BOOTS ia SPURS
The National Clarion Cycling Club Member Magazine
Cover Illustration
Denis Pye Obituary Custom Bike Award The Avenue Verte
Track Champs 2019 2018 Results Section News and more
HELLO WELCOME
ello and welcome to this my first edition of Boots and
Spurs as the new editor. My name is Edward Gilder and I
have been a Private Member of the Clarion for two years. I live in rural east Norfolk and am a cycle tourist and Audax rider. I ride regularly with an informal group around Norfolk and north Suffolk and have toured in Holland.
Matt and Kirsty will be a hard act to follow and I thank them for all their hard work over the years. I will do my best, hopefully with all your help, to produce editions of Boots and Spurs which represent the wide range of interests of Clarion riders.
We are all aware of the Club’s long and illustrious heritage, including all those past editions of Boots and Spurs, which is more than anything a members’ magazine. Without you, the members, all you will have are the opinions of the editor, ably assisted by the committee and after a while you will tire of our points of view.
We rely not only on Section reports to update us all on what you have been doing, but also news of what you have planned for the future. Social rides, competitive rides, member's tours, outrageous Audax rides, winter quizzes: they are all part of club life. Tell your fellow
members about them on these pages.
Many of you have responded at short notice to the call for copy for this my first edition and I thank you for that. Particular thanks are also due to Andrew Livesey of London Clarion, who helped me get this edition started. I hope we have put together something which is worthy of the title and look forward to receiving future copy and meeting some of you in the forthcoming year.
Edward Gilder
“The Clarion provided me with a home when the CTC was tearing itself apart over the name change to Cycling UK. I have got over it now!”
Private Clarion Member Cycle tourist and Audax rider from Norfolk.
FROM THE SECRETARY
2,000 Members
he National Clarion broke through the 2,000 member mark late in 2018,
this is the highest the membership has been since the membership was on a downhill freewheel in the 50s and 60s. Yet today, the Clarion is spinning comfortably uphill, with the wind of a rising popularity in cycle sport on our backs. This is not something that has come alone from the National efforts, mostly it has come as a result of local sections meeting the needs of cyclists around the country.
Sections with a passion to develop youth participation, have blossomed over the last few years, as have those who want to give non-racing cyclists the chance to ride in
a group where ‘no rider gets left behind’. We owe most of this success to a hard core of hard working and enthusiastic, unpaid volunteers around the country.
And whilst I have your attention, I'd like
to thank Ben Lemas (Clitheroe) and Neil Matheson (West Lothian) for stepping up to take over the webmaster roles. And finally thanks to Edward Gilder (Private member), for stepping forward to pull together this latest Boots Spurs magazine, without him So I want to send out a huge vote of you wouldn't be reading this.
fellowship and thanks to all of the section officials and volunteers for getting the Clarion fit and healthy enough to climb the membership hill since 2010.
Ian Clarke National Tuxford Clarion Secretary bike@clarioncc.org
CONTENTS
2-3 Welcome from the Editor 20-21 ‘National track champs
45 From the secretary. Statement by committee 22-31 News from our sections
67 Denis Pye obituary 32-33 The rise to success of the Yates Brothers 08 Eleanor’s ride 34 Clarion Q&A
09 On and off the Avenue Verte 35 Clarion awards 2018
10-11 124th Annual Easter meet 36 Diary dates 2019
12 Easter meet programme 37 Clarion shorts News and other items 13-17 Results 2018 38 Clarion 125 years old this year
18 Michael Patterson takes ‘Lantern rouge’ 39 Our Sections
19 Hill climb champs 40 The benefits of being in the Clarion
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COVER
La Vuelta 2018 Simon Taylor
he cover is brought to you this month
courtesy of Simon Taylor a sports artist based in Oswestry. Simon’s iconic painting features the 2018 Vuelta a
Espana with Simon Yates in the red jersey accompanied by brother Adam.
Gouache on paper, size 420 x 315mm.
Please do look at his work and perhaps treat yourself, or your loved one to a print of our favourite duo. His fantastic paintings and prints can be viewed at and purchased from
simon-taylor.com enquiry@simon-taylor.com 01691 839097
A STATEMENT BY THE COMMITTEE
National Clarion Cycling Club, not to be confused with National Clarion CC 1895
ur National Clarion Cycling Club first O-: in 1894 and by Easter 1895 the National Clarion Cycling Club was established. We have been in constant and unbroken operation since then. In these years
we only missed one Easter Meet in 1918 which was quite understandable.
We want to make it clear to everyone that reads this, that the National Clarion Cycling Club (this one, running since 1895) is not the same as another organisation which calls itself National Clarion Cycling Club 1895
(which was founded in 2006). You may find this other club extolling the origins of the original club, using its logos and name, as well as using the suffixes of ‘North Lancs Union’
and more recently ‘Southern Union’, but it is not this club.
Due to historic political sympathies, a number of our members and friends, are also members of the ‘other’ club, but we wish it to be known that it is not in any way affiliated to, or representative of this, the original National Clarion Cycling Club.
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OBITUARY DENIS PYE
Born on 8th May 1947 and passed away on the 9th of March 2018
enis was a major player in the Clarion D movement, so sadly we start this
newsletter with his obituary; but in reality, it is a life that we are celebrating.
Denis Pye died in March 2018. He was husband to Wendy and father to John, Jennie and Mark; also, grandfather to Sam, Robbie, Laura and Christopher. His life was devoted to his family, teaching, history, political causes and cycling.
Denis was born in Bolton in April 1935 to Lily and Harry Pye. He started life at Iona Place and Florence Avenue, Tonge Moor. He attended Church Road Primary school and his
mother helped instigate Denis’s love of books and reading, whilst his Dad influenced his commitment to Socialist principles as well as his Grandfather who was a full-time trade union worker for the Weavers’ Association. Denis did well at school and got a scholarship to attend Bolton School. Again, he did well and went on to study history and politics at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. Prior to this, Denis did his national service in the Royal Artillery. He hated everything about the army, consequently becoming a lifelong pacifist.
Throughout his career Denis was active in union affairs and was teacher representative on Bolton Education Committee. Importantly the year after, Denis and Wendy got married
at the Victoria Hall Methodist Church which is where they first met, in the youth club. Whilst doing his first teaching post Denis agreed to stand as a labour candidate in the local election a strong Tory seat. Amazingly and after three recounts he was elected by about 40 votes. Denis was the only councillor to vote for free fire grate bottoms for pensioners.
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enis moved into teacher training at D Manchester Polytechnic where he
was a star, so much so that one of the youngsters at one school thought he was Ken Dodd. He retired from the Poly in 1986. A former pupil commented on his skills as a form teacher and kindness, at a special evening in honour of Denis at Bolton Socialist club, on 27th April. Denis was always firm to his beliefs whether this was defending peace, supporting the miners or a myriad of local issues, in Lancashire. Two of his proudest achievements, with Wendy, were the re-emergence of Bolton Clarion CC and his involvement with Bolton Socialist Club. The former happened after a chance meeting, having parked the tandem outside the town hall and then being invited for a cup of tea to Frank Horwood’s house. At that time there were only a few older members; Denis and Wendy helped revitalise the Clarion section.
At one stage the club on Wood Street looked likely to close, however Denis had other ideas and his determination and that of others means that it continues to celebrate socialist values, co-operation and the defence of equality and people’s rights. Denis was a key member of Bolton Clarion Choir and Margaret Jepson is keen to stress what a beautiful tenor voice he had.
Sadly, Denis and Wendy lost their son Mark, when he was 22, in a road traffic accident near their home in Halliwell; however, in true Pye style, they set up the Bolton section of The Compassionate Friends helping bereaved parents and relatives. This was a great comfort to many parents and family members in the Bolton area. Denis was a very caring, patient and thoughtful man.
Denis was on the National Clarion Cycling Club committee for many years working with Marion and Harold Lamb, Merlin Evans, Charles Jepson and other stalwarts of the Clarion movement. The first photo is taken on the steps of Menston Clarion Club House, near Otley. It is now a private house and the Clarion name remains above the doorway. The other is of Denis, in 2008, recuperating after a double hip operation.
