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available now
Why not get the National Clarion kit to supplement that of your local section?
Made by Endura in the UK, men's, women’s and youth kit is available at reasonable prices in a variety of cycle wear.
Contact National Secretary lan Clarke for more details at bike@clarioncc.org
2|BOOTS&SPURS WINTER 2012/13
information’ box. Buy online at www. inmotionproducts. com.
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accessories, tyres, discounts with local
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Just select ‘Clarion local section for
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little investment. Make sure you make the most of your membership!
Buya club cap
Fetching black, red and gold Clarion caps are available from Stockport Clarion.
Order your casquette now! Email Duncan McLaren on: secretary@stockport-clarion.org.uk
GET IN TOU! President KEN HEMSLEY
(Fenland)
Tel: 01159 873118
Vice President KATH LEESE (Heanor)
Treasurer
DAVE BISSET (Bolton) Tel: 01204 853127 Ba National Secretary IAN CLARKE (Fenland) Markham Cottage, Low Street, East Markham, Newark NG220QQ Tel: 01777 872097
bike@ctarioncc.org Membership Secretary DONALD LEVER (Bury)
14 Mosley Ave,
Ramsbottom BLO 9UH Tel: 01204 883584
memberships@clarioncc.org ia FRANCIS GRAFTON (Nottingham)
Tel: 0115 981 9817 frank.grafton@yahoo.co.uk Secretary
BOB HARBER
(Brighton) Tel: 01903 879598 bikerider@phonecoop.coop P| MATTHEW BALL
(W. Lothian) secretary @westlothianclarion.co.uk is CHRIS GOODE (Yorkshire Coast)
Tel: 01723 341050 twenty twowheels@hotmail.com
Racing Secretary
Standing Orders
Committee Member
Committee Member
National Clarion online: www.clarioncc.org
BOOTS&SPURS
Editors Matthew Ball and Kirsty Ball (secretary@ westlothianclarion.co.uk) Design Matthew Ball Printed by Key Print, Peterborough. Contributions to the magazine may be edited or omitted if there are space
constraints.
WELCOME 4
Take the challenge
t the end of September 2012 we had a
record 1129 members. Not quite the
8300 that we had in the Thirties, but
the most we’ve had since 1965. Call it
‘MAMILS' or Wiggo-fever, but I prefer Clarion fellowship, the inclusivity and welcome that our sections offer to members, whether hardcore racers or beginners looking to progress.
It shouldn’t go without some thanks to the new and rapidly developing sections who have worked tirelessly to run clubs, events and rides for members new and old. We are clearly on the rivet with this as we’ve more than doubled our membership since the Easter Meet at Eastbourne in 2010.
Being part of the Clarion, with its history and standing, is really special, but to appreciate what we are really about you need to experience the friendship and affinity of fellow members in other sections. To share the joys of the bike, the open road, the race bunch, the café or the pub with members from other sections is where long lasting friendships are formed.
That’s why we’ve chosen to promote a new venture, the Clarion Challenge Series. Lots of us want to set ourselves challenges to ride distances, in different countryside. The series gives the chance to ride the cobbles of Saddleworth, to Seven Castles in Scotland, the Yorkshire Hills, Northamptonshire Valleys, Cheshire flats to Derbyshire Fells, and the North Yorkshire Moors.
Hope to see you at the Challenge series, the Easter Meet in Scarborough or in a café along the road.
IAN CLARKE (NATIONAL SECRETARY)
Cover illustration by: Garry Marshall
Toget what we are about you need to experience the affinity of fellow members in other sections
BOOTS SPURS WINS COVER VOTE
The Winter issue of It won following a
win the award.
Boots Spurs was public vote, after Matthew says,"There voted the best judges had drawn upa amazing Scottish magazine shortlist of 12 covers response from
cover of the decade at from 262 entries. members of the
the tenth anniversary Illustrator Garry Clarion who really got of the Scottish BO SPURS Marshall and behind Boots Spurs, Magazine designer which wouldn't have Awards last Matthew Ball won without their November. are thrilled to support.”
WINTER 2012/13 BOOTS&SPURS 3
10 MARCH
SCOTLAND
31MARCH
YORKSHIRE WOLD
7APRIL
.SOUTH PENNINES
28 JULY (TBC)
-YORKSHIRE
22SEPTEMBER
29 SEPTEMBER
DETAILS www.clarionce.org/challenge.html
NATIONAL CLARION
MEETUP CLUBMATES
DISCOVER AMAZING NEW ROADS
WINA JERSEY GETAMEDAL!
CHALLENGE SERIES
he National Clarion
committee has
announced a series of challenge events for 2013.
Secretary lan Clarke says,
“We want to encourage as many members as possible to compete in other Clarion events and will award those who do with a medal; complete two events for a Bronze Medal, three for Silver, four for Gold. Complete all events and you will receive a Gold medal and a Clarion road jersey.”
RadTour: Seven Castles of West Lothian Reliability Trial Date: Sun 10 March Section: West Lothian Contact: grantcraven@aol.com Web: http://tinyurl.com/apkpg92 Scarborough Easter Audax/Reliability Ride Date: Sun 31 March Section: Yorkshire Coast Contact: twentytwowheels@ hotmail.com nfer Du Saddleworth Date: Sun 7 April Section: Saddleworth Contact: saddleworthclarion@ hotmail.co.uk Calder Clarion Audax Section: Calder Date: Sun 28 July (TBC) Contact: secretary@calderclarion.co.uk Wizard Llamas Audax Section: North Cheshire Date: Sun 22 September Contact: northcheshire@ btinternet.com Nene-Valley Sportive Date: Sun 29 September Section: Fenland Clarion Contact: steve@fenlandclarion. co.uk
BOOTS&SPURS|5
2012 MEMBERSHIP DETAILS
Jen Taylor is interviewed
Clarion is on TV
wo sections managed to get themselves on the television in 2012.
In August, the North Cheshire ‘Go-Ride’ Games was featured on Sky Sports News. Secretary Giles Perkins says, “The 3-minute segment featured over 40 young riders taking part in grass track racing at Warrington Sports Club and it was transmitted several times after the event.”
In December, West Lothian’s Kingscavil Hill Climb was broadcast as part of BBC2’s The Adventure Show.
Clarion members could be spotted throughout the programme. Women’s winner Jen Taylor was interviewed, as was Billy Minto and his homemade washing line bike. The programme also featured the magnificent legs of Iain Elliott on the bike-cam.
North Cheshire’s James Kelly
6 |BOOTS&SPURS WINTER 2012/13
2012 TOTALMEMBERSHIP 1128
BARNOLDSWICK 2011:18
MEMBERS PER SECTION
LONDON 2011:15
WEST LOTHIAN O11:1
YORKSHIRE COAST NEW SECTION
EWEN FULTON
OBITUARY
Cliff Kettlewell (1926-2012)
liff Kettlewell died
aged 85 on Thursday 3
May 2012. Cliff's first involvement with cycling was with the West Riding Wheelers in the late 30s and 40s until World War II curtailed his cycling.
During the war he was sent to the famous Achnacarry Commando Training Depot for the Allied Forces, which operated from 1942 to 1945. Members of many regiments, not just the Royal Marines, were trained as British Commandos there. Cliff arrived with his unit at Spean Bridge railway station, in the shadow of Ben Nevis, to face a 7-mile march in full kit to the training depot where he spent a number of weeks subjected to a severe physical and technical training regime, with minimal rations, inadequate shelter and wet clothing. Live ammunition in training exercises meant there were some casualties while training at Achnacarry.
After the war, Cliff came home to civilian life with his wife. They had a son, Phillip. Cliff was a chemist at the Co-op in Leeds and later became secretary of the Co-op pensioners committee and organised its Christmas dinner every year in Leeds.
In 1975, he joined Calder Clarion and brought along his young son Phillip and Adrian Lumley. Phillip became a very good cyclist who went on to win many events, including
an open road race.
Cliff remained active to the last. The day before his death, he was in characteristic high spirits, pushing off at the Calder Clarion evening time trial and swapping banter with riders and officials.
lub members describe Cliffas a ‘top sort of bloke’, a real stalwart,
and many have fond
memories of him marshalling a 1970s race, standing in the middle of the road at Denby Dale in his trademark bobble hat, tweed overcoat and brogues, making sure all the riders gota safe turn.
Cliff’s famous saying when he had had a couple of pints, delivered whilst thumping the table was, ‘bring on the dancing girls’, probably from his army days in India.
Cliff always had a smile and was very proud of his son Phillip’s racing achievements. When Cliff joined the club in 1975 he made good friends for the rest of his life.
Cliff will be missed for his dedication to the cycling club, his friendliness and particularly for his humour. All at Calder Clarion offer condolences to Cliff’s family.
