National Clarion Newsletter October 1991

NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 1991

INSIDE THIS ISSUE....

/mportant Dates

Current Clarion Officials Questionnaire Prize)

Claim Form for 1991 Honours

BCF Sanction National Clarion Team Quiz

Clarion’s World Record Holder Scottish Touring Story from the ‘20's

MERLIN'S STILL MAD

WHERE'S THE NEWSLETTER BEEN

After several well recieved newsletters I am sure many of you have wondered what's happened over the last 12 months?

Since I became Clarion Secretary and Trevor Reade became Membership Secretary we have decided that top priority must be with organising the database. This is a computer record of every members details.

This has been very time consuming but will enable the fast and accurate distribution of not only Newsletters but also membership cards and specific information.

Now these details have been entered you will see a computer printed label on the envelope this Newsletter arrived in. If it is incorrect then tell Trevor!

The database can also provide:

Vv Specific printouts of labels for people interested in: Racing MTB Touring Camping etc

2 Labels for sections to use for their own members information.

3/ Full member information, ie address, age, telephone number, etc

It is however only possible to do this if members give us the full information. A new style membership form will need to be filled in at the beginning of 1992 (and for new members). Once this has been done for 1992, assuming no details change, members will only be requested to pay their sub's and tick a

form.

Any promoters wishing to advertise their events or mail information, can request letter labels at £7.50 per 100 labels.

Please note:

Any members who do not wish to be on the database can request the deletion of their names. They will however not receive any Newsletters.

Page 2

CLARION OFFICIALS

Many of you will be aware that Marian Lamb stepped down as National Clarion Secretary this year. In order to cope with the workload the committee has restructured itself. Four committee members have taken over the work of Marian and also Mabel Thornber.

The people are:

Tan Clarke

Trevor Reade

Dave Gaffrey

Denis Pye

The other Clarion officials are:

John Leese George McKay Peter Shepherdly Kath Leese Marian Lamb Audrey Waddilove

Bob Waddilove

National Secretary

Membership Secretary

Easter Meet organiser

Meetings Secretary

Racing secretary Treasurer Committee member Committee member Committee member Records secretary

President

18 Sapperton Werrington Peterborough PE4 SBS

Tel 0733 77108

17 Williamson Avenue Westtown Peterborough

PE3 6BA

124 Sowood Avenue Osset

WFS ODB

0924 278421

34 Temple Road Halliwell Bolton

BL1 3LT

0204 42869

All of these officials can be replaced democratically at the next conference. Nomination forms will be with your section secretaries by now. So start thinking about who you want to propose at your forth-

coming general meeting.

Page 3

IDATESDATI

Sunday

Saturday

Sunday

Sunday

Saturday

Saturday

Easter 1992

Easter 1993

Page 4

22nd September November 3rd November 16th November 23rd November 30th November

Bury Clarion Mountain reliability ride Contact Donald Lever 0204 883584

Clarion Wortley Hall weekend Contact Brian Birchall 081 518 0184

Clarion Hill Climb Championships Nr Wortley Contact Ian Clarke 0733 77108

Clarion Cyclo-cross Championships Part of Notts and Derby league See BCCA handbook

Fenland Clarion Club Dinner Contact Jean Miller 0733 349115

Get your racing claims in before now To Audrey Waddilove

36 Brookland Drive

Sandbach

Cheshire

Cwil OLX

Meet at Llandudno Conference, races and social events

Meet at Whitby

Other than the racing awards shown later there are three nonracing awards to be claimed from sections.

These are: TOM GROOM TROPHY.. for the section of the year.

CLUBMAN OF THE YEAR CLUBGIRL/WOMAN

These claims are to be submitted to the National Clarion by the 31st of January 1992 to the National Secretary. Last year we only had claims from a few sections so you may have a_ better chance than you think.

Many sections produce regular newsletters (thanks Nottingham, ed) these may form part of your claim.

The following is a claim form for all racing awards. There are many trophies for these Championships. The awards will be presented at the annual Easter Meet which next year wil be at Llandudno.

Return by 30th November

1/ Senior/ junior road race delete where applicable Number of B.C.F. points N.B. Photocopy license to back this up

2/ Juvenile circuit race Based on placings in top six ie. 6,5,4,3,2,1 where 6=1st

3/ Senior B.A. 50 100 12hr

4/ Veterans B.A.R 25°50 100 galleh Se 50

6/ Junior B.A.