Many Clarionettes will know of Denis as a result of his unique and thorough development of the story of the Clarion Cycling Club from the 1890s to the present day. Fellowship is Life is not just the title of the book but a motto for the Clarion movement and distinctly illustrates how Denis lived his life, with the loving and devoted support of Wendy and his family.
Writing this book was a great achievement and it is still available from Ian Clarke, David Bisset and London Clarion. It was an honour to work with Denis on the latest edition that came out in 2014.
Denis had a steely, yet modest, confidence and was always polite, friendly, approachable with insightful intelligence a great friend to many and a superb husband, father and grand-father. The warm tributes paid at Denis’s funeral (and at the celebration of Denis’s life, at Bolton Socialist Club) by his family and friends reflect the love and respect which we all share for Denis who will be missed enormously.
Chris Goode Yorkshire Coast Clarion July 2018
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ELEANOR’S RIDE ELEANOR’S BIKE
Calder Clarion raise £1800
including two 13 year olds, Ben and Lewis
take on the coast to coast challenge, Whitehaven to Sunderland. With support from their from their back up team Ian Smith, Sandie Wood, Stephen Plumstead, Casey and mascot Ollie the dog, they cycled over 130 Miles in one day.
S= 21st July 2018, saw 11 club cyclists,
Splitting into two groups, Jason Grove, Pete Roberts, Mark Holden, Tom Penty, Jason Atardo along with teenagers Ben and Lewis came in under 9 hours. Fran Smith, Clare Plumstead, Ian Hoyle and Lorien James completed the challenge in 12 hours. The challenge was the idea of Ian Smith. As club mechanic, Ian is used to adjusting bikes for club members. Approached earlier in the year by Claire, mum to 11 year old Eleanor, Ian was asked if a standard road bike could be adapted to a flat bar with a simple gear set up. What made this tricky is Eleanor has disabilities that affect her right hand side, making gear changes difficult. Hoods and drop bars were out of the question, so the best plan was to have a flat bar set up
Eleanor’s disabilities include epilepsy and cerebral palsy, she struggles with mobility, requiring a wheelchair for any long distances of walking, along with the issue of seizures brought on by over-exertion. She has had a dislocated knee for over 4 years requiring operations. After learning to ride through specialist physiotherapist lessons, cycling has become a
passion for Eleanor, giving her a sense of speed and freedom. It has been a huge challenge for her to learn to ride a standard bike and joining Calder Clarion go-ride with use of an enclosed track has given her somewhere she can fit in and ride with like minded people.
Understanding Eleanor’s needs, Ian along with Dan Haigh, owner of a local bike shop Cycle Technology, set about adapting the bike (a Specialized Dolce). They wanted to make the bike something Eleanor would want and be able to comfortably ride, it was agreed the best option would be for the bike to be fitted with electronic shifting. Hence, the coast to coast. Ian secretly organised a team within the club, together they set about raising sponsorship for what would become ‘Eleanor’s Ride’.
They raised in excess of £1800 towards the bike fund. Using money left over, they donated to Wakefield Hospice, a local Hospice dear to many members, and also St Leonard’s Hospice, a charity Clare Plumstead was also riding for in memory of her friend and work colleague. Eleanor’s was presented with her new bike on Sunday 14 October, she is extremely happy and took for a test ride straight away. Eleanor’s parents say “For the club to undertake this huge cycling challenge, and creating this special bike by truly understanding Eleanor and her passion for cycling, whilst facing her own daily challenges is amazing and inspiring. It will make such a difference to Eleanor’s riding.
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ON AND OFF THE AVENUE VERTE:
Brexit-Breaking Bravado from Brighton to Bray
Spurs (Autumn 2017) of the Cowling Fac a trip on the Avenue Verte leppe to Paris and back. It reminded
me of a trip by a small group of Brighton section members in September of that year. There is a full report of that ride on our website; but for the casual reader wondering whether the Avenue is their sort of thing, I wanted to give a flavour of it here.
was interesting to read in Boots
Don't be put off by the mention of “climbs” in Michael's report. As he says, the Avenue itself is unbelievably flat, at least in those Sections that follow the route of the old railway line; but even if one strays off the path as we did on the way back, never liking to retrace our steps the gradients are not too challenging. My co-rider, Angela, had assured me of this before we set off, but I was still concerned about all the contours on the map. Not only did this turn out to be a needless worry; the country lanes are also incredibly quiet. And the countryside is beautiful. I am including here some photos we took which will hopefully give you a flavour of it.
Angela and I did not get any further south than Forges-les-Eaux, which was Michael and Nigel's first stopping place. However, the third member of our party, Ivor, had ambitions for a longer haul, to which end he had brought a tent. Waving goodbye to us south-east of Forges, he followed the western arm of the Avenue to Giverny and Vernon, then back up to Rouen, from which he caught the train back to Dieppe.
As Michael points out, the Avenue Verte “can be ridden from London”. We know this section as NCN21, which snakes its way from Greenwich to Eastbourne via Crawley, East Grinstead and Eridge (although the “official” Avenue Verte follows NCN20 from the London Eye to Redhill). The Brighton section has ridden almost all of it in recent years, including a memorable ride with the London section at the northern end of this route known as the Waterlink Way in 2015.
Jim Grozier (Brighton Hove Clarion).
124th ANNUAL EASTER MEET
YORK 19th to 22nd of April 2019
tart planning now to come to some or all of the annual Easter
S Meet in 2019 to be based in and
around York. York was last our Easter Meet venue in 1960 and first in 1913, this will be our 9th time to York!
To keep prices down and to be family friendly we are not recommending a single hotel as the HQ and venue, thus allowing you to find accommodation to suit the duration of stay and your own tastes. This also allows us to keep the meet levies to a minimum.
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for accommodation;
Our evening functions and annual conference will be held at the York Rail Institute. For the Saturday evening's entertainment we have booked the resident York Railway Institute Brass Band to entertain us. YRIB are a premier circuit brass band and we are lucky to have them local to the main venue in York. It should be a fabulous evening.
Making the Easter Meet sociable, fun and family friendly is important to us. For example we are running youth circuit races on the closed circuit at York Sports Village and earlier that day, Mums and Dads, or just riders who have never ridden a velodrome will have the chance to try a 250m banked cycle track at the same location in the morning.
FURTHER ACTIVITIES
o save members having to ik two bikes to the Easter
Meet, and to encourage riders who have ridden to the Easter Meet to take part, the regular Kenneth Humphries TT will be held on a 13 mile circuit course, where time trial bikes, tri-bars, deep section wheels and skinsuits will be banned!
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Better than this, we will offer prizes for fastest on fixed wheel, fastest with mudguards saddlebag, fastest 1960 (or older) bike, as well as a ‘lantern rouge’ award. The event should be a bit of fun where you can ride as hard or as easy as you want... yet Clarion Points Competition points will still be up for grabs.
The course is the V362 north of York based at Sherrif Hutton and will be run as a club event.
EASTER MEET PROGRAMME
Friday 19th April 3-6pm Registration and meet at the York Railway Institute* 3-6pm Annual Conference* Gathering at the Railway Institute (bar snacks avail’) Saturday 20th April 10am Leisure ride around York York Sports Village hosts a velodrome and a cycle circuit llam Subject to weather taster session on the velodrome** For beginners and novices to the track
2pm Circuit races** for all categories and ages subject to entries
Points for the annual points championships 7pm Evening buffet and York RI Brass Band Sunday 21st April 10am Kenneth Humphries 13m non-aero TT
Note this will mean no TT bikes, and special awards for touring bikes, fixed wheel bikes, to encourage a wider participation and free spirited ride (it’s only a race if you want it to be, but points will count for the annual points competition)
llam Club run from Sherriff Hutton to lunch café And then to return in the afternoon at a leisurely pace.
