Congratulations to John, the 2013 LVRC National Criterium Champion - a title achieved even though he was riding last years bike.

Brian was also on the top step of the podium a bit nearer home, taking his first win in his new category at the Tom Simpson Memorial Race in South Yorkshire.

Paul Daly also had a good weekend, riding his first event since signing for the Condor he finished 4th fastest (out of over 200) in the Overgate Hospice MTB Challenge. Team Hope's Jack Clarkson recorded the fastest time.

Another exceptional ride was that of Paul Gower who was Condor's sole representative in the CTC Calderdale Midnight Ride. Leaving the Oddfellows Rooms in Halifax at the witching hour and having to don waterproofs at the 1st traffic lights they rode throughout the night into a cold headwind to Morecambe before returning over the Bowland Fells for refreshments at Weatherspoons in Halifax. Paul clocked about 140 miles home to home, I hope I'm up to doing the same in my mid 70's.  I saw him out training today and he told me he was feeling tired - I wonder why?

Reading Mel's Blog I was happy to see that I wasn't the only Condor who was suffering on Sunday. A good turnout for this time of year saw Phil, Richard, Damien, Robin, Steve, Simon and myself head towards Feizor via Slippery Ford, Cowling, Earby and Wigglesworth. Robin and Steve missed a treat by turning for home at Wigglesworth, missing out on probably the best bacon, sausage and egg sandwiches in the world. We made our way home via Wham, Long Gill, Gisburn, Colne and Widdop with Damien's attacks being matched by Simon who was showing no fatigue following his 600k exploits the previous week. For the 2nd week running I ran out of steam and rode the last 20 miles on empty legs - Damien has been kind enough to tell me its probably due to my age and the poor form is probably permanent.

The Monday night mountain bike rides are going really well, a great route in ideal conditions last night took us over Beacon Hill down to Salterhebble, North Dean Woods, Norland and Ringstone, returning home via Black Brook and the canal bank, stopping at the Rooster for refreshments. We were joined for the 1st time by Elland mile-eater Mike Thompson who has recently purchased his first ever mountain bike, and an old friend of the Condor, Pete Bates.

The Fred Whitton trip has been postponed untill Saturday.