CYCLING CLUB MEMBER MAGAZINE £2 (FREE TO MEMBERS) SUMMER 2015
CALENDAR
National Clarion 2015 events
RACES
ADULT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP 12th September Derby Velodrome
BC online entry: http:// tinyurl.com/nosa7fm YOUTH TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP 13th September Derby Velodrome
BC online entry: http:// tinyurl.com/ookm4bo ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP Saturday 8th August York Sports Village BC online entry: http:// tinyurl.com/qfqgtf2
HILL CLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP 10th October
Bury Blackstone Edge CYCLO CROSS CHAMPIONSHIP 14th November Nottingham
Enter Online: http://
AUTUMN MEET
16th-19th October. lronbridge. See p. 9 for details.
CHALLENGE SERIES
Saturday 2nd October THE WIZARD LLAMAS AUDAX North Cheshire Clarion (120km)
Please visit: www. clarioncc.org for links to entering and updates on dates and events.
And keep your eye on our Facebook page to keep up to date with what's going on.
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 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.
2|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2015
NATIONAL CLARION MEMBERSHIP
Use your benefits!
15% DISCOUNT AT COTSWOLD OUTDOOR
Stores across the UK and online. Quote ‘AF-NATC-99' at the store and show your National Clarion
membership card. See www. cotswoldoutdoor.com
IT’S WORTH IT!
For the £8 you get a lot of potential discount for little investment. Make sure you make the most of your membership!
10% DISCOUNT ON ‘IN MOTION’ PRODUCTS
Big discounts on cycling clothing, accessories, tyres, tubes and sundries. Just select ‘Clarion Cycling Club’
inthe 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.
THIRD PARTY INSURANCE
Anyone who has identifiable wealth should insure themselves against claims for negligence. Motorists quite rightly are required to do this by law, as we all know. While it is unlikely that a Clarion member will be sued for negligence while riding their bike it is a possibility. We generally think being sued would relate to some kind of error in relation to pedestrians or other vehicles, but it's just as likely to be another cyclist. If a silver or gold member of British Cycling is sued by another member of British
Cycling the third party liability cover will not apply for member it will, either full or affiliate.
One of the criticisms of CTC Affiliate membership was that legal aid was not available, but that's changed -a percentage of the settlement fee being agreed before any action is taken. One of our affiliate members has used the service and was satisfied.
The annual premium is £18.00. For more info, contact Peter Roscoe: peterroscoe80 @btinternet.com or 0161 761 6856.
GET IN
President KEN HEMSLEY (Fenland) Tel: 01159 873118
Vice President
k I KATH LEESE (Heanor)
National Secretary 573) IAN CLARKE (Fenland)
m Markham Cottage, Low Street, East Markham, Newark NG22 0QQ Tel: 01777 872097 bike@clarioncc.org
Membership Secretary (BB? DONALD LEVER (Bury) 14 Mosley Ave,
Ramsbottom BLO 9UH. Tel: 01204 883584
memberships@clarioncc.org
Standing Orders Secretary BOB HARBER (Brighton) Tel:
01903 879598
bikerider@phonecoop.coop
mz CHRIS GOODE
(Yorkshire Coast)
Tel: 01723 341050 twenty twowheels@hotmail.com
Committee Member
National Clarion online: www.clarionce.org
Editors Matthew Ball and Kirsty Ball (mball@ matthewball.co.uk) Design Matthew Ball
Cover Illustration Garry Marshall
Printed by www.prprint.co.uk Submissions Contributions to the magazine may be edited or
omitted if there are space constraints.
SECRETARY'S LETTER 4
|New faces, and new events
to look forward to
went into 2015 with a fair
degree of concern for the
Clarion. With a huge
growth in membership, our club has been going through growing pains and our hardworking volunteers were struggling.
However, in 2014 Alan Kiddle and Alex Southern, both from London Clarion, joined committee, and have helped us with the processing of membership cards a small but significant step forward.
Our club finances were far from transparent, not because we wanted to hide them from the annual conference, but because we didn’t havea treasurer who could dedicate themselves to this role. A tweet I sent resulted in bookkeeper Cath Skinner’s offer of help, which was a real boon. Under the guidance of our outgoing treasurer Dave Bisset (actually he’s our chairman) and our new incoming treasurer Jackie Hickman of North Cheshire, the accounts were prepared and presented to conference.
Jackie’s husband Martin volunteered to take on the Membership Secretary’s position after Donald Lever said he would finish at the end of August. Donald has created a professionally organised system and I sure he will work closely with Martin during the handover.
As well as the above, lam
very pleased that Alex Southern has taken on the role of Assistant Secretary and is already taking on Clarion development projects. We have a brief for the new website and by the time you read this, we may have chosen our web developer.
But none of the above is talking about bikes is it? Let’s not forget why we are here to enjoy our times on the bike, get more out of cycling and share our love of cycling with fellow Clarion members throughout the country.
lam proud to present this year’s two big new events: the Clarion track champs (and taster session) on the 12th and 13th of September at the new Derby Velodrome, and in the Autumn (16th to 18th of October) when the racing season is pretty much closed, anew social event, hosted by the new Ironbridge Clarion, located at and around Coalport YHA. With leisure and family rides, as well as great countryside for more challenging rides and evening entertainment it will be a very special weekend.
But between now and then, [hope you all get plenty of fair weather for riding in and I hope to see you at one or more of the Clarion events throughout the year.
IAN CLARKE National Secretary (Tuxford)
SUMMER 2015 BOOTS&SPURS 3
19.21: New men’s 10TT record for Martin Knight
20.15: New women's 10T1
Smashed! The women’s and men’s 10
wo National Clarion 10 TT records were
broken on the same day and same course, July 5 on the V718 course in Hull. Martin Knight’s time of 19.21 beat Dave Langland’s 1998 record of 19.57. Ingrid Shepherd’s time of 20:15 was almost two minutes faster than Lindsay Clarke’s 1994 record of 22.11.
