Boots Spurs
Official Magazine of the NATIONAL CLARION
PKK tok
SUMMER AUTUMN 2000
RACING NEWS PKK Hk
COMPETITIONS KKK KK A LETTER FROM
THE SECRETARY
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR
Hello hope that you are all doing well now that we are half way through the season and have got
plenty to report to me. understand that the Easter Meet at Skegness was as enjoyable as ever thanks to Merlin’s hard
work. (See the Easter Meet 2001 article on page...).
important article in this edition is about Wortley Hall, (see page 3). Booking will take the same format as last year. There are one or two differences to the entertainment, but essentially it is the same relaxing weekend that we all enjoy. DON’T MISS IT.
You will see that 90% of this edition is compiled with articles contributed from Nottingham Section, Fenland Section, Frank Bibby or me. There are lots more of you and your sections out there that never hear from. So come on blow your own trumpet on your section’s riders and their results, and generally let everyone know what you are up to. See ‘BURY’S MILLENIUM FESTIVIAL article as an example. It is not just about large open events but also your local evening 10’s and any ‘fun or charity’ events etc. All it would take is for your Section’s Racing Secretary to send me your results and a few explanatory words. Just one article from each Section would be brilliant. (Otherwise Nottingham Fenland will dominate).
My thanks go to Nottingham Section without whose help could not prepare the magazines for mailing in the past and to Frank Bibby for organising it for this edition whilst sun myself in Madeira.
See you all at Wortley Hall. Tracey Auty
LETTER FROM THE NATIONAL SECRETARY
By the time you read this we will be towards the end of the summer and will have had the
Secretary’s job for six months. I have had some surprises about the amount of work involved, but hopefully it all contributes to
the furtherance of the Clarion Cycling Club. hope that the attendance at the two events of the year ‘Wortley Hall and Easter Meet’ can be
increased. Come on you people out there just think what you are missing. So far there has been some good racing this season. Congratulations to promoters/sections for well organised and successful events:
Easter Meet ‘25’ Merlin Evans/Stockport National Clarion R.R. Stuart Waller/Nottingham Grasstrack Championship Roger Shayes/Birmingham National Clarion ‘25’ T.T. Crewe
Track Championships Graham Pearce/Stockport
Results for the above later in this issue, so please read on for racing still to come.
October 20,21&22 Hill Climb Championship at Wortley Hall weekend. Come on you young lions lets have a few seconds off the record time. Promoted by Bury Section.
October 30 Cyclo Cross Championships at Holme Pierrepont Promoted by Heanor Section
Sporting Regards Frank Bibby
Page 2 SUMMER J AUTUMN 2000
WORTLEY HILL CLIMB RECORDS
MEN
Allcomers Martin Smith Nottingham 2 mins 41.2 secs 12 to 15
16 to 18
30 to 34 Tim Fahy Nottingham 2 mins 55.2 secs 35 to 39 lan Clarke Fenland 2 mins 57.4 secs 40 to 44 Simon Whitaker Nottingham 2 mins 46.0 secs 45 to 49 Dave Smith Nottingham 3 mins 03.5 secs 50 to 54 Paul Mitchell Nottingham 3 mins 55.5 secs 55 to 59
60 to 64 Bob Wadilove Crewe 3 mins 49.6 secs 65 to 70 Roger Shayes Birmingham 5 mins 02.0 secs over 70
LADIES
Alicomers Antonia Whitaker Nottingham 3 mins 45.7 secs 60 to 64 Amy McLarty Bolton 5 mins 00.4 secs
FIXED WHEEL
Merlin Evans Stockport 3 mins 31.5 secs
Full Touring Kit (mudguards, saddlebag/panniers, cape, toolkit, pump, lights optional)
Tony Bowles Bolton 4 mins 50.6 secs
To break a record in a category it is not necessary to beat the time of any older age group i.e. although Paul Mitchell’s time is slower than Bob Waddilove’s the record for that age
group stands.
Possible record holder: Dave Armstrong 3 min 10.0 secs.
SUMMER 7 AUTUMN 2000 Page 8
WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO BE ON 20th 22nd OCTOBER 2000?
Wortley Hall
No sooner have we finished thinking about Easter Meet and we are thinking about Wortley Hall again. Those of you who have not attended, this is a seriously relaxing weekend. It comprises of a bit of cycling- (if you want), a bit of drinking (or a lot if you want), a few non-strenuous activities (if you want) and a lot of catching up with old friends (compulsory)! So come and try it and Ill bet that you will be back again in 2001.
It is my intention to put together a programme of activities based on last year, but it is flexible and there is room in the programme for any suggestions of activities that you would like to do. If you have any suggestions please get in touch with me, (my details are on the last page). Do not panic do not intend to fill your whole weekend up, there will still be lots of time to chill out and drink!
