The clubs weekly ten series starts next week and we are all very excited to pin on a number and get racing. 

I have had a number of questions about the dates of the races and the variety of events we are putting on this summer. You can get a copy of the clubs race calendar here. Please be minded though that there are still some provisional dates and its worth keeping an eye on the website should roadworks or other issues mean something changes. 

Fenland Clarion events are as serious or as social as you want to make them and are always great fun to participate in and marshall. 

However, the start of the season is an appropriate time to remind everyone to be safe and respect the rules of the road, even when you are racing. 

With that in mind, the club has published this great set of instructions, which you can view here.

We are using both of the courses that we rode last season, but in convenient monthly blocks so you know whether to meet on the heath or at the base of Ufford Hill. 

If you have any questions, please get in touch. 

The final thing to mention is that there will be a marshalling rota issued presently. Whilst no-one enjoys giving up a ride to marshall, we are all expected to take our turns and ensure that all events run safely and smoothly. 

Please find below details of this weekend's club runs, Sunday 7th April.

Sunday 7th April

All Rides start from Helpston.

9:00 am:  Little Bytham – Rasel’s Tea House(46 miles) – Volunteer required to lead

A fairly hilly route via Uffington, Newstead, Gt Casterton, Holywell, Clipsham & Castle Bytham, back via Essendine, Barnack, Southorpe.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/551356416

9:30 am:  Oundle – One of the Cafes (34 miles) – Volunteer required to lead

Out via Wansford and Fotheringhay returning via KingsCliffe.

http://www.mapmyride.com/gb/m arket-deeping-eng/helpston-to-oundle-with-beanz-cafe-stop-route-257745423

10 am:  Little Bytham – Rasel’s Tea House(31 miles) – Birgit Scott leading

Out via Greatford, Carlby, Holywell, Clipsham to Little Bytham returning Witham on the Hill, Manthorpe, Wilsthorpe and West Deeping.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/945170863

We hope you can join us on one of the above rides.

Just to confirm the dates of the racenights we will be hosting at the Embankment.

The four event series has already started with the two rounds on 8th February & 8th March and the remaining two rounds will be on 12th April and 10th May.

We will also be hosting a two event series on 12th July & 9th August.

Hopefully many of you will be able to attend with young riders and/or help during the evenings.

Please help by sharing these dates with others who maybe interested.

You may remember not too long ago I asked for volunteers to co-host a round of this series during the forthcoming summer. Well now the series dates are confirmed as follows..

Saturday 13th April - Entries open now until 5th April https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/198840/Lincolnshire-Circuit-Racing-League-1

Saturday 18th May

Saturday 8th June This is the round we will be co-hosting and we will need plenty of volunteers, please note the date and i'll ask for volunteers to confirm nearer the time.

Saturday 15th June

Saturday 6th July

Saturday 30th March

Starting from Tesco Werrington, The Werrington Centre, PE4 6NA. (map) Social ride of 20 miles

9:30 am:  Crowland The Old Paper Shop, (20 miles) – Chris Faull leading

Out via Werrington bridge road, Middle road, Crowland road, back via Welland Bank, Deeping St James & Peakirk.

If you have any questions please contact Chris cjfaull@gmail.com (07432 657 331). These rides are suitable for all abilities and are best on either a road bike or a hybrid with road tyres, and all are welcome.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/23722857

Sunday 31st March

Starting from Helpston

9:00 am:   Yaxley Sunny Cafe (50 miles) – Malc Jacklin leading

Out via Newborough, Eye Green & Farcet, back via Holme, Glatton, Folksworth, Elton & Wansford

https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/2312711308

Starting from Helpston

9:30 am:  Stamford Kafae on the Square (41 miles) – Volunteer required to lead

A looping ride to this café on St George’s Street in Stamford. Out via Thurlby and Carlby. https://www.mapmyride.com/gb/market-deeping-eng/41m-stamford-via-thurlby-carlby-route-332608901

Starting from Helpston

10 am:   Spalding, Sunshine Cafe (37 miles) – Birgit Scott leading

Out via Marketing Deeping and back via Tongue End

and Baston.

http://www.mapmyride.com/gb/spalding-eng/37m-spalding-from-helpston-route-27428452

We hope you can join us on one of the above rides.

There were only three seconds between Steve Maile and Simon Pitchford at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the Place2Place yesterday. 

The morning started with oodles of sunshine at the top of Folksworth hill. Despite the brightness there was still a seasonal chill in the air and stiff wind which would hamper the riders all the way down into the Nene Valley at Oundle. 

The return might have been all up hill past the Olive Grove and out of Polebrook but there was definitely more pace about all competitors as they went through the finish line for the first time and out on to the local lap to Morborne. The trek across Folksworth and out to the transmitter were the biggest headwind of the race and it was there that a number of competitors lost time over their rivals. 

Once back up to Washingley crossroads it was all out for the last 3km before topping the climb for a second and final time. 

Despite the windy conditions there were a good number of riders under the hour for the 34km (or 21 miles), which is fantastic when you consider there is nearly 300 metres of elevation on the route. 

On behalf of all the riders, I would like to thank the marshalls who gave up their Sunday morning to ensure there was a race. 

Sunday 24th March

Starting from Helpston

9:00 am: Stockerston Sweet Hedges Farm (58 miles) – Volunteer required to lead

Out via Greatford, Casterton, Exton, Burley, Oakham, Ridligton & Uppingham, back via Wing & Luffenham

https://www.mapmyride.com/gb/uppingham-eng/stockerston-via-oakham-uppingham-58m-route-27206754

Starting from Helpston

9:30 am: Nassington Elsie’s Vintage Tea Shop (46 miles) – Volunteer required to lead

Out via Ufford, Barnack, Stamford, Collyweston, Kings Cliffe, Fotheringhay, back Wansford, Elton, Ferry Meadows

https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/2310515707

Starting from Helpston

10 am: Oundle One of the coffee shops (41 miles) – Birgit Scott leading

Out to Oundle via Ferry Meadows, Warmington, Polebrook then returning via Apethorpe and Kingcliffe

https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1761190559

We hope you can join us on one of the above rides.