Calder Clarion News

Vineyards, Wallets and Dogs. Tuesday & Thursday Ride Adventures

2012-03-03T12:59:00.001Z

John Wrigglesworth topping Royd Moor Hill
on return from langset

Spring like weather and growing interest has swelled the numbers on the Midweek morning rides in late February with 14 cyclists out on Tuesday 21st February on the run from Havercroft crossroads to Askern via the lanes through Brierley, Clayton and Hooton Pagnell. Four Wakefield CC riders, Geoff Crosby, Peter Mell, a new lady rider and former professional roadman Bernard Burns were at the Lakeside Askern Cafe and the two groups came back to Wakefield together. They even stayed together and waited for James Colley who punctured on Spittlerush Lane between Norton and Little Smeaton.

James Colley punctures near Little Smeaton

Thursday's rides always head west from Wakefield, seeking out a few hills and on 23rd February the group left the Barnsley Road end of Agbrigg Road to locate a cafe, new to them, in the hills above Holmebridge which is used by the fellow Clarionistas of Saddleworth on some of their forays into Yorkshire.

'In the Lanes', Heading for Clayton

After Wooley Edge, West Bretton, Denby Dale and Upper Cumberworth, we climbed steadily over Crowe Edge and Tinker Hill and up along the edge of Harden Clough with Snailsden Fell in front of us, the Pennines at 1400 feet were typically dark and brooding, to the North, our right, were Hades and Hade Edge. We were pushing into a chill February wind under threatening dark cloud, a most surreal experience, our destination a vineyard!!!

Ken Pickles chases near Hooton Pagnell

The cafe was a delight. Perched above the vineyards on the land of an old sheep farm there were panoramic views north across to Black Hill and Holme Moss. The cafe was full of walkers and tourists, some of whom were there to have a guided tour of the vineyards. Food was good, if a little more expensive than our normal "fuel stops", but it's followed by a technical plunge down to Holmebridge and the way back towards Holmfirth.

Held up at Level Crossing near Thorpe in Balne

On the 28th, the Tuesday ride to the Fulham Farm Cafe at Whitley used some back roads to Wintersett, Scharlston Common, Pontefract, Baghill, Darrington and Wentbridge before Ken Pickles punctured near Kirk Smeaton. He repaired it in a Farm Lane entrance festooned with warnings not to Park or turn around in the entrance. At the cafe, Ken and the rest of the group suffered a puncture to their wallets. The cost of a breakfast bap and pot of tea had gone up by 25% to £6:10 which makes it the most expensive cafe we use, or is that used.

2nd crossing delay between Moss and Askern

Wallets were on the adjenda on the first ride in March, Thursday's pedal to Langsett. The plan had been to head out towards Marsden and John Clayton's favourite place, Upperthong, but Steve Burton had lost his wallet at Langsett Cafe on the previous Sunday run and after a phone call established that the Cafe owners had found it.

Ken Pickles misuses Farm sign near Kirk Smeaton as Tony
Anderson and Steve Burton offer advice but no help

So the run was to Langsett to retrieve the wallet. The route took in Woolley, Cawthorne, Silkstone, Silkstone Common and Oxspring before climbing over Snowden Hill to drop 400 feet in just over half a mile down Mortimer Hill to Midhopestones. Here,after crossing the busy A616 Sheffield Road we climbed through the village then right onto a lane which includes a wicked little climb away from a reservoir before Upper Midhope. This stretch of road is featured on the video on Calder Clarion Club Run web page with John Wrigglesworth taking the starring role. Along here a Jack Russell terrier charged out of a farmyard and tried to get it's teeth into Tom McGhie and Steve Burton, before giving up and waiting for Richard Hancock and John Wrigglesworth who were 30 yards off the pace. They also narrowly missed an ankle mauling. At the top in Upper Midhope it was right and downhill to Langsett cafe for a reunion between Steve Burton and his wallet.

Holmfirth Vineyard Cafe Holmebridge

While we were tucking into bacon and tomato sandwiches and mugs of tea, Ron Roberts and his wife (Wakefield CC) arrived on their tandem. They'd also had an incident with a dog on the way. This one had taken a dislike to the tandem front wheel and charged into it. The bike didn't budge, but a spoke was broken. Not sure about the dog's teeth.

Calder Clarion Ride Details

Saturday Health Rides Buzzing

2012-02-25T20:32:00.058Z

Some Riders stopping briefly at Waterton Discover Centre part way round the Health Ride.
Photo David Keighley (Wakefield Cycling Forum)

Keeping the Saturday morning rides going fortnightly through the Winter months has kept interest simmering until the 25th February Health Ride when warmer, dry weather attracted new cyclists who joined more experienced members of Calder Clarion CC and Wakefield Cycling forum for the ride from The Kings Arms, Heath Common.

The group meandered through Walton Colliery Country Park to the Crofton Cycle Road which bypasses busy Church Hill and Crofton High School. The ride then followed trails through the pleasant landscaped area previously covered by the former Nostel Colliery then around the Lakes in the beautiful grounds of Nostel Priory and back to the magnificent lake and Discovery Centre at Wintersett. Here two riders took advantage of Wakefield Cycling Forum's Bike Doctor Day where some running repairs and adjustments were quickly made to two bikes. Then a quick photograph and the return leg to Heath through Haw Park Woods and the Barnsley Canal.

Wakefield Cycling Forum Summer Events Leaflet
Saturday Health Rides
Earlier Ride Through Nostell Priory Grounds

Annual Dinner and Prize Presentation Capri Horbury Bridge 2012

2012-02-22T18:57:00.262Z

Matthew & Tom Butler

Amanda & Kevin Watson

Matt Dodsworth

The annual dinner and prize presentation was held on the 18th February at the Capri, Horbury Bridge. The event was organized by Jean Burton.

A food took the form of a hot Italian Style buffet followed by the awards. The alternative awards took a little longer than usual as there were 9 recipients.

Award winners were:
10 Miles TT Championship.

Ron and Cheryl (Women's BAR) Trueman

1. Matt Dodsworth 25.50
2. Michael Vennard 25.53
3. Rob Hudson 25.57

1 Handicap Rob Hudson 25.57

2 Handicap Matt Brooks 31.46

3 Handicap Scott Kelly 29.00

1 Vets Kevin Watson +1.46

2 Vets Michael Vennard +1.01

3 Vets Tom Butler +0.06

25 Mile TT Championship

1. Kevin Watson 1.00.50

2. Paul Lee 1.03.33

3. Andrew Spittlehouse 1.03.46

Women's Best All Rounder
1 Cheryl Trueman 20.50 mph

WMSC Trophy
1. Matt Dodsworth 25.07

Hill Climb Championship
1. Matt Dodsworth 2.57.5
2. Martin Proce 3.02.4
3. Matt Churm 3.07.2

Sturgess Trophy
1. Matt Dodsworth 84 points
2.Michael Vennard 82 points
3. Paul Lee 66 points

Cyclo Cross Trophy Paul Milsom

Elaine & Scott Kelly and Brian Stott

Most Improved Matt Dodsworth

Club Runs Tom MCGhie

Club Member of the Year Leslie Gilliland

Albert Denbigh Trophy Richard Hancock

A new trophy was presented to the club recently by Geoff Whitley to go to the fastest ride in the New Years day 5.

Jim Blankley and Carl Lindop

Geoff Whitley New Years Day 5 mile trophy Jonny Croston 15.15

Calder Standard Awards Medals
Kevin Watson. 101 points & Gold Medal Michael Vennard 86 pts & Silver Medal
Jonny Croston 85 pts & Silver Medal
Andrew Spittlehouse 84 pts & Silver
Martin Price 82 pts & Silver Medal
Matt Dodsworth 78 pts & Bronze
Tom Butler 64 pts & Bronze Medal
Paul Lee 63 pts & Bronze Medal
Carl Lindop 40 pts & Bronze Medal

Brian & Sue Stott, Jean Hall, Tim Moss, Steve Burton

The Hillarious Alternative awards were presented by Steve Burton and these included:

a Compass and Map to Tom McGhie for leading the Club Run astray on the ride to Hebden Bridge.

A pair of plus twos and flat cap went to Michael Vennard, suitable 1930s attire for his fixie rides.

Steve & Eileen Swift and Norma Clayton

A Frankenstein Award for most gruesome crash to Kevin Watson. A day or two after he'd been knocked off by a lady driver at Nostell, he frightened Jean Burton when he knocked on her door with a face covered in cream and rashes.

A pair of Solid Tyres for Matt Dodsworth whose had countless punctures this year

Matt Churm (with Claire obscured), Jonny Croston & Rebecca .

Michael Vennard (reaching for trophy). Martin Price looks on

Peter Milsom with son Paul's Cyclo Cross Trophy
and Leslie Gilliland

Pills to aid memory loss after Martin Price left his expensive rear wheel at the finish of the Calder Hill Climb.

'One Shot Energy'for Carl Lindop because he admitted to being towed back to the bunch by an 80 year old cycle tourist who'd just been passed by the club run as Carl was being dropped climbing away from Towton Battlefield

A pair of knee supports for Jimmy Blankley who has regularly been heard complaining about his knees quite, but only when he's had to get up in the pub when it was his turn to buy a round.

The prestigious Golden Spanner Award went to Richard Hancock who lost his left crank on Tuesday Ride because he forgot to apply the lock nut.

Photographs by George Masson

An Interesting Find

2012-02-22T11:03:00.000Z

While rummaging on a stall at a small jumble recently, Paul Gittins came across two old cycling handbooks with yellowing pages. They were copies of the 1958 and 1959 RTTC Handbooks.

When Paul looked more closely,he realised they had belonged to non other than Barry Hoban, who had written his name in both along with some notes of times achieved.

Paul remarked "their was a pile of handbooks of varying vintages but the guy selling them didn't seem to know much about them - but I realised straight away what they were! Perhaps these too may be of interest, especially to older members."

Both front covers carry advertisements for Litesome Supporter, more commonly known as the jockstrap. It's interesting to note that the 1959 Litesome is endorsed by early Tour de France star Brian Robinson from Huddersfied.

L'enfer du Saddleworth 2012

2012-02-22T10:33:00.001Z

photo courtesy Saddleworth Clarion

Saddleworth Clarion have extended an invitation to all Calder Clarion riders to join them on their 3rd Annual L'enfer du Saddleworth hilly ride over pave and grave around Saddleworth.The ride is an homage to the Paris Roubaix and includes numbered sections of pave and grave. The ride takes place on 8th April 2012. Ride Information Photographs from 2011

The event is on the same weekend as the National Clarion Easter meet in Buxton, but for those not going to Buxton, this looks like an excellent challenge and a chance to meet upwith fellow Calrionistas.

After ride refreshments are limited and only available to Saddleworth Clarion members.

Batley Bash 2012

2012-02-15T17:20:00.000Z

Jonny Croston has time to photograph the Batley Bash peleton

After a long succession of very cold days, there were slightly warmer conditions for the 2012 version of the annual epic Batley Bash.

The early "Reliability Trial from Tingley to Boothferry Bridge and back attracted the usual big field drawn from predominantly West Yorkshire Clubs, including four from Calder Clarion.

Michael Vennard (centre) in the bunch

Steve Butler, Jonny Croston, Martin Price and Michael Vennard enjoyed their experience and stayed with the bunch until Martin Price ran through a pothole and punctured on the way back. His three team mates opted to wait for him and continue to the finish together.

Link to Craig Newton's video

Nominations for Golden Spanner Award

2012-01-03T19:28:00.001Z

Martin Price has 7 helpers to fix a puncture. L to R Matt Wales,
Tom Butler, martin, Jonny Croston, Matt Dodsworth,Tim Moss,
Tom McGhie, Kevin Watson. Phote Michael Vennard

Already nominations for the Golden Spanner Award are pouring in. Anticipation is mounting as the night of the presentation at The Annual Dinner and Prize bash at the Capri, Horbury Bridge, draws near.

Last year Matt Dodsworth was a worthy winner, having come down in spectacular fashion in 'The Big Off' at Ackworth, demolishing his rear wheel. His rim was described as being worn so thin that it was almost transparent in places.Matt was still protesting his innocence as he was presented with the golden spanner award at last year's Annual Dinner in the Holiday Inn.

