Steve Peat wins Lisboa Downtown for the seventh year in succession!

A fantastic event and great pictures...

The Clarencourt try to get eight riders onto two bikes!

From Clarencourt Cycling Club Members Blog

More Hythe Awayday pics

From Clarencourt Cycling Club Members Blog

Paul White relaxes on the beach after the Hythe Awayday!

End of a perfect day!

Kelly the Bouncing Bomb!

" Thank God for my nice dinner please may I get down?" Appledore

Someone famous's garden shed - Dungeness Vegetated Shingle Beach

Rob Scourfield The Red Hot Poker!

Prophetic or what? This notice at the point where we had the crash!

Hythe away day. Sunday 24th May

Bright sunshine seemed promising as I drove down to Hythe, Kent from Berkshire. Looking at the outside temperature on the car dashboard display at 0700hrs, 12.5 degrees, going up to 15.5 degrees when I parked up in Fort Road Hythe. There was a little light cloud and a bit of a breeze, luckily from the east, pushing us all the way to Rye, I thought. Gradually people started to arrive until we were a group of nine.

We set off into the lanes of the Romney Marsh just on 0900hrs and headed via St Mary in the Marsh to New Romney and then onto Dungeness for 11 se's at the cafe at the end of the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch light railway. After a suitable break to admire the scenery, bacon butties, steam locomotive, nuclear power station, light house pebbles and more pebbles and a recluse film directors house.

After this, we were off in the direction of Lyde and Camber Sands. The breeze had slightly shifted and was now behind us once again. The speed picked up heading towards Camber Sands. Camber Sands was sunny and warm. The world and his mother were out all in cars, poor devils. Scenes came to mind of kiddies shouting "are we there yet?" for the queue on the road in the other direction as we passed was well over two miles to get into the beach car park. Note to one's self: do not run this ride on the bank holiday weekend; too congested at Camber! Nevertheless, traveling through Camber went without incident; alas that wasn't to last.

Traffic through Rye was heavy, but manageable. After leaving the heavy stationary traffic there we turned north east following the Royal Military Canal towards Stone in Oxney. A momentary touch of wheels led to Paul Kelly to doing "A Pope" and kissing the tarmac. Fortunately, no major damage was done. With a few mechanical adjustments to the bike, words of comfort from us all he was back on his feet and we were on our way. (Full report available on a club night to members, but too long and I'm not writing it up here.)

A moment of relaxation after Mr Kelly kissed the tarmac to look at the Royal Military Canal

Onto the only climb of the day, (I suspect this is why Clarencourt members like this ride; 90% of it is flat as a pancake) but it's worth it for the views all the way across the marshes from Hythe to Dungeness on a good day. After "The hill of Death" we rolled down into Stone in Oxney then onto the Black Lion pub in Appledore for lunch (good food etc). While we were there, we met up with a young couple riding a Freddie Grubb tandem. For more info: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/nkilgariff/FreddieGrubb.htm

After lunch, into the lanes again crossing toward Brenzett and a quick stop at the Brenzett WW2 museum, where they have a Barnes Wallis "bouncing bomb" on display. For more info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/wallis_neville_barnes.shtml

We moved on from the museum towards Ivychurch, Newchurch and ultimately back to Hythe. On arriving in Hythe we stopped for the traditional ice cream at the paper shop. At this point Caroline suggested an extension to the ride over to the beach at Hythe. For years I've always assumed that the coast was all MOD, due to Fort Road being access to MOD firing ranges.

I've always been slightly dissatisfied with this ride, due to there being no afternoon tea stop. Alas there's not much out in the middle of the marsh. We now have, as I have christened, "The Caroline solution," ice cream and tea on the beach at Hythe, weather permitting of course. Caroline, thanks for that, a perfect place for a "Post ride debriefing."

A big thanks to all those who turned out to support the ride. Paul Kelly, I hope the bruises are not too painful.

Paul White

21st May Wednesday Night Mountain Bike Ride

Not a Wednesday night and not a mountain bike ride!

Oh well, misunderstanding on times/texts... the ride didn't happen in the end. Went out and did 10 miles on the road (?) with some of my neighbours. Maybe some might want to come out with the club one day...

Steve

Kennet and Avon ride 14th-16th May

The crew starting at the Bristol to Bath railway path.

Once again the Clarencourt paid homage to the great industrial history of Great Britain with a ride along the Kennet and Avon canal. A big thank you to Dennis Peacock for acting as support car and transporting all of us fine athletes to the start in Bristol and transferring our gear to the digs along the way.

Riders on all sections: Paul White, Bob Green, Paul Kelly.

Riders for sections of the canal: Mick O'Brian, Dennis Peacock. The sensible one's who stayed out of the rain!

It was overcast and the weather reports were bad for the end of last week, all three days. Both of the full days of riding we got away without any rain before lunch, but after 1315hrs, and yes it was almost as if someone didn't like us to the minute both days, it started raining by the bucket. Naturally veterans of the Kennet and Avon rides just toughed it out knowing the digs had plenty of hot water and beer. Alas the quantity of rain made picture taking a little tough, but here they are.

We meet up with Dennis riding in the opposite direct from the lunch stop at Bradford On Avon two miles west of Dundas aqueduct on the first day. Picture taken at Avon cliff Aqueduct, famous for its sag in the arch. Raining all the way from Bradford upon Avon, a soggy Paul Kelly (weren't we all!) reaches the top of the Caan Hill flight in Devizes. Dreaming of a nice warm bath only fifteen minutes away! (again weren't we all!). The ride the next day started from Devizes overcast and dry, and over the towpath section that's all grass for sixteen miles.



