NATIONAL CLARION EASTER MEET

FRIDAY 23 APRIL - MONDAY 26 APRIL 2011 - STIRLING, SCOTLAND

Well Good Friday arrives and it is the morning of departure for northern Britain, Sassenachs in Scotland, can't wait.

We, Steve Menhams, Dave Bisset and myself were travelling by car courtesy of Dave, who's car is loaded to the top once again with bikes and baggage. There was just enough room in the back for Steve, shoulder to shoulder with frames and wheels.

Setting off for the M6 north there is always a sense of trepidation travelling on a bank holiday as so many bank holiday destinations are in that general direction, Blackpool, Lake District, south lakes and north lakes being the most popular.

As it turned out fears of huge tail backs of traffic were un founded as we progressed trouble free up the motorway and once past the likely hold ups we were speeding along at a fair rate of knots.

Dave, a frequent visitor to Scotland has a time table worked out to perfection and has pencilled in a break at a unique attraction prior to reaching Stirling, our destination for the weekend.

'The Falkirk Wheel', never heard of it I thought, but let's see what it is about. The wheel turned out to be a huge engineering project that performs the task of dropping and lifting canal boats from one level to another, taking the place of several old type lock gates, such a feature of canal boat holidays and tours.

On approaching the wheel it has the appearance of a huge claw sticking up in the air and at first sight is a confusing looking contraption. While we walked toward the site the wheel began to move, almost imperceptible at first but as it did the whole concept became decidedly clear, one boat up, one boat down, the once confusing iron work suddenly became such a simple device. Further information in the visitor centre explains the whole cost of operating the lift is less than 1.5. kilowatt hours, each lift costing mere pence, like the Anderton lift in Cheshire, equal weight at either end requires minimal power to operate.

The complex around the site is of course a very popular visitor centre with all the usual shops and souvenir stalls, cafes and most important for us after a long car journey, toilets.

Photos were a must, the sheer size of the construction meant getting it all in from close up a bit difficult without super wide angle lenses, but we managed by using our feet to and fro.

As we were ambling round taking it all in who should turn up on their bikes but the North Cheshire Clarion taking a final rest on their way to Stirling having ridden all the way up from Cheshire. This was their third and final day of a mammoth bike ride, they were bound to win the award for most accumulated mileage travelled to the Easter Meet.

We ourselves were now off to complete the trip to Stirling, find the headquarters and settle in, then ready ourselves for an evening of 'whiskey tasting'.

The whiskey tasting was a very interesting affair, a lesson in the art of distilling and blending, an art form of combining taste buds and nosing, much in the manner of wine tasting. I doubt that many, like me could, or would be able to distinguish one from another, a bit like drinking firery jack. With three generous glasses to taste, each glass accompanied by a talk on the means of produce, vat type and malt type, wooden casks burnt and soaked in all manner of spirits adding to flavour and colour. Very interesting stuff, but at the end I doubt I could ever bring my self round to being a whiskey drinker, but being in the land of genuine scotch one has to be polite about it.

Prior to the whiskey tasting we had been into the city centre sampling the delights of the old buildings, a fantastic variety of architecture, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and there were lots to behold. Chips and fish were also a tasty delight along with a couple of pints of beer before heading off for the whiskey nightcap.

Immediately following the tasting session there was a tour of the 'Observatory' perched atop the hotel building, the hotel once having been a school, had invested in the telescope to further the education of it's students. Now those who had perhaps had imbibed a little too much at the tasting may have felt a bit queezy at the climb up a very narrow stone spiral staircase, a very handy handrail proved most useful as we neared the top. Two very informative gentlemen gave us the history of the observatory and allowed a glimpse through the lens but unfortunately the sky was not clear so the scope was trained on a distant building, it may have been the whiskey but the object was not very well focused. Prior to entering the dome we were able to walk round the outside which offered a birds eye view of the city of Stirling and way beyond.

Saturday morning was a busy time with the Hill Climb up to the Wallace monument, participants having to take an early, or late, breakfast to compete, followed by the 'National Clarion Easter Meet Annual General Meeting', not to everybody's liking but a very essential part of the whole weekend, without them the Easter meet would not exist. This was followed by track racing for the youngsters and a social ride in the afternoon for senior members.

After the AGM we readied for the afternoon social ride and despite a rain free forecast for the weekend it was piddling down as we assembled for the ride. Being a social ride it bothered me not that I was riding my trusty 531 steed, fully equipped with carradice saddle bag, mudguards etc, but it was not long before I was surrounded by all manner of carbon beauties with the ubiquitous tiny saddle packs, even Steve Menhams was riding a carbon Bianchi, albeit with a (proper) saddlebag.

