Pic: David Hallam

From left to right, Lynne Biddulph, Lindsay Clarke, Ian Waddilove, Birgit Scott, Barbara Gunn, Julian Tatam, Steve Clarke, Paul Robinson (kneeling), Joe Clarke, Chris Cummings and John Robinson.

The club held their annual presentation night at The Farmers in Yaxley and were delighted to welcome guest of honour Lynne Biddulph to present the awards.

Julian Tatam won the Elsie Airey Rose Bowl for club-person of the year for his support of the club’s regular rides and ongoing treasurer duties.

Chris Cummings won the Ian Clarke TT championship Cup as well as the 25 mile Championship Cup.

Teenager John Robinson had a busy evening taking the Holmes Merit Cup for the best individual youth performance, the best first year rider and the Bluebell Series trophy. John’s father Paul also got in on the act by taking the Ralph Stevens Handicap Trophy.

The Clarke Merit Cup went to Lindsay Clarke, Annette Wyld, Georgina Jennings and Tonya Smith for breaking the long-standing ladies 15-mile team trial club record.

Simon Pitchford once again had an excellent time trial season and was rewarded with the Place to Place Cup and the Andre Floating 10 mile Cup. Ian Waddilove took the Cullip Cup 25 mile TT award and the Spider Clarke Helpston TT Trophy.

The father and son pairing of Steve and Joe Clarke won the Team Time Trial Trophy while Lindsay Clarke won The Conders Women’s BAR (Best All Rounder) Shield and The Berridge Women’s 10 mile shield.

The Glover Attendance Cups went to Ian Todd and Birgit Scott, while Barbara Gunn won the Hammer Trophy.

On 12th October, Phil Merritt and I raced a time trial in Essex called the Chelmer CC Grand Prix Des Gentlemen (and women). It’s a 2up, where a senior rider has to be paired with either a junior, female or veteran rider. The senior rider has to ride on the front of the pair for the first 14 miles, then the partner must take over for the final mile. The time is taken on the partner only. We enjoy finishing the racing year with this one, as it’s a bit of fun, and this was our third time. It’s a rolling course which is more downhill on the out leg, and uphill on the return. Phil rode superbly on the day, and had me questioning whether I was setting a good enough pace for him! We’ve finally had the results and we came away with the win! Chris Cummings

Cyclocross training for seniors. The next training session is planned for Friday 17 November at 6.30pm. It will be held at Peterborough Athletics Track. Let This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. know if you would definitely like to attend, or if you can't make this date but would be interested another week. The sessions are open to riders of all abilities and non-members are equally welcome. The cost will be £4 for club members and £5 for non-members to help with our venue costs. 

Catching their breath after the climb: Chris Cummings and Phil Merritt

This year’s hill climb was a joint effort with Rockingham Forest Wheelers, Welland Valley and Kettering at Nevill Holt. Two Clarion riders, Chris Cummings and Phil Merritt, took part with Chris taking the title of 2025 club champion with a time of 3:57. The early September weekend proved to be a busy weekend for cycling events. We will look at dates and venues for next year’s climb.

An excellent finish to the Hereward League Series for another year.

The club medal winners for 2025.

Do you have any "Cycling Curious" friends or family? Invite them along to one of these events:

  Cap de Formentor Lighthouse 

May 2025 saw a Fenland Clarion club trip to the sunny island of Mallorca. 10 club members along with 2 partners and 2 guest riders (Andrew and Gary) headed for the cycling Mecca of Port de Pollensa in the north-east corner of the island.

On the second day of the trip, everybody took part in the famous Cap de Formentor lighthouse ride. Later in the week there were longer rides to Sa Calobra and to the heights of San Salvador in the south of the island. We followed a pattern of long days and short days throughout the week, with some of the party riding to the beautiful resort of Cala Sant Vincenc for sunbathing and swimming in the sea.

A big thank you to Steve and Lindsay Clarke for organising the trip, and to Steve Hope who helped with booking flights, and to Joe Clarke, Andy Pitchford and Lorna Hope for planning and leading the rides.

The Cabot Pollensa Park Spa hotel was a great base for our holiday. The hotel has a dedicated bike garage in its basement. A good 80% of the guests at that time of year are cyclists and people related to cyclists: the atmosphere is definitely pro-cycling! If you like the look of this trip, keep an eye out as there are plans to do a similar one next year.

More pictures: 

  Pictures: Peterborough Telegraph

Paul Asplin and Carl Garfield in action at the Friday Night MTB Series at Marston Lodge on 9 May. Paul won the "Super Grand Veterans" category. Carl finished 23rd in the "Grand Veterans". 

Chris Cummings: first rider home at the Easter Meet TT

The National Clarion Easter Meet took place on 18th and 19th April and was a great opportunity for members to meet up with, and ride with, cyclists from other Clarion clubs. Oakham was our base for the Meet and nearby Rutland Water provided the scenic (and sunny) backdrop for various cycling events.

Saturday saw a club ride around the paths and cycleways of Rutland Water, along with challenge rides of 50km, 100km and 100 miles for the more determined. Kudos to Chris Shaw for riding out from Peterborough, doing the 100 mile ride and riding back again for a total of 141 miles!

The annual dinner was held on Saturday evening at the Wisteria hotel in Oakham. Prizes were awarded for the club sending the most riders to the Meet, and to the club who had cycled the furthest to get there. Entertainment was provided by cycling poet Johnny Hughes. 

Sunday morning saw a 14 mile TT held on a road circuit around Rutland Water. The end of the race was timed so that the racers could meet up at the Pick's Barn cafe in Lyndon with riders from the Sunday morning club rides. 

1. Theo Wan
2. Carl Garfield
3. Steven Walters
4. Chris Shaw
5. Geoff Ranson
6. Danny Spooner
7. Steve Hope
8. Andrew Pitchford
9. Jenni Wood DNF - Puncture

Many thanks to you all for supporting the event. It certainly looked like fun, in a hard work sort of way. Since we introduced this format only a few years ago, I think this is the best turnout we've had. There is potential for future races, or training sessions, however it would require continued support to be sustainable. Although I like the idea. (Malc)