The booking of accommodation at Wortley Hall is the same as last year i.e. It is up to each individual or nominated person in each Section to book their own rooms directly with Wortley Hall. There is one slight difference in that you need to specify whether you want an evening meal and Sunday lunch. The prices listed below are for bed and breakfast only and the price of each meal is shown separately. If you want an evening meal and Sunday lunch you need to add each meal price to your bed and breakfast cost.
Rooms may be booked via the telephone (0114) 2882100 or in writing Wortley Hall, Wortley, Nr Sheffield, Yorkshire, $35 7DB.
The last date for booking is 2nd October 2000 and a non re-fundable deposit of £10.00 per person is required. Prior to leaving on the Sunday lunch time you will pay Wortley Hall direct.
Prices per person are for bed breakfast:
Friday to Sunday Lunch Saturday to Sunday Lunch
Sharing En-suite £53.00 Sharing En-suite a £26.50 Sharing Standard £38.00 Sharing Standard £19.00 Single En-Suite £61.00 Single En-suite £30.50 Single Standard £46.00 Single Standard £23.00
Friday Saturday 3 course evening Meal £9.75 per meal per person Sunday Lunch £6.95 per person
The following information needs to be given to Wortley Hall when booking: Whether you want one night or two (and which nights).
Whether you want any evening meals and Sunday lunch.
What kind of room you want i.e. single en-suite.
The names of the people and who is sharing a room with whom. And obviously that you are with the Clarion.
Please note that all rooms reserved must be paid for unless at least seven days notice is given regarding changes/cancellation.
If you are unclear or have any questions regarding any of the above please do not hesitate to telephone me, (my details are on the last page).
Tracey Auty Page 4 SUWMER 7 AUTUMN 2000
POTTED HISTORY OF WORTLEY HALL
Wortley Hall was the ancestral home of the Earls of ‘Wharcliffe the Wortley family.
No precise date can be given to when the building of Wortley Hall on its present site first started.
Alnus de Wortley, mentioned in the Pipe Rolls for 1165, had a residence at Wortley.
He was followed by seven successive Nicholas de Wortleys who were Lords of the Manor of Wortley.
The Hall fell into decay, so in 1743 Edward Wortley began to rebuild the Hall. It was supposed to be completed by 1761. In 1800, James Archibold Stuart Wortley and his wife Caroline Creighton should have taken residence at Wortley Hall, but were unable to do so because for some reason the builders had omitted to include a staircase!
The planning, landscaping, ornamental planting and the ultimate beauty of the gardens and pleasure grounds of Wortley Hall is attributed to Lady Caroline Creighton.
During the 1939-45 War period parts of the Hall were occupied by the Army, and after 1945 the Hall again started falling into disrepair.
In 1950 the Hall was taken over by its current owners, the Trade Union, Labour and Cooperative Movement, it was in a semi derelict condition. Much work has been done not only in repairing, but in restoring the plaster-cast and painted ceilings. Most of the restoration work has been achieved with voluntary help.
Wortley is listed in the record of buildings of Architectural Interest as Grade Two Star.
Wortley Hall Tariff
APOLOGY
Please note that in the last issue of Boots Spurs mistakenly attributed the article
‘HOW JOINED BOLTON CLARION’ to Tony Bowles when it was our National Secretary Frank Bibby who wrote it. apologise to Frank for whom hope it will not put him off contributing more good articles and to Tony for giving him a history he never knew he had.
SUMMER 7 AUTUMN 2000 Page 8
G’DAY PART TWO
More news on Alison Ede as her form continued down under.
Basking in the sunshine of her ‘Tour Down Under’ in Australia, Fenland Clarion’s top female rider has continued her string of successes. Racing in Newcastle, New South Wales, she continued her great run of form by taking 1st place in the scratch race, when she attacked with 5 laps to go and held offa tough chase from several male riders. She also took 2nd place in the elimination race and 3rd place in another scratch race both held on a tough, tight cycle racing track in the heart of the town. She also gained a 2nd spot in the Individual Pursuit. Her ongoing success means that she will soon be moving up into the B category status. In the Kooragang Island 32 km criterium, she took 6th place after a gutsy ride against some seasoned riders. She then went on to take 4th place in the Newcastle track league scratch race in fine style after riding much of the race in a lone break away.
Shortly after this Alison took a well earned break from racing for 2 or 3 weeks in Newcastle and can now report that she has returned home. Alison really loved the laidback lifestyle out there and hopes to return soon.