We began the ride in the rain, it was quite cool as well but on leaving Stirling the local leader, Neil, (one of three Neils) led the way down a long flat glacial valley flat as a pancake, ideal except for the grossly potholed surface. God, I thought the roads around our district were bad but this was atrocious and being on skinny tyres it was a chore avoiding them, instead of being able to enjoy the scenery we were eyes down, look in, for potholes.

Here and there attempts had been made at road repairs but these sections were short and far between.

After a good few miles of the flat land we eventually began to climb, a good long climb that thinned out the riders in a long line, steady climbing interspersed with harder bits that strung out the group even more. Meanwhile the rain had ceased and eventually a stop came at the top and a call went out for a regrouping, time now to admire the scenery and take a few photos.

A nice long drop now and at the bottom we arrived at our café destination and a very nice place it was too. Refreshments were excellent, soup and sandwich served me well only the pot of tea I ordered never came, ah well at least I wasn't charged for it.

On leaving I was a bit dis-orientated and was convinced for a while that we continuing to head away from Stirling, pleasant though the ride had been I was beginning to feel a little jaded, symptoms of a tummy upset also began to rumble.

After a more scenic part of the ride by a loch, more rolling than previously, we took a final climb that brought us to an unexpected (by me) sight of the Wallace Monument in the distance and a grand final swoop down to Stirling, most enjoyable. By this time the sun had put in an appearance enhancing the views along the way, this was more like it, this was what we had been promised. Though a mere thirty eight miles or so had been ridden it was very nice to get back and into the shower and into clean clothing ready for the evenings entertainment.

The evening programme was a hot and cold buffet followed by a ceilidh, Scottish dancing to us from the south.

The buffet, said slowly would seem uninspiring but as the meal went on developments began that is all too often seen where cyclists engage in a free for all when sweets are put on the table.

The organisers in an effort to prevent a free for all ordered numbered tables to the buffet, table by table, we were fortunately table one. A good buffet was laid on with lots of variety, hot and cold food, pasta and curry, cold meats etc. and of course salad. All going well at this point, lots of food, enough for second helpings. Having been suitably satisfied with pies and stuff out came an array of goodies, don't cyclists just love goodies, custard pies cream cakes, chocolate covered fingers with cream inside, mmm. Being table one it was clear from the outset that table fourteen would be struggling to find even a sweet morsel never mind a sweet. So often have I seen caterers caught out by the demand for lovely carbohydrates that our buffets (Bolton clarion) have an express order for increased supplies. Need or greed, I'll leave that to you to decide. Dave Bisset was a real gent, helping himself to one miniscule treat, consideration for others or stuffed from the main buffet I'm not quite sure but watching the goodies disappear in double quick time was entertainment in itself. At the dance afterwards you could see who had all the carbs and those too stuffed to move.

The dance was a very successful affair with a genuine ceilidh live band, I say successful because right from the off the floor was crowded with willing dancers, many of them Scottish of course and couldn't wait to 'fling' themselves into the fray. I and my dicky knee were preferring to watch. All very entertaining but some, with a mind to doing the sportive the following morning, were ready to excuse themselves in favour of a good nights preparatory sleep.

The morning of the sportive, a 100k ride through some wild countryside, was more than my gippy stomach would allow, even though I had entered some weeks before, disappointed I was, but foolish not. I saw the others departing for the start, again flash carbon and titanium glinting in the morning sun, pangs of jealousy bit from within, oh how I had looked forward to this ride, however it was not to be. My morning would be seeking out medication followed by some good old sight seeing of Stirling and the magnificent castle, and taking photos of whatever took my fancy, like the oldest pub in Stirling that I stumbled on.

After a wonderful tour of the castle I made my way back to the H.Q. to relax a while before welcoming back our sportive riders, and it just so happened that not too long after this we were able to watch the Wanderers v Arsenal live on tv. Dave, a real devotee of the Wanderers, was at the bottom of him expecting a real drubbing after the dismal Wembley display, what on earth was there left to play for. Amazingly a lot to go by their performance, a different side altogether took to the field, they could actually play football.

Mid way through the match we had to leave and make our way up to the castle for the National Clarion Easter Meet Grande Photo Shoot.

I personally like to wander round taking shots that are just off the cuff, un posed groups and individuals before the big cheesy grin shots of the organised official 'photographs'.