7pm Evening Annual Gala Dinner and Prize Presentation Guest of Honour Ede Harrison, winner of the 2018 Transcontinental
Monday 22nd April Depart
Venues for the events: Meet levies:
*Events at the York Railway Institute Full levy: (Saturday evening, Sunday evening, meet ribbon)
22 Queen Street York YO24 1AD Adults: £31 U14: £15
http://www.yorkri.org.uk/ Sunday evening only: (inc' meet ribbon)
(Parking available at the York Rail Institute) Adults: £17 U14: £8 Saturday evening only: (inc' meet ribbon)
**York Sports Village Adults: £17 U14: £8
www.york-sport.com
Heslington Lane, York. YO10 SNA Under 6's will be free. (inc' meet ribbon)
Booking details on www.clarioncc.org closer to the time
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RESULTS 2018
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Clarion Points Competition final result after 6 rounds
he title ‘Clarion Champion’ T: awarded to the men’s and
women’s winners of the Clarion Points competition. With the 6 events in 2018; 10 mile, 25 mile, 50 mile, Circuit Race, Hill Climb and Track Omnium counting equally for points, the winner is invariable a good all-rounder. Points are taken from your best 4 rides from those events; 50 for 1st, 40 for 2nd, 30 for 3rd, 20 for 4th...then minor points for other placings depending on the number of riders.
As you can see from the women’s results the top 3 women all won two events each, had one of those rides ridden another event, they would be the outright winner.
SENIOR MEN:
wn
J LEVICK M. COOKE I. CLARKE 0. HUMPHREYS
A. JACKSON P. WILKINSON
M.PERRETT G.COOK P.LUNN D.STAMMERS
SENIOR WOMEN:
JESS BEYER-LYONS JOANNA CEBRAT LINDSAY CLARKE JAYNE CLARKE
TAMARA WALTON EVANS
CAROLINE GOLIGHTLY
SARAH WILLIAMS SARAH MINCHIN
TEAM (SECTION) RESULTS:
1
a fF Ww ND
TUXFORD
NOTTINGHAM FENLAND
BURY HEANOR
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TUXFORD NOTTINGHAM TUXFORD
PRIVATE MEMBER
NOTTINGHAM
NORTH CHESHIRE
HEANOR TUXFORD FENLAND BURY
NOTTINGHAM BURY FENLAND TUXFORD CALDER
SUNDERLAND
WEST LOTHIAN CALDER
POINTS
267 153 90 88 75
POINTS 160
90
67
60
50 50
50 40 40 39
POINTS 100
100
100
40
40
40
40 30
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RESULTS 2018
Clarion Circuit Race Championships Results
where we have held our circuit race championships at Wakefield. Our thanks go out to all the
Prree= by Calder Clarion at their Wakefield cycle race circuit, this is the second year in a row volunteers from Calder Clarion for making the event a great success.
SENIOR MEN U8 BOYS
1 PAUL WILKINSON NORTH CHESHIRE 1 TOM WARWICK CALDER
2 OLIVER HUMPHREYS PRIVATE MEMBER 2 TOBY SELLERS-DICKINS BURY
3 JOSEPH CADWALLADER BURY CLARION 3 MONTY CLARKE TUXFORD
4 JACK LEVICK TUXFORD 4 THEODORE STANLEY CALDER
5 MATT HACKER NORTH CHESHIRE U10 GIRLS
6 STEPHEN DEGNAN CALDER 1 CHARLOTTE KILROY N.CHESHIRE 7 DAVID STAMMERS BURY CLARION U10 BOYS
8 JAKE HOLDER NORTH CHESHIRE 1 DAN JAMES CALDER
9 DAVID GAMBLE BURY CLARION 2 ALBIE JONES N.CHESHIRE 10 DECLAN BRADY BURY CLARION 3. ARCHIE SYKES CALDER
11 ADAM CONNELLAN CALDER 4 FRED BRAMWELL BURY
SENIOR LADIES
1 2 3
JOANNA CEBRAT TAMARA WALTON SARAH MINCHIN
U8 GIRLS
1 2
3
BETTY JONES JENNY CLARKE ESME JONES
U12 GIRLS
1
NATASHA HILL
U12 BOYS
1 2 3 4 5 6
SEBASTIAN GRINDLEY JOHN WHITE
DOUG JAMES
JACK COOK
EUAN COOK
WILF BRAMWELL
BURY CALDER CALDER
N.CHESHIRE TUXFORD CALDER
N.CHESHIRE
N.CHESHIRE N.CHESHIRE CALDER CALDER CALDER BURY
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U14 BOYS
1 RAPHAEL TABINER NORTH CHESHIRE
2 LEWIS SMITH CALDER
3 SIMEON KILROY NORTH CHESHIRE
4 EUAN HACKER NORTH CHESHIRE
5 LOUIS AUDAIN CALDER
U16 GIRLS
1 MELISA BOYLIN N.CHESHIRE
Ul16 BOYS
1 LACHLAN HACKER NORTH CHESHIRE
2 ARCHIE HOLLINGSWORTH TUXFORD
3 SAMUEL JARRETT FENLAND
4 THOMAS STEGEMAN FENLAND
5 JONATHAN TOMA FENLAND
25 MILE TIME TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDERLAND
ON DH FW
yo SO
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RESULTS 2018
25 mile Time Trial Championship Sunderland
ANTHONY JACKSON NOTTINGHAM CLARION CC 37 54:59
JACK LEVICK TUXFORD CLARION CC pal 55:58
TOM WHELAN SUNDERLAND CLARION 19 TEAM 58:16
MARK TULLY SUNDERLAND CLARION 29 TEAM 1:00:04 GAVIN RICHARDSON SUNDERLAND CLARION 43 TEAM 1ST VET 1:00:12 PETER STOKOE SUNDERLAND CLARION 28 1:00:40 TOM GUY SUNDERLAND CLARION 62 1:01:58 PAUL BARRETT SUNDERLAND CLARION 35 1:10:16 JESSICA BEYER-LYONS NOTTINGHAM CLARION CC 42 1ST LADY 1:12:26 STEPHEN KERR SUNDERLAND CLARION 58 1:18:34 CAROLINE GOLIGHTLY SUNDERLAND CLARION 46 1:18:59 PETER BAGGALEY SUNDERLAND CLARION 63 1:25:07
National Clarion 3-up champs 8th July Run by Nottingham, won by Nottingham
or the first time the National Clarion 3-up
TIT became an open event and attracted
additional teams to ride in this event based around Tuxford. The event, the brainchild of Ian Clarke and Francis Grafton from Tuxford and Nottingham Clarion sections is hoped to become a regular event on the calendar, as it is held on a superb 25-mile circuit, run over 2 laps of the ‘Polly Taylor’s’ course. Run jointly between Tuxford Clarion and Nottingham Clarion, it was no surprise to see teams from
those sections to the fore, but with two teams from Fenland competing as well. Surely in 2019, these three sections can be challenged by more section teams? The open event was won by the storming ‘University of Derby Team’ of Tom Ward, Joe Perkins and Will Perrett who happens to be a second claim member of Heanor Clarion. But winners of the Tuxford Cup were Nottingham Clarion with a time of 54.46 at an average speed of
27.4mph, which is unbelievably quick for a nondragstrip course.
NOTTINGHAM ANTHONY JACKSON, MICHAEL COOKE, STUART BATES 54:46 FENLAND A PAUL LILLEY, STEVE KAYE, SIMON PITCHFORD 55:42 TUXFORD A JACK LEVICK, SHAWN GOUGH, ARCHIE HOLLINGSWORTH 57:14 TUXFORD B GARETH NEWMAN, ADAM COUPE, IAN CLARKE 59:05 FENLAND B DAVID THOROLD, LINDSAY CLARKE, STEVE CLARKE 1:02:33 TUXFORD C NEIL PIKE, NIGEL WILSON, CHRIS STOTT 1:06:08
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RESULTS 2018
50 Mile TT championships
he National Clarion 50 TT championship T= once again promoted as part of the
Nottingham Clarion Cycling Club Open 50 on 03rd June. For Nottingham Clarion member Jessica Beyer-Lyons it was the first time she had promoted an Open, having actively supported her Clarion’s event previously. “It is surprising the intricacies involved in organising an open TT”, she said. “The huge amount of support I received from long-standing members of Nottingham Clarion that can draw on years of experience in
preparation for this TT was invaluable. And on the day members of Nottingham Clarion ensured that everything went really well.”
