Boots & Spurs Autumn 2022

BOoTS & SPURs

THE MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL CLARION CYCLING CLUB

Obituaries + Conference + Club News + The Touring Pages + Competition + Section News and much more

So here we are with another edition of Boots and Spurs – a little late but 44 pages of news and features from members of our great cycling club. I make no apologies if the authors’ names and exploits appear familiar to you, as regular contributors their efforts are greatly appreciated. I urge all of you to consider writing something for Boots and Spurs, I will happily help anybody who has a tale to tell, but perhaps doesn’t know where to start in writing it down. It doesn’t always have to be an epic journey or breaking a record. In this edition you will find an account of a member using his reconditioned post office bike to visit striking NUR members on the picket lines, alongside family holidays and the accounts of two members visiting Clarion House for Clarion Sunday, along with the usual competition reports and section news.

The bicycle is a remarkable piece of equipment allowing us to travel much further than we would do if we walked, and this transformed life at

the start of the 20th century. Social historians will tell you that it was a major contributor to widening the horizons of villagers in rural England at that time, giving people access to relationships and employment opportunities up to 30 miles or so away from home rather than the previous 6 they would have walked. This situation remained right up until the late fifties and early sixties, when the cheap small car transformed travel for so many. But are we now being forced to move back to an era of more restricted travel, with our cars sat idly on the driveway due to the cost of fuel? Have you have started to use your bike more for transport rather than for leisure in the past few months? Most of you will be too old for paper rounds, but it would be interesting to hear from any of you who use your bike for work, cycling paramedics, policemen, couriers, delivery riders etc, or from those of you who ride unusual bikes, do we have any Pederson owners or high wheelers amongst our ranks? Are you thinking of buying a cargo bike, perhaps an electric one? I am sure that we are going to see many more of those about in time to come. Let’s celebrate

the diversity of cycling as it once again becomes a more mainstream form of transport.

At the risk of being controversial, I am going to raise the issue of last year’s conference motion which removed the reference to the “promotion of socialism” from the constitution and replaced it with a reference in the club’s history, placed in a preamble to that document. I have no doubt that this matter will rear its head at next year’s conference when the two-year period for reconsideration has elapsed. In advance of that I would welcome considered opinions in Boots and Spurs or Extra on the issue. It is my personal view, as expressed in my secretary’s annual report to conference, that the decision has taken away from the Clarion not added to it. A number of members have contacted me to say that they were initially attracted to the Clarion because of its history, and I include myself in that cohort and they genuinely feel that they have lost something. I am not sure that just reverting to the old words is the answer.

From a political point of view words which reference “fighting inequality” and

“supporting sustainability” would now seem to me to be much more relevant to the political debate than endless arguments over the control of means of production by the workers. If we don’t save the planet there will be no means of production. The Clarion has been inactive politically for decades, a situation covered at length in Fellowship is Life. Let’s change that, but in a positive way. I would urge Clarion cyclists to support those who seek to provide a better life for all and engage in politics based on providing some sort of future for our grandchildren, presently I am not sure that I see one. Climate change was almost completely absent from the recent Tory party leaders’ debates, and it is clear that the new Prime Minister has an agenda that will only pay lip service to climate issues. That is both dangerous and irresponsible. Climate change is, in my view, the single biggest problem facing humanity today and drives

so much of the humanitarian disaster, which is unfolding, particularly across subsaharan Africa and in Pakistan. Politicians need to do more than pay lip service to COP 26 and its successors. I would urge all Clarion cyclists to stand together for better, more honest and responsible government from all parties. Try holding your local MP to account on climate issues and see what sort of response you get.

Edward Gilder bootsandspurs@clarioncc.org

COPY DATE FOR SUMMER BOOTS & SPURS

Closing date for articles for the summer edition is the 31st January 2023. There are lots of Sections I would love to hear from in addition to our regulars. Articles in word are preferred, with photos sent as separate files rather than embedded in the text.

Cover Image: Edward Ireland from Easter Meet 2022 – Page

CLUB NEWS

CONFERENCE 2022

ELECTIONS

Following elections at conference on Saturday 17th September the following officers have been appointed:

President

– Neil Shand, North Cheshire

Chair

– Edward Ireland, Clitheroe

Secretary

– Edward Gilder, Broadland

Minutes Secretary

– Charles Harvey, Broadland

Membership Secretary

– Paul Whitehead, Blackpool

Events and Competitions

Secretary

– Steve Clarke, Fenland

Treasurer

– Jonathan Leigh, Dronfield

IT Manager

– Michael Stainer, Dronfield

Boots and Spurs Editor

– Edward Gilder, Broadland

We welcome two new officers from Dronfield, the most recently formed Clarion section and say goodbye and many thanks to Andrew Martin, Tuxford who has been our treasurer and Neil Matheson, West Lothian, who has been our IT manager. Both have worked hard for the club in recent years and have earned a break. Thanks guys.

It is my intention to stand down as Secretary at the next election. I only ever (reluctantly) volunteered for the job as a stop gap.

I remain keen to hear from anybody interested in taking on the role of secretary, as I wish to return to solely being the Boots and Spurs Editor. Boots and Spurs is suffering from not having my full attention and I regret that.

CONFERENCE MOTIONS

There were three motions to conference, previously circulated to all sections. The first by Tuxford sought to promote interaction with refugees who might welcome cycling opportunities. No vote was ultimately taken

on this, but in a discussion on the topic, the feeling of conference was that this was indeed a worthy aim to promote, best done in many cases at section level, perhaps in partnership with existing organisations that work to support refugees. National committee will consider whether there is a role for the national club in this work, and we would encourage sections to look at whether they can take action in this area.

The second by London sought to change the way subscriptions are collected. Moving from an annual subscription payable on the 1st January to a rolling subscription running for twelve months from the date of joining. This proposal was rejected by 825 votes to 307.

The third motion by Brighton sought to replace the block vote system used at conference and based on section numbers, with a one member one vote system. This was rejected by 766 votes to 294, with 4 sections abstaining.

Many thanks to the 13 sections and 1 private member that took the trouble to attend to the rest of you I say “where were you”? We have over 30 sections so more than half of you were absent.

Next year conference is likely to return to the Easter Meet, which is being held at Lytham St Annes on the 7th - 10th April 2023. Details are provided below and can also be found on the web site. Those at the meet will be able to attend in person, whilst those unable to attend the Easter Meet should be able to log in to what will be a hybrid event. We look forward to seeing more of you next year one way or the other.

– Edward Gilder

EASTER MEET 2023

Arrangements for this are well under way thanks to the efforts of Paul Whitehead from Blackpool. Given the strength of the Clarion in the north of England it was felt that another northern meet would not be unreasonable, and the event has been booked into Fylde Rugby Club at Lytham St Annes for the weekend of the 6th to the 10th April. The club has excellent catering and social facilities and there is a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets in the area, ranging from posh to cheap as chips, depending upon your tastes the weekend is likely to include another Audax, some circuit racing and local tours, supported by Blackpool Clarion. Pete Lashley has been invited to return to entertain. More details can be found by following the QR code on the advert elsewhere in the magazine.

MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS

Membership numbers have bounced back following a dip during the pandemic and presently stands at just over 2100, but with an increase in

private membership to nearly 100. Clarion membership offers excellent value for money and of course includes insurance. If you know of members who have not renewed, encourage them to reconsider. Get them out on their bikes again and enjoying the company of fellow cyclists. As for those who have not previously been members, pass on your old copies of Boots and Spurs to show what an active and vibrant club the Clarion is.

MERCHANDISING OFFICER

We have a new Merchandising Officer – Tim Wadsworth from Cotswold who has kindly taken over the dispatch of shop items and that has freed up some space in my garage –Thanks Tim.

COTSWOLD DISCOUNT

This is now 12.5% - you will find a Cotswold advert on the back cover with the code – if you wish to use at in store then you will need to take your copy of Boots and Spurs to the store and show it at time of purchase.

OBITUARIES

FRANK JEFFERSON, BURY CLARION

Long-time member of the Clarion Cycling Club

frank Jefferson passed away whilst at Bury Hospice in July. Frank joined Bury Clarion in the 1940’s, later becoming a life member: he remained active and always a hard-working official until a surgical operation curtailed his beloved life on two wheels.

For many years Frank worked as a grocer and during that time he managed several Co-op stores around the Bury area. Following the demise of the Co-op shops he opened his own corner shop. Following that and until his retirement, he worked as a mechanic at Pilkington Cycles, going on from there to open his own small cycle business.

Frank, like so many of his age was required to do two years national service and with his grocery experience was recruited into the Army Catering Corps, where he helped the soldiers of the British army to “march on their stomachs”. Following his demob, he was back cycling immediately and whilst on a cycle tour to the USA and Canada me Debbie, an American girl from Minnesota, who became his wife.

For those who remember gas streetlights, Frank’s father’s job was to service and maintain them around the streets of Bury, replacing the batteries and the timers in the ignition system. As there was still a small amount of life left in the old batteries, Frank acquired them and shared them amongst club members. They would provide a glimmer of light for about two nights before a replacement was required!

Just as Frank shared out these batteries, so he shared with us his love of cycling and the Clarion cycling club. Those members past and present who knew Frank have lost a very special friend.