It's amazing what lengths some of our members will go to in order to capture this most coveted of club trophies. Some, in football parlance, ought to be shown a yellow card for faking a dive or injury. There's a long list of miscreants to report, starting as far back as February and March when Tom Butler 'fell off' on the Sheffield Tram lines; I mean really! Would the judges fall for that one? Next was Tom McGhie who allegedly broke his chain at Thunder Bridge and limped to his mate - partner in crime more like - Alan Whitworth's bike shop 'Try Cycling' for a new chain. Tom, worried no doubt that the judges would see through his plot, broke a spoke in June,just for insurance you understand, forcing him to 'crawl back' from Sheffield, on his own.

Steve Burton grapples with a plastic bag in his rear mech
Photo Tom McGhie

Steve Burton made his bid for the spanner award when he ran over a plastic bag. Was it deliberate? He managed to get the bag impossibly entangled in his rear mech. Some of his companions, including Tom McGhie who could hardly be regarded as an impartial witness bearing in mind his own plot to win the trophy, said he was certain that Steve rode over the bag twice and was seen pulling it into his mech, not out of it.

As if all this wasn't enough Simon Richardson waited to strike until the dust had settled on previous outrageous attempts to fool the judges. His ambush on the trophy, so to speak, came in the Autumn with a dramatic act which any highway robber would have been proud of. He veered violently into a kerb but just failed (fortunately) to create mayhem in the innocent ranks of the Heroes A run. Apparently, we understand, since his failed bid for spanner glory failed he's lost his grip, well in his fingers anyway. Get well soon Simon.

Richard Hancock made a blatant, if obvious, attempt for the mythical spanner by leaving his crank locking cap off his winter bike. Following his plan to the letter, he'd carefully manoeuvred to the back of the Tuesday Ride bunch as it began the climb up to Brierley and right on cue his right hand crank fell off.

Everyone must have noticed that Martin Price is a man with a burning ambition. No, it isn't to catch Matt Dodsworth, Michael Vennard and Nick Griffiths as his minute men in successive time trials. No, it isn't to get back to the Ossett Tap after an epic Sunday Run and be quaffing his first pint of Silver King while the rest of the group, broken men, still grovel up to Tingley roundabout. No. It's because Martin feels cheated by the Calder judges who chose Matt Dodsworth last year. His ambition is to take the 2012 Golden Spanner despite the bias shown against him. He'll show them. How could they have overlooked the fact that it was him, not Matt Dodsworth, who came off and brought everyone else down in the 'Big Off'. The judges failed to recognise the heroic effort that Martin made in sliding away on that insignificant slight bend, he called it a corner, just when the entire bunch was right there on his back wheel.

But Martin hasn't been able to reproduce anything like the 'Big Off' this time. He did the C2C in poor, windy conditions without mishap, he didn't put a foot wrong in the 10s, he rode the monstrous Edale/Castleton/Winnats Pass lap, 10 times, yes 10 times, with hazards all round the circuit, not least down the technical, sheep poo strewn descent from Mam Nick. Not a single incident. The cyclist regarded as the 'crashiest clarionista' by Michael Vennard has been unable to fall off.

So what has Martin done? He's started claiming high speed crashes at 30mph, but, get this, it always happens when he's on his own!!! Another Clarionista with the same tactic is Matt Wales who insists he went over the handlebars at 1 mph. No witnesses.

Coming up almost unnoticed on the outside are the two Matts, Brooks and Churm. A big spanner clinching drama is not for Matt Churm. His method is that of the boxer who has no knock out punch. He has steadily accumulated points with small, skilful punches which may have gone unnoticed by most, but not by the aficionados who matter, the judges. Matt's most dramatic effort was breaking his mudguard (yawn), squashing a wasp beneath is post ride pint at the Kings Arms and erm... a few punctures. On the other hand Matt Brooks has more tast for drama. His best was a gravity defying piece of ballet sculpture with his bike and body as artists materials. He slipped on his cleats on the road outside the York fuel stop. The result was vaguely redolent of exhibits in the Hepworth and Yorkshire Sculpture Park. His audience waiting patiently at the other side of the road were the bemused Calder B runners and two passing local chavs whose opinion of Matt's pose might be described as, to the point, but certainly unorthodox by Yorkshire art critic standards. Such was the effort, "the beans", expended by Matt in maintaining his pose that, on inspection later, he found severe bruising on his inner thighs!

....and what of reigning champion Matt Dodsworth? His only hope so far is his unorthodox method of repairing punctures, but watch out for him coming with a late run.

Combined Standard Awards 2011

2012-01-02T13:55:00.001Z

Kevin Watson (right) climbing Hartside
with Jonny Croston on the 2011 C2C

The Combined Standard Club Awards were introduced in 2011. These are time or speed targets for achieving gold, silver and bronze club standards for your age and sex.

There are 10 specified competition types including time trials, sportives, hill climbs, audax, mountain bike events and some of the long club runs.

In it's inaugural year, 33 Calder Clarionistas completed at least one event types.

To receive a medal, it is necessary to achieve gold silver or bronze standards in 3 of the 10 competition types.

9 cyclists, managed to achieve this level and collect a medal. The only Gold went to Kevin Watson, but several of the silver medalists came very close to achieving gold.

Medallists

Kevin Watson Gold
Michael Vennard Silver
Jonny Croston Silver
Andrew Spittlehouse Silver
Martin Price Silver
Matt Dodworth Bronze
Tom Butler Bronze
Paul Lee Bronze
Carl Lindop Bronze.

There were two Gold standards achieved in single events: Rob Hydon's Paris Brest Paris ride and Digby Ruslings 24.07 ride in the Severn Road Club 10 in June. Neither Rob nor Digby posted times or speeds in 3 competition types so didn't gain medals.

In addition to gaining Gold, Silver and Bronze standards, points are awarded for up to the 3 best event performances. When these were collated, Kevin Watson comfortably had the most points so is the Calder Clarion Best Combined Standard Award rider of 2011.

Points Table

1 Kevin Watson 101.51
2 Michael Vennard 86.38
3 Jonny Croston 85.52
4 Andrew Spittlehouse 84.65
5 Martin Price 82.64
6 Matt Dodworth 78.63
7 Tom Butler 64.72
8 Paul Lee 63.63
9 Digby Rusling 52.35
10 Matt Churm 43.62
11 Carl Lindop 40.00
12 Steve Burton 33.55
13 Rob Hydon 30.00
14 Robert Turner 29.11
15 Tim Moss 29.05
16 Matt Brooks 21.03
17 Heinz Schulumberg 18.5
18 Nick Griffiths 16.23
19 Simon Richardson 16.12
20 George Masson 15.35
21 Sean Turner 13.83
22Jim Blankley 13.33
23 Robert Hudson 13.17
24 Peter Howard 12.53
25 Scott Kelly 11.67
26 Alan Chandler 10.00
26 James Colley 10.00
26 Michael Burton 10.00
26 Paul Milsom 10.00
26 Richard Hancock 10.00
26 Tom McGhie 10.00
32 Gary Kemp 8.30
33 Peter Milsom 7.13
.
Full details of 2011 Standard Awards

New Years Day 5 Mile TT 2012

2012-01-02T13:13:00.001Z

Martin Price, Jonny Croston and Tom McGhie in the Cricketers
New Years Day 2012 (Photo George Masson)

Steve Burton, Tom Butler and Michael Vennard in the Cricketers
New Years Day 2012 (Photo George Masson)

New Year's Day wasn't a good day for Father and Mother Christmas when the rumour of their arrival at the start of the Calder 5 mile Time trial failed to materialise as the minutes ticked down for George Masson to start, as first man off, in the Calder Clarion 5 mile TT at 10 am. At the very last moment the festive pair (Elaine and Stuart Hinde) appeared with suitably rose cheeked glow and a fresh inner tube in pace. Unfortunately they were unable to spread good cheer around the course as a fresh puncture prevented their start and as they attended to the upturned stricken tandem, a passing gypsy stopped and offered to take it off their hands.

Meanwhile the race was underway with the field having to contend with a strong westerly that made the return leg hard going. First back was Helen Mann in her first ever cycle event, having made the transition from running. Her 20.56 turned out to be the fastest woman's time of the day.

Breakfast at Gillilands

Another first time rider, Tony Anderson held the lead briefly until Kevin Watson , Paul Heggie (Birdwell
Wheelers) and Alan Jones(Yorkshire Road Club) all took the lead in turn as they finished with Alan the first inside 18 minutes for the hilly course. When Michael Vennad crossed the line, he set a potentially event winning target of 16.39, but last years winner Martin Price, fresh from his epic fund raising 100 mile plus ride which included 10 ascents of Winnats Pass, took 27 seconds off Michael's time and looked to have won it again. That was until last man off, the unfancied Jonny Croston sprinted in with 15.51 to win the event with 16 seconds to spare.

Afterwards, competitiors, officials and helpers made their way to George and Leslie Gillilland's in Crigglestone for an excellent new year breakfast. For those with any remaining stamina, there was a lunchtime get together at the Cricketers on Cluntergate in Horbury.

Full Race Result

George Masson and Jimmy Blankley at the Cricketers

Boxing Day Run 2011

2011-12-26T13:36:00.000Z

The traditional boxing day run to Holmfirth was very well attended this year. The pae was sociable from Horbury Bridge through Ravensthorpe, Huddersfield, Honley to Sid's Cafe, Holmfirth where the staff were on their toes to cater for hungry clarionista demands for beans on toast, bacon butties and tea all round.

On the way back on the climb from New Mill to the CrossRoads Inn it got competitive with groups splintering and reforming all the way back over the "Bretton Burg" and down to Wakefield.

Excellent festive atmosphere in the Post Ride Cricketers Arms Horbury, recently awarded a well deserved Wakefield Pub of the Year by Camra.

Michael Vennard's Route

Christmas Fuddle and Ball

2011-11-25T16:18:00.004Z

Clarionistas, friends and family
including children, enjoyed a
fabulous Christmas Ball on
3rd December at Walton
Community Centre where they
joined other revellers in Ball gown,
black tie, fancy dressor casual.
Admission was free, and included
a splendid free buffet and disco.

Calder members and friends enjoyed an evening with buddet, raffle prizes and festive fun at the Annual fundraising Christmas Fuddle at the Club Room
in Ossett Town FC Social
Club raising over £100.

News from National Clarion HQ

2011-11-14T16:32:00.005Z

National Secretary Ian Clarke sends the following message from Clarion HQ
Boots!
As the season closes for most of us, hardy cyclo-crossers keep going, there's still one more Clarion race championship and that is next weekend:

National Clarion CX Champs
Clarion Cyclo-cross championships will be decided in the Nottingham Clarion event on the 19th of November.

Details can be found here
http://nottinghamclarioncc.sports.officelive.com/ClarionNDCXLRace.aspx
and here
http://ndcxl.org.uk/event/

Racing starts at 12pm for U10s right through to seniors etc. at 2.15pm. This is the last Clarion Championships of the year. Please forward this email to any clubmates who ride cyclo-cross.

CLAIM YOUR CLARION AWARDS FOR 2011
It's time to spread the word to your section clubmates and claim your awards for the season. Titles such as Clubman, Clubwoman, most meritorious section, best novice, most meritorious junior are awards that many sections fail to claim and we are sure there are many worthy contenders out there.

On top of this you can claim for club records see here for current records
http://www.clarioncc.org/records.html and then send your claim to racing secretary:
Francis Grafton 29 Cyril Road, West Bridgford, NOTTINGHAM NG2 5JW.

Also don't forget the time trial champions claims (BAR) and the road points claim which is awarded on the number of BCF point recorded. We include a copy extract of the rules for awards so that you can check if you could have won something or want to claim something.

Easter Meet 2012 - Buxton
Details will soon be announced with details of events, rides, races and venue/hotel.
Expect a hot one organised by Stockport Clarion. For details please contact Duncan McLaren on dunchewitt@hotmail.com, but give him chance to send out details first.

Set in the beautiful spa town of Buxton we last went there in 1965. Plenty for all the family, easy rides along the Tissington and Manifold trails, or gruelling rides over the toughest climbs in the area.