The Open 50 is run on the A50/5, a sporting course on largely quiet roads in the picturesque Vale of Belvoir. Even the weather played its part making it a good day of racing for everyone involved. “The competitors were very complimentary about the event which had attracted 65 riders.” Mike Cooke from Nottingham Clarion secured the title of the National Clarion Champion.
RESULTS SOTT
1 MIKE COOKE NOTTINGHAM CLARION CC 1:51:51
2 PAUL LUNN FENLAND CLARION CC 1:54:05 3 SIMON PITCHFORD FENLAND CLARION CC 1:55:45 4 P. LILLEY FENLAND CLARION CC 1:56:54 5 SIMON COOPER NOTTINGHAM CLARION CC 2:01:07 6 SCOTT HARRISON TUXFORD CLARION CC 2:04:31 7 IAN CLARKE TUXFORD CLARION CC 2:06:03 8 CHRIS GOODE YORKSHIRE COAST CLARION 2:14:31 9 JESSICA BEYER-LYONS
NOTTINGHAM CLARION CC
ba 3:
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MICHAEL PATTERSON TAKES ‘LANTERN ROUGE’ IN THE CLARION HILL CLIMB CHAMPS
he last time I entered an open time trial
was 26 September 1993, by coincidence this was also a Clarion event in the
form of the Calder Clarion 2-up 10 on the 010/2. In those days cycling was much more straightforward. You got on your bike and pedaled as hard as possible until the finish line passed beneath your wheels. You might have known your speed, and maybe cadence if you were at the cutting edge of technology. A six-speed block, maybe seven, was your limit. Twenty-five years later and there are even more numbers to deal with. Some are higher some are lower. Fewer kilograms on my bike, more kilograms on me. The seven gears are now eleven. The 18-tooth large
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sprocket is now a 32. The 42/52 chain rings give way to 34/50. Despite riding at (181), and when spurred on by spectators, above (189) my maximum heart rate, I was never going to threaten the leaderboard. My power output can be no more than half of what it once was. How do these numbers translate to my overall result? They all add up to a big number, which, when represented in seconds, results in a time that gave me the lanterne rouge position. I was in the prizes! This is a story of numbers and lasts. 25 years since I last did something like this, possibly the last time I will be doing anything like that. Last place was inevitable.
Michael Patterson Tuxford Clarion
RESULTS FROM 2018
CLARION HILL CLIMB CHAMPS
T
he open event was won by Adam Kenway of Vitus Pro Cycling in a time of 8m 23 seconds, with Jack Levick in
14th place overall but winning the Clarion
Championships
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2 3 8
CLARION HILL CLIMB CHAMPIONSHIPS 2018
On Do Ww
no Oo
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JACK LEVICK MICHAEL COOKE DAVID STAMMERS OLIVER HUMPHREYS DECLAN BRADY MARTIN SMITH PETER CAMPBELL MARK JONES
JAMES DUFFY
IAN CLARKE JOANNA CEBRAT KEN WOODWARD MICHAEL PATTERSON
TEAM PRIZE
TUXFORD CLARION CC NOTTINGHAM CLARION CC BURY CLARION CC NATIONAL CLARION CC BURY CLARION CC TUXFORD CLARION CC HEANOR CLARION CC BURY CLARION CC BURY CLARION CC TUXFORD CLARION CC BURY CLARION CC BURY CLARION CC TUXFORD CLARION CC
09:42.1 09:47.2 09:53.5 10:04.1 10:29.8 10:42.7 11:35.1 11:46.3 11:50.8 13:04.0 13:15.0 13:36.3 15:24.9
CHAMPION
1ST LADY
DAVID STAMMERS, DECLAN BRADY, MARK JONES BURY CCC
A special mention must be made of Michael Patterson, who in spite of his lowly finishing position, was happy to pen a few lines reflecting on his many years of competitive cycling. Well done Mike it is the taking part that counts.
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THE PERRETT LOWE SHOW
It’s all action at National Track Champs
for Clarion glory and trophies at the recent
O ver thirty Youth and Senior riders duked it out OMNIUM WOMEN Track Championships at Derby Arena. 1 LINDSAYCLARKE FENLAND 3
It was Heanor’s Martin Perrett who stole the overall 2 SARAH WILLIAMS WEST LOTHIAN 8 honours in the Seniors, when he soloed to victory in
the final race of the day, the Points Race, but it was a TEAM PURSUIT 3000M
close fought battle. Perrett’s win and last lap double
points saw him win the Omnium, while Guy Cook and 1 HEANOR 3.45.09 Paul Whatmough took silver and bronze on the same 2 TUXFORD 3.47.225 points as Perrett. 3 NOTTINGHAM 3.55.975 It was the youngsters who shone in the 5 mile and 4 BURY 3.56.979 Sprint Championships. West Lothian’s Alex Ball sprinted to victory in the Scratch event that opened 5 FENLAND 4.04.452 the day’s racing, while Fenland’s Jerry Norman pipped Carter Howe (Heanor) in the Sprint Final. OMNIUM MEN In the Pursuit Champs Perrett was head and shoulders 1 MARTIN PERRETT HEANOR 52 above the Opposition, catching National Secretary Tan 2 GuycooK TUXFORD 52 Clarke (Tuxford) in the Final, meanwhile Tuxford’s Martin Smith won the Elimination Race. 3 PAUL WHATMOUGH BURY 52 In the Youth Races, there was a massive turnout from 4 MARTIN SMITH TUAFORD a North Cheshire, but it was Fenland’ Edward Lowe who 5 ALEX BALL WEST LOTHIAN 42 won of the races and took the Omnium title from 6 CARTER HOWE HEANOR 35 Cheshire’s Lachlan Hacker. Lowe was particularly impressive in his 200m TT, with his 11.876, being the 7 MARTIN USHER BURY 26 fastest of the day, even better than any of the Seniors. 8 IANCLARKE TUXFORD 26 Third in Omnium was Saddleworth’s AJ Hughes. 9 PETER CAMPBELL HEANOR 23 In the Youth B Omnium Sebastian Grindley, led the 10 JOHN ODELL NOTTINGHAM 22 way from Raphael Tabiner and Ethan Grimshaw (All ul NICK HEAP BURY 19 North Cheshire). 12 ADAM HODGKINSON NORTH CHESHIRE 10 13 IAN SHAPIRO HEANOR
5 MILE CHAMPIONSHIP SCRATCH RACE (8KM) 1 ALEXANDER BALL WEST LOTHIAN
2 GUY COOK TUXFORD 3 PAUL WHATMOUGH BURY
YOUTH OMNIUM (GIRLS) 1 natasHa HILL NORTH CHESHIRE -29 0
SPURS
ELIMINATION RACE 1 MARTIN SMITH TUXFORD MARTINPERRETT HEANOR 3 GUYCOOK TUXFORD PURSUIT 2000M 1 MARTINPERRETT HEANOR 2.30.265 2 IAN CLARKE TUXFORD 2.36.92 3 GUY COOK TUXFORD J 2.37341 YOUTH SCRATCH RACE (3KM) 1 EDWARD LOWE FENLAND LACHLAN HACKER NORTH CHESHIRE 3 AJHUGHES SADDLEWORTH POINTS RACE (10KM) 1 PAULWHATMOUGH BURY “4 2 GuycooK TUXFORD 11 3 MARTIN PERRETT HEANOR 10
YOUTH POINTS RACE (SKM)
1 LACHLAN HACKER NORTH 21 CHESHIRE
2 EDWARD LOWE FENLAND 18
3 SEBASTIAN NORTH 9 GRINDLEY CHESHIRE
YOUTH SPRINT
1 EDWARD LOWE FENLAND 11.876
2 LACHLAN HACKER NORTH CHESHIRE 3 AJ HUGHES
13.117 SADDLEWORTH 13,155
YOUTH OMNIUM A (BOYS)
1 EDWARD LOWE FENLAND 58
2 LACHLAN HACKER NORTH CHESHIRE 56
3 AJ HUGHES SADDLEWORTH 37
YOUTH OMNIUM B (BOYS)
1 SEBASTIAN GRINDLEY
NORTH CHESHIRE 32
2 RAPHAEL TABINER NORTH CHESHIRE 27
3 ETHAN NORTH CHESHIRE 21 GRIMSHAW YOUTH ELIMINATION RACE
1 EDWARD LOWE FENLAND
2 LACHLAN HACKER NORTH CHESHIRE
3 AJ HUGHES SADDLEWORTH YOUTH 500M TT 1 EDWARD LOWE FENLAND 36.643
2 AJ HUGHES 3 LACHLAN HACKER
SADDLEWORTH 38.275 NORTH CHESHIRE 39.64
Photos: Alan Young
BOOTS SPURS SZ
STOCKPORT SECTION 2018 REVIEW
t’s been a record-breaking year for Stockport. Duncan McLaren broke the club 25-mile TT with a 53.19, only to be bettered by Rod Mason a few months later with a 51.57. Rod has had a great year also breaking the club 50 record with a 1.44.18 and also his first open TT win. Andy Lindley continues to perform well taking bronze at the MTB National Champs in the Masters
category.
