Pre-Tour Training

Another option for Sunday is to meet at Keighley for 09:00 and take ourselves off to the Dales. Then hopefully take advantage of the northerly breeze to blow us back toward home.

See you there.

Ian

Le Tour de Calderdale - an invitation from Chris Crossland

Please allow me to suggest a Sunday ride.

Le Tour de Calderdale on Sunday 29 June is nearly here - If you haven't already entered online, on the day entry will be available as it is for all our events.

Registration for the ride starts from 8.30 am at the Pavillion Cafe, Sowerby Bridge Market, Wharf Street, Sowerby Bridge, where you will be able to get that essential espresso before setting off. Rides will commence from 9.30 am and continue until 10.30 am. For those wishing to experience the route in an easy-paced group ride setting, a guided group will set off at 10.00 am. The ride finishes at the Jubilee Refreshment Rooms, Sowerby Bridge Railway Station, where rehydration may well be the order of the day.

On signing in, you will be issued with a laminated route sheet that can be fixed to your handlebars. