No words could be read on this page.
LENDAR
Enter
anevent
now!
There are two cracking races still to enter, both with youth events and a great touring weekend to kick off the social season.
Sun 12th October NCCC HILL CLIMB CHAMPS
(Tuxford Clarion) Tuxford has got the funding for a closedroad TT so youth riders of all ages can join in the fun.
10-12th October CLARION RIDE-OUT TO ASHERWOOD FOREST YHA (Location planned to be near the Hill Climb Champs.)
For more information visit www.clarioncc.org
2|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2014
LARION MEMBERSHIP.
Use your benefits!
15% DISCOUNT AT 40+ COTSWOLD OUTDOOR
Stores across the UK and online. Quote ‘AF-NATC-99' at the store till and show your National Clarion membership card. See www. cotswoldoutdoor.com for your nearest store
10% DISCOUNT ON ‘IN MOTION’ PRODUCTS Big discounts on cycling clothing, accessories, tyres, tubes and sundries.
t select ‘Clarion Cycling Club’ in the drop down options for 'How did you hear about us’ at payment, and add your membership number in the ‘Other information’ box. Buy online at www. inmotionproducts. com.
ANNUAL
3RD PARTY INSURANCE (via the CTC,
up to £10m)
for just £16 protects your personal wealth if you have a claim against you while cycling. For more details, contact Peter Roscoe: btinternet.com
PLUS
Many sections have discounts with local bike shops. See your local section for details.
IT’S WORTH For the £8 National Clarion membership fee you get a lot of potential discount for little investment. Make sure you make the most of your membership!
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK
Did you know the National Clarion has its own Facebook group? It's gaining popularity and is a great way to keep up to date with what is going on across the
country and see what other sections have been up to. NCCC events will be publicised on the group so don't delay, join up today!
Search for ‘National Clarion Cycling Club’ on Facebook.
PHOTOS BY IAIN ELLIOTT
President KEN HEMSLEY (Fenland) Tel: 01159 873118
Treasurer
DAVE BISSET (Bolton)
Tel: 01204 853127 davidbisset55@hotmail.co.uk
Vice President KATH LEESE (Heanor)
5 National Secretary JAN CLARKE (Fenland) Markham Cottage, Low Street, East Markham, Newark NG22 0QQ Tel: 01777 872097 bike@clarioncc.org
Membership Secretary
DONALD LEVER (Bury) 14 Mosley Ave,
Ramsbottom BLO 9UH.
Tel: 01204 883584
memberships@clarioncc.org
Racing Secretary FRANCIS GRAFTON (Nottingham)
Tel: 0115 9875784 frank.grafton@yahoo.co.uk
Standing Orders Secretary
BOB HARBER (Brighton) Tel: 01903 879598
bikerider@phonecoop.coop
Committee Member CHRIS GOODE (Yorkshire Coast)
Tel: 01723 341050 twenty twowheels@hotmail.com
National Clarion online: www.clarioncc.org
Editors Matthew Ball and Kirsty Ball (mball@matthewball.co.uk)
Design Matthew Ball
Cover Illustration Garry Marshall Printed by Buxton Press Submissions Contributions to the magazine may be edited or omitted if there are space constraints.
Help shape the future Clarion
National Secretary lan Clarke outlines the Club's future plans and calls for feedback
he National Clarion has seen rapid growth in the last four years and now has a membership in excess of 1500. Numbers are, however, not a measure of strength. We would like to encourage participation by members at a national, regional and intersectional level. The National Club also wants to find ways to offer value to sections, not just run events and activities.
We (your elected committee) want your feedback about how we can better provide this.
The committee is made up of a small number of officers and as such, our efforts are limited, especially with a growing membership. Without more volunteers, the committee has had to to find new ways of doing things.
MEMBERSHIP CARDS Membership Secretary Donald Lever has been unable to produce and circulate the membership cards. Therefore, with help from two co-opted committee members, Alex Southern and Alan Kiddle
of London Clarion, we have found a specialist mail/card
supplier to do the job, and all members will receive their cards through the mail directly in the next few weeks. These will include the discount code for Cotswold Outdoors (15%) which many members use.
We apologise for the delay and hope you will bear with us while we redesign the cards.
AUDITED ACCOUNTS Criticism of our treasurer David Bisset was made
at conference due to the un-audited and somewhat lacking accounts for 2013. These have still not been finalised and we are sorry to announce this. David was elected our chairman some years ago, and when the outgoing treasurer Peter Roscoe retired a couple of years ago (and in absence of anyone standing for treasurer), David said that he would cover the role until we found a competent successor to Peter.
David is determined to finalise these 2013 accounts, and Peter Roscoe has come out of retirement to help him with this. We are most
The club now
needs to start thinking like a much larger organsisation
SUMMER 2014 |BOOTS&SPURS 3
NEWS
grateful for Peter doing this and send our thanks to him. We still need a treasurer, and until someone can volunteer to this position, our efforts will be limited. We may need to consider employing a book keeper who will clearly need to be paid for this work.
WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT: number of people have criticised the current website, www.clarioncc.org, and rightly so. There are several sections whose websites are far more professional than the National one and it is our intention to improve on this. The Clarion will now embark on having the website redeveloped in three phases 1. New design and structure prepared for the future, with links to sections’ twitter feeds and diary dates etc, thus allowing sections to promote their events through the National Clarion website. 2. Provide dedicated access to section pages (e.g. www. clarioncc.org/tuxford.html) where nominated section officers can update their own activities, contact details etc. plus links to their own sites if they have one. 3. Provide a mechanism for members to join and renew (e.g. online payment), via the section pages, and splitting payment (once vetted and approved) to both the section and National bank accounts. We appreciate that phase two has the chance to be of considerable benefit
4|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2014
The Clarion has ring-fenced funds especially for
youth development
to sections, but we also understand that there are many considerations to make this work. We will therefore consult with sections prior to moving forward with
this. Your feedback at this stage will be welcome.
The redevelopment of the Clarion website will be a substantial expenditure. We already have prices from one provider, if you know of other Clarion members who are in the business of web design please forward their details to alan.kiddle.ak@gmail.com
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: We are pleased to announce that following three substantial donations over the last few years, the Clarion has ‘ring-fenced’ funds of £2500 specifically for Youth Development. Committee has decided to permit grants for Youth development activities as follows:
1. Sections may apply for a grant from National funds for any agreed Clarion youth development activities (e.g. coaching and training).
2. Sections may apply
for funding where they want to encourage intersection youth events.
3 Sections who want
to run youth event can apply for sponsorship (under “sponsored by
the National Clarion CC” banner) for youth events.
4. Anyone who wants to run a National Clarion Youth Championships will be provided generous funds to allow this to happen.
So, if your section wants to apply for a grant, please send details of what you need and what your plans are. The committee will seriously consider any other requests in the spirit of youth development.
FELLOWSHIP IS LIFE THE CLARION BOOK
The current issue of the book is out of print and we are down to our last dozen or so books. The Clarion has commissioned a reprint updated with recent history (since 1995) by Chris Goode (Clarion historian), who has put in many hours, voluntarily, with the original author Denis Pye.
And so you will read that the Clarion is not standing still. But please remember we need your help, understanding, feedback and volunteers to help the Clarion move forward.
I would personally appreciate it ifa new National Secretary could be found, or an assistant (to take over some of the duties).
YOUR FEEDBACK WANTED email ian on bike@clarionce.org
Award winners of 2014
important part of the Clarion is the recognition it
gives to members beyond
the arena of competitive cycling. Here are (edited) versions of some of this year’s winning nominations.
