BOOTSGSPURS
THE NATIONAL CLARION CYCLING CLUB MEMBE!
CALENDAR
NCCC ROAD RACE CHAMPS
31 August
Venue Darley Moor (Derbyshire)
Contact Francis Grafton (frank. grafton@yahoo.co.uk) Tel: 0115 981 9817
Pre-entry TLI event. Youth and senior riders welcome.
Details: http://tinyurl. com/m48lcy4
CALDER CLARION
AUDAX
(Part of the NCCC challenge series)
1 September Details: http://tinyurl.
Kingscavil hill climb
race with the Audax on the following day? Details: http://tinyurl. com/n4q8m5g
THREE GLENS EXPLORER
Audax 164km
29 September Section West Lothian Contact neil.fraser@ blueyonder.co.uk
com/k2ewn76 ee AUTUMN RIDE OUT
WIZARD AND 18th-20th October
LLAMAS AUDAX Contact lan Clarke
North Cheshire Clarion (clarion@clarkeyweb.
(Part of the NCCC co.uk)
challenge series) Traditional YHA
22 September weekend in the
Details: http://tinyurl. Derbyshire
com/kyf93m2 countryside.
NENE VALLEY NCCC CYCLOCROSS
SPORTIVE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Fenland Clarion Saturday 16 November
(Part of the NCCC Section Nottingham
challenge series) Details www.ndcxl.
29 September org.uk
Details: http://
NCCC HILL CLIMB
CHAMPSONA CLOSED ROAD HILL 28th September 0.9km Kingscavill Hill Climb for youths and adults.
Why not combine the
2014 EASTER MEET Beverley in East Yorkshire will be
our venue for next year’s meet, witha conference, cycling, racing and annual prize presentation. Venue: www. thebeverleyarms.co.uk
2|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2013
NATIONAL CLARION
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Stores across the UK (via the CTC,
and online. Quote up to £10m)
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See www. against you while
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‘IN MOTION’ btinternet.com
PRODUCTS
Big discounts on PLUS
cycling clothing, Many sections have
accessories, tyres, discounts with Local
tubes and sundries. bike shops. See your
Just select ‘Clarion local section for
Cycling Club’ details.
in the drop down
options for ‘How did IT'S WORTHIT!
you hear about For the £6 National
us’ at payment, and Clarion membership
add yourmembership fee you get a lot of
number inthe ‘Other potential discount for
information’ box. little investment.
Buy online at www. Make sure you make
inmotionproducts. the most of your
com. membership!
Buy a club cap
£10 only!
Fetching black, red and gold Clarion caps are available from Stockport Clarion.
Email Duncan McLaren on: secretary@stockport-clarion.org.uk
GET IN TOUCH President KEN HEMSLEY (Fenland) Tel: 01159 873118 DAVE BISSET (Bolton) Tel: 01204 853127 idbisset55@hotmail.co.uk IAN CLARKE (Fenland) Markham Cottage,
Low Street, East Markham, Newark NG22 0QQ Tel: 01777 872097
VicePresident President KATHLEESE (Heanor)
Treasurer
National Secretary
bike@clarioncc.org Membership Secretary DONALD LEVER (Bury)
14 Mosley Ave,
Ramsbottom BLO 9UH. Tel: 01204 883584
memberships@clarioncc.org FRANCIS GRAFTON (Nottingham)
Tel: 0115 981 9817 frank.grafton@yahoo.co.uk Secretary
BOB HARBER
(Brighton) Tel: 01903 879598 bikerider@phonecoop.coop
Committee Member MATTHEW BALL.
Lothian) secretary @westlothianclarion.co.uk z= CHRIS GOODE (Yorkshire Coast)
Tel: 01723 341050 twenty twowheels@hotmail.com
Racing Secretary
Standing Orders
Committee Member
National Clarion online:
Editors Matthew Ball and Kirsty Ball (secretary@ westlothianclarion.co.uk) Design Matthew Ball Printed by Key Print, Peterborough. Contributions to the magazine may be edited or omitted if there are space constraints.
WELCOME 4
Enjoy good fellowship on the open road
my. introduction to the Clarion, in the late 1980s, was through Nick Tanner (Clitheroe Clarion), meeting Denis and Wendy Pye plus Harold and Marion Lamb. A reading of the Ragged Trousered Philanthropists also intrigued me, as Clarion cyclists featured strongly in one of the chapters of this magnificent book, based in Edwardian England. As part of my degree I was fortunate to have time to research and discover more about The Clarion newspaper, the Clarion cycling clubs and the early history of our club. Denis Pye’s book is going to go to a third edition so keep your eye on the club website. The hard work and dedication of Clarion cyclists and supporters continues; this was evident at the recent National Clarion Ten Championship (promoted by Stockport Clarion), at the 118th Easter Meet in Scarborough (organised by the Yorkshire Coast Clarion) and through the pages of the iconic Boots and Spurs. We have much more to celebrate with the work done by the sections, the national challenges and competitions, and the Go-Ride success stories. Get involved, enjoy the good fellowship and head out on the open road and be inspired.
Chris Goode (Yorkshire coast)
SWAYST
Cover illustration by: Garry Marshall
The hard
work and dedication of Clarion cyclists and supporters continues
HELP YOUR CLUB THRIVE
You can be proud of national and section your active section, but competitions.
clubs don't run If you're ina club themselves. To keep you're expected to
on thriving they need donate your time if volunteers and you haven't done so participants too. already, isn’t it about
time? Be first to step forward. Don't keep an organiser waiting, fill
The easiest thing is to turn up. Go on your club runs and enter
that role!
Pitch some ideas and follow them through.
Stand for election: committee is less work than you think. Wear your club jersey. Be proud of your section's colours.
SUMMER 2013 BOOTS&SPURS 3
Simon Dale Diane Clayton Jamie Mason Jen Taylor Nottingham West Lothian West Lothian West Lothian Club Man Club Woman Junior Novice
Stockport Most Meritorious Section
Award winners of 2012
Club Woman: Diane Clayton (West Lothian)
Diane joined the West Lothian youth coaching team at the start of 2012, and has brought a breath of fresh air to the team. She hasa great rapport with the riders.
Diane comes froma BMX and MTB background but has set upa series of road coaching session for women to get them ready for racing and sportives. She volunteered with Scottish Cycling to help out with this initiative.
Diane has also been the lynchpin in getting a group of Clarion women to take part in the DIVA100 sportive (see article on page 6) and has beena catalyst in getting more women to join the club.
Club Man: Simon Dale (Nottingham)
Simon is the clubman of the year because he is an all-round club cyclist. He volunteers and contributes his time to running events, he isa keen and successful athlete, winning time trials and producing very fast
4|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2013
times. He regularly attends Clarion functions and supports the club’s races.
Novice: Jen Taylor
(West Lothian)
Jen Taylor has had a meteoric rise from novice rider to Scottish (and Clarion) Champion. She only started racing bicycles in March 2012 her first race was the West Lothian’s Hilly TT.
She took part all the club races and came 4th out of 60 male and female riders in the club’s TT series.
She won the women’s prestigious Tour of the Trossachs TT, all three hill climbs she entered, including the Scottish Women’s championship West Lothian’s first National champion. Jen also won the Clarion’s Road Race champs. Along the way she won another road race and volunteered at club events.
Junior: Jamie Mason
(West Lothian)
Jamie has raced in MTB, CX, track and road events in
2012. He was picked for the East of Scotland road team in the Youth Tour of Scotland. He was invited to attend the Scottish School of Racing
for track and road. Over the winter he regularly placed in the top five in the Scottish CX series races.
Last summer, as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award, he assisted the coaches during youth coaching sessions, developing and helping to deliver coaching drills.
Jamie is also participating in the West Lothian Council athlete development programme.
Most Meritorious Section (Stockport)
The Stockport section has been awarded the Tom Groom Trophy for its enthusiastic participation in National Clarion events, its promotion of cycling at a local level and for the organising the Buxton Easter Meet in 2012.
Send your 2013 nominations to Tan Clarke by the end of the year: clarion@clarkeyweb.co.uk
Bolton
reach for the Sky
By Peter Moore BOLTON
ky Rides are now well
established throughout
the country, and this year was the first time we’d formally supported the event. We were allocated a “gazebo” on Victoria Square. The volunteers got there about 8.30am to get everything set up while the Clarion club ride left for a relatively short ride at 8.45. The plan was that they would return at 1pm to ride around the 5km traffic-free circuit. We wanted to make sure there were plenty of Clarion tops on show!
The event was well supported, mainly with families, who allappeared to be having a great time; additionally, we saw a number of lycra clad road cyclists,
Bolton out in force for Sky Ride
mountain bikers, at least one unicycle as well asa penny farthing. Not only was the range of cyclists wide, but ages too, from very young children to veteran cyclists.