PETER ROSCOE REMEMBERS

WITH SOME HELP FROM IAN CLARKE

Along with club-mate Ken Mayer I planned a tour of Switzerland in 1959. Ken grew tired of his job and joined the RAF, so I decided to do the proposed tour alone to add to the ‘treasure trove of my memories’. In those days my wage was low, so I had to be careful with my budget for the tour. I consulted old friend Joe Derby who had, with his wife Evelyn,

made many continental cycle tours over the years. To economise on spending, he suggested making do with coffee compli, (this is what I said, and I got a coffee and a buttered roll for lunch each day. He also advised me on things I should know for the success of my tour. My first economy was to ride the 200 miles from Bury to London to catch the boat train the following day. >>

Peter Roscoe Remembers

with some help from Ian Clarke

>> I was early on the road and on my way watched Bury Clarion Clubmates competing in a 25 miles TT on the East Lancashire Road. I then proceeded to join the A6 for my journey south. On this ride a sensible person would have aborted the tour as the spokes on my rear wheel obviously became loose as they scraped together on the climbs, (I had recently had it rebuilt for gears). However, somewhere or other I had found a medal of St Christopher fording a river carrying a child (unbeknown to St Christopher until the river was crossed it was Jesus, whose weight increased as a test, according to legend). So despite my lack of faith, I had this medal portraying the patron saint of travellers with me. This is all I knew of St Christopher and that he is the patron saint of travellers.

At St Albans I still had 20 miles to go, so I found a hostelry to stay the night and made my way to Waterloo station the following day for the boat train then on to Basel.

Joe Derby also planned my tour and as I recall the first leg was the 80 miles to Lucerne. The continuing planned tour envisaged by Joe was around this distance daily, but I revised this for a

leisurely pace of around 40 mile each day taking time to contemplate ‘in awesome wonder’ the splendour of the mountain scenery. My prime objectives were Zermat to see the Matterhorn and the Furka pass into France. The Furka pass is 2437 metres above sea level and is rated a hard climb for cyclists.

Access to Zermat is by track or train. For those cycle tourists who have not been, I recommend Zermat as a place to visit, unless popular places are a turn-off for you. So, for me it was the track and the only hazard I encountered was a stream. This was easy to negotiate by taking my shoes and socks off and wading across. The Matterhorn from Zermat is magnificent and the village itself a joy to walk around. I was lucky to find accommodation at the Youth Hostel and typically made friends with other travellers from other countries – Australians and New Zealanders etc. So off to a hostelry that evening for chat and drinks with some fellow hostellers. Here who should walk in but Eddie King, now lifetime friend and former member of Bury Clarion. He was with another friend with the intention of climbing the Matterhorn the following day.

This friend cried off so Eddie asked me if I would join him, and his friend would lend me his boots. At that time, I had no experience of mountaineering or climbing so I said it was not for me. Why Eddie thought I could achieve the summit or attempt it I know not. However, I determined to forgo lunch the following day and ride in the expensive cable lift which I learn, if it was the same height as it is now, was over 3000 metres and the highest in Europe. Most of the view from the lift was worth the expense but I recall one rock face which appeared to me black and ugly.

An incident on the return journey along the track out of Zermatt is worth recounting. On arrival at the stream, I found it faster flowing and obviously tricky to negotiate with my bike on my shoulders. I had not seen anyone travelling along the path on the way in or out, so the chances of a steadying hand seemed low. So, shoes and socks off again and I ventured forth. When I reached the middle of the stream it was much deeper, and I felt the power of the rushing water. I felt as though I was going to be toppled when I became aware of a steadying hand behind me. This was just what I needed but my helper strode off on

Foot notes.

(1) I am grateful to all those who contribute to Boots & Spurs, they stimulate my interest in our wonderful National Clarion Club. Furthermore, they write about places I am now unlikely to visit.

(2) It was the illustrious ‘in my view’ Ian Clarke, who with his recent ‘Facebook

reaching the other side of the stream walking off without say a word or a backward glance. As I remember it, he

photograph post’ of him at the top of the Furka pass with his wife Jayne that inspired me to write about this tour of mine. They were on a tour of Austria and Switzerland, and this is where Ian tells me he proposed to her whilst the two of them pedalled past the summit. He thought my snippet about my feeling of being in a film was interesting.

It is a pity I do not have my Youth Hostel card from this tour so the next thing I recall is my ascent of the Furka pass

Ian and Jayne

case. There were just two females and it all seemed normal – as it was, of course.

One feature of this Youth Hostel was the combined shower and ‘Asian’ toilet. I leave you to think about the alliterative phrase that goes through my mind.

was a giant of a man in long green rubber boots and his clothes were a shade of green. As you read this you may well think I was imagining the incident particularly with my St Christopher’s medal, but I am convinced it is true – I do not have faith.

Socialising with fellow travellers was great pleasure. For a time, I rode with a group from USA on a guide led cycling tour. I met a brother and sister in their late teens from the London area who were touring round by bus and train were obviously pleased to make friends with me. So also, were a group of 5 or 6 Scottish lasses who were on an extended tour of a few months. For some reason I cannot work out why, they seriously suggested I join them. I suspect they were attempting to pair me off with one of their number – no planning by me but I recall having a walk with her.

when I became particularly worried about the sound emitting from my rear wheel. So, it was a slow grind up but I ‘flew’ down the into Annecy. This lakeside holiday resort is apparently very popular. I recall the slope immediately beside the lakeside with outside bar tables tiered in front of the bars. As I was sitting down at a table a waiter placed a drink down ‘Hey I have not ordered’ I cried. He indicated a couple two tiers up had ordered it for me. Hey, I thought just like in films – the couple in question were English and had worked out that I was English – why do we English stand out so much abroad. I duly thanked them and told them about my tour which they were interested to hear about.

I recall in Annecy it was the only French Youth Hostel in France that I stayed at and as I had been warned ‘do not be surprised at the mixed sex dormitories’ which was the

So, returning to Basel via Zurich as I recall I proceeded to the station and as instructed by Joe and Evelyn left my bike on the platform dutifully labelled. I saw it then it disappeared. Ok I thought, but ‘Ok’ it wasn’t, my bike did not arrive with me. On enquiring at the station office, I was assured my bike could be sent to my local station when it arrived. I made the arrangements and caught a train home. Sure enough my bike arrived at ‘Bradley Fold’ about a quarter of a mile away from home. All very convenient except I recall it was 10 shillings or so for the transportation. I did not see that I should be expected to pay this and after some “argy bargy” the porter found an alternative price table and conceded at 3 shillings and 6 pence.

– Peter Roscoe

When I reached the middle of the stream it was much deeper, and I felt the power of the rushing water. I felt as though I was going to be toppled when I became aware of a steadying hand behind me.

Iam not a natural sportsman but despite a bookish nature I embraced cycling in lockdown (and Clarionregardless of activity I will find and join the relevant socialist organisation associated with it).

My vehicle of choice is a Pashley Royal Mail Postal Bike (c/o cycleofgood.com/ elephant-bike). Clocking in at a mere 23 kilos (twice the weight of my father’s bike), a princely three gears (slow, less slow, and fast...ish), and fashioned from steel (the only contact with carbon fibre it is likely to have had is through crushing a more modern bike in a collision) it hardly stands as an elegant mode of transport for a more civilised age.

An alternative perspective from a private member

THE ADVENTURES OF THE SOLIDARITY CYCLIST

- DAVID HAMBLIN

Yet it suits me well. The step through frame, the broad seat, the prodigious carrying capacity courtesy of the pannier rack and capacious front basket mount (although in the interests of full disclosure I have foregone the delightful wicker basket it came with as a tad too ‘vicary’ and instead utilise a collapsible crate in its stead). All work as one to deliver something of a ‘Hobbit’ bike. It is reliable, unassuming and comfortable – all I have asked of it. All work as one to deliver something of a ‘Hobbit’ bike. It is reliable, unassuming and comfortable – all I have asked of it.

Not least of which being cycling down to the RMT pickets on the occasion of the

I wear my politics on my sleeve and indeed atop my head as my helmet is adorned with stickers acquired from the fine people at the Trade Union Football and Alcohol Committee (tufac.org.uk) declaring my anti-fascist intent as well as a penchant for the odd beer. The piece is rounded off with the images of James Connolly and ‘Big’ Jim Larkin adorning the Red Flag. It is not, I grant you, a subtle piece of apparel. If we are to embrace the legacy of the Clarion Cycling Club let it be done by using our bikes to support those on strike.

Mine is not a bike (or cycling style) suited necessarily to a commute (too unwieldy for the train) or for a Time Trial (it being the weight of two other bikes) but it is admirably suited for the shopping run, taking the air, and indeed small acts of solidarity. We follow in the tyre tracks of those that went before so get on your bike and look for a picket to support. Workers of the world unite - you have nothing to lose but the snags in your bicycle chains.

– David Hamblin

FELLOWSHIP IS LIFE – 2ND REVISED EDITION

A review by Andrew Livesey MA

This edition revised by Christopher Goode, 2022, with an introduction by Wendy Pye. This edition contains new information on the history of National

Fellowship is Life was originally written by lifetime Bolton based cyclist Denis Pye. Denis was a historian and local school master. It tells the story of the Clarion Cycling Club from its inception in 1895 to 2021.

The Clarion Cycling Club took its name from the socialist newspaper, called The Clarion. The clarion call is defined by most dictionaries as, ‘a very clear message or instruction about what action is needed.’ It was the start of socialist democracy. Clarion cyclists delivered newspapers and tracts promoting social democracy.