INGRID SHEPHERD (Sunderland)
Joining Sunderland Clarion two years ago has been a great experience, and I’ve received a lot of help and support from fellow Clarion team members, which has undoubtedly helped my performance.
The race day weather conditions were perfect. Although the course was flat, I gave it my all and felt completely empty as I crossed. the finish line. I knew it was a fast time, but had no idea it
4|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2015
was a record. My previous 10 mile PB was 22.51so I wasa full two minutes faster.
The winter training I did this year has delivered a huge increase in performance and using a power meter helped me to measure and modify my approach.
Thad recently been very poorly with a knee injury, on and off crutches fora number of years, so cycling became an essential way of getting about, as walking was too painful. I now can’t imagine life without riding my bike and am looking forward to the hill climbing season which is just around the corner!
MARTIN KNIGHT (Nottingham)
I had decided not to race the July 5th 10TT. I was focusing on defending my Clarion
25-mile title on Saturday 4th July, and on the club’s Henry Lloyd 25-mile trophy, due to be held on Tuesday 7th July.
But I woke early that morning and knew it was the perfect day for a fast time: low air pressure, warm air anda slight tail breeze through the hardest section of the 10 mile course. I decided to throw caution to the wind and go to Hull, full of confidence.
Iset my sights on the 12 seconds I needed to break the Nottingham Clarion club record (20.25), though I knew that the NC record stood at 19.57. My PB was 20.37. But as soon as I started to warm-up I questioned my decision. My legs were very tired from Saturday's ride, and it felt much harder to hit race pace than it should have done. I hadn’t warmed down after Saturday and was berating myself for my laziness.
record for Ingrid Shepherd
TT records
The first 5 minutes were horrible. I had to commit toa certain wattage and speed to have any chance at the club record, but I was too tired and my mind was telling me to go steady, not to blow. But as I continued I worked up an average speed of 49kmph and knew I was going very fast. I reached the turn on the bridge across the A63 twenty seconds ahead of my PB’s pace. At that point I knew the
g Clarion record was in sight. I was on the homeward leg,
8 witha tailwind.
buried myself in the
9 toughest section between 10 and 12km. I was flagging in the last km, but somehow I
covered it at 58kmph. I knew 2 smashed both records 2 and was ecstatic as I floated z back to HQ. Average speed
was 49.9kmph; my wattage I will keep between me and my Garmin!
ELLIOT
AN
INTRODUCING NEW NATONAL
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
My name is Martin Hickman and I've
been acyclist for 40 years, riding in various cycling clubs in the Nottingham and Derbyshire area. was amember of Nottingham Clarion, 2008 was coaxed up to Warrington with a promise that my bikes could come too, got married and, as my wife Jackie says, the restis history. lam now amember of Friends Through Cycling Club (FTCC), and joined North Cheshire when moved up here. Cycling is also my job. I'm the owner of Bike And The Mechanic which covers the
Cheshire area.
TREASURER My name is Jackie Hickman, and I've been cycling since 2008 when met my husband Martin and realised the way to his heart was to get aroad bike, lam amember of Friends Through Cycling Club (FTCC) and of North Cheshire Clarion. My latest adventure on the bike was undertaking a British Cycling Leadership Course and being co-founder of the Urban Ladies Cycling Club getting like minded ladies out on their bikes. Cycling changed my life for the better seven years ago and nothing compares to that feeling of freedom out on my bike.
RACING SECRETARY
joined Fentand in 1969 and started racing in 1972 ata Skegness Easter Meet. Now 54 (the older and more handsome brother of National Secretary lan) !am also Chairman and Racing Secretary of Fenland Section and still race a bit. ama BC Road and Track Commissaire, former GB Team Mechanic and hold a Team Manager's licence. numerous races each year and have done so since started promoting at the age of 15.1 have served on the National Clarion committee previously, have organised Clarion Champs and ran the National Clarion Team in the 1990s.
SUMMER 2015 BOOTS&SPURS |5
The 2014 National Clarion merit award winners
By Ian Clarke NATIONAL SECRETARY (TUXFORD)
he Tom Groom Trophy goes to the section that
has given the most meritorious service to the Clarion over the year. Trophies and awards are also made to the Clubman, Clubwoman, Most Meritorious Junior Rider and Best Novice.
CLUBWOMAN OF THE YEAR: Emma Emerton (Fenland) Emmais the mother of two young Fenland riders, Sam and Marcus Widdess, and since joining the club a few years ago has become involved in the organisational and support aspects of the section. Emma is one of the club’s Go-Ride coaches, and has helped build the club’s successful Junior Development Section. She also assists with signing on. In addition to her Go-Ride involvement, she helps with the club time trials, in particular organising the mashalling rota, and most weeks she does the signing on, takes the money and if there’s a marshal missing, she’ll cover that too. She rides the very occasional club TT, a few novice cycle
6 |BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2015
|THE TOM GROOME TROPHY
cross events and has also attended the Club’s ladies cyclo-cross training sessions.
As club people go you'll goa long way to find one as good as Emma and she’s always cheerful, even when her lads are giving her grief.
CLUBMAN OF THE YEAR Dave Shaw (Tuxford)
Dave has been a member of Tuxford since it formed, and joined the committee in 2014 as Sunday club run coordinator. He fully understands the ethos of our club and consistently waits for any struggling riders and looks after them.
He commits time to marshalling at time trial events when not competing himself and enjoys riding sportifs (always in club colours). His enthusiasm for the sport and desire to promote the club led to a bit of gorilla marketing when he placed flyers detailing Tuxford club runs into cycling magazines in the local WH Smith.
MERITORIOUS JUNIOR: Alex Ball (West Lothian) Alex has competed in cyclo-cross, hill climbs, track and circuit races. He is a true Clarion clubman and I will be surprised ifhe doesn’t get his name on the clubman of the year when he is a few years older. He has attended all the Easter
Meets since 2008 and is an avid cross toaster.