Crooked Wheel
The following are a list of good cycle shops that have used or looked at on the Internet that thought some members might find useful:
http://www.sjscycles.com/ comprehensive site a bit slow to start up due to complex
menu. http://www.settlecycles.co.uk/ very good site, good pictures of components ordering and delivery is efficent and prices are very competitive.
http://www.edinburgh-bicycle.co.uk/ good site, prices can be high, but lots of data
and different products. http://www.lloyd-bikesport.demon.co.uk/index.htm good if you like carbon fibre
and have a big bonus to spend! http://www.twcycles.co.uk/ slow but don’t miss the Terry Wright song! http://www.deesidecycle.u-net.com/ some good prices not a brilliant site.
Peter Todd Fenland Clarion
Page 6 SUMMER 7 AUTUMN 2000
CONGRATULATIONS
Nottingham and Fenland have come up with a solution to the difficulty of attracting new members to their respective sections they are breeding their own!
Congratulations to Lynden Fiona Leadbeater of the Fenland Clarion and Adam Julie Gitlin of the Nottingham Clarion. Both couples are expecting the clicking of tiny gears soon.
AN EXTRA-ORDINARY DAY AT THE
MANCHESTER VELODROME
The following is a press release from the Manchester Velodrome.
Gentleman cyclist, A.W. Ferguson Esq., motored up from his Wiltshire estate to complete a few laps of the bicycle racing track on a 1886 Singer Old Ordinary in Manchester Monday last.
Under the expert tuition of the distinguished penny-farthing racer Mr Merlin Evans from Stockport, Mr Ferguson soon mastered the intricacies of mounting and dismounting this high-wheeled machine. “Mr Evans was an admirable tutor and soon engendered me with a great deal of confidence” stated an enthralled Mr Ferguson.
Mr Evans countered that “if Mr Ferguson’s busy schedule allows, we should be very happy to consider his application to the Clarion Cycling Club movement. Mr Ferguson showed such a good aptitude for the machine that have asked him to consider riding the Knutsford Great Race for Ordinarys in September.”
(Mr Andrew Ferguson came to the Velodrome as a prize in a competition run by the Mars company. Coming from Trowbridge, postman, Mr Ferguson and his family had a night in the Crown Plaza hotel in Manchester before coming for his day at the Velodrome. This was Mr Ferguson’s first ride on an Ordinary and, according to the Velodrome’s development office, Andrea Ingram, rode very well indeed all bedecked in period costume.) A photograph of Mr Ferguson can be seen in the ‘WHAT WERE THEY SAYING?’ article.
Georgina Gardiner, of Fenland Section, competed in her first ever European Championships in Stein, Holland, and finished 3rd in the 50-55 section. Georgina said “When heard the announcement that I had finished 3rd the emotions welled up inside me and tears of happiness began to roll down my face as realised I’d won a medal for my country. The last time felt like that was when first completed the London Marathon. It was the first time I’d competed in the European Championships and to win a medal, well, it surprised me, Certainly wasn’t expecting it. It is just such a great honour to have won a medal representing your country.”
SUMMER 7 AUTUWN 2000
This photograph is of Manchester Section’s petty cash from the days when money was real money, (or so I’m told)! Anyway, have got a prize for the person who can guess or add up how much is there in old money. Answers on a postcard to me at my home address, (see last page) or in person at Wortley Hall. The winner will be announced at Wortley Hall, along with the winners of the Hill Climb, on the Sunday lunchtime.
Competition Rules:
1. The total is the figure that have added it up to.
2 If no-one guesses the exact total the winner will be the one nearest to it.
3. What say goes!!!
Tracey Auty
Page SUMMER AUTUMN 2000
CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL GRAND PRIX TRACK MEETING
Dave Langlands, Fenland Section, took a top placing in the Cardiff International Grand Prix Track Meeting, in July. Racing against some of the UK’s elite riders, national squad members and Olympic squad riders from the Czech Republic, Latvia and Barbados, the Elton based cyclist finished in second place in the Devil race.
Dave also gained an impressive sixth place in the National Series Points race and settled for the same position in the 20 km scratch race with team-mate lan Clark following closely behind in 14th. The duo then paired up for the 20 km Madison race, both staying in the same lap as the Olympic and national squad riders, and ended up in fifth place overall beating 15 other top UK and international teams.
Dave is now building up for the Veteran World Track Championships in September, where he will be racing against some of the world’s top track specialists.
The Herald Post also reported that Fenland’s Road team competed in the Tour of Herefordshire Road Race and in a field of over 100 top riders achieved two top 40 positions. The challenging 86 mile course was tackled by Peter Todd and Dave Langlands who stayed with the lead group until the 60 mile mark, where the race split. Peter made it into the second bunch and finished in 29th position, followed by Dave in 31st place.
