FORTHCOMING EVENTS

A good picture of Mick Collins shortly before he was caught on the last lap at the Brighouse Town Centre races last Tuesday (pic. from BC website). Note the map holder left attached to his bars after the 3 Coasts 600 Audax. Just proves that all that beer at the Catty must be good for you. Mick attacked with 4 laps to go - if he'd waited another lap he may have won the £200 first prize.

As Ian mentions, last Saturdays Rumble was a tough course but its only as hard as you make it. The photo's are approaching the summit of Blakey Bank, a climb that has been used for the National Hill Climb Champs. There was a really long descent following that climb along Blakey Ridge and down to Castleton and then east down Eskdale. Then a loop over the moors took us to Rosedale and the 2nd 'Hors' category climb up Rosedale Chimney ( 1 in 3 and another former National Hill Climb Champs climb). Following the Chimney it was down to a feed station at Hutton-le-Hole. Some big gear work followed as the course headed south and into the Howardian Hills around Castle Howard. The third feed was at Ampleforth School. Only 20 miles to go from Ampleforth but they were not easy miles. Another Hors' cat climb up White Horse Bank to bring us out at the top of Sutton Bank and I was expecting a steady run in for the last 10 miles or so but with only three or four miles to go to the finish we were turned left to visit Rievaulx Abbey and the steep climb from Rievaulx to the main road - I was beginning to lose my sense of humour and I know Melvyn felt the same. As mentioned by Ian, Melvyn recorded the third fastest time, what Ian did'nt know was that if Mel had'nt soft peddeled riding with me for the first 20+ miles he would without doubt have recorded the fastest time of the day. I was quite happy with 18th overall and 1st over 50. A very good route, everything well organised and a lovely change of scenery - put it in your diary for next year ( its going to be in August in '08).

FORTHCOMING EVENTS -

Sunday 8th July - Brimham Rocks 200k Audax, one of the CTC West Yorkshire Series, a nice steady ride with checks at cafe's at Knaresbourough, Howstean & Otley.

Sunday 5th August - Pendle Pedal Sportive - did this last year, its a really good route and well organised.

IMPORTANT!!!!!! Entry forms for the 3 Peaks Cyclo-Cross go live on the web on Sunday the 1st of July - you must enter early to avoid disappointment.

26 June - Brighouse Criterium

It was a good night and very enjoyable to watch from the sidelines. There were quite a few local riders to cheer on, including Daniel Shaw (Hx Imps), John Dogherty and Paul Dixon (VS Cycles) and of course our ex-member Andy Marshall (VS Cycles). Photos from the British Cycling website http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/.

Start of the Elite race

The lead group. Tom Barras is third wheel and went on to win the sprint finish.
See also http://www.brighousecircuitracing.co.uk/

23 June - Rydale Rumble

Peter and Melvyn both had a fine ride in the Rydale Rumble on Saturday 23 June. The detailed results show Melv finishing in third place just five minutes outside the top time. Peter took the steadier option but wasn't far behind at the finish in 18th place. The only comment I've heard from them was that it was "hard".

See http://www.bcyorkshire.com/html/the_ryedale_rumble.htm.
Thanks to http://www.cyclingmages.co.uk/ for the sample photos. They have big versions available to buy there for this and several other rides.

ELMET CRC 12 HOUR - NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 29TH JULY 2007

Keith Lawton from CTT has alerted clubs to the plight of the Elmet CRC who are running the Nat '12' Champs in our region: they are short of marshalls for the event. Anyone who can help? Please ring Ray Charles on 01757 269287 asap.

12 hour(and 24 hour) events are the ultimate spectator sport. Rider after rider increasingly suffering as the day wears on. Perhaps Brian will ride it. It will then be the opportunity of a lifetime to see him suffering all day.

Otley Crits Tonight 20th June

Anybody going to watch Otley Crits tonight. See you for a pint at Rose & Crown next to Chevin Cycles about 7.30.