TOM GROOM TROPHY Fenland Clarion
Fenland has two club runs, with 30 plus riders most weeks. The club organised a continental tour to the South of France, a camping weekend in Leicestershire anda Youth Hostelling weekend in North Yorkshire. The club resurrected the Yuletide Lunch in 2014 with 50 plus members attending.
Socially, there was a popular cycling film night at a local cinema, the annual end of season supper and the prize presentation, with guest Matt Botterill, National 10, 25 and 50 mile Champion.
Fenland organised club time trials and an open regional road race. Steve Clarke organised the National Clarion’s Circuit Race Championships at Mallory Park, and there was an open 25 mile TT and a10 mile TT in the local N&DCA series.
Lindsay Clarke won the National Clarion Points Championship for Ladies. Son Joe gained his First Cat Licence gaining 200+ BC points on the Road and Track and also winning the National Grass Track Endurance Series.
Four Fenland youngsters qualified for the GHS National Championships from the South East Midland qualifier.
NATIONAL CLARION CHAMPIONSHIP RACES
National Clarion Track Champs for youths and adults at Derby Velodrome
ENTER ON THE BRITISH CYCLING WEBSITE
YOUTHS: http://tinyurl.com/ookm4bo ADULTS: http://tinyurl.com/nosa7fm
ADULT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP OMNIUM 12th September
YOUTH TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP OMNIUM 13th September
National Clarion Circuit Race Championships
Saturday, August 8, 12pm
York Sport Village, Lakeside Way, York YO10 5FG
Closed circuit racing for all categories. Youth: U8, U10, U12, U14, U16. Juniors, Women, Veterans and Seniors (E/1/2/3/4). Clarion members only.
NEWS
rode the Hell of the North and survived
By Andy Brewster WEST LOTHIAN
90-mile Paris-Roubaix
challenge, which takes in the last 55 miles of the pro race route, including 17 cobbled ‘secteurs’, one every 3 miles, each roughly a mile long. Ouch. The very first secteur we hit was Arenberg forest. The cobbles were very muddy from early rain, and barely rideable and partly downhill. The only thing breaking the stunned silence was a scream and clatter whenever someone
April, I rode the
8|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2015
fell off. Thankfully the other secteurs had dried out and although it was painful (for certain areas of the body) I enjoyed the rest of the ride. I'd heard the trick is to ride the cobbles as hard as you can, but it’s hard to keep these repeated big efforts going with only a couple of miles of tarmac to ‘rest’ before the next one. The obvious place to ride them is the “crown” which is less rough, soon as you want to overtake
anyone you have to go
down the side ruts where it’s twice as hard. Isaw
people changing punctures on every secteur. I was lucky with mechanicals but the company I hired my bike from said they had a customer who broke their frame. It was great to see so many Brits at the event: 700 of us gave ita go, more thana third of the total who took part. The next day, we watched the pros ride at Arenberg. We stood at the downhill part where I had barely been able to ride and loads of people had fallen off the day before. The pros rode it about 25mph. Enough said.
ee CLARION AUTUMN WEEKEN D
JOIN US FOR OUR
CYCLING SOCIAL WEEKEND!
OCTOBER 16, 2015- OCTOBER 18, 2015 YHA Ironbridge Coalport, lronbridge Gorge Civil Parish
FRIDAY 16
Meet at YHA Coalport for a social gathering.
A demonstration on frame building will take place next door at Bicycles by Design. SATURDAY 17
There will be a number of led rides on Saturday and here is a taster of what to expect:
Ride To Church Stretton in the Shropshire Hills to appreciate what Shropshire has to offer.
B Ride To Attingham Park,
one of Shropshire’s National Trust properties.
Family Ride A ride around the World Heritage Site using the trails left to us from the railway network that once was. Saturday Evening A film show is on offer at the Coalport YHA, alongside a BBQ.
SUNDAY 17
@A short ride to Bridgnorth
Want to bring the family who do not ride? The area has many great walks alongside the
famous 10 Ironbridge Museums and a fabulous Town Park in Telford.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is available at the Weekend Headquarters YHA Coalport and alternative accommodation can be found at visitironbridge.co.uk.
If you're looking to attend please visit: http://www. ironbridge-clarion.cc/event/ clarion-autumn-weekend/
The Last Days
Edinburgh’s Meadowbank menkulang hardwood. The Velodrome, where Sir banking ranges from 12.5 Chris Hoy learned his craft degrees in the straight to schoolboy, willsoonbe 44 degrees in the bend. demolished and sold off. West Lothian Clarion’s The velodrome was built youth riders took part in for the 1970 Commonwealth the Meadowbank round of Games and hosted the the Scottish Omnium Games again in 1986. It Series in May this year, in is 250 metres long and what will possibly be the 6 metres wide, and last race to be held on this constructed of afzelia and historic track.
10|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2015
SUMMER 2015 |BOOTS&SPURS 11
OLUNTEERING
‘It felt like we were ina World Tour team car’
By Robert Francis WEST LOTHIAN n late June, West Lothian [eeen hosted the Battle of Black Loch road race for the second year. Volunteer Robert Francis drove a car in the race convoy for the first time, and here explains how his day unfolded. It turned out to be more exciting than expected.
“Tom Beattie and I were in the first aid car, Tom as first aider and meas driver. Our place in the convoy was last car, behind service 1and comms
“After our briefing on the day’s schedule and the do and don’ts, we got our flashy light on top of the car and, at 10am, set offon our tour of the Black Loch.
“The race itself got off to a flying start with the pace hitting 35-40mph on certain sections (going by the car’s speedo) and with this pace and the nature of the course it wasn’t long before riders were being shown the back door.
“It must be so demoralising for riders as the cars pass by, as this pretty much signals that their race is over.
“On our journey, we did laugh thinking about what we'd say to folk at work about what we'd done at the weekend... ‘Well, we
12|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2015
Overall, a great
day and I would recommend it to any club member
watched 60 odd guys’ backsides bobbing up and down for a few hours!’