Clubman:
Matthew Ball (West Lothian) Matthew stood out as a worthy and model Clarion clubman. Not only is he Secretary of West Lothian, but he also edits, publishes and contributes to our flagship production Boots and Spurs.
On top of this, Matthew travels considerable miles (south of the Scottish border) race in many of the Club championships, and often places highly, winning the track sprint and team pursuit titles in 2013.
Clubwoman: Liz Henry (West Lothian) The National Committee was struck by the true ‘clubgirl’ spirit of Liz, member and helper from West Lothian Clarion, it was clear how she immersed herself to help the Club and
5 enjoy her time in it.
Always volunteering
OTOS BY ANDREW WILLIAMS
Clubwoman Liz Henry and Clubman Matthew Ball
to help at West Lothian events, but at the same time enjoying those weekend clubruns that she helps coordinate, Liz would be full of smiles (as we are told and have subsequently seen at the Easter Meet) both when helping and riding for her own pleasure.
Junior on Merit:
Ryan Paul Harrison (Bury) and Callum McBreaty (Nottingham)
The Committee was totally and
individually divided by
two very worthy
winners: Ryan Paul Harrison and Callum
Club novice Jack Levick
McBreaty were given the award jointly for different reasons. On one hand, Callum had superb racing results during 2013 showing significant talent, and Ryan had dedicated significant enthusiasm on the club side of Bury, taking part in all activities, helping marshal in events and even becoming a committee member.
Novice award: Jack Levick (Tuxford)
16 year old Jack was almost nominated as Junior on Merit, until we realised that he had won two awards in his first competitive racing season with Tuxford, achieving 2nd in its first ever club event an 11.3 mile TT and equal 3rd in its Hill Climb competition.
Tom Groom Award for Section of the Year: Yorkshire Coast Yorkshire Coast was awarded the Tom Groom Trophy (the silver globe) for organising their second Easter Meet as well as events in the Clarion’s race series.
SUMMER 2014 BOOTS&SPURS|5
Beverley's big
biking bash
Quiet country lanes, a pretty market town and some great cheap beer. What more do
you want at an Easter Meet?
he meet was opened by Martin Cox, the Mayor of Beverley, at the Beverley Arms Hotel in East Yorkshire. He symbolically cut the beautiful cake, made by one of the Yorkshire Coast Clarion members, Jenny Weston. There was a good
6 |BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2014
range of sections represented, from Brighton to West Lothian and North Cheshire to Fenland.
Martin Perfect and the London Clarian are making a habit of winning the mileage trophy; it was a shorter run for Martin this year compared with Stirling in 2011, and Scarborough last year. Congratulations.
The Conference was well-attended
RIDERS FROM ACROSS THE UK MADE IT TO BEVERLEY
and thanks were given to all officials for their hard work during the previous year. Section secretaries will get amendments to rules and other changes.
Paul Schofield, a local history guide, leda fascinating walk round the historic market town, taking in the North Bar, St Mary’s and the Minster, the Friary (now the Youth
RE BS
119TH EASTER MEET
Hostel), and the market squares. Many of the members commented that they would like to return to Beverley, partly because of liquid refreshment at Nellies, along Hengate.
There were three social rides over the course of the weekend, organised by Greystone Small and Chris Goode. The first was to Bainton, west of Driffield, on Saturday, followed by a shorter route to the Humber Bridge and a more ambitious route to Howden and Pocklington. Very enjoyable.
The Annual Prize Presentation saw 68 members and guests enjoy a good meal (and Alex Ball’s cross-toasting). A fantastic array of trophies were presented by guest speaker Pete Read who gave an amusing speech and positive response to the questions posed. A donation of £84 was made to an MS charity to bolster funds raised by Peter Roscoe’s abseiling exploit.
Another highlight was the ceilidh on Saturday night, led by the irrepressible Ben Couper. The feedback was that people had had a great time and that East Yorkshire has a lot to offer, the Wolds in particular. Thanks to everyone who attended.
Many members
commented that they would like to return to Beverley
8|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2014
ALL AGES OUT ON
THE CLUB RUN
NEXT YEAR YOU. COULD WIN SOME SILVERWARE!
2013 NATIONAL| CLARION WINNERS:
THE SUNDAY SOCIAL RIDE VISITED SKIDBY WINDMILL
IN COTTINGHAM ON THE WAY TO THE HUMBER
Ss IMPRESSIVE TURN OUT! FOR THE MASSED BS SUNDAY CLUB RUN
NEWS
Historical Clarion book saved
Alex Southern LONDON
uring 2013, a member of the London Clarion spotted a book that was being advertised on ebay. Its description was as follows:
Socialist publication. Very good, ultra rare (unique). Signed by four of the regular journalists (two of which were the co-owners) to the ff.e.p. along with a prize dedication to the winner of a competition run by the publication. 1892. First impression: first unique edition, hardback book. No d.j. The front is an original water-colour of girl, signed by the same artist who illustrated all the Clarion publications (can’t trace the artist). Boards show fairly heavy wear all around. Spotting to prelims, otherwise tight, bright, and unmarked internally. A unique copy of this publication. Published by The Clarion, 1892.
A few of our members realised the importance of this book and resolved to safeguard it by firstly purchasing it, which we did in November 2013, and donating it to the Working Class Movement Library, which we did in February 2014. Titled The “Clarion” Summer Number 1892, it is a unique publication and an important piece of history, since it is signed on the cover by four of the journalists of the
10 |BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2014
Alex hands the book over to the the WCM Library
Clarion newspaper (started in Manchester in 1891) including its founder Robert Blatchford who then went on to found the Clarion Cycling Club in 1894. The journalists’ pen names are also included.
The book consists ofan anthology of articles and was apparently presented reader asa prize.
About the signatories
In February 1894, six young men met in Birmingham,
at the Labour Church in Constitution Hill. Here they discussed how they might “combine the pleasures of cycling with the propagation of Socialism”. They formed the Socialists’ Cycling Club, aname which at the second meeting was changed to the
We realised the importance and uniqueness
of this book
Clarion Cycling Club, after their favourite weekly paper.
Tom Groom, who called the Birmingham meeting, stated “we are not neglectful of our Socialism, the frequent contrasts a cyclist gets between the beauties of nature and the dirty squalor of towns make him more anxious than ever to abolish the present system. To get healthy exercise is not necessarily to be selfish. To attend to the social side of our work is not necessarily to neglect the more serious part. To spread good fellowship is the most important work of Clarion Cycling Clubs. Then, perhaps, the ‘One Socialist Party’ would be more possible and we should get less of those squabbles among Socialists which make me doubt whether they understand even the first part of their name.”
“How about a cycling corps of Clarion Scouts?” he later wrote. “A pocketful of leaflets and an extra copy or two of the Clarion carefully left at the different stopping places may have good results.”
By the end of 1894 there were four other Clarion Cycling Clubs; in the Potteries, Liverpool, Bradford and Barnsley. In Easter 1895 they held their first national club meet, when about 120 people came from all across the Midlands and North of England. The number of clubs
continued to rise: 30 by the end of 1895, 70 by early 1897.
“Had there been no Robert Blatchford, there would have been no Clarion. Had there been no Clarion, there would have been no Clarion Cycling Club,” wrote Tom Groom in his 1944 Jubilee Souvenir. “The older hands”, he continued, “who have been through the early struggles, must be permitted to give their thanks and their gratitude to those who first fired their enthusiasm in the cause of Socialism. And the man they will always best remember is Robert Blatchford.”