2013 EVENTS
2013 NCCC RACES
National Clarion races count towards the seasonlong men's and women's points series. NCCC also has Best All Rounder TT championships.
EASTER 10 TT Date: 30 March 2.30pm Location: Burton Flemming course. Section: Yorkshire Coast 10 TT CHAMPS Date: 18th May Section: Stockport Course: J21 ROAD CHAMPS Date: 31 August Location: Darley Moor Includes Youth Champs 25 TT CHAMPS (TBA) 50 TT CHAMPS Date: 2 June Course: A50/5 Section: Nottingham TRACK CHAMPS (TBA) CYCLO-CROSS (TBA) HILL CLIMB CHAMPS Date: 13 October Section: West Lothian Contact: secretary@ westlothianclarion.co.uk Aclosed road hill climb for adults and youth riders CLARION RIDE OUT
For more eaBtallé. contact Race Secretary Francis Grafton by email: frank.grafton@yahoo.co.uk
Updates on website www.clarioncc.org/events. html
WINTER 2012/13 BOOTS&SPURS
CLARION EVENT REP
Track
ACK
championships
strong field, including a sizable youth contingent, produced an exciting set of races at the Manchester Velodrome
By Nick Hall BURY
his year’s Clarion Track
Championships took
place early in the year and once again on the boards of the National Cycling Centre in Manchester. Thirty eight riders, all Clarion first or second claim members, with the exception of four, were split into two groups an ‘A’ seniors group with the cream of the Clarion’s track riders, and a ‘B’ group of juniors and not quite so quick seniors. It was extremely pleasing to see such a large turnout of junior
riders this year and this allowed a closely contested junior omnium to develop, which was eventually won by James Peckover from Nottingham Clarion.
Both of the two groups had its own omnium competition, with four out of the five events (200m TT, 2km pursuit, scratch race, points race and elimination race) counting. The racing in both groups was fast and furious with no
quarter asked or given and, in spite of one or two close calls,
pleasingly accident free. Pete Deary who later in the year starred in the London 2012 Olympics riding the derny
commissaired the event superbly and made sure
the races ran smoothly
and on time.
The B group was swelled by Nottingham's youth riders
BOOTS&SPURS WINTER 2012/13
The ‘A’ Omnium was won by one of the rising young stars of the track, Ryan Whatmough, who is a 2nd claim Bury Clarion member, with West Lothian’s Steve McCaw second, and former world master’s track silver medalist Paul Whatmough (Ryan’s Dad) in third place.
Junior Omnium Champion James Peckover also won the ‘B’ Omnium, with Joe McCartney second and Gabriel Bird third, making it a clean sweep for Nottingham Clarion.
A closely fought 3km team pursuit was won by West Lothian in a time of 3.42.85,
MATT HALL, RYAN EWING
It was extremely
pleasing to have such a large turnout of junior riders
with Fenland coming in second place.
Teammates Steve McCaw and Matthew Ball fought out the Clarion Pursuit final, with Steve McCaw coming out on top, adding to his win in the National Clarion five-mile race, where Dave Langlands came second.
Fenland’s Dave Langlands fought it with youngster James Peckover for the title of sprint champion Langlands
Fenland’s Dave Langlands and West Lothian's Steve MaCaw battled it out in the As
just having the edge to take the win and the Mackay Pollock Trophy.
Allin all it was an excellent day’s racing with a full field of riders who provided some thrilling riding that pleasure to watch. Look out for next year’s event which will again be in Manchester
2KM PURSUIT: 1 S McCaw (2.29.41), 2M Ball (2.33.43), 3 P Lilley (2.35.94), 4M Ewing (2.36.34), 5 Clarke (2.41.83), 6 J Hughes (2.43.00),
7 D McLaren (2.43.60), 8 L Clarke (3.00.01), 9 S Clarke (3.01.56),
OMNIUM Rider, 200m, 2km, Points, Scratch, Devil, best 4 1S McCaw, 2, 10, 2 DLangland: 3M Ewing, 2, 3 Clarke, 6, 5 MBall, 5, 2, 5 J Hughes, 5, 7P Lilley, 4, 2, 2, 8NHall, 2, 2,2,2 2;
Is, 3 2 2
8 McClaren, 2 8S Clarke, 2, 2, 8 AClare, 2,2,2,2=8 81 Clarke, 2, 2,2, 2,2 8
81! Shapiro, 2, 2, 2, 2, 81 Clarke, 2,2,2,2=
GROUP B
200M TT: 1 J Peckover (12.16),
2G Bird (13.14), 3 J McCartney (13.25), 4 J McQuade (13.45), 5 P Smith (13.62), 6 P Ball (13.73), 7 0 Peckover (13.86), 8M McCartney (14.07)
9C McBrearty 14.37),
10 K Bird (14.51), 11 J Yates (14.57),
12 P Morphet (14.66), 13 G Perkins (14.67), 14 Holtby (16.56)
2KM PURSUIT
1J Peckover 2.38.35, 2 0 Peckover 2.42.33, 3 G Bird 2.46.25,4M McCartney 2.47.97, 5 G Perkins 2.51.84, 6 C McBrearty 2.52.88,
7 J McCartney 2.53.87, 8 N Kirby 2.56.72, 9 P McBrearty 3.00.02,
10 K Bird 3.01.06, 111 Holtby 3.26.00
OMNIUM
Rider, 200m, 2km, Points, Scratch, Devil, (Best 4)
1J Peckover, 10, 10, 10, 10,2=40 2J McCartney, 6, 2,6, 8,10 30 3G Bird, 8,6, 4,4,5=23
and promises to be even 6M McCartney. 2,5,8:9.2=18 5N Kirby, 2, 2, 3,5,6=16
bigger and better! 6 O Peckover, 2,8, 2, 2,2=14 7P Smith, 4, 2, 2, 2,3 =11 7CMcBrearty, 2,3, 2,2,4=11
10 G Perkins, 2, 4, 2,2,2=10
GROUP A 11P Ball, 3,2, 2,2,2=9
200 MTT: 1D Langlands (12.50), 121 Holtby, 2, 2, 2,2,2=
2S McCaw (12.66), 3 J Hughes 12 P Morphet, 2,
(13.06), 4 J Clarke (13.16), 12 K Bird, 2, 2, 2,
5 N Hall (13.20), 61 Shapiro (13.73), 7 L Clarke (14.98)
12 J Yates, 2, 2, 12P McBrearty, 2,
WINTER 2012/13 BOOTS&SPURS
Wins for Dale, Clarke Nottingham
By Chris Goode YORKSHIRE COAST ell done to all competitors for taking part in this season-long competition. We have two strong winners in Simon Dale and Lindsay Clarke. The team competition has been won by Simon, Stewart Gregory and Richard Birkin, from Nottingham Clarion, by a massive margin of 180 points. Stockport are in second and the final place on the podium goes to Fenland Clarion. Points competition results 1 S Dale (Nottingham 163, 2 S Gregory (Nottingham) 130, 3 N Hall (Bury) 105, 4 R Birkin (Nottingham) 102, 5| Shapiro (Stockport) 99 ,6 D
McClaren (Stockport) 97, 7= J Clarke (Fenland) 70, Langlands
(Fenland) 70, 9=G Bird (Nottingham)
50, 9= S McCaw (West Lothian) 50, 11= J Croston (Calder) 40, 11=P Lunn (Fenland) 40 13 G Perkins (North Cheshire) 37, 14=1 Clarke (Fenland) 36, 14= J Hughes (Nottingham) 36,
15 K Bird (Nottingham) 35, 16=S Cullen (Saddleworth) 30, 16= M Ewing (West Lothian) 30, 16= A Horner (Bury) 30, 16= P Hurst (Nottingham) 30,
21= S Clarke (Fenland) 26, 21=F Grafton (Nottingham) 26, 23 L Clarke (Fenland) First Woman 25 24 A Hughes (North Cheshire) 22, 25 D Kerry (Nottingham) 20, 26=R Brown (Stockport) 19, 26=N Clayton (Bury) 19, 28= M Hacker (North Cheshire) 18, 28=N Kirby (Bury) 18, 30=M Ball (West Lothian) 17, 30= J Dowling (Stockport) 17, 32=P Lilley (Fenland) 16, 32=S Pateman (Saddleworth) 16, 34=G Burgess (Stockport) 15, 34=A Clare (Tees-side) 15, 36= M Girdler (Malmesbury) 14, 36= J Peckover (Nottingham) 14, 38=P Ball (Bury) 13, 38=D Grindley (North Cheshire) 13, 38= J Mc Cartney (Nottingham) 13, 41. G Bird (Nottingham) 12 42= M Ellis (North Cheshire) 11, 42=M McCartney (Nottingham) 11, 42= J Yates (Bury) 11, 45= P Morphet (Crewe) 10, 45=S
Side (Bury) 10, 47= 0 Peckover (Nottingham) 9, 47= K Watson (Calder) 9, 49= D. Hulatt (Fenland) 8, 49=C McBrearty (Tees-side) 8, 49= J McQuade (Bury) 8, 49=P Smith (Tees-side) 8, 49=S Smith (North Cheshire) 8, 54=| Elliot (West Lothian) 7, 54=D Free (Heanor) 7,54=M Jacklin (Fenland) 7, 54=D Woods (Bury) 7, 58= C Goode (Yorkshire Coast) 6, 58= B Law (Fenland) 6,
58= M Kelly (Nottingham) 6, 58= D Prince (Crewe) 6, 58= J Taylor (West Lothian) 6, 63= C Adams (Cambridge) 5, 63= A Ball (West Lothian) 5,63=A Barrett (Fenland) 5, 63=| Holtby (Tees-side) 5,63=P McBrearty (Nottingham) 5, 63= J Peckover (Nottingham) 5 691 McNally (Cambridge) 2
Section results 1 Nottingham 395, 2 Stockport 215, 3 Fenland 180, 4 Bury 148, 5 West Lothian 97, 6 North Cheshire 77,7 Calder 49, 8 Saddleworth 46, 9 Tees-side 31, 10 Crewe 16,11 Malmesbury 14, 12 Cambridge 7,13 Heanor 7 14 Yorkshire Coast 6
SIR CHRIS HOY VELODROME OPENS ITS DOORS
The 6th of October 2012 was a day that Scottish cyclists had been looking forward to for a long time. I'm sure wasn't the only one who had trouble sleeping on the night before Glasgow's Sir Chirs Hoy velodrome officially opened.
Edinburgh's open air Meadowbank is a great track, but to have the chance to ride during winter without a
|BOOTS&SPUR:
thought for the weather was a tantalising prospect. Scottish Cycling invited everyone who had entered the Scottish Track Champs (due a few weeks after the opening) to come along for some training sessions and to showcase the venue to the public. What a feeling, cruising round ona new, almost white, racing surface! in,
Mark rides the virgin wood
Currently, West Lothian Clarion has four adults and four kids regularly racing on the track, with many more going through accreditation. We have ridden track league, pursuit, sprint races and used drop in sessions for training.
We are looking forward to the Track World Cup, and a round of the revolution and the Junior World Track Championships in 2013.
Clarion Track Champs in Glasgow in the future?
MARK EWING (WEST LOTHIAN)
DACID MITCHELL
Good views on the way to the hostel
The
A few touring miles in Derbyshire and a good crack fuelled by craft beer and oatcakes
David Mitchell NORTH CHESHIRE
ary McEwan and I
attended this year’s
Clarion autumn ride out at Ilam Hall youth hostel in November. Mary drove there on the Saturday but I rode down on Friday in bright but cold sunshine. It’s only 56 miles via Congleton, Biddulph and Cheddleton, and I had good views from the Mow Cop ridge over the Cheshire plain, although with panniers and a weekend's kit I went up the way we normally descend.
The ride was without
incident, apart from an enormous twang at the top of a hill above Biddulph as one of my rear spokes snapped. Fortunately the wheel stayed pretty straight with no more than the slightest of rubs on the brake. So keeping in the
wasn’t quite sure where the
CLARION EVENT REPORTS: RIDE-OUT 4
ide-out saddle uphill and being more cautious downhill, I managed
to arrive by dusk, my flashing rear light guiding in another car-driving Clarion rider from Barnoldswick who
hostel was. After a shower and supper with other riders we settled down with a beer or two for an evening of crack, mainly with the lads from Bar’lwick Clarion. We even managed a bit of light hearted politics about education and acertain Mrs T. Saturday dawned a bit grey but with the promise of sunnier weather. This arrived in time for our first stop, where we rejoined the riders
taking a less hilly route after some very muddy descents and climbs. From there we all travelled down one of
the old railway cycle trails, witha very civilised gradient compared to the earlier onein-sixes. After a loop from Hartington we returned for a
late lunch of local Derbyshire oatcakes filled with cheese and bacon. A final few miles with a fast descent saw
us back in Ilam ready for another super three-course evening meal and a few more samples of beer.
Sunday was a bit clearer but with a touch of frost. I was riding home but Mary transported my panniers so it was much easier than Friday’s ride out. I set off with the Sunday ride towards Carsington Water but split off before the café stop, heading north to miss the steepest of the hills skirting south of Buxton along Axe edge heading for The Cat and Fiddle. Bizarrely, ona single track road at the head of the Dales, I found a stock car race track with a race in full swing. I pushed on to the top though as it was spotting with rain and sleet, and then enjoyed the six-mile descent to Macclesfield. The return home was straightforward now, up to the Wizard at Alderly Edge, and down Artist Lane where I came across the Merseyside CTC guys I used to ride with. This meant I had a good ride back via Knutsford and Tatton catching up on news, arriving back without using my lights, clocking up just over 75 miles.
Next year’s trip, hopefully in October, will be back at Ilam or at Hartington.
After supper we settled down with a beer or two
WINTER 2012/13 BOOTS&SPURS
CLARION EVENT REPORTS: ROAD RACE
Road race champs
Darley Moor racing circuit was the venue for the Clarion’s Road Champs last September
By Ian Clarke NATIONAL SECRETARY (FENLAND) September Saturday when we arrived at Darley Moor for the Clarion road champs. I had to negotiate with my brother Steve to get a ride in this event, as I’d told the organiser Francis Grafton that I would be chief judge. He took some persuading, but I finally (the night before the race) got Steve to agree to fill in for me. Darley Moor is a funny
old circuit, pretty much pan flat (which suits me) with one hairpin corner (which doesn’t). As the race set off with a roaring tailwind down the long straight, I felt relatively at ease, just about clinging on to the rear of the bunch. And, having no aspirations of victory, I watched as an observer as the race unfolded and the pre-race favourites (and some chancers) decided to make efforts to slip away unnoticed from the largish bunch who tended to react each time someone tried to sprint away. Several breaks of three or four riders clipped off the
BOOTS&SPURS WINTER 2012/13
front, but after a lap or two of holding them at a 100 yards or so, the bunch easily dragged them back. No one seemed to realise that the big tail wind efforts were always fruitless as even the odd old vet like me could lift the pace enough to stop them getting too far.
A handful of strong riders were getting away every few laps and while the rest of us got more and more tired trying to reel them in (or like me sitting on the back while others chased them down), it seemed that sooner or later, a break would stay away.
By now, I was struggling to hold wheels after jumping out
PHOTO BY MARTIN PRINCE
of the bottom hairpin bend, and we were approaching that point when the judges would indicate five laps
to go. Duncan McLaren of Stockport (one of my pre-race favourites) was still expecting to do something, especially after winning last year. Super strong tester Simon Dale of Nottingham was often out the front and holding the bunch at arm’s length. On top of this, one or two of the guest riders, who were local regulars at Darley Moor, seemed to be
in every break. So it was
at this point I made a huge effort to get up alongside my nephew Joe Clarke, and told
him to pay attention and that my theory was that the next break would stay away, and promptly pointed out a few riders I thought were looking likely. As I drifted back down the bunch to keep out of the way, I noticed that the decisive break of the day had just left us and was looking like it was committed. But where was Joe? Somewhere still in the middle of the bunch. Luckily, my words must have been ringing in his ears and, albeit belatedly, he made a mammoth effort to reel them in.
From my vantage point a bike length off the tail end
25 riders entered in 2012. Will you be there on 31st August 2013?
of the bunch, I could see the break. It was a fair distance ahead and in the Fenland Clarion’s favourite race position there was Joe in ‘no man’s land’ desperately trying to make contact.
After the best part ofa lap, Joe caught up with just a couple of laps to go to the finish. As the bell rang out for the final lap, my last lactic acid fuelled kick out of the final hairpin saw me drift, gentleman-like, off the back of the bunch.
It wasn’t until I laboured over the line a couple of minutes later that I found out that Joe came second in
WINTER 2012/13 BOOTS&SPURS
CLARION EVEN
the sprint from the break but was indeed the first Clarion finisher. That was Joe’s first National Clarion championship and a result that neither his dad (Steve), nor me (his uncle) has or is ever likely to achieve. Well done neph’!
Road Race Results GUEST RIDERS NOT SHOWN
Championship: 1 Joe Clarke (Fenland), 2 Paul Searson (Nottingham), 3 Michael Jones (Nottingham), 4 Jonny Croston (Calder), 5 Simon Cullen (Saddleworth), 6 Richard Birkin (Nottingham),
7 Duncan McLaren (Stockport),
8 John Hughes (Nottingham),
9 Justin Dowling (Stockport), 10 Simon Pateman (Saddleworth), 11 Geoff Burgess (Stockport), 12 Max Girdler (Malmesbury), 13 Greg McCullum (Nottingham), 14 Simon Dale (Nottingham), 15 Andrew Prince (Crewe), 16 lan Clarke (Fenland),
17 Matt Hacker (North Cheshire),
18 lan Shapiro (Stockport), 19 Adrian Hughes (North Cheshire), 20 lain Elliot (West Lothian), 21 Jennifer Taylor (West Lothian) (Women’s champ),
22 James Peckover (Nottingham) (Junior champ)
Over 50s Event: 1 Peter Free (Heanor), 2 David Prince (Crewe),
3 Paul Morphet (Crewe)
The event organiser would like to thank all those who contributed to the success of the event:
Special thanks to Steve Clarke for organising the judging and race equipment assisted by Ken Hemsley, Jim Hannam, Paul Mitchell Nadine Peckover, Thanks to the catering team, Margaret, Jean and Marilyn, who also assisted with the signing on and day entries; Kath Leese for looking after the competitors’ numbers; lan Clarke for
the loan of his video equipment and analysing and announcing the results. Thanks to Peak Medicare for servicing the first aid requirement. Many thanks to the riders, some of whom travelled considerable distances tocompete on the day, which thankfully was fine and sunny. Hope to see you all next year, (same weekend has been applied for)
BOOTS&SPURS WINTER 2012/13
THE RACE THAT NEVER WAS
The tale of one ‘Scottish’ rider who never made it to the start
got up at 5.30am on the morning of the race and caught a train south. My original plan had been to drive there and back in a day but didn’t fancy the tiring drive home after the race.
Google told me the nearest station to the circuit was Chesterfield, which meant a 10-mile ride to Darley, easily doable in the 90 minutes had spare before sign on closed.
managed to get 40 winks on the train, arrived at Chesterfield, a busy market town and headed off to the race circuit.
The journey was picturesque with quiet roads; quite a few clubs were out.
was a couple of miles
Top: Lost on the moors. Right: A local artwork sums up the writer's day.
from Darley when Jen called to say she had arrived and wondered if needed a lift—| was fine, but not entirely sure of my whereabouts. suggested she could come and pick me up in Beeley,
the next village.
There was a terrific descent into Beeley about a mile from Darley Dale.
checked directions with a local cyclist, he confirmed Darley Dale was just up the road, but then to my horror he said that Darley Dale was a different place to Darley Moor! The race circuit was actually another two hours’ ride away, I'd cycled to the wrong Darley!
The penny had dropped with Jen too. She called to say she couldn't pick me up and get back for the race start in time. Argh!
What a disaster, there was no way was going to get to the race sign on in time. I'd actually struggle to get there before the race finished.
There was nothing for it. I'd spotted a pub and had a pint to drown my sorrows.
decided to cycle back to Chesterfield and caught the train home...
arrived back in
Linlithgow at 8pm, 14 hours after leaving. Quite a long way to go for a nice pint of beer. MATT BALL (WEST LOTHIAN)
Jen flies the flag for the women
Our only female competitor and novice crit racer strong ride to take the medal
By Jen Taylor WEST LOTHIAN
was the only female who
turned up for the event,
but I was determined not to be put off and opted to ride the main event rather than set off with the vets. Feeling just a little out of place (looking around at the form of the guys and the fact it was a 75-minute race plus five laps) I set off confident to just try my best and try to race cannily!
I felt pretty comfortable
in the main bunch, keeping towards the front half and following any surges, up until just after 24 minutes when a strong attack was made into 3 the wind just after the tight hairpin. Unfortunately, I just didn’t have the strength
MARTIN PRINCE, MATTHEW BALL
to follow, and slipped out the back of the group unbelievably quickly!
I tried to cling on but the wind was strong and the guys stronger. I then thought I didn’t want to bust a gut to get back on as I was not evena third into the race. I caught up with a couple guys who had also been dropped and then couple of the vets. I ended up towing them around for several laps and then two of them took a turn each. I went
Jen mixing it in the bunch
It was a shame there wasn't any female competition
to the front again and that was it! Whenever I pulled to one side and slowed to let one through, they never came!
So I decided not to bust a gut again and keep enough left for when the bunch caught us so could try and stick in again.
The bunch didn’t catch us until 51 minutes, which I was quite chuffed about on a1.5mile circuit. I stuck in and felt comfortable, following several surges, but again a strong attack was made into the wind and I couldn’t follow. I finished on my own, witha couple of stragglers behind who had been dropped before me anda couple that I had passed. I still sprinted for the line though! I finished one lap down in 1.33.00, completing a distance of 35.2miles, average speed 22.7mph.
Allin all, it was a great experience and I used it to build my strength, cornering technique and bunch riding skills. It was probably one of the toughest events I’ve done, and felt very different road race. I quite liked the repetitive laps of a circuit and the constant quick pace and race out of the corners. I enjoyed learning with every lap and knowing when I could go for it, or guessing when others would. It was just a shame there was no female competition to add to the excitment.
WINTER 2012/13 |BOOTS&SPURS 15
COME ALONG TO THE 118TH
EASTER MEET IN SCARBOROUGH
Friday 29th March to Monday Ist April 2013
Life Centre, boat trips, the overlooking the harbour. The forward to hosting this historic Norman castle as well spa hotel boasts a swimming event and have some fun as the traditional seaside fun. pool and sauna, and offers lined up for you.
The town is on the edge of the beauty therapy treatments JENNY WESTON
BOOK EARLY
TO SECURE
ACTIVITY PRICE GUIDE
FRIDAY
TO SUNDAY: £49 Adults, Children (under Children under 2 free
2),
Adults,
£10 Children
SUNDAY ONLY: £29 Adults,
£15 Children
B Please send
cheque payable to Nation arion CC
to: Chris Goode,
56 Raleigh Street, Scarborough YO127LQ
Tel, 01723 341050 clarion.chris@ yahoo.co.uk
FAMOUS CLIMBS
2013 SCARBOROUGH EASTER MEET
Te
ACTIVITIES
Friday 29 March
From 5pm Collect ribbons and a programme of events 7.30pm Meet the Mayor
drinks at the Ambassador Hotel
Saturday 30 March
10-12.30am Conference 10am Mountain biking with qualified trail leaders in Dalby Forest (cost extra)
2pm Local History Walk with Chris Hall
2.30pm Hilly 10m TT see CTT handbook (cost extra) 7.15pm Party with ceilidh and buffet, at St Saviour's Church Hall
Sunday 31 March
10am group photo
10am 30 mile and 60 mile randonneur ride to Flamborough
Tour of Flanders
at local inn
7pm for 7.30pm Prize Presentation
EASTER MEET PROGRAMME
uxury rooms
WHERE TO STAY VENUE The Ambassador Hotel, Centre of the Esplanade Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO11 2AY
Tel. 01723 362841 www.ambassadorspahotel. co.uk
Rates
Mention the National Clarion Easter Meet
Double or twin room £80 (£40 per person per night including breakfast)
Single room £40 including breakfast (limited number available)
Children (under 12) £15
Sea views extra cost of £15 per person per night and premier deluxe an extra £20 per person per night
Other accommodation: Contact Chris Goode by emailing clarion.chris@ yahoo.co.uk or calling 01723 341050. He has a comprehensive list of all types of accommodation from camping and caravan parks to the Crown Hotel. Tourist Information Centre, tel 01723 383636.
BOOTS&SPURS|17
Our Clarion cycling life
Three Clarionettes write about: cycling in pregnancy, recovering from injury and getting your bike on a train
BABY ON BOARD
By Michelle Gregory WEST LOTHIAN One of my greatest memories of being pregnant is cycling 3 through the big sky country of Torridon. Riding at preggy pace, you have time to appreciate the view of the spectacular quartzite mountains.
Being a keen cyclist before motherhood meant that my fitness contributed to a healthy pregnancy and enabled me to cope with the physical demands. Giving up exercise and heading for the sofa with the biscuit tin wasn’t for me and I didn’t see any reason to give up my love of cycling.
After researching the risks, Iadapted my mountain bike toa hybrid. By swapping knobblies for touring tyres and locking off the suspension I was still able to enjoy the tarmac, in the form of cycle paths and quiet country roads. The upright position allowed me to be comfortable with a bump.
The freedom to get about was great, particularly as I had developed pelvic girdle
A bicycle made for two
pain (PGP). PGP was made worse by running and walking so having a low impact sport helped me stay active throughout my pregnancy. My recovery from the birth has been great. Iam now back to regular running and, four months after the birth of Heather, I’m now finding the time to get out on the bike.
SIDELINED
By Graeme Horne WEST LOTHIAN Whether you’re an elite racer, long distance Audaxer or, like me a regular club rider who enjoys his weekend club run and occasional mid week evening ride, you probably dread the day you get injured and wonder how you would cope not riding the bike.