“Being in a car we idea of what it must be like to be ina World Tour Team car, albeit without the comms to the riders, listening in to what the lead car was saying and getting time checks on the leading bunch.
“Then, the first incident of the day: the speeding peleton meta horse and rider, and startled the horse which then bolted with the terrified rider with it. Thankfully the rider managed to get the horse under control.
The lass was very shaken but thankfully unhurt and one of the guys from British Cycling in comms car 1istayed with her until the car passed again on the next lap.
“Just as we thought that it was going to bea good day with no first aid incidents we approached the ‘1km to go’ banner.
“We could see the riders starting to get twitchy and spread across the road, looking for a good spot, and then, a touch of wheels and bodies everywhere.
“Luckily we were on the scene within seconds of the accident. Once the bikes had been cleared and Brian Mclellan emerged froma farmer’s field (after flying into it over a hedge), Tom assessed the injured parties.
“Tt turned out that the main casualty was a Falkirk BC rider. Major road rash was evident and some damage to his bike and a new Falkirk team kit will need to be ordered, but the rider was in good spirits and asked if his Garmin was still intact and what his average speed was!
“After directing the traffic and slowing down tailender riders, the crash bunch made its way to the finish. The only casualty we had in the car
VIEW FROM ROBERT'S| FIRST AID CAR}
was the said Falkirk rider’s
THERE ARE MANY WAYS}
VOLUNTEER, WITH bike which gota safe ride
back to HQ and probably gota few Strava sections as well, being in the car! “Overall, a great day and I would recommend it to any club member. “Speaking to the riders at the HQ, the overall response was it wasa great race with good organisation and, of course, the usual exceptional catering. a F “Major kudos to Iain BAERS Elliott for putting it all BLACK LOCH 4 together, to all the other ee volunteers who made this Clarion club event happen. “Tt’s a great race and one we, asa club, should be proud of the fact that the race was oversubscribed says it all. “Hopefully the event will go ahead again next year and I’ll be sticking my name down to help out again. Thanks to Tom for being great company on our tour of the Black Loch.”
DIFFERENT LEVELS OF COMMITMENT,
PHOTOS BY IAN M HENDERSON
SUMMER 2015 BOOTS&SPURS 13
119TH EASTER MEET: LLANGOLLEN
SCENIC ROUTES ON THE
SATURDAY SOCIAL RIDE
HEADING HOME ALONG THE LLANGOLLEN CANAL
Welsh wander
The Clarion headed to wonderful Wales for the 119th Easter Meet, enjoying beautiful scenery and perfect cycling weather, and just the right amount of hills. Thanks go to Andrea and Frank Vaughan for their excellent planning and warm Llangollen welcome.
PHOTOS BY MATTHEW BALL, ALAN KIDDLE AND ALEX SOUTHERN
|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2015
LLANGOLLEN
GREAT EVERY Di
(A GOOD BUNCH: REGROUPS AT THE TOP; OF A 25 PERCENTER
SUMMER 2015 BOOTS&SPURS 15
119TH EASTER MEET: LLANGOLLEN
A BEER AND A BAND IN Z UNDER BRIDGES, THE TOWN CENTRE MOVER BRIDGES T! "4 OUR DESTINATION Bag
j SPECIAL GUEST WELSH RUGBY STAR ELEN EVANS
4
IDANCE YOURSELF, HAS THE TRO
DIZZY AT THE CEILIDH
BEEN POLISHE!
'S&SPURS SUMMER 2015
TEST YOUR) BRAKES!
THE 2014 TROPHY|
a a o a S q a a a
LONDON CLARIO! STOP FOR A RABBIT
OUT AND ABOUT Clarionettes spotted out on their bikes
Haenor at the first round of the British Youth Crit series in Hetton in March
Emma, Jackie and Diane of i’: f West Lothian, winners of their Calum Fernie of Nottingham at the Youth Tour of Isle of category at 10 Under the Ben Man in May
Saddleworth at the Tour de Yorkshire West Lothian Clarion at the Youth
18|BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2015
PHOTOS BY ALEX BALL, TIM MITCHELL, DALE
ramorinenceancowonerrinuess A Orth Cheshire Juniors
Sunderland's Tony Gibs onarecent DIY Audax ii and around Weardale
Our very own Tommy Voeckler, Chris Eaves
Eyeing up the opposition? Gareth McClorey
Birthday boys, L to R: Adam Hodgkinson (13), Adam McClorey (12) Lachlan Hacker (12)
Simon Barnes of Malmesbury in Thailand
The North Cheshire Clarion Junior Racing Team at The Dolan Tour of Isle of Man Series, with U10 yellow jersey winner Euan Hacker up front
SUMMER 2015 |BOOTS&SPURS 19
HISTOR Fenland’s Golden Era
(PART 1)
ike Cowling, a Fenland member living in North
Yorkshire but originally from Peterborough, has discovered some amazing
old photographs taken by his father Frank. Mike says, “I’ve been a freelance photographer in regional papers for 35 years and probably got the photographic bug from
my dad, whose greatest passion, next to cycling, was photography. He always had a camera around his neck.”
Frank wasa long time Clarion member and held various offices in the club. He wasa keen club cyclist, Photograph before a club run in the 1950s. Club runs always but rarely competed, apart started at “The Fountain” on Lincoln Road in Peterborough. from a25TT on his 60th Names from Left back row are: Doreen Cowling, unknown,
and 7oth birthdays. He and Arthur Wyatt, Bill Glover, Grace Glover, unknown from then on. his wife Doreen, who had two sons, Mike and Nigel, would take overseas CTC holidays, touring extensively.
Frank Cowling, photographer of these pictures, competes inaTT. Aclub run stop from the 1970s.
20 |BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2015
Mechanical repair during a club run from the late 1940s. The lady in front is Doreen Cowling,
Frank's wife and mother to Nigel and Michael.