The Clarion newspaper, was founded by Robert Blatchford with £400 from Blatchford and his brother. It wasa socialist weekly newspaper witha British focus which published work froma variety of journalists and the cartoonist Walter Crane. Most of the regular contributors had strange nicknames. This had started before the Clarion was launched, with Blatchford when he worked on Bell’s Life and then the Sunday Chronicle in the 1880s, writing under the pen-name Nunquam Dormio (I never sleep) soon shortened to Nunquam. Although the papers ceased publication in 1931, alarge number of clubs and societies connected with the newspaper were created, of which the National Clarion Cycling Club still survives, as does the People’s Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne.
MORE PAIN THAN GAIN
By Graeme Horne WEST LOTHIAN,
The flame may still burn, but in today's eco aware society it has been replaced with a low energy light bulb that seems to take forever to get going. Last September, decided that during my 50th year would start time trialling. After a 30 year absence, the goal was to break the hour for the 25, something that had eluded me in my younger days.
holding my own on clubruns and sportives. But the rigours of transforming reasonable fitness into speed has been a real eye opener. For the first few months my training programme increased my efforts and their duration to the point that if heard the word “threshold” would break out in a cold sweat. This training produced various. muscular-skeletal issues that moved around the body on a weekly basis, requiring the help of a good physio and a stretching programme.
By June, realised hadn't raced yet, using every excuse possible, but
Although can realised that the vaguely remember biggest obstacle the rigours of racing was the mind. and the efforts and was training well sacrifices that and just needed testing required, to get on with it. had a romantic bumped into image that the road Mind over matter an old team mate leading me to my from the 80s who
goal would be wide, smooth, and predominately downhill (with a tail wind). Although my destination remains the same, have found the route is a tad more arduous than anticipated, with as many uphill sections as down and numerous potholes in the form of my old body making complaints about the stresses I'm placing it under.
would have classed myself as physically fit and, for a man of my age, in reasonable health, able to cope with some serious mileages and of
started racing again and he laughed when told him of my experiences. He had had the same issues with injuries and lack of strength in year one, improved year two and was setting great times year three. need to race myself physically, and more importantly, mentally fit. Life does get in the way of bike riding but we all need to ignore the Garmin that constantly states "You are off course” and find our own way to our goals. The journey continues...
SUMMER 2014 BOOTS&SPURS 11
CLARION AT THE TOUR
Tour de Clarion
From West Lothian to London, Clarionettes arrived in Yorkshire en-masse to watch the astonishing opening stages of the Tour de France. We celebrate with our reader photo speacial
JAMIE O'KANE GETS CAUGHT SNAPPING BY IAIN ELLIOTT AS VOIGT RIDES BY
my BEN COLMAN, RICHARD BROWN WILLIAM COCKER, JOHN MANN, PETE WILSON
feicome to the Holme Valley
GORDON SCOTT ON THE SUMMIT OF HOLME MOSS
Ee! CLARION AT THE TOUR
CHRIS FROOME RIDES: THROUGH ILKLEY| KING AT HIS STEM&
BOLTON FINDS THE! PERFECT CAMPSITE FOR A CLARIONISTA
OWEN. |}WOOLLAND (8): MEETS RAYMOND.
POULIDOR AT LOWER LAITHE,
RESERVOIR.
YELLOW BIKE,
AND DOUGLAS, DANIEL, AND CHRIS DAD), NEAR THE
WEST LOTHIAN'S DAVE HILLS GETS SPOTTED ON
GREGOR BURN CAN'T WAIT FOR THE CARAVAN
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Notes from the early years
The National Clarion began Life in 1895 when cyclists delivering the Socialist Clarion newspaper set up a bicycle club. lan Bullock provides us with some timely extracts
y 1896 enough
Clarion CCs were
up and running for
the paper to havea column of club reports from time to time. Cycling wasn’t featured every week it might be glee clubs or photography but they were certainly a prominent feature. I’ve picked out some from areas where clubs are still active though, of course, not all will necessarily have hada continuous existence since the 1890s. The first one from Rochdale throws a vivid light on one of the activities that the Clarion and its clubs pioneered. (And we do have some sections fairly near still). Some mention Bakewell, which was where the second Easter Meet had taken place.
ROCHDALE
(27 June 1896)
On Saturday July 11th, the Rochdale I.L.P. give their third annual treat to Cinderella children ina field adjoining Oakenrod Hall Farm. Upwards of 50 poor children will be provided with a substantial meal of buns, coffee and milk.
The children will be selected
16 BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2014
from the very poorest in the town, irrespective of creed or nationality. At 2.30pm the children will start from the Labour Hall, Water Street, headed by the Rochdale Old Band, and will
proceed [street by street route given here] to the field. The Rochdale and District Clarion Cycling Club will take part in the procession, and we mean to do all in our power to give a few hours of pleasure to the poor little children who, alas, too rarely see a green field or a pure blue sky, and in many cases have not enough to eat. Should the weather prove
unfavourable the treat will take place at the I.L.P. Rooms, Water Street.
H Fielding
SCARBOROUGH
(16 May 1896)
We have enrolled twelve members up to the present, and hope to increase. Our season was opened with a run to Ayton against a gale of wind. The village was fairly saturated with Socialistic literature and quiet conversations were the rule. The villages of Staxton, Granton, Burniston, Flixton, and Fokton have been well peppered with leaflets and at the two latter we sold a few Looking Backwards and Jesus the Socialist. Our run for May 16th is York, where we shall stay till Sunday evening and meet the Hull and Halifax CCCs so I hope the Ebor bravest will turn out in
great numbers to welcome. Clarionettes always welcome toourruns. LITTLE BILLIE
BLACKPOOL
(16 May 1896)
Commenced season 1896 with ashort run on March 22; commenced by making four new members. April run
to Stoneyhurst; showery morning, but we dodged the storm of the day at noon by turning in for dinner close to the College. After refreshing the inner man we exhausted all our hymns, getting a special compliment (also cigars) from the landlord and landlady. We have 20 members at present, and are making new ones every run, so let Manchester and others look out. We were represented at Bakewell by two of our comrades: Easter is a bad time for us here. We are looking forward to the meet at Hardcastle Crags, June 7 as being our special day, as we expect to bea strong club by that date. SNOOKS
NOTTINGHAM (27 June 1896) The club is going on g swimmingly. The members z that turned up to the interclub to Burton on 13th June 2 enjoyed themselves a treat. We had a run, by invitation from four other Nottingham clubs, on the 6th June, and the Clarion turned up with the largest muster, viz, 26. We have now started our 8 camp at Woodboro’, near Nottingham, and from all appearances it will be a great 2 success. Manchester can now hide its diminished head, as theirs won't be in it with 3 ours. We have three tents and 2 a large army cooking stove capable of cooking for over 5 100; and as we want to test its capabilities to the utmost we
INTED IN
cordially invite all Clarionettes to come and give us a call. I think that this is the first time in Nottingham that any cycling club has ever had a camp, so I think great credit is due to the little band of Clarion cyclists who have initiated this movement. The lady members, with the male members wives and sweethearts, are throwing themselves heartily into the cause, and are doing all in their power to assist us. At the time of writing I cannot tell you much about our doings at the camp, but it is really worth coming a long way to see the magnificent hills and valleys we have all around
BOLTON
(27 June 1896)
The fact that lam the third secretary of the Bolton Clarion Cycling Club since the commencement of the present season is probably the reason that no report of our doings has hitherto been sent. Comrade Brears has
gone to Glasgow, and Comrade Kay, secretary number two, has been obliged to give up his post through the exigencies of business. Progress up to now has been cheering, new members joining weekly, and none falling away, our numbers now being between 50 and 60, including several ladies. We have had many enjoyable runs, invariably characterised by good fellowship and perfect harmony among those taking part in them, and leaving in our minds what in years to come will be very pleasant memories. About ten of us visited Bakewell and were delighted with the outing. Yours truly, however, only managed to reach there with one wheel, having been scattered on the “scratter” near Longstone Edge, and thereby earning the unique distinction of reaching Bakewell if not on, witha unicycle.