National Treasurer needed
Following Peter Roscoe's standing down last year, a successor never came forward. This has left the role with Peter who has kindly keep things ticking over.

We desperately need a National Treasurer and appeal to you all to step forward and help out the Clarion in this critical role. Peter will give a complete handover to the new officer. Please email me directly if you are interested.

Spurs!

Ian

A dead deer On Safari Peak Audax

2011-11-14T16:31:00.010Z

Start of a Peak Audax in Cheadle.
Courtesy Peak Audax

Four Calder Clarionistas: Tom Butler, Jonny Croston, Matt Dodsworth and Michael vennard rode the Peak Audax 'Cheshire Safari' on Sunday 13th November, with a 100 mile flatish route and a great November day's riding.

Starting from the Cheadle HQ at 8.00am the route meanders across the Cheshire plain, taking in Tatton Park before heading out through Frodsham to the famous Eureka cycling cafe at Two Mills on the Wirral for a stop and efuelling. Mugs of tea have been served with beans on toast for over 80 years. It's just down the road from Chris Boardman's home town of Hoylake, and his Tour de France Yellow Jerseys is on display in the cafe. It's then south and east to take a more southerly route via Micke Trafford and Great Budworth (for a welcome pause at the Ice Cream Farm) before skirting south of Knutsford to head back into Cheadle.

First indications are that it was an eventful day when Michael V tweeted "Tactical error at turn saw "Heroes" off back of leading group. Navigation error also meant missed 10 miles off route & back too early."

Matt Dodworth felt it was a good day, but mentioned the group would be on ebay looking for replacement Garmins

Tom Butler happened to mention "On the run back to Cheadle I saw a dead deer a little too late and was forced to ride straight over it at speed. I just closed my eyes and hoped for the best"

Details of Ride from 2008 CTC Magazine

National Clarion BIG RIDE OUT - 21-23rd October - Ilam Hall

2011-11-13T10:12:00.005Z

Longnor Bound

Gathering for a ride at Illam Hall

The National Clarion Big Ride Out in October was a huge success. Ilam Hall youth hostel in the Peak District was an ideal base for cyclists with local attractions including Tissington Trail, Thors Cave, Dovedale's Stepping Stones and miles of great cycling in the area. Ilam Hall is only a mile away from the Clarion's first Conference venue in 1895, The famous Isaac Walton Hotel. The event, which was fully subscribed was ably organised by
Ian Clarke.

John Clayton and Tim Moss
rode out to Staffordshire,
from Wakefield on Friday
afternoon. A Fenland Clarion
group rode the 100 miles
from Peterborough and other
Clarionistas cycled from
Barnoldswick and Stockport.
Calder's Steve Burton and
Richard Hancock took the
easy option of driving. They
did get out for an afternoon
ride up the hill flanking
Thorpe Cloud, guarding the
entrance to Dove Dale and
on to Hartington, site of the
Calder Summer Weekend
Tour in 2006, via the Tissington Trail
and back over the Manifold-Dove
watershed.

On Saturday, three cycling groups left
the Hall, ours heading through
superb, sunny White Peak scenery to
Longnor where we sampled soup and
sandwiches at the excellent Cobbles
Tea shop. Refuelled we tackled the
hair pinned climb from Crowdecote up
to Waggon Lowe and eventually onto
the High Peak Trail,

which took them south eastwards for several miles, before we returned to roads and swinging west through more delightful undulating countryside. By mid afternoon we dropped into Ashbourne and there enjoyed a pint in the "Olde Vaults before the short stretch to Fenny Bentley and back to Ilam.

In the evening we joined the other Clarionistas for a couple of pints of the local beer "Wobbly Wallaby", which, according to the label, was brewed to celebrate a group of Wallabies which escaped from a zoo in the 1930s and settled on the Roaches, eventually becoming a pack/flock/pride ? of about 50. There have been sightings on the Roaches ever since, most recently in 2010.

On Sunday Tim and John rode home, helped by a tail wind while Steve and Richard took the deserted old coach road from Ilam which twisted around and over some very steep hillsides to Waterhouses. This road passes the abandoned remains of Throwley Hall, birthplace of Oliver Cromwell's wife (Henry VIII's henchman, not the Civil War victor). The road is said to have been haunted by a coach and four ever since one overturned killing all it's occupants in the 18th century. Parts of the route were a bit eerie with mist rolling down from the uplands, but the cyclists didn't see anything.

The Ham and Manifold trail starts in Waterhouses. It's a traffic free metalled road through these two spectacular narrow river valleys, flanked by limestone cliffs, past Thor's Cave to Hulme Edge where the old railway station has been converted into a tourist information centre. From here it was a short hop to Hartington for lunch in the Devonshire Arms which can be recommended. Then a run down to Tissington along the trail and finally a swoop down to Illam from Thorpe.

An excellent Weekend, lookout for it next year.

Video of Calder Clarion Ride

Do you known this Cyclist

2011-11-08T17:34:00.002Z

The following is a plea from James Vaughan who lives in Cambridge and is a keen cyclist.

This is a long shot but I am trying to find out about my great grandfather (pictured) and wondered if anyone could help? (tried Googling etc but no luck)

I think he was called John Holgate and our family is from the Yorkshire area – my Grandma was born in Featherstone. The photograph is from around 1900 I believe and the clock trophy is mine – I remembered a story from when I was a kid about him winning it in a competition and where we used to live in Leeds is a grass racing track at Roundhay Park.

I noticed the photograph mount shows it's from a shop in Altofts, Wakefield.

I’m a keen cyclist myself competing in mtb events and the odd time trial and came across this photo purely by luck – and recognised the clock! I really want to find out more as cycling appears to be in the blood!

The trail then stops…….

Hope someone can help?

James Vaughan.

Martin Price to Ride for Charlotte Booth Appeal

2011-10-28T15:33:00.034+01:00

Martin on his Epic Ride

Martin Price completed his Epic Cycle Ride on Sun 6^th Nov in aid of the Charlotte Booth Appeal

Sponsor Martin Here

The Ride Stats

Charlotte Booth is the daughter of a very good friend of Martins. She was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 17. Charlotte has completed all available treatment in the UK, but unfortunately this treatment hasn’t worked. Her only hope is pioneering treatment only available in the USA. For more information go to www.charlotteboothappeal.co.uk The fund raising is being organised via Kids 'n' Cancer UK charity (Registration No. 1138702)

The ride

Martin rode 10 laps of a 10.9 mile circuit through Edale, Hope, Castleton, Mam Nick and Barbour Booth on Sunday 6^th November. Each lap included one of England's steepest climbs, Winnats Pass. A single ascent of this climb on a bicycle is a grand enough achievement to warrant a video posting on YouTube, so hopefully you can appreciate Martin's level of madness he displayed by completing 10 climbs. Certainly worthy of sponsorship.

Martin was supported by a number of Calder Clarionistas who encouraged him around the circuit and also rode part of the route to keep him company. The support team included Tom Butler, Matt Churm, Jonny Croston and Matt Dodsworth and Michael Vennard; a splendid effort by all.

Martin's personal account of the day:

Tom Butler supporting the ride (photo Matt Chum)

Matt Dodsworth leading a group of Calder
Clarion's Support Team (photo Matt Chum)

Jonny Croston supporting the ride
(photo Matt Chum)

On the early part of the climb

With a 5:00 am wake-up and a breakfast of bagels with honey on, I set-off with the bike in the car to collect my work colleague, good friend and fellow participant in all my daft schemes for his support. Peter and I arrived in Hope at about 7:20 with the car thermometer showing 2-3 deg C. After the obligatory photos and selecting of appropriate clothing I set off at 7:45. The plan was to save energy whenever possible so it was gentle until the far side of Castleton. As I crossed the bottom cattle grid at the foot of Winnats Pass for the 1st time I began to contemplate the magnitude of the task in front of me. This contemplation was soon interrupted when the back wheel span on some sheep shit (mental note "avoid the green patches on the next lap"). The 1st climb was tough, but Peter was there to cheer me on. The small rise up to the top of Mam Tor was done and the careful, chilly descent to Edale began. Laps 2, 3 & 4 went without hitch with Peter supplying a full water bottle and food on every lap. Lap 4 felt the best of the day and by this time the far side of Mam Tor was beginning to warm up and I was getting familiar with the decent enabling a maximum lap speed of 40+ mph on every subsequent lap. As I finished lap 4 I was greeted with the expected arrival of the Calder Clarion A group that had come out to offer moral support and do a lap with me. So lap 5 was done with the Calder boys and finished with lunch in the Woodbine cafe in Hope. At this point I was joined by another work mate who came to do a couple of laps with me and then take some photos. I did 2 laps with Phil for company, but ascent No.7 was the first that felt tough. Lap 8 was done on my own again. I was beginning to fade, I knew that I had to minimise expended effort whenever possible. On the flat section back in to Hope to finish lap 8 I kept things to a minimum making ascent number 9 tough, but I was left with the feeling that ten was do-able if I kept things easy on the run back to Hope. I was also conscious of the fading light, so I asked Peter to get the lights ready. The final ascent was as expected, tough but I did it. I had made it to the top of Winnats for the last time but both the sun and the temperature had dropped. So with lights installed and my rain jacket on, I set off with just the relatively easy last climb to the top of Mam Tor and then it was all downhill. The fast part of the this drop was done with more brakes on due to the fading light, but the flatter portion was the fastest of the day because I didn't have to save anything since Winnats was done. Martin Price

'Ride Support' Peter Gillot's account of Martin's Ride:

7:30 Hope

Climbing

A cold autumn Sunday morning in the beautiful Peak District with frost sitting on the cars at the side of the road. Hardly anyone about. Those that you meet generally exude the air of someone on a mission. This strange breed populate the car parks of Derbyshire any Sunday morning you care to choose come rain or shine; be it walking, running, climbing or some two wheel caper. There is always some challenge or other to be met. For MP, today’s challenge is ten laps of the Hope - Winnats – Edale circuit. Over 12,000ft of ascent and 110 miles to cover. All in a good cause. It’s still early and we’ve pulled up in our chosen cold damp cap park in Hope just as the sun climbs into view. With very little ceremony the bike is taken from the rack, bottles mixed, GPS set, gloves on, a quick video and off. This is no time to be standing round. It’s freezing.

8:00 Top of Winnats. First climb completed.

Sky is clear and the sun is just starting to come over the lip of the pass. MP chugs into sight. That’s climb number one under his belt. Note - sheep poo is slippery. Not what you want with a skimpy 700c x 23 with 100PSI in it and a 34x27 tooth first gear.

8:55 Second climb done. MP arrives at high point, Rushup Edge. That’s two accents under his belt. Quick bottle change and half an energy bar. Lap time 45 min. Still looks fresh. Cold not a problem.

9:40 I’ve dropped back down the road to Windy Koll because I’ve have just realised there is no signal at back of Mam Tor. Good job MPs not had any problems. He rolls into sight still looking fine. Another 45 min lap. Three climbs done. Swap bottle and new gel bar. Calorie intake could be an issue. Doris (Garmin 705) says he’s on 1000 cal per circuit. He’s only replacing between three or four hundred of them.

10:25 Four climbs done – Arrives bang on time. Tweak gears. Refill. Reports that the last climb was probably easiest yet.

The Hope Winnats Edale circuit is just over 10 miles with about 1,200ft of accent. Setting off from Hope it’s a gentle start for a mile or so into Castleton with views of Peveril Castle as you approach and the huge block of Mam Tor at the head of the valley. It’s this block, this obstacle, just short of 1700ft high (hope is about 570ft) that you have to get round. Once through Castleton at about the two mile marker the climbing begins. Now when I do this run, there are no heroics. The moment you leave the main road it’s first gear. The long approach ramps up slowly to a cattle grid where you enter the pass proper. The cliffs rise up high on either side. Limestone crags perched above the steep grassy slopes. In the shadows of the limestone jointing lie fissures and old mining tunnels that date back to Roman times. Somehow the sheep find their way up and down the crags nonchalantly munching grass in impossible situations. Just as often though, they’ll wander aimlessly about on the road, depositing mounds of slippery wet muck everywhere. All of this is academic to the humble cyclist, as they grapple with the sustained gradient of around 1:4. The wonders of the Carboniferous geology that formed this pass are lost on them. For most mortals the only time we look up is to find out where on earth the top is. As you round the final bend all you see is the road arching upwards towards a notch in the skyline high above. It is hard to imagine any stretch of tarmac that could be steeper. This blend of Winnat's unique atmosphere and the degree of difficulty is what makes this climb such a rewarding challenge.