1970s Fenland club awards night.
SUMMER 2015 BOOTS&SPURS 21
Atrip to honour the fallen
Words and pictures By Mike Cowling
FENLAND
y brother Nigel and Lare both originally from Peterborough
and members of the Fenland section but we now live in Yorkshire. We recently travelled by bicycle to place small wooden poppy crosses on the memorials to two of our grandfather’s friends who never made it back from the trenches of W W1. Joeliesin‘somecornerof a foreign field that is forever England’ along with mates
22 |BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2015
Nigel and Michael Cowling, at the Arras memorial
from the Norfolk Regiment who were killed in the penultimate month of WW1. The 19-year-old had only joined up to do his bit in June 1918 and died froma German shell. He was the only son of Joseph and Annie Coles from Eye, near Peterborough, and was one of my grandfather William Cowling’s pals. William, grandpa, had joined up in Huntingdon after answering the call. He and
his other best friend George
Harold Wright came from the same village of Wistow in Huntingdonshire. They were farm workers, and had
Pte. Joseph Coles from Eye, near Peterborough.
the ruddy complexion of men who toiled on the land. The decision to visit their memorials was first mooted when I found old leather wallet, threadbare at its edges, containing a dozen or so photographic postcards with grandfather’s handwriting on the back. They included one of himself recuperating in an army hospital from a hip wound that saw him invalided out of the conflict and left him with a permanent limp. He had written the soldiers’ names and dates of their deaths. A few evenings’ research by my wife on the computer found George on
the memorial at Arras and Joe
in The Highland Cemetery at Le Cateau en Cambresis. We decided to cycle there, as Joe had been a member ofa local Cyclists’ Battalion before heading to France. We landed at Dunkirk on abright afternoon and headed south at an easy
Grandfather, Pte. William Cowling.
pace along flat roads with the wind at our backs.
Our first hotel in Aire-surla Lys appeared empty. When the receptionist eventually appeared, he told me that I
should have had an email
telling me to collect the key froma wooden box near the gate and let ourselves in. After avery long day we were in no mood for an argument and we just nodded and smiled as he showed us to our room. The next day we stocked up on croissants and coffee for another long day in the saddle. We were riding
a
Cycling to~ Le Cateau en Cambresis
L/Cpl. George Harry Wright.
through a mining area to Arras to pay our respects to George Wright. Grandfather had called him by his
middle name, Harry, and
he remained hidden in the records until we discovered
a George Harold Wright
from Wistow. He wasa L/Cpland is remembered, with thousands of others, onthe Arras Memorial,
beautifully kept by the staff
of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. There didn’t seem to be
amile of level road as we
toiled up climbs and enjoyed the descents past smaller cemeteries: Tigris Lane, Hibers Trench and Sun Quarry, with their bright headstones contrasting the green corn pushing towards a deep blue sky. The sounds of skylarks and an occasional cuckoo gave way to urban traffic as we approached Cambraiand our hotel for two nights.
SUMMER 2015 BOOTS&SPURS 23
The pair are pictured next to Pte.
This time there wasa receptionist on duty and he was keen to tell us about his hotel being used by a Tour de France team last year. In fact, he was hard to get away from with his tales of top riders and all the vehicles they had to accommodate. All we wanted to do was havea shower and relax witha beer.
The third day on the road was supposed to be easier as we had left our luggage at the hotel. The round trip to Le Cateau en Cambresis had been calculated as 40 miles but ended up 45. Our departure coincided with that ofa group of British motoring enthusiasts who left a smoke screen of exhaust fumes to set us on our way.
We ventured over farm tracks and minor roads, getting lost once or twice, toarrive at The Highland Cemetery with the second of
24 |BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2U15
je
Joe Coles’s grave in Highland Cemetery outside Le Cateau en Cambresis
our small wooden crosses. Pte. Coles, buriedina row with his regimental comrades, took some finding in the small cemetery ona hill overlooking a valley. Joe, with his neat ‘tash and far away look, appears older than 19 in his photograph but never made it home to have any more birthdays and leave his teenage years. The mood was sombre as we paid our respects and turned the bikes north towards Cambrai. The road
raad to Cambrai
undulated through small villages, quiet in the mid afternoon. We arrived back in Cambrai to enjoy a coffee and pastry ina cafe in the main square, dominated by the town’s Hotel de Ville.
With the bikes laden again the next day, we faced the longest ride of the trip, from Cambrai to St. Omer. Seventy two miles ofa constant head and side wind with no shelter from the constant battering. Depressing climbs up slow drags led toa short level section followed by another long uphill and so on.
The road into St. Omer saw us descending but the day had asting in the tail witha climb up to the hotel. Bikes were stored in the hotel’s conference suite and a beer taken to celebrate conquering the hardest day. The final day’s ride was short at 25 miles and, thankfully, on flat roads, although witha head wind. But we arrived at Dunkirk and crossed back to ‘Blighty’ on time.
Itis hard to imagine the collective grief of thousands of British and Commonwealth families who lost loved ones in the ‘great falling’. For
those, like the relatives of Harry and Joe, there would be no nearby grave to lay flowers on. tell you Mrs. Coles, that your son Joe did you, his country and his friends proud and restsina beautiful cemetery in the shade ofa tree. They will always be remembered.
2
RUSSEL
SECTIONEWS
Al. away earlier this year
BARNOLDSWICK tis with sadness that we have to inform you of the death of respected club member Alan Speak following a short illness.
Six weeks before, he completed a120-mile ride with eight of our members. Alan was always willing to help out at events and was a steward at the Tour de France in Skipton.
Bob Jackson and Mick Meath planted daffodil bulbs at the Pop Harry Hill bench, situated outside Bracewell, in his memory. Cyclists from all over the region have been able to enjoy them while passing or taking advantage of the memorial bench this spring.