can be accessed via the “history” page of the Brighton Hove blog at http://www. brightonandhove-clarion.org.uk
READ ON
Buy Denis Pye's excellent Fellowship is Life, the National Clarion Cycling Club 1895-1995 priced at £4.95. Order now Email lan Clarke at bike@clarioncc.org
SUMMER 2014 BOOTS&SPURS 17
SECTIONEWS
BARNOLDSWICK LUB members have C been busy during the last few months.
Mark Brown, Fred Abbatt and Michael Meath took part in the Cumbria Cracker Sportive. The 62-mile challenging route starts and ends at Grasmere, Cumbria and the three returned reasonable times, with Fred finishing second in the over- 70 category.
Frank Clarkson took time out during a holiday in Portugal to compete in the Desafio Audace FB Cub 103k sportive. The route incorporated 1,345m of ascent and descent and he completed it in 4hr 12min after two punctures! He was one of only four Brits taking part in a strong and competitive field. The first man returned in 2hr 20min.
George Bradbury took cycling colleagues island hopping from Ardrossan to Arran and Islay to Jura.
Jo Brown competed in the Pendle Triathlon, her first, in May with a time of thr 44min.
Bob Jackson has led several popular youth hostel weekends to Arnside, Hawkshead and Kirkby Stephen, and plans an eightday tour in Scotland.
Former club secretary John Idle called in at the Barnoldswick Clarion recreational HQ off the town’s
18|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2014
Greyhound Pub! during brief visit home from Cyprus. Alan Speak marshalled at the Tour in July and others were near the route as it passed through Kilnsey and the Addingham area. Among them were the Gornall family for whom the Tour brought back many memories. Sue competed in the women’s tour and Alan is a Commonwealth Games gold medallist. Their two daughters are already following in their parents’ tracks in the world of junior cycling. Bob Jackson
BOLTON think the biggest piece of [eer is that Tony Bowles has passed the baton on: while remaining the Section President he has given up all his other roles. Over the years Tony has been a stalwart,
Barnoldswick head out on a club run
fulfilling most roles within the club, and we have all benefitted from his help and experience. No more Bowles extravaganzas; we wish Tony well in his “retirement” (will he be able to stick to it?)
Paul Hackin is now our Social Secretary while Dave Owen has taken up the role of Racing Secretary.
Racing has started with the usual suspects turning out for the Southport Thursday Evening TTs, plus there’s a growing interest in sportives.
There were a group of Bolton tops on view in west Yorkshire at the start of the TDF, a trip organised by Mike Singleton.
Sunday ist June was the Bolton Sky Ride. As per last year, we had a presence on Victoria Square.
Sunday 29th June was the Lymm Festival, and we were honoured with a place in the
MEMORIES OF A CLUB RUN
By Donald Lever PAGE 20
parade as it passed through the village. Peter Moore
BURY
ello again Boyz and Girlz, one again the members of Bury
Clarion have been having
a lovely time riding on our bicycles here, there and everywhere, well almost everywhere, certainly in Turkey, where Adam Yates won the Tour of Turkey, and also in the USA where he came sth in the Tour of California. Bradley Wiggins was the winner, as I imagine you'll know.
Sadly Adam’s brother Simon crashed out of the Tour of Turkey, breaking his collar bone. OUCH!!! An occupational hazard I suppose, but one which he’d be better off bout, as they say in Blackpool.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the rivalry continues between Andy Horner and Nick Hall. In the recent Stone Wheelers 25, Nick stormed to a 56.35 result but Andy did more storming with an even more storming 54.57%.
In 2002, Phil Albeiz set aclub record with 54.06. Watch out Phil, they’re after you.
On July 13th, to mark the Tour de France, we had our own Tour de Bury, a ride
HOW CYCLING SAVED PHIL'S LIFE
By John Gormlie
PAGE 21
of 24 miles around the six townships which make up the Borough of Bury.
This year’s hero has to be Peter Roscoe, who abseiled down Peel Tower, around 128ft, and raised around £800 for Bury Multiple Sclerosis Society, his daughter’s support group. It was terrifying just watching! Thanks to those who attended the Easter Meet for donating half the proceed of the raffle £84. Also, Bury and other Clarion members for their sponsorship.
Jon Longworth completed the equally terrifying Fred Witton Sportive, which takes in all of the Lake District Passes, another hero.
*Pretty good storming I reckon and an amazing result considering that they were on STONE WHEELS! Imagine what they’ll do when they switch back to carbon?
Fred Fernakerpan.
Calder’s Andrew Callaghan winning a club 10
SUMMER 2014 BOOTS&SPURS 19
BOLTON JOIN THOUSANDS AND REACH FOR THE SKY By Peter Moore
PAGE 22
CALDER
e continue to grow, with members attracted by the
excellent website, multitude of rides across the week and friendly welcome.
The Sunday runs continue to be successful with rides for all abilities. A new “transition” group is planned to cater for an expected influx of inexperienced new riders resulting from the Grand Depart of the TDF in Yorkshire.
The Go Ride group with support from the rest of the club held a Go Ride games event to celebrate the TDF in Yorkshire in mid July. The Go Ride team has also represented Calder at many cx events including Yorkshire Points Series events at Thornes Park, Temple Newsam, Huddersfield Star Wheelers and Huddersfield New College, and the Yorkshire championship at Newsome.
Four younger riders also competed at the National Clarion CX Championships at Holme Pierrepont in Nottingham last month organised by Nottingham Clarion. Meghan Hoyle finished sth in the U12 Girls Championships and in the U9 Boys, Douglas James was 4th, Daniel James 8th, Louis Audain 9th and Daniel Price 12th.
HOW CLUB RUNS
The photograph shows National Membership Secretary Donald Lever, a schoolboy at the time, on a Bury Clarion club run in the summer of 1964, Donald was negotiating the ford at Wycoller near Trawden in Lancashire.
The ride set off from the Theatre Royal in Bury through Burnley to Wycoller for lunch, followed by a walk/ride over a bridle path to the metalled road at Water Sheddles Reservoir. The club visited Haworth and after a quick look at the Worth Valley Railway on to Oxenhope and over the windswept Oxenhope Moor through Pecket Well and down the fast descent in the wooded gorge to Hebden Bridge, a route followed by the riders in the Tour de France this year. From Hebden, they cycled home via Todmorden and the industrial towns of Littleborough and Rochdale.