11:30. Five climbs done. MP arrives with Calder Clarion riders. Some company on the road is a good moral booster and helps break up a long day in the saddle. They will stop at café in Hope on next lap to refuel. Still chugging away. No signs of fatigue.

13:00 Six climbs done. MP still fresh as a daisy. Phil Reed has joined for a lap and will be back to take some shots in Winnats. It all helps break up the day and makes the task in hand more manageable. More drink and a gel and off once more towards lap 7.

After the Winnats climb it’s a short reprieve as the road drops down around Windy Knoll then the final climb up to Rushup edge behind Mam Tor. Anywhere else this section would be a climb in it’s self but after Winnats, it’s a pussycat. From the top it’s a mad twisty drop to Barber Booth and Edale. In about a mile, all the height gained is scrubbed off. This is an eye watering, break block destroying decent which unlike dropping down Winnats can be taken at nearly full tilt. Getting it wrong here is not an option. A series of bends and dips with just enough visibility ahead encourage you to cut straight across the corners. These are a wheeze but watch as you enter the trees lower down the valley. The last couple of bends are quite vicious.

14:00 Phil R has put in a second lap. Welcome encouragement much appreciated. MPs tally now stands at seven. Still going strong but says the last one was starting to tell. This is pretty good even by MP standards. I’ve been sat in the car reading most of the day and I’m tired just thinking about what is going on. Looking over to Mam Tor, I spot MP and PR cresting the top at Rushup Edge once more. I’ve got 45 mins or there about before they get back. While they put in another ten mile I think I’ll have a cup of tea and read my new book about long distance walking. Apparently after a day and a half of non-stop walking, people start to hallucinate in full HD. I can’t help wondering if MP will be entirely with it when he’s finished this epic.

14:45 Eight down. Two to go. Just about bang on again with the 45 minutes per circuit but the climbing is starting to tell on MP now. Swap bottles, another gel and he’s off again. Phil has stopped off in Winnats on the last lap so he can get some pictures this time around. The weather is still perfect but the sun is well on its way to setting. I get the feeling that this lap is really going to tell. Next time round it’ll be the last lap. We should just about be ok for daylight though it was always going to be close. Brian Hale drops by for a chat. He has with him a big box of toffee and some coffee. Top man. He walks up to Rushup Edge to take some pictures and have a quick chat with MP as he passes.

After the wild drop off from Rushup Edge, the road from Edale meanders along the valley bottom back to Hope. A pleasant country lane. On your left, the end of Kinder & Grindslow Knoll rise up high matched on the right by the ridge from Hollins Cross to Back Tor and Loose Hill. This is usually a pretty quite road mainly on account of the fact that apart from Edale it doesn’t go anywhere. All in all, it’s a nice little loop that, along with a visit to the café in Hope, would do most people for the day. To repeat the loop ten times though, now that’s really going some.

Winnats Pass

15:40 Nine down. MP actually looks to have bucked up a bit. More gels and a cup of coffee and he’s off for the last lap. It’s getting cold again and by the time he gets back here again he’ll need the lights for the last leg.

16:35 Top of Winnats. Little slower but not far off schedule. Last bit of climbing and then its plain sailing from here. It’s getting really cold again and dark. Fit lights, don over jacket and set off to finish back in Hope.

Finish back at Hope car park - Time not recorded but think about 17:00. MP’s done it but he looks worn out. Hardly surprising really. Job well done. Cup of tea, pack up and home.

Mission accomplished.

There’s a point on the Winnats climb where all the background noise that you don’t usually notice falls away. Just as the road bends to the right about 200m beyond the first cattle grid, on the lucky occasions when you find yourself alone, a stillness descends that is, to use a phrase, deafeningly silent. The only sounds come from the bike, the rear tyre tearing at the tarmac and your lungs shifting air as fast as they can.

It’s easy to understand how in times gone by people would have been tempted to invent stories of fairies or ghosts to account for the uncanny effect. In these more enlightened times we would invoke such magic as damping factors, sound baffles or maybe standing waves somehow created by the rock faces all around. Whatever the explanation, you could almost imagine that time had come to a stand still. And in that finite instant of time, there will be nothing else but you, the bike and the climb.

Reality check – Of course, those last few lines (at the very least) are complete rubbish. It ignores completely the fact that this whole challenge was conceived for a very important reason. In completing this challenge, Martin has managed to raise a substantial contribution towards helping a close friend’s daughter get the help she needs. Let’s hope that Martin’s efforts, the efforts of the others who also turned out and the generous donations from the sponsors will bear some fruit.

Rapha Super Cross and the "Emu of Toledo"

2011-10-19T17:04:00.005+01:00

Paul Milsom 'giving it the beans' at the Rapha Super Cross Meeting
Photo Michael Vennard.

Belgian Style Cyclo Cross came to Yorkshire in Round two of the Rapha Supercross Series held at New College, Huddersfield on Sunday 16th October.

There was plenty of atmosphere aided by Frites, Mayonaise, Belgian Beer, Brass Band, Tour de France stage winner Brian Robinson, a podium girl, and over 400 competitors from youngsters to the invitation only elite racers who put on a fabulous show.

Saddleworth Clarion enjoying the Rapha Supercross.
Photo courtesy Saddleworth Clarion.

Chris Moreman passing a rival on the Hill. Owen Mitten on duty as
an official on the Hill. Photo Courtesy of Saddleworth Clarion

Adding considerably to the atmosphere was a Basque flag weilding, Belgian beer bottle clutching bunch of rowdies from Saddleworth Clarion. Many had ridden over 'the hill' and four competed in the Vets and Senior races, Including the "Emu of Toledo" who is legendary in Calder Clarion circles. Indeed many had made the journey from Wakefield just to catch a glimpse of this luminary, aka Chris Moreman. Michael Vennard and Matt Dodsworth, for instance, rode the A Club Run to Otley, returned to Wakefield thencycled out to Huddersfield New College.

Most Calder spectators gathered on the circuits one 'hill' to see how the Emu would fly. I have it on good authority that he lived up to his name. Don't know what Federico Bahamontes would have made of it though.

More Photos taken by Saddleworth Clarion Here

The Chaplain and Mont Ventoux

2011-10-19T14:46:00.004+01:00

Calder Chaplain at the summit of Mont Ventoux

Tony Cooper enjoying his 70th birthday the hard way.

In the first week of October, the Calder Chaplain, Tim Moss, joined a party of friends for a sunny week of cycling in France where they celebrated the 70th birthday of one of their group, Tom Cooper, with a climb of the Giant of Provence, Mont Ventoux.

Birthday boy, Tom, settled for climbing Mont Ventoux once. He stopped for lunch at the famous Chalet Reynard at 1500 metres, having covered 15 kilometres of 8% gradients with a steepest stretch over 10%.

Rick Cooper tops the Ventoux

After Chalet Reynard , the start of the famous exposed 'moonscape' section begins where the tree cover ends. It's still seven kilometres of shadeless 8% gradient to the top of Ventoux.

Tom Simpson's memorial, marking the spot where he fell in 1967 is agonisingly close to the top of the climb. At the memorial there are many offerings left by those paying tribute to Tom. These are cleared away regularly by the local authority although it never deters its many visitors from leaving bottles, tyres, caps, jerseys and other souvenirs.

At the top of the "Hors Categorie" Ventoux climb with it's summit at 1912 metres Tom Cooper's climbing was done for the day, being quite enough for a very fit 70 year old.

Rodger Smith Jr at the summit

Rodger Smith Jr, Rick Cooper and Tim also climbed up from Bedoin after which they descended the 22 kilometre to Malaucene where they turned

round and climbed
back up the way they came.

The climb, as on the Bedoin side is 22 kilometres with the gradients similarly remorseless at an average of 8%, but to this group, it felt a much harder climb.

Rick Cooper pedalling in the Provencal sunshine

Apart from the cyclists having the first climb in their legs, they were no longer "buoyed up" on the second climb by the excitement of being on the iconic climb passing it's many points made famous by exploits of the Tour de France riders.

On this side there were also two very tough, longish stretches of around 10%, one of them close to the top.

I knew we should have taken that side road 2 miles back

No doubt all of them were relieved to reach the top for a second time and enjoy the drop down to the end of their ride
and continue to celebrate an eventful birthday for Tom.

Roman Bridge over the Vidoutie

Pont De Gard

Daunting Prospect of the Summit above the road

Tom Simpson Memorial

"Fixie" Revival

2011-10-11T19:03:00.006+01:00

Fixie Revival rides started on 5th November 2011 and currently meet on Chantry Bridge at 9 am Saturdays. Meeting Details

The appeal of a fixed bike is an obvious one. They don’t cost much, the clean lines look good and their simplicity and lack of parts to go wrong make them easier to run and relatively maintenance free. Fixed wheel riding has exploded in the UK, the daily commute and leisure rides are seeing more cyclists opting for fixies which have street-cred

Michael Vennard a long time fan of this mode of cycling is reflecting this trend by introducing Saturday morning fixed wheel rides this Autumn.

He is currently putting 2 bikes together for the "fixie runs" but it is taking time to build up enough kit to complete the 'builds".

He's trying to do it by using eBay and the back of his garage to source parts. Kevin Watson has kindly donated some parts and Michael is hoping other Calder Clarion members will have obsolete stuff, particularly brakes, bottom brackets chainsets and cranks. Any bike stuff will be appreciated because parts not suitable for the fixed wheel bikes can be sold on eBay to fund bits which are needed.

Meeting Details

Tom Butler rides Plateau de Beille

2011-09-06T10:51:00.003+01:00

While holidaying in Narbonne with his family in late August, Tom Butler climbed the iconic Tour de France haute category climb, the Plateau de Beille, known as the Alpe d'Huez of the Pyrenees.

Tom took his summer road bike to France and managed to incorporate his ride seemlessly into the holiday so that all the family had a " lovely day out which included a visit to spa town Ax Les Thermes just down the valley.

Until this year when Belgian Jello Vanendart was first on Stage 14, the cyclist winning at Plateau de Beille has gone on to win the Tour; Marco Pantani in 1998, Lance Armstrong in 2002 and 2004 and Alberto Contador in 2007.

Pantani holds the record time for the climb with 44 mins which remains unchallenged after Tom's 1hr 40 but, as he said, "I was on holiday and wanted to make sure I got there."

Plateau de Beille is 2km longer at 16km and climbs a further 100 metres than Alpe D'Huez. The gradient averages 7.9% although it is a lot steeper for the first few miles. It's also described widely as in the top 30 most beautiful climbs in France.

Tom on top

Tom described the incline as unlike Winnats Pass or parts of the Strines but it was its sheer relentlessness that took its toll on Tom.

Mile after mile with no respite. After about 4 miles Tom went through a difficult patch and thought of packing, but he 'stuck in there' and carried on. It was when he got up to the about 7.5 miles that he knew he had the climb beaten.

The steeper lower slopes caused big problems early on. Tom found it difficult to release a hand from the bars to have a drink. It was also very hot with no wind or shade on his side of the road.

View from the road summit

Tom was inspired seeing all those names painted on the road, especially lots of 'Thomas' and one surrounded by a huge heart! Maybe they were painted on the climb to lift our Tom's spirit, or possibly they had that French guy, Thomas Voeckler, in mind.

Photo's Alison Butler.

Tom cools of with son Matthew at Ax les Thermes

The road to the climb

Calder's Robert Hydon completes Paris Brest Paris

2011-08-29T14:51:00.004+01:00

Through Snowdonia in the 2011
Brian Chapman 600 Classic Audax.
Robert rode this as part of his
qualifying for the Paris Brest Paris

Congratulations to Robert Hydon who has completed the 2011 Paris Brest Paris. Completing his 1230 kilometre ride in 80 hours and 34 minutes.