Bruce Tunnel 502 yds, built because the estate owner didn't want his view spoilt. We met Dennis soon after this, (again riding towards us, parked at the lunch stop at Great Bedwyn) then a quick tea stop at Crofton Pumping station. These are the oldest working beam steam engines in the world. After this a quick fifteen minute ride down to our lunch stop at Great Bedwyn.

After lunch yet again the weather let us down and we cycled al the way to Newbury in "Mark's and Spencer's" rain. The big sploshy drops, not the Tesco's light weight drops.

Newbury saturday morning.

You know how hotels love to throw too much toast at you for breakfast, well we thought instead of throwing away good bread in the bin it would be a good way of pulling some birds.

We left in our wet gear from Newbury sure of rain and at Woolhampton I decided to take the gear off. Ten minutes later the rain was throwing it down, just in time for a stop for tea at Aldermaston Lock. Sheltered we let the storm go by and left when it was a little better arriving at our lunch stop in Reading around 1300hrs.

Early September for another Kennet and Avon ride providing there's enough interest.

Paul White (Isambard)

Not the last chance to vote on this weeks poll!

I have extended the poll (below left) by a week. You can vote for more than one rider; who voted for Menchov - own up! The jury is out on the winner of the race, after the first week there is no decisive leader... is Armstrong bluffing again?

Maybe the poll winner can win something? (A club bandana, Mick?) - if that prize is thought to be too grand then maybe we could have a poll on each of the three Grand Tours and award the coveted bandana to those with the best score! Let me know what you think...

Steve

13th May Wednesday Night Mountain Bike Ride

Same ride as last week but the other way round and turning for home further west. Whereas last week ride was dry, this weeks started in drizzle (with the promise of rain and even thunder), making the chalk off-road climbs and descents slippery.

Taking advantage being without gainful employment I met up up with a friend and started the ride at 5pm. Starting from Dorking we climbed up behind Denbies Vineyard up to Ranmore where we picked our way downhill to Abinger Hammer crossing the A25. Climbing our way into the west side of Hurt Wood before descending to Holmbury St Mary along wide, deserted tracks, I was struck by what a good area this was for mountain bikers of all abilities. Taking the road south towards Forest Green we turned left onto a bridleway to a long and steady climb through woods to Leith Hill Tower before descending in the mist on the Greensand Way to miss the sanded track up from Westcott taken the week before. The track lead onto the road to the Wotton Hatch pub where we turned right onto the A25 and a bit of road work home just before dusk.

A great ride when it would have been easy to talk yourself out of it and stay at home (although can anyone recommend mudguards for a carbon bike?). It looks as though I'll have to wait until next week (Thurday night not Wednesday - prior engagement!), to use try the lights off-road, maybe starting at 7pm if anyone is interested.

Steve

Sunday ride 19 April 09

Little late loading this because Trevor has trouble co-ordinating camera, computer and brain!

Sunday ride 19 April 09. Start at Cheam with Paul K, Mick, Andrew, James and Trevor taking the photo then on to Merstham to collect Tony and Paul W. Around the lanes rendezvous at Oxted for late breakfast and coffee with Jim and Rob. Paul and Mick in the photo doing some riding of the bikes on the way home up Tandridge Hill Lane.

Sunday ride 3 May 09

Trevor rode in France with his new camera from St Ybard along the Vezere River to Estivaux then descended the gorge climbed out the other side passing by the Comborn Chateaux to return to St Ybard.

Sundays Mountain Bike Ride to East Grinstead

The group outside entrance to St Marks Foundation garden,
near Bletchingley

6th May Wednesday Night Mountain Bike Ride

Tried my first Wednesday Night Mountain Bike Ride last night.

I started from home in Dorking at about five and rode to Westcott along the A25 to warm up. I turned left into Rookery Drive and took the Bridleway up to Coldharbour, there has been a lot of sand put down to counter the effects of the 4 wheel drive vehicles and it may well be worth finding another route up, but it served its purpose. Turning right at Coldharbour I took the track to Leith Hill Tower, taking the wrong line around a tree I had to walk up the last few metres where I saw the first person I'd seen since going off road!

From the tower (I had decided before starting out) to take the Greensand Way to Holmbury (fantastic descent - thank god for disc brakes!!!) and have a look at The Hurtwood area (http://www.hurtwoodcontrol.co.uk/). The Hurtwood is the name given to an area of over 3000 acres of beautiful Surrey heath and woodland embracing Holmbury Hill, Pitch Hill, Winterfold, Shere Heath, Farley Heath and part of Blackheath according to the website, I hadn't been before, even living so close. Getting to Holmbury I could see lots of other bikers getting ready from their cars so it looked good. From the Village Hall I just followed the path up hill and then spent some time just riding whatever looked good - and everything did!

Deciding not to go too mad I then got back on the road at Holmbury and headed north to the A25 at Abinger Hammer turning right and then up another bridleway on the left to go up towards Ranmore and home through the Denbies Estate.

A great ride, 2 and a half hours, and do-able even starting at 6.30pm this time of year. Lights may be needed if starting later but if anyone would like to do this ride or even meet at Holmbury one Wednesday, give me a ring.

Steve

PS: I'll be doing another ride next Wednesday, 07973 140092 for details.

Giro time!

A funny and irreverent look at the up coming Tour of Italy...

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/05052009/58/blazin-saddles-giro-hero.html

More Mallorca Pics

Roger, Chris and Mick lunch at the beach.

Emma, Caroline, Jez and Mick on the Lighthouse family day. Rob Scourfield

Caroline on Formentor

Barry above Lluc

Emma gives Jez and Marcus a hard time coming back from the lighthouse .

An evening in the bar

Lunch at Petra

BBC SO looking for new violinist