Allthe usualattractions were there, including the Wiggins Pinarello TT bike. In the park, there was a small kids’ grass track circuit (all participating kids gota prize), as wellas another Bolton based cycling club.
On our stall, Tony had
TIME TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE
By Peter Roscoe BURY
We are able to offer CTC affiliate membership to our members. This provides cover if you are sued for damage to a person or possessions that arose from your actions. Remember, with all the claims companies these days, it is easy for someone to make a
case against you if there are valid grounds. make the point that most of us will admit: that we do make the
odd mistake and these could lead to an unwelcome situation. Even if we are convinced we are in the right itis as well to be insured if we have personal wealth of some kind. It has happened to one of
brought a wide range of laminated photographs, some from the Fifties, which stimulated a lot of interest. Frank broughta selection of Clarion tops from yesteryear which also attracted people.
We handed out flyers, laminated cards with contact details. Should a quarter of those expressing an interest follow up we will gain strength.
A good day for everyone, the Clarion, cycling and Bolton.
our members. The seriousness of the argument is highlighted by the fact that the cover provides for up toa £10m claim. The cost is £16 per annum and runs from 1st October to 30th September. Email Peter Roscoe at peterroscoe80@btinternet. com for an application form.
SUMMER 2013 BOOTS&SPURS 5
By Andy Dunlop WEST LOTHIAN group of 14 West Lothian Clarion ladies are celebrating after completing a gruelling cycle challenge for charity.
Action Medical Research raises funds to help sick and disabled children, and has raised and spent over £100 million over the past 60 years.
The Action DIVA rides, promoted by TV presenter Davina McCall, take place each year in Sussex and, since 2011, in Scotland and Warwickshire. These women-
Clarionettes do battle
only sportives aim to raise as much money as possible while also providing riders witha real physical challenge.
With a choice of three distances 19,25 and 66 miles it was no surprise that the Clarion ladies opted for the toughest “Champion” course, following a route around Fife.
Conditions on the day were very poor, with mist and heavy rain making life tough for the 250 riders taking part. Added to this, the Clarion team suffered a series of setbacks including illness, crashes, a wrong turn anda mechanical.
BRIAN’S BACK AFTER 40 YEARS!
It's 8am on a cold and windy Saturday morning. Coatbridge Clarion is assembled to head off on another club run. As they are about to leave, a familiar face arrives in the car park. Brian Hastie is regularly seen around the Coatbridge area on his bike and had decided to join in the Saturday
6|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2013
run. As the members rode with Brian towards the Bathgate Hills it became apparent that Brian had been amember of the Coatbridge Clarion at the time it became dormant. He
joined as a youth in
1973 and rode with the
club for a while before
Despite this, all14 bravely dug in and madeit safely back torace HQ where they were able to partake in coffee, cake and complimentary massages.
Clarion rider Helen Turner says, ‘It tough day on the bike, buta really great feeling being part of such a big event and for sucha good cause. It madea huge difference having so many friends on the road.’
Fellow rider and Clarion organiser Diane Chisholm says, ‘Iam so proud of everyone. Many of the ladies had never ridden a road bike before February so to progress from novice to completing the DIVA in sucha short space of time is really amazing.’
Janet Balcombe, Fundraising Manager for Action Medical Research Scotland, says, ‘Weare very proud ofall the ladies who took part in the DIVA Scotland ride. All their training was worthwhile and everyone hada good time, despite the conditions.’
Find out more about the charity at www.action.org.uk.
circumstances closed the curtains on the club. Since then he has continued to ride regularly. In recent weeks Brian had become a regular fixture on the club rides and last week re-joined
the club 40 years
ON, JOHN GORMLIE
(COATBRIDGE)
Challenge series
Tim Mitchell SADDLEWORTH he Clarion Challenge sounds good and lama sucker for a medal. Our Lenfer Du Saddleworth is the ideal event for me to engage my fantasies (I still like to pretend on my bike, you see. This week I am Eddy Merckx, next week, Indurain).
But I began to worry after West Lothian cancelled its challenge ride due to bad weather. Then the snow came. Two metres deep, it stuck and didn’t shift. I decided to cancel early and rearrange. It meant no Paris Roubaix, and clashes with other events, but on the up side, we could ride safely.
Riders came from Bolton, Saddleworth and Calder Clarion. Local clubs Mossley CRT and the Mobberly Wheelers also came, making fora field of 40.
The day included the climb to Chew Reservoir, 9.5 for 2.5km, on gravel! In total: 88km, 2293m of ascent and 12 sectors of hell, with finishers spread over two hrs. We hope you can join us next year; I’m looking forward to that medal.
CLARION MEMBERSHIP
TOTAL NATIONAL ON 11 AUGUST 2013
1388
NATIONAL CLARION COMMITTEE MEMBER WANTED
If you want to give something back to the club you are a member of, and you feel that you really can help contribute to the future of the Clarion, then there is a vacant place on the National Committee.
You will need to attend three committee meetings a year, normally held in South Yorkshire ona Saturday. We'd expect you to get involved and help develop ideas (and implement them), ideas that will move the Clarion forward and encourage greater membership participation and enjoyment. Expenses will be paid where necessary, but this is
an unpaid role.
Contact lan Clarke, National Secretary at bike@clarioncc.org,
CHANGES TO MEMBERSHIP CARDS Due to the large increase in membership in recent years and the additional work that this brings to sections, especially the National Membership Secretary, we expect to change the way we issue membership cards. The committee and Donald Lever will be researching new methods and hope to implement changes in the new membership year.
NEW EDITION OF FELLOWSHIP IS LIFE The current edition (no.2) is down to the last 30 or so books and still selling fast. The committee is considering printing a new edition with the help of author Denis Pye and club committee member and Clarion historian Chris Goode. We wish to update the book with information from the last 10 years, and will publish accurrent list of sections and hopefully a montage of suitable photographs. If you have any good shots depicting groups of club members (with bikes), we will consider them. Please email them (less than 1MB please) to bike@clarioncc.org.
FANCY RUNNING THE 2015 EASTER MEET? The committee is seeking offers to promote the 2015 Easter Meet. Volunteers can step forward as individuals, teams or sections to be Meet organisers. Plenty of experience of running Easter Meets is available from past organisers and there is always a hard core of people who will volunteer to help out during the weekend. If you think you have a great idea for a town venue and could plana memorable and fun Easter Meet please contact bike@clarioncc.
SUMMER 2013 |BOOTS&SPURS 7
Making merryat the Easter Meets
Jim Harris of West of Scotland Clarion recalls some well oiled Easter Meets in the Fifties and Sixties.
1956 a busload of
Scottish sections headed
to Mablethorpe. We truly welcomed Willie Pollock’s firstborn into the world.
1957 we visited Harrogate. This time we brought our bikes and cycled around the course on the Saturday (we could do that, having no girlfriends with us) and then onto the Saturday night sessions. I must admit, we Scots are our own worst enemies with regards refreshments, when travelling abroad.
1958 Malvern. All different this year, as the girlfriends were there to keep us in check, although some of us
found to our cost that scrumpy and the water
of life don’t
mix well. We still managed to report to the timekeeper on the Sunday. The next couple of Easter Meets were taken up riding at the Rothesay weekend.
1962 Although attending the Easter Meet, I haven’t aclue where. Possibly Skegness? Marriage and other commitments depleted the numbers from Scotland.
1963 Morecambe saw a good group from Scotland. Also included this year was aroad race around the Lake District I think, or was it around the perimeter of an airfield?
1964 No Easter Meet. Gone to Rothesay again.
1965 Buxton will always
DON’T FORGET OUR RICH HERITAGE
attend a group who come together to talk about their sports, and when asked to talk about my achievements on the bike found that, while had not achieved very much, did have a lot to say about where it all began.
Having read Denis Pye's history of the Clarion Fellowship is Life, realised just what a legacy had-been given.
8|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2013
lam at an age (86) when! could equate with the struggle of the times. Jack Taylor of the Glasgow section, who went to Spain to race a People's Olympiad in Barcelona which was cancelled due to the Civil War, was a good friend of mine, and lived two streets away in the village of Inchinnan.
worried about how could convey to the group the history
remain in our memory. We had our firstborn with us, who at five months old was the youngest Clarionite. What a welcome we got from our landlady, who made us go to the Saturday night do while she fed, changed and washed the bairn, put her to bed and watched over her ‘til we came home (who would do that now?). The road race was over what they call the Leek, according to my diary. Ionly did 20 miles. Was it abandoned because of the snow? I rode the 25 on the Sunday but have no record of my time.
1966 Southport. Can’t
of sty Coron in such a short time. poured over Denis's book and a feeling of inadequacy took hold of me. tried to cover as much as could without boring any of the football fans in the group, and did it with some success, for
Left: 1956 Scottish Clarions get ready for the Easter Meet Above: 1962 Kenneth Humphries 25TT results sheet
remember all who attended. On the race side there was a road race. Maybe this was the one that went into the Lakes? Also rode the 25, but no record of my time.