Robert left the start at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (Paris) at 19:15 on Sunday 21st August and rode through the night arriving at the control in Villaines-la-Juhel at 5:12 on Monday morning having averaged 22.2 kph for the 221k including stops. Continuing South West through Fougeres, Tinteniac and Loudeac, he arrived in Carhaix-Plouguer just before midnight and was maintaining an average speed of 18.5 kph and only 90 kilometres to go to the halfway point at Brest on the Brittany Coast.

He arrived in Brest just before 10 on Tuesday morning having tried to catch some sleep earlier. He'd taken 38 hours and 38 minutes ro reach the French coast which put him well inside the 90 hour cut off time for completing the ride.

By 8pm on Tuesday, Robert was back in Loudiac, but he needed to sleep and his average speed was slipping. After resting, he arrived in Tinteniac at 6:30am on Wednesday with his average speed down to 14.6kph and with 365 k still to go after already completing almost 900 k. By now, he had to be short of sleep and energy. Here Robert showed what he's made of by gradually increasing his speed and his overall average gradually crept up.

At Villaines-la-Juhel, his average was over 15kph and at Dreux with only 64 kilometers remaining it was 15.4 kph. He just kept pedalling steadily in the closing stages to easily beat the cut of time by over 9 hours with his time of 80 hours and 34 minutes

Robert is a Calder Clarionista based at Winchester in Hampshire. His early 2011 Audax rides to qualify for the Paris Brest Paris included the Kennet Valley 207 k in Berkshire which included 1763 metres of climbing, the Chalfont St Peters 300k in Bucks, the Chepstow 400 which included 4,900 metres of climbing (2.5 AAA points) and the Classic Audax, the Brian Chapman Memorial 616k which starts in Chepstow and has a colossal 8450 metres of climbing (8.25 AAA points).

Well done Robert.

"Bovines beat Bikes" - Penultimate Summer Evening 10 mile TT series event

2011-08-26T13:30:00.003+01:00

Michael Vennard grimaces on Pineapple hill

In a season when the Summer Evening 10s have been disrupted by weather, a road accident, road works and a road closure due to diesel spill, the feeling was that nothing more could happen and the last two events would pass without incident.

Step forward a local Old Snydale farmer. He decided to move some of his cattle from one field to an adjacent one on Wednesday evening. Unfortunately the two fields were either side of the road over which our time trial cyclists were speeding, so consequently many in the first half of the field had to pick their way carefully through a herd of slow moving cows, heading for pastures new.

New Boy Simon Richardson climbs Pineapple Hill

This was a heart stopping moment for Matt Dodsworth as he climbed off his bike to wait for a gap in the bovine procession, as he only had a 4 point gap ahead of a Michael Vennard in the Sturgess Trophy. He knew that by the time his rampant rival got to this point on the course, on Tom Butler's specialist TT machine, there would be no cows left to slow him down.

George Masson riding back from Marshalling Duties

In the end Michael gained 2 points on Matt, leaving Matt in the lead by a thread with one TT remaining, but it's doubtful that the agricultural incident made any difference to the points the pair achieved. Michael was the fastest rider on the night and Matt 2nd fastest, despite his delay.

Featherstone's Anthony Jones was delayed by Cows

Others affected included Featherstone RC's Anthony Jones and one of Calder Clarion's new members Rob Turner.

Earlier another new member, Simon Richardson, who is gaining a reputation for his "heroics" on the A club run, completed his first time trial and posted a time that he can try to improve next season in an assault on the 2012 Strugess Trophy.

Calder Sec Andrew Spittlehouse heading for 2011 course best

Paul Lee, the current Sturgess Trophy holder had a trouble free ride and cemented his 3rd place in the Trophy. The winner will either be Matt Dodsworth or Michael Vennard, but Paul has defended his title gamely, but will have to settle for 3rd place this time.

Richard Nicholson came along to the event to take some excellent photographs, depicting the action seen here (click to enlarge).

Drighlington BC putting the hammer down as they pass TT finish

He also captured the Drighlington BC Wednesday training ride as they passed the TT finish, as they do most Wednesdays to cries of "No drafting" and "what's your number" as they 'cross the line'.

This Drighlington BC Rider, in the early stages - Mark Woolley - is in the TT

Results Here

Epsom CC's Andrew Ridsdale at the finish

Matt Churm, Calder Clarion, "giving it the beans" on Pineapple Hill

Niel Ormston, Wakefield Triathlon finishing strongly.

Calder's Martin Price going for the line

Ian Galbraith breaks away from his chasing clubmates in the Drighlington BC training run

Drighlington BC Training Run riders Dave Todd (left), Ian Mortimer (right)
and Steve Bedford chasing break away club mate Ian Galbraith.

Drighlington BC Training Run rider Wayne Fitch just about to get 'back on'

25 TT Club Championship Rained Off - Rearranged 2nd Time

2011-08-18T08:01:00.001+01:00

The Calder Club TT Club Championships incorporated into the Drighlington BC 25 was cancelled due to heavy rain on the course on 6th August.

The SEACROFT WHEELERS open 25 on Sun 4th Sept has now been designated as the club event.

Entries close next Tuesday 23rd August.
Organiser details I Lazenby, 9 Cobham walk, Crossgates, Leeds. LS15 8XF
Course v232 (changed from V236 in handbook). First rider off at 9am.
Entry fee £7 (cheques payable to Seacroft Wheelers).
As this is a "fast course" and one of the last 25s of the season, we may struggle to get into the event, but with luck we should be ok..
Let Andrew Spittlehouse know if you intend to ride, as it would be good to get an idea of numbers entering.

Ride the Boards

2011-07-31T09:42:00.000+01:00

Johhny Croston, Tom Butler & Matt Brooks getting used to the fixed
wheel lark at Manchester Velodrome.

Matt Brooks, Tom Butler and Johnny Croston accepted an invitation extended by Saddleworth Clarion to Clarion members to join them in a private track session on Manchester Velodrome held on Sunday 10th July.

Thanks to Chris Moreman, "The Emu of Toledo", other Saddleworth Clarionistas, and a British Cycling track coach, our trio had "an awesome 2 hours" according to Matt, Tom agreed, described the session as a great evening.

Johnny Croston took the photographs except those featuring himself, when he coopted bystanders to do the 'snapping' for him.

To give participants a feel for riding the track in anger, there was a flying start 1000 metres event in which the Calder riders aquitted themselves well, though Tom Butler applied a self imposed handicap by following the blue rather than the black line around the allowed boards.

Mid Week Morning Rides (with Video)

2011-07-09T11:41:00.001+01:00

Hooton Pagnell. On the route of most Tuesday Rides

Cyclists on the Calder Mid Week morning runs have been enjoying some good weather over the Spring and early Summer. Tuesdays mainly go eastwards with cafe stops at Fulham Farm Cafe, Whitley or Askern Lake Cafe. Thursdays head mostly Westwards using the newly refurbished Bank View cafe at Langsett, Windmill Cafe or the Yummy Ice Cream Company Cafe on a Dairy Farm at Ingbirchworth, Cannon Hall Garden Centre Riverside Cafe or the Cyclists Cafe Holmfirth.

On Tuesday 5th July, Runs Skipper Steve Burton decided to buck the trend and go to Langsett into a head wind. This was a bit of a shock to John Wriglesworth's system; he'd been expecting a flatter ride for his return after 4 months off the bike. Nonetheless he managed to stay with Steve, Tim Moss, James Colley and Richard Hancock all the way round. See Video Here.

Club 10 mile TT Championships 2011

2011-06-08T15:33:00.054+01:00

Tom Butler defending his title in the 2011 Calder Clarion
10 mile TT Championship

You could have thrown the proverbial blanket over the times of the first 5 finishers in the hardest fought Calder Clarion Club 10 mile TT championships for years, all of them finishing within about half a minute. Form rider Matt Dodsworth, fresh from two Open wins took a narrow victory with 25.50 on a windy evening shading Michael Vennard by 3 seconds and 'new boy' Rob Hudson a mere 4 seconds further back. Martin Price was left unrewarded for his excellent 26.09 and he was followed by Tom Butler who gamely defended his title right to the line with 26.24.

Handicap Winner Rob Hudson at the turn.

Kevin Watson who is struggling to find his form, was first over 50 and he was the fastest Veteran on Standard in front of Michael Vennard (2nd) and Tom Butler (3rd).

Rob Hudson won the Handicap event with Matt Brooks 2nd and Scott Kelly 3rd.

Full Results

Pie and Peas at Norma and Johnny's

2011-06-05T16:04:00.000+01:00

The much anticipated "Pie and Peas at Norma and Johnny's" was held on Sunday 5th June from 1:30 onwards.

Hosts Norma & John Clayton welcomed Calder Clarionistas to their home and garden in Horbury.

The rain held off and there was even some sunshine. The Pork pies were excellent as were Norma's mushy peas. There were home made flans and a variety of 'puddings' on offer too.

Those arriving straight off the Sunday runs were hungriest and there was plenty of food left for the A riders who arrived after two oclock from their ride to Hope. The 90 mile route took them to Sheffield, up the Rivelin Valley and Hallamshire Moors returning over the daunting Winnats Pass (Cheddar Gorge of the North) and Holme Moss.

A good sum was raised for the club which helps to keep membership costs down and increase the services offered.

Thanks go to all who came.It was good to see many relatively new members. Special thanks go to Norma and Johnny Clayton who opened up their home and provided the feast and also to Jean Burton (Social Sec) who apart from organising the event,sourced the wonderful pork pies.

C2C Ride May 2011

2011-05-30T12:55:00.001+01:00

Leaving wet Whitehaven

Peter Gillot and Richard Hancock, the support team could see the Calder riders climbing slowly towards them in ones and twos as they waited higher up the slopes of the C2C's final major climb out of Stanhope with the magnificent backdrop to the west of the Northern Pennines, bathed in late afternoon sunshine.

8 hours earlier the group of 7 had left a cold, wet Whitehaven, aiming to complete the 136 mile route to Sunderland in daylight. Organiser Martin Price's meticulous planning had left nothing to chance and he'd been tracking the weather for a while. His decision to start on the West Coast paid off with a strong tailwind.

Nearing the top of Hartside, Johnny Croston, Kevin
Watson and further back Tom Butler and Martin Price

The banks of Loweswater, Whinlatter Pass and the lower flanks of Lakeland Giants Skiddaw and Blencathra were soon behind them as they made their way to Greystoke, the first stop. At the Greystoke Cafe, the whole party were accomadated at the old kitchen table by the Aga for flapjacks, brownies and tea, where earlier the lady owner had done her best to persuade Peter and Richard to join the village ladies for a yoga dancing session to music in her adjacent barn. One of the ladies told Richard she was convinced he had a leotard on under his trousers!! At this point Peter retreated to the car to sleep and wait for the group to arrive.

After Penrith, the serious uplands began with the long climb of Hartside where Tom Shelton, Michael Vennard and Matt Dodsworth pushed ahead to the Summit Cafe with it's dramatic views back to the Lakeland fells. Eggs & Beans on Toast were consumed before the drop to Garrigill and the climb of Black Hill, the C2C's highest point at just over 2000 feet. At this point the skies began to clear and the sun made an appearance.

Tom Butler and Johnny Croston on the
final climb out of Stanhope

Tom Shelton's chainring became detached when his bolts loosened and dropped out. Martin and Michael stayed to assist Tom and in Nenthead, the next Hamlet they found, bizzarely only two businesses, a pub and a cycle shop. The shop was closed, but a note on the door guided them to the shop owner who returned to fix the problem.

With Tom's essential inner ring restored for the steep climbing ahead, they pressed on. The other riders had waited, but were forced to keep moving ahead as they began to cool in the chilly wind.

There were further climbs over Kilhope Law and also after the decent to Allenheads before the long drop to Stanhope. This climb is a serious proposition, with the group having 98 miles in their legs and the road rearing up steeply to begin with and then once on the opn fell a battle with cross winds up to their waiting support team and the final cafe stop before the decent on the Waskerley Way cycle through Consett and Stanley to the North Sea at Sunderland.

The final leg included a wrong turning and a puncture but the group finished together on Roker Promenade with everyone putting in a tremendous performance. "Chapeau" to all of them and to Martin P for a fine organisational job. There was just time for Matt Dodsworth to dip his front wheel in the North Sea and some Sunderland fish and chips before the drive home.