Stockport also held an MTB event at Clayton Vale in July. Thanks to Mark McPhillips for setting up such a great course, with many riders thanking him for his efforts. 12 members enjoyed a week's training in Majorca.
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Mr consistent Paul Whittaker won the club hill climb and club 10-mile TT series. 5 Stockport members took part in this year’s Fred Whitton challenge in the Lake District. Anthony Jevons and Lee Crowther took part in the Manx 100 MTB on the Isle of Man. The weather to say the least was horrendous. It was an epic day out!!! See Lees write up on our website.
I should mention a get well soon to new member Steve Clayton who has crashed on his MTB and broken his Pelvis, hope you have a speedy recovery.
Dunc. McLaren Stockport Clarion.
BOOTS SPURS
YORKSHIRE COAST 2018 REVIEW
ince the last report our members have S= a number of impressive challenges,
the longest of which was Stuart Walsh's ride from Dunkirk to Berlin. Andy Fisher, our Racing Secretary, walked the Wolds Way from the Humber Bridge to Filey and Richard and Natalie Cullen's daughter, Hollie, is regularly riding in Daley Forest, plus riding home from school. Club runs are picking up with the regulars being Brendan, Hannah, Terry, Richard, Tony and Chris. Greystone had a short tour in the northern Pennines and is regaining his fitness.
On the racing front, Andrea and Frank Vaughan have been successful in a number of triathlons due to their thorough training. Andrea's best result was in the Castle Howard triathlon where she won her age category and was seventh overall. Next year she is stepping up to competing in the Welsh Ironman event in September. Frank has had some podium places in his age category. Hannah Bayes rode in the National Hill climb on Pea Royd Lane, (finishing 29th) her third national in four years. On Flixton hill, a gentle 20 per cent, she recently set a course record by twenty seconds. Earlier in the year Hannah excelled in the London nocturne and Otley Town Centre Criteriums. She has made rapid progress this year, riding for Liv Awol, and has a promising future ahead of her.
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Aidan Ogle is one of our new members this year and he specialises in audax rides, including the longer ones! Alongside Martin and Alison Purser, he guided Chris to an improvement in the National 24 hour race, in July. He recorded 352 miles, 27 miles better than 2017. Well done to Dave Brown (Tuxford) 418 miles and Simon Cullen (Saddleworth) 426 miles who both beat Ken Clarke's longstanding Clarion veterans record of 415 miles. Remarkable debuts.
Terry Lynch continues his good work training youngsters to ride safely with North Yorkshire bikeability team. Chris has also encouraged and ridden with two groups of students who completed their level three training, in July and October.
We had an excellent ride to the Wintringham War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday and our AGM and end of year social celebration was in December. Good luck to Paul Anderson on his retirement and keep those wheels turning.
Chris Goode Yorkshire Coast Clarion
SPURS
COATBRIDGE CLARION SECTION 2018 REVIEW
lhe members of Coatbridge section will be delighted to see that we have the Boot Spurs back. It has been an eventful year for Coatbridge Clarion so far with high and lows experienced. It came as a complete shock to the club when one of our members Arthur McCann died suddenly and unexpectedly in March this year. Arthur was known as “Acky” in local cycling circles was well liked by all who knew him. He was amember of the club for many years in its original era and was delighted to re-join when the club was re-born several years ago. Acky absolutely loved his cycling and even at the age of 78 years old had his bike on the turbo permanently in the kitchen at home. He never missed a Club TT where he was always first to volunteer, helping to keep us all safe by marshalling the turn in his high viz jacket. At his funeral his family made frequent references in his eulogy to the importance of cycling and being part of the Clarion in his life. Acky will be sadly missed but we will ensure that he is not forgotten by the club as we move forward.
Heather Manson absolutely smashing it in Iron Man challenges in the U.K. and abroad. As well as achieving lifetime goals she raised significant sums for charity including the Prince Princess of Wales Hospice. Superb Heather!
Heather Manson Triathlete
e had Robert Smith representing us V with pride as our only competitor at numerous Cyclo-cross Triathlon events. Great effort Robert. We had riders such as Brian Main, John Burns, Felix Gibson, David Feeney, Davy Armour and Bill Clelland riding in numerous tough Sportives, at the same time raising funds for a number of deserving charities. Bill Clelland deserves special mention as he has performed amazingly in the Sportives and in club training in all weathers this year. Bill is 77 years of age but you would never know that as he seems to get faster each year. May saw some of our strongest, riders namely Calum Muirhead, Dougie Muirhead, Jim Reilly, Martin Gordon, Des Grant, Aaron Harrison, Alan MacIntyre and Alan Anderson take on the North Coast 500 route to raise funds for St Andrews Hospice and the Catherine McEwan Foundation. It was quite simply brutal as they did it in four days covering over 520 miles and climbing over 32,000 feet. Thanks also go the families of the riders and club members Liz Hunt and Lorraine Muirhead who provided support along with club members John and Phil in the Velo Scotland Team Support Car. Chapeau to you all folks!
June saw the club join forces with two other local clubs to organise for the second year in a row, the St Andrews Hospice Sportive. On open roads with two routes over 100km or 100 miles we raised thousands once again for a great charity. Thanks very much to Liz Hunt and Cath Walsh for giving up their day to crew our Club's roadside food stop, supplied from the club members food donations. 100% of all monies raised went to the charity.
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BOOTS SPURS S
saw Alan MacIntyre once again reign
supreme as Club Champion for the second year in arrow. Des Grant gave a good showing in second place with some strong performances. Liz Hunt took the top spot for the women’s trophy for the second year running. A wee mention for some of our newer riders like James Cluckie and David Kellett who embraced the challenge of theTimeTrials by entering Club and Open TT races. Both riders did themselves and the club proud with their efforts. Well done chaps!
T: Club Time Trial Series over the summer
Right: Bill and Felix in Majorca.
‘e can never forget our hardy mountain bike racers, including Dougie Muirhead, David Allan, Des Grant and
Alan MacIntyre who raced the very tough Tour De Ben Nevis in September. The boys performed well and represented the club making us all proud once again.ast words of this club update.
go to Ruth McLaughlin who was amazing this year. Trying to balance work and family commitments Ruth undertook a series of extreme challenges
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to raise money and awareness for charity. This would push her to the limits. Overcoming serious injury during these challenges, she bounced back to achieve her targets. As I write this update at the end of October she has just completed the Dublin Marathon. Absolutely awesome Ruth!
Here's to a winter of hard training ahead as we all
look to improve next year in whatever challenges lie ahead.
John Gormlie (Coatbridge Secretary)
BOOTS SPURS
WEST LOTHIAN SECTION 2018 REVIEW
were delighted to have been awarded Club of the Year in Scottish Cycling’s all-star roll of Honour ceremony. It’s a fantastic recognition of the growth and diversity of the club, in what is
our 10 year anniversary since forming the club in 2008.
