1 June - 0900 in Keighley

I'm told by a reliable source that the Hartley twins are meeting by Keighley roundabout at 0900 tomorrow 1 June, and we are all welcome to join in. I'll be there and peddaling slowly.
The route is uncertain but may well involve Bowland Knotts and the cafe at Slaidburn.
As it happens the Imps run (i.e. the "real" Condor run from the runs sheets) is meeting 0830 at Denholme for Settle with a stop at Gargrave.
Cheers, Ian

Windy Day

It seems that most riders are elsewhere this weekend, what with it being a bank holiday and the start of half term. Still, three of us got out today on mountain bikes for a great ride with wind mostly on our backs. We went from Wainstalls, over Brown Knoll and Limer's Gate, Crimsworth Dean, Walshaw, Lower Gorple, Wragley Woods and then snuck back from Hebden Bridge along the Sustrans route without ever having to battle a headwind.
As a club, the Condors didn't really get into the CCA ride organised by the Imps this Sunday. My fault for not putting the word round in time - sorry. Still, there are more joint rides coming up soon like the Skipton runs, etc.
Meanwhile, following on from Pete's post below, many of you will have seen and admired Melv's new yellow rain jacket and maybe even ridden along behind its ample proportions. However, I think we may have made one too many adverse comments about that jacket and Melv has seen the need to pass it on to another good home. In fact it is now being put to good use by members of the Scammonden sailing club ...

Below is an extract from Earthdreamers blog on the Cyclosport website. Who could the MH be?

Synchronicity19/05/2008

It was the Harrier's Monday night cycle run tonight and it was again amazing not too feel any real tiredness in the legs. Not a single niggle or ache or tightness. What a completely different story to the Three Peaks, after which I could barely climb the stairs for two days. Just a small group out tonight, but running out towards Askwith we were joined by MH (whom we'll call The Condor) who had finished the EduD in a classy 6.37, including a puncture. We were only joking at the end that we never seem to see each other out on the road locally. Indeed I can't ever remember seeing The Condor out before (we only seem to meet on events, having first got introduced on a trip to do the Etape du Tour 3 years ago), and, here, the very next day, he was! He joined us up Askwith Hill and round the loop to Low Snowden before carrying on to Otley and it was good to catch up properly and for me to be able to seek a bit of advice from someone with so much experience and pedigree! He had knocked big lumps off his best FW and EduD times, so it seems that everybody out there is getting fitter ... or perhaps just more confident of their ability?

news just in ... Etape du Dales

Remember the tickertape reports on Grandstand on a Saturday teatime?
Well here is the latest from our chaps at "thee tap" as I hear it called round here.
Robin Holt 6:17:12
Melvin Hartley 6:37:43
Steven Barker 7:09:00
Richard 'Vicar' Burnham 7:33:24
Damien Hill 7:33:54
Detailed timings are up on the website here, but I'm looking forward to hearing the full hill-by-hill and blow-by-blow account in the Cat I'th' Well on Wednesday.
Ian

Message from Grimpy

Peter,
I am getting some company jerseys placing an order shortly I attach the proof.
It’s with a company called Kalas.
Before ordering I wondered if anyone in the club was interested in purchasing?
A change from condor on occasions?
The sample they sent looks OK ?
I went for a fairly dark arrangement to suit old men like me??
I am afraid I have never done blog stuff and wonder if you can put this item on the blog for me?
Price wise you are looking at approx £35 per item ( shorts or short sleeve jersey)
You can find size guide on http://www.kalaswear.com/products/sizeguide.html
I also have two size samples shorts & jerseys in small & large at PENNINE
Anyway more important how did you do in the Fred Whitton on Sunday.
Brian did a 52 40 (40 something not sure on exact seconds) on Saturday in was it the nunbrook wheelers 25 I think?
I said what position did you finish – not sure there was a few 51’s

John sent me the above e-mail asking me to put it on the blog - he also sent me an attachment with the artwork for his Pennine kit but try as I may I cannot upload it onto the blog so if you would like to have a look e-mail John at jginley@pennineuk.com

Well done to Melvin who knocked about half an hour off his previous best time for the Fred Whitton lowering the Condor record for the route to 6.42.35 giving him 54th overall out of 823 finishers. Dougie recorded 8.19.19 and Martin Croft from the Imps 8.29.06, these times were over an hour slower than my time last year so I suspect there must be a story of misfortune yet to be heard.

News Update

This superb picture shows Brian on his way to recording a 52 minute time in last Saturdays Drighlington 25 mile time trial. An incredible time for an athlete of any age but even more so when you consider that he's 65 this month.

Sunday 11th May, MTB Run

Nigel and Ian climbing towards Scammonden

A great day out, a fantastic route (courtesy of Nigel) and brilliant weather (my sunburnt arms are testamony to that).

Fortunately some kind soul picked up the contents of my saddle bag in Norland and handed them in to the police station in Halifax. I won't make the same mistake again!

Sun 11 May - MTB run

Just out of interest I put "condor" and "mtb" into Google - but I didn't expect to find a picture of a chap on a bike doing an impression of a Condor :)

With various members off enjoying the Fred Whitton ride in the Lakes, this seemed a good weekend to have a change of scene and get the mountain bikes out. Nigel recently treated himself to a new steed so I think he is keen to get his money's worth. Meet 9am at Nige's in Wainstalls or ring me if you've a better plan.

If you'd prefer a road ride then the Imps runs sheets says they will be meeting at Shelf roundabout (by the VW garage) at 0830 for a trip to Wetherby via Bilton.

Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross Summer Series round 1

Richard, John & Steve after Round 1 of the YCCA Summer Series at Oakbank School, Keighley on Wednesday evening 7/05/08
Steve concentrating hard on one of the many tight corners
Grimpy leading the Condor team and en-route to another V60 victory (also 1st V50)
Richard caught putting his foot down on one of the steep bankings

Sunday 4th May

Half eight at Denholme - nine at Keighley for tomorrow's run.

(half an hour earlier than usual - looks like we might be in for a long day!)

Richard