1967 started a few years of accidents that put paid
to competing, and I didn’t return to Easter Meets until the late Nineties, Llandudno and Whitby.
when shouted ‘Boots’ during the talk, got the reply ‘Spurs’.
If you are a member of the Clarion and have not read Denis Pye’s book, you risk losing where you come from. For those who want to continue the rich heritage of the past, this is a must-read. WYLIE, EAST LOTHIAN
See page 20 on how to order a copy of Fellowship is Life.
Find out how Sir Chris Hoy cured a young rider's fears
By Erica Oxley
WEST LOTHIAN
y brother Andrew, mum Alison, Alex Ball and I were lucky
enough to meet Chris Hoy in June, on the last stop of his tour to launch his new range of HOY bikes at Evans Cycles shop in Edinburgh.
Sir Chris was todoa Q&A, and before he arrived, the interviewer asked us if we had any questions we wanted toask him. I had recently been knocked off my bike at the Chris Hoy Velodrome, and wanted toask ifthere is anything I could do to recover from this mentally (especially as the accident hadn’t been my fault). When talking about fame Chris pre-empted my question. He said, ‘There is nothing you can do tochange other riders. You have to be confident and focus on what you want to happen, rather than things you don’t. For example, you may root ona mountain bike trail and you either have to avoid it, or execute it well, rather than thinking about hitting it and falling off’ He also told us about a crash he once had that wasn’t his fault, but then said ‘That’s probably not helping though!’ jokingly.
Alex asked Chris, ‘What age did you start winning races?’ and he said he started BMX
Gold standard advice
Sir Chris, Erica, Andrew, Ali and Alex
racing at 7, but really only started winning races when he was 14. He also explained how the riders who were accustomed to winning ata young age couldn’t handle losing when they were older and would stop riding.
After all of the questions, Chris graciously signed autographs. He was very interested to hear about our cycling with the Clarion when he saw our matching club jerseys. There were also two bikes on turbo trainers attached to a power meter, headed: Men and Women. How many watts could we produce? (Chris’s measurement was something like 1650-1700!) A few men produced 500-800 watts. I hada goand got 430. My mum produced a slightly poor 432 watts and blamed her shoes but then another women pipped me with 440 watts.
I was gutted, but asked for another go. This time I did 460, and won the signed jersey. I was so happy; the jersey is soon to be framed and put on my bedroom wall.
SUMMER 2013 BOOTS&SPURS
L
Clarion life a-wheel
SHOULD THE ANNUAL MEET BE AT EASTER?
Ian Clarke NATIONAL SECRETARY (TUXFORD)
Since conference at Scarborough a debate has started: drop the Easter Meet and move toa May Bank Holiday or stick with the tried, tested and loved tradition of Easter? Since 1895 there’s only been one missed Easter Meet, which was 1918, and I for one don’t want to be the Secretary who ended all Easter Meets. Having been going myself since 1977 at the tender age of 13, and my Dad going to Easter Meets for nearly 30 years before that, it really is a tradition for many of us. The language in the Clarion has changed the meaning of Easter for many of us. Our religion is the bike and that weekend is when we celebrate the Clarion... it’s often said ‘are you going to Easter this year?’,
But the benefit of an extra day off work and on the bike is at times offset by the poorer weather, and the clash with school holidays and other family commitments doesn’t suit everyone. The idea of moving it to one of the May weekends is being touted
10|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2013
around. Better weather, fewer days, who knows what people really want?
So watch this space. I’m sure there will be an Easter Meet in 2014, but we are already looking at running second cycling weekend, perhaps at Whitsun Bank Holiday and most likely revolving around youth racing, families and camping: affordable and fun. To make this second date a success, sections will need to pledge their support and write to me telling me that they are interested and that they have plenty of youth that would come along. It could be expanded to be an open youth weekend with other non- Clarion clubs competing and who knows we could move the senior circuit race/road race championships to this weekend too.
At this stage we have no organiser for either event, so I'd like to hear from you firstly if you would attend a second weekend and secondly if you or your section would be prepared to run either the Easter Meet or the May Meet for 2014. Don’t get too worried about the enormity of running these events, many individuals have run whole weekends themselves in the past: Merlin Evans, Marion Lamb, Kirsty Straker, Dave Gaffrey to name a few. All took the events on singlehanded but received plenty of support from Clarion volunteers along the way. Now could be your turn to make a mark in the Clarion history...
Please contact lan with your views: bike@clarioncc.org
Keep the traditional Easter Meet or move to May?
LET THEM EAT CAKE!
By Graeme Horne
WEST LOTHIAN
Iwas trying
to think back
to my school history lessons asso and it was either Marie Antoinette during the French revolution or Mare Madiot, the quiet, shy and retiring Directeur Sportif
of the FDJ-BigMat Pro team during an understated outburst in last year’s Tour de France, that said ‘Laissez-les manger gateaux’. Let them eat cake. In this day and age of scientifically engineered super foods, the humble cake still ticks all the boxes when cyclists look to refuel.
Cake in its many guises provides great nutrition, which as part ofa balanced diet can maintain good health, and where exercise is concerned provide many of the elements to fuel your ride. The ingredients in cakes are generally the same: wheat, butter, sugars and fruit form the basic building blocks. Protein for body building, carbohydrate for energy,
fibre for digestion and fats for warmth. Throw in some nuts or chocolate and you increase serotonin and endorphin levels and hey presto, a happy peleton.
I’ve cycled all over Europe and whether touring along at 1omph or racing with the elite, cakes are never far from reach. Look in any pro team’s musette handed up by the trusted Soigneur and amongst the gels and goods with Iso in the name you will still find some form of baked delight.
I’ve seen arch rivals shake hands following altercations in race, allegations of draughting forgotten after a time trial, and I’ve also seen close friends and team mates fight in the queue at the café stop because one or other got the last fruit scone.
Following a recent trip to the cycling Mecca that is Alpe D’huez it isn’t the hill that is still talked about, it is the “Boulangerie Heaven” we frequented in Bourg. Six very old schoolboys in lycra shorts with their noses pressed against the glass cabinet.
Remember: Please eat cake responsibly.
FEAL THE FEAR, DO IT ANYWAY
By Michelle Gregory
WEST LOTHIAN
Like many new parents, I had unrealistic ideas of what life with a baby would be like. I had plans of turbo training while the baby was napping. Saturday mornings would be dedicated to club runs while baby had some Daddy time.
But getting dressed by 9am is challenging enough, let alone getting out for a club run. The turbo trainer is still buried under a sea of boxes from all the baby equipment.
There are mums who are racing a few months after giving birth, but I have no idea how they do it. Running has kept me fit this last year.
Then spring arrived and a desire to ride again. At first the rides were over undulating terrain but the lure of climbing the Bathgate Hills (or Bathgate Alps as we like to call them) beckoned.
After 18 months away from proper climbs I was a bit afraid. But when I hit the first climb I realised that it wasn’t that bad. I can still climb hills. It just takes a bit longer.
Now I ride as many climbs
as possible when I get out, hoping the adage of quality over quantity holds true. My goal is to get hill fit for the Kingscavil Hill Climb in October. I hope that’s a realistic one.
SUMMER 2013 BOOTS&SPURS 11
118TH EASTER MEET
Scarborough fair
TONY TAKES] ‘CH UP WITH i ii A BREATHER) [MOLD PALS OR MAKE
INEW ONES AT THE
EASTER MEET
12|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2013
The new Yorkshire Coast Clarion showed how, with a small group of dedicated volunteers, an excellent Easter Meet can be staged. Scarborough was a terrific location: delicious food, lovely views, rolling Wolds and loads of activities, including a barn dance, Randonneur, time trial and MTB trail riding. The weekend was topped off with an entertaining champion's night
with a laugh-out-load guest speaker and his “eggcelent” safety presentation.
CLARION LADS ENJOY} THE ROUGH STUFF)
SUMMER 2013 BOOTS&SPURS 13
TOP OF THE WOLD|
WILD THWING YOU. MAKE MY HEART SING
RIDERS TAKE A ROLLING BREATHER ON THE WOLD) RANDONNEUR
14| BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2013
EASTER MEET| D TIMERS
TUXFORD'S IAN LONGFLAP:
AND BURY'S NICK
YOUNG TIMERS
HOW MANY) 5 CONNOR FLIES DOWN ALISTER ON, LAYERS? THE TRAILS) THE SKINNY)
ALEX GETS [SOME ATR}
2012 CLARION AWARD WINNERS:
IMMER 2013 BOOTS&SPURS 15
in engines
World Champion Simon Yates and his twin Adam started out cycling with Bury Clarion. Nick Hall catches up with the brothers to talk medals, training tips and gaming
n February, 20-year-old Simon Yates won the incredibly exciting world points race in Minsk, and then the British under-23 road race championship in Glasgow this summer. He and his twin, Dave Rayner rider Adam, who rides for CC Etupes in France, are Bury Clarion alumni, and are truly making their mark in the sport.