February of this year, West Lothian Clarion
The club now has 217 adult members (inc’ 50 women) and 83 youth members (inc’ 25 girls) and is the 6th largest British Cycling membership club in Scotland. We're also pleased to have 24 coaches in place as well as 2 commissaries in our membership supporting events across the
country.
The club of the year recognition came as a result of our varied events and partnerships that we support. Our club-confined youth 5-race series is a secure introduction to racing for younger members and where we can. It’s extended to
adult members and parents of youth members to encourage those new to the sport. We've got a strong link with the Linlithgow Community Development Trust as we're a key stakeholder in the plans to build a West Lothian Cycle Circuit, which now has planning permission. The target is to secure full funding by the end of 2018, with construction from April to September 2019. The club have been key to fund-raising activities for the circuit promoting a #rollerchallenge and selling a 2018 cycle calendar, which promoted the club through social media and was published in the Daily Record and Scotsman newspapers.
More recently the club held our AGM and voted in our first female president, Diane Clayton- Chisholm who is a long-standing club member and coach in our youth section. We also have a women's secretary on our committee and a goal of reaching a 50/50 boy/girl ratio as part of our youth coaching.
West Lothian Photo Competition Winner 2018
WEST LOTHIAN YOUTH SECTION 2018 REVIEW
year for West Lothian Youth Section. We
have completed coaching blocks on road cycling and MTB, as well as a few weeks of grass track cycling, and have just delivered our cyclo-cross block to finish the year. By the time you read this we’ll have completed our race series for section members. The road race was held this year at the new Fife Cycle Circuit at Lochgelly, and was followed by an MTB race on our local trails, a grass track race and the club hill climb championships, Where, for the first time, two of our section members beat the best adult time on the night (and were just a second off the club record). The final cyclo-cross round is always decisive for final standings in most categories. Members have also been active in open races in track, road, MTB (cross-country and downhill) and cyclo-cross, with much experience gained and some fantastic results achieved. Our MTB trips have again been a great success, with trips to a variety of trails throughout the year, and a return visit to the Downhill World Cup at Fort William. Alex Ball and George Freeman were selected to act as a “race team”, as a trial to help prepare the way for running a team in the Junior category in future, and took part in a wide variety of events, as well
2 018 has been another busy and successful
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as having some special opportunities, such as training with the Israeli team in the runup to the Glasgow European Championships! West Lothian Youth Section decided to try something new in May 2018 a "Junior Club Run" to round off our road coaching block. For safety and insurance reasons, involving youth members in club runs or similar rides is often difficult, and they can only take part in club activities on open roads from 14 years old in most cases, but we found a solution to this by utilising a stretch of NCN route 75. Older youth riders covered approximately 17 miles (out and back to our starting point) in about 80 minutes, with younger groups doing less distance. The weather cooperated and we even had a modern day "drum up", all of which helped achieve a fantastic turnout of around 80 youth members, along with coaches, assistants and a number of parents. The ride was a resounding success and created a great deal of enthusiasm in the young and not-so-young alike, with comments like “one of the best evenings I've had on a bike" being heard afterwards. We're sure this event will be repeated and there is even talk of plans being hatched for an afternoon ride taking in a longer section of the route, with different groups joining at points along the route.
BOOT.
SPURS
BARNOLDSWICK SECTION 2018 REVIEW
Clarion. The club's membership has
increased towards the 50 mark recently with good turn outs both on our Saturday and our newly introduced Wednesday rides. These leave from the Coop car park 9am in summer and 9.30am after the clocks go back.
Des has been a good year for Barnoldswick
Six of our members had a great week in Majorca, enjoying the sunshine and the smooth roads, and 12 members have just returned from a successful Hostel weekend to Arnside organised by Dave Sherwood.
On the racing front Mick Kruppa has organised a points series event incorporating 3 local 10ml Time Trial courses and Dave Poole finished a credible 62nd in this year’s 3 Peaks Cyclo-Cross race.
Members continue to challenge themselves with ever greater feats of endurance, with Mick Meath clocking up 70mls 70 with 7000ft. ascent in 7hrs and Colin Urmston completing another epic 180ml ride to the top of Great Dun Fell and back in the day.
In June the club took part in the ‘POP’ Harry Hill's Memorial Ride to the bench, incorporating the National Clarion Sunday meet at Clarion House. An event attended both by a number of local Clarion clubs and Clarion riders from London. “POP” is fondly remembered for reforming the club in 1923 following disbandment due to the First World War, during which many members lost their lives.
Colin Urmston’s
Bolton Clarion enjoyed a trip to Chatsworth House in Derbyshire
BOOTS SPURS
BOLTON SECTION 2018 REVIEW
BOOTS SPURS
NORTH CHESHIRE SECTION 2018 REVIEW
orth Cheshire have had a really great year N= membership up to 270 members
including 64 juniors. The junior section have a developed a really great community spirit; with great participation in the coaching with great development through to racing on the road, track, bmx, speedway and cx. We have also had some promising juniors stepping up to regional and national level. The adults have also been busy with 10 regular racers, competing from Cat 2 to Cat 4. Cyclo-Cross has continued its resurgence with all abilities participating, with NCC hosting the 2017 Clarion Championships in Dec 2017. Audax has also continued to grow in popularity, with us hosting 2 of our own events, 3 riders completed their Super Randonneur series (including Neil Shand and David Mason completing the 1000km with 15000m climbing Mille Cymru event). Club rides have continued their popularity, with a club ride every Saturday and Sunday as well as our “Intro” rides for those new to group riding or just wanting a shorter ride. We have also introduced a Club Rides Points award, with the leader so far racking up nearly 3000 miles on club rides alone up to November! Highlights of the racing year include Matt Hacker taking the win with a solo victory at round 2 of the Litherland series and Dave Grindley taking round 18. Paul Wilkinson also won the Clarion Circuit Championships in Wakefield at the end of the season.
Currently we have 3, 4th Cat riders (2 new to racing), 10 in the 3rd cat and 1 in 2nd cat. Hopefully we can persuade some more for next year! Off roading activities continue to grow at
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NCC, including Cyclocross, MTB and even Audax. Back in June 2 riders took on the on/off road Audax (TINTA), choosing the 300km/5500m route around mid-Wales. A massive challenge taking on the “Devils Staircase”, long gravel roads, technical climbs and descents, and riding long into the night. Although club mountain bikes rides are few and far between, representation has been strong at local level (Midweek Madness) with a top 11 position in the Senior/Vet Race Category, top five in the Juvenile Male and a WIN for the Juvenile Female. Additionally, there has been some great results at the Northwest ‘Crank It’ races, and some of the juniors venturing further afield with National series, we expect more entries next year at this level. As we enter in to the end of 2018, NCC is proving dominant in Junior Cyclocross (local wins in many of the Junior races), and representation from the very youngest to seniors, vets, and super vets proving CX to be a very inclusive sport. Each event is a great turn out for NCC, the support and encouragement being the highlight! As the Juniors develop, many are moving to compete at National level, going from strength to strength watch this space for National Junior Wins soon! We also have 7 juniors and 2 seniors competing in the track leagues at Manchester and even riders involved in cycle speedway. Finally, it’s not all about competing and racing, On Sunday 27th Oct the Juniors got on their MTBs and CX bikes, added their lights, and scariest outfits, in preparation for the their annual Halloween MTB ride at Delamere, a cycling scarefest for riders and their families!!!
GOSPORT SECTION 2018 REVIEW
'e enjoyed an epic 100 mile Social ride from Fareham and around the New Forest.
10 Clarions set out. Our first stop was Bucklers Hard for the Shipbuilding Museum. This is where Ships for Nelson’s Fleet at Trafalgar were built. We took lunch at the Buttery in Brockenhurst and then stopped off later in the afternoon for ice cream. Our last stop was at The Otter Pub
in Otterbourne near Eastleigh for a swift shandy and snacks. Everyone got back safely and in record time, 105 Miles in 8 hour 8 mins.
We also enjoyed a summer adventure holiday riding “La Marmotte” the toughest Sportive in France. 16000 FT of Climbing up legendary climbs such as Col de Glandon, Col de Galibier Col De Telegraph and Alpe D’huez.