I’ve been injured before as a result of crashes, or sustained muscle or ligament damage
18|BOOTS&SPURS WINTER 2012/13
which, luckily, has been confined to one extremity of the body, a knee or a shoulder. None of these previous conditions has meant that I was totally immobile, or severe enough to stop me following some form of fitness regime. That was until this year, when due to a combination of age and avery hard paper round I was diagnosed witha double hernia. Unsure of what I would encounter after surgery I did what most do these days and surfed the web. Some reported being back on the bike the next day; other stressed the need to recover over several months. Ignoring the obvious surgical pain and discomfort, my experience was that my core strength and stability was gone. The swelling and scar tissue made movement difficult and painful, and a peddling action just made that worse. Here I was unable to move freely, unable to lift weights or even do a stretching programme nothing for it but to buy a 50in TV and watch Bargain Hunt. Physically you wouldn’t notice much difference: I was reasonably fit and other than a few extra pounds gained, I look and feel the same. The main problem Tencountered was the emotional issues thrown up by the enforced lifestyle change, even though it was
likely to be only temporary.
I don’t think of myself as bike obsessed, I don’t own the latest carbon frame and if the weather is too bad to venture out, you're not that likely to find me aboard the turbo.
But I found myself hanging around the start of clubruns for the ‘craic’ and on the excuse that I was supporting the rest of the club. I never got as far as wearing my cycling helmet in the house but the lay off has made me realise how cycling and being a member of a cycling club impacts on mine and my family’s lives.
Eight weeks post surgery and life is returning to normal. I do have other interests and never thought of myself as a cycling ‘nut’ but when it comes down to it, what degree of fanaticism would you register if you found yourself sidelined?
TICKET TO RIDE?
Jim Grozier BRIGHTON HOVE ast year, I reported on my survey of Train Operating Companies’ (TOCs) cycling policies. I concluded with the words, “The ideal of a cycle-friendly train service is still a long way off”. So has anything improved in the last 12 months? Ican only speak for my local area, where Brighton Hove Clarion tend to
Southern trains for
ride. Our trains are run by Southern and First Capital Connect (FCC), and the dominant issue this year has been the Olympics. At first, we were horrified to learn of a total bike ban on all
the duration of the
Ihave to say that Southern were less than helpful in this respect, refusing my request to put us ona mailing list so that we could be advised of any such temporary changes in cycle policy, and putting the onus on us instead to find out about
Olympics and the them. Paralympics. At least these
This was Seep impromptu bans ridiculous it would THIS WAY are consistent with
have covered trains that
Southern’s long term
weren't going anywhere Bath strategy, whose object, near Olympic events, and for as I reported last time, ikes
messed up four or five of our fortnightly rides. We duly protested: in fact the policy was later relaxed (whether due to our protests or not, we'll never know!) so that it only applied to trains between Gatwick and London, and our rides went ahead.
Of course everyone found that the actual experience of the Olympics was not nearly as dire as had been predicted, and the bike ban
was scrapped altogether for
the Paralympics.
We have also had problems with Southern over organised bike rides (usually from London to Brighton) which we don’t always know about, and which sometimes clash
with ours. For these rides, Southern are in the habit of imposing bike bans for the return journey, as they do after ‘the’ London-Brighton ride in June (which we always avoid).
Bike facilities at Haywards Heath
seems to be to get bikes off trains. Ona ride in May we visited Haywards Heath station (between Brighton and London), where
large warehouse has been converted into a secure ‘Bike Hub’ where commuters can leave their bikes. Very nice but that doesn’t really help those of us who want to take our bikes with us!
There have been some encouraging signs though. On the way to our Bath- Bristol weekend ride in April, I noticed that one of the platform indicators at Southampton Central station was telling cyclists which carriage to board on a Cross- Country train.
This is exactly the sort of thing that my lobbying last year was aiming to achieve, although of course it would be rather presumptuous of me to take the credit.
Let’s hope word gets out that this is what cyclists want. Maybe it already has (see picture above at Bath station).
WINTER 2012/13 BOOTS&SPURS
BIG RIDES
Stockport live la dolce vita
By Graham Connell STOCKPORT tockport Clarion members paid a visit to old friend Jules former Stockport club secretary of the Italian Clarion, who organised a tour to remember. Here are their top five
highlights, as told by Graham:
Our trip began at Milan
Airport, where we were greeted with warm, breezy weather and a glass of Prosecco from Jules. We packed out luggage into his van, and the seven of us set off on bikes, following Jules’ van to the youth hostel that would be our base.
On day one, Jules had
planned a route with two killer climbs the Muro di Sormano and the Ghisallo. Again, the weather was fabulous, sunny and warm but not hot. We rode
We rode part of the route for the Giro di Lombardia
for a couple of hours before
stopping part way up a steep climb for coffee. We then headed through beautiful Lombardian countryside to the Muro, another hour away. We stopped to confirm the
CLARION UP THE COLS
The Adams and McNally families headed to the French Pyrenees last summer, to fulfil lan's lifelong ambition to ride some of its famous peaks. Being more used to the East Anglian flatlands back home, we decided to tackle the Col d'Aubisque first, see how we got on, and then try the Col du Tourmalet. It
certainly taught me a thing or two about going uphill.
It was a beautiful two-hour drive to the climb, then, with support vehicles (wagons, wives and children) along for support, we set off on our ride at a steady pace. After a few km felt confident and increased the speed, leaving my buddy. A big mistake, as blew up after only 6 km and
BOOTS&SPURS WINTER 2012/13
route with two local riders. Where are you going they asked, the Ghisallo? “Si” we replied, “and the Sormano”. You could see the surprise if not respect on their faces. On the long climb up to the start of the Muro di Surmano (yes, climb to the start!) we broke into several groups and settled into different speeds. The climb is 2000m with an average gradient of 15.3%, but some sections are 27%, and it feels like 20% plus all the way. None of us made it all the way up on two wheels, but we met
up again at the restaurant at the top, where copious
amounts of coke and water were consumed.
At the bottom, we
followed the lake edge for several miles to reach the bottom of the Ghisallo. The flattish section was a chance to take in the fabulous views
helplessly watched as lan and others cruised by. never saw him again until the top. But the descent down to Argeles Gazost was exciting! The mighty Col du Tourmalet was our next
across the lake before the monster ahead. I say monster, but its full title is La Madonna di Ghisallo, which means The Lady of Ghisallo. If she’s a lady then she’s a woman scorned. To be fair, it’s not an epic or even that steep, but after the Sormuno, it feels it. Anyway, we all made it to the cycle museum at the top. After a rest day, in which we watched the Giro and hid from the rain, we were up early to meet riders from a local club from Lecco. They arrived, plus riders from another club, complete with support vehicle, mechanic and snacks! Heading out, we were joined by yet another cycling club of about 15-20 riders, so altogether, we were now a sizable group whizzing down the wide Italian roads like a grand tour peleton. More details For Italian Clarion trips contact Julian at: www.italianclarion.com/
challenge. Just for the excitement we chose to go up the harder side. After about 5km, lan pulled away, so joined some British riders doing the Raid Pyreneean. fared much better than on the ascent of the Aubisque and met everyone at the top for group hugs and photos before the kamikaze descent down through la Mongie and on to Campan.
CHRIS ADAMS (CAMBRIDGE)
Luxembourg, Germany down
Acycling pilgrimage
fany members are
considering the testing
Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, Barnoldswick Clarion cyclist George Bradbury can offer advice!
George was still at college
in 1964 when he first saw the ancient pilgrimage route
detailed on TV, but it wasn’t
raised £6,000 for
and followed the Pyrenees to Carcassone and the starting point of St Jeran Pied de Port before embarking on the official pilgrimage route or ‘The Way of St James,’
“T didn’t take any maps
except photocopies of maps of the canal into Gent, but I started buying them along the
cycle route. I’m not
until 1998 that he got way,” he adds.
the opportunity to “Tsawitasa
try it out. He took spiritual adventure,” five weeks off work recalls George during which he i i “and an interesting
4
Geo
charity and, with his almost new Trek bike loaded with double
religious, but I met many people. It was as rg€ though something was
panniers at the back and Bradbury pulling me along.”
a bag in front, set off.
His route was via Hull- Zeebrugge and the Belgium canal system. From there he rode across the Ardennes into
the Rhine into Switzerland, across the South of France
In October, George, who still rides out with Barnoldswick Clarion on his trusty Trek, dug out his slides again and gave an inspirational talk and slide show to members and friends of Barnoldswick Clarion.