The book traces the cycling club through both world wars and the Spanish conflict in between. It is a good read about twentieth century political history on two wheels.

The publication of this book also marks a line in the sand drawn by bicycle wheels in the spring of 2021. The National Clarion Cycling Club chose to remove the word ‘socialism’ from their documents. The National Clarion 1895 was formed to ensure that socialism remains a unique selling point of this cycling organisation. The banning of cycling club outings during the Covid pandemic was a large factor in this situation, there was no place to talk. So, as you close the last page of this book, look out for the next book which is being written with the turning of bicycle wheels – which are now increasingly becoming assisted by electricity.

Clarion Sunday

ANOTHER TAKE ON CLARION SUNDAY

Clarion Sunday harks back over 100 years when Clarion Sections would meet at Hardcastle Cragg. It was revived by Barnoldswick, London and NCC1895 and has become, in a few short (lockdown affected) years, a sight to behold.

MY CLARION SUNDAY

unday the 12th June and over 350 cyclists responded to a Clarion Call from the ‘last Clarion House’.

On a beautiful summer’s day Saddleworth Clarion gathered in Uppermill for a 50km ride through the South Pennines to visit ‘the last Clarion House’. They took with them good fellowship and kinship but also carried a memento of Louise Harrott.

During lockdown Saddleworth member Louise was riding when a right turning motorist hit her.  It was unfathomable what happened, but Louise passed away. As a club we were devastated, it has left

an indelible mark and we were unsure how to mark her memory.

Louise’s mum had her own ideas, and we attended a lockdown funeral, cyclists from many local clubs and our own accompanied Louise on her final journey.  We followed the rules at the time in groups in front and behind her coffin, only 30 were allowed in the church. Most of us could not attend the graveside.

18 months have passed, and Louise’s Mum had a teddy made out of Louise’s Clarion Jersey, it accompanied us on our ‘Ride for Louise’ which raised over £700 for the North West Air Ambulance and it made this, the final journey.

This year 350 cyclists turned up for cakes and tea, for sandwiches and fellowship.  They heard the Clarion Choir; they saw a new banner presented to Clarion House and in the corner we left Louise’s teddy.  It is there so that we don’t forget, we never would.

Saddleworth Clarion express their thanks to Clarion House and to Charles Jepson as without them this little memorial would not exist.  It was brilliant to see so many Clarions - Brighton, London, Cotswold, Crewe, Stockport, Bolton, Bury, Clitheroe, North Lancs C & AC, Blackpool, Barnoldswick, Saddleworth, North Cheshire, Yorkshire Coast and NCCC1895.

Clarion Sunday, the second Sunday in June is very special to me. It sits immovable in my diary from year to year. As I have got older it has become more important to me, it is a point of reunion, a constant in an ever-changing world.

For me it is something of a pilgrimage, it’s over 300 mile each way from my home near Canterbury in Kent, it takes almost a full day of driving with a stop near Birmingham for lunch. It is worth every minute of the slow-moving traffic on the M6 between Stafford and Preston, sitting in the narrow lanes of the 50mph limit road works, inches from the wheels of the leviathan trucks.

This makes me remember riding with Burnley Clarion on the A6, the trucks puffed out black smoke and we occasionally clung on the back of them to be pulled slowly up the hills,

freewheeling with our new Benelux 5-speeds.

I have been visiting the ILP Clarion House on Jinny Lane for over 70 years, yes seventy years. I also used to go to the ILP Hut at Roggerham with my parents. I talk about this in my book Shot at Twice in One Day.

Clarion Sunday reminds me of my early life, my mother was active in the Weavers’ Union, they used to organise event day at the Clarion-ILP House. These were great family days out, we walked to one or the other ClarionILP huts from our house on Colbran Street, Burnley Lane and later Gilbert Street up Harle Syke. The only cost was ‘a pot o’ tay’ as my father

would say – this was one or two pence – old pennies. We would play cricket, have running races, listen to music and drink tea.

I work as a point - 6 university college lecturer, cycling with Burnley Clarion taught me grit – do not give up – this job allows me to travel up on the Friday before, so that I can have Saturday free. Last year on the Saturday I met up with Charles Jepson to be timed riding up Pendle Hill on an electric bike. I also wanted to be photographed for #I_AM_CLARION with my 1951 all-chrome Hill Special track bike. This year, having read an article in the British Cycling Newsletter – AKA the BCF, about electric bike hire in the Lake District, >>

ANOTHER TAKE ON CLARION SUNDAY

ANDREW LIVESEY – LONDON CLARION

>> I decided to try it, wow a cycle path from Ambleside to Grasmere, some steep hills, with the electric bike in ‘Turbo Setting’ and 29er wheels it was a wiz. If you want to try it I recommend Ghyllside Cycles, they are about 100 yards –now we have left the EU there is no requirement to use metres – from the start of the actual cycle path.

I’d written an article for the Burnley Express the week before Clarion Sunday 2022, expressing my desires to make this a big event, a post-COVID special. It certainly turned up a very big surprise for me. One voice that I did not expect to hear ever again. My name called out from behind me. I thought I know that voice, teachers’ voices never change. Like listening to Tony Blackburn on the radio, it could be any year at all. The number in attendance was over 300, this included Clarion Cyclists, Clarion Ramblers, Clarion choir and ILP stalwarts.

So, who’s was the voice. I could not believe it. Mr Burrows, my woodwork teacher from Barden School –AKA – Able Street Secondary Modern. He taught me a lot of very useful hand skills, and took my class cycling to Youth Hostels in the Yorkshire Dales.

Was Clarion socialism really 'more social and cultural than political?'

I used to copy him by taking my students on trips in my early teaching career, we joked, rather sadly though, that the current regulations no longer allow this this type of activity. The cost of a weekend cycling and staying at a Youth Hostel in my school days was the equivalent of about 20p, if you were to do it now, with all the legal requirements, including insurance and indemnity it will be about £200.

Time at this event goes very quickly, I did not get time to speak to all those I wanted to, I was interviewed by Mid Pennine Arts about socialism and the Clarion. The Clarion ILP House continues the tradition. Socialism, in my book is not about left-wing politics, it is about engaging with fellow man – a term

EDITOR’S NOTE

Andrew’s two books Shot at Twice in One Day and Bicycle Engineering and Technology are available from Amazon in both printed and electronic formats.

which I still use to cover ALL PEOPLE, so please don’t say it’s not PC. There was a group from my local club – London Clarion CC, they provided the commemorative ribbons. All the local clubs and some others from far away were present. Special mention to Blackpool Clarion for a big turn out on this 100 mile club run.

Long may Clarion Sunday continue, along with the special social values it shows to the world of cycling, rambling and choir singing.

– Andrew Livesey

What follows is a sort of offshoot of the exploration I am engaged on currently about the Clarion during the First World War. This has been made a great deal easier since the whole of the paper has at last been made available online by British Newspaper Archive.

The 2021 annual conference adopted a statement about the origins of our Club which acknowledged the original commitment to socialism but declared that ‘Clarion socialism was more social and cultural than political’ What might this mean? Can the statement be justified? I believe it can and will cite in support a number of statements made in the paper in June and July 1916 and in January 1917. There will of course be many who disagree with all the views expressed

and positions taken –including the one the paper took on the war itself. But I’m confident that the quotations from the paper do illustrate the ‘social and cultural’ nature of the Clarion’s version of socialism.

At this time Robert Blatchford and Alexander M. Thompson were joint editors – described as such on the paper’s masthead. Usually, Blatchford wrote a front-page piece and Thompson indicated the Clarion’s position on current issues on an inside page under the title ‘Our Point of View.’ The paper had warned about the ‘German Menace’ in the years before 1914 and once war broke out it believed that Britain and its Allies should be supported against a ‘Prussian militarism’ that had invaded Belgium and France. This put the paper and its adherents at severe odds with much of the

socialist movement, notably the Independent Labour Party (ILP), whose foundation in 1893 had owed something to the Clarion and the now dominant element of the British Socialist Party (BSP). For the Clarion they were both irredeemably ‘pacifist and pro-German.’ In 1915 Thompson chaired of the Socialist National Defence Committee. The following year this became the British Workers’ National League and for some time the paper included its reports and a form to fill in if you wished to join.

The sequence of events, comments and letters this article is concerned with began in an apparently inconsequential way not untypical of the Clarion. Fred Hagger for the past year had been running the paper’s ‘Maintenance’ campaign which sought contributions from readers to help keep the paper going. It had tried, and just failed, to raise £1000 in 1915 – a lot of money in those days. But on 9 June 1916 Thompson was able to acclaim what he called ‘A Journalistic Marvel’ and announced that >>

Ian Bullock – our past Chairman, academic, author, historian and member of Brighton

Clarion re-examines the connection between socialism and the Clarion

WAS CLARION SOCIALISM REALLY 'more social and cultural than political?'

>> ‘Fred Hagger’s prodigy has passed the £1,500 mark....’