Herald Post
BURY’S MILLENNIUM FESTIVAL OF CYCLING
Bury’s Millennium Festival of Cycling started with two splendid events organised by our club. On Saturday of last weekend the annual Lumb Carr Hill climb took place with the ages of participants varying between 13 and 76 years.
The first place was shared by David Isherwood of the West Pennine Road Club and his son Marc in 2 minutes and 34 seconds. The third member of the family represented was 13 year old Alex who romped up in 3:14 to beat the old record for his age group by 24 seconds. Dad, David, was also a record breaker for the 45 to 49 group. Seventy-six years old Charlie Westlake also goes down in the record book with a sterling 3:48 ride. The measure of his performance is that his ride was two seconds faster than the record for the 60 to 64 age group!
The fastest of our club members was Martin Lee who was disappointed with his ride of 2:40 but he had consolation of taking the third place award. The event was primarily for non-club members to ‘come and have a try’ this aspect of our wonderful pastime but only 50 years old David Taylor from Holcombe Brook took up the challenge on his mountain bike. He thoroughly enjoyed the event and the receiving of a cycling book award for his 5:36 effort. On the following day it was the 100 Kilometres reliability trial with six Pennine climbs with altitudes totalling 2000 metres to mark the millennium. The heat of the day made the event doubly demanding. Worthy of special mention is Sandra Fisher from Lowercroft who completed the route in 6 hours and 33 minutes with her husband Roy. Phil Collins was our only member competing in recent time trials. In last weeks Southport RC 10 he posted a satisfying 25:01 and in Sunday’s Lancaster CC 50 he returned an expected 2:24:31.
Peter Roscoe Bury Section
SUMMER 7 AUTUMN 2000 Page 9
THE YORK LENGE
Oh dear! entered the CTC’s double century challenge to ride from London to York a while ago and have been doing 80-100 mile regularly on Sundays plus the odd ride into work in Lincoln as training for this event.
drove down to Alexandra Palace on Thursday evening to find a motley crew of cyclists in one of the function rooms, no one from the CTC was there so eventually we bedded down on the floor or chairs to “catch some zeds” at about 12:30 am some guys from York came in. They tried to be quiet but as wasn’t asleep anyway they kept me awake until they settled down.
was drifting off again when a banging on the window announced the arrival of the Yorkies bikes. Since felt as if 1 was lying on rubble couldn’t really sleep and reckon got about half an hour before it was time to get up at 3 am since we were due to start at four.
Four o’clock came and went, no one from the CTC turned up ‘til half four. They gave us direction notes and jerseys and off we went. It wasn’t quite light when we encountered Muswell Hill as a wake up call and rode out of London into the new day with a fairly fit looking bunch, (who beat up the hill). got chatting to an Ulsterman who'd flown over especially from Belfast for the ride. We rode to the first feed station somewhere between Bedford Cambridge and had coffee and ham rolls. The girl from the CTC turned up with some ‘power pop’ mix and energy gel (Yuk!). My bunch cleared off without me and I left on my own and caught the second bunch. hung on for a bit then chased off in the vain hope of catching the first bunch.
After Huntingdon the road went alongside the A1 to Peterborough and was caught by the second bunch. We stayed together and found a marvellous cafe in the centre of Sleaford (by the arcade) after which we set off for Lincoln up the A15. This is a bloody dangerous road for cyclists as it’s fairly narrow but straight. We nearly got splashed by a National Holidays coach driver who honked then blew past us without moving over, although there was no oncoming traffic. B*****d!
We got into Lincoln and went straight through the city centre and up the hill. John from CCCP in Bromley as our specialist climber set the pace, I chased after him but he reached the top a few lengths ahead of me. was pleased could do more than just twiddle after 140 miles.
North of Lincoln we split up as some guy thought he knew the way better than me and the bunch went off round the ring road. misunderstood my mate John as thought he was going to catch them up after the disagreement about directions, when he said he was going to catch them to tell ‘em to come back. Anyway, was on my own again and set off to Scampton and up to Kirton Lindsey. When got there reached into my pocket to check the notes as to the next village only to find they’d gone, “oh shit!” I thought.
A few miles further on passed a couple who started in Peterborough and told me the next feed station was at Burringham. rode into Scunthorpe (not a pleasant experience, except for the rather nice looking young lady of whom asked directions. Unfortunately
Page 10 SUMMER AUTUMN 2000
7
she was from Canada and couldn’t tell me squat. wonder if she too was lost?).
pressed on and eventually came to Burringham and missed the feed station and proceeded to Keadby Bridge by Gunness. I’m sorry but this place has to be front runner as the arsehole of England! What a dump! proceeded off the grim iron bridge over the Trent and headed toward Goole, {runner up in the A of E contest for ten years running, probably}. By this time there was a totally bitching wind blowing straight at me for miles, my contact lenses were fogging up and started to drift off like was falling asleep. stopped at a paper shop in some godforsaken hole, sorry village and had a can of Red Bull. don’t normally drink such muck, but it woke me up. The wind was unrelenting, was down to 10 mph at times but eventually reached Goole.