SIMON
When and why did you take up cycling?
Dad took us to the Velodrome in Manchester to watch some racing, it looked like fun so we persuaded him to get usa go. Haven’t looked back since. We were 9 going on 10 then so it’s been a while!
Any early memories of Bury/ National Clarion?
Once we really started to get involved in cycling we ventured onto the road and it’s there I have my first memories of riding with the Clarion. One ride I remember well is heading over towards Rivington and around the
reservoir there. They hada burn up on the way back and my Dad along with Bob Duckworth gave me a good kicking.
When did you realise you were good? Good enough to be professional?
Hopefully with a few more good results on the road I’ll be snapped up by a professional team!
What are your ambitions for your future in cycling?
I would love to ride the biggest races in the world, riding the Tour or the Giro would be an absolute dream
Iremember a “burn up” where my Dad and Bob Duckworth gave me kicking!
16 BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2013
Simon's advice: make sure you enjoy yourself
come true. I can see myself asa bit of a hilly Ardenne Classics type of rider, and hopefully the points race will come back into the Olympics then I could try and add that to my palmares.
Best moment in your career? Has to be becoming World Champion in the points race. After that, I think my stage win in the Tour de l’Avenir and junior world title are huge achievements. Favourite race you have watched and why?
Last year’s world road race championships was a big one for me as I was on the road side. The atmosphere!
What sacrifices have you had to make to get where you are? What sacrifices/support have
Magic moment at the world championships
BRITISH CYCLING
your parents made?
I think I’ve sacrificed my fair share of sleep!! Other than that I’ve sacrificed absolutely nothing. lam riding a bike for a living so I can’t complain about any small sacrifices I’ve had to make. Can’t thank my parents enough for their sacrifices though. All the support they give me and
my brother is absolutely vital in how far we have come up to now.
Any advice for Clarion youth riders?
Make sure you're enjoying it and success will come.
Best coach? Why?
I’ve had quite a few different coaches on my way through the BC development system and each of them have pros
and cons, but the one who gives me the best advice day in day out would have to be my dad.
Best training tip you have been given?
‘Every pedal rev counts.’
Do you miss your brother? Not really, we still keep in contact on a daily basis.
Do you Look out for each other's results?
Yes of course, I am always questioning why he didn’t win.
Hobbies outside cycling?
love some downtime so I can get on the XBox.
Favourite food?
Weetabix in the morning. Can’t beat it. A nice risotto for tea goes down well also. Power meter or heart rate? Power, every time.
Track or road?
That’s a tough one!
Track if racing, road if training.
Vicki Pendleton or Laura Trott?
Laura I know her better than Vicki because we both rode for the ODP at the same time.
FIFA 2013 or C.0.D?
That’s a tough choice! I think it’s got to be C.O.D. but I recently started playing Football Manager, unsuccessfully trying to
get Bury back into the premier league.
Has your life changed since you won the gold medal? Not at all really. But I like it that way, and wouldn’t want people treating me differently just because of a medal.
SUMMER 2013 BOOTS&SPURS 17
ADAM SIMON
ADAM
Any early memories of Bury/ National Clarion?
All my memories of Bury Clarion are either the Hill Climb Champs or Track Champs. (Note from Nick: the first time I did the track champs I did the team pursuit with Simon, Adam and Simon Horner, Andy’s son. We won. I think I managed to hang on for about half the distance!!!!!!). The one I always remember is fully blowing when charging up the hill climb one year. Looking back now, it’s
funny to see how much I would have lost in sucha short space of time.
Did you have a cycling role model who motivated you? (besides your dad and me of course!)
Not really, I’ve always just tried to do my own thing, but obviously you look up to riders that you see on TV or when you're watching from the side of the road.
When did you realise you were good? Good enough to be professional?
After dropping Simon and Dad on the climb up to Owd Betts around two years after we first started. Only after that did I realize I was destined for greatness.
What are your ambitions for your future in cycling?
Get a pro contract firstly and then when I’ve found my place in the peloton look for some results in the biggest races in the world. It’s hard to pinpoint certain races at this
18 BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2013
Adam wins stag of the Tour de Franche-Comté
If you make
the effort to get out for a ride, make the most of it
point because you’ve got to take it one step at a time. Best moment in your career? I don’t have a proper “best moment” but my first big win in Kerry Youth Tour back when I started getting serious is something I regard as an important moment in my
career.
Favourite race you have watched and why?
lalways like to watch a race where it finishes on a steep gradient, such as Fleche Wallone.
What sacrifices have you had to make to get where you are? What sacrifices/support have your parents made?
Missing going out with friends more often is probably one of the bigger sacrifices, and obviously draining my parents funds for travelling to races all over the country is a pretty big sacrifice for them as it means less wine and beer time!
Any advice for Clarion youth? If you make the effort to get out for training or toa race,
Bank of mum dad
AURELIEN REGNOULT, ANDREW WALSH.
make the most of it while you're there.
Best coach? Why?
Never really had a proper coach, but my new coach this year, Sam Bellenoue, gives everything with power and watts which I prefer, as it gives me something to aim for in training.
Best training tip you have been given?
‘Just go deep and hold it’.
Do you miss your brother? Still speak on the phone a fair bit so no, not really.
Do you look out for each others results?
Yes, and if he gets a good result it’s obviously because the race is full of average riders, ha ha!
Hobbies outside cycling? There’s not much time to do anything other than cycling. When I do have time I prefer to just relax or see friends for acatch up.
Favourite food?
Spag bol or curry.
Power meter or heart rate? Power meter.
Track or road?
Road in summer, track in winter.
FIFA 2013 or C.0.D?
Both are far too frustrating, but probably C.0.D.
The twins win at the Colne GP
John and Sue Yates speak to Nick about bringing up their talented twins
When did you realise the boys might be good enough to race professionally? Probably when they came first and second in the Regional B Colne GP race in 2008: they were U16 on restricted youth gearing and beat all the Cat 2, 3 and 4 senior riders.
How have you encouraged them?
Once they realised they could ride on the Manchester track, we have never had to encourage them they have always wanted to race. If they had a day off from school or college tried to get them to go out training earlier but they preferred to go out late and quite often in the dark, so that didn't work! What sacrifices have you had to make?
No holidays and no money. We spent all our time and money travelling around the country taking them from race to race. We had to change the family car to a Mercedes Van as the amount of equipment they needed grew and grew.
Proudest moments?
There have been many both becoming National Junior Madison Champions in 2010 where they stood on the top of the podium together was a
moment I'll cherish. don't like to chose things that don't involve them both but Simon's first World Champion title as a Junior in the Madison, and his second World Championship this year as a senior are pretty special.
How do you feel about them being split up and racing in different countries?
They always used to train and race together pushing each other hard -so when BC decided that Adam wasn't joining the Academy along with Simon it made me quite sad that they were being split up. We knew Simon would be ok as he had BC supporting him but as parents we weren't sure which direction Adam would follow. However, we need not have worried as he is doing really well in France on his own. His current team CC Etupes was the top team in France last year so it was a great achievement for Adam that they asked him to join them. Any advice for parents of other potential future stars in the Clarion?
Never push them into doing something they don't want to, let them decide to race. Anything else you would like to add?
Become best friends with a local bike shop and beware that you will never have any money bikes are expensive!
SUMMER 2013|BOOTS&SPURS 19
Holst and the Clarion
Part three of the Clarion's fascinating history
Tan Bullock BRIGHTON HOVE Fellowship is Life, Denis I Pye mentions that the young Gustav Holst, the composer best rergembered for The Planets, was involved with the Clarion. He was also a formidable cyclist, though whether he ever rode with the Clarion CC we don’t (or at least I don’t) know.
Below are someinformation and extracts from Holst’s daughter, Imogen Holst, from Gustav Holst: A Biography 2nd ed 1969 and Michael Short’s Gustav Holst: The Man and His Music OUP 1990.
Before he moved to London, Holst lived in Cheltenham: ‘He would sometimes walk or cycle the 97 miles from London to Cheltenham with his trombone slung on his back. Occasionally he would take the opportunity of practising the instrument while resting during the journey, to the astonishment of the farmers on whose land he sat’ (Short p 22).
Holst was asthmatic and Short speculates that he got interested in cycling via articles in the Cheltenham music magazine The Minim, which also carried pieces on socialism (p29).
In London, he joined the Hammersmith Socialist Society whose “guru” was
20|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2013
William Morris, whose ‘Fellowship is Life’ became the Clarion CC slogan, and formed the Hammersmith Socialist Choir, where he met Isobel who he later married.
‘He was also occasionally to be seen perched cart playing a harmonium, while being dragged round the streets of Hammersmith by a group of enthusiastic distributors of socialist propaganda. (Short p 30).