20 |BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2014
Donald Lever negotiating the ford at Wycoller
USED TO BE
Donald was being careful of the slippery setts at the bottom of the stream on his new Ellis-Briggs frame with pencil seat-stays. In those days, club cyclists built their own bikes. Donald remembers perusing the little book of components (or Bike Riders Aids) bought from the local bike shop to decide what he could afford. In the end it had a Campagnolo Gran Sport derailleur with a 5-sprocket block, double chainring and Campagnolo bar end changers, Weinmann centre-pull brakes, Weinmann 27-inch rims, double-butted spokes, Airlite hubs with track nuts (he couldn't afford quick release hubs), Brooks Champion B17 narrow saddle, Cinelli stem, Bayliss-Wiley bottom-bracket and steering. His father Wilf built the wheels and Donald still owns and indeed continues to ride the frame.
At the same meeting Go Ride coaches, parents and helpers were racing in the Senior and Vets Championships. In the Senior event, Jonny Croston was 5th and Ross Burton 11th. Martin Price took 2nd place in the Vets Championship and Chris James 3rd.
Father and son Calder riders Steve and Ben Hancock rode in the recent National Clarion 10 mile event near Bridlington, along with Andrew Callaghan. Ben continued his improvement and built on his 2013 National Clarion junior road race champion title winning ride with the junior prize in a time of 24.49.
The 2014 evening TTs were attended by 12-year-old Megan Hoyle, the first of hopefully many to progress from the GoRide initiative. The new Calder Gazebo has been taken to a number of local cx events and has proved invaluable at the evening 10s providing shelter.
We have a growing band of Audax riders including stalwart Nicky Firth, James Colley and Michael Vennard, who have ridden several events each this year.
Andrew Spittlehouse
COATBRIDGE
hat a great start to 2014! Following on from a brilliant
winter training programme, the club has flourished beyond all expectations. Membership has grown
very quickly with a fantastic feel-good vibe running throughout the club. We now have members racing regularly in events including track, time trials, road races, triathlons and even Iron Man competitions abroad. Sky TV made a programme about one of our members Phil Jones and his amazing story. This included a Sky TV camera team filming an entire club run with truly spectacular results. The club was chosen to ride a procession through the
streets of our home towns of Coatbridge and Airdrie on 13 July as we officially launched a major two-month cycling exhibition titled The Perfect Machine. This will feature a professional display on the Coatbridge Clarion as well as a separate display featuring the history of the National Clarion. We also managed
to track down four of our members from the 1950s and 1960s. This includes former racing champions who still have memorabilia including an original club racing jersey.
They have re-joined the club and, amazingly, a couple are still fit to ride with us on club runs. Check out some of their photos on our website www. coatbridgeclarioncycleclub. com.
John Gormlie
ITALIAN his year has been made up of food, drink, parties, snowboarding, club runs and mountainbike
rides. In February, Ian Clarke and Dave Langlands came for
HOW CYCLING MADE PHIL LESS OF A MAN
Phil Jones is man with an incredible story to tell. Two years ago, Phil weighed 27 stone and faced an early death. But his Love of cycling changed all that. Inspired by the 2012 Olympics and his hero Sir Chris Hoy, Phil set out on a mission. With the support of his wife Fran, he fought back against years of smoking, drinking and over-eating to become an inspirational figure to people who are battling obesity. His story is so powerful that it led to Sky TV making a documentary and to a spread in a national newspaper. It also led him to Coatbridge Clarion. Years earlier Phil had read Fellowship Is Life, and always wanted to join a clarion
The 27 stone Phil and the new slimline version with Sir Chris
cycling club. As he battled through the pain barrier to fitness he began dialogue with Coatbridge Clarion. The club secretary watched with interest as Phil passed milestone after milestone in his quest to ride with Coatbridge. In April 2014, the final pieces of the jigsaw came together and Phil arrived at the club, which welcomed him with open arms. He was 13 stones lighter, strong and energetic. An amazing week followed with the film crew from Sky TV arriving in Scotland at short notice to make a programme on Phil's wonderful journey. The
VP
camera filmed a club run which the crew described as spectacular, The most excited person there was Phil's wife Fran shouting from the camera vehicle “you guys were amazing” as the filming came to an end. Then the icing on the cake. Sky arranged for Phil to meet Sir Chris Hoy at the velodrome in Glasgow. He fought back the tears of joy as he spoke with Sir Chris during a one-to-one ride on the track, and outdoors. Both seemed in awe of each other. He was then given a invite to ride as a special guest at the Hoy 100 event. A dream week for an incredible person who is now waiting patiently for his Coatbridge Clarion kit to arrive. Good luck Phil on the journey ahead from your friends at Coatbridge Clarion.
JOHN GORMLIE
SUMMER 2014 |BOOTS&SPURS|21
SE!
INNEWS
a short snowboarding break in Cervinia. Great to catch up with them. Our youngest member Carlo got his first bike (a balance bike). He will not be mastering it for a while yet, but likes spinning the wheels.
In May, the Giro passed through Chieri and in fact along our street fantastic. The spectator numbers were low but the few households on our street made up for it by banging their saucepans, shouting and gesticulating in true Italian fashion. The weather was hot and sunny whereas 60km up the road the riders were met with white roads covered in hailstones. May and June in Italy can be changeable. The last weekend of May we took part in the Finale 24hour MTB race (see p 28). More food, drink, parties, snowboarding, club runs and mountainbike rides to follow... Ciao a tutti.
Julian Mortel
Coatbridge ona club run
LONDON
e began 2014 with a very wet cycle to Nazeing, Essex to
locate the London Clarion Clubhouse which existed until shortly after the First World War. The house is barely recognisable but still there. Much of our route followed the River Lea navigation whose cycle path had been flooded by the winter downpours. So much so that one of our members remarked that we might as well be cycling through the river itself... before promptly
BOLTON REACH FOR THE SKY
It doesn't seem a year since the last Sky Ride, and this year’s was much better organised. A highlight for Bolton Clarion was being invited to attend breakfast in the Mayoral chamber with the Deputy Mayor. Tony Bowles and turned up at 9.45, climbed up to the second floor of Bolton's magnificent Town Hall and made our way into the
22|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2014
Reception Room, a very splendidly decorated room. We were greeted by the deputy mayor and mayoress who expressed a lot of interest in the Clarion. After picking up coffee and a bacon butty we sat down to eat with Bolton's gold medallist Jason Kenny, and Laura Trott.
A good breakfast was followed by a great day in
falling in.
In February we hada social evening at Look Mum No Hands, Old Street, one of London’s new cycling bars and we are looking forward to visiting its other branch at London Fields in November.
Late February saw us at the Working Class Movement Library in Salford presenting arare Clarion publication purchased by our members and donated for perpetuity to safeguard its survival.
In March we met up with our friends from Brighton Hove section in East
warm sunshine. The estimated 10 000 riders tots in family groups to lycra-clad speed merchants —had a super day out. Bikes ranged from uni-cycles to penny farthings.
suspect that from Bolton/ Sky’s view this will have been a successful day. certainly enjoyed myself, but sadly we failed to recruit Jason into the club.
Grinstead for Sunday lunch. We are hoping to do more joint runs with them and invite them to a social later in the year.
The Easter Meet in Beverly was absolutely brilliant fun even if we did stay in the micro pub too long on the first night and got locked out of the Youth Hostel. We all really enjoyed ourselves, loved the club runs and met some fantastic friends old and new.
Last but not least our annual May weekend to Wortley was a great success and we were delighted to be joined again by our friends from the north, even if the quiz gave them a slight advantage.
Alex Southern
MALMESBURY
almesbury was home M to Eilmer, an 11th
century monk who strapped on a pair of wings and tried to fly by jumping from the roof of the town’s Abbey. We’re happy to report that where Eilmer failed we've succeeded, having well and truly taken off!