Once into Goole got lost up a side street and ended up in a street of terraced houses. had a chat with an old fella as to how the f*** do I get out of here. He passed me on to a bloke who’d just come home from work. He was really good bless him. He got his road atlas out of the car and gave me a route out of Goole to Boothferry Bridge, (Who everyone knows is the bridge to Gods country, if there is one, a god that is). Once got to the bridge road looked left and saw the bunch I'd left in Lincoln with CCCP John at the front. was really pleased to be with them again and it spurred us all on toward York.
A couple of the lads were from Selby CC, and with a bit of local knowledge we soon found ourselves on the York-Selby bike route. blew big time with about 3 miles to go, (seemed like 30), and was escorted in by Keith from Selby onto the Knavesmire and finally to the finish. This was a real anticlimax, we just signed in and queued to organise a pitch, that was about 1000 miles away down the field. The ‘all day pasta party’ for the riders was a disappointment. No pasta. No party... had some singed fries with a veggie pasty and crawled into my tent.
Saturday morning and felt a bit better. got showered and had a good breakfast. A tour around the cycling exhibition killed all the time up to when the coach was due to
go.
We got up to the entrance with bikes and bags to be told to go back to the CTC tent where the bikes would be loaded. Back we went to load the bikes. Only one van was there and after a good length of time the bikes were loaded. We traipsed back to the entrance with our bags and got on the coach. We left York at 1:20 p.m., (advertised as 12:00 noon, I’d predicted 1:30 p.m.), and arrived back at Ally Pally at 5:00 p.m.. Unfortunately the bikes didn’t turn up until 6:30 p.m. as they’d made a stop at Peterborough and got lost. At least my car hadn’t been nicked or burgled. finally got home about 8:30 p.m..
It was a great day and met some really great people on the ride. don’t think I’ll do it again but it’s a good one for my c.v.! must say the organisation was poor to say the least particularly the non-event in York and the lash up with the bike transport there
you go!
For the record my computer recorded 218.93 miles at an average speed of 16.56 mph. We got into York about 7:55 p.m..
Stuart Waller Nottingham Clarion
SUMMER 7 AUTUMN 2000 Page 17
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WORLD THE CLARION)
By Tim Fahy Aged 9 and a (very big) bit
looked back to the work I had written in my history workbooks when I| was a schoolboy. From this, have taken some extracts exactly as wrote them. Using a selection of these, I’ve put together a guide to some of the most memorable people and events of the last few thousand years. would have to warn you that you'll need to bear with me in places. The details are only as accurate as the average ten or eleven-year-old could be expected to produce. Of course, any of the resulting innuendo is purely a coincidence!
Let’s start at the dawn of civilisation. Ancient Egypt. Aland inhabited by mummies who wrote everything down in hydraulics. The Egyptians had often to travel vast distances over in hospitable deserts. Therefore, they travelled by camelot.
Another great civilisation was the Greeks. They were highly sculptured people and have become renowned as great thinkers. Socrates was one such famous Greek who went around giving people advice. They killed him with an overdose
of wedlock.
The Romans emerged as a great military power taking their opportunity for world domination when the Queen of Egypt died after being bitten on the ass. The Romans were so called as they never stayed in one place for very long. One of their most famous leaders was Julius Caesar. He extinguished himself on the battlefields. It was the Ides of March who murdered him. Caesar’s favourite food
was salad.
The bible provides detail of the people of the times. It is full of interesting caricatures. In the first book, Guinnesses, Adam Eve were created. Moses eventually led his people to the Red Sea where they made unleavened bread. This is the name given to bread without any ingredients and it kept them occupied whilst Moses went up to Mount Cyanide to get the Ten Commandments. Despite these, Solomon managed to have three hundred wives and seven hundred
porcupines.
In midevil times, most people were still alliterate. England started to emerge as a world power. The Elizabethan age dawned and much was written of Queen Elizabeth She was known as the “virgin queen”. When she exposed herself before her troops, they all shouted “hurrah”. It was an age of great inventions and discovery. Sir Walter Raleigh invented cigarettes and potatoes. Sir Francis Drake circumcised the world with a hundred-foot clipper. Christopher Columbus, the great navigator, discovered America while cursing about the Atlantic.