He included his own song Two Brown Eyes in aconcert by the Hammersmith Socialist Choir in Feb 1898. The 2nd movement of his Cotswold Symphony was an elegy to the memory of William Morris.
1908, according to Imogen Holst (p 32), he was ill and ordered by his doctor to take a holiday ina warm climate. So he went cycling in the Algerian desert!
And the following summer he cycled to Steyning to stay with friends, and fainted with heat exhaustion. It’s amazing that he could survive the heat of the Sahara yet be floored by the weather in West Sussex!
READ ON
Buy Denis Pye's excellent Fellowship is Life, the National Clarion Cycling Club 1895-1995 priced at £4.95.
Email lan Clarke at bike@clarioncc.org
A19TH CENTURY “CENTURY RIDE”
This appeared in Swiftsure's Cycling Notes on 2 November, 1895:
‘[T]he 100 miles inten hours by the Manchester Clarion CC.
‘Starting from Sale... course was mapped out through Holmes Chapel, Congleton, Crewe, and Nantwich, with several stopping places for rest and food; and the time was fixed so that the pace need seldom exceed 12 mph.
‘There were 12 starters, one of which was Mrs Bennett, the wife of our sub-captain, riding her husband's machine...
‘The roads were in good condition, and only a slight breeze was perceptible... The pace was steady so none should Lag; the main credit of the ride, in my opinion being, that all, or nearly all, should finish... However, that desire was not fulfilled... The four who finished took...deducting stoppages, [a] net time [of] seven hours, giving an average of 13mph...
‘[O]ne was a youth named Wadsworth, 16 years of age, and another was Mrs Bennett, who rode with a determination and grit which stamps her
of the best lady
cyclists in the district.’
IANBULLOCK (BRIGHTON HOVE)
SECTIONEWS
BARNOLDSWICK
it by bit our little
section of the Clarion
is growing into a good all round group of cyclists. The A Group numbers have swelled, due to a few lads in their twenties joining. The B Group has likewise grown. So on an average Saturday morning we are getting around 15-20 riders. Hopefully, with a decent summer these numbers will grow even further.
Joining forces with other local cycling clubs, we have helped support a bid to build a cycling track in the area, which, if successful, will be called the Steven Burke Cycle Track.
Bob Jackson
BOLTON ur popular winter club nights have now been extended throughout
the year. Each month we hold
a book swap to exchange
books on cycling, which runs
into a good chat with friends washed down by a glass of whatever takes your fancy.
Membership is (despite enrolling a record number of new members) slightly down on last year, due to people leaving the area, as well as poor health.
Our extended winter and spring (did we have one?) curtailed riding this year and
Barnoldswick’s famous seat
Bolton headed to Belgium
several members had bad viral infections of the chest, which kept them off the road. Fingers crossed for a good summer.
By the time this issue comes out, we will have had the Bolton Sky Ride on June 1. (see p 5) Our intention is to have leaflets as well as membership forms to give out; if we can enrol a few likely candidates it will have been worthwhile.
In June small group of A riders are making a week-long tour of Belgium. They are travelling on the Hull-Zeebrugge ferry, and I am looking forward to them doing a presentation at one of
the club nights next winter. Peter Moore
BRIGHTON HOVE espite the appalling weather at the beginning of this year,
Brighton and Hove completed
10 rides up until April 15,
including a Norfolk weekend.
A tribute in the form ofa memorial lecture was held in May for Sheila Schaffer, one of the founder members of Brighton and Hove Clarion, who died at the end of 2009. Sheila was a Brighton councillor for a long period, and served as mayor for one year as well. She participated in many campaigns for social justice. After leaving the Council, she was Chair of Brighton and Hove United Nations for some 10 years.
In April, members attended Celebrate a Life: Memorial drink for Clement Attlee, his life and legacy. This was a celebration of quiet political brilliance, altruism, the Welfare State, the NHS and the affirmation of collectivism in British society.
Also in April, four members went to the CND Sussex Peace Alliance protest at Aldermaston Weapons establishment.
In stark contrast to these events a curious sight was spotted by a Clarion rider on the Norfolk weekend.
SUMMER 2013 BOOTS&SPURS 21
‘Over the railway bridge
we looked down to the pub garden and saw a strange blue effigy, such as Lewes use for the bonfire guys. As it was lying on its back with high heeled legs in the air and had a large, distinctive nose, plus a blue cone “hat” by its side, I believe it was a Maggie Thatcher image for “ding dong the witch is dead” party to parody the elaborate £10m funeral service “given” by grateful Tory party government to celebrate Thatcherism and the recent death of their icon’
Allen Turner
BURY
sI’msure you are
all aware, Simon
Yates became World Champion in the points race at Minsk earlier this year; it is said that there was so much shouting and screaming in the Yates household that the neighbours were about to call the police, thinking someone was being murdered.
Simon continues his career with success after success, perhaps the most famous being the Ardennes Challenge, in which he was again victorious.
Simon’s twin brother Adam was also doing extremely well in the same event, winning the bunch sprint in stage two; he was later forced to abandon with a broken chain.
More recently, Adam rode the Tour de Franche-Compté, in which he won one stage,
22 |BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2013
and overall third place.
In the Fred Whitton Challenge, Peter Pollit finished in 7hrs 25mins, 150th place out of 1700 riders. This 112-mile event takes in all the major passes of the Lake District.
Matt Pearce, who isa crewman with the RNLI, has been raising money for the lifeboats by running the London Marathon, then cycling from London to Edinburgh where he ran the Edinburgh Marathon. Rumour has it that he also ran a10k event somewhere in between. Too many Enumbers in his food I reckon.
Nick Hall has once again been doing stalwart work, organising a circuit race meeting at Salt Ayre for 41 riders. Bury’s Martin Usher came 9th. Thirty-six riders rode the 4th cat race, John Longworth and Chris Taylor both finishing in the bunch.
As I write, Nick is planning the National Clarion Track Championships at Manchester on Saturday July 6th. Some of our members are getting excited about this, and can think of little else. By the way, how is Little Else?
New member Vicky Heyes had a baptism of fire when
Cold club runs in Calder
she rode her first time trial, the Blackburn CTC 2-up 10TT, with Neil Duckworth, in howling wind, rain and hail. All we were short of was a plague of locusts or some other biblical pestilence. Their time of 4omins was quite creditable considering. Meanwhile, we mere mortals have been enjoying more leisurely rides aimed at novice riders, which have been well supported with not too many people falling off, apart from the leader of course, but then he’s always falling off a little more water with it perhaps? Yerman
CALDER
alder continues to grow
thanks to successful
participation in the Go Ride initiative adding several new junior riders. We now have three coaches, with Martin Price joining Tom Butler and Rob Hudson as a qualified coach.
Sunday Club runs have been split into three groups (Hardriders, Traditional and Masters) sucessfully attracting new members. We also have rides on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, including a fixed gear ride.
Early season 2013 evening TTs have attracted even bigger fields than 2012, with up to 60 riders and resulted in new members joining.
In March, a “West Riding Gent Wevelgem” club run was organised, taking in sections of cobbles around
Calderdale and Kirklees. Despite appalling weather, a number of hardy characters braved the snow and hills in the “Cobbles of Halifax” pre- Flanders tribute to the Gent Wevelgem Belgian Classic on March 24. Organiser Michael Vennard was forced to modify the route as some of the cobbled climbs so reminiscent of the Belgian Spring classic parcours were impassable. The post ride Frites and Belgian
beer at Michael’s was well earned after a day of icy winds. The idea for the ride was based on Saddleworth Clarion’s excellent Lenfer du Saddleworth event.
Andrew Spittlehouse
COATBRIDGE club returned in 2012 after being ‘dormant for around
40 years. Things got off toa good start with 23 members joining, and the first year was about finding our feet and putting processes into place. Club Secretary John Gormlie was able to turn to Matt Ball of West Lothian for advice on getting things off the ground.
This year the club started with 17 members renewing their membership, and 22 new members joining us.
Fortnightly club meetings have been great fun with the club runs and new kit design featuring as popular topics of conversation. Two members from the old Coatbridge Clarion racing days, George Allen and Alex Keys (both
now in their eighties) attended the meetings. Alex brought photographs and told stories of the good old days. This wasa real treat for the new members. In honour of the original club colours the new kit will have red, white and black stripes. George Allan has also been appointed as the Honorary Club President.
The other committee members at this time are Jim McCormack (President) and George Muir (Treasurer). With the kit due to arrive in June the first priority will be to organise a joint club run with our friends at West Lothian Clarion, whom we pass every week on club runs with a shout of Boots!
Club runs are now frequent and well attended. There are also off road/trail runs for those not keen on road cycling, and we’ve launched a Thursday night training circuit to encourage everyone to get out together and work on fitness/technique.
The club is now communicating by Twitter and Facebook, and web design is in discussion. We have affiliated to the local Cricket/Rugby Club and so have use of the clubhouse for meetings and socialising. It is also the perfect place to meet for club runs.