Three of our members Mark Brown, Bob Jackson and Mick Meath enjoyed a week’s cycling in Majorca in early February with the Pendle Forest Cycling Club.
Secretary Bob Jackson’s youth hostel weekends to
Grinton Lodge and York were a huge success.
Members Bob Kenny, Mark Sandamas and Mick Keegan completed the Liege- Bastogne-Liege 280km sportive in under 10 hours.
Barnoldswick Clarion teamed up with Burnley and Pendle CTC fora very enjoyable ride on the Coast to Coast, Way of the Roses, in May.
Mark Brown was one of the organisers ofa coast to coast cycle ride on behalf of BLESMA, the forces’ charity for limbless veterans. The ride started at Morecambe where those taking part were given an official send-off by the Mayor. Mick Meath was one of the helpers on the first stage, Morecambe to Hawes. Mark and other veterans completed the ride in Filey. Mick Meath.
BURY
his year, it was Bolton’s
turn to host our
usual joint awards celebration. Guest of honour David Heald held our attention with the story of how he started club riding with Bolton and moved on to track cycling with the British Cycling Development squad. Andy Horner collected the BAR and 10s trophies while other championship winners were Nick Hall (100), Joe Cadwallader (hill climb) and John Yates, father of Adam and Simon (the handicap).
Only Peter and Sylvia
Roscoe committed to the full Easter Meet but enjoyed meeting the usual stalwarts from other sections and took full advantage of the tourist things that Llangollen has to offer. Thanks to Frank and Andrea Vaughan for their
SUMMER 2015 BOOTS&SPURS 25
Coatbridge and West Lothian met up to try out their clubs' shared 10TT course
splendid organisation and choosing a good hotel, and Llangollen with all its tourist attractions. Andy Horner and Nick Hall, along with their partners, attended the awards evening on Sunday night. Andy collected the Best All Rounder Championship and Veteran’s trophies while Nick collected his third place medal and the Czechoslovakian trophy for Bury’s win in the team pursuit. Bury have now won this trophy three times: the first in 1929, then 2009 and 2014. Nick was in the 2009 team along with the teenage Yates twins so he has a special interest in Bury winning this magnificent trophy.
Our weekend clubruns remain well attended and we were delighted to have 12 year old Francis Woodcock join us ona recent Sunday ride, which has a faster pace than the Saturday rides he has attended in the past. We have secured agrant to help usin youth
26 |BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2015
development so hopefully we will attract more young people in the future.
Peter Roscoe
COATBRIDGE t has been another good start to the year for Coatbridge Clarion. After avery well attended winter training programme the
club members are in great
condition for the year ahead.
Lots of new members have joined and are improving their own levels beyond all expectation. We have had two great club socials already in 2015, including the annual Paris Roubaix club social. Both days were great fun, with lots of food, drink and lively cycling discussion. The clubis still mainly focused on road cycling but has also been diversifying, with our members competing in some of the big mountain bike races.
We had a fantastic mountain bike away day
for over 20 members. We are also in the process of developing our ladies’ club runs recruiting newer riders for this run. In recent weeks, the club began its first midweek TT series with a superb response: over 20 riders and helpers each night, which has resulted.
in some good natured competition and banter on the club facebook page.
Our midweek APR training nights have also continued to enhance our training opportunities, with lots of hard graft and enthusiasm.
In May 2015, the first of our themed club runs saw our riders complete avery hilly King of the Mountains Club Run.
Every rider excelled on the 120-miler, 90-miler and 77-miler club runs. Many of our riders smashed their distance and climbing personal records a great day in decent weather. A very busy schedule ahead for the club over the summer months
with numerous challenges and club events will see our riders challenged to levels they did not think possible. John Gormlie
MALMESBURY elped in part by the club website, membership
continues to rise. We
endeavour to keep everyone informed with our regularly updated blog and Twitter account.
We have again issued our
own membership cards
with negotiated discounts at some local businesses.
Keen to establish ourselves
we are now affiliated
to British Cycling.
Our well supported weekly rides run every Saturday morning, Wednesday evening and Thursday lunchtime.
Wealso have a monthly Sunday outing which gradually increases in distance and difficulty.
On 28th February 2015, the club celebrated its 3rd birthday. A record 21 riders cycled to The Angel Tea Rooms in Sherston where
co
we enjoyed a specially baked birthday cake bought from club funds. Club secretary Howard Sprange and his wife Alison generously paid for all the teas and coffees.
In April, members rode together to the Bespoke Cycle Show at Bristol.
Andy Parker has fought his way back to full fitness after being diagnosed with a wheat intolerance, and has resumed his position at the front of the pack.
George Wadsworth has recovered froma broken wrist which he sustained after he was knocked off his bike by a motorist, and has started racing in club colours.
New member Mark Musty has madean encouraging start.
Sportive wise, Des Milkins rode the Tour de Bristol, Ted and Alice Waldron the Cotswold Spring Classic and Jamie Halliday the demanding Hell of the Ashdown Challenge.
On the Audax front Phil Moody is our latest convert, while Des Milkins has ridden anumber of 100km events. Tim Wadsworth
RIDGE TO SADDLE
SADDLEWORTH
he last year has been
one of progression
and new initiatives for Saddleworth Clarion, seeing the club strengthen its core values, alongside reaching out to the wider cycling community.
Our regular Sunday club runs forma big part of what we do, though fortunately we have much more breadth
racing sees participation from several club members with our very own Mike Gradwell becoming Clarion champ this year, while Simon Pateman continues to campaign the infamous Three Peaks! Our Annual Lenfer du Saddleworth homage to the Paris Roubaix and Flanders Classics ran again, witha strong field turning out for Grave and Pave. Mountain biking continues to forma core element of the club, with regular Wednesday night rides come rain or shine. After the success of last year’s Saddleworth Audaxes, once again Nephi Alty is at the helm of organising what is now our Clarion Challenge Ride contribution. Three
Malmesbury met up for their third Birthday ride in February
SUMMER 2015 BOOTS&SPURS
Saddleworth club run distances on the 5th July: 100k, 170k and 200k, all representing worthwhile challenges for the discerning cyclist, with the 200k route having some 4500 metres
of climbing! While talking about Audax, special mention goes to Steve Butterworth and Mike Wigley, hoping to complete the gruelling PBP challenge.