The greatest writer of the times was William Shakespeare. He wrote tragedies and
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comedies in Islamic pentameter. Romeo and Juliet probably the most famous example of a heroic couplet. Romeo’s last wish was to be laid by Juliet.
One of the causes of the American War of Independence was tacks. The English put them in the tea that was sent to Boston. Finally, the colonists won the war and no longer had to pay any taxis. The constitution of the United States was adopted. Under this, people enjoyed the right to keep bare arms. Washington was the first President. Of the early leaders, Abraham Lincoln is a name most people remember. Whilst at the theatre one night, he got shot by a supposedly insane actor, John Booth. This ruined Booth’s career.
Meanwhile in Europe, Voltaire invented electricity and Issac Newton invented gravity. Gravity is most noticeable in the autumn when apples fall from trees. Europe also led the way in musical achievements. Johann Bach wrote a great many musicals. At the time he was the most famous composer in the world and so was Handel. Handel was half German, half Italian and half English. Beethoven wrote music too. He was deaf so wrote louder than his contemporaries.
The nineteenth century was a time of many thoughts and inventions. People stopped reproducing by hand and started reproducing by machine. Charles Darwin, a famous naturist, wrote the ‘Organ of the Species’. Dickens wrote about curing a boy who had a bad chest cold. Great Expectorations was an instant classic.
After sitting on the throne for sixty-three years, the nation was flushed with sorrow when Queen Victoria died. The new century was at a beginning. Madman Curie discovered radio and later died from it. The Bolsheviks were revolting led by failed snooker ace Inov the Red. Karl Marx became one of the Marx brothers.
As people took to their bikes, the National Marion Cycling Club was founded with the motto “Fellowship is often strife”. Limited in scope by its tight membership criteria, demand amongst female cyclists called Marion could not sustain a national organisation. A similar story was happening to another niche club, the Association of Wind Instrument Playing Cyclists, {although better known as The National Clarionnettes Cycling Club). Members of both these clubs drifted away into the much larger National Clarion movement with its “Fellowship is Life” motto. It is worth noting that, few though they may have been, there have been certain members of the National Clarion called Marion who contributed enormously to the organisation and will always be remembered and held in much respect.
As the twentieth century moved on, political correctness then began. This prevents me from going any further least cause offence. hope you like this little selection of historical events and to away better informed than before. Do you think pass a GCSE with it?
Tim Fahy Nottingham Clarion
SUMMER 7 AUTUMN 2000 Page 13
STUARTS ROAD RACE
Nottingham Clarion Little Owl Road Race including the National Clarion Championship.
On a bright and breezy Sunday morning a small but quality field including Rob Hayles, Chris Storer and Julian Ramsbottom along with Martin Smith from Nottingham section and many others from Fenland, Crewe and Stockport, faced the thought of climbing Harby
Hill four times and rode the race.
felt the weight lift from my shoulders as watched the race off. After a softish start the cry of COWS, COWS, COWS!!! Ripped through the CB as Kath Smith and Gordon Baker in the lead car encountered a herd in the road east of Eastwell.
Back at HQ my radio went strangely quiet. Janet, my wife, was handling the catering in Kath’s absence and was busily overcharging everyone for everything. The first casualty of the race was Lorna Currie, who entered the event thinking it would be an easy first time race and was sadly mistaken. She was the only woman in the race but there was no woman’s prize so couldn’t give her one. A few more victims drifted into the HQ as the race progressed including, sadly Martin Smith. took my son, Alex, with me up to the finish and we watched the field on the last lap. followed a commissaries car to the finish and Simon Whitaker rang my mobile to tell me they had changed the CB channel, no wonder the radio was quiet! Rob Hayles and Tim Buckle had a 2 minute lead on the bunch
going into the final lap.
Result:
1 Tim Buckle 88 km in 2:22:40 2 Rob Hayles 1:18
3 Darren Atkins 2:12
4 Chris Storer
5 Pete Hinchcliffe
The National Clarion Champion for 2000 is Peter Todd of Fenland who finished 10th at 3:05. Dave Langlands also of Fenland was runner up at 3:15. Thanks must go to everyone who helped out on the day and before hand.
Stuart Waller Nottingham Section
ULSTER TIME TRIAL SCENE
On may 31st, Jean and flew out to spend a few days with our family in Northern Ireland. We knew that Philip, our son, had joined one of the local cycling clubs so was looking forward to meeting some of his club-mates and finding out a bit more about the T.T. scene.
The majority of the events are run as part of the Ulster Cycling Federation’s ‘Points’ League, comprising twenty-three events, (4 twenty-fives and 19 tens). The points are awarded as follows: 20 points for first place, 18 for 2nd, 16 for 3rd and reducing by one point down to 7 points for 12th place; every other finisher receives 5 points.