A.

5/ Ladies B.A.R. 10 10 25 25 A.

7/ Juvenile B.A.R. 20°. 10 10

Circle above category where applicable

Page 5

10 Event 10 Event 10 Event 25 Event 25 Event 50 Event 100 Event 12hr Event

9/ NOVICE This is awarded to the member who records the best average speed over 3 x 25 mile events A novice is one who has yet to receive a prize in competetive cycling prior to this season

Number of B.C.F. Points for track

11/ Fastest Open 50

This will be a new trophy ..The Rylance Linklater Ogden trophy season

Forward all racing award claims either through your Secretary or directly to Audrey Waddilove our records secretary

Audrey Waddilove 36 Brooklands Drive Sandbach

Cheshire cW11 OLX Tel’ 0270 761446

Page 6

CLARION BCF TEAMS

Recent discussions have taken place with the British Cycling Federation regarding the formation of National Clarion composite teams for major BCF events.

We have been granted permission from the BCF to be able to enter major events as listed in the Handbook under bold type (with the exception of National Championships). This means we can select a team of our best riders from different sections of the Clarion.

The first stage will be to appoint a National Team Manager who can co-ordinate team activities, selection, training and entries.

Applications for Team Manager in writing to Ian Clarke. Any riders aiming for selection in 1992 should, in the mean-time, contact Ian Clarke in writing stating:

Name

Address

Section

Age

Category

Points on license (photocopy) Best performancies

GED CROWTHER CLARION MEGAMAN

Few of you will have heard, like me, that we have a World record holder in the Clarion. I was not surprised when Marian Lamb passed me details, more flabergasted. Ged Crowther, member of Crewe Clarion a 54 year old veteran of the British Triathlon scene performed this awesome feat in September

of 1990.

The feat was a long distance triathlon, not an Ironman but a Megaman, three Ironman distances ina row. That is a total of:

7.2 miles swim 336 miles cycle 78.6 miles run

Ged and some others began his epic event at 5 pm on friday 21st of September and completed at 1.30

pm on sunday afternoon.

Ged started with the swim section in a pool in Speke, Merseyside surviving on a diet of Meat pies, ‘Leppin Sport’, coffee, sandwiches and even fish and chips He continued on the bike during hours of darkness in wind and rain only to follow this by completing his first ‘marathon’ run in 3 hours 16 minutes. Not content with this he carried on to do these three disciplines three times over finishing

with a final marathon time of 3 hours 28 minutes.

The target was to do all this in under 48 hours "With a schedule of 45 hours, a final time of 44 hours 30 minutes was achieved with only 3 hours sleep

Page 7

AARION

WIN FREE LIFE MEMBERSHIP TO THE NATIONAL CLARION

In order to improve the club even further the following questionnaire has been put together. Please circle, tick and scribble notes against the questions Either fill it in individually or get your committee to fill it in.

The Clarion is long overdue a slogan, think of one and write it down at the end. Send the completed form back to the National Secretary, committee will decide on the best slogan and publish it in the next newsletter.

1 Is every new member told about the National Clarion when applying Yes/No How does the National Clarion involvement influence new members Never to join your club rather than any other non-Clarion clubs? Rarely Often Always How are individual members informed of Clarion activities

Notice board, One member tells, mentioned at meetings, Clarion newsletter.

4/ What are the main Clarion activities that your members are involved in

Easter Meet, Wortley Weekend, Champs 25, Road Champs, Track Champs

What are the growth areas in your section

Triathlon, Mountain Biking, Track, Touring, Social, Road Racing time trialling, Other

6/ What are the growth areas (ages and sex) of members in your section M=Male, F=Female 5-14M 14-20M 20-35M 35-50M 50+M 5-14F 14-20F 20-35F 35-5S0F 50+F 7 Name three things that attract new members to your section

2 3/

Page 8

8/

9

10/

12/ 13/ 14/ 15/ 16/

17/

Should any of the following be offered by the Clarion:

Season long race leagues

Mountain bike champs

Triathlon champs

Camping weekends

Training camps ie. Spring in Spain

Organised major event trips ie. Tour de France coach trips Organised touring holidays