On the last Saturday of every month our Go Sky Ride continues to attract new riders to the club. For the first time in a long time we are seeing women regularly joining us. We have now established a regular ‘C’ ride, focused firmly towards the enjoyment of social cycling; our local terrain will always be challenging but this ride sets out to cater for those who wanta gentler way of life. Steve Carson
SUNDERLAND t’s been a busy spring within the Sunderland section, most notably on a
sporting front with a number
of strong performances in local time trials, in particular
28 BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2015
Tuxford in club colours
Ingrid Shepherd, who has been on the top step on numerous occasions as first lady, including a stunning 50 mile time of 2:00:48. Steve Gordon has also continued on from where he left offlast season with a number of strong performances, including taking the section’s first memorial trophy of the year, the David Rowley 25 mile. Tony Gibson, Paul Barrett, and Wayne Forster, along with three others, completed acharity ride from Cork to Belfast to raise funds
charities close to Tony and his wife Lisa’s heart. The riders completed the 277 mile route over three days, and in doing so have raised over £4,700 for those charities. The club runs are continuing to be a big draw, attracting old members back and also some new faces. In particular, our Saturday morning shorter rides seem to be drawing members in. also have members trying their hand at DIY audaxes. The summer looks
promising for the club, with Paul Barrett and Tom Guy both hoping to complete their level 2 coaching awards,
whichis part of the drive tobecomea Go Ride club.
Our annual club open 25 time trial 12th July. Hopefully we may see some friends from other sections there. Matthew France
TUXFORD or a section formed in 2013, we were chuffed to bits to win the Neil Duckworth award for the highest attendance at the National Club’s
annual meet. Even more chuffed was Ella Pike, one of our younger members, who collected it for us.
We were also delighted to
have the Clarion’s ‘Clubman’
Dave Shaw come from Tuxford. Dave isa great help in many aspects of our club, and plans all of our weekly A and Brides for us. The strength of our section comes from many areas. At our heart we feel like a local community bike club, mainly
due to not being based in alarge town. Our regular Sunday club runs remain strong and now we have both Aand Bruns. From June, the Saturday Social Rides became a weekly event, hopefully giving newcomers better access to club cycling.
Ataracing level our ‘up and coming’ rider is Jack Levick (18), who recently broke our 11.3m TT record with a 26.35 in the first of the year’s events. Jack also took first Junior (with a 23.46) in the Clarion 10 champs in April. In the same event, Amy Ogden took the fastest Lady (25.06) and with Jayne Clarke, won the Bert Brown Trophy for the ladies’ team.
At the Easter Meet, it was great to see Tuxford’s Andrew Martin win the shortened (24 down to3 miles) time trial. Nonetheless, it was a welldeserved win for Andy on this 3 mile hill climb. Tuxford also won the team prize.
With the opening of the new Derby Velodrome, we've been lucky to get first rides on the track and have got four riders riding there, one of whom is Mark Love, who has taken a few wins at Forest Town track league.
Looking forward, we havea full programme of club runs, fuddles, time trials and even the ‘coast to coast’ in July. We also hope to have a good showing at all National Clarion events through the year. Tan Clarke
WEST LOTHIAN est Lothian has had a jam-packed start to the season. Several open events have been run very successfully, with the Lang Whang
TT, Battle of Black Loch
and the Cambusbarron 25 fast becoming fixtures on the Scottish calendar.
The club confined 10 TT series and the summer cyclocross series are well underway and club runs continue to attract decent turnouts, regularly covering sixty miles or so (including the obligatory cake/bacon butty stop)
Thanks to Sally Priestly, who has taken over from Carrie Anderson as Women’s co-ordinator. Thanks to Carrie for all her work over the last three years. Our
women’s activities continues
to thrive and a sizeable group is planning a Rapha Women’s 100km ride to Biggar.
The youth section has attended some prestigious events, with Alison Bryce taking part in the Youth British Track Championship, and the Prudential Ride London. Matthew Devlin, Alex Ball, Alison Bryce, and Gregor and Orla Burn rode the British Youth Crit Champs, which took place in Scotland for the first time, in Paisley, organised by Johnston Jets.
Emma Wilson and Mike Mason have qualified as Level 2 coaches and look forward to their new roles. Debbie Pollard
SUNDERLAND TO YORKSHIRE COAST
YORKSHIRE COAST irst of all, congratulations to Frank and Andrea Vaughan for putting ona fabulous Easter Meet in LLangollen, with some great rides, hills and conversations. In recent weeks we have welcomed our newest member Andy Toes plus guest Doug Symons onto our Saturday rides. Our new short-sleeved tops and winter jerseys have been put to good use with the mixed temperatures. Andy Fisher organised asuccessful 24 mile open time trial just north of Beverley earlier in the season, and it was great to see so many riders from Calder Clarion at the event. Stuart Walsh has attended an International Brigade conference in Hamburg and le Tour de Yorkshire graced the coast, starting in Bridlington with a finish in Scarborough. The club’s treasurer has not only been busy with his camera but also teaching the skills of the road. He has recently joined North Yorkshire County Council Bikeability Training scheme, visiting local primary schools and teaching level1and2 Bikeability, whichis very important with regards to road safety and awareness of other road users. The children are very keen and enjoy the two day course. See you awheel and have wonderful summer.
