AT last a feeling of turning the corner weatherwise as we enjoyed the run to Scorton on a typical English summer day.
Short sharp showers with sunshine in between brought a sheen to the colours of aubretias tumbling over garden walls, the variety of greens in the hedgerows and fields, and the new growth on the hawthorn.
The accelerated transformation of the lanes over the last two weeks is hard to describe, to describe our feelings of enjoyment is less so. The day's ride was livened to some degree with, a broken chain, a broken aluminium frame, four punctures, and a complete rebuild of a rear gear changer, all at nicely spaced intervals and dealt with patiently in good humour.
We had only a glimpse of our intended destination, Nicky Nook, as we passed the entry with keep out notices at the gates. After lunch at the Priory Caf in Scorton we had to make our way home by the shortest route, the A6, our chain of events had cost us dear timewise.
Still the traffic was fairly light and memories of when the A6 was a favoured cyclists route came readily to mind as we made for home once more.
The Clarion race scene was sadly marred this weekend when an hour before the club's promoted open ten mile time trial at Garstang an articulated lorry overturned exactly at the half way point, Hampson Green island. Despite delaying the start time by one hour the obstuction could not be removed in time and the organiser was left with no option other than to cancel the event.
Fred Smith continued his good form winning a gold medal in the veterans 25 mile event based on the Fylde lanes and Jim Ince doing his stuff once more at the track winning the course de primes and a close second in the points race on Monday evening.
This Sunday the Medium Distance group head for Styal in Cheshire. Meet at the town hall square at the new for summer departure time of 8.30am. Details from secretary, 01204 491595. On Saturday afternoon the club ten mile championship is being competed for in the Wigan Wheelers event at Garstang, start at 3pm.
PCLARION National Secretary Frank Bibby has received a letter from Australia from an ex-Bolton Clarion member who is anxious to correspond with any of his former cycling friends. Albert F. Johnson lived at 10 Cleggs Lane, Little Hulton and worked at Hick Hargreaves in Bolton. Albert cycled throughout the war years with the club from 1938 to 1946, and will no doubt have many worthwhile memories of this period that are dear to him. Little is known of the wartime exploits of Bolton cyclists and Albert, being one of them, should have much to relate. Contact can be made through Frank Bibby, 130 Crompton Way Bolton. BL2 2SB.
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