And he ended his ‘Our Point of View’ piece with ‘The CLARION’S debt to Fred Hagger is beyond compute’

Hagger replied to ‘Dangle’ –as Thompson had been called since the earliest days of the Clarion. Thompson then issued ‘A Call to Arms’ in his editorial column. The British Socialist Party - formed in 1911 with the SDF as its chief component – had split with the anti-war majority in control. The veteran socialist, Hyndman had made

Hagger suggests the Clarion Fellowship has now purged itself of its disgruntled elements, my undivided allegiance necessarily returns to the Clarion Fellowship.’

identified himself as a ‘’Manchester Clarionette.’

an appearance at the Easter Meet earlier in the year after the BSP conference where the’ split’ occurred. Hyndman’s ‘pro-Ally’ minority, Hagger had argued in his letter to Thompson, and the League were ‘mutually nullifying.’ Thompson’s response was to declare that ‘Ours is the only Socialist organisation that is not disruddered, disreputed, disrupt or suspect,’ and to sever his ‘connection with the Workers’ League.’ Then he went on: ‘If, as

The following week (30 June) featured an article on ‘The Clarion Fellowship’ by Tom Groom, the founder of our Club who is commemorated in the Tom Groom Trophy. Groom’s piece began ‘At last! After much tribulation and sore questioning of the spirit A.M.Thompson has decided that the only real, genuine party in which a Clarionette can feel happy is the Clarion Fellowship.’ In the past, Groom went on they had gone out of their way to help create other organisations ‘no one of which can be said to embody the CLARION spirit’.’ Groom himself had participated in the ‘Unity Conference’ that formed the BSP in 1911. This had come about, argued Groom, because of ‘impatience with propaganda work and a desire to hurry things up by political action.’ Thompson included two letters praising Hagger from F.L.Willoughby, who called for ‘Three cheers for Hagger and the Fellowship’ and Arthur Bleasdale who

All seemed in line with Hagger and Groom but Bleasdale ended his letter ‘When we have consolidated our force; when we have increased our numbers sufficiently to justify it, we may ask to be affiliate with the Labour Party - not as a political organisation, but as a party supplying new recruits to aid the Labour Party in the stern and inevitable fight that will have to be waged once this war is over.’ That might be OK - possibly - with Hagger, but Blatchford felt it necessary to respond to Bleasdale’s suggestion the following week (7 July) in a front-page piece with the title ‘The “Clarion” and the Fellowship.’ He was not, he insisted, out to dissuade people from forming parties but ‘I do not think any new parties are wanted.’

He agreed with Groom that the ‘proper business’ of both the paper and the Fellowship was ‘to teach Socialism and make Socialists.’ But what did Hagger mean when he talked of the need to ‘organise the Fellowship?’ Blatchford was not sure what that meant. But he hoped it didn’t mean political parties which were best left to politicians. He hoped Hagger

agreed that ‘The Fellowship exists for fellowship among its members and for the teaching of Socialism.’ He and the paper had in the early days believed in ‘a great party of the workers’but they no longer did.

‘We do not believe so much in parties as in education. The real controlling power in this democratic country is public opinion. When public opinion is in favour of Socialism, we shall get Socialism.’ Meanwhile ‘he was full of this awful war.’ He had ‘a son in the trenches and many dear friends in the field or at sea.’

Originally, I meant to end it at this point. But since writing this piece I have moved on with what I’ve called my ‘exploration of the wartime Clarion. Early in January 1917 (5 Jan) a piece on ‘The Clarion Fellowship’ appeared which endorsed much of Fred Haggar’s proposals but announced a ‘row’ with him before announcing that Haggar would argue his case the following week. The fundamental disagreement?

‘I prefer leaving politics to the other chap.’ I assumed this was Blatchford himself, but Haggar’s article the following week (12 Jan) made it clear that it had been written by Tom Groom. Groom at his stage had a regular feature ‘ Clarion Cyclorama’ and was Chair of the Fellowship.

Haggar’s piece (19 Jan) included a letter from ‘Pa Bennett – North Islington N.S.P. and Clarion Cycling Club’ - supporting Hagger’s more ‘political’ line and quoted also in support ShawMaxwell who had been the first secretary of the ILP. Then (26 Jan) Blatchford made clear, once again, his belief in a ‘non-political’ Clarion Fellowship in a front-page article ‘Ought the Fellowship to become Political?’ He began by declaring that the issue should be left to to younger people. But he made his own view very clear. A Clarion Fellowship organised for political action would ‘ no longer be the Fellowship as we have known and valued it. The soul of the Fellowship has been its broad individual liberty and tolerance.’ It had ‘never been tangled in party politics…’ It had been ‘ a non-political refuge where Socialists could meet for rest and recreation.’ The dangers of changing this approach were fundamental, ‘Directly you go in for active politics you must sacrifice the spontaneity of the Fellowship’ It would result in ‘Political Socialists, quite out of sympathy with the old easygoing, humane Fellowship’ joining ‘...the new party. Carpet-baggers would work their way in.’ For Blatchford

‘The Fellowship has been a great club, a great temple, a great warm hearth in a kind of democratic inn’

That’s probably enough to demonstrate the ‘social and cultural’ nature of the Clarion socialism but I can’t resist quoting from a letter in the ‘Clarion Cockpit’ from Sapper H. Rogers with its very specific details (14 July 1916). He agreed with ‘Dangle’ that ‘the only Party for Clarionettes is the Clarion Fellowship.’ He then went on: ‘We will revive the spirit that founded the cycling clubs and the vocal unions, put the Vans on the road and establish club-houses, We will let other parties struggle for the limelight and wrangle in grubby rooms situated over stables, about what Karl Marx said in 1874 and what he meant when he said it.’ So I think I can rest my case that the Clarion’s version of socialism was ‘ more social and cultural than political.’.

– Ian Bullock, Brighton and Hove Clarion. Chair of NCCC 2019-2021.

I’ve been researching and writing about the pre 1939 Left in Britain since the 1970s. Anyone interested please have a look at my website –www.socialist-history.com

Ours is the only Socialist organisation that is not disruddered, disreputed, disrupt or suspect

EastEr MEet 2022

THE 125TH NATIONAL CLARION EASTER MEET TOOK PLACE IN LANCASTER, FROM THE 15TH TO THE18TH APRIL 2022, BASED AT THE ROYAL KINGS ARMS HOTEL IN THE CITY CENTRE.

n Saturday 16th April, starting from the Ashton Memorial, there were 200 km {9746} and 134 km {9747} Audax rides through Sedbergh, Dent and the Trough of Bowland and also a touring ride to Arnside and Silverdale, with a Brief Encounter at Carnforth station, before a return along Morecambe Bay.

In the evening we enjoyed a buffet in the Hotel, with three hours of excellent live Music by Pete Lashley www.petelashley.com

south to Heysham for lunch at the Half Moon Bay Café.

Just after the tide had receded, we made a very muddy crossing to Sunderland Point and Sambo’s Grave.

We returned via the banks of the River Lune on a 2nd, still partially submerged, tidal road with a loop back to Morecambe Prom to see Eric and for an Ice Cream.

There was also a much longer ride to Clarion House, with cakes and pints of tea being served.

1

On Easter Sunday 17th April, the ‘leisure ride’ met at Lancaster Castle, taking the canal over the Lune Aqueduct to Bolton-LeSands and Hest Bank, then

On Sunday Evening members enjoyed a 3 course meal in the hotel and the awards of Club Trophies.

The Touring Pages

It was also before the rail strikes and on one hand Hull trains now refuse to take tandems (probably since the hassle of our tandem 3 years ago), and the RMT were threatening to strike on the same day that we needed to travel, so even if we opted for solos, we were still scuppered.

The only thing was to change our plans, take an extra day of cycling to and from the Hull port, splitting our journey with a UK stopover at the ironically named pub in Haxey (North Lincs) – The Loco!

Belgian coast where we managed an evening and morning swim in the North Sea in some balmy August warmth.

THE CLARKE FAMILY TOURING ON THE CONTINENT – STRAIGHT FROM THE DRIVEWAY

Some of you may remember our family ride 3 years ago, when myself, Jayne, Monty and Jenny headed off to Holland by train and ferry for a week-long tour. Well, after 2

years of Covid, we decided to give it another go, and back in February booked our P&O ferry from Hull to Hook of Holland. That was before P&O bosses did the dirty on their workers and replaced most of

them with Philippine workers paid less than half (I read) of the UK minimum wage. Out of principle, I tried to get our money back, but we couldn’t so we had to travel or lose a lot of money.

So our trip became an 11 day adventure, sailing to the Hook, and then heading South down to Belgium as an alternative to our last trip North from the Hook. This tour would roughly copy the tour that Jayne and I did before the children came along, crossing the dams and bridges of the Zeeland coast and on to cross the Schelde estuary using the bike or pedestrian only Breskens Ferry.Our tour took in Burgh-Haamstede into a stiff southerly wind, sand blasting us off the North Sea beaches (or “like being stung by a billion ants” as Jenny described it). We crossed the Schelde where Jenny took umbridge at being called “a pedestrian” due to the tandem being seen as one bike. And off to Knokke-Heist on the

Then a short trip to Brugge for our rest day, staying in private rooms at the house of a lovely lady called Ingrid as part of the Vrienden op de Fiets (friends of the cyclists) network. Revitalised by the rest day, we headed north to Oost Kapelle for our next night (with another trip over the dunes for a dip in the sea), then Northeast to the lovely quayside village of Oude Tonge. Our final leg in Holland was back to the port of Hoek to collect our overnight ferry back to the UK, with an evening at the cinema before turning in at midnight.

And after a smooth crossing we were back to Hull, where despite their best efforts, the cycle paths are really appalling. Then with a stiff westerly wind to our final stay at The Loco at Haxey, with a lovely welcome and a veggie curry.