See Calder's 2010 C2C
Tom Butler's Video
More Photographs and Details on Web Site

Quarterly Magazine "CalderSpoke" launched.

2011-05-24T22:50:00.007+01:00

Calder Clarion's own quarterly magazine has been launched.

The first edition 'Spring 2011' includes Club News, Web Site changes, Club Development, Annual Awards, Early season and club run activities and features a Spotlight on Vets Cyclo Cross National Series and Northern Championship winner Steve Burton, our Tour of Flanders Weekend and much more.

It's available on-line here or in hard copy via mail or collection. All Calder members are receiving a hard copy. Let Richard Hancock know via email rich.hanck@tiscali.co.uk if you prefer to read it on line and not receive a hard copy.

Colne Valley MTB Challenge

2011-05-08T15:26:00.051+01:00

Michael Burton leads Carl Lindop on a climb

Paul Milsom, Michael Burton and Carl Lindop completed the Colne Valley Mountain Bike Challenge on 8th May.

The setting is the dramatic terrain of the Colne Valley near Huddersfield.The 30 mile route involved over 1200 metres of climbing and included demanding off road terrain with some steep climbs incorporating some local roads and lanes.

320 started the event despite strong winds on the day of the challenge and heavy rain the day before.

A steep cobbled climb took the riders away from the start, followed by a steady 3 mile drag up towards scout hill with it's panaramic viewpoints. The route traverses private uplands only opened for the event and finally climbs Wessenden Head before plunging down to the finish.

2011 Easter Meet at Stirling Resounding Success.

2011-04-29T08:45:00.031+01:00

Highland Hotel, Stirling home of the Easter Meet

Steve and Jean Burton were surprised at the National Clarion awards dinner at the Highland Hotel in Stirling when they were presented with Calder Clarion life membership after almost 50 years of cycling between them.

The dinner was part of the Clarion Easter Meet, splendidly organised by West Lothian Clarion who received accolades from far and wide for producing one of the best Easter meets ever.

Those present included members from most Clarion sections who enjoyed a whisky tasting and tour of the hotel's (a former school) observatory on Friday evening.

10 Calderites took the easy option, travelling up to Stirling by train or car, unlike some sections who had cyclists riding up, notably North Cheshire Clarion who had 5 cyclists ride up. This won them the award for biggest cumultive distance riding to the event. Some West Lothian riders rode out to accompany the quintet in the closing stages. See Video.

Johnny Clayton at the Sportive start in Cambusbarron

Saturday included the National Clarion hill climb on closed roads up to the Wallace Monument, a grass track meeting for youngsters, a tour of Stirling Castle, a cycle tour in the Carron valley and a Ceilidh with buffet.

Beeline for the Bananas. Hamish Battye (no 103) at the
Aberfoyle feed after Duke's Pass

On Sunday there was a 100k plus sportive "Gateway to the Highlands" through Rob Roy country. Calder's Johnny Clayton, Tim Moss and Steve Burton joined the field which headed west through the Trossachs over the Duke's Pass towards Aberfoyle and Loch Lomond.

The route passed the Castle featured in Monty Pythons "Holy Grail" and returned over moorland used for filming 'The 39 Steps'. After the sportive there was time for a look round Stirling before the Dinner and awards ceremony.

Ride to Easter Meet Video
Hill Climb
Sportive
Grass Track
Photographs

Hitting the Hills in Early Spring

2011-04-16T08:10:00.001+01:00

Kevin Watson tops Snake Pass
on the 'Calder Heroes' Ride, April 2011

With larger numbers of cyclists out this Spring and Calder now operating three separate runs operating on Sundays, the groups have been venturing into areas normally done later in the summer.
Holme Moss has been crossed twice in April, the Strines, including Hewden Bank have been traversed numerous times, with Snake Pass, Shibden Wall and Woodhead Pass also featuring.
Apart from hitting the hills, one cyclist, Tom Butler hit the deck, falling on Tram lines in Sheffield on a hilly run across the Strines. He ended up with a bump on his knee 'like an egg'.

Holme Moss Summit A Run to Hadfield, late March 2011

Several spring rides take advantage of local National Parks: One Mid April club run goes to beautiful Burnsall, in the Yorkshire Dales where the cafe opposite the old bridge over the Wharfe serves a superb and much needed breakfast. The Derbyshire Peak District has already been visited three times with runs to Hadfield Bradfield and Glossop.

Gemma Hornby has been cycling around Whitby and the North York Moors, taking a look at the infamous Rosedale chimney.

In May Tom Butler & son will be riding across the Yorkshire Wolds to Filey in the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride.

Racing, Sportives and Audax

2011-04-14T09:19:00.010+01:00

Chain Reaction MTB Marathon
Buith Wells

Carl Lindop took part in the Chain Reaction Mountain Bike Marathon at Builth Wells in Wales. The tough event was made more difficult with high temperatures throughout producing a high drop out rate, but Carl managed to stay cool and completed the course.
Stuart Bowering began his road racing season, finishing in the bunch, behind a break of three in the Leeming Road Race in North Yorkshire. Stuart made several attempts to bridge across to the break in the late stages, but had to settle for a place in the bunch.
Calder Chairman George Masson completed his first 10 mile TT of the year at South Cave near Hull on the V178, his favourite course.
Michael Vennard, Johnny Croston, Tom Butler and Matt Dodsworth rode the Red Rose Audax from Halifax to Morecambe Bay through Pendle and the Trough of Bowland;
Michael Vennard and Mat Dodsworth completed Peak Audax's 'Ice Cream Wensdae' in Cheshire.
9 Clarionistas did 3 days riding in Flanders at the Ronde Van Vlaanderen.

In April,Steve Butler, John Clayton, Richard Hancock and Tim Moss are riding the Gateway to the Highlands Sportive in the Trossachs including the Dukes Pass climb. The Sportive, organised by West Lothian Clarion is part of the National Clarion Easter Meet Festival of cycling.

Tour of Flanders Weekend April 2011

2011-04-05T15:13:00.000+01:00

Oudenaarde Townhall built 1526-1537

Nine cyclists joined the Calder Clarion long weekend to the Ronde Van Vlaanderen on the 1st of April. The Hull Zeebrugge overnight ferry disembarkation was two hours late but the group were able to check into their Oudenaarde hotel and do their Saturday ride around some of the high points of the Tour of Flanders route including some of the famous cobbled climbs: Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg, Kortekir and Koppenberg.

Sunday, after breakfast, the group headed for the Professional women cyclists 'sign on', introduction and race start in Oudenaarde.

Tom Butler managed to persuade UCI 6th ranking Annemiek van Vleuten to pose with him for a photograph despite the imminent start of the race; she didn't mind that Michael Vennard had to change his camera batteries while she waited. Annemiek went on to win the race and some Calder members are campaigning to drop the Calder from the club name and substitute Annemiek van Vleuten Fan Club Clarion. When Tom's pulse rate had settled down, there was a ride to vantage points to catch both the women's and men's race pass up the steep Muurs and over the pave. They sampled the brilliant atmosphere and marvelled at the speed, skill and courage of the riders, particularly on the Eikenburg.

Once the races moved out of range, it was time for food and a beer or two in a small bar near Mater, full of vociferous Belgians mainly supporting Philippe Gilbert. Our Clarianistas matched them whenever Geraint Thomas appeared on the screen which produced much good natured banter with the locals who were obviously delighted when Nick Nuyens edged Sylvain Chavanel and Fabian Cancellara for the victory.

On Moday there was a ride over more famous Flanders Roads, this time it was Kluisbergen and up the Kluisberg with it's cluster of shops and cafes at the top before returning to the hotel to load the cars up with bikes and baggage to head back to Zeebrugge for the for the overnight ferry.

Michael Vennard's Eikenburg Video
Photographs by Tom McGhie
Annemiek van Vleuten's web site

Red Rose 200k Audax March 2011

2011-03-21T17:09:00.007Z

A snack at Glasson Dock,Morecambe Bay 108.6 k

Four Calder Clarion riders, Tom Butler, Johnny Croston, Matthew Dodsworth and Michael Vennard endured a long day in the saddle on Sunday's Red Rose Audax organised by Halifax CTC's Chris Crossland. All four completed the ride, a tremendous achievement considering their relative lack of miles prior to the event.

The finish, Michael, Matt, Tom and Johnny.
Matt and Michael cycled the extra 20 miles home

The route took them from Halifax, through the Trough of Bowland, where Tom had a big wobble,to Morecambe Bay at Glasson Dock. They returned via Burnley and Todmorden. The audax included 2900 metres of climbing and it must have been a weary bunch of riders coming in to finish just before 7pm after a ride lasting 9 hours and 40 minutes. Michael and Matt however opted to cycle the 20 miles home to Ossett after the event.

The group had relied on John's skills interpreting the route card to get them round and christened him "SatNav". Most were particularly delighted to complete this ride after Tom fell off on the tramlines in Sheffield in last week's club run when he suffered a large lump on his knee, John had fitted a new seat to his bike before he got the invite! and Matt must has just come back from his tumble at the 'Big Off' in Ackworth. All praised Michael's prodigious and remorseless efforts, Tom describing him as "Like a machine, thumping the pace out"

See Michael Vennard's account of Red Rose 200k ride on Calder Web Site:

Winter Rides Round up.

2011-03-21T16:14:00.004Z

The top of Shibden Wall

Sunday's ride to Tickhill marked the end of the winter club rides. After a particularly harsh, cold winter there was lots of evidence that better days are ahead. We've passed the Spring Equinox and the first of the spring classics, Milan San Remo, has been completed. On the road to Tickhill, there was a perceptible rise in temperature; some sunshine and a couple of summer bikes were on view.

Martin, very proud, wearing the latest in fashion,
courtesy of the annual club awards!.

It's been an eventful winter. Numbers of active members are steadily increasing. Despite four Calder Clarionistas riding the 200k Red Rose Audax, there were still 16 riders out on the runs to Tickhill and Askern. The faster pace of the main group has created a larger 'B' run group, often to the same destination. The 'C' group usually aim for a slightly shorter run The midweek morning rides have become firmly established and a Saturday morning social run is imminent now the spring is here.

Richard, Carl & Alan taking in the view over the Holme Valley
at Totties.

The 'big off' at Ackworth was just one of a number of incidents and unusual occurrences this winter. There was the tumble on the tram lines in Sheffield, the long period when snow curtailed any safe cycling, the plastic bag in the rear mech saga, the phantom pothole and unusually for Calder, an incident free Boxing Day ride.There was an incident packed ascent of Shibden Wall on a run to Hebden Bridge, damp patches on seats in the Ossett Tap after a wet ride and chains snapping near Thunder Bridge.

As usual places visited this winter have been at all points of the compass from Wakefield.Amongst many destinations have been Otley & Knaresborough in the North, Selby & Whitley eastwards, Tickhill to the south and Langset, Holmfirth and Wortley to the West. There have also been new destinations at Totties, 'Too Hoots' and Whitley Farm Cafe.

Clarionistas also took part in Reliability rides, new member John Croston doing 5 including a snowy Otley CC Reliability trial in February while Stuart Bowering and Michael Vennard completed the newly resurrected Batley Bash. Michael Vennard, John Croston, Matthew Dodsworth and Tom Butler all completed the 200k Red Rose Audax in March,a tremendous ride at this time of the year which included 2900 metres of climbing between Halifax and Morecambe bay.

Calder Clarion Club Dinner 2011

2011-02-19T21:27:00.001Z

Tim Moss, Calder's New 'Chaplain; heckled by
John Clayton as Steve Burton makes the award

A successful Annual Club Dinner and Prize Presentation was held at the Holiday Inn, Ossett on Saturday 19th February ably organised by Jean Burton. Principle prize winners were Paul Lee who took the season series 10 league Sturgess Trophy, Tom Butler (Senior and Vets 10 mile TT and most improved rider), Martin Price (Senior and Vets 25 mile TT), Matthew Dodsworth (Hill Climb), Jim Blankley (Club Person of the year), Steve Burton (Club Runs Award), Ian Lindsey of Sowerby Bro's CRT (Wakefield Met Award) and Andrew Spittlehouse (2nd in most things).

