Some of you will have heard the bad news about former member Gary Dighton.

Unfortunately Gary died a week last Friday, sadly taking his own life.
Brought up in Whittlesey, Gary started his cycling career with the Fenland Clarion as a junior in the mid 1980’s, starting with club runs, riding club and open time trials, as well as dabbling at road races and a little track.
He was clearly a promising talent and broke the club 25 mile record in 1987 with a time of 52.51, which still stands to this date.
Gary left the club to go on to bigger and better things, initially joining Team Chiltern, before joining the all conquering Manchester Wheelers and then the Leo RC.
To say he was one of the country’s top time triallists would be an understatement, as he broke Competition Record for 25 miles in 1991 and won the National 100 mile championship that same year. He was the British Best all Rounder in 1990 and in 1992 he represented Great Britain in the 100km Team Time Trial at the Barcelona Olympics.
Gary retired from racing in 1998 after moving down South to Dorset, but started racing again in 2010 with the Poole Wheelers, turning in some top performances and rapid rides, mostly over 10 and 25 miles.
According the Poole Wheelers chairman and his good friend, Les Pick, Gary had been struggling with depression.Gary leaves behind his wife Zena, plus son Luke and daughter Emily.
Gary was a friendly, popular guy and fondly remembered by many club members, who were justifiably proud of his performances on the bike and that he started with the Fenland Clarion.
I’ve been in touch with Les, and the clubs down there and in a few other places around the country are planning memorial rides for Gary next weekend and I’m pleased to announce that the Fenland Clarion will be doing the same.
Our Runs Captain Ian Todd is happy to turn next week’s club run (Sunday 25^th January, destination, Beans in Oundle. Leave Helpston centre 9.00am & 10.00am) into a Gary Dighton Memorial Ride.
We are hoping to raise a little money through donations, to maybe pay for his family to get away for a short break. It’d be nice if you can donate a pound or two.

The new club runs calendar for the next 3 months is now online. You can view it by clicking here

Or alternatively, you can download a PDF to your computer by clicking here

FOURTEEN year old Jerry Norman edged thirteen year old Mia Purnell by just five points to take the Fenland Clarion's season long Bluebell Series. The popular 10 mile events on a Wednesday night throughout the summer often produce spirited racing, with the main award being handicap based. Both riders improved massively throughout the season and that is the secret to success in the Bluebells but Norman nicked the win. It may have gone the other way had Mia competed in just one more round. Norman raced in 12 events with 9 to count, while Purnell only took part in 9. Third place went to Clarion newcomer Colin Isles, who was 10 points adrift of the Mia, while Barbara Gunn finished in 4th place overall. This season saw Dave Langlands break his own 13 year old club record by 10 seconds with 21.19, although that ride was done in the Hereward League event (on the Bluebell cicrcuit) in June. Prize money and trophies will be awarded at Saturday’s Club Dinner at the Farmers in Yaxley. See other story above.

>Please click here for the 2014 Bluebell results <