Nick raises £4500 for CF
By Nick Hall
BURY
EJOG was a fab
experience! We were
very lucky with the weather with only one anda half days when the rain came down, at Dartmoor when it was dreadful and then along Loch Ness. Otherwise it was pretty sunny most of the time and we even managed to
Highlights? Going over the Severn Bridge into Wales (pictured) something I will probably never do again and the fantastic views riding over Shap in the Lakes, similarly Loch Fyne in Scotland. In all we rode 980 miles over 11 days and Traised about £4500 (including gift aid) for Cystic Fibrosis.
BOOTS&SPURS
Barnoldswick days out
Barnoldswick at Kilnsey Crag in 1922. Back row: Harry Hill, Albert Howarth. Middle row: Emily Annie Hill (wife of Harry), Cecil Waterworth, Mary Gash. Front row: Billy Hill (son of Harry and Annie), Fred Hardaker, Tommy Jump.
Barnoldswick at Silverdale on Whit Monday 1931. The Barnoldswick ride some photograph includes rough-stuff at Cam Houses in Harry Hill, standing the 1920s. The photograph right, and Annie Hill, shows Nellie Hill, Bill's wife, crouching middle. at the front of the group.
Clarion's lunier team development squad from around#995 taken at Matlock
NCCC team She pursuit squad CLARKE at the 2003 FAMILY British champs
(Dave Langlands, Julian Mortel, Will Sanderson,
ALBUM
lan Clarke’s a Duncan McLaren
great photos al (nee Hewitt) and
from recent NCCC road race champs lan Clarke). Clarion run by Calder near Barnsey Finished 6th with history around 1996 atime of 4.45
BOOTS&SPURS WINTER 2012/13
im Harris of the West
of Scotland says this
photo is of sections of the Scottish Clarion outside Glasgow’s Queen Street station. The riders are waiting to be marched off round George Square past the city chambers and onto Queens Park to celebrate Labour May Day.
Jim says, “We'd have to lie
Glasgow's May Day celebrations
about listening to various trade union speakers on their soap boxes! May
Day was supported ina
big way up until the middle fifties when politics took more of a back seat.”
Jim also handed in an amusing cutting about a 1958 100 TT held near Prestwick Aerodrome. We’ve all heard about riders being held up
by cars but Jim had to wait for a plane to take off during the race! And the course was never used again. But Jim says it’s one of the most memorable races he entered!
Send in your Clarion stories Have you got any memorabilia we could feature? Email Matthew Ball at secretary@ westlothianclarion.co.uk
READER'S LETTER
MAN OF RECORDS
Having been in touch with Tan Clarke, the National Secretary, regarding some medals that I had, he gave me the email address of Jim Harris of the West of Scotland Clarion, and while
Jim is younger than I so our friends in the cycling world overlapped by a few years. What a treasure when he sent a few of the race sheets of that period. To see so many of my old club mates was a real pleasure and none other than
S Wylie, my younger brother. who died a few years ago.
It speaks volumes for Jim that the records of the clubs are kept in sucha caring and meticulous way and to Jim I say ‘Thanks for the memories’. Jim Wylie
WINTER 2012/13 BOOTS&SPURS
CLARION HISTORY
Then and now
Part three of the Clarion’s fascinating history
Chris Goode YORKSHIRE COAST
ne hundred years ago
women were still
campaigning for the vote, the Titanic had made its maiden voyage and the Edwardian Age had ended. More importantly, The Clarion newspaper was going strong (after its 21st birthday) and the National Clarion Easter Meet had been in Buxton.
In August last year, some of you might have been to the centenary of the Clarion club house at Roughlee, near Nelson, Lancashire. There we found good fellowship, plenty of tea (real tea leaves) and listened to Clarion choirs giving their critique of modern day bankers and hereditary privilege. This is either amusing or worrying when you think of political commentators’ talk of progress. A bit of both?
The Clarion House is well wortha visit and is open every Sunday and some Bank Holidays. Have a look on OS map 103 (grid reference SD 832396). This only surviving Clarion House was used by the Nelson Independent Labour Party and was built one hundred years ago. Its building was possible asa result ofa loan of £350 from the Nelson Weavers
fellowship, not war and greed.
magnificent history of the
Association. This gives a clue
to the close links between the trade union movement and those parties, some of them independent, that represented the working people. The aim of the Clarion House was to create a co-operative, with any profits being used to spread the word of socialism. The early pioneers chose this location for its beauty and
asa haven for, mainly, the industrial workers to the south. Their vision for the future wasa socialist commonwealth, based on co-operation and good
read more about the other club houses read chapter seven of Denis Pye’s
Clarion CC Fellowship is Life. There is also Roger Brown and Stan Iveson’s Clarion House A Monument toa Movement on CD-Rom. Today’s politics may have shifted but the successor to The Clarion newspaper, Boots and Spurs, is winning awards and the National Clarion Easter Meet has been in Buxton again. Keep pedalling.
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
|BOOTS&SPURS WINTER 2012/13
‘BOOTS AND SPURS'! AT THE FIRST MEET
The last issue reminded us all of the origin of ‘Boots and Spurs’. The Clarion Cycling Clubs were formed by local enthusiasts beginning with Tom Groom and his friends in Birmingham quickly followed by many others including those in Bradford, the Potteries, and Manchester. But if the Club wasn't created ‘from above’ by the weekly paper it was certainly encouraged, and when the first Easter Meet took place at Ashboune in 1895, the editorial board —who were for the most part rather older than most of the Clarion cycling enthusiasts made sure to turn up and on bikes. The “Boots!” greeting was certainly used at the first Meet. A long account of the trials and tribulations of the not very experienced cyclists was given in the paper on 20 April. Here's how it ended: [We] rode into Ashbourne, where we were welcomed by a knot of young fellows on the bridge with a cry of “Boots to which we gave the Clarion countersign “Spurs and plenty of ‘em.’ JAN BULLOCK (BRIGHTON HOVE)
BARNOLDSWICK ne Saturday in September, four Barnoldswick Clarion members, Michael Meath, George Bradbury, Frank Clarkson and Peter Catlow, extended the popular Saturday morning ride to 65 miles.
The route took them through the leafy Ribble Valley via Tosside and Chipping, along with six other (younger?) members, in celebration of their retirement.
Time to get some real miles in now!
Michael Meath
BOLTON
he past year has
been a good one for
membership, with 60 senior members towards the end of the year. Possibly benefitting from the ‘Wiggo Effect’ we enrolled 10 new members to take us into 2013.
Club rides, despite some dreadful weather, continue to be well supported. One ride in particular was very popular, the ‘Albert Winstanley Memorial Ride’. Albert, a Clarion Life member as well as lifelong cyclist, had died aged 92 earlier in the year. The ride admirably organised by Tony Bowles took in some of Albert’s favourite places and cafés. It was good to see some of
Fred Smith’s presentation
year’s success, was once again
It
our newer members taking part in competitive cycling; hopefully this is a sign of things to come.
Tony Bowles celebrated his 75th birthday by organising a hostel weekend at Arnside, which was a great success, well supported, with bubbly as well as a birthday cake.
Our programme of club nights during the ‘dark nights’ has started well. And
at the October meeting with a topic on fitness was well received, particularly by our new members.
The November meeting about road bike maintenance was well supported.
The annual Clarion Christmas Lunch, after last
at The Cherry Tree, with lunch preceded by the Grand Downhill Event (yet another Tony Bowles event).
Plans for 2013 include a Spring hostel weekend and also a tour through Belgium travelling via Hull.
In the new year we will
Bolton's track night
have our annual presentation night, which for the second year will be joint with Bury Clarion.
Peter Moore
BRIGHTON AND HOVE righton and Hove Clarion continue to be known for the social
pace of their cycling, cafe and
pub stops and frequent use of trains before and after rides. This has been a year of
British cycling achievements,
most notably Bradley
Wiggins, who was the first
Brit to win Le Tour since
it began in 1903. Credit is
also due to his international
team who enabled this to happen. When Wiggins and
Shane Sutton were knocked
off their bikes, we all hoped
this would focus some more minds on ways to make cycling safer. With this in mind Brighton and Hove council are earning some good marks for initiating two way lanes for cyclists in one way streets. The local cycling group Bricycles has
WINTER 2012/13 |BOOTS&SPURS
SECTION NEWS
been campaigning for this for
many years.
The last year has been busy. We have completed 20+ well attended fortnightly rides and membership has increased to 44. In April, members had a weekend away covering the Bath to Bristol cycle path, returning from Bath beside the Kennet and Avon canal. In June, one of our members (Jenny) completed a ride from London to John O’ Groats in eight days. Our annual summer social in August was held on the beach in Rottingdean, a great success.
Members took part in the TUC March, A Future that Works, in October, and supported a local anti cuts group bike ride.
Weare currently planning ahead for a Norfolk weekend in 2013.
Allen Turner
BURY
ello boys and girls!
