd had plenty of time to relax and drink and eat all the wrong things. Will we do it again? You bet.
lan Clarke
SPRING 1999 Page 21
SECTION INFORMATION
The following are names and telephone numbers of all Clarion sections throughout the country. Why not try to organise inter-section events, such as club runs, meeting half way between sections, or inter-club time-trials. You may wish to invite them to your social events, club dinners etc.
Scotland
West of Scotland Clarion George Mackay Glasgow-ish 01389 874131 North-East
Bay Clarion Tony Marshall Whitby 01947 880929 Sunderland Clarion Simon Fisher Washington O191 417 6414 Teesside Clarion Colin Armstrong Middlesborough 01947 880488 North-West (Cheshire Lancashire)
Bolton Clarion Amy McLarty Bolton 01204 491595 Bury Clarion Sylvia Roscoe Bury O16! 761 6856 Clitheroe Clarion Edward Ireland Clitheroe 01200 442609 Crewe Clarion Wheelers Andy Grace Crewe 01270 841836 Stockport Clarion Julian Mortel Manchester 0161 445 6064 Wyre Clarion Carl Taylor Lancaster 01524 39453 Yorkshire
Calder Clarion Joan Milsom Wakefield 01924 274087 Leeds (Yorkshire) Clarion Dave Binns Huddersfield 01484 648144 York Clarion Angela Beardshall Wakefield 01924 264898 East-Midlands
Heanor Clarion Fred Lambert Newthorpe 01773 713946 Nottingham Clarion Ken Hemsley Nottingham O11S 987 3118 South and East
Fenland Clarion Ken Clarke Peterborough 01733 62217 London Clarion Peter Shepherdly Hounslow 0181 572 9672 West Midlands
Birmingham Roger Shayes Solihull 0121 603 7536 Herefordshire Peter Cowan Kington 01544 340690 Wales
Gwynedd Robin Hartley Bangor 01248 371797 Central Secton Brian Burchell Devon 01404 891740
If you know of people who are not near a local Clarion Section then we are always interested to help establish new sections. All we need are three founder members to begin a new section. For further information please ask them to contact the National Clarion Secretary.
Page 22 SPRING 1999
Current Clarion Officials
Secretary lan Clarke 01733 577108
Newsletter Editor 18 Sapperton, Werrington Peterborough PE4 5BS
President Bob Waddilove 01270 761446 36 Brookland Drive, Sandbach, CWI! OLX
Racing Secretary Paul Harwood O11S 912 6436 (position vacant from Easter 1999)
Easter Meet Organiser Merlin Evans 0161 442 8441
Committee Member 3 Green Lane, Heaton Moor Stockport, SK4 3LE
Membership Secretary Kevin Hulbert 01675 464066 Ferndale Court, Coventry Road, Coleshill, Birmingham, B46 3EZ
Records Secretary Audrey Waddilove 01270 761446 36 Brookland Drive, Sandbach, CWI! OLX
Wortley Hall Weekend Brian and Ann Burchell 01404 891740
Organisers 2 Wulphere Close, Dunkeswell Honiton, Devon. EX|4 OUU
Committee Member Frank Bibby 01204 393065
130 Crompton Way Bolton, BL2 2SB
Committee Member Ken Hemsley O115 987 3118 117 Southcliffe Road, Cariton, Nottingham, NG4 |ES
Committee Member Graham Pearce O16! 448 1982 Racing Team Manager 70 Springdale Gardens Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2SS
DATES FOR 1999 EVENTS
April 2nd -5th Easter Meet Bangor
April 3rd Mountain Time-trial 33 mile at Bangor
May 16th Clarion Road Race Championships Peterborough 1,2,3 Senior Championships 3,4,,.W Junior Championships
June 6th BCF National Grass Track Champs Organised by Fenland Clarion (activities and accomodation may be organised if enough interest)
July 25th Lightweight vintage bikes of the 50's ride Hereford Section contact Peter Cowan
August 28th Track Championships Manchester Velodrome
August 29th 25-mile Time-trial Championships
October 29th Wortley Hall Weekend
to 3lst Hill Climb Championships
SPRING 1999
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