BURY Clarion Cycling Club celebrated 114 years of pedalling by recording their highest ever membership figures in 2014. The club now boasts 112 members - 12 more than the previous record of 100 set in 1954.

The club of course has a proud recent history with honorary members the Yates twins - Simon and Adam – respectively riding last years’ Tour de France and Vuelta de Espana.

Competition remains high within the club as highlighted by the trading of blows between serial winners Andy Horner and Nick Hall. Both men broke club records as Horner was named Best All Rounder Champion with Nick Hall coming second.

Horner posted 1hr 53mins 26secs for a 50-mile time trial to break the previous record of 1:54:24 set by Nick Hall last year.

Hall responded emphatically by breaking the club’s 42-year-old 100-mile time trial record. Amazingly, this was his first attempt at the distance and he clocked a fantastic 4:01:00.

Bury Clarion’s annual summer hill climb sees riders from across the region attempt to post the fastest time up Lumb Carr Road, Ramsbottom. In 2004 there were less than 20 entrants whereas last year saw 71 riders grind their way up the 12% gradient.

Bury Clarion’s fastest climber was Joe Cadwallader but it was ‘all-comer’ Francis Woodcock who stole the headlines. Aged just 12, Francis posted 03:10.7secs for the 1000 metre ascent. Francis’s time compares well with the Yates twins in their early years of racing up Lumb Carr Road. Francis subsequently joined Bury Clarion – their youngest member. Remember the name!

There was further Bury climbing success as Michael Humphries superbly lead the team of Joe Cadwallader and David Hodbod to first place in the prestigious Lancashire Road Club hill climb on Ramsbottom’s Rake, successfully defending 2013’s victory. Humphries then went on to be National Clarion’s highest finisher in the National Hill climb championship.

Other members with hill climbing successes were Martin Usher and Jon Longworth who finished first and second respectively in the Bolton Clarion’s hill climb for Clarion members.

Several members competed in the season long Tameside circuit races. Best placings were firsts for Peter Armstrong and Chris Taylor, a second place for Jon Longworth and a fourth place for David Stammers. At the National Clarion Circuit championship there were high place finishes for Michael Humphries and Chris Taylor.

Bury Clarion also impressed away from the tarmac. In the velodrome, Ryan Whatmough won the sprint, pursuit and five miles championships. Whatmough, along with Nick Hall, Paul Whatmough and Philip Ball also won the team pursuit championship for the third time in Clarion’s history.

It is usual for cycling clubs to make a contribution to the cycling world by organising events. The first Clarion organised in 2014 was a circuit race, which attracted 100 entrants from all over the North West.

Bury Clarion not only welcome prospective racing members but also those who simply enjoy cycling for its own sake. In the recent past, regular training riders have been joined by those who go along for the joy of being on a bicycle in the fresh-air.

Information on our rides is readily available on Bury Clarion’s Facebook page. The Saturday morning rides are specially noted for those who might be interested in starting cycling.

With an eye to the future, Bury Clarion are exploring the establishment of a Bury Clarion Go-Ride club: a British Cycling backed scheme to introduce children and teenagers to the sport.