We currently have 22 members. In February we celebrated our 2nd birthday with a well-attended repeat of the first ever ride. This will now bea permanent fixture in our calendar. In addition to our popular Saturday morning club rides, members have also been participating in the club reliability style rides held on the first Sunday
of the month. The challenging series which gradually increases in distance and difficulty culminated in a 100-mile ride in August. Max Girdler, currently our only racing cyclist, qualified as a cat 3 and has shown early promise this year. Members have also taken part in local sportives, Audax UK events and a ‘Come Try It’ 10TT. Weekly get-togethers are held every Wednesday evening at members’ homes, where after the usual exchange of cycling magazines and books, club activities are planned under the careful management of Secretary Howard Sprange. We now have a website (malmesburyclarion.weebly. com) with a link to our blog which is updated at least twice a week. Membership cards have been issued with negotiated discounts at local cycling related businesses. There’s a good mix of riders aged 16 to 75, and among our stable of bikes is a recumbent tandem and two electric bikes ridden by Mike, or “Dynamo”, and his wife. Tim Wadsworth
Club 10 for Jayne Clarke
The Malmesbury line up
TUXFORD
his year saw the first season of racing for the Tuxford Clarion.
After the success of last year’s inaugural 11.3 mile TT and hill climb, despite both being held in rather inclement weather, club secretary Ian Clarke organised a TT series of eight races for the club. The course is the same 11.3 mile sporting course used for the first TT last year, on wide but quiet country roads no traffic assisted times here!
The series has just finished, with all eight races completed successfully. After a trial run with three riders to allow our new timekeepers to practice, the first race was on May 28th. The success of the time trial series has been down to good supply of volunteers, which shows the club has a great core of support already, despite being relatively new. It is great to see that you can still get a club spirit going.
The racing has been competitive, with up to 15 riders and some close finishes, with only two seconds in the win on one occasion and plenty of close battles between riders all the way through the field.
SUMMER 2014 BOOTS&SPURS 23
E NEWS
Everyone who has ridden has steadily improved, with some very impressive time jumps from one week to the next. Outside of the club series, Tuxford members have also ridden open TTs, hard track and grass track, with Jack Levick preparing for the National Junior 10 and 25 TTs. Having posted a 22.56ina recent 10 TT, it looks like Jack has a good future. The club’s women have been at the fore too, with triathlete and long distance rider Amy Ogden recording a 2.16 for her first 50 in the Nottingham Clarion promotion event in June. Amy is currently targeting a100 later this year and the
Ironman Triathlon next year. The Tuxford Clarion
racing season will conclude
by hosting the National
Clarion Hill Climb in October.
It will mark the first full
season of racing for many of
the members and I’m sure
it has been enjoyed by all
hopefully with appetites
whetted for another season
next year.
Tan Clarke
WEST LOTHIAN eptember saw the club
S confined hill climb, where Matthew Ball
snatched back the men’s trophy with a record-
breaking time, while Diane Chisholm continued her dominance of the ladies event. Matthew and Diane also came first in their respective categories in the inaugural summer cx series. The cx series has been a huge success in terms of participation, enjoyment and skills learned. Paul Lynch retained his trophy in a close fought freewheel competition. August saw the conclusion of the club 10TT series with John Glass taking the men’s trophy and Liz Henry winning the ladies’ competition. Youth champion for 2014 is Alasdair Hemesley. At the Lang Whang, the 25
THERE’S ONLY TWO BARNOLDSWICKS
In 1961, as a junior member of Barnoldswick Clarion Cycling Club, Michael Meath led six club members on a mystery tour! His destination was Barnoldswick. Few cyclists then knew of the hamlet bearing the same name, but Michael was, and still is, a keen map reader and had discovered the coincidence while perusing maps for the Dales.
The tour in June of that year resulted in an article in the local newspaper. Many of today’s inhabitants of Barnoldswick are no longer aware of the existence of the small hamlet on the outskirts of Ingleton. So, five
24|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2014
decades later, Michael revisited the hamlet on his bike with club colleague Mark Brown. There's a new lane sign (pictured), but the lane from Burton in Lonsdale down to the hamlet is just as narrow as Michael
remembered it as a teenager.
The ride took in Slaidburn, Tatham Fell, High Bentham and Burton in Lonsdale. The route back was via Ingleton, Clapham, Lawkland and Paythorne 60 miles with 4,000ft of ascent.
TTs were won by Matthew Ball Ailsa Curtis. The 2-up 10TT was won by Iain Elliott and Sadig Mir.
West Lothian’s first cycling film festival was organised by Matthew Ball and 200 people turned out at the Bo’ness Hippodrome to watch a collection of cycling themed films. Steve Henley yet again organised a superb Tour de France social, which followed a hard morning’s cycling in the Bathgate Alps. Who will forget the sight of Steve in his Incredibles outfit cheering them up the steepest climbs? Thirteen ladies took part in a women’s 100k ride through Fife, organised by Diane Chisholm and Liz Henry. For several of the women, it was their first 100k. Well done!
Grant Craven, Matthew Ball and Mark Ewing rose at an unseemly hour to travel to East Yorkshire for the National Clarion 10TT champs, coming, respectively, ist, 2nd and oth. The Battle of the Black Loch, West Lothian’s first ever road race, was a huge success in June. Big well done to organisers Keith Greenwood, Iain Elliott and Hendrik Nahler. Aclub away day to Arran was organised by Ian Robertson and all was well until Fiona Walker came off her bike on a descent.
Hollie Hope Cullen with new dad Rich
Fiona was badly injured but is continuing to make an excellent recovery. See you back on two wheels soon Fi.
Alan Massey and Robin Priestley qualified as Level 2. coaches and Robin and Diane Chisholm qualified as trail leaders. The club was also awarded a grant by the Big Lottery Fund. Sixty two riders competed in the youth section’s 5-race series. Debbie Pollard
YORKSHIRE COAST thas been a very busy
months for the club with two open events, the
Easter Meet and finalising the
delivery of our new jerseys.
At Beverley, for the
Easter Meet, our section
was delighted to receive the
Tom Groom trophy for the
most meritorious section.
We organised the previous
Easter Meet in Scarborough,
with a full programme of events and Andy Fisher has organised last year’s and
this year’s 10 Champs. Many thanks to Greystone Small, Jenny Weston, Chris Goode, Andrea and Frank Vaughan and Ann McIntyre for their contributions.
Andrea Vaughan won the Ladies’ 10 champs and is currently in Austria for the European Age-related Triathlon Championships.
We held a new member’s social meeting recently and we would like to give a warm welcome to Richard Cullen, Karen Melcher and Paul Anderson. Stuart Walsh and James Fisher have re-joined.
The new jerseys have been a hit with the members and are bright and well-designed by Steve Ward, UK agent for Biemme.
Greystone, Andrea and Chris have been the most active members in races. Terry Lynch and Stuart have successfully completed a coast to coast ride; Stuart has also attended International Brigade meetings, including a trip to Hamburg.
It has been good to see other sections at Beverley, the Ten Championship and in the Wolds for our most recent 20 mile hilly event.
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: mball\@matthewball.co.uk DEADLINE: OCT 31, 2014. The WINTER issue will be out in JANUARY 2015.