Page 14 SUMMER 7 AUTUMN 2000
Entry is £2 on the line, (even in championship events), there are usually around 30 to 40 entrants, some very exotic machines, and a fair percentage on fixed wheel.
Our first event was the Thursday evening ‘10’ which was won in a short ‘22 but unfortunately didn’t get the rider’s name. Sunday morning saw Philip and me out at the ‘95’ run over an L shaped course, the ‘toe-end’ of the course being covered twice (2 1/2 miles to the first turn, retraced through the start, out over the long leg and then return through the start, round the turn and back to finish about 200 metres before the start). Colum Barry was fastest today in 55:21. The timekeeper for the event was one of Ireland’s greatest during the 1960's Morris Foster, a past world’s and Empire Games rider, and also a past winner of the Bath Road Hundred when I believe he was only the fourth man to go under four hours for the distance.
Thursday’s evening ‘10’ was a memorial event, open to all and run on the A1 dual carriageway road. The outstanding feature of their event was the level of police cooperation. There were two motorcycle police acting as mobile patrols and at a the turn, which was at an access point to one of the minor roads, a patrol car, the occupants of which STOPPED on coming traffic and offered a word of encouragement as each rider came through the turn. Morris Foster was again the timekeeper and the winner, in 21:20, onan evening with strong cross winds, was Tommy Evans, the same Tommy Evans who was featured in Cycling Weekly’s Isle of Man reports just a few weeks later.
thoroughly enjoyed my time over there and it was good to see how our sport is run in other parts of Great Britain.
Pete Morris Nottingham Section
NATIONAL RESULTS
Easter Meet T.T. 1st D Hewitt Stockport 45:11
18.4 miles 2nd R Brown Stockport 49:41 3rd J Mortel Stockport 49:54 VET A Armstrong Teeside 56:36
Grass Track Champs ist D Langlands Fenland)
1 mile (4 lap) 2nd J Mortel Stockport) Time 3:14:02
scratch 3rd Clarke Fenland)
National Clarion 1st N Barker Crewe 55:50
25 T.T. 2nd D Mackenzie Crewe 57:47 3rd W Sanderson Stockport 1:01:05
VET on Standard D Gillot Crewe 1:05:18
Lady L Fewtrell Crewe 1:13:16
Team Barker/Mackenzie/ Crewe 2:51:03
Barton National Clarion R.R. See Stuarts Road Race article
Track, Cyclox Hill Climb still to be run.
SUMMER AUTUMN 2000 Page 18
1ST INTERNATIONAL RESULT FOR CLARION
Dave Langlands, of Fenland Section, rode a superb race in the International Lincoln Grand Prix Road Race, on 8th May, to take 38th place out of a field of 132 international riders, who battled it out around the 102 mile event. He was up against the Linda McCartney team, Dutch Belgian teams, the Irish Olympic squad and many other sponsored top riders. The race was run in warm sunny conditions but it was not to be an easy day in the sun for the riders. The pace was fast from the gun, with riders fighting to get to the bottom of the notorious one in six cobbled climb of Michaelgate Square, in Lincoln. The race soon split apart as the riders face3d the cobbled climb on every lap of the eight mile circuit, but Dave held on in the main bunch, as riders were shelled out the back and the race took its toll. Dave’s team-mate, Peter Todd, was a casualty at the 35 mile mark but Dave gritted his teeth and showed great riding skills on the cobbled climb to stay in contention. Dave’s group was soon down to 20 riders and he had to work hard, with no hiding place in such a small group. On the last climb up to the finish in Michaelgate, Dave took 8th place in his bunch of top class riders, coming in just behind Tom Barras of the Linda McCartney team and ahead of several members of the National Irish Team. The toughness of the race was shown by the fact that only 51 riders managed to finish from
the large, 132 rider field that started this prestigious event.
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SUWMER 7 AUTUWN 2000
WHAT WERE THEY SAYING?
Above is an amusing photograph of Merlin Evans, Mr Ferguson and a friend taken at the Manchester Veladrome. What are Merlin and his female friend saying? It could be about Mr Ferguson in the middle who looks like he’s either been to a wedding or arrived from the Victorian times. The most amusing answer will win a prize. Send your response to Frank Bibby, 130 Crompton Way, Bolton, BL2 2SB. Closing date for receiving entries is Thursday 19 October 2000 and the winner will be announced at Wortley Hall.
EASTER MEET 2001
After many years of doing a magnificent job Merlin Evans is relinquishing his position of Easter Meet organiser at the next Conference.