It’s me again! I’m
itching to tell you of all the thrilling exploits that we at Bury Clarion have been up to lately. Let me see now, er, well, there must be something, oh yes,
we have recently started a series of short, steady paced
rides. This has proved very
successful, with fourteen riders on the first excursion, a ride of about 25 miles on the beautiful moors around Bury, including the all important café stop, during which attempts were made to take the title ‘World Champion English Breakfast Eater’
from the current holder,
Phil Collins not a chance! However, young Patrick’s attempt at the Club’s ‘Ground Diving Championship’ should make him this year’s winner, as he examined, at very close quarters, the roadside ditch!
Asa result of these rides we have attracted a number of new, and potential new
members. We now have 55
members, and are confident we will attract more.
Twins Adam and Simon Yates continue their professional cycling careers, with Adam still riding well throughout the season in France while Simon had a very good Tour of Britain, taking third place in one stage. They both competed in the National
|BOOTS&SPURS WINTER 2012/13
Track Championship at Manchester: Simon won the Omnium title, and was part of the winning Pursuit Team. Adam was third in the Scratch Championship. Andy Horner, with his fastest 25 TT at 58.03 prior to this, was tying for first place with Nick Hall. He also won the50 TT championship with his time of 2.01.50. Nick Hall won the 10 TT and 25 TT and Hill Climb Championships. Bob Duckworth achieved nothing! Nunquam Velox
CAMBRIDGE
e have had a good
summer with
plenty of group riding. One of our members rode in his first time trial, not a ‘10’, instead choosing to ride the Clarion 50 Champs up in Nottingham. A huge well done to Chris Adams. Due in no small part to this effort we have been collectively surprised by our placings in the national points standings. This has proven to be a big incentive for the club for next season’s competition.
As we are now well into the winter season we are regularly riding on Sunday mornings and are attracting some potential new members. Weare also launching a Saturday afternoon session for the junior members of our club, where we plan to ride along the pan flat, traffic free guided busway which has recently opened.
Tan McNally
Russell Downing was guest of honour at the Fenland awards
FENLAND
he Fenland section held
its annual presentation
evening in November. Having changed the venue last year to The Bell Inn, an historic coaching inn on the old Great North Road, which provided with an excellent setting, the decision to return was an easy one. However with these events it’s always the people that make the occasion, and this year 55 guests were in for an extra treat. Our guest of honour was top British pro rider Russell Downing, recently of team Sky and Endura fame. Many stories, from his exploits at the Giro to his many domestic victories mingled with a few personal stories, captivated the audience, and the youth riders attending this year from our recently formed ‘Go Ride’ section were clearly inspired by this legend of British cycling. This added much interest to the evening and was followed up with Russell joining our clubrun the following morning on acold sunny day quite a sight to see around 40
riders setting off from this lovely venue. If any other sections fancy a change
to their normal awards evening, having a guest of honour is recommended, and Russell Downing is an excellent choice with his eagerness to get round to speak with everyone and fill us with enthusiasm for our forthcoming winter’s riding. Malc Jacklin
ITALIAN iding over eight of the famous cols from the Tour de France is
always a terrific experience,
our favourite being the Col d’Aubisque, where we freecamped under a clear sky.
Waking up the next morning
to watch Wiggo in yellow
riding by wasa highlight of the year. Riding the D618
D918 in the Pyrénées, from
the Med to the Atlantic,
is a tough route but very
rewarding: over 10,000m
were climbed along the 7ookm ridden. Bars, hostels
restaurants were good
value, although we tented or
stayed with friends’ to keep costs toa minimum.
The Basque Country has always felt good in terms of atmosphere, landscapes and people. French food is a bit too fussy when used to the simplicity of Italian food, but in the Basque it’s back to normality. Good honest grub at half the French price unbeatable. Of the many beautiful scenes and quiet roads to enjoy our cycling, Gernika and Bilbao stood out. Gernika because we met Jesus who performed a miracle on a broken rear wheel, just one of the ever so friendly people of the area. Bilbao, like Torino, our hometown, is a beautiful small city which sums up all that is good about the area. San Sebastian was as good as ever, but it’s the second most expensive city in Spain. If you haven’t been to Asturias you must. Even better than the Basque Country.
In September we welcomed seven Stockport members who enjoyed the roads of the Giro di Lombardia, including the Muro di Sormano, the hardest climb you will ever do. Really!
We're planning 2013 now; why not come over and join us for a ride? Buone Feste. Julian Mortel
Italian Clarion at the Tour
WINTER 2012/13 BOOTS&SPURS 27
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LONDON
ocialising is hampered
by the nature of the
metropolis, with members spread as far afield as Tunbridge Wells and Dublin. Nevertheless we manage to get together sporadically. The best turnouts were for rides to Godstone to study the relationship between the A23 and the M25, and Rochester to investigate Dickens’ legacy.
In keeping with the Clarion tradition we laid a wreath at the Soviet Memorial, Harmsworth Park, London at the remembrance ceremony on 11 November. The memorial commemorates the 27 million Soviet dead of the Great Patriotic War together with the efforts of other allied services such as the Arctic Convoys Club, who directly helped the Soviet Union achieve its victory. The annual event is already well attended by the embassies of many of the former Soviet Republics and organisations such as the International Brigade Memorial Trust.
Asa further act of Internationalism, the London Clarion hopes to visit Berlin next year to visit some of the Soviet memorials there, and ride to Northern Ireland in the near future to promote interest in the peace process has been mooted. Further details from secretary@ londonclarion.org.uk Martin Perfect
NORTH CHESHIRE
orth Cheshire Clarion
had an extraordinary
season, with members achieving great things on the bike. Matt Hacker and Neil Shand ticked Lands End to John O’Groats off their bucket list in June, completing their 910-mile route in eight days. We started running women’s only ‘skills’ rides in the summer, adding another dish to our ever expanding menu of club rides. Over summer we had 25 members compete in the evening TT league over our local, odd but challenging, 8.75mile course. It was great to see newcomers throw themselves in fully.
We experienced unprecedented growth after the Tour de France and Olympics, with one new member joining us every day for the whole of September! On what has now been dubbed ‘Super Saturday’ we had 36 seniors on the Saturday ‘skills’ club run while 35 juniors took part in the kids club across town.
North Cheshire Clarion riders have been competing on the road, with Matt Hacker gaining his 3rd cat licence this year. We entered a team for the National Clarion Road Race Championships at Darley Moor at the beginning of September and while we didn’t show in the final positions we will be back in 2013, so be warned!
Our own event the ‘Wizard and Llamas’ 115km Audax event was staged for a second year and our stalwarts Ade
28 BOOTS&SPURS WINTER 2012/13
Hughes and Anthony Mycock flew the flag in events across the North of England. With London-Edinburgh-London in 2013 there are rumours of entry forms being prepared...
With the CX season kicking off in September we've had riders competing every week in the North West League. At the Beacon Park event in early November we had 17 riders racing across all age categories. Arees Talib has done us proud, taking top step in the Under 8s’ races so far this year, with his brother Maani getting consistently high finishes in the Under 10s’. Rob Longden and his son Thomas represented NCC in the Northern Regionals in Doncaster in December.
To find out what our diverse membership think about the club we undertook online surveys at the beginning of the autumn, using the data to help us plan rides and social activities. We’ve introduced a monthly ‘curry night’ which is proving popular, and have developed a programme of social events to help members plan and get the most out of 2013. We’re also developing the ride programme to provide more Saturday rides to fit in with
members’ family and work commitments.
Finally, we’ve been successful with a grant application to Sport England which will allow us to run senior and junior roller and turbo trainer sessions through the winter.
Giles Perkins
SADDLEWORTH ell the winter arrives and we have (nearly) all fitted our
mudguards and wheeled out
our winter bikes. Asa section we have continued to grow, with membership crossing the 50 barrier, although with
renewals due we might lose a
few before we gain more.
Sunday road rides and
Wednesday MTB rides
remain the mainstay of the
club but it has been good to continue building links with
Calder Clarion, who came
across for our Hill Climb, and
with North Cheshire with
whom we shall be jointly
hosting some club runs
hilly for them and flat for us. We are lucky that the
Tameside Critirium circuit
is less than five miles from
Saddleworth and as such
are pleased to announce that
we will be hosting four road
races on this purpose-built
circuit through the 2013
season. Dates for your diary
are Tuesdays: 4 May, 18 June,
23 July, 27 Aug. Of course, if
you can spare time on any
of those nights to race or to
marshal that would be great.