   The evening concluded with the Alternative awards presented hilariously by Steve Burton.  Awards in this category went to Martin Price who won a special pair of extremely large and magnified glasses with one lens focused ahead and the other redirecting his eye to the Garmin on his handlebars. Martin is blamed for a number of 'shutes' because he's always looking at his Garmin. 'Off's include the recent infamous pile up outside Ackworth Hall.
   Septuagenarians George Masson and Jim Blankley were awarded the synchronised swimming award. Their joint prize, 'Anti Doddering' pills are to try and prevent a recent occurrence of falls, notably one at Old Snydale when they fell off separately but in formation on an icy corner.
   The Golden Spanner award for most mechanicals went to Matthew Dodsworth. As he went up for his award, there were mutterings of no mudguards on muddy winter bunch rides in wheel rims so thin they are almost translucent and collapsing rear mechs.
   Tom McGhie won a pair of stabilisers for the pot hole that never was. He claimed a huge pothole on a descent near Birstall was responsible for his falling off, but no other rider then or since has been able to find the hole.
   Richard Hancock, who has the habit of texting at the last minute when he cannot make club rides because he's 'tied up', won a pair of pink handcuffs.
   Tim Moss took the major alternative award for his sympathetic ear and 'soft' tongue, which everyone who knows him cannot fail to notice. Steve decided because of Tim's winning ways, he was ideal to provide counselling to those who need a 'shoulder to cry on', particularly those who have experience of following Martin Price's wheel on club runs. His award was a suitable clergyman's collar and he was announced as Calder's club chaplain. Despite some disruption to this award by John Clayton who leapt to his feet to heckle, order was restored and Tim was able to continue posing for photographs in his new attire.

Batley Bash

2011-02-14T10:00:00.002Z

Michael Vennard (Red Top) in early stages

A big turnout started Ravensthorpe CCs Batley Bash from Tingley to Boothferry Bridge and back via Thorpe, Robin Hood, Woodlesford, Swillington, Garforth then east on the A63 through Monk Fryston,skirting Selby and turning south just before Howden on the B1228 to Boothferry Bridge on the River Ouse. The return leg was via Pontefract. Two Calder Riders, Stuart Bowering and Michael Vennard completed the 73 mile route. Michael (red top) tucked in behind the two leading riders on the first clip.

Stewart Bowering (arrowed) in closing stages

The Bash is aptly named as it is head down all the way with many riders hanging on for as long as they can to avoid being dropped.

Ravensthorpe's Craig Newton uploaded 5 video clips to youTube. These were taken from the following car. As the following car pulled past as they got close to the finish, Stuart can still be seen up near the front.

Batley Bash youTube Clip 1

Batley Bash youTube Clip 2

Batley Bash youTube Clip 3

Batley Bash youTube Clip 4

Batley Bash youTube Clip 5

'Big Off' at Ackworth Old Hall. 30th January 2011

2011-02-01T10:22:00.001Z

Ackworth Old Hall

'The Big Off' was how Tom Butler described the crash which brought down some of the main group on the Sunday Run returning from Thorne. After descending past the 'Brown Cow' in Ackworth and forking right for Purston Jaglin, Martin Price came to grief while leading on the right hand bend with Ackworth Old Hall on the left. Matthew Dodworth ran into Martin and went spectacularly over his handlebars head first, landing on his shoulder, with Matt Churm also coming off in dramatic fashion. Others found themselves on the ground, or took evasive action. Fortunately, other than bruises and burns there were no serious injuries, the only casualty being Matthew Ds completely wrecked rear wheel. A man in the grounds of the Old Hall appeared and asked if any first aid or tools where required. Incredibly on seeing Matthews rear wheel, he offered to loan him a replacement . He disappeared into the Hall and returned with a 'Carbon Cosmic', no less, which was duly installed into Matthews frame.

The situation was ironic as the Elizabethan Hall, built in 1580, is where the notorious robber and highwayman John Nevison (Swift Nick) was suspected of regularly hiding. The kindness of the man from the Hall was the exact opposite of highway robbery..

The Hall is reputedly Haunted by the ghost of Nevison whose most famous act was in 1676 when he rode from Rochester in Kent to York in just 15 hours including a ferry crossing of the Thames. After committing a robbery and afraid his victim had recognised him he fled, covering the 230 miles in record time. On his arrival in York, he was seen talking to the Lord Mayor who was playing bowls. After his arrest the Mayor confirmed Nevison was in York at 8pm and he was acquitted. Nobody believed that he could have covered the distance from Rochester in such a short time He became a folk hero and gained praise for his exploits from Charles II. The feat is often wrongly attributed to another highwayman, Dick Turpin, who was not yet born. Nevison was arrested outside the Three Houses Inn in Sandal, Wakefield and hung at York in May 1684.

New Years Day 5 Mile TT 2011

2011-01-01T10:32:00.006Z

Calder Clarion's Martin Price was the fastest rider in the New Year's Day 5 mile TT on a cold, damp Heath Common. He edged Howard Firth, Sowerby Brothers Cycle Racing Team and Calder's Michael Vennard into 2nd and 3rd places respectively. The dull weather failed to dampen the spirits of a number of riders who competed in Father Christmas Garb; Elaine and Stuart Hinde (right) did so on a tandem. After the event, competitors, officials and Spectators rodeto Crigglestone for a New Year breakfast hosted once again by Leslier and George Gilliland. This was followed by a New Years Day get together at the Cricketers on Cluntergate, Horbury

Full Results and Photographs
Breakfast at the Gillilands
At the Cricketer

From the Past Heath Common Cyclo Cross Event 1974

2010-12-31T12:43:00.004Z

George Gilliland Heath Common 74

Former Calder member Paul Gittins has recently been scanning lots of his old negatives and came across across a set of black and white photographs from the 1974 Calder Cross which in those days was held on Heath Common. He found they showed several of the club 'stalwarts' (although for some reason Steve Burton and Pete Milsom are not there) in action.

Paul has kindly sent them along to us to display in the History Section of the Club Web Site.

The Photograph's feature Dougie Dunbar, Jim Blankley, George Masson, Harry Machin and George Gilliland ( In 1974 George G was newly arrived in Yorkshire from his native Putney where he was a member of the now defunct West London Clarion.

Photographs of 1974 Calder Cross.

Boxing Day Run 2010

2010-12-26T12:01:00.010Z

The boxing day run, traditionally goes to Holmfirth and 2010 was no exception. The severe winter weather of November and early December relented sufficiently over Christmas to allow a trouble free, but chilly ride, the last of 2010, from Horbury Bridge to 'Sid's Cafe'.

After posing for photographs outside the cafe, (right courtesy Matthew Dodworth), the group headed back towards Wakefield, stopping off in Ossett where a festive tipple took place at the Ossett Tap.

Left to Right
Back - Martin Price, Tim Moss, Tom McGhee, Alan Chandler, Tom Butler, Michael Vennard
Front - Steve Burton, Kevin Watson and Matthew Dodworth.

Autumn Peak District Tour 16th-17th October

2010-10-22T23:09:00.026+01:00

National Clarion held their Autumn meet at Ilam Hall www.yha.org.uk/ilam Derbyshire. The weekend incorporated the National Clarion hill climb championsips on Sunday 17th.

There was the choice of either ride out or take the journey by car on Friday or Saturday, staying 1 or 2 nights. The Hill Climb was on Beely Moor and was part of the Chesterfield Coureurs event

IllamYHA is a Victorian manor owned by the National Trust with 84 acres of country park on the banks of the River Manifold. Nearby are Dovedale and Tissington and Manifold Trails. Bed & Breakfast, plus evening meal at the Hostel is very reasonably priced.

Photographs and Report

Calder Hill Climb. 1st September 2010

2010-09-01T15:21:00.002+01:00

Calder's Kevin Watson on the Woolley Edge Climb

Owen Mitton (Huddersfield RC regained his Open Calder Hill Climb title on Woolley Edge, completing the 1200 metres 17% climb in 2:53.1 Owen is famous in Calder Clarion circles after falling in the Calder and Hebble Canal while guesting on a Calder club run and also later at a club dinner when he presented Ian Steeper with a Gentleman's Ball scratcher !!!.
He won the event in 2008, but was narrowly beaten ( 1.6 seconds) by Holme Valley Wheeler's Stephen Robinson last year.

This year, Michael Richmond (Wakefield Triathlon), turning a huge gear, seemingly effortlessly, got within 5 seconds of
the winner. Feathersone Road Club riders John Nicholson and Anthony Jones filled the next two places.

The Calder Hill Climb Championship winner was Matthew Dodsworth. Despite having a 7 seconds winning margin over a valiant Martin Price, Matthew went down the hill and repeated the climb as an unofficial test. Michael Vennard took 3rd place.

Full Result

Tim Moss survives 'Death Ride'

2010-08-20T22:54:00.012+01:00

Tim Moss survived the 'Tour of the Californian Alps', otherwise known as the 'Death Ride', in August. This was his second successful attempt, having completed it a few years earlier.

Seen right, cresting Carson Pass, the final climb, he has 30 miles of predominantly downhill to the finish in Markleeville,
California.

The ride took in 3 major climbs of Monitor, Ebbetts and Carson Pass itself, linking the Sacramento Valley in California to Carson City in Nevada and climbng over the crest of the 'Sierra Nevada' spine with it's staggering ragged volcanic skyline. The pass is named for Kit Carson and with the other climbs, added up to 15000 feet of climbing for Tim on the 129 mile ride.

The build up to the event didn't go exactly to plan as American Airlines managed to lose his bike and luggage. After a nervous couple of days he was reunited with all his kit which was located in Tampa, Florida.

2010 Club Time Trial Winners

2010-08-10T16:15:00.000+01:00

Tom Butler riding the 2010 Club 25

Tom Butler won the club 10mile championship with a 28-04, 2nd was Andrew Spittlelhouse 28-40, 3rd Paul Lee 29-35, !st Handicap T. Butler, 2nd Handicap A Spittlehouse 3rd Handicap Paul Lee. 1st vet on standard T.Butler with a minus 1-48, 2nd A Spittlehouse minus 2-58, 3rd P Lee minus -3-05.

Martin Price is the 25 mile championship with 1-6-06, 2nd T Butler 1-9-18, 3rd P Lee 1-10-18, 1st Handicap P Lee, 2nd T Butler, 3rd A Spittlehouse, 1st Vet on standard M Price, minus 0-06 2nd equal T Butler and P Howard on minus 1-18.

Winner of the Wakefield Area Youth Service Trophy on the V913 Ackworth Course was Ian Lindsay Sowerby Brothers CRT with 24-55, 2nd Howard Firth Sowerby Brothers CRT in
24-59 and 3rd Richard Bairstow Sowerby Bros CRT 25-19.

2010 Sturgess Trophy Result

2010-08-10T15:28:00.006+01:00

Paul Lee in Calder 25 2010

Paul Lee, making his debut season as a Calder rider has won the 2010 Sturgess Trophy, taking the title from Ian Broadley who won in 2009. The trophy is based on the most consistent and improving riders in the Calder Clarion summer mid week 10 mile Time Trial Series. Paul rode 13 of the 15 events, more than any other rider, but the rules of the competition legislate that only the best 10 rides count towards league positions.

The Sturgess Trophy is a Calder Clarion closed event, limited to Club members. This year for the first time, an Open handicap League covering all participants in the summer evening 10 mile TT series was held. 13 cyclists competed for the Sturgess Trophy and 56 for the Open handicap event.

Paul was also victorious in the Open event and 2nd place in both leagues went to Calder's Kevin Watson. Andrew Spittlehouse was 3rd in the Sturgess Trophy and Sowerby Brothers RC consistent rider Ian Lindsay was 3rd in the Open Event.

The fastest rides of the season on the Normanton Bypass course was Alistair Wareham's (Team Swift) 23.07 and on the Doncaster Road course was Guy Willard's (Wakefield Triathlon) 22.17. The Tandem Trophy was won by Sean and Ruth Turner (Pontefract Cycling Club). The Ways Week event went to Ian Lindsay of Sowerby Brothers Racing Team.

