Updates

Well done to Grimpy, seen above collecting his award for 2nd overall in the season long LVRC Percy Stallard Road Race Series. Brian took 3rd overall (despite the inadequacies of his diary secretary).
John was due to have the stitches removed from his leg this week and is looking forward to the day when he can turbo train using both legs.

For some reason no one seems able to make it for this Sundays club run so wer'e having a short ride on Saturday (tomorrow). If you fancy joining us I'm meeting Brian at Denholmegate at 9am bound for Gargrave Cafe.
On Wednesday 28th its 10am Shelf Roundabout, destination decided on the day. On New Years Day it the traditional Hangover Cure ride, 10am Brighouse for Holmfirth, Isle of Skye and The Works at Sowerby Bridge.

A last MTB ride - 18 Dec 2011

weather too good to take to t'road found us up on tops for a bit of banter with the moor ... steve, nigel and myself found ourselves drinking tea at ian's in leisurely sips, giving time for steve to gooey over the new small shivering sack of bewilderment and cuteness that was the robinson's new puppy called basil ... 9.30, for such was the lateness of the start - came and went, and then we clambered up onto old road and along top path where nigel took two headers in the space of a few hundred yards, the first in private, the second very public ... it seems the ice was not sufficient to hold his new found bulk, or was it that skinny tyre he had on the front wheel (nigel proffered the later cause, we demured) ... so he kept cracking through where the rest of us skated nimbly on ... he held it like a real man though, unaffeared of the inevitable (twice more) ... poo farm found me with a shoe full of shit and steve claiming fatigue, which meant an altered route up and down over walshaw then a new path that had all the hallmarks of a 'barker' route, sure enough we were 'barkered', pushing through a stream, having to bump our way down ice clad steps etc etc until the road and a quick bray onto heptonstall and the inevitable sausage, bacon and egg .. ian tried to resist the sausage but his will power was pitiful ... then down past blue pig, before a huge collective sweaty push up behind the toilets with helmets off, a real treat, though we found ourselves having come to early (for riley that is) ... so i went on, and the others went off to pre-riley meeting at lane ends

Riley's Treat - 18 Dec 2011

Is anyone else venturing to The Robin Hood at Pecket Well tomorrow?
My plan is to ride MTB with Nigel leaving mine at 9am and heading for breakfast at Towngate Tearooms (which is my favourite cafe). You'd be welcome to join us.
Ian

Social 'Do' of the Year

The social function of the year, The Wednesday Ride Christmas Dinner, was held yesterday at Towngate Tearooms, Heptonstall. Unfortunatly for me my cold had taken a turn for the worse and I had to join Grimpy in the list of DNS's (doubly annoying for me as I'd organised it).

22 did make the start line for what has been reported as an excellent Christmas dinner.

Most had met at the usual time and place, 100hrs Shelf Roundabout, and made their windy way to Heptonstall via Cock Hill.

Others had walked from Hebden Bridge to the Blue Pig then up the Calderdale Way to have a quick pint in The Cross before the meal.

It was good to see Mike Darke looking so fit and healthy after last years health problems.

Thanks to Phil Tempest for the photo's

And thanks to PG for taking over the financial management in my abscence.

Bad Day at Peel Park

Being off the bike myself for a few days nursing a cold I decided to go along to Peel Park to cheer on Grimpy and Paul Daly, seen above looking relaxed and confident before the start of Sundays round of the National Series Cyclo-Cross. Once the starting pistol had fired I found a good spot to watch the riders struggling up an impossible to ride very muddy steep banking. The leaders passed by and I expected to see John and Paul not far behind but they were both towards the back of the field. Unknown to me at that time was the fact that they had both struck disaster - I'll let John describe what happened to his race ambitions -

'You may recall me saying that my major hiccup on Sunday was caused by my pedal catching my shin as I performed a cartwheel. It felt painful but I kept going steadily only noticing the blood when I finished.
When I took my tights off I found a massive hole adjacent to my right shin 60mm long X 15 wide X 20 deep, nearly gone straight through caused by my outer chainring. I tried to clean all the crap out in the shower but to no avail. Noel Clough went to get 1st aid for me but no one came so Mark Gill took me to the event ambulance who covered it up and sent me off to A&E.

6 hours later it was confirmed there is no break and eventually a plastic surgeon ( a mate of Chris Hoy) put me together again and I'm hoping that theres no infection but it will be at least a week before I can walk again and 2 weeks for stitches to be removed so I may be back on the bike early January I hope.

Bad luck for John (especially as he's just paid for his flights and hotel for the World Masters X Champs in Louisville, Kentucky in mid Jan).

Paul's problem should be fixed a bit quicker, he fell on the 1st lap damaging the rear changer on his new Ridley carbon 'cross bike and had to carry the bike round the course to the pits changing to his reserve mount before getting down to the job of catching up the rest of the field. He appeared to be doing so but then again went AWOL - yes he'd done the same again to his old 'cross bike - it may have survived six 3 Peaks races but but couldn't cope with the Peel Park mud and now he is in need of 2 new rear changers (good job he has a rich sponsor). Having no more bikes to change to he had to run a full lap carrying the bike but even in the face of such adversity remained philosophical to the end.

However it wasn't a bad day for everyone connected with The Condor, Simon Fortune's sons, Adam and Nathan both won their category's in the schoolboys races, well done lads!

Grimpy takes North of England Champs

In what national seniors champion, Paul Oldham described as wet, cold and muddy conditions on a course near Barnard Castle yesterday, Grimpy (seen above in a summer league event) won the over 60's title in the North of England Cyclo-Cross Championships. This was an important step in his preparation for the British National Champs next month giving him important points towards the gridding system and made up for his disappointment at being beaten into the silver medal position by former 'Cross Pro Vic Barnett at the recent LVRC National Championships.

Good luck next Sunday John, in the 5th round of National Trophy Series at Peel Park, Bradford (1030hrs for the vets races)

2012 club clothing

If you havn't already done so could you let me know what new kit you want me to order - take a look at custom clothing on http://www.endura.co.uk/ and you may see something you haven't tried before, for example arm warmers or a pro road jersey rather than the standard jersey. Last year we ordered the Pro Bibshorts which were said to be made of a superior material called Fieldsensor - at the last minute they informed me that the Pro bibshorts were only available in black for the main body area - several members would have preferred blue so if you have a preference let me know 'cos I'm thinking of going back to the cheaper bibshorts in blue - if you would prefer the better quality pads in a blue bibshort that can be arranged but you will be paying the pro bibshort price. I will be ordering some stock items in addition to what people specifically request...........
I'm also including in the order a limited edition retro kit similar to to one being modelled (in 1959) below by Grimpy. It will be black with three white chest bands (perhaps a bit narrower than the original) and somewhere in discreet olde worlde writing will be the club name. There will also be an all black bibshort with vertical writing at the lower leg to go with the retro jerseys. I won't be keeping stock of the retro kit so if you want some please let me know.