Winter training camps

Exchange rides with other Clarion sections

Details of people willing to put up other Clarion members Insurance

Handbook

Elite teams

Coaching sessions

Audax/Reliability rides

Feel free to add any others.............22s0e20+0

Do other cyclists you meet know what the Clarion is about

None Afew Most All I don't

Does the Easter Meet attract your YOUNG members OLDER RACING TOURING FEMALE FAMILY

What is most liked about the Easter Meet ?..........:sseceeseeeeeseeeree

What is least liked about the Easter Meet ?..........::ssscssesesereeeeeees

What information do you lack from the Clarion

What do you most like about the Clarion

What do you least like about the Clarion

Should the Clarion have a closer involvement with road safety movements yes/no

What single thing could improve the Clarion

My slogan for the Clarion is:

Page 9

CLARION CRYPTIC QUIZ

Marian Lamb has compiled the following quiz. Decipher the anagram of the heading which uncovers the topic of the cryptic clues.

444) ALe Need taming, with fruit

2/ Not the full bar

3/ Captain's resort

4/ Shine, agitate

\Not a northern haven 6/ Journalist in town

a Shade of green

a

8/ Male's weight

Dark water

10/ Additional arrivals

11/— Thornber's hamlet

12/ Fresh, clear up

13/ Naval timber

14/ Man-less city

15/ Drop an 'H' in place of employment 16/ Ship's company

17/ The very first one

Opn

18/ The LAST one

Winners will be published in the next newsletter.

Page 10

NEWS SNIPS...CLARION MEMBERS IN FOCUS AND OTHER HANDY POINTS

Crewe Clarion won the National 12 hour team title Alan Roberts was 4th with 262 miles Roy Hodgkinson was 6th with 257 miles Alan's wife Christine was 7th with 253 miles a total of 774 miles

Eric Rigby of Calder Clarion seems to be the best performing ‘roadie’ of the Clarion with many impressive rides in Star Trophy events Eric has also been racing in top amateur stage races on the continent.

i Clarions' best kept secret...George end Chris Fenwick ,(dynamic tandem duo of London Clarion) are NOW husband and wife after a summer wedding.

Lindsay Clarke Fenland Clarion took the Silver medal in the Ladies 800m Grass Track Championships at Ely. She was beaten by Manchester Wheeler Claire Rushworth.

EDITORS NOTE

Tf you do not like anything about the Newsletter then please tell us

If you have any material for the Newsletter please send it through. Especially any important dates, any major performances, anyone famous in your section, any letters,....anything...

The Newsletter will be what you make it

The Clarion can be whatever you want it to be so take part, come up with ideas and lend a hand.

Tan Clarke Editor National Secretary and all round good chap.

Page 11

RESULTS OF THE CLARION TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS Team Pursuit Ist Teeside 'A' M.Holtby,R.Stinton,B.Stinton,G.Hatcher 5 mins 26.7 secs

2nd Fenland 'A‘ 1.Clarke,S.Clarke,J.Sheanon,T.Reade 5 mins 29.4 secs 3rd Teeside ‘B' 5 mins 35.5 secs

1st M.Holtby Teeside 2nd J.Sheanon Fenland Vets/Ladies

1st P.Smith Teeside 2nd N.McCormick Teeside 3rd Mrs L.Clarke Fenland

ION

This picture is of Stockport Clarion...alias St Trinians C.C. Left to right:

Graham Pearce, Andy Norton, Pauline Norton, Barbara and Derek Hodgins.

Page 12

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Wilf Lever, a life member of the Clarion Cycling Club and now at the grand age of 87 years old is interested to know how many members have been a member of the Clarion as long as himself. Wilf joined Bury Clarion in 1923 and has been a member ever since, making this year a total of 68 years continuous membership. During that long interest in cycling Wilf was secretary of Bury Section in 1928 and later for ten years in the fifties and sixties.

One story Wilf loves to tell is of his first tour of Scotland in the 1920's. In those days in the Lancashire mill towns you were lucky if you got one week for your summer holiday. Leaving work at 6pm on the Friday evening, Wilf cycled home and within half an hour set off on tour.

He rode north to Lancaster, over Shap Fell, and on through the night via Carlisle, climbing Beattock on the Saturday to arrive in Glasgow about tea-time and find B&B in Sauchiehall Street, over 200 miles after departing from Bury.