Chris Goode
SUMMER 2015 BOOTS&SPURS
Stockport photos tell astory
onathan Hardman from Stockport has had a photographic essay published in a one-off magazine called Souplesse. His photos are of the root branches of cycle racing with Stockport Clarion CC and feature many recognisable members. Ifyou are interested in acquiring any of Jonathan’s photos, you can do so at his Etsy online store (see below)
Souplesse costs £4 and is available from: http://themodernist.bigcartel. com/product/souplesse
Jonathan's work is available at: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Directorsportif
NEXT ISSUE
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: November 30th. The WINTER issue will be out in January.
30 |BOOTS&SPURS SUMMER 2015
RESULTS
10TT CHAMPS
Saturday 25 April 2015 on course N1/10
A big thank you to everyone who helped on the day:
Men
1 Paul Lunn Fenland 21:25
2 David Langlands Fenland 21:48 3 Martin Knight Nottingham 22:06 4 Adrian Hughes North Cheshire 22:44 5 Malc Jacklin Fenland 23:27 6 Steve Kaye Fenland 23:34
7 Joe Clarke Fenland 23:34
8 lan Clarke Tuxford 23:42
9 Jack Levick Tuxford 23:46 10 Mark Ingram Fenland 23:48 11 Andrew Martin Tuxford 23:53 12 Jerry Norman Fenland 24:27 13 Chris Shaw Fenland 25:55 14 John Royle Fenland 25:57 15 Philip Merritt Fenland 26:32 16 Nigel Wilson Tuxford 27:21 17 Hasnain Dhanji Fenland 28:50
Women
1 Amy Ogden Tuxford 25:06
2 Lindsay Clarke Fenland 27:11 3 Georgina Jennings Fenland 29:18 4 Jayne Clarke Tuxford 29:19
2015 POINTS COMPETITION
After 3 rounds Section positions:
1 Nottingham Clarion 142 points
2 Fenland 127
3 Tuxford 118
4 North Cheshire 90
5 West Lothian 30
6 London 18
7 Brighton Hove 17
8 Yorkshire Coast 16
your favourite cafe
Women’s Competition:
1 Amy Ogden Tuxford 100 points 2 Lindsay Clarke Fenland 80 3 Jess Beyer-Lyons Nottingham 50 4 Georgina Jennings Fenland 30
5 Jayne Clake Tuxford 20
Men’s Competition:
1M. Knight Nottingham 72 points
2.A. Hughes North Cheshire 70 3 A. Martin Tuxford 61
4P. Lunn Fenland 50
5 P. Hurst Nottingham 40
6D. Langlands Fenland 40 7M. Jacklin Fenland 37
81. Clarke Tuxford 34
9M. Ball West Lothian 30
10 S. Gregory Nottingham 30 11 J. Levick Tuxford 23
12 S. Hope Fenland 20
13 S. Kaye Fenland 16
14 J. Clarke Fenland 16
15 C. Goode Yorkshire Coast 16 16 M. Ingham Fenland 12
17 J. Norman Fenland 10
18 M. Barry Brighton Hove 9 19 C. Shaw Fenland 9
20 Bob Harber Brighton
Hove 8
21 John Royle Fenland 8
22 P. Merritt Fenland 7
23 M. O'Rorke London 7
24 Martin Perfect London 6 25 Nigel Wilson Tuxford 6
26 Alex Southern London 5
H. Dhanji Fenland 5
CLARION STICKER
Put your Clarion window sticker in
or shop and email Alan Kiddle at: alan. kiddle.ak@gmail.com so he can compile a list of member approved businesses
BARNOLDSWICK
Bob Jackson, 01282 817017 fred@alpineoverland.co.uk
BLACKPOOL Ei www.blackpoolclarion.webs.com Jon Ranby,07923 540623 jon.ranby@blueyonder.co.uk, BOLTON Ei www.boltonclarion.co.uk
Mike Singleton, 07703 629123 singl@o2.co.uk
BRIGHTON HOVE brightonandhoveclarion.wordpress.com lan Bullock, 01273 682133 ibullock@ntlword.com
BURY Ei www.buryclarion.co.uk
Peter Roscoe
0161 761 6856 peterroscoe80@btinternet.com CALDER 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
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 Lindsay Clarke 01733 706498, generalsecretary@ fenlandclarion.co.uk
GOSPORT
David Palk, 01329 312589, daveipalk@virginmedia.com HEANOR Ei heanorclarion.org.uk
Bob Howe, 07838 597970
f Meet up
on Facebook Join the National Clarion group
(Search ‘National
HE1= clubs on Facebook (search by their name)
rob.howey.howe@gmail.com, HEREFORD
Alvin Smith, 01568 770327 alvin.smith@btinternet.com ITALIAN Ei www.italianclarion.com/
Julian Mortel info@italianclarion.com @LONDON www.londonelarion.org.uk
Martin Perfect, 01892 523927 mjperfect@gmail.com
MALMESBURY
Howard Sprange, 01666 823476 howard.sprange@btinternet.com NORTH CHESHIRE Ei www.northcheshireclarion.co.uk Andrew Williams secretary@north cheshireclarion.co.uk
NOTTINGHAM Ei www.nottinghamclarion.co.uk Richard Hill gsnottsclarion@ gmail.com 07973 377192
SADDLEWORTH saddleworthclarion.webs.com
Chris Moreman, 0788 1717 804
‘SECTION CONTACTS
chrismoreman@gmail.com
STOCKPORT Ei www.stockport-clarion.org.uk Duncan McLaren,
0161 487 4828 dunchewitt@hotmail.com
SUNDERLAND Ei www.sunderlandclarion.org.uk Tony Gibson, 0191 5130519 info@sunderlandclarion.org.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
Jim Harris, 01236 730157 jimharris35@yahoo.co.uk
YORKSHIRE COAST Chris Goode, 01723 341050 twentytwowheels@hotmail.com PRIVATE
Donald Lever memberships@clarioncc.org
MEMBERSHIP
SENIOR: £8 Age over 18. Must be in a 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 1st September to 31st August but memberships expire on 31st December.
‘Amember who joins or renews after 31st August will
SUMMER 2015 BOOTS&SPURS 31
No words could be read on this page.