It really was a fabulous trip, we covered 350 miles in 10 days, rode in three countries and really made the most of the excellent cycle path networks in Holland and Belgium. The Philippino staff on the P&O ferry cannot be

faulted, they were all lovely, welcoming people, despite the circumstance of the former P&O workers.

I’d strongly recommend anyone who wants to take a cycling tour to give Holland and Belgium a go. For sure it’s flat, but that doesn’t make it boring in the slightest. Sand dunes, beautiful canal side, seaside and quayside towns and villages, great beaches, cleanliness everywhere, and the smoothest cycle paths you could ask for.

Planning your route couldn’t be simpler, there are two types of cycle path signs; the more direct red signs which point you to the next village without taking a road, and then the more tourist friendly Fietsknoop green signs that are numbered junctions that you can string together either with a paper map, or using the website www.fietsknoop.nl, the phone app and the download to your GPS bike computer. It really worked perfectly for us.

Let’s hope the children grow up loving touring by bike as much as their parents do!

An alternative Dutch Experience

– Tim Mitchell

The sun rose early and heated the chalet as four Clarionistas prepared for a day of cycling across Walcheren and Zeelandic Flanders. The bikes were not carbon fibre or titanium but ‘oma-fiets’ or ‘grandma bikes’.  Heavy and practical, hub gears ‘comfy saddles’, racks.  The pannier was loaded with picnic supplies, towels and beach toys, water bottles were filled and off we set.

The day’s peloton consisted of all four Mitchell members of Saddleworth Clarion.  We wore no helmets or lycra and travelled in clothes to arrive in (swimming shorts and shirts).

The Dutch see and define cycling and cyclists in two ways: ‘Fiets’ - everyday cycling for transport and ‘Weileren’ - racing and sports cycling, today was very much a ‘fiets’ kind of day.  Our only nod to wielersport was our cycling caps that proved essential in the 30  degree heat.

BOLTON CLARION TOUR OF TUSCANY

Thanks to the post-brexit re-introduction of roaming charges and a degree of Yorkshire frugality, navigation relied on the Dutch Fietspads.  All we had to do was find a fietspad, or cycle path, and follow the numbers. It is a fantastic system that the kids enjoyed following and could do so easily.

The bike paths were fantastic, navigating a family into a fairly large town felt safe and easy.  We crossed the Schelde Estuary on the ‘fiets ferry’, a lovely half hour cool down. Then we picked up the coastal path towards Belgium.  The only disagreement being where to stop for a swim and a cool down.

After 20k or so we turned inland to find a play park made of World War 2 bunkers, left as a permanent scar on the area but these were in a forest, with a cafe. The kids enjoyed the shade and the chance to let off steam. We enjoyed the cafe and a cold drink.

JUNE 2022 – MIKE SINGLETON

BOARDING THE FERRY

We then followed the numbers back to the ferry and a fruitless search for a cold drink in a cafe. Our eventual stop wasn’t a windmill powered micro-brewery or a cafe selling nice cakes but turned into a sausage roll and a bottle of pop from the Jumbo supermarket, on theme at least.

The return to the chalet had begun to drag on the kids so a last bottle of pop was found, turning the day into ‘two coke Tuesday’.  The kids were delighted.  They rode just shy of 50k with a total ascent nearing erm…well they were super chuffed.  As was I, as club runs go this one was pretty special. For 8 years old Seth and 10 year old Orla it was lekker, or lovely in Dutch.

It was almost 3 years since the planning of our tour of Tuscany (plus Umbria and Emilia-Romagna) commenced when, 7 of us, finally set-off for central Italy on June 14th, 2022; the original booking was made for 2020 then re-booked for 2021, with both needing to be cancelled as a result of the Covid outbreak. >>

BOLTON CLARION TOUR OF TUSCANY

>> So, as we played the tedious game of sheep-herding at Manchester airport (1.25 hours to drop our bags/bikes and another 1.25 hours to clear Security) nothing could diminish our excitement for this long-awaited tour. We were originally going to fly to Verona but airline cutbacks put paid to that and so we were now heading for Pisa instead –obviously with our 10 day route modified accordingly.

Our first day’s ride, from Pisa to San Gimignano, saw us endure the inevitable climate acclimatisation - going from North West UK highs of 150C to Tuscan 300-350C, however the sumptuous scenery and delightful villages helped us to ignore our sweating brows, passing through San Mianato, where we stopped for lunch, then onto San Gimignano where our hotel was located bang in the centre of the main square – Refreshing beers sat outside offered the perfect end to our first days ride.

The following day entailed an indirect route to Siena, pausing at the Ponte della Pia (a medieval bridge dating back to the 13th century) before reaching Rosia for a light lunch. The terrain was much more challenging (hillier) than yesterday, with a final ascent up to the centre of Pisa where

a brief look at the Piazza del Campo (famous for the Palio bareback horse race). Another well-earned beer sat outside one of the bars in the multitude of surrounding medieval streets helped to cool us before heading to our hotel.

Day 3 saw us heading to Chianciano Terme which included a not-insignificant (when carrying panniers) 5,300 feet of ascending, but the scenery was quite simple outstanding - Punto Panoramico Crete Senisi Agr Baccoleno offered a truly stunning vista, typifying how you imagine Tuscany to be. Lunch was taken in San Quirico d’Orsa, a charming little village where we had to take a short detour via the back streets to avoid the oncoming Mille Miglia – a 1000-mile annual Classic car race. Chianciano Terme didn’t appear too attractive at first sight but a walk into the old town offered us a pleasant evening of dining and relaxation.

Our 4th day took us into Umbria and on to Perugia, an easy day’s cycling following yesterday’s tough ride with lunch in Tavernelle; we did have a climb up to our hotel but it was located some way below the summit and right next to a series of escalators (built inside the hillside) which

glides pedestrians up to the top and the centre of town (and back down again) all at no cost. Perugia is incredibly atmospheric, in my opinion even more so than Siena, and we filled our bellies with good food, washed down with fine wine.

Day 5 offered us another easy day – upon leaving Sienna we glided downwards for a scintillating 13 miles! We paused briefly in Passignano alongside Lago Trasimeno but declined the option to stay for lunch, instead continuing for a further 6 miles until we reached La Puntabella, a bohemian style café located on a sharp bend, overlooking the lake. With full bellies it was onwards to our next destination, Arezzo where the interesting (old) part of town is located atop a hill; an extended wander around the streets eventually led us to Pizza’s, Pasta, Wine and beer!

Day 6 offered a rest day for some or, for 4 of us, a short jaunt to Cortona – a small, hilltop village, full of shops, tourists and café’s – where we just about managed to squeeze our bikes between shops & chairs to park them whilst we dined.

Day 7 and the ‘ease-ometer’ was on the rise but not by too

much (that would be reserved for tomorrow); with our route taking us along quiet, villagefree lanes there were few opportunities to stop for lunch so we were relived to find a small Trattoria half-way up a 7 mile ascent. Suitably refreshed and with the summit not too far ahead, we were rewarded with the final 17 miles being virtually all downhill to Florence, complete with the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and numerous, often naked, Michelangelo sculptures.

Day 8 – it was tough! We knew it would be and we weren’t wrong. 70 miles with 6,500 feet of ascending; not ideal with panniers but there were no alternative routes to get to Bologna. Suffice to say, it was very hot (although luckily enough slightly cooler than previous days), it was hilly and it was energy-sapping. There were essentially 3 ascents: 6 miles, 11 miles and 4 miles in length; the gradients were generally okay but there were a ‘few’ sharp sections – I briefly saw 18% on my Garmin! We stopped for lunch; I can’t recall exactly where but it

refuelled us sufficiently to reach the final summit – at this point I wasn’t the most popular tour leader but I think the final 24 miles to Bologna regained me some forgiveness as they were all downhill.

Day 9 was another tough day (I wore my flak-jacket), 64 miles with 6,000 feet of climbing as we headed to Pistoia. The beauty of this route was that although we had lots of climbing to conquer, there was essentially only one hill (with some dips) – this hill was 26 miles long! But, it meant that the gradient was very comfortable. Lunch was taken slightly off-route at a small café adjacent a fishinglake and, as were becoming accustomed to, the final 10 miles were all downhill again. Our hotel also had an outdoor swimming pool – ideal for cooling down after a hard day’s pedalling.

Day 10 and the ride back to our start-point in Pisa; we had two alternative routes, both easy – we chose the very easiest one! Just 41 miles with less than 1,500 feet of

climbing. We stopped at Lucca for lunch, another delightful town where we headed for the main square but got lost amidst the absolute maze of narrow streets; we also got split-up into 2 groups and the Garmin become more of a hindrance than a help as the tall-sided buildings were causing a loss of GPS reception. We did of course eventually succeed and had a fine alfresco meal at one of the numerous cafes lining the perimeter of the square. A very easy final 14 miles delivered us back to our hotel in Pisa where we re-packed our bikes for the flight home tomorrow – we were so looking forward to spending half the day queuing up!

My Garmin recorded a total mileage of 540 miles and 31,335 feet of ascending; there’s no doubt this wasn’t a tour for relaxing, but the scenery, destinations, food and drink were sumptuous –oh and the Gelato wasn’t bad either!