SUMMER 2014 BOOTS&SPURS 25
BIG RIDES
Brighton and Hove's Kent explorer
n the true spirit of
fellowship, this report
has been produced by
arelay team of four Clarionettes, passing the baton at each break. Edited highlights:
SATURDAY MORNING (By Tessa) The Crab and Winkle Way from Canterbury to Whitstable started on the doorstep of the Victoria Hotel, where most of the Clarionettes on the trip had spent the night. We stopped by a wheat field for a beautiful view of the cathedral and the town. The track was alsoa salt route between Seasalter marshes and Whitstable. We stopped to talk to a group of lads on bikes festooned with England flags. They had stopped for beer and loud music (The Rolling Stones) at a picnic area on the site ofa railway winding engine. We also met the woodcarver, Peter, at one of the gates. He was a Sustrans volunteer and he was clearing the overgrown path for us! The last part of the trail which led us into Whitstable was called the Invicta Way, after the famous steam
26 BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2014
14-15 June 2014
locomotive. We divided, some to eat at a seafood restaurant, others to continue along the coast for lunch
ata pubin Tankerton.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON (By Sikka) After lunch, we all headed back to Whitstable centre, unaware that Corinne’s chain had stuck fast, and needed all Tessa’s ingenuity, allen key and brute force to extricate it. Meanwhile Sikka watched admiringly, not wanting to get her hands dirty.
On the seafront, we passed two-storey wooden fishing huts for hire at only £75 a night, and peered into a hut on the pebbles advertising Biennueve a local arts festival which was in full swing.
Weall divided fora while to visit galleries and charity shops. Ann found abench dedicated to Brian
Haw, the CND protester.
SUNDAY MORNING (By Leon) The short train journey to Margate went well, with space for all nine bikes despite not having a cycle compartment. We made our way to the Turner/Mondrian art exhibition on the seafront.
My impression of the art was that we progressed from what was something that can be recognized as a seascape or landscape to paintings of fog or coloured chess boards. Not for me I’mafraid.
Then a snack in the adjacent cafe and at 12.00 hours we set out toward Herne Bay witha wonderful following breeze.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON (By Jim) It was like Lord of the Rings: nine riders speeding westwards from Margate in search of Vikings? We were on the Viking Trail after all, or maybe it was the Oyster Trail
and we were looking for oysters? Who cares? (Well,
it turned out to be important see below).
The sea was lashing and crashing against the sea wall and sometimes spilling over, so ifanyone had forgotten to havea shower in the morning, they could get one now. There were some brave canoeists in the sea, and evena man swimming.
At Reculver (Regulbium for the Romans) there was aruined fort and church.
In Roman times the Isle of Thanet really was an island. With global warming, I couldn’t help wondering how long it will be before
it is once more an island.
After Reculver we turned inland but seemed to be going in the wrong direction. We consulted the maps and found that we had indeed taken the wrong path. We discovered that we had opted for Vikings instead of Oysters. Both routes had the same number, NCNis! We all agreed that this was Nota Good Idea.
The trail went over the headland instead of round it, with only a thin path that was easily cyclable on, where plastic netting had been laid. It led to some quiet roads, and eventually back to the seafront. On the way we stopped to read a plaque about “Local Heroes” with metal outline statues: a Roman woman, an oyster fisherman, and a Dambuster. (No Vikings here). We also spotted a young collared
dove sitting on a signpost. We continued towards Herne Bay, and finally came to King’s Hall (opened in 1913, and named in honour of Edward VII). Importantly for us, they did food. The conversation was mainly about i-phones, i-pads, i-pods and operating systems, and might as well have been in Danish for all it meant to me in fact perhaps it was, as there was talk of a Danish ride next year. Then came the Breaking of the Fellowship, to continue the Tolkien analogy. Four keen cyclists Anne, Mick, Sikka and Tessa opted to cycle on to Whitstable and Canterbury, a further 10 miles. Five wimps Angela, Corinne, Joyce, Leon and I- content witha15 mile tally, limped to Herne Bay station. We waited for our train in the company of some strange creatures who had attended a “Sci-Fi By the Sea” convention. Thave often poked fun (mentally) at people who sit right next to their bikes on the train, seeing
it as overprotective and possessive. On this journey I was to find out why they do this, and was forced to eat my (imagined) words. When I got offat Brighton, my bike sounded “clunky”. Assuming I had a loose rear wheel, I looked down only to discover that there was nothing holding the wheel on! The quick-release lever, the nut on the other side, and the spindle joining them, had been removed. Casting my mind back, I recalled that some young louts had got on at one point, and had sat near my bike; [had heard one of them beeping my horn, but ignored it. Iwas, of course, extremely lucky to notice this in time. How anyone can consider that sabotaging the bike ofan unknown person (I was sitting halfa carriage away) so that it becomes potentially lethal, isa fun thing to do, is utterly beyond me. It is indeed a sick world we live in. Be warned! Thanks to Angela for organising a great weekend from the Canterbury Nine!
SUMMER 2014 BOOTS&SPURS 27
EWS
24 hours on the shores of the Mediterranean
Preparation and team spirit paid off for Julian Mortell and his crew
o, there’s this race.... it’s called the 24 Hours of Finale. For us, it’s about a beautiful two-hour drive from Torino to the shores of the Mediterranean. The region is called Liguria and the town Finale Ligure. If you want to see a beautiful part of the world and ride ona really great course, this is for you.
We put together a12-person team made up of two Brits, one Spaniard and nine Italians. For some it was their first 24hr Finale; others had ridden up to 5 times previously. We called ourselves the “Spaghetti Bikers” as this year’s race theme was the Wild West. The teams started on the hill Le Manie (previously on the route of Milano-SanRemo) above Finale. For solos, there’s the now well-known LeMans run on the beach to the bikes and riding up the hill to the course.
Our first rider (and most athletic) did the run of500m. around the spectator area and across the music performance area with the other 300 teams. It was an amazing spectacle; Andrea was 15th place after his lap. Our strategy was to average 50-minute laps, and
28|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2014
The ‘Spaghetti Bikers’ ready for 24 hours of off-road riding
aschedule was produced for each team member. Despite a downpour Andrea managed 42min lap great. On average we stuck to the time plan, doing two or three laps in total each, only losing time to one puncture and a lost lights battery in the forest part of the circuit. If you choose to do this event, I’d recommend a team of12 first time. It sounded a bit wussy to me initially, as you're only riding for about two hours, but like any competitive event, you ride as hard as YOU can. It’s as tough as you make it. Everyone loved the night laps as it was cool and beautiful out. Plus, as the hours wore on, fewer people were on the course. In the middle of the night you could go nearly a whole
lap without seeing anyone. Strange, as there were, in theory, up to 500 people on the course at any given time. The course is not murderously technical but I wouldn’t classify it as particularly easy either. If you are well prepared you should, like us, have few problems. I believe the lap record is 32 mins; our best time was 42 mins, soI was well chuffed with my 45 mins onasingle-speed rigid MTB. Ilater found out the solo single-speed championship winner clocked 40 lapsin the 24 hours, which is under 4ominsa lap, non-stop for 24 hour: incredible. We did 30 laps and were the 6th 12-man team out of 21, and 32nd out of all300 teams: not bad. We'll try for the podium next year.
