Cyclists celebrate new shirt designs
West Lothian Clarion cycling club launched their new jersey design recently and to celebrate the occasion the youth and adult sections got together for their biggest ever team photo.
The new kit has four different jersey designs that reflect the diversity of club activities.
The ‘RACE’ design will be worn by members when competing for the club in open events. The ‘9ER’ jersey got it’s name from the 9.00am group ride start time on a Saturday. The ‘EXPLR’ Jersey has a contour motif, taken from the spot where the club first started meeting 14 years ago and the ‘4S’ has a camo design to hide the dirt for all year round cycling.
Club president Liz Henry said, “It was so good to see everyone after a torrid couple of years. I’m proud to lead a club with such a diverse membership and a thriving youth section.”
After the photoshoot Liz lead a ‘Cruise’ cycle ride to South Queensferry, Liz continued “Our ‘Cruise’ rides are all about getting folk on bikes and enjoying the health and mental wellbeing that cycling brings, and of course, after cycling 25 miles you don’t feel guilty about having a slice of cake at a cafe stop!”
“Cruise rides are part of our group ride portfolio which includes Tuesday night ‘Gravel’ rides and a faster club run”
Ewen Fulton, the youth section president was proud as punch to see the youngsters line up before their coaching session.
Ewen said: “Over the last two years we continued coaching when regulations
allowed, and our volunteer team did an amazing job implementing all the new Covid guidance from SportScotland so that our riders could keep developing their cycle skills and fitness”
“Our youth GoRide coaching now delivers sessions to 120 riders at Xcite in Linlithgow and Beecraigs. We’ve also launched a race training programme for older riders who take part in the extra sessions.
The club has taken a major pedal forward by employing Stevie Crowther as the new Club Development Officer. Ewen said “Stevie’s job is to increase the adult membership, focussing on women and
to also continue to increase the number of youth riders. We are grateful for the support and investment from the Scottish Cycling Club Development Programme over the next two years.”
The next 12 months will be a big year for cycling at the Clarion and locally and nationally.
This year work will start on the West Lothian Cycle circuit project in partnership with Linlithgow Development Trust, West Lothian Council, Sport Scotland, West Lothian Leisure and Scottish Cycling.
Matthew Ball, who leads on the project, said: “We plan to start work on the new
1km tarmac, traffic free cycle circuit this year. It will be a game changer for cycling in the region, the Clarion will benefit from a new safe cycling space to train and coach riders, but also cyclists from the local area will be able to come along and ride the new four-loop cycle circuit and experience the joys of riding a bike with no traffic worries.”
Next year Scotland will host the biggest ever World Cycling Championships. Linlithgow’s West Lothian Cycle Circuit has already benefitted from a £636K grant from the £8 million Cycling Facilities Fund. For more details visit www. westlothianclarion.