For sale - Dolan crossbike, 56cm seat tube, alum frame/carbon forks full mudguard rack & bottle eyes, Fizik saddle, 8sp STI,
£200 ono. Contact Pete Horne 07549 821349 or petehorne@yahoo.co.uk

As planned I met Mick in Brighouse, James joined us at Elland Bridge (bit of a worry meeting James, looking strong and on a new bike with the latest technolgically advanced 29" wheels; Mick always waits for me but would he do so if he had James to race against? - but my fears were short lived - he'd been riding the Blackpool Nocturne the previous evening and was happy to have a steady ride). When Nigel & Melvin met us on the canal bank the other side of Sowerby Bridge things started to get dirty; the canal bank did anyway. A steady ride up Colden Clough was disrupted when Mel spotted 2 or 3 MTB'ers ahead and had to chase them down, fortunately it coincided with Mick requiring a comfort break so there was no pressure on me to chase after him. Once through Colden we joined the M.T. Loop over to Widdop where Nigel was able to give his sibling advice on the art of descending. On the road over to Thursden then over the cattle grid an up that pig of a climb towards Colden. At the top of the climb we turned right onto the new bit of Pennine Bridleway which leads to the old bridleway at Boulsworth Dyke. Down to Wycoller for refreshments then back up the track and onto the road at Watersheddles Ressy. It was road all the way home for me (puppy rearing duties) leaving the hard men to head back to Calderdale via Stairs Lane and Limers Gate. A good social morning out, about 47 miles and home for 1pm.

Grimpy does PB

In todays West Peak Grimpeur the usual suspects from the Condor and the Imps were joined by Grimpy making his debut. Not only was it his first mid week Audax but at the age of almost 68 he managed a personal best by taking refreshments at 3 cafes in one day (Marple Co-op, Tittesworth Reservoir Visitor Centre & Buxton Laundrette Cafe). Another good day with plenty of climbing points to add for our Audax Altitude Award badge.

If anyone fancy's a MTB ride next Sunday (22nd) I'm meeting Mick Collins at Brighouse at 8am, we're riding on the canal bank to H.Bridge then going up Colden Clough, Widdop, Boulsworth, Wycoller Cafe, Stanbury then whatever way back we decide on the day. Persons living in the wilds of upper Upper Calderdale could meet us en-route.

Audax's

Myself and other assorted Condors & Imps have been riding the Peak Audax Grimpeur Series, 5 Wednesdays from the end of July to the end of August - here's a few photos. There's 2 left if you fancy a day off work.

Last Wednesday it was the White Peak, a 105km circuit with nearly 8000ft of climbing. A navigational cock-up split the main bunch in Hayfield with Peeps and Brian (plus others) following the road to Kinder Downfall (ignoring the no through road signs). Myself and Everard kept faith in my GPS and soon corrected ourselves but Paul and Brian placed their faith in three lads who 'looked like they knew where they were going.'

Anyhow we re-grouped at Monyash cafe where we spent an hour or more being noisy before riding back together to the finish at the Ring o' Bells, Marple (Robinsons excellent ales)

Forthcoming Audax's

5th September - Northern Dales 200km

19th September - Bradwell Grimpeur 120 or 200. I'm hoping to ride the 120km event. They're organised by Danial Webb, he lives in Tod and has joined the Condor. Danial is also organising an Audax on behalf of the Condor, the 'Todmorden Loops', 100km, on the 13th of March next year so make sure you keep in shape this winter. Brian, Richard and myself rode one of Danial's events in the Peaks last autumn and in addition to a great route the catering both before and after the ride was second to none.

3rd October - Season of Mists, Hebden Bridge - a Condor favourite

Like a Limestone Cowboy

Plan for this Sunday is a car assist ride starting from Gargrave car park at 9am. Off over the hills and far away including Buck Haw Brow and others on mountain bikes. Give me a ring if you are interested. Ian

All quiet on the biking front

Well, fairly quiet. I assume people are riding their bikes but just doing their own thing.

Last weekend was another ride round on the mountain bikes with the classic route of Ogden, Stairs, Poo barn (very pooy), Walshaw, Lower Gorple, Heptonstall Moor (brill singletrack), Heptonstall Cafe (yeah!), Blue Pig (woo-hoo), Lumb Falls (pretty; shame about the walk), Lymers Gate (excellent) & down to Catherine House (still a favourite descent).

This week? Road bike to Slaidburn is the most likely. As always, give me a ring if you are interested.

Ian

11 July - mtb

give me a ring if you fancy riding on Sunday. So far its me & Robin playing out on the mountain bikes. 9am in Wainstalls.

Ian

Blogging heck: Melv 7th at the National ...

... the National Sportive that is.

"The Condor" has been in touch to say that he finished 7th in the national sportive on Saturday. The full results are here.

He also says that it is the "3 Counties" from Milnthorpe next Sunday. 125 miles of fun. Full details here.