PHJOTOS BY CLIVE ASKWITH
CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
10 TT CHAMPS
26th May, Yorkshire Coast
1 Matthew Ball (West Lothian) 23:42
2 Mark Ewing (Wes' ‘hian) 23:
3 Martin Knight (Nottingham) 2:
4 Ben Hancock (Calder) 24:49
5 Adrian Hughes (North Cheshire) 2:
6 Simon Cooper (Nottingham) 25:
7 lan Clarke (Tuxford) 25:11
8 Andy Callaghan (Calder) 25:15
9 Richard Birkin (Nottingham) 25:22
10 Grant Craven (West Lothian) 26:40 11 Jack Levick (Tuxford) 26:52
12 Steve Hancock (Calder) 28:48
13 Andrea Vaughan (Yorks Coast) 29:40 14 Allen Armstrong (Sunderland) 32:06 15 Martin Perfect (London) 33:49
50 TT CHAMPS
1st June, Nottingham
1 Martin Knight (Nottingham) 1:58:35 2 Adrian Hughes (North Cheshire) 2:01:30
3 Andrew Callaghan (Calder) 2:02:47 4 Phil Hurst (Nottingham) 2:04:01
5 lan Clarke (Tuxford) 2:06:58
6 Jenny Latham (Calder) 2:07:40 (1st
7 Michael Kelly (Nottingham) 2:10:37 8 John Odell (Nottingham) 2:11:
9 Richard Birkin (Nottingham) 2:13:41 10 Amy Ogden (Tuxford) 2:16:51 (2nd woman)
5 TT CHAMPS
29th June, Sunderland
1 Martin Knight (Nottingham) 0
2 lain Beveridge (Sunderland) 0:
3 Craig Stephenson (Sunderland 01:01:31 4 Andrew Callaghan (Calder) 01:03:03 5 Neil Wallbank (Sunderland) 01:03:17 6 Steve Gordon (Sunderland) 01:03:32 7 Kris Adlington (Sunderland) 01:06:00 8 Tom Guy (Sunderland)
01:07:18 9 Richard Birkin (Nottingham) 01:07:57 10 Grant Craven (West Lothian) 01:08:41 11 Matthew France (Sunderland) 01:09:18 12 Hendrik Nahler (West Lothian) 01:10:01 13 Ingrid Shepherd (Sunderland) 01:10:13 (1st woman) 14 Matthew Davies (Sunderland) 01:10:28 15 Mark Gardner
Riders at the LOTT championship
SUMMER 2014 BOOTS&SPURS 29
HAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Mcleod (Sunderland) 01:15:33 17 Paul Barrett (Sunderland) 01:16:21
18 Stephen Kerr (Sunderland) 01:18:29 19 Allen Armstrong (Sunderland) 01:21:48 20 Peter Baggaley (Sunderland) 01:27:02
MEN'S POINTS COMPETITION
After three rounds
1M. Knight (Nottingham) 130 2A. Callaghan (Calder) 63
3A. Hughes (North Cheshire) 55 4M. Ball (West Lothian) 50 Beveridge (Sunderland) 40
Ewing (West Lothian) 40
7 R. Birkin (Nottingham) 32
8C. Stephenson (Sunderland) 30 9G. Craven (West Lothian) 26 101. Clarke (Tuxford) 23
11=B. Hancock (Calder) 20
P. Hurst (Nottingham) 20
11= N. Wallbank (Sunderland) 20 14 S, Gordon (Sunderland) 19
15 K. Adlington (Sunderland) 18 16= A. Armstrong (Sunderland) 17 Tom Guy (Sunderland) 17
S. Cooper (Nottingham) 14
18= M. France (Sunderland) 14 20 H. Nahler (West Lothian) 13 21 M. Davies (Sunderland) 11 22= M. Gardner (Sunderland) 10
Jack Levick (Tuxford) 10 J. Latham (Calder) 9
24= E McLeod (Sunderland) 9 26= P. Barrett (Sunderland) 8 26= S. Hancock (Calder) 8
S. Kerr (Sunderland) 7
28= A. Vaughan (Yorks Coast) 7 30= A. Ogden (Tuxford) 6
31 P. Baggaley (Sunderland) 5 31= M. Perfect (London) 5
WOMEN'S
POINTS COMPETITION
After three rounds
1= Jenny Latham (Calder) 50
1= Ingrid Shepherd (Sunderland) 50 1= Andrea Vaughan (Yorks Coast) 50 4 Amy Ogden (Tuxford) 40
30 BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2014
SECTION POINTS COMPETITION
After three rounds
1 Nottingham Clarion 182 2 West Lothian 116 Calder 92
4 Sunderland 90
5 North Cheshire 55
6 Tuxford 39 Riders at the 1OTT
7 Yorkshire Coast 7 8 London 5 championship
PHJOTOS BY CLIVE ASKWITH
BARNOLDSWICK
Bob Jackson, 01282 817017 fred@alpineoverland.co.uk
www.blackpoolclarion.webs.com Chris Smith, 07885 650426 blackpoolclarion@hotmail.co.uk www.boltonclarion.co.uk
Peter Moore, 0161 790 9771 m739735@aol.com
BRIGHTON HOVE Ei brightonandhoveclarion.wordpress.com lan Bullock, 01273 682133
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 @CLITHEROE Ei
Martin Catlow, 01200 425852 martinhilcat@aol.com OCOATBRIDGE
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
Paul Frost, 01778 347410 fenland.clarion@hotmail.com @GOSPORT
David Palk, 01329 312589, daveipalk@virginmedia.com heanorclarion.org.uk
John Gott, 01773 769781 johngott@gmx.com
Meet up on Facebook Join the National Clarion group (Search ‘National Clarion’)
Bi clubs on Facebook (search by their name)
HEREFORD
Alvin Smith, 01568 770327 alvin.smith@btinternet.com www.italianclarion.com/
Julian Mortel info@italianclarion.com @LONDON
Martin Perfect, 01892 523927 mjperfect@gmail.com
Howard Sprange, 01666 823476 howard.sprange@btinternet.com NORTH CHESHIRE Ei www.northcheshireclarion.co.uk Andrew Williams secretary@north cheshireclarion.co.uk www.nottinghamclarion.co.uk Paul Harwood, 0115 911 8183
SADDLEWORTH saddleworthclarion.webs.com Tim Mitchell, 01457 837532 stonedrose89@hotmail.com
SECTION CONTACTS 4 STOCKPORT Ei
www.stockport-clarion.org.uk Duncan McLaren,
0161 487 4828 dunchewitt@hotmail.com
SUNDERLAND Ei www.sunderlandclarion.org.uk Allan Smith, 0191 584 8948 allanpsmith@live.co.uk
TEESSIDE
Colin Armstrong, 01947 880488 TUXFORD
lan Clarke, 01777 872097 bike@clarioncc.org
WEST LOTHIAN Ei www.westlothianclarion.co.uk Dean Wilkinson, secretary@ westlothianclarion.co.uk
WEST SCOTLAND
dim Harris, 01236 730157 jimharris35@yahoo.co.uk
YORKSHIRE COAST Chris Goode, 01723 341050 twentytwowheels@hotmail.com PRIVATE
Donald Lever memberships@clarioncc.org
MEMBERSHIP
The National Membership Secretary is now accepting 2015 renewals. Subscriptions increased from 1st September 2014: SENIOR: £8 Age over 18. Must be ina local section
JUNIOR; £4 Age 18 or under. Must be in a local section FAMILY JUNIOR: Free Must live at same address as two senior or life members PRIVATE: £16 A private member is not in a section LIFE: Initial fee £40 Must be a current member aged over 60 with at least 20 years’ of continuous membership.
Notes: ‘The National Clarion membership payment year runs from Ist September to 31st August but memberships expire on 31st December.
‘A member who joins or renews after 31st August will be member to 31st December the following year.
SUMMER 2014 BOOTS&SPURS 31
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