White Rose Classic

Photos from the web - 2 from last weeks WRC and 2 recent TT photo's of Brian

Good Comapanions 200k tomorrow, 8am Mytholmroyd

Ryedale Rumble Sportive next Saturday.........Melvyn and myself have entered, Neil & Robin are reported to be on the verge of doing so. Great course round the North Yorks Moors National Park.

10 June - White Rose Classic

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Neil had a "whale" of a time on his new Orca, and Melvyn apparently looked "fin-ished" by the tail-end. Still, they posted a very respectable sub-7hrs for a top-30 placing, with Mr Ingham also along for the ride. Pete Horne was also doing well with a 7.29 and well inside the top 100. Although strangely there are no photos of Peter ...

Further down the field, Nigel, Vicar and myself had our our personal battles to fight. My problem came with hills - just no power for climbing. Given that the ride went over Norwood Edge, Fleet Moss, Coal Road, Dent head, Silverdale and Langbar for a total 3911 metres of climbing this was something of a setback. The only consolation was having Nigel leave me for dead at Hawes (and rightly so given the state I was in) but then catching him up at Malham for a companionable ride to the finish, despite some mechanical troubles.

Sat in the sun on the grass at the finish with pint in hand, this wasn't a bad ride as we swopped tales and watched other riders arrive in even more wretched forms. But I'm not rushing to enter another "challenge" ride for some time. Roll on some easy Wednesday night rides instead!

(thanks to http://www.cyclingimages.co.uk/ for the pictures - go there if you want to purchase)

6 June - Imps Skipton & Back

The best thing about this ride? ... the sandwiches and cheese platter at the Brown Horse! Thanks to the Imps for laying on the excellent tea.

There was a good turnout of around 30 riders, including a last-minute charge from the VS Cycles contingent to make the start line just in time. The usual fast pace then took us out against a nagging easterly wind with a small band of strong riders doing a lot of the work on the front. After coming though once very briefly, I soon realised why so many people were vying for position at the back of the bunch.

The early turn on the outskirts of Skipton was a welcome point in the ride as we could then get a small breather on the slightly downhill return to Crosshills. Of course, what goes down must then go up and the "fun" of Ingrow wasn't far away. This hill sorted out the weaker riders and I soon found myself trailing slowly off the back. Encouragement came fairly quickly though when some others began to drift back too.

It was all over by the time I got to the finish, and I had to wait until the pub to hear how Neil would've done even better in sprinting for the line if only he'd known where the finish line was!

3 June - Tatham Fells

Another great ride through the Trough of Bowland. We had a fast run straight up to Settle but - horrors! - no cafe stop yet. Instead the Hartley twins encouraged us to go on right over Tatham Fells before finally reaching Slaidburn. The sandwiches and the setting are both great at the Riverside cafe, but at 58 miles from home it was about 7 miles too far for my legs.

Things recovered as the food & tea worked into the system for the run home. A grand total of 102 miles and another fine day on the bike. Ian

VS Cycles Brighouse Circuit Races 26th June

Please make a note in your diaries for this event.

Got some mighty fine riders entered and it will be fast and furious around this tricky circuit.

So will be seeing any Condors flying around with numbers on their backs or just supping pints???!!!

CONDOR R.C. AMBLE 8TH JULY 2007

The first family walk will be on Sunday 8th July from Luddenden Foot via the Cat i‘th Well for lunch.
This is a circular walk of some 8 miles through very pleasant and varied countryside.
It is hilly but not too strenuous and is very suitable for children. WARNING: Cyclists should be fully “walking fit”
START: Luddenden Foot car park by the bridge.
TIME: 10.15
LUNCH: Cat i’th Well 12.30 --?
FINISH: Luddenden Foot 4.00
The pub serves excellent value meals, including sandwiches, and any cyclists should note that the beer is also rather good.
The Landlord would appreciate some idea of numbers so will you please let Trevor know if you will be attending.
Phone: 01274 874789 Email: trevor@avocet-dyes.co.uk