Number	Forename	Surname	Gender	Split	Total
167	Adam	Cairns	M	02:31:54	05:20:10
234	Graham	Payne	M	02:31:22	05:23:03
156	Stephen	Young	M	02:28:27	05:23:36
125	Jason	Hemsley	M	02:25:42	05:24:41
388	Roger	Palfreeman	M	02:32:33	05:28:55
52	Simon	Rushton	M	02:30:49	05:32:18
295	Richard	Posnett	M	02:31:43	05:32:35
7	Melvin	Hartley	M	02:30:08	05:36:29
358	Paul	O'Looney	M	02:30:09	05:36:31
343	Andy	Sudell	M	02:26:28	05:37:48

26 June - visit to the National Champs in Barley

From Robin: Tomorrow we're meeting 9am at Hebden Bridge lights, wend our way over back of Pendle for some hard and fast miles before settling down to watch some gimmers challenge for the national jersey ... bring a picnic

And from Ian: I'm happy to meet in Hebden but hard & fast miles aren't on my list so we may have to go to a cafe instead and then meet you there Robin ...

Course map here

Red Rose 3 - Gower catching John

Red Rose 2 - on Trough of Bowland

Red Rose 1 - setting out

Greetings from over t'other side of the Pennines! Hope everyone is keeping well! Just thought I'd give you a few updates of what I've been up to. After the track leagues finished for the year in April I've been concentrating on the road for a bit, doing plenty of circuit races and the odd road race, including the British Universities Road race championships (which the elite riders made sure hurt...a lot). I've been making a fair bit of progress with my performances in the circuit races and criteriums. Exams put stop to my training for a bit but I'm getting back on it this week with the new Tameside crit series in Ashton.

Had a great day out yesterday at the British Universities Track Nationals down at the outdoor track at Halesowen racing against a pretty tough field. The day was dominated by the professionals and elites but was good experiences and brilliant to get the legs spinning again!

Ian and Robin will be pleased to know I've mastered the art of the puncture repair now and apparently my speedy repairs were enough to merit employment by the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative store in Manchester so I'll be working there most of the summer. I hope to be back for the Imps Road Race (hopefully for a race, if not then join the chaps on a ride). See you soon!

13 June - Red Rose Audax

Starts 08:00 from The Oddfellows Rooms, Coleridge Street, Halifax - full details here.

Ride Report: A lovely trip out of town and on to Crossills at a steady pace like we meant to be out all day. Slowly the blue jerseys of the Condor flocked together and the yellow of the Imps did likewise.

I talked the others into stopping at the cafe in Whalley for some early refuelling. Melv was keen to press on and have a full fry up at lunchtime but I had an empty feeling and welcomed the butty & coffee. John "el presidente" Lumb took time out of his busy ceremonial duties to join us here and ride with the commoners. Mr Gower was going well, but I think he was glad of the company from John to moderate the pace.

At Bashall Eves we found the LVRC race in progress and offered our encouragement as we saw Sean Smith flash past (no time for a chat - this was serious riding). Then up through Trough of Bowland with riders from the "Roses Round" sportive.

As we left our SECOND cafe stop a few spots of rain were felt. "Never mind its only a passing shower" says Nigel. The rest of us stopped for our capes and that caused a split. We abandoned Paul & John in true Condor style, so that we could press on through the wet and try to stay warm. Melv departed for home in Padiham but Mick Collins and his mate Simon came up to offer a good pair of wheels for the journey back round Burnley and along the valley toward Halifax. By the time we got back to Mytholmroyd Nigel agreed that it might have been "rain" after all. By this point I think that the miles were starting to tell and smiles were in short supply. It was more like grim determination to get the job done, but at least we could take advantage of the fine spread laid out at the finish thanks to Dave Dodwell & his team.

6 June - mtb for the sixth week running

"The Widdop Switchbacks"

For some reason the knobbly tyres beckoned again this week. Three of us set off in shorts, short sleeves and light rain over top Withens. The charity ride from Fly Flats sailing club set off just as we got there and Robin was all for joining in. He has too much competitive spirit. Nige & I rode steadily on. Then a little-used moorland crossing from top of Stairs Lane over to Walshaw reservoirs and out on to the Widdop road to descend Big Jack on the tarmac. Nigel has been itching to go onto the new Sustrans bridleway (near the cattle grid), where we hit a long (and steep) set of freshly minted hairpin turns. We did then get a quick blast of a descent on these berms followed by another up. Maybe this route should be done the other way round soon to take advantage of all this downhill. The track brought us out onto Upper Gorple which we climbed to the top. Then right to the Gorple reservoirs and picked up the Pennine Bridleway to Heptonstall. Safe at last in our cafe of choice, though we were a bit muddy and splattered. I felt much better after the regulation butty. Slipped our way down blue pig and then an alternate climb (mostly paved) onto Sandy Lane and Old Town. That just left the nice run over Midgley Moor catching up with the tail end of the charity rides and job done.