– Mike Singleton

This is a relatively new 350 km circular, off road touring route set up by Cycling UK. It joins up existing routes including the last part of the South Downs Way, The Ridgeway and The Thames Path. It also takes in Salisbury Plain. A nice route all in all but not as developed in terms of signage and services as the pre-existing routes which make it up. Plus, the connections between these existing routes is often

KING ALFREDS WAY

– MCR Bike Commuter

using overgrown bridleways with nettles and brambles. We cycled it in July having first ridden the South Downs Way which felt more cohesive as a route, easier to follow and better developed for bike touring facilities.

The Ridgeway section of the King Alfreds Way was very enjoyable, but you had to drop off the “Ridge” to access most facilities and in the exceptionally hot period we cycled it, it meant finding water

WINTER SUN & FUN

was a challenge at times. On the upside when we did drop off it onto the Thames Path, we found a gorgeous spot next to the river for wild swimming.

I would say this is best ridden early summer in dry weather before the vegetation gets up. In wet weather the chalky marl surfaces might get a bit greasy and slippery. Further information: www.cyclinguk. org/king-alfreds-way

Not that I’m knocking the usual winter trips to ride in Mallorca, they are great but this year I fancied something different. An off-road route called the Trans Andalucía caught my eye. The whole route is 2000 km but we decided to pick off the southern sunny section between Seville and Malaga for our early March trip over two weeks at a leisurely pace.

Billed as a mountain bike route, this section for the most part is more gravel bike territory although there were a couple

of sections where we even struggled with loaded mountain bikes. We did a mixture of hotels/hostels/camping and took maximum advantage of lunchtime cafe stops and evening tapa and beers wherever the opportunity arose. And why not, the food is fabulous and the beer is cheap.

Highlights were climbing up for ages on gentle gradient dirt roads, through marvellous cork oak forests to be greeted with amazing views of Gibraltar and North Africa. Also, the riding around El Chorro and the coastal riding around Tariffa stand out. The weather was marvellous and the only rain we had was on the day we were in Malaga boxing up the bikes to return. More info on the route in English at www.transandalus.org

– Nigel Blandford, Bury Clarion  facebook.com/BritOnABike

Mad dogs and Englishmen

– A ride from Gloucester to York

The original plan was to catch the train from York to Bristol and ride back. What could possibly go wrong?

Mike Cowling and his brother Nigel, both Fenland members but living in Yorkshire, planned a southwest to northeast tour before the threat of industrial action on trains and the high temperatures the country experienced in summer.

As the departure date drew closer, we knew that the transport unions wouldn’t interfere with our plans in their pursuit of a decent pay rise, the weather, on the other hand, was a problem. As the train didn’t arrive in Bristol until lunchtime and we didn’t fancy struggling in forecasted high temperatures out of Bristol we altered our route to get off the train at Cheltenham and ride south to Gloucester to be on our accommodation schedule.

Early morning saw us ride ten miles to York station from home along the Selby to York

bicycle path in shady coolness. Collecting sandwiches and water from a small Co-op we arrived at the station to find that the train, from Edinburgh, was on time but no departure platform was available. We chatted with a very helpful station worker who said that she was in charge of despatching the train and she’d make sure we, and our bikes, were on board. Reservations for the bikes had been made but getting them on the train wasn’t easy. Panniers came off to reduce weight before they

were both suspended from hooks in a small compartment in the carriage. They don’t make it easy.

By the time we arrived at Cheltenham the mercury was nudging 40C and the struggle to get the bikes off the train was a reminder of how hot it was. The first stop was directly out of the station at a trendy cafe, latte in jam jars etc, that offered the absolute luxury of air conditioning. Refreshed with cake and coffee we set off for Quedgeley, south of

Gloucester, and our hotel for the night. Using the good cycle path network we left Cheltenham, past GCHQ and over the M5 into the countryside. Arriving in Gloucester we stopped for ice cream and a drink at the city centre canal basin before using the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal towpath to head for Quedgeley.

It had cooled slightly overnight but not that much. After a good breakfast we headed north to Gloucester, back through the city centre, past the Gloucestershire Airport and struck out for Tewkesbury. We rode a lengthy section of off road across fields collecting a covering of mud after a short rain shower. Nigel, cursing the mud on his pristine bike, received quizzical looks from grazing sheep. Onwards to Evesham for a cafe stop, we diverted from the route and wished that we hadn’t. I’m sure that Evesham has more to offer than what we found. Still heading northeast, we rode along the Stratford

Greenway, with the River Avon on our left, into Stratford upon Avon for our second night. Showered we walked into the town centre and did a circuit of the tourist spots before replacing lost calories.

After a good breakfast, delivered to our bedroom door, we set off for a 52 miles stage to Leicestershire in good shape. We headed east and turned south for a short while before heading northwards towards Warwick. The wind dropped in behind us as the road climbed through Warwick and Kenilworth. The rain started as we rode through Coventry city centre following the pre-loaded GPS route on the Garmin. We picked up the canal towpath and rode for several miles past narrow

boats and their associated canal side communities, exchanging pleasantries with folks. We left the canal behind on the outskirts of Nuneaton and rode towards Watling Street, the A5. A quick turn right and left and we were in Leicestershire. Keeping Market Bosworth on our right we rode through Carlton and Barton in the Beans to our lodge, south of Ibstock.

Bikes washed and breakfast eaten we set off on what was to be deemed the “Queen Stage” towards Staveley near Chesterfield. Just like the day before we head south for a short while before swinging north, again with a favourable tail wind. We rode to the west of Coalville and crossed the >>

By the time we arrived at Cheltenham the mercury was nudging 40C and the struggle to get the bikes off the train was a reminder of how hot it was.

Mad dogs and Englishmen

– A ride from Gloucester to York

>> A42 as we rode into Derby. A well-defined cycle path led us past Pride Park, home of Derby County FC and alongside the River Derwent. We stopped at a small food outlet as it was well past ‘elevenses’ for an expensive coffee and an even more expensive doughnut, talk about a sugar rush! Continuing through Little Eaton to cross under the A38 we were now heading for Ripley. We decided not to take any souvenirs home from Denby Pottery, I couldn’t quite fit a dinner service in the pannier, but there is a good cafe there. The last twenty miles of the day saw countless climbs, one after another, as we made our way to Staveley, hence the “Queen Stage” moniker. We dived onto the good surfaced NCN67 and left it south of Holmewood to re-join the path, after some head scratching, just outside Staveley. We couldn’t find the junction that we needed owing to it being right in the middle of roadworks. A cup of tea was waiting for us, almost Mrs Doyle like, at the B&B, as we rested our tired legs.

May Day Bank Holiday Camping, Cycling, Wild Swimming and Walking Weekend 2022

–

Clitheroe and Blackpool Clarion

The last day offered early challenges with the first twenty miles providing leg testing climbs. Names of the villages are a clue, Spinkhill, Harthill. We did recover during a stop at Nigel’s house for coffee and cake, thanks Dianne. Onwards to Maltby and then, just outside Doncaster, we fell off a cliff to the flatlands and easy riding. Using the Doncaster Greenway saw us ride through the town and into countryside riding alongside the River Don. At Braithwaite we joined the New Junction Canal tow pay and competition anglers with gear spread everywhere. It’s got to be the same outlook as cyclists. How many rods do you have? The answer, identical to our formula for bike ownership, has to be N+1. Each to their own. Continuing into East Yorkshire and through Snaith we crossed the River Aire into North Yorkshire.

We avoided the busy A1041 as much as possible as we continued north to Selby, doglegging as we went. A few miles north of Selby and we were back at our start point.

Riding through the heart of England gave us a chance to see the variety of landscapes on offer. The urbanisation and industry of major towns contrasted with serenity of birdsong and scenic views in the countryside. The decision to curtail the ride in the extreme heat of the opening day was a good one to make. We didn’t see any mad dogs outside in the midday sun, just mad cyclists.

A YouTube video of the trip can be found at www.youtube. com/watch?v=N76GFZCw9-I

friday evening: After work we drove the 110 miles to Barrow House, aka Derwent Water Independent Hostel, which for many decades was part of the YHA. It’s an amazing place, a couple of miles south of Keswick, with Ashness Beck flowing through the spacious grounds between the waterfall, known as Barrow Cascade and the Lake.

is sure!} taking the minor road from Grange, along the flanks of Catbells, one of Alfred Wainwright’s favourites, which while modest in height, offers splendid views. We rode on to Portinscale, then over the suspension bridge and into Keswick for the night.

Saturday: We awoke to blue skies and a heavy frost on the tents, so hastily we headed into the hostel for breakfast.

then to walk to the summit, Skiddaw being one of the three ‘Munros’ in the Lakes.

We accepted Bear’s wager that he could run the whole route in less time than we could cycle and walk to the summit and back to Barrow House. If he won, we’d have to pay Bear’s bar bill at The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, aka Keswick Wetherspoons, that evening.

We booked our breakfasts, pitched our tents and as campers, we still had full access to all of the hostel’s facilities. After a brew we rode down to the Lake, where there were many wild swimmers, who were also staying at the hostel. Then we continued around Derwent Water, to the Bowder Stone {Fallen Rock or Glacial Erratic? Nobody

We were most surprised to find that one of our party, an archetypal, or as the day transpired, an erstwhile, hardened, globetrotting, fell running ‘Bear Grylls’ had found camping in the early Cumbrian Spring rather too cold for his liking and had taken refuge in the common room during the early hours.