John Gormlie
ITALIAN o far, 2013 has beena colder than usual year in Piemonte and the rest
Even Italy felt the lack of heat
of northern Italy. But that hasn’t stopped riders getting out and about to race in events such as Gf Laigueglia, and to see the Giro. Section membership has doubled, though double figures are yet to be reached. Welcome to Richard Ayres of Madrid (triathlete roadie). Dick is riding the Quebrantahuesos on June 22, 200km in the Pyrenees, good luck to him going over Somport 1700m at 50km and Portalet 1800m at 150km. Ouch! Also welcome to Rob Morson of Chieri who plans to get out on his bike more as he retires this June. Finally, congratulations to Lorraine Julian who are proud new parents of new member Carlo Alan Mortel born on May 11. He'll ride the track, road and mountain bike if his mother and father have any influence. He is already practicing spinning his legs and saluting at every nappy change, Forza Italian Clarion! Following successful meetups with Stockport section and Cicli Piazza last year another weekend break
SUMMER 2013 BOOTS&SPURS 23
is being organised that might interest other sections: High Alps tour on September
6, taking in the Marmotte and Colle dell’Agnello. Alla prossima, arrivederci.
Julian Mortel
LONDON r he London Clarion continues to go from
strength to strength.
On March 9 we met up for our first cycle from Rye to Folkestone via Camber Sands and Dungeness. Other members subsequently joined us in Folkestone.
On April 5 we met again in London where our new shorts were distributed to members. This means that we now havea full kit which can be viewed on our new website www.londonclarion.org.uk.
Over the first bank holiday weekend in May, a number of members journeyed to Wortley Hall where we were joined by friends from the north for a couple of days. The weather was favourable but the hills have got steeper in the last few years, although no-one broke a chain this time on either of the two rides. We were made very welcome by the Hall and in the local working men’s club. Most rewarding was a cyclist who greeted us with the traditional call of ‘Boots’, and the time we spent together cycling, talking and having the odd pint or three. So enjoyable was the weekend that it has been proposed to make it an annual event for
24 |BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2013
Saddleworth raise the pace
the London Clarion and our friends. Photos can be found on our website.
At the end ofJunea contingent set off on the Newhaven ferry to join the Dieppe Raid.
Alex Southern
NORTH CHESHIRE ‘orth Cheshire had 248 members at the end of May, making it one of the largest cycling clubs in the North West of England. This includes 50 women and nearly 60 juniors.
North Cheshire recently won “Warrington Sports Club of the Year” for 2012 and Chairman Geoff Prince won “Warrington Coach of the Year”, Well done to Geoff.
Our rides programme is expanding with regular club rides on Saturdays and Sundays, with our everpopular Saturday “skills” rides being the starting point for new riders. The Juniors meet every Saturday for their Go-Ride sessions, having moved outdoors from their roller and turbo sessions at the beginning of Spring.
More members are now competing, in road racing in particular. Matt Hacker, David Grindley and Paul Wilkinson have all made 3rd Cat while others are regularly competing in local criteriums and road races.
Ade Hughes broke the club 50 TT record with an impressive 02:03:00 on the J4/16 Cheshire course in Warrington Road Club’s event. The local mid-week time trial, over an 8.75 mile course, has seen increasing numbers of riders “giving ita go” while old hands are chasing the times and positions in the annual points league. Phil Rowsell, Ben McCaulder and Andy Meade have also been competing in open TT events.
In the Juniors, Euan Hacker secured 8th place Youth E in the 3-day CDNW North West International Youth Tour and brother Lachlan 12th in Youth D.
The Tour visited Preston, Lancaster and Blackpool with a prologue time trial and three subsequent stages. Siblings Helen and Andrew Osuguthorpe are racing consistently well on the local road race circuits and Helen is establishing herself strongly in the local track leagues. North Cheshire will host a grass track event later in the year.
Rob Longden and son Thomas compete regularly in MTBevents and Kev Cawley competes in the local Greater Manchester mid-week series. Mike Plant, Mark Royle and
Giles Perkins have been travelling as far as Cumbria and Yorkshire to compete in cyclocross races.
On the track James Roberts has been making steady progress competing in the Newcastle-under-Lyme league, picking up a first place for team sprinting.
A series of themed socials have proved popular, with nutritionists, sports scientists, British Cycling, and Cycling Time Trials coming to speak. Our monthly, weeknight curry house gathering continues to be a popular draw for those wanting something hotter!
Finally, our “Wizard and Llamas” 115km Audax (part of the Clarion Challenge Series) is on Sunday September 22 and we'd love to see other Clarion sections there. We offer a warm welcome, challenging climbs, quiet lanes and a huge table of cake, so please sign up!
Giles Perkins
SADDLEWORTH t’s been a busy six months for Saddleworth Clarion. January and February
saw us complete Audax
rides and lay down fitness
for the forthcoming season.
Six members set off to
Flanders to ride the Ronde
van Vlaanderen Cyclo; it was
great to bump into Calder
Clarion on the cobbles who
were treating the whole event
as a warm up for the L’enfer. The Lenfer, which had to be rescheduled, seemed to be
asuccess, with 40 riders from four Clarion sections riding.
The summer sees some members anticipating or maybe fearing the London- Edinburgh-London audax ride (good luck), competitors in Yorkshire Cyclo Cross League, local TTs and we are hosting races as part of the Tameside track league.
Weare looking forward to our hill climb on September 1 and hoping, once again, that we won't be the only Clarion section represented.
Chris Cullen and Gary Kempster did us proud by getting their pictures in Cycling Weekly. Club runs both road and MTB continue to draw a decent number and we are still growing bigger as club.
Tim Mitchell
SUNDERLAND he Sunderland section has been busy, with the club hosting a day
of racing at Hetton Lyons on
May 25. The day went well,
with the club now feeling
confident in running and organising road races alone.
On the racing side the best
finisher from the club was Neil Wallbank with an 8th place finish in the E/1/2/3 race. This followed on from a3rd in the regional champs for the former GB under-23 rider, who returned to racing after a 13 year absence at the end of last year.
Away from the racing the club has seen a surge in the popularity of Audax riding within the club, witha number of riders challenging each other over longer distances. Matthew Davies is one member who doesn’t find distance off putting, having completed Lands End to John O’Groats in May. In June once again a number of members went to the French
Alps for a week of riding in
the mountains.
Finally, the club has found anew home at Ashbrooke Sports Club, where monthly meetings and other events will be held.
Matt France
TUXFORD ince Jayne and I moved to East Markham, it’s been a dream of mine to set up a local section of the
Sunderland Clarion had a jam packed start to the year
SUMMER 2013 BOOTS&SPURS 25
NEWS
Clarion.
After a couple of chance discussions about cycling with another Ian (local joiner) and Catherine (local GP), I decided to take the plunge. We advertised in the local newsagents and village gazettes and had 11 people out on our first ride, through Clumber Park and off to Carburton Old School Tea Rooms. After one more well-attended Sunday run, we held our first club meeting in The Fountain pub in Tuxford in May, where five of our founding members Ian Clarke, Ian Gray, Joe Duane, Tim Hall and John Strain had a few beers and decided to call the club Tuxford Clarion.
Since then, we’ve done regular Sunday runs, from around 35-50 miles at a respectable average of around 16-17mph, while at the same time making sure we don’t leave anyone behind. The lanes around North Notts offer a great variety of terrain from flattish (other side of the Trent) to rolling to quite nasty hills depending on how ambitious we are feeling. This area has little motor traffic if you pick the routes carefully, which is an added bonus.
Tuxford Clarion heads out
26 |BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2013
At time of writing, we have 21 members, plus we’ve recruited Martin and Hazel Smith as second claim to us. Martin used to ride for the Nottingham Clarion a few years ago; some of you will remember his Mum Kathasa record holder in the Clarion.
We will be looking to run evening club 10 TTs and also get our own jersey designed. Quite a few riders want to try long distance rides so you might see us at one of the Clarion Challenge Series events. Hopefully we can also get to meet up with neighbouring sections of Nottingham and Sheffield on their club runs.
Ian Clarke
WEST LOTHIAN he bad weather at the start of the year had a dramatic impact on
our open events. The seven
castles of West Lothian reliability trial, the first event in the Clarion’s Challenge
Series was cancelled due
to snow and our Lang
Whang Hilly 30 TT was also
cancelled because of snow.
The weather improved for our
open 25 TT which attracted a
big field the week before the
Scottish 25 TT in June.
More club members have been entering open events with around 12 regular testers on start sheets, and 4 or 5 riders participating in road races, with Chris Downey grabbing a 2nd in his first race the May Day Gallop APR. Nearly 30 members,
including 10 youth riders, have been accredited at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, perhaps spurred on by the club’s no-crash track day. A small group of youth riders have been cashing in at the Highland Games grass track races which take place during the Scottish summer.