Sunday took him along the road by Loch Lomond, through Crianlarich, to Bridge of Orchy. At that time the road then followed the western shore of Loch Tulla to cross Rannoch Moor and meet the same course as today at Kingshouse before the drop down wild Glen Coe. At Ballachulish he found B&B. Monday morning he crossed Loch Leven by the Ballachulish ferry, for passengers only. On through Fort William ta Lach Dich, where he took a cold swim at the Well of Seven Heads before cycling over to Glen Garry. Turning north at the Tomdoun Inn he ascended the climb to meet the road from Glen Moriston at the Cluanie Inn, and the descent of Glen Shiel passing the Five Sisters of Kintail and Eilean Donnan Castle. At Dornie Ferry he rang the handbell to summon the ferry across the water and spent Monday night at a cottage in Dornie.

The next day Wilf cycled to Stroame Ferry and at Jeantown (LochCarron on today’s maps) purchased a puncture outfit. Continuing his way through Achnasheen and Garve he turned left for Ullapool. This road was merely a track with grass growing in the middle. At times the surface was so rough that in consideration for the front forks of his James Ace of Clubs frame he walked some of the descents of Dirrie Mor. Near the Gorge of Corrieshalloch Wilf took the wrang track and ended up at Braemore Lodge, a large Scottish mansion. There he was told he could regain the road ta Ullapool via a goat track. This meant carrying his bicycle upon his shoulder. Back on the proper track he was startled when a red deer leapt across just in front of him. At Ullapool the CTC listed inn was full, luckily a woman overheard his request for a room and put him up at her cottage for half a crown. His bed that night was a traditional Scottish bunk built into the cottage wall.

Page 14

By now it was Wednesday and the track deteriorated as he made his way to Ledmore. He had wanted to see Stac Polly, but due to lack of time Wilf had to forego the detour west at Drumrunie, although it would only have added another Six miles to the day’s mileage. Hungry, he had to have a meal and the only place available was the hotel at Ledmore, where lunch set him back 3/6, but it was unavoidable in the circumstances. In Strath Oykel prior to reaching Bonar Bridge Wilf had his only puncture of the tour a good job he bought a puncture kit the day before. That night was spent at Tain.

Thursday morning and he was now moving southwards, through Dingwall and Strathpeffer, where his aunt was convalescing courtesy of the mill she worked for. Wilf still regrets not finding the time to look for her, instead he pushed on through Beauly, Inverness and Aviemore to rest at Newtonmore. There the CTC listed hotel found him a room in the annex, a cottage down the road from the hotel where the landlord usually put up cyclists. Meals were eaten in the hotel itself.

On Friday Wilf rade aver Drumechter Pass, through Perth and on to Lanark for the night. His room looked cut over the young River Clyde. After descending by the Devil’s Beef Tub on Saturday morning, Wilf rede through Carlisle and caught up with John Derby and Eric Bradley also of Bury Clarion and making their way home from a camping tour of Scotland. Near Lowther Castle they all "made da" and camped together. Sunday saw them riding back aver Shap and at Brock, near Preston, they met up with Bury section on a Sunday run. After passing the time of day they left the rest of “the club and rode home.

Like many members of that era Wilf met Lily, his wife, through the Clarion, and they were married for over SO years till she sadly passed away in August 1989. Wilf now lives alone with his memories, unfortunately the effects of a stroke have deprived him of cycling but not his enthusiasm.

Page 15

Friday, March .15, 1991 Tel Newsdesk: 834 9677

WHEELIE WACKY COMIC RELIEF STUNT

Merlin’s wizard wheeze

BIG-HEARTED jokers in Stockport are pulling out-all the stops to raise a laugh and cash for this year’s Comic Relief.

Among them is wacky Merlin Evans, normally a sober-suited computer expert, who will be donning a red nose and yellow jersey to brave the rush hour traffic on his morning trip to work by unicycle.

‘I’m not very good at it,” confesses the 43-year-old from Green Lane, Heaton Moor.

Learning to ride a unicycle has been a lifelong ambition for Merlin. He got the chance when the country’s only adult night class in circus skills started in Stockport last year.

He has no idea how much he will raise with today’s stunt but he is being sponsored per mile of his journey to Abney Hall, Cheadle.

At least red-nosed Merlin will be 7e)@)

guaranteed a place at the Tom Thumb pub on King Street, Stockport, where management are refusing

entry to anyone not wearing a red

3 3 nose today. A_ sponsored _half-face Balancing act madcap Merlin Evans puts in some shave is one of their main money-

practice for his Comic Relief unicycle stunt. spinning ideas.