Thursday, July 30, 2009

M T Loop Sunday 26th - A few pics.




We were putting on a brave face as the rain began just as we were about to set off. Eight started and we were only just emerging from Callis Woods when Mel managed to break his chain. After Ian adopted a supervisory role we were soon making progress again but unfortunatly Mel had more chain trouble and had to retire before Summit.

The rest of us pressed on as the weather deteriorated. Anyone would have believed that it was the middle of November not July as we rode the cobbles through the rain & mist up and over Top o' Leach. We rode out of the mist into heavy rain down the steep and rocky descent to Waterfoot. I had warned that due to it being Sunday the cafe may be closed, I don't think anyone believed me but unfortunatly I was correct. We stoked up from the Co-op Late Shop having to stand out in the street wet and cold as we ate our pies and drank pop (pop - what's the Condor come to!). Robin was eating and drinking as never seen before which must itself go to illustrate how taxing the ride was becoming.

Morale was a bit low by this point; wet and cold and only half way round and it was already pushing on to 1 o' clock. It crossed my mind that we could ride on the road up the Rossendale valley to Bacup and over to Tod but the pioneering spirit prevailed and as the rain eased somewhat we set off on the next leg over to Holme Chapel.

The weather was improving and I thought spirits were also rising as this section was knocked off in

less than an hour. However after his failed attack Nigel decided to retire at Holme Chapel (even Ian carried on). An un-named Condor (but, as Chris Crossland said in his Spring into the Dales report, 'You know who you are') suggested that it must be something in the Hartley DNA that prevents them from completing Mary Towley Loop.

Simon also retired at this point, this may have been caused either by having not recovered from a 5 day LeJog with full touring panniers just over a week earlier (although that hadn't appeared to have affected Mick) or the weeks family holiday on the wet south coast immediatly preceeding our ride. This left five of us to complete the round which we did without further problems.
Comment: Great work Pete, thanks for the photos & the write up. It was 5 years or more since I last did the Loop and it might be that long before I do it again. Nige said I looked very worried at the start - and later on he found out why!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Phil and Friends 2nd August

I'm thinking about doing this CTC ride this Sunday and wondered if anyone else might be interested. It's 150k (or 105k if you prefer), starts from Stannington Sheffield and takes in most of the major climbs in the Peak District including Wynatts Pass (steeper than the coal road?).

I did the shorter route last year and it reminded me just how good the cycling can be in Derbyshire.

Entry is on the line - a very reasonable £12.50 for CTC members £15.00 if you're not. Flexible start time between 8 and 10 am.

Details can be found by typing Phil and Friends in to your search engine.

The Vicar

Monday, July 20, 2009

Sunday 26th Mary Townley Loop

Meet 0830hrs Callis Bridge for clockwise circuit. This is nearly 50 miles of quality mountain biking, anyone who is concerned that it may be a bit too far should bear in mind that there are several opportunities to short cut back to our native dale via tarmack & towpath.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Sunday's 19th & 26th July

This Sunday, the 19th, I have entered the Brimham Rocks 200k Audax which starts from Fairburn Church Hall (near the M62/A1 junction, about 30-40 min drive from Hx) at 8am. Organised by Huddersfield CTC it makes its way from Fairburn to Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, How Stean Cafe, Otley, York & Naburn then back to Fairburn. Probably finish by 4ish.

The following Sunday I have arranged to do the Mary Townley Loop with Mick Collins and a couple of other lads, we'll be starting from Callis Bridge at 8 or 9ish, I'll confirm the time later. Lets have good turn out from the Condor.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Elland Cyclo-Cross 15th July











Our Cyclo Cross team took part in the Brooksbank Cross at Elland on Wednesday evening. Once again John led the team home to finish 24th overall and 1st V60, with Richard 47th & Steve 60th. John leads the summer series overall not only in the V60 category but also the over 50's.

Good luck to Grimpy next week; he flies out to the Alps on Saturday to ride 6 stages of the TdF, he's with a group riding the stages 2 days prior to the actual Tour so will have plenty of roadside encouragement. He's promised to let us have a day by day account to publish on the blog.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Sunday 12th July

For anyone fancying a potter tomorrow I'm meeting Brian at 8.30 at Denholmgate with the intention of being home for one o' clock (ish). Pete.
OK Pete - pottering is good for me. See you there. I think that Neil D and young Johnny might be coming too. Others are all busy. Ian

Friday, July 03, 2009

Sunday 5 July 2009

For want of a better plan, let's meet at Keighley roundabout for 08:30 on Sunday morning and make a route from there.
I've heard that Robin wants a long ride maybe over Tatham Fells. Others (Steve, Neil, me) want to be back home for mid afternoon - although I expect that it is only to watch the Tour and the Tennis final on TV, rather than for some DIY or gardening. So maybe we set off to Setlle and then make separate tracks from there. Ian

Three Peaks Cyclo Cross Update

Entry form back on website but only until Sunday evening!

www.3peakscyclocross.org.uk

Vicar

Birthday Party

I'm having a party for my 40th at the Cat I'th Well in Wainstalls, Saturday 18 July 2009. Free BBQ from 5pm, live music from 7pm. More details in the next Beak newsletter. Let me know if you can make it! Ian
It is amazing what you find search the web. This photo of the pub (from here) dates from around 1924. Some of the pickled onions on the bar have a similar vintage. Most of the customers are slightly newer.

Carol Jamieson

Last Sunday I had a chance meeting with two old friends - Paul Hickey and Paul Gower who I hadn’t seen in years, it took me back to my youth and wonderful memories of a time when I was far fitter than I am today!

30 years ago as a young lass, I joined the Condor Road Club and met some fantastic people and enjoyed wonderful club runs, not to mention some very boozy exploits! Character building is the term I think that best serves this part of my life!

Cycling has always been a part of my life though I am often a spectator these days rather than a participant.

I now live in Guiseley, am married and have a 14 year old son who despite my best efforts prefers football to cycling.

I run a charity called Andrea's Gift which raises funds for brain tumour patients and research in Yorkshire, and each May, we have an annual 65 mile cycle ride from Wetherby to Scarborough. I will let you know the date for 2010 and maybe some of you will join us, it would be fantastic to see you all again.

For my own pursuits, in 2005 I attempted Letape du Tour in the Pyrenees with a bunch of doctors I work with on the charity. Sadly I was time eliminated before the major climb - col d'Aubisque so I was unable to claim my medal, but it was an amazing event.

Your friend in cycling
Carol xx

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Three Peaks Cyclo Cross

Entry form for this year's event went on the Three Peaks web site at 12pm last night and was withdrawn by midday today as demand was "excessive".

I managed to download, complete and post my entry form but I'm not sure whether other Condor regulars, (John,Ian,and Robin) will have been so lucky (I still don't know that my entry will be accepted).

In the past preference may have been given to long standing entrants and those from local clubs, but the whole event has become a lot slicker recently and more organised so I'm not sure whether there will be latitude for the organisers to make decisions on grounds such as these. This said I'm sure Rob Jebb will get a ride whenever he puts his application in!

If you're a disappointed Condor it may be worth a quiet word with the organiser John Rawnsley if you know how to contact him - he may have gone to ground however - I guess he'll be getting a lot of calls at the moment.


The Vicar