Full Sturgess Trophy and Open Handicap Results

C2C 2010 June 2010

2010-06-30T16:22:00.001+01:00

Matt and Martin at the beginning

Martin Price and Matthew Dodworth, seen right with Roker Lighthouse and Pier in the background just before leaving Sunderland, westbound for Whitehaven on the 140 mile C2C cycle route.

Ahead of them, was the climb up Weardale before lumpy roads to AllenHeads and the High Pennine crosssing which included the major climbs of Alston Moor and Hartside.
After Penrith, they rode below the huge flanks of Blencathra and Skiddaw before the long climb over Winlatter Pass and the descent to the Cumbrian Coast.

Despite all this, the pair completed the ride in just over 9 hours. Excellent support was provided by Peter Gillot who rode the C2C with Martin last year. This time as well as providing support, he took the photographs

2010 Summer evening 10 TT Series Starts

2010-05-10T16:53:00.004+01:00

Organiser Jim Blankley - Timekeeper Dave Smithers

For a change, there were still conditions for the summer series opener after the windy and wet conditions of recent years. However it was cool and overcast to make everyone feel at home.

Alistair Wareham of Team Swift was a comfortable winner with 23.17, ahead of Ravensthorpe CC's Callaghans (father and son) who took 2nd and 3rd. James was 2nd with 24.05 and Andrew next with 24.35.

Sowerby Brothers CRT's Howard Firth was 4th with 25.50, just 3 seconds clear of his teammate Ian Lindsay.

5th Place and fastest Calder rider was Martin Price who was delighted with his 25.57 ahead of Matthew Dodsworth (Calder) who clocked 26.45. Full Results and Download

2010 Holland Giro D'Italia Trip

2010-05-01T16:41:00.001+01:00

Steve Burton & Carl Lindop on the

River Lek Ferry

Dordrecht in South Holland was the base for Calder Clarion's channel hop long weekend to watch the prologue and frst two stages of the Giro D' Iitalia which started in Amsterdam on Saturday 8th May. They were treated to a prologue win by Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) who became the second Englisham to wear the Maglia Rosa. He certainly looked to be travelling quickest as he passed our group on the packed circuit with 2k to go.

Sunday saw our group cycle to Utrecht which took them on a 100 mile round trip involving a car ferry and a cycle only ferry.

On Monday morning the group left heir hotel on the edge of the Hollandse-Biesbosch National Park and drove to the Europort (Rotterdam) free longstay carpark. We took the superb cycle lanes South over the huge Hartelkanaal and into quiet woodlands and dunes of the Gorree Peninsula which took them to a roadside vantage point for stage 2 of the Giro. The race hurtled past led by the Astana team chasing down a 3 man breakaway before the finish in Middelburg where Vinoukorov took the overall lead from Cadel Evans. The whole population of the peninsula appeared to have cycled to watch the giro as the group found themselves sharing the cycle tracks with 100s of men, women and children of all ages returning home.

We meandered back through delightful woodlands to the village of Oostvourne for lunch before heading back to the cars for the overnight Ferry to Hull.

The Jane Tomlinson Appeal Istanbul to Leeds Ride

2010-01-13T16:29:00.001Z

Stuarte Hinde and daughters, Holly and Chloe have accepted an invitation to take part in the Jane Tomlinson Appeal Istanbul to Leeds Ride this summer. They are all really excited about the trip, which Stuart feels will be a great adventure, especially for his daughters.

Two years ago, Stuart was fortunate enough to 'do' the E2E, finishing in John O'Groats just days before Mike Tomlinson and youngest daughter Rebecca set off in the opposite direction. Mike asked Stuart to join them for a few days, and they were unforgettable experiences for him.

In this years appeal Stuart will ride a tandem back from Istanbul! He'll be joined along the way by Mikes, son Stephen. The back seat of the tandem will be filled alternately by Holly and Chloe all the way home. That at least is the plan!

Follow their progress and find further details of the ride Istanbul to Leeds Appeal Ride at http://www.istanbultoleeds.co.uk/index.php

Sturgess Trophy 2009

2009-09-15T08:14:00.001+01:00

Ian Broadley, won the 2009 Sturgess Trophy in his first attempt by 8 points
from Jim Blankley with Peter Howard taking 3rd Place. The Trophy held
over the summer evening 10 mile time trial season rewards improvement
and consistency.

Jim Blankley's 2nd place was a fine effort as he also fulfilled his role of
event organiser for the summer series. Apart from ensuring that
timekeepers and marshalls were available and overseeing the entries,
Jim also took out the event signposts and secured them before the event.

Ian Broadley

1 Ian Broadley 94 pts
2 Jim Blankley 86
3 Peter Howard 76
4 Andrew Spittlehouse 67
5 Kevin Watson 65
6 Chris Johnson 62
7 Ian Cooke 37
8 George Masson 30
9 Matthew Dodsworth 23
10 Ben Cooke 21
11 Paul Lee 20
12 Scot Kelly 3
12 Martin Price 3

Hill Climb and Summer 10 Series 2009

2009-09-15T08:03:00.011+01:00

Ian Cooke

It was a record breaking 10 series this year with record numbers of competitors and Ian Cooke, breaking not only the event record, but also the course record with 21 minutes 45 seconds on the 5th August.

The Calder Clarion Hill Climb, open to everyone, always takes place the Wednesday after the Summer 10 series closes.This time it falls on 2nd September on the 1200 metre 1 in 6 Woolley Moor Lane climb to Woolley Edge

C 2 C in a day - Martin Price and Peter Gillot will attempt C 2 C in a day

2009-05-02T08:29:00.003+01:00

Martin Price on a training ride at Cleethorpes

One lucky Calder Clarion reporter was given the privilege of interviewing
some of the bravest ( or dumbest, you choose) cyclists within the
Calder.

Our intrepid explorers are due to undertake an adventure, the likes of
which they have never seen

before. Read Interview

National Clarion Easter Meeting.Ramsbottom 2009

2009-04-15T09:04:00.011+01:00

The 114th Easter Meet was held in Ramsbottom with the Old Mill Hotel providing a focus for the weekend. Calder where represented
by Jean and Steve Burton, John and Norma Clayton and Jean and Dennis Hall.

Highlights were an hill climb held on the famous Rake and a ride out to the Clarion House Cafe near Burnley. John Clayton visited Britain's last temperance bar at Rawtenstall where he sampled a Sarsaparilla and for Steve Burton the ride back home to Crigglestone over the top and through the Calder Valley was memorable.

Tour of Flanders 2009

2009-04-10T08:38:00.002+01:00

The local Belgian fans of Oudenarde were delighted with the result of the 2009 Tour of Flanders won by Stign Devolder after a dominant display.

For the Calder members, the trip was slightly strange as their favourite hotel, with it's quirky, typically Belgian decor and ambience, not to mention excellent local food at reasonable prices had been transformed into something resembling a Western film set, with the dining room now a steak house and guests and diners clad in cowboy boots and Stetsons.

The weekend passed without any incident involing loss of cycles, neither through theft nor falling from cars so a success there.

National Clarion Easter Meeting. Shrewsbury 2006

2006-04-28T11:54:00.002+01:00

Jean & Steve Burton at the front by the wall.

Calder members were amongst the gathering of Clarion members from across the UK who were welcomed at a civic reception by the Lord Mayor of Shrewsbury at the beginning of the National Clarion Easter Meeting. Highlights included a mass ride to the Industrial Revolution birthplace ,

Ironbridge,a dinner with guest speaker Adrian Timmis with a programme of racing and other events, including a guided tour of Shrewsbury Castle.

The organizers clinched the chance to get a special Guest of Honour, Adrian Timmis for the dinner and prize presentation, Adrian rode for Cannock Chase Clarion in the late 70's. He competed in the Tour de France, Olympic Games and World Championships on the road, track and mountain bike. He is now a sports masseur for the Great Britain Mountain Bike Team. This winter Adrian won the British V40 Cyclo Cross Champs even finishing 11th in the senior elite event the following day.

Annual Dinner and Prize Presentation Dimple Wells Ossett 2006

2006-02-04T12:24:00.001Z

Full House at the Dimple Wells Lodge Hotel

The annual dinner and prize presentation was held on the 4th February at the Dimple Wells Lodge Hotel, Ossett. Organized by Jean Burton, the event took place in surrounding's enhanced by John Clayton's artistic creations (see ceiling rose and coving below).

The biggest attendance for years were entertained by a 'riveting' explanation of the Annual Sturgess Trophy by George Masson.

George also read out a poem, 'The Clarion Riders Creed', penned by Jean Hall. It was then the turn of the Annual prizewinners to be awarded their medals and trophies.More highlights followed with the 'Alternative Awards' presented by Steve Burton who created much hillarity when Steve Swift was awarded a new training aid, a Catheter Bag...don't ask. Details and Photographs

World Cyclo-Cross Trip 2006

2006-01-29T11:41:00.008Z

Jody Crawford

A group of 4 Calder members, Steve Burton, John Clayton and Ian and Bob Steeper enjoyed a trip to Zeddam in Eastern Holland to watch the world cyclo-cross champinships on 29th Jan. While the group managed to visit the famous Bridge at Arhem, scene of one of the decisive battles of World War II,

Unfortuantely the British weren't victorious in the battle in the Elite Cyclo Cross Championships, when the only representative, Jody Crawford was deliberately pushed into a post by a Czech rider on the opening lap which wrecked his chances.

Calder riders featured in the Yorkshire CCA's 2005/2006 Points Series.

2006-01-10T11:33:00.002Z

Ian Cooke

Defending over 60s champion Peter Milsom had a curtailed Yorkshire Cyclo Cross Association series due to family commitments, but still mangaged 3rd place.

In the Over 40s, Ian Cooke took 5th and Richard Fenn 10th from 42 riders. Ian must have felt out of favour with team selectors when he missed selection for Yorkshire in the Inter Area Championships, with riders he beat regularly in the series selected at his expense.

Seniors Paul Milsom and Carl Lindop finished 72nd and 85th respectively.

Richard Fenn completes 2006 British Veterans Cyclo Cross Championships at Sutton Park

2006-01-07T11:13:00.011Z

Richard Fenn on Road Section of 2005 Three Peaks

Richard Fenn (seen left in 2005 Three Peaks Race) was Calders only representative at the 2006 National Cyclo Cross Championships held in Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield on 7th January. Richard finished 58th in the Veterans event.

The Elite mens race was a classic, with Discovery Channel Pro Roger Hammond outsprinting LIam Killen (Specialize) and Jody Crawforth (Evans Cycles). Best Yorkshire finisher was 9th placed Rob Jebb.

New Years Day 5 Mile Time Trial, 2006

2006-01-01T10:58:00.006Z

Steve Tallant

Struggling up Pineapple Hill from Heath Common is not everyone's idea of fun on New Years morning, but there were plenty of masochists who chose to do just that as they rode the Calder New Years day 5 mile Time trial.

Ian Cooke took advantage of his cyclo cross fitness by romping around the course (except for a grovel in a huge gear up that hill), in the fastest time. Nick Griffiths, guesting from Featherstone RC came second with Tim Moss just getting the better of Steve Tallant, Stuart Hinde and Scott Kelly in a tight battle for 3rd.

After the event the race and 'caravan' transferred to Crigglestone for a superb New Year Breakfast
at George and Lesley Gilliland's.

Result and Pictures from New Year '5'

Boxing Day Run 2005

2005-12-26T10:29:00.008Z

Temperatures didn't get much above freezing point for the 21 riders who turned out for the final club run of 2005, from Horbury Bridge to Sid's cafe of 'Last of the Summer Wine' fame, Holmfirth, on Boxing day.

After the ride, there was a Christmas get together with other Calder Clarion members and friends at Boon's Pub in Queen Street Horbury

Italian Week

2005-12-12T10:18:00.004Z

The 2005 bike week abroad, was held in Italy in May. This took the same format as the Majorca trips of the last few years.

Those who went to Italy took the opportunity to get some miles done in the

sunshine as well as spending time touring and sightseeing

Ian Steeper victim of White Van Man

2005-10-20T09:27:00.002+01:00

Ian Steeper in Carlton - Calder 25 TT

Ian Steeper had his bike wrecked in an argument with a white transit van which left him shaken and nursing sore knees and shoulder.

Undeterred he was out mixing it on the club run to Langsett three days later on his best bike.