Like a bicycle’s wheels, the seasons turn and as
The West Lothian kids enjoyed the first CX race of the season
spring follows winter, the Saddleworth peleton begins to think of Flanders. In 2013 that will mean the Tour of Flanders cyclo and road race weekend and of course the Lenfer Du Saddleworth. Like last year L’enfer will run along with the Paris Roubaix. Exact details will be finalised soon but you are all invited. Well done to Ben Gillespie and Ness Whitfield who both got their 3rd cat licences. Tim Mitchell
STOCKPORT oug Clark is USA National Triathlon champ 40-44 age
group for the 5th successive
year. Paul Whittaker won the
MTB Ritchey Trail Master.
Jon Hardman’s first race
season, at club 10 TT, has seen
his time go down from 27.19
to 25.24 ona road bike, no TT
gears! Derek Hodgins was 3rd in BTTC champs.
Justin Dowling, Mark McPhillips and Geoff Burgess all gained their 3rd cat licences. Stockport Clarion is to host the National Clarion 10 TT champs on 18 May on Cheshire’s J2/1 course. Duncan Mclaren
WEST LOTHIAN ur 10 TT series, run by Brian McLellan and Crawford Geddes, ona revised course (9.4 miles due to roadworks) saw over 50 members participate through the season, with notable improvements week by week and no problem getting volunteers despite the rain!
The 2-up TT, run by Billy Minto, Keith Greenwood and Steve Fleming, had 10 teams participating, and was a great way to end our club TTs.
The 25 TT, run by Grant Craven and Angus Gallie saw eight riders fight the Lang Whang course, plus midges. Mark Ewing and Jen Taylor broke the course records.
The Freewheel Competition now knownas the ‘slope of destiny’ was organised by Dave Dourley and Neil Greer and had over 20 participants. It was sensible to start half way down, otherwise who knows where Steve Fleming would have ended with that tail wind?
The Hill Climb: Kinneil was a great choice this year, with the added bonus of being the same night as the kids’ event. 40 kids and 23 adults
WINTER 2012/13 |BOOTS&SPURS 29
took part, well controlled by Craig Duncan, Ewen Fulton and Ali McQuillen.
Steve McCaw and Julie Dominguez organised a track day at Meadowbank velodrome with 12 riders enjoying the dry conditions; for many it was their first go on the boards. 28 riders (kids and adults) have attempted our new mini place-to-place, with Steve McCaw getting the fastest time so far. Paul Hammond ran a brilliant Kingscavil Hill Climb, which appeared on BBC 2’s The Adventure Show.
Mark Ewing has smashed the club’s 25 TT record with a54.15 and set anew 100 TT record with 4.05.19.
Jen Taylor has bagged the women’s 25 TT record with 1.03.48 and the 50 TT record. with 2.17.52.
The end of year Santa CX attracted a field of over 80 members: it was a super event with £550 raised for charity.
Kids club coach Diane Chisholm received club member of the year award. record number of kids took part in the six-race series. Well done to category winners: Ellie Hamilton, Finn Mason, Eilidh McFadden, Abbie Mason, Alex Ball, Alison Bryce, Cameron Mason, Erica Oxley and Michael Brocklebank.
Scottish Audaxes are
SECTION NEWS
proving popular, with the Club’s 3 Glen’s Explorer, organised by Neil Fraser, attracting a large entry. Brian Mcllelan took part in his first Iron Man, completing the Lancashire course in 11.28.33. Jen Taylor won the Scottish Hill Climb champs and the women’s Tour de Trossachs TT. Julie Dominguez pursued her track racing in the UK and Europe, getting a bronze in the sprint and silver in the 500m TT in the British National Masters, and fifth in the sprint at the World Masters. Julie also took part in a Sprint GP in Holland on an unfamiliar 200m track, and made it onto TV when competing in the final of the Keirin at the Thunderdrome. Congratulations to Michelle and Mark Gregory, the proud parents of Heather Elizabeth. Get well to Mark McCabe who is recovering froma nasty injury to his foot. Grant Craven Matthew Ball
YORKSHIRE COAST he section has been working hard with preparations for
next year’s Easter Meet in
Scarborough. The head-
quarters and main venue is
the Ambassador Hotel, on the South Cliff. We hope that you can make it?
There is plenty to explore for cyclists and non-cyclists and there is a varied programme to sample. Please feel free to contact us.
Andrea Vaughan started doing triathlons in 2011 and qualified for the World Championships in New Zealand, after her second attempt. Andrea did the course in 2.56, doing well in the run with 45.46 for the 10km. Conditions were wintry and Andrea finished 68th in her age group. Good luck for next season, which will include the European Champs in Turkey. Thanks to Frank for all his support.
New member Tony Graves has had a great season, coming close to beating the hour, with a 1.00.01 ‘25’. He has recorded PBs at 10, 25 and 50 miles this year, plus at 10 miles on the tandem with Chris Goode (21.14). Jayne Graves improved her tandem PBat 10 miles to 24.18 and also narrowly missed beating the hour for the second time, with Chris, recording 1.00.18.
Andy Fisher has had some good tandem rides with Greystone, Ruth Crossley and Chris. Many thanks to Jenny Weston, Andy Fisher, Ian Turton, Greystone Small and the National Committee for their team work in planning the Easter Meet.
Chris Goode
Boots Spurs is a great way to show how busy you and your section have been. Send your news, photos and section round-ups to us at the email below. We want to include something from EVERY section in the next edition: secretary@westlothianclarion.co.uk DEADLINE: May 31, 2013. The SUMMER issue will be out in July 2013.
30|BOOTS&SPURS WINTER 2012/13
BARNOLDSWICK
Bob Jackson, 01282 817017 fred@alpineoverland.co.uk BLACKPOOL Hi www.blackpoolclarion.webs.com Chris Smith, 07885 650426 blackpoolclarion@hotmail.co.uk BOLTON fi www.boltonclarion.co.uk
Peter Moore, 0161 790 9771 m739735@aol.com
BRIGHTON HOVE Ei brightonandhoveclarion.wordpress.com lan Bullock, 01273 682133 i.bullock@ntlword.com
BURY Ei buryclarion.myzen.co.uk
Peter Roscoe
0161 761 6856 peterroscoe80@btinternet.com www.calder-clarion.co.uk Andrew Spittlehouse,
01977 796551 andrew.spittlenouse@gmail.com CAMBRIDGE www.cambridgeclarion.org
lan McNally, 01223 264078 imenally@idnet.com
CLITHEROE £i
Martin Catlow, 01200 425852 martinhilcat@aol.com
COATBRIDGE
John Gormlie, 01236 424346 john.gormlie@blueyonder.co.uk CREWE www.creweclarionwheelers.org Andrew Grace, 01270 841836 andrew.grace@ dicksonssolicitors.co.uk
DORSET
Bill Edgington
07857 559224
FENLAND www.fenlandclarion.co.uk Martin Jones, 01733 319486 martin@fenlandclarion.co.uk HEANOR Ei heanorclarion.org.uk
John Gott, 01773 769781 jhngott@gmx.com
@clarioncc.org
(National Secretary lan Clarke)
i Clubs on Facebook (search by their name)
HEREFORD
Alvin Smith, 01568 770327 alvin.smith@btinternet.com ITALIAN Ei www.italianclarion.com/
Julian Mortel info@italianclarion.com
LONDON
Martin Perfect, 01892 523927 mjperfect@gmail.com
MALMESBURY
Howard Sprange, 01666 823476 howard.sprange@btinternet.com NORTH CHESHIRE £i www.northcheshireclarion.co.uk Giles Perkins, 01925 576572 secretary@north cheshireclarion.co.uk
NOTTINGHAM Ei Paul Harwood, 0115 911 8183 p.harwood@ntlworld.com
SECTION CON’
SADDLEWORTH saddleworthclarion.webs.com Tim Mitchell, 01457 837532 stonedrose89@hotmail.com SHEFFIELD
Jeff Carroll, 01909 564210 jeff@presspics.fsnet.co.uk STOCKPORT Ei www.stockport-clarion.org.uk Duncan McLaren,
0161 487 4828 dunchewitt@hotmail.com
SUNDERLAND £7 www.sunderlandclarion.org.uk Allan Smith, 0191 584 8948 allanpsmith@live.co.uk
TEESSIDE
Colin Armstrong, 01947 880488 WEST LOTHIAN Ei www.westlothianclarion.co.uk Matthew Ball, 07989 597175 secretary@westlothianclarion. co.uk
WEST SCOTLAND
Jim Harris, 01236 730157 jimharris35@yahoo.co.uk
YORKSHIRE COAST Chris Goode, 01723 341050 twentytwowheels@hotmail.com CENTRAL
Ann Burchell, 01404 891507 PRIVATE
Donald Lever memberships@clarioncc.org
CLUBS ON TWITTER @boltonclarionce @blackpoolecc @calderclarion @ClarionCC @CoatbridgeCCC @fenlandClarion @italianclarion @LondonClarion @northcheshire @sunderlandcce @wiclarion
WINTER 2011/12| BOOTS&SPURS 3
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