Now Dave hates me and my candid photos, he's convinced I deliberately put him in a bad light for the rest of the world to see on the world wide web. Nothing of the sort.

The big gathering of clarion sections from around the country was a colourful event, each section with their own highly individual designed jerseys, a collection of vibrant multi colours milling around waiting for some semblance of order. Eventually order of some sort was restored and behind the back of the impressive Robert the Bruce statue, official photos were taken, as well as some unofficial ones.

Dave and Richard had both successfully ridden the sportive event earlier and Dave gave an amusing account of Richard vowing to keep him company all the way round, if only in spirit as at the first incline he disappeared into the distance never to be seen again until the finish. Ticky Dickie certainly lived up to his name. Such gems are the bedrock of club history.

Back again in the H.Q. and Bolton are still battling it out with Arsenal, the score is now 1-1 and Bolton seem to have their backs to the wall defending desperately, Arsenal are equally desperate to score the winning goal as their title dreams are hanging by a thread. Unexpectedly the Wanderers score against all the odds and win the match, a photo of Arsene Wenger appears in all the following days papers, a man with his head hung down on his knees, his title hopes in tatters, the picture says a thousand unspoken words, Dave has little to complain about his photos really.

The big event of the year is now in the offing, awards night, the annual presentation, the night when all the clarion heroes are rewarded for their endeavours, sporting or otherwise, history being made. Guest of honour this year is the well known cycling writer, correspondent and author Chris Sidwells, nephew of the great British legend, Tommy Simpson. Chris had recently published a feature on our hosts for the evening, the West Lothian Clarion Cycling Club.

After such publicity it only seemed right to approach him and ask if he could possibly be our guest of honour, he unexpectedly accepted, goes to show, if you don't ask you will never know.

Heroes on the night were the ones who had ridden to the event, North Cheshire Clarion were the obvious first to be mentioned having won the most accrued miles to the Meet trophy. The real Hero for me was Martin Perfect, the London member who rides, whenever possible, to be present, London to Stirling, what a ride, what a man!

We do have our own local hero, non other than Richard Brown, setting forth with not even as much as a compass for the wilds of Scotland and not even bothering to book his overnight stops, trusting to good fortune and hospitality along the way. No award for Richard other than this glowing tribute of mine, and his photo on the world wide web of facebook.

Before the awards began we had a sit down dinner, this time with no free for all scramble for food, a civilised affair with service to the table and like it or not, a sweet of choice, just the one.

During the after dinner chat a bombshell was dropped, Dave Bisset had the previous year entered the clarion ten mile championship up here in Scotland on a course that rose and fell no more than a metre or so in the whole length. Sitting on our table was the time keeper on the day, the day that Dave did his first beating of his veteran time for ten miles, a landmark event for him, he had beaten his set time by three seconds, he had been a happy man on conclusion.

The ten mile course was recently measured and found to be some 180 yards short of ten miles, dear oh dear oh dear. I was forced to chuckle but I fear Dave was somewhat aggrieved, all that distance and effort, gutted.

After dinner a bit of cross toasting went on, humour being the mainstay of raising ones glass. Dave raised one of the biggest rounds of applause when he wanted to toast anyone over eighteen stone who had completed the days sportive event, a silence was broken by the comment, 'you're on your own there Dave' followed by laughter and applause.

A short after dinner speech by our guest and the presentations began culminating in a special unexpected award for Bury clarions retiring National Treasurer, Peter Roscoe, a man not really known for brief speeches, who surprised everyone with a very brief, ThankYou all, and that was it.

After a long and tiring day it was time to hit the sack in readiness for the journey home after a truly memorable weekend thanks to the organisation skills of West Lothian Clarion who really had pulled off a remarkable coup.

One of the hotels superb breakfasts set us up for the morning during which we saw Richard off for home on his bike before setting off ourselves, calling at the distillery that hosted the whiskey tasting session to purchase a bottle or two. Steve Menhams bucked the trend and bought four bottles of locally brewed beers and stout, Steve loves his special brews.

Back on the road and we have just one stop for a mid day meal in a village, chips and fish and as we were stretching our legs I succumbed to a double helping of ice cream, a local product, strawberry and vanilla, delicious.

All that remained now was a trouble and traffic free return to Bolton and that was just what we got, no tail backs, no hold ups from adjoining traffic at the Lakes and Blackpool junctions, the traditional bank holiday jams were not for us. A perfect way to end our superb historic National Clarion Easter Meet, the first in Scotland since 1948, now that's history. Report by Tony Bowles