Brighton and Hove Section of the Clarion Cycling Club

A record turn-out at Hassocks station, Sunday 8 March 2009

The Clarion Cycling Club was founded in 1894/5 as an offshoot of The Clarion weekly socialist newspaper edited by charismatic journalist Robert Blatchford. Unlike other Clarion organisations, the Cycling Club survived through the 20th and into the 21st centuries. For more information see the national website www.clarioncc.org.

The Brighton and Hove Section was formed at the end of February 2004. An earlier Brighton section disappeared in the 1950s(?). It included one of our current members. At the moment we are concentrating on organising fortnightly rides. Usually these involve meeting at a railway station. For this our basic principles are:

• Start at a relatively civilised time
• Avoid busy roads, long or steep hills as far as possible
• Distances of 20-25 miles (or less particularly in winter months)
• Return to Brighton station before dark in the winter.

Anyone who wishes to is welcome to join us; it is not necessary to join the Clarion in order to participate. Safety is, of course, a paramount concern but we all participate at our own risk. Browse our archive to get a better idea of what we do.

The Next Ride

Please be clear that while all are welcome to join us we each take part in rides at our own risk.

Sunday 29 November
East Grinstead Circular

We will cycle from Three Bridges to East Grinstead (the so-called capital of the High Weald) via the Worth Way. This is an old railway line so it is flat and reasonably well surfaced, possibly checking out Worth Church, one of the oldest in Sussex, along the way. Lunch at East Grinstead at one of the several pubs in the High Street (Dorset Arms?) and perhaps a little look around for those who don't know the town.

Back along the B2110 - not too busy on a Sunday I am reliably told, passing near Kingscote where the Bluebell Railway ends, to Turner's Hill, past Tulleys Farm ( a possible for tea if there is time), and back to the Worth Way to finish at Three Bridges.

Practicalities
Meet:- Brighton Station for 10.40 train (be there by 10.25 for group ticket) or at Three Bridges at 11.10
Distance:- 16 miles
Hills:- None on outward – undulating first part coming back
Off road:- well surfaced cycle route, then road
Catering:- Pub in East Grinstead – likely The Dorset Arms
Getting home:- trains at 14.56, 15.17, 15.24, 15.56, 16. 17 etc.

Mobile:- 0776 1628836

Joyce

Christmas revels suggestions
Sunday 20 December or let me have your preferred date.
Indoor bowling at the Marina complex in the morning. Cost approx £5.00

Plus

Lunch in a nearby hostelry.
Either a pre-ordered buffet meal (eg as at Master Mariner in 2007)
or à la carte elsewhere (eg as at Al Frescos in 2008)

Suzanne

Phone: 01273 321794
e-mail: s@hinton.clara.net

Future Rides

No one has argued for changing the initial dates for the 2010 I suggested last time.

The rides for the rest of the year will be on Sundays 13 December. Friday 1 January New Year's Day Brunch Ride to Carats Café. Then Sundays 10, 24 January; 7, 21 February and 7, 21 March. I can't make either of the March dates.

It is not necessary to join the Clarion to participate in our rides. Equally it is not necessary to participate in the rides to join the Club! If you're interested in racing, Audax rides or strenuous touring, contact Bob Harber at bobharber@tiscali.co.uk.

To join the Clarion CC please print out and fill in the PDF membership form making sure to sign the declaration at the bottom. The national membership fee if you're 18 or over is now £6 (£4 for under-18s). We have no section subscription at the moment. If you send a cheque for £6 made out to National Clarion Cycling Club I will send it on with your form to the national membership secretary, Donald Lever. Email me on i.bullock@ntlworld.com if you have any queries or if you would prefer a paper form.

Send completed form to Ian Bullock, 104 Bonchurch Road, Brighton BN2 3PH.

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