As we consumed the wonderful multi-course breakfast, including copious amounts of orange juice and tea, we formulated our plan to cycle the first five miles to Skiddaw, leaving the bikes at the top of the Latrigg Road and

After readying the bikes, boots {“Spurs!”} and rucksacks, we took a closer look at the magnificent waterfalls in the grounds, which we had seen from our breakfast table. >>

BARROW HOUSE

May Day Bank Holiday Camping, Cycling, Wild Swimming and Walking Weekend 2022

– Clitheroe and Blackpool Clarion

>> The Fylde’s Fell Runner gave us a head start as we set off on the race to cycle and walk up and down Skiddaw and return to Barrow House. As we approached Little Man, one of our party, an inexperienced fell walker, broke away, no doubt thinking it was Skiddaw, but the exertion left him totally ‘spent’, so leading to his becoming the new ‘Lantern Rouge’ and arriving at the true Summit’s Trig Point, several minutes later than the main Peloton. We ate our Booths Meal Deals by the wind shelter and took-in the views towards Blencathra and of Derwentwater and Lake Bassenthwaite, the latter being the only Lake in the Lake District!

was it also that he’d Welched on his bet?} and so he was going to drive home. Comfort not Speed; more Ray Mears than Bear Grylls.

After meeting one of the Lake District’s most famous sons recently, the fell runner, Joss Naylor, I was inspired to purchase his new book. Lake*, Meres, Waters and Tarns of the Lake District! (*Yes Lake, not Lakes, for as stated above, there is only one Lake in the Lake District!)

So on we walked, back down to the bikes and cycled past Keswick’s Cumberland Pencil Museum {I’ve never been in, I just can’t see the point!} and saw a sign for the Lake District Scarecrow Festival. Borrowdale are hoping to win again this year. In 2021 their Scarecrow was awarded first prize, judges said it was “Outstanding in its field!”

There were lots of fell runners on the mountain, however we hadn’t seen Bear since the hostel that morning. But then as we were halfway back down Skiddaw Bear phoned to say that he just could not stand another night in his cold tent {or

We’d oft’ wondered if our man ‘Bear’ and Joss were the same person, as we’d never seen them together in the same {hostel common} room, or for that matter atop a Cumbrian Wainwright or Munro. But then again, we wouldn’t have, would we! As one is a Champion Fell runner, in his native Lakeland and the other, who’s from the flatlands of Blackpool, perhaps once had an eye on a jog around the Fells of the Maldives?

We had a quick look at Castlerigg Stone Circle, which we visit at sunset on the annual BCCC midsummer 200 miles in 24 hours ride around the Lakes.

That evening we rode back into Keswick, to visit Spoons for steak, chips and peas, {two of our five a day} plus a few beers, which by rights Bear should have been buying. Just before 9pm, we walked around the corner to listen to another non-stop 3 hours of Pete Lashley, www.petelashley.com

Sunday: Many early morning wild swimmers were already taking to the icy waters, {which would not have been to Bear’s liking,} as we climbed up to Ashness Bridge, often said to be the most photographed packhorse bridge in the Lakes.

sped along the valley floor, a quick dip in our favourite wild swimming spot in the Lakes, Black Moss Pot and onto Seatoller and the start of the 1 in 4 Honister climb, pausing for a look at the slate mine, which is next door to Honister YHA. Very soon we were down in Buttermere Village where we visited the memorial to Lancashire’s Alfred Wainwright, inside St James’ Church.

We ascended the tree lined Whinlatter Pass Road, which is Lakeland’s answer to the Dark Hedges of County Antrim, {made famous by TV’s Game of Thrones} and onto Wordsworth statue in Cockermouth, after which we followed quiet lanes to Bassenthwaite village, then taking the east side of ‘The Lake’ to Keswick for an evening meal, before returning to ‘base camp.

life ‘down south’, as you would, so he opted to strike out on a simpler life of self-sufficiency, {much like the real ‘Bear’} and in the 1920’s he moved into the disused split-level quarried cave in Borrowdale. Our other trips to the Lakes have visited the larger, better known and more accessible Cathedral and Rydal caves.

Soon we reached Surprise View with its magnificent clifftop Panorama of Borrowdale, Derwentwater and Lake Bassenthwaite, before a fast descent back down to ‘Keswick Water’, as it was known in the 18th and 19th centuries. Onwards we

Bank Holiday Monday: We partook of a final hostel breakfast before we packed up the tents and rode to Grange and along the river to the foot of Castle Crag where we locked our steeds before walking up to Millican Dalton’s Cave.

Millican was a self-styled “Professor of Adventure” who for nearly 50 years lived in the cave each summer. At the age of 36, the  keen cyclist, camper and climber had felt constrained by his humdrum

Despite not leaving Borrowdale until 7 pm the Bank Holiday Weekend was over all too quickly, but we were spared the worst of the M6 Bank Holiday traffic on the way home!

– Tomo Hepworth, aka the ‘Bard of Clitheroe!’

The Harry Laws Cup Competition

STEVE CLARKE DELVES INTO THE HISTORY BEHIND THE FENLAND 50 MILE TROPHY

Born 1911 Harold Laws was a former resident of Peterborough who was killed while fighting with the International Brigade in Spain when the insurgents recaptured Teruel from the Government forces on February 17th 1938.

Originally from Southampton, in 1935 at age 25 he came to Peterborough from Worcester to work as a turner (lathe operator) at the city’s Baker Perkins engineering works. He held strong political views and after a short time in the Labour Party he joined the Communists with whom he had been associated with in Southampton.

Being a keen cyclist Harry joined the Clarion as soon as he moved to Peterborough, sometimes joining club runs and sometimes on touring excursions with two or three friends.

In 1936 he left Peterborough for Stratford, London and then worked in Birmingham before leaving to join the

Rory and Ruan

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International Brigade in October 1937 to fight against General Franco’s Fascist forces in the Spanish Civil War.

Whilst in Peterborough he lodged with a Mrs Garner of Rock Road and was great friends with the family of Mrs Barber of the same street. He wrote several letters to Mrs Barber, one sent from hospital in Albcate, Plaza del Altazona after being wounded in the arm at Teruel in December 1937. He wrote, “I only fired five shots, and I don’t think I hit anything, but Franco’s men got me.”

Another letter spoke of the amazing country, “We appear to be bang up against the sky, thousands of feet above sea level. Mountain tops are quite close, only two or three hundred feet away, usually immersed in clouds.”

On February 17th 1938, the day Harry died in Segura de los Baños, Mrs Barber received a letter dated 5th January. “We have had a hard time lately.” he wrote and added, “but I have enjoyed it,

Youth European MTB Champs

this is a wonderful army and the moral is very high.”

After his death the Clarion sections within the East Midlands area (especially Peterborough, Nottingham and Leicester) collected together and purchased the Harry Laws 50 mile Cup, which is still awarded each year to this day by the Peterborough based Fenland Clarion Cycling Club.

At the end of July, Ruan Vorster and Rory Ogilvie from West Lothian Clarion set off in the van, headed to Capriasca, Switzerland to race the Youth European MTB Championships. With a van packed to the brim the drive took twenty hours, spread across two days. Although tedious, the drive got more interesting as we went: we started on the same motorway as every other race trip, before English fields gradually gave way to Swiss mountains and tunnels. Arriving in Capriasca was a relief. Two days of driving was tough, especially with temperatures of nearly forty degrees celsius. We unpacked the main things like food, clothes and bikes into the hotel rooms and then went to bed to rest up for the week ahead.

The first day was registration and course practice. After setting up the gazebo amongst the other British teams, Terence, the team manager went to sign our team on, as we got our riding kit on to do our first laps. The course

was nothing like anything we had raced in the UK. It was bone dry, technical, steep, and ridiculously dusty, but both of us loved the course and were excited to make an impact on the technical downhills. After completing 3 laps of the course in the extreme heat, we decided to head back to the hotel to rehydrate and get some food onboard ahead of the first race the next day.

The first race was the TT, which took place on a very short course that started with a steep climb, followed by an off camber descent and then some tight corners before the sprint to the finish line. For our warm up we found a shady spot and had wet cold towels wrapped around us to keep the body temperature down. The race was full gas as it was just over a minute, meaning that times were super tight, and any mistake could cost you. Unfortunately, we both had

small issues in the TT which caused us to lose some time, dropping us down the rankings. Rory was extremely happy to come through as >> >> 1st Scottish rider in this event, which gave him a lot of hope for the coming races.

The next day was the team relay, which took place on the full XCO course. We decided on our order before registering, and first up was Ruan, who did well to move up from a start position of 91st, gradually picking off

“After completing 3 laps of the course in the extreme heat, we decided to head back to the hotel to rehydrate and get some food onboard ahead of the first race the next day.

riders throughout the lap. Our teammate Lacey went second, and unfortunately didn’t have the best lap, and so it was up to Rory to make up some more places on the last lap, by which point the field was a little less congested, with less

HAROLD LAWS (Peterborough Clarion Cycling Club) courtesy of www.international-brigades.org.uk

THE HARRY LAWS 50 MILE TIME TRIAL CUP, still awarded each year by the Fenland Clarion Cycling Club www.fenlandclarion.co.uk

Rory and Ruan Competition

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Youth European MTB Champs

riders in the way. We both had solid laps with no major issues, leaving us on the same start row for Saturday’s XCO. Before this though, we had two rest days. We went to the race venue on both these days, getting in more practice laps and spending time with all the other British riders at the race.