BOOTS SPURS
TWIN’S PEAK
The rise to success of the Yates Brothers
n the 13th September 2018, Simon Yates O- into Madrid on the final stage of the 73rd edition of La Vuelta de Espafia. This quiet and unassuming lad from Bury had completed a truly remarkable feat by becoming
only the second Briton to win the General Classification of La Vuelta.
His quest to claim the red jersey started on stage 4 when he showed a real statement of intent by finishing 8th on the first mountain stage, moving up to 3rd in the GC standings.
Simon’: first acquisition of the red jersey was on stage nine when he took overall lead by 1 second over Spaniard Alexander Valverde. He then lost the lead on stage 12 only to regain it with his first stage win on the climb of La Camperona on stage 14.
Stage 16 was the individual time trial which would usually be something of an obstacle for Simon, but he finished with an excellent time, faster than all his GC contenders.
He then spent the remaining stages in the red jersey, with Valverde chasing his heels at just 25 seconds behind until stage 19 when Simon finished in true style by attacking on the final climb putting over a minute on his main rival.
Simon then completed a solid ride on the final mountain stage to all but ensure his first Grand Tour victory. He finished the tour 1 minute 46 seconds ahead of surprise runner up, Enrique Mas.
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This was in a year when he had very nearly rode to victory in Italy at the Giro, spending many days in La Maglia Rosa and winning three stages before unfortunately cracking on the slopes of the Finestre on stage 19.
Rewind to 2016. Simon's identical twin brother Adam had a fantastic year, achieving great success in the Tour de France by winning the white jersey and only narrowly missing out on a podium place. An amazing achievement at the youthful age of only 23.
At 26 years old, Simon and Adam are already the most successful twins in cycling history, exceeding the honours of previous twins in the sport such as the Oxtoa’s of Spain or the Russian Efimkin brothers.
In an era tainted by the controversy associated with Team Sky, it’s not hard to understand why the brothers are becoming popular with British cycling fans. It’s not just the Brits who have taken to the twins either, they have been adopted by the home of their team Michelton Scott who regard them as honorary Aussies.
Of course, their history was paved by a club very dear to our members, the Clarion, the Bury Clarion to be exact. This was the club introduced to them at a young age by their father John who would take young Adam and Simon to attend Bury Clarion track sessions at Manchester Velodrome. The brothers quickly became obsessed with cycling and destined themselves to become
33
cycling greats.
Bury Clarion chairman Nick Hall recalls their time as youths with the club. “I must have met them first when they were about 12 but even from that age they both knew they wanted to turn pro. They talked about it in the way most boys talk about becoming footballers. And you sort of thought to yourself ‘Yeah OK.' while thinking ‘This isn’t very likely’.
“Just normal kids who have made it to the top thanks to hard work and dedication. They didn't have the stamina back then but they'd race each other to the traffic lights, or past a bus stop, or whatever, typical siblings!”
“But they weren't fazed by anything and I think that still comes across. Whether it was the local club ride or Alberto Contador.”
“When they started racing at Manchester velodrome, that made a massive difference to them. And they stood out among their peers there. They progressed to outdoor races and once again they stood out from very early on.”
The brothers have come a very long way since their time with the Clarion but there must be a place in their hearts for the club where it all began. Long may their success continue and hopefully we'll see a Grand Tour win for Adam in the near future.
Ben Lemas Clitheroe Clarion
BOOTS SPURS
CLARION Q&A
We asked some of our members what the Clarion means for them
Q1. What does the Clarion mean to you? Q2. How long have you been a member and why did join? Q3.WhatshouldtheClarionfocusonforthefuture?Q4.What'syourbestmemory ofbeingintheClarion?
Chris Goode Yorkshire Coast
1. “The Clarion is more than just a cycling club, it began at a crucial time in British History; 125 years later its message is still relevant as you can see in political discussions. The Clarion clubs bring people together and this fellowship is one of its greatest strengths.
2. I have been a member since 1994 and I joined as a result of meeting Denis and Wendy Pye, Nick Tanner and John Broughton. My first Easter Meets were at Blackpool and Lincoln before I joined.
3. The Clarion will benefit by being a broad church, encouraging inter-club events and incorporating the views of its members.
4 My best memory is cycling with friends to various Easter meets, the meets themselves, Matthew and Kirsty Ball's editorship of Boots and Spurs and the superb ride from Glasgow to Barcelona in 2008
Tony Bowles Bolton Clarion
1. “I am passionate about MY club and have done just about all to represent the club. I have been a promoter of open time trials, organised early velodrome events and spent many years track riding
in the leagues to keep the club in the news.
2.’Early cycling days from 14 tears old were with pals, we tended to drift a bit, lots of local clubs around then, NCU, CTC, St Christophers CC. The Clarion. Alan Gartrel being a proper leader took us all to the local headquarters of the Socialist club in Wood Street in Bolton, home then to the Bolton Clarion cycling club. Much later, around 1985 I tagged onto the reformed Bolton Clarion, then benefiting from the fervour of Denis and Wendy Pye, and I have been there since.”
3.” So much has happened over the years since I became a committed, much of it in the last ten years or so, I would contend that the National should carry on, growth in membership, whilst being a pain for national committee to cope with at times, can only be good for the members.
4.” I have so many good memories. As this is addressed to National membership I would say the pleasure derived from Amy McLarty being awarded National Clarion Clubwoman of the year. Of the many Clarion Easter Meets Llandudno was a standout weekend, so much fun, a ride up to the top of Great Orme on our tandem, and a hairy ride back down, along with the 'naked football on the prom'
a truly memorable occasion.”
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BOOTS Ky SPURS
CLARION AWARDS FROM 2018
Based on nominations from sections and the National Committee a number of meritorious awards are made each year to our members and sections:
Tom Groom Award (Best Section) 2018 Tuxford Clarion
After years of making claims for this award, Tuxford Clarion were voted by the National committee
for their growth as a section, official duties on committee, attendance at all Clarion events and success in races.
Club Woman of 2018 Jessica Beyer-Lyons Nottingham Clarion
Jessica was awarded this distinction for organising (and riding) the Clarion 50 champs, riding the 25 mile champs and helping out at other races during the year.
Club Man of 2018 Tony Bowles Bolton Clarion
Tony Bowles answered the Q&A article elsewhere in this magazine, before he was nominated for this award. Tony wins it by being a ‘clubman of traditional values, riding and racing for the Bolton Clarion and attending many National Clarion events and always with a good word to say.
Junior on Merit 2018 Raphael Tabiner North Cheshire Clarion
‘Raph’ Tabiner, is an ideal winner for this award, having already won North Cheshire’s Junior Rider of the year. He also won the NW Cyclo Cross Association U14 category, 2nd in the U14 at the Clarion track champs and won the Clarion Circuit Champs for U14's.
Novice of the Year 2018 Joanna Cebrat Bury Clarion
In her first year of racing, Joanna has immersed herself in Clarion competitions. Winning the Clarion circuit race championships as well as being first lady in the hill climb championships, Joanna also earned equal first place in the Clarion points competition. She also recorded great times during the year; 26 minutes for a 10m TT, lhr 8m for a 25m TT and 2hrs 17m for a 50m TT.
BOOTS Ky SPURS
GEARION) NATIONAL CLARION
EVENTS 2019
Friday 19th April(3pm) Annual conference York Railway Institute. YO24 1AD 19th to 22nd April 124th Annual Easter Meet York
Saturday 20th April Circuit Races at York Sports Village YO105FG
Sunday 21st April Kenneth Humphries 13m Non-aero TT at York V362 Sherrif Hutton Sunday 2nd June 50 mile TT Champs Granby Notts, entry via CTT Saturday 6th July 10 mile TT Champs (Fenland/N&DCA) Sawtry Cambs,
entry via CTT Sunday 21st July 25 mile 3-up TTT Champs Tuxford Notts, entry via CTT Sunday 28th July 25 mile TT Champs Cheshire, club event by Stockport Saturday 17th August Circuit Race Champs Wakefield, by Calder Clarion
AUDAX AUDAX UK UK EASTER ARROW
LONG DISTANCE long distance cycling CYCLING
360km as a team of 3
AUDAX UK who every year hold their Easter Arrow event to York. We will welcome any Clarion members
S upporting the BWSA annual Easter Meet mileage award, we have the great opportunity to join forces with or non-Clarion ‘randonneurs’ to join us at our evening functions depending on when they arrive.
