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 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)

Commissaires are trained volunteers who donate their time to ensure that cycling competition is fair and safe. Commissaires are present in all levels of racing and operate in all racing disciplines. British Cycling are promoting their Commissaire training courses at the moment. Take a look: Commissaire training

Geoff Wiles with Harry Tozer

This year's annual club dinner and awards presentation was held on Saturday 2 November at The Farmers in Yaxley .  

Our guest speaker for the evening was Geoff Wiles, a former professional racing cyclist who had many tales to tell about his days of international competition. 

Geoff described taking part in “Peace” races in Poland and tours in other European countries when he was still a teenager. Turning professional meant stepping up to a stiffer level of competition; he found himself racing against none other than the legendary Eddy Mercx. Getting past Mercx was always difficult. Geoff described managing to do it once on a very tricky descent. Geoff was “helped” in this by not being able to brake - a shortage of parts had left him with the wrong brake pads fitted to his bike! Geoff was a proud member of the famous Holdsworth cycle team (he still has his kit bag to prove it!). In 1976 we won the national road racing championship. He went onto organise cycling and other races and helped form BMX in Britain. He also ran a cycle shop in Strood, Kent. In recent years, he has competed for Great Britain in world masters cycling events, and coached a regional cycle racing team (Abellio SFA Racing Team).

Geoff was a great speaker for the evening and we are very grateful to him for coming to see us.

Geoff with Lindsay Clarke...         and Chris Shaw

Club member Chris Shaw did a tremendous ride over the weekend of 27-28 July 2024, riding through a cold night and a hot second day. He was well up over the first 12 hours, and continued that way through to the Finishing Circuit, by which time he was struggling a bit, but frankly, what do you expect? He did swap to his road bike for the last few hours, but was still clocking a decent average speed. Having had a good talking to from his support crew of Stu and Andy, topped up with some magic rice pudding and having cold water poured all over him several times, he even had the temerity to go straight past the final time keeper and head off into the distance so he could clock 400 miles (with us chasing him!!) Fortunately he saw sense and turned around.  

The VTTA (Veteran Time Trials Association) championship was incorporated into the same event. The VTTA award was a bit confused to start with but has now been sorted out. It would be good to get a picture of Chris being presented with his medal at some point.

Massive thanks go to Chris’ support crew who were also up all night and completely exhausted by the end.

Chris clocked up 396.98 Miles, coming 18th overall in the RTTC Championship and taking 2nd place on the national VTTA standard! Massive congratulations!

Phil Jones – report and pictures

On 7 July 2024, seven Clarion riders set out for a tour of the Italian and French Alps. Our one week trip proved to be eventful. Our flight out was diverted to Milan by a thunderstorm over Turin. Other storms during the week arrived either just after we had put our tents up or, sadly, just before. Our first day of riding saw us heading to the town of Susa, getting route advice on the way from the former Mayor of the town. On the next day our route into France had to change to avoid roads blocked by landslides. In the days that followed we climbed the Col de Croix de Fer and the Col du Glandon, the Cols de Telegraph and Galibier (in the opposite direction to the Tour de France who had been through the week before), then another long climb back into Italy on the Colle dell Agnello. After that, we had an easier day riding back to Turin (the first 40km were all downhill!). On our last day we had time for a visit to the International Motoring Museum before heading to the airport. 

 Mont Cenis

The Clarion team (pic: Sharon Asplin)

The final night of this year’s Hereward League 2024 took place on Wednesday 26^th June.  The last event of the four race series was hosted by Bourne Wheelers on the Greatford course with the Five Horseshoes, Barholm, serving as the race HQ. The prize-giving ceremony was held there afterwards.

Thanks to all the officials and helpers who made it happen

Clarion winners:

Archie May 3rd juniors

Chris Cummings 1st Seniors

Gareth May 3rd Vet 40

Simon Pitchford 1st Vet 50

Karl Grundy 2nd Vet 50

Ian Aunger 1st Vet 60

Chris Shaw 2nd Vet 60

Barbara Gunn 3rd Ladies

Fenland Clarion Cycling Club 1st team overall

A Clothing Order Window has been opened with our Club clothing suppliers Ellmore. If you need anything, get ordering! The Window will close on Sunday 30^th June.
Here’s the link Fenland Clarion Cycling Club (ellmoreclothing.com)

Times from the Open 25 mile TT on N1/25C course (Alconbury to Stilton) held on Sunday 19 May.

Winner Jack Patmore (George Fox Cycling) 54.50 while Lindsay Clarke (Fenland Clarion) was fastest Woman in 1.05.50.

Spalding Cycling Club were the fastest team with Frazer Wallis (56.08), James Bramma (1.00.45) and Matt Chappell (58.05) combining to take the honours.

Spare a thought for Phil Merritt who punctured and fell, injuring his hip and has gone to A&E to be checked out.

Thanks so much to all the helpers: Jennifer Addison-Wan, Dan Tozer, Lizzie Tozer, Stuart Squires, Daniel Richardson, Noel Toone, David Grundy and Ann, Rich Crook, Real Steel Velo-Stanbridge, Sarah Bentley plus Joe and Hollie

Thanks also to George Fox and Andrew Pitchford for stopping with Phil and getting him into Jenny’s van.