Llandudno 2001 will be Merlin’s swan song and the last Easter Meet of this format. It is therefore all the more important that you attend this landmark in the National Clarion Cycling Club’s history, so put it in your diary now.
Those of you who have never been to an Easter Meet before are missing a real treat; the weekend is a combination of cycling, entertainment and relaxation something for everyone; even for non-cycling partners.
Anyone who has an idea for 2002 and would like to organise something please get in touch with Frank Bibby.
Tracey Auty SUMMER 7 AUTUMN 2000 Page 17
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
North-East Sunderland Clarion Teeside Clarion
George Mackay
Allan Smith Colin Armstrong
North-West (Cheshire Lancashire)
Bolton Clarion
Bury Clarion
Clitheroe Clarion
Crewe Clarion Wheelers Stockport Clarion
Wyre Clarion
Yorkshire
Calder Clarion
Leeds (Yorkshire) Clarion York Clarion
East Midlands Heanor Clarion Nottingham Clarion
South and East Fenland Clarion London Clarion
West Midlands
Birmingham Herefordshire
Wales Gwynedd
Central Section
Amy McLarty Sylvia Roscoe Edward Ireland Andy Grace Julian Mortel Carl Taylor
Joan Milsom Dave Binns Angela Beardshall
Peter Roughton Tim Fahy
Ken Clarke Peter Shepherdly
Roger Shayes Peter Cowan
Robin Hartley
Brian Burchell
Glasgow-ish
Sunderland Middlesborough
Bolton
Bury Clitheroe Crewe Manchester Lancaster
Wakefield Huddersfield Wakefield
Ripley Nottingham
Peterborough Hounslow
Solihull Kington
Bangor
Devon
01389 874131
0191 584 8948 01947 880488
01204 491595 0161 761 6856 01200 442609 01270 841836 01625 575959
01524 39453
01924 274087 01484 648144 01924 264898
01773 748142 0115 981 1938
01733 562217 0181 572 9672
0121 603 7536 01544 340690
01248 371797
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
Secretary.
Page 18
SUMMER 7 AUTUMN 2000
CURRENT CLARION OFFICIALS
Secretary Frank Bibby 130 Crompton Way, Bolton, BL2 2SB 0... cece 01204 393065
Minutes Secretary Antonia Whitaker The Hazels, Plumtree, Nottingham cece cece teen need 0115 937 2775
President John Lees
Vice President lan Clarke, 31 Poppy Field, Biggleswade, Beds. SG18 8TU
Racing Secretary Frank Bibby 130 Crompton Way, Bolton, BL2 2SB 2... eect eee eed 01204 393065
Easter Meet Organiser Committee Member
Merlin Evans
3 Green Lane, Heaton Moor, Stockport, SK4 3LE 0... cece ee 0161 442 8441 Membership Secretary Committee Member
Kevin Hulbert
1 Ferndale Court, Coventry Rd, Coleshill, Birmingham, B46 3EZ ............2--+-004 01675 460466
Records Secretary Audrey Waddilove 36 Brookland Drive, Sandbach, CW11 OLX 26... cece 01270 761446
Wortley Hall Organisers Brian Ann Birchell 2 Wulphere Close, Dunkeswell Honiton, Devon, EX14QUU .............0 01404 891740
Racing Team Manager Committee Member Graham Pearce
70 Springdale Gardens, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2SS 2... 0161 448 1928 Newsletter Editor
Tracey Auty
68 Park View Court, Bath Street, Nottingham, NG1 1DE
tauty@derbycounty.Co.uk 6... cette teen need 0115 959 8093 Treasurer
Nick Biden
50 Highfield Road, Cheadle-Hulme, Stockport cece eee 0161 4855437 Committee Member
Ken Hemsley
117 Southcliffe Road, Carlton, Nottingham, NG4 1ESO 0... cece eee eee 115 987 3118
Press Officer
Peter Roscoe
SUMMER 7 AUTUMN 2000 Page 19
WHERE SHOULD YOU AND YOUR SECTION BE ON 20, 21 22 OCTOBER 2000?
NATIONAL CLARION HILLCLIMB
Printed by Keyprint, Peterborough. Tel: 01733 331500
NATIONAL CLARION CYCLO CROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS SATURDAY 30 OCTOBER 2000. AT HOLME PIERREPONT HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED
AND REPLACED WITH 14 OCTOBER 2000 AT SHIPLEY PARK. ENTRIES TO DEREK GASCOYNE (TELE 01 332 8829 27) HEANOR CLARION. START TIMES YOUTHS 12.30pm.
(30 MINUTE RACE) MAIN EVENT START 2.15pm (ONE HOUR PLUS ONE LAP).