If you and a few members from your section want to take part in a serious challenge next Easter the AUK Easter Arrow could be a perfect way to do it. Combine this with arriving to applause at the Clarion Easter Meet after completing 360km as a team of 3, and also claiming the chance to win the
BWSA mileage award, it could be a perfect weekend of serious cycling and socialising with your Clarion friends.
The Audax Easter Arrows set off for York as a team of 3 to ride 360km in 24 hours, further details are here:
http://www.aukweb.net/events/arrows/
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BOOTS SPURS
CLARION SHORTS
News and Other Items
“Clubs should always be about taking and giving in equal measure, a little more of the latter would go a long way”.
Francis Grafton (Clarion Clubman of the Year 2016)
HILDA FOX CLARION Stockport Clarion: G O OD S
-now online to purchase
We heard from Merlin Evans that Stockport we are pleased to announce that you can now
Clarion's Hilda Fox passed Thursday 17th of buy the following online through the National
January at 94 yrs. Hilda was one ofthecountry’s Clarion website at www.clarioncc.org/webshop best time triallists of her era, taking Bronze in
the British RTTC 100 mile championships in Clarion Jerseys 1958. She still holds Stockport Clarion's 50,100, Fellowship is Life 12hr records that she has held since the late Clarion Badge 50's She was riding her bike up until recently. Clarion Mudflap
It's very pleasing to know that Merlin kept in You can also book the Easter Meet through touch with here through all these years. RIP the website if you wish.
Hilda. A full obituary will be written for the
next Boots Spurs.
CLARION CLUBHOUSES
an archive of our past clubhouses
Melvyn Hirst of Clitheroe section has been building a library record of Clarion Clubhouses, they can be viewed here:
http:/clarionclubhouses.cambrianmoons.com/
He still lacks a photograph of the South East Lancashire Clubhouse which was on Harwood Rd, Tottington and would like to get a copy of it taken in the 1920s or thereabouts.
Please contact Melvyn on: melvyn.hirst@btinternet.com if you have a suitable photo.
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NATIONAL CLARION CYCLING CLUB
125 years old this year
n February 26th 1894, the Clarion Ooze: Club was founded as
the Socialists Cycling Club at the Bond Street Labour Church, just off Constitution Hill in Birmingham, within a couple of weeks it was renamed the Clarion Cycling Club, our club, now 125 years old.
In 1994 (our centenary) a few of us revisited the location (the labour church had long since been demolished), and it seemed appropriate the 25 years later to the day, that we should return.
We chose to meet at the Hen and Chickens pub round the corner and then we had a group photo taken of us on Bond Street across the road, looking at the site of what is now just scrub and rubble.
It was great that we had some special and unique guests with us; Reverend Dr Neil Johnson author of The Labour Church: The Movement Its Message. Together with
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Chris Sidwells renowned cycling author, online publisher of Cycling Legends and also he's Tom Simpson’s nephew. Some of you will remember him as guest of honour from Stirling’s Easter Meet in 2011.
Amongst our members attending were Melvyn Hirst of Clitheroe Clarion, Merlin Evans of Stockport, Ken Hemsley our current President, David Bisset past Chairman, together with other current committee members, Martin Hickman, B&S Editor Ed Gilder and several other Clarion members from around the sections.
Myself, Steve Clarke, Nick Tanner, Andy Pitchford and David Mitchell agreed it would be nice to ride to the venue by canal, taking in 99% traffic free routes and seeing a lot of buildings and canal architecture that would have been just the same 125 years ago.
Ian Clarke National Section
BOOTS SPURS
OUR SECTIONS:
website or through the online membership system for example: www.membermojo.co.uk/barnoldswick-clarion-cycling-club just replace the section name with the one below to find them.
Clarion has some 28 regional sections who can be found by either their
Barnoldswick (Lancs) barlickclarionbike@hotmail.com Blackpool (Lancs) www.blackpoolclarion.webs.com Bolton (Lancs) www.boltonclarion.com
Brighton Hove (Sussex) www.brightonandhove-clarion.org.uk Bury (Lancs) www.buryclarion.co.uk
Calder (West Yorks) www.calderclarion.co.uk
Clitheroe (Lancs) www.clitheroeclarion.weebly.com Coatbridge (Scotland) www.coatbridgeclarioncycleclub.com Cotswold cotswoldclarioncc@gmail.com Fenland (Peterborough) www.fenlandclarion.co.uk
Gosport (Hants) www.gosportclarioncc.org
Heanor (Derbys) www. heanorclarion.org.uk Ironbridge www.ironbridge-clarion.cc
Italian (Torino) www.italianclarioncc. blogspot.com London (Greater London) www.londonclarion.org.uk Manchester peterbutterfield@googlemail.com North Cheshire www.northcheshireclarion.co.uk Nottingham www.nottinghamclarion.co.uk Saddleworth www.saddleworthclarion.co.uk Stockport (Cheshire) www.stockport-clarion.org.uk Sunderland (North East) www.sunderlandclarion.org.uk Teesside peter.smith567@btinternet.com Tuxford (Notts) www.tuxfordclarion.com
West Lothian www.westlothianclarion.co.uk
West Lothian Youth www.westlothianclarion.co.uk/youth.html West Scotland www.clarioncc.org
Yorkshire Coast cgoode@yorkshire.net
Asa member of the National Clarion regional section, your section membership fee includes your National Clarion membership fee (inc’ 3rd party insurance) of £12 (senior) and £8 (under 18) and £24 for family membership. Family membership is for two adults living at the same ad-
dress with any number of Under 18s for the single family membership of £24, plus your section membership fee.
For People who cannot access a local section, they are welcome to join as a ‘private member’ which they can find at www.membermojo.co. uk/national-clarion-cc-private-member Private membership of the National Clarion is £20 for a senior or £40 for a family membership.
Can't find a section near you and want to start one? Then contact us at bike@clarioncc.org
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BOOTS SPURS
THE BENEFITS OF BEING IN THE CLARION
Fellowship is Life
route signs and maybe a goody bag, but you'll be left to fend for yourself,
unlike riding in the Fellowship of a Clarion club run. And for half that price (more or less) you can join many of the Clarion’s sections, and ride for 52 weekends a year, on guided routes and supported by fellow riders with your interests at heart. Fellow Clarion members, who will help you fix a puncture, let you sit on their wheel into a headwind, give you warm advice and a few pounds at the café stop.
can easily pay £40 to ride a single day sportive these days, OK you'll have
But the benefits of your Clarion membership go way beyond joining your local section, the time old slogan of ‘fellowship is life’ is known and felt by many of the Clarion cyclists, who have ridden with and drunk tea (or beer) with fellow members from different sections. These friendships stand the test of time, where the love of the
bike and the camaraderie of being a Clarionette extends the length of the country and beyond.
As part of the National Clarion, you can truly say you are being a part of a movement, more than just any old (or new) cycling club, you join the largest cycling club in the country, with possibly the most interesting and historic story behind it, truly something to be proud of.
But if that’s not enough, here are some real tangible benefits for being part of the National Clarion Cycling Club, all had for the price of decent pair of cycling socks.
3rd Party Insurance and Legal Aid Free 3rd Party Liability Insurance Clarion Cover Accident Assistance and Legal Support (0800 470 1174)
Group discounts (codes are shown on your membership card) 15% discount Cotswold Outdoors, Snow Rock, Runners Need 10% discount Cycle Surgery
15% discount Lusso Bike
10% discount InMotion Products
Rides and Events Friendly welcome rides around the country with different sections
Annual Easter Meet and Prize Presentation (win fantastic trophies without being superfast)
Access to Clarion Championship Races with National medals on offer Season-long points competition
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