The XCO start was chaos, with a start grid nearly thirty rows deep, but we made it through, and were right beside each other through the first singletrack. Things were just starting to settle down when Ruan had a small crash, which in such a congested

JUNIOR START AT THE CRIT CHAMPS

course was tricky to get back up from without being hit by other riders. Rory was eventually pulled from the race with two laps to go, after struggling and having to stop with cramp. Ruan managed to keep moving through the field to finish all four laps without being pulled. We finished 73rd and 122nd out of nearly 150 riders in the end and came away from the week with an amazing new experience under our belts. We are so grateful for the opportunity, which wouldn’t have been possible without help from our parents, and sponsors which included West Lothian Clarion.

National Clarion 3-up Team Time Trial Championships

– Promoted by Tuxford Clarion

The Clarion has brought me in to contact with all sorts of people I wouldn’t otherwise have met including Fergus Muir –intrepid tricyclist and cycling correspondent for the Eastern Daily Press.

Finding himself at a cyclocross event in Colchester in October he kindly snapped this picture of Evander Wishart of Fenland Clarion winning the youth event. Thanks Fergus and well done Evander.

– Ed

THREE’S COMPANY…

Another warm and sunny day for the Clarion Team Time Trial Championships and we had a good entry of 15 teams including 9 of these from Clarion Clubs with the rest made up of local clubs.

With Covid affecting 1 in 20 people in the country at the time, it was inevitable that we’d lose a couple of teams before the event, and we did. But nonetheless the best team won the overall prize which was South Normanton CC. However, shock of the day,

was how close the secondplace team which was the Nottingham Clarion winners of this year’s Tuxford Cup, only 24 seconds behind, their team was Michael Cooke, Matthew Utley and Gavin Jones in 55:07, which on a sporting course like this legendary Polly Taylor’s course (two a bit laps of Tuxford’s evening TT course 11.3 miles) was a great ride for 25 miles.

In second was Tuxford’s A team with veteran Martin Smith, his 14 yr old son Isaac and Gil Grayson (16), in a ride just outside the hour, having lost 15 seconds due to traffic on Lincoln Rd.

Despite the sad news of Calder’s Lewis Smith’s passing the week before, they still sent their 3 teams, as they knew this is what Lewis would have wanted. A minute’s silence was taken at the prize presentation. Calder also fielded a full youth team recording an ‘inside evens’ time of 1hr 14m and 33 secs.

We intend to run another 3-up next year and will definitely have a road bike only event, as part of this, with a separate prize list for this. We have found that this type of team event, on quiet local roads, encourages the less than >>

National Clarion 3-up Team Time Trial Championships

>> fully serious time triallists, as it is a fun way to enjoy a race with your club mates. A few teams had never ridden a time trial before. At the end of the event, we asked if riders felt that a 2-up would be a better event, they unanimously voted for it to stay as a 3-up.

We’d like to thank event sponsors – InControl Systems of Chesterfield  www.incontrol.co.uk and local photographer, Tony Jarrow, www.flickr.com/ people/tonyjarrow who took excellent photos of all riders.

Section Reports B

righton and Hove Clarion have more or less got back into a fortnightly ride schedule as the Covid threat diminishes. On two recent rides we’ve come across interesting things that we’ve never seen before, and this made me think about several other experiences we’ve had on our rides in the past. For me, this is one of the pleasures of going on rides (along with just being in the countryside, away from traffic, buildings and noise).

1st CLARION CHAMPS Nottingham Clarion CC

1st TEAM OVERALL South Normanton CC 00:54:43

2nd TEAM OVERALL Nottingham Clarion CC 00:55:07

3rd TEAM OVERALL Sleaford Wheelers Cycling Club 00:57:35

1st COMPOSITE Amicus 13 / VC Lincoln Comp’ 00:59:25

1st LADIES TEAM Tuxford Clarion all ladies 01:19:36

On a ride in December 2021, one alert Clarionista spotted a dinosaur. It wasn’t a real dinosaur, of course – it was made mainly out of bits of old farm machinery, although it had a purpose-built head, which resembled that of a triceratops. It was on a farm, next to a bridleway, and you could easily miss it – as most of us did.

A few weeks later, in a different part of Sussex, we came upon a farmyard where someone had constructed a huge sculpture, mainly out of old galvanised dustbins. This was apparently the studio of local artist Hamish Black. The writer of the ride report on that occasion said she was reluctant to tarry in case he appropriated our bicycles to add to it!

I think the nicest “artwork” I’ve seen on a ride was a little group of statues in the centre of the old Sussex town of Hurstpierpoint. Three of >>

– Promoted by Tuxford Clarion

– Brighton and Hove

BRIGHTON AND HOVE

>> us were at the back of a long “peleton” in late 2019, and the others had all ridden past it, but we stopped and looked. It’s a group of seven small children, standing in a circle holding hands. They represent the seven centuries of the existence of the St Lawrence Fair, which dates back to the time of Edward II. Each child is dressed in the appropriate costume of the age, and it is delightful.

Another statue that deserves a mention is to be found in Southwater, near Horsham. In June 2018 we cycled part of the Downs Link cycle route between Christ’s Hospital and Shoreham, and came across the statue, which depicts an iguanodon, whose skeleton was found during quarrying at the former brickworks there. (Mind you, you wouldn’t know that from looking at the plaque, which records only the names of the artist and the person who unveiled it; due to the current vogue for art to “speak for itself”, the reason for it being here is not actually mentioned!)

These statues are important. Even when all the slave-traders’ statues have been removed, there will, unfortunately, still be many that depict men with guns. A greater diversity in statues, including women, children and animals, will help to redress the balance.

DRONFIELD CLARION WEEKEND TO HARROGATE

Only officially running since January 2022 we held our first weekend hotel event in May and attracted twenty-seven bookings. Not all were Clarion cyclists (not yet anyway) but around half were Dronfield Clarion members, the other participants had to have third party insurance to take part.

We had three departure points and groups for the ride north, Meadowhead (five miles south of Sheffield), Meadowhall (between Sheffield and Rotherham) and Doncaster Station, allowing those not wanting to ride the full distance to train assist part way.

The Meadowhead group, entirely made up of Clarion members, had the longest ride, around 70 miles so had an additional breakfast stop at the Old Moor Wetlands Centre. All three groups stopped at the Lakeside cafe, Askern and Lotherton Hall. All groups had safely arrived at the Travelodge in the centre of Harrogate by 6pm. We had prior permission to take our

20-22 MAY 2022

bikes into the bedrooms for security and storage which is a huge benefit.

Friday night was very ‘do as you please’ I was part of a group that found an excellent fish and chip restaurant within ten minutes’ walk from the hotel. Others went to Wetherspoons around the corner, some found other pubs in the town centre.

Saturday came and three rides were on offer, the shortest ride was led by John to Ripley Castle but entirely on surfaced trails. Jonathan’s ride went a bit further to Brimham rocks and Fountains Abbey, my ride was slightly further to York stopping at Benningbrough on the way back. York being packed with race goers, we didn’t stop there longer than necessary.

Saturday evening saw us all booked in for an Italian meal at Vivido’s restaurant. All menu choices were made before the event so the establishment

could deal with our large number. Very enjoyable and highly recommendable.

Sunday saw the same three groups all leave Harrogate between 09:00 and 09:20. Apart from a couple of punctures, the ride home was enjoyable and uneventful. The same cafes were used on the way home, the accelerated group got the train back to Sheffield from Doncaster. The weather for the whole weekend was dry apart from a short shower on the way up near Pontefract, other than that we had sunshine and fluffy clouds.

Thanks to everyone came, especially those who led rides and helped out, I can confirm that next year’s event will be to Spalding, Lincolnshire 1921 May 2023. Details will be placed on the Dronfield Clarion website.

– Barry Raynor

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Tailpiece

When I have a vague idea for a new ride, I go out with a voice recorder and map (and bike!) and try it out, recording timings and mileages and, most importantly, directions. I also record possible points of interest such as old buildings, information boards etc. Back at home, all this info is transferred to a preprogrammed spreadsheet, where false starts and bits that didn’t work out can be removed. The spreadsheet can also shift the timings from whatever time I happened to go out, to those appropriate to a Clarion ride and other factors such as

lunch venue availability and trains to get to the start. It can also “stretch” the timings, to give me an idea of how long the ride will take at typical Clarion “cat-herding” speeds.

What comes out of all this is a printed set of directions with mileages and approximate timings, which I take with me on the ride. Multiple copies can be produced in case we split up. So although high-tech gadgets are used to produce it, there is no gadgetry needed for the ride itself – just eyesight, a compass and a map.

Speaking of maps, I don’t tend to produce maps for my routes. I guess we all vary in

how we mentally visualise a ride – I personally find that I usually have a rough “mental map” in my head, so if I am leading the ride I don’t need to see the route on a map, although I always take one in case we get lost or change the route on the way. There is also the fact that relying only on a map may lead to errors; a list of directions can incorporate subtleties like “go through the gap in the hedge between the third and fourth exits” or “turn left opposite the greengrocer’s” which you can’t really communicate with a map. However, I have produced maps for some of my rides, as they do help to quickly summarise a route for anyone not familiar with it. I mark the route on a copy of an OS map, and then copy that.

– Jim Grozier, Brighton & Hove Clarion

Following on from the last edition, the last word in this edition goes to Jim Grozier on recording rides.