Weds 2 June - Skipton and Back

Ride Report: It was a very pleasant sunny evening for the 40 odd riders that assembled at the start (sorry, I think that should have been "40-odd" ...; no, hang on, maybe I was right the first time). Anyway, this bunch included a small smattering of blue Condors among the yellow jerseys of the Imps, VS, CTC and other friends.

The steady start through Denholme and down into Keighley gradually wound up (and up, and up) until we were flying along the Skipton Road with Chris Thompson doing most of the work into the breeze while I and a dozen or so others hung on behind. The turn put the wind behind us and the pace went up again as the Smiths, Sean and Niall, took turns with Chris.

After the hospital I was amazed to still be in touch and feeling good, so it seemed a good idea at the time to help out. Well I tried ... and then I blew. Straight from my turn on the front to out the back just in a few metres. The lights in Keighley saved me ( a patented "make the lights stay at red for ages" zapper in my pocket saw to it that the front group would wait until I was back on) . The big guns then pulled away up Ingrow as expected while Daniel Shaw, Everard and myself took it in turns to drop each other until we saw sense and settled into our own chasing group by Tip Top. I was slightly surprised to see a waving flag at the finish, but it turned out to be an Imps rider pulling a kiddie-trailer. It was a struggle, but just about I got past him in the sprint for the line ...

Thanks to the Imps & CTC for organising this joint outing. We must do it again next year.

Ian

Jointly promoted by CTC Calderdale & Halifax Imperial Wheelers

The Start Point: - Whitaker & Co, Denholme Gate, ride via Crosshills (DO NOT GO THE LEVEL CROSSING WAY) to the Bay Horse Roundabout where re-trace the route again you go via Crosshills & not the level crossing back beyond Whitakers where you veer left to -

The Finish Point: - at the Keelham Bank Farm Shop.

£3.00 entry fee to include Pie & Pea Supper at The Pineberry, Queensbury. Supper will be served to you on presentation of your Numbered Ticket (given on entry).

Meet at 6.45pm for 7pm start

30 May - Spring Bank

Just so you don't think that there aren't any Condors riding bikes here is what 've heard recently:

1. The Etape du Dales was "hard".

2. Melv rode to Dalbeattie in Scotland last weekend. Just because he could.

3. Its been very quiet on Wednesday nights with just a couple of riders each time, though apparently last week the two of us went up Cragg just behind Damian & the VS Cycles brigade and just in front of Emma from Hebden Bridge, so maybe all that's needed is a bit more coordination.

4. This Saturday the hard men rode a long audax from Richmond. If you want your name on the trophy then you'd better start logging some serious miles. Mind you there has even been a suggestion that our audax cup should be for average mph rather than miles in total - or is Melv getting mixed up with the BAR?

5. There was no ride posted on the blog so I went out on mtb with Robin this Sunday. We explored the delights of Todmorden Moor (after Studeley Pike & the rock garden) crossing the road at Portsmouth and then doing Upper Gorple, Walshaw Dean, Crimsworth Dean, top of stairs & water channel to finish downhill to home for once. The first two hours went really well - if mostly uphill and into a stiff westerly. The three hours after that I began to flag just a little. Arrived home as an empty husk. Revived later by Timothy Taylor.

Condor Hilly TT - 9 June 2010

CANCELLED - due to roadworks. Sorry chaps.

If you want to ride the club hilly TT its on 9 June. Ring Brian for entry details on Hx 376 136. There is club silverware at stake for the fastest Condor. Even Ian won the trophy a couple of years ago. Mind you he was also the slowest Condor that year as well - down to being the only club member to take part.

22 May - Condor (off-) Road Club

For want of a better suggestion its the Orange again for me tomorrow starting 9am from mine. In shorts and short sleeves -woo hoo. Must remember the suncream ...

Ride report - hot and steady. 28 degrees as we left home. Up over Withens and along the drainage channel to top of Stairs Lane with a pleasant westerly keeping us cool. We caught up with some keen chaps but Nige insisted we let them go on the climb to poo barn. Walshaw and then Upper Gorple including a great singletrack diversion that was new to me (is this the famous "Burnley Bumps"?) . Short hop along the road. Duke's cut and into Heptonstall for a stop at the superb Towngate Tearooms.

Blue pig descent, bit of a walk up to Pecket Well and then more dry singletrack across Warley Moor. Down into Luddenden's happy valley where slight boggy patch grabbed my front wheel and I was over the bars (again), but fortunately had a very soft landing in said bog.

Home dirty & happy - can't wait for next time. Ian

Well?? - what happened?

I'm still eagerly waiting for a blog report of our alternative Fred Whitton ride last week. And I'd be delighted to get a blow by blow account of the duel in the Dales Etape.

C'mon chaps - get typing. Either that or I'm hoping to keep you talking all the way up Cragg Vale ...

Ian