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A true cycling club - not an affiliate or part of a federation.

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24 local sections throughout the UK

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Objects: "To protect and further the interests of cycling and cyclists. To promote

mutual aid, good fellowship, and support for the principles of socialism."

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Three major social events during the year for inter-section activities

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Road-racing championships

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Track championships at the Manchester V

elodrome

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Cyclo-cross and Hill-climb championships

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Grass-track championships

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Time-trialling RAR. and championships

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A growing national membership of over 500

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A forward-thinking and democratically-run organisation

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Magazine and newsletters sent direct to all members

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National support for the formation of new sections

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Members able to meet new friends from all over the country

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A fun-loving cycling club that likes to socialise as hard as it rides

Whether you join us on the road or in the peloton, in the cafe or the pub,

whatever you do, just join us...

The past

The Clarion was a weekly socialist paper started in Manchester in 1891 by journalist Robert

Blatchford and his friends. Its national circulation eventually topped 80,000. In 1894 seven

readers in Birmingham formed the first Clarion Cycling Club, whose aim was to combine the

pleasures of cycling with spreading the socialist message.Reports of their activities in the

paper sparked the interest of cyclist readers in other towns and cities, and by 1910 there were

over 200 Clarion sections with a total membership in excess of 6,000. An open-air

conference at the first Easter Meet in Ashbourne, Derbyshire in 1895 set up a national

organisation and adopted the famous trumpet badge.

Membership grew in the 20th century to more than 8,300 by 1936, in 233 local sections. The

Clarion became a byword for outdoor activities and camaraderie, but following the second

world war membership began a steady decline. The club's very existence was threatened by

the domination of the motor car and changes in the social climate away from club spirit and

fellowship.

The present

The decline in membership was halted in the 1980s by hardworking, unpaid officials who

refused to let the Clarion fade away as many cycling clubs had.

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The 'Boots & Spurs' twice-annual magazine was started to ensure clear communication with

members, and to support youth development a racing team was created, taking the best of the

section riders to race in a formidable Clarion squad.

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To-day membership is increasing for the first time since the 1930s, with the total now over

550, covering all age-groups. The Clarion claims to be the biggest all-round cycling club in

the UK, with members taking part in road-racing, track, time-trialling, triathlon, mountain-

biking, and cyclo-cross, as well as audax, touring, youth-hostelling and camping. The Clarion

also prides itself on its social life and the fellowship between members which results in an

easy-going lifestyle of cycling for pleasure and friendship.

The future

The Clarion is still evolving. It is a club without bureaucracy, a club concerned with the

environment and social issues as well as cycling. It will continue as a movement for cyclists

who care about the wider society as well as each other. At the same time, the variety of

activities within the world of cycling will still be part of the Clarion, and so will the unique

feeling of fellowship among its members.