Sportive and Audax riders have been out in force, 25 members dominated the Drumlanrig Tear Fund Sportive, with sizeable bunches in the Etape de Caledonia, and Edinburgh-St Andrews events.
More women are joining our section after Diane Chisolm ran a series of linked coaching sessions, culminating in an open women’s crit race. The women’s bunch have regular club runs coordinated by Carrie Anderson, sportive participation, with four or five women entering open races. Second claim member Jen Taylor won the women’s Scottish Road Race Champs.
In May the club’s 10 TT series kicked off with a good sized field, ably coordinated by Dave Adams, and the 25 TT champs produced a course record by Mark Ewing.
The long search for missing club equipment ended when one member decided to give his garage a spring clean!
Robin Priesley was voted in as board member for the Linlithgow Development Trust, anew community body whose first project is planning a new sports hub including a ikm tarmac track
and a 250m tarmac oval track. The Youth Section has proved so popular it has a waiting list and coaching sessions now run twice a week. Riders are racing in crit, grass track, track and MTBevents with regular trips to local MTB trails at Glentress. Iain Rutte is recovering from a broken arm after crashing in a club crit and Alex Ball has had all splinters removed after a nasty crash at Meadowbank. Worryingly there have been a few instances of members being knocked off their bikes, with Donald Middleton ending up in hospital after being dragged along by a car. Mark McCabe continues his recovery froma nasty accident last year and is now back on club runs. Congratulations to Melwin and Diny on getting married, to Iain and Lara on new arrival Leo, and to Brian and Linda who also have a Leo! Matthew Ball
YORKSHIRE COAST
ost of the energy
and time of the
section since the autumn was ploughed into the organisation of the Easter Meet, in Scarborough. Jenny Weston did a superb job with the catering, with assistance from Ann McIntyre and
West Lothian at the Drumlanrig Sportive
Jayne Graves; Andy Fisher and team organised the ten mile time-trial, Greystone Small created a fantastic route for the two social rides and Chris Goode co-ordinated the bookings. Thanks are due to the staff of the Ambassador, Chris Hall for the walk and the Pied Piper Band for the barn dance.
Weare grateful for the excellent support from the National Committee, particularly Ian Clarke and David Bissset. There was some good feedback and. Richard Birkin (Nottingham Clarion) said that, after his first enjoyable Easter Meet, he would return. Martin Perfect (London Clarion) single-handedly won the mileage trophy, riding from Tunbridge Wells. Two years ago he rode to Stirling! Perhaps the next meet will be in Oban. Seriously, the effort in putting on the Easter Meet is worth it. What is needed is
a division of labour, careful planning and team work. The Clarion spirit was there in abundance so thank you to those who took to the road and came to the east coast.
Terry Lynch and Chris Goode met up recently with the London Clarion at Wortley, and had some good riding in the hilly terrain. Andrea Vaughan is doing well in the Women’s Points Competition and Andy Fisher came fourth in the National 10 TT, riding solo for the first time this decade. Greystone and Chris also represented the section. Andrea represented Great Britain for her age, in the European Triathlon Championships in Turkey in June: we are proud of her achievements.
Have a great summer and enjoy turning those pedals. Hope to see you out on the open road. Boots and sunglasses.... Chris Goode
Boots Spurs is a great way to show how busy you and your section have been. Send your news, photos and section round-ups to us at the email below. We want to include something from EVERY section in the next edition: secretary@westlothianclarion.co.uk DEADLINE: OCT 31, 2013. The WINTER issue will be out in JANUARY 2014.
SUMMER 2013 BOOTS&SPURS 27
NATIONAL CLARION CH.
Time trials
The Clarion's racing season so far has been dominated by time trialling, with races organised across the UK
Matt Ball races to first place
EASTER1OTT April 30, Scarborough (V415) Snow flurries didn’t put riders off at the Clarion’s first race of the year. Organiser Andy Fisher and his team’s sporting course produced a winning performance from Matthew Ball, with Andrea Vaughan first woman and Fenland the team winners.
Easter LOTT GUEST RIDERS NOT SHOWN
1M Ball (West Lothian) 24:08 2 J Clarke (Fenland) 25:29 3 N Hall (Bury) 26:50 4 R Birkin (Nottingham) 28:23 51 Clarke (Fenland) 28:40 6 R Hemesley (West Lothian) 30:10 7 A Vaughan First woman (Yorkshire Coast) 31:00 8 L Clarke (Fenland) 31:36 9 S Clarke (Fenland) 31:50
10 J Clarke (Fenland) 35:59
Organiser Andy Fisher would like to thank all volunteers, including Steve Clarke, for organising the judging and race equipment assisted by Ken Hemsley, Jim Hannam, Paul Mitchell Nadine Peckover. Thanks to the catering team, Margaret, Jean and Marilyn, who also assisted with the signing on and day entries and Kath
Leese for looking after the competitors’
numbers.
28 BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2013
10 TT CHAMPS
May 18, Cheshire
By Ian Clarke
NATIONAL SECRETARY (FENLAND)
Damp, but not much wind... I'd forgotten my overshoes,
but found a pair of slim gloves to slip inside my trackmitts. It was 7) pi arush to the start, Pe from the poshest (is that proppa English?) village hall I’ve ever been to. But I was ona
First woman
that the previous week, Ken Hodgins had been hit by a car on the same roundabout that we’d have to cross over twice during the race. Luckily Ken is not seriously hurt.
During the whole ride, I couldn’t work out which way the wind was, so I’m guessing that either I was lucky or that there was little wind. For many of us, the ride to the start was damper than the race itself.
On the day, however, I was chuffed with my 14th place (6th Clarion), but still nearly two minutes off the pace of Clarion 10 champ, Martin Knight of Nottingham Clarion witha sterling performance of
mission, to get to the 22:53, enough to
start, warmed up, (1O0TT) Andrea give him 3rd overall.
and finish in a quick Vaughan Nottingham also
enough time to still took the team prize,
get back to the village hall in with Martin joined by Mark
time for Jayne (Mrs Nat’ Sec’) McCartney and Richard
to get to the timekeeper for Birkin.
her start time. The Bert Brown Trophy Our spirits had been is awarded to either the
dampened a bit by news
fastest team of women or the
Nottingham’s 10 TT team: Birkin, Knight and McCartney
fastest woman. With only two Clarion riders, Andrea Vaughan of Yorkshire Coast Clarion took the trophy ina time of 28.13.
10TT champs GUEST RIDERS NOT SHOWN
1M Knight (Nottingham) 22:53 2M McCartney (Nottingham) 23:22 3 N Hall (Bury) 23:45 4 A Fisher (Yorkshire Coast) 24:02 5 A Horner (Bury) 24:04 6 Clarke (Fenland) 24:30 7 G Small (Yorkshire Coast) 26:01 8 R Birkin (Nottingham) 26:08 9 P Ball (Bury) 26:23 10 S Side (Bury) 26:27
11 J Royle (Fentand)26:30
12 C Goode (Yorkshire Coast) 26:51 13 D Hodgins (Stockport) 27:56
14 A Vaughan First woman (Yorkshire Coast) 28:13 15 J Clarke (Fenland) 29:49 16 M Perfect (National) 32:56
50 TT CHAMPS
June 2, Nottingham
By Ian Clarke
NATIONAL SECRETARY (FENLAND)
On the same course as the last few years, Sunday came round with bright skies and sunshine, which compared with the constant rain of last year, gave me more reason to clamber out of bed for the 10am start.
Ireally enjoy this 50 TT course, a sort of triangular route from Plungar,
Bottesford, A52 to Bingham
then Harby for two anda
g 2 half laps. Time flies on this
z course, headwinds don’t
8 last for too long and none
of the hills are too arduous,
3 although the headwind up to
the Bingham turn knocks the
average speed down a bit. Not having really trained
PHOTOS: |AN
Care
50 TT champ Pali Hurst
for 50s this year (as if I ever do), I rode within myself for most of the ride. I got caught by chaps who were putting 10 or 20 minutes into me, but at least they had ‘o’s or ‘5’s on their numbers and took the top two places.
A couple of sticky gel wrappers stuffed down the neck of my skinsuit and with less than 10 miles to go, the Clarion 10 champ (Martin Knight Nottingham Clarion) caught me, but was clearly running out of steam for the last leg along the Aso.
Despite nipping past him again on the left turn down to the finish, he’d still done enough to claim 3rd Clarion rider, putting the best part of nine minutes into me and only 36 seconds off winning the Championship and the Rylance Linklater-Ogden Trophy.
Winner Phil Hurst took the win with 2:00:11, thankful firstly for Martin blowing a bit in the 50, but also that last year’s winner Simon Dale chose not to ride
Phil Hurst led the winning team of three from Nottingham including Knight as well as Stuart Gregory, all
of them recording 2hrs and no minutes.
Phil Hurst was also race organiser, just like last year’s winner Simon Dale. So, if you want to beat these guys next year, you’ve got to promote the race and win it, too.
SOTT champs GUEST RIDERS NOT SHOWN,
1P Hurst (Nottingham) 2:00:11 2 S Gregory (Nottingham) 2:00:37 3M Knight (Nottingham) 2:01:46 4 D Kerry (Nottingham) 2:09:09 5 Clarke (Fenland) 2:10:40 6 R Birkin (Nottingham) 2:19:22 7 J Giles (Nottingham) 2:20:31 8 A Armstrong (Sunderland) 2:37:43
25 TT CHAMPS
June 16, Sunderland
By lan Clarke
NATIONAL SECRETARY (FENLAND) Bright sunshine, a dry and warmish morning but with a stiff headwind to the turn was the forecast for the 25. Many riders grovelled out to the turn from the start
at Ponteland just north of Newcastle’s airport and some had saved enough
to make the most of the 12-mile return leg to recover lost average speeds. The promoting club fielded some 14 riders of its own, together with great organisation and plenty of marshalls and helpers. Event organiser and Sunderland Secretary Allan Smith gave a Sunderland Bidon to all Clarion riders who had made the long journey to Northumberland. Congratulations to Men’s
SUMMER 2013 BOOTS&SPURS 29
NA
AL CLARION RACES
Volunteers and riders from the successful Sunderland Clarion 25 TT championship
winner Simon Dale and Women’s champion Ingrid Shepherd.
Champs e5TT GUEST RIDERS NOT SHOWN
1S Dale (Nottingham) 0:58:04 2M Ewing (West Lothian) 0:58:34
3M Knight (Nottingham) 0:59:37 4 C Stephenson (Sunderland) 1:00:33
5 MSloanes (Sunderland) 1:02:27
61 Clarke (Fenland) 1:03:56
7 A Fisher (Yorkshire Coast) 1:04:08 8 S Grey (Sunderland) 1:05:50 9 C Goode (Yorkshire Coast) 1:05:50 10 M Kelly (Nottingham) 1:06:44 11 M Davies (Sunderland) 1:07:34 12 P Alderson (Sunderland) 1:08:34 13 H Nahler (West Lothian) 1:08:45 14 M Tully (Sunderland) 1:11:07 15 C Wright (Sunderland) 1:12:06 16 Shepherd (Sunderland) (First Woman) 1:12:50 17 E McLeod (Sunderland) 1:13:10 18 N Grotz (Sunderland) 1:14:51 19 A Duffy (Sunderland) 1:15:10 20S Kerr(Sunderland) 1:17:07 21 D Hardy (Sunderland) 1:17:19 22 P Baggaley (Sunderland) 1:20:42 23 P Whitehill (Sunderland) 1:23:53 24 M Perfect (London) 1:26:29
POINTS COMPETITION
Consistency is the key toa successful points competition
30 BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2013
First place Simon Dale and second place Mark Ewing
campaign. Nottingham’s Martin Knight, with his first and two thirds, is 50 points ahead of Bury’s Nick Hall. Fenland’s Ian Clarke hasn’t featured on the podium but getting the miles in (by car) and riding all the events so far places him third. Andrea Vaughan leads the women’s competition by just 2 points. In the section competition, Nottingham’s tactic of sending big teams to races with strong riders puts them in a commanding position at the half way mark.
Points Competition to June 2013
1M Knight (Nottingham) 110 2 N Hall (Bury) 60 Clarke (Fenland) 534M
Ball (West Lothian) 50 4 S Dale (Nottingham) 50 4 P Hurst
(Nottingham) 50 7 J Clarke (Fenland) 40 7 M Ewing (West Lothian) 407 A Fisher (Yorkshire Coast) 40 7S Gregory (Nottingham) 40
7M McCartney (Nottingham) 4012 Birkin (Nottingham) 38 13 C Goode (Yorkshire Coast) 28 14 G Small (Yorkshire Coast) 23 15 C Stephenson (Sunderland) 23 16 M Sloanes (Sunderland) 22 17 D Kerry (Nottingham) 20 18 S Grey (Sunderland) 19 19 M Davies (Sunderland) 18 20 P Alderson (Sunderland) 17 21 A Horner (Bury) 16 21H Nahler (West Lothian) 16 23 A Vaughan (Yorkshire Coast) 15 1st Woman 23 M Tully (Sunderland )15 25 C Wright (Sunderland) 14 1st Junior 26 Shepherd (Sundertand) 13 2nd Woman 27 E McLeod (Sunderland 12 27 M Perfect (London) 12 27 J Royle (Fenland) 12 30 P Ball (Bury) 11 30 J Clarke (Fenland )11 3rd Woman 30 S Side (Bury) 11 33 A Duffy (Sunderland) 10 34 R Hemesley (West Lothian) 9 34 S Kerr (Sunderland) 9 36 D Healy (Sunderland) 8 36 D Hodgins (Stockport) 8 38 A Armstrong (Sunderland) 7 38 P Baggaley (Sunderland) 7 38 L Clarke (Fenland) 7 4th Woman 41 S Clarke (Fenland 6 41P Whitehill (Sunderland 6
Section
1 Nottingham 210
2 Fenland 105
3 West Lothian 99
4 Yorkshire Coast 91 5 Bury 87
6 Sunderland 64
7 London 12
8 Stockport 8
BARNOLDSWICK
Bob Jackson, 01282 817017 fred@alpineoverland.co.uk BLACKPOOL fi www.blackpoolclarion.webs.com Chris Smith, 07885 650426 blackpoolclarion@hotmail.co.uk BOLTON &i www.boltonclarion.co.uk
Peter Moore, 0161 790 9771 m739735@aol.com
BRIGHTON HOVE Ei brightonandhoveclarion.wordpress.com lan Bullock, 01273 682133 i.bullock@ntlword.com
BURY Ei buryclarion.myzen.co.uk
Peter Roscoe
0161 761 6856 peterroscoe80@btinternet.com www.calder-clarion.co.uk Andrew Spittlehouse,
01977 796551 andrew.spittlehouse@gmail.com CAMBRIDGE www.cambridgeclarion.org
lan McNally, 01223 264078 imenally@idnet.com
CLITHEROE &i
Martin Catlow, 01200 425852 martinhilcat@aol.com
COATBRIDGE
John Gormlie, 01236 424346 john.gormlie@blueyonder.co.uk CREWE www.creweclarionwheelers.org Andrew Grace, 01270 841836 andrew.grace@ dicksonssolicitors.co.uk
FENLAND www.fenlandclarion.co.uk Martin Jones, 01733 319486 martin@fenlandclarion.co.uk HEANOR Ei heanorclarion.org.uk
John Gott, 01773 769781 johngott@gmx.com
HEREFORD
Alvin Smith, 01568 770327 alvin.smith@btinternet.com
TOUCH
bike@clarioncc.org
(National Secretary lan Clarke)
fi Clubs on Facebook (search by their name)
Q@ITALIAN fi www.italianclarion.com/
Julian Mortel info@italianclarion.com
LONDON www.londonclarion.org.uk
Martin Perfect, 01892 523927 mjperfect@gmail.com
MALMESBURY
Howard Sprange, 01666 823476 howard.sprange@btinternet.com NORTH CHESHIRE Hi www.northcheshireclarion.co.uk Geoff Prince, 07739 516613 secretary@north cheshireclarion.co.uk
NOTTINGHAM Ei
www.nottinghamclarion.co.uk
Paul Harwood, 0115 911 8183 p.harwood@ntlworld.com
SADDLEWORTH saddleworthclarion.webs.com Tim Mitchell, 01457 837532 stonedrose89@hotmail.com STOCKPORT Ei www.stockport-clarion.org.uk Duncan McLaren,
0161 487 4828 dunchewitt@hotmail.com
SUNDERLAND fi www.sunderlandclarion.org.uk Allan Smith, 0191 584 8948 allanpsmith@live.co.uk
TEESSIDE
Colin Armstrong, 01947 880488 TUXFORD
lan Clarke, 017777 872097 bike@clarioncc.org
WEST LOTHIAN Ei www.westlothianclarion.co.uk Matthew Ball, 07989 597175 secretary@westlothianclarion. co.uk
WEST SCOTLAND
Jim Harris, 01236 730157 jimharris35@yahoo.co.uk
YORKSHIRE COAST Chris Goode, 01723 341050 twentytwowheels@hotmail.com CENTRAL
Ann Burchell, 01404 891507 PRIVATE
Donald Lever memberships@clarioncc.org
CLUBS ON TWITTER @blackpoolccc @calderclarion @ClarionCC @CoatbridgeCCC @fenlandClarion @HeanorClarionCC @italianclarion @LondonClarion @northcheshire @nottmclarionce @sunderlandcce
SUMMER 2013| BOOTS&SPURS 31
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