Tuesday 30 April 2013

Cycles of the mind, Bolton clarion culture club.


Bolton Clarion Culture Club

Well it may not be culture as others would perceive but the cycling world is a culture that stands on its own, a wonder world of athletes, personalities beyond the norm, geeks and a more than fair share of world champions on the two wheeled stage.
The diversity between cycling clubs is also akin to a cycle jumble, a mixture of interests and whacky, delve into this world and be amazed.
One way of delving into the wonderful world of cycling is to read, here again is a potpourri of cycling flavours, bikes, history of bikes, bike riders, history of bike riders, bicycle bibles, not to mention the ever growing row of cycling magazines on the shelf at Smiths, the cheapskates library. This upsurge is a response to the huge rise in cycling, all this on the back of a great British Olympic Games. You can now adopt a new training regime a day, all for the price of a weekly or monthly fee.
Dedicated club cyclists adopted this mantra over many years, and nowhere was it more obvious when we, Bolton clarion, held our first lend, lease, give, cycling book night at our now regular cheap and cheerful meeting place, Bradshaw conny club.
As far as I’m aware an organised event like this has never been tried so it was a risky venture when the idea was floated. However, the suspicion that cyclists do indeed read as well as ride was proven with the support by members on the evening, and not just by the number attending but by the sheer volume of books brought.
The aforementioned diversity was greatly illustrated in the books brought, something for every branch of cycling, from mechanicals to physicals, yes even medical advice on cycling ailments to the general cause, overtraining. Sir Brad, Sir Chris, Stephen Roache, the great Anquetil with a spicy account of the racy side of cycling, all good reading, much better than a lonely read on the bog at work.
Eleven members attended, a really good number for a first time effort and a fantastic response with the books on offer, had more members  arrived with books we would be looking at hiring a room at the town hall.
The event was rounded off with a free raffle, prize again donated by Geoff and Yvonne Smith, one that would have been much appreciated by a cyclist needing to recover after a hectic weekend. A new water bottle and a large bottle of recovery drink powder, banana flavoured, I wish I had won it. Dave Bisset won it in his absence, a family occasion cut his stay at the event short, winning ticket drawn by Chris Roach.
A thoroughly enjoyable evening that will continue to be enjoyed, cycles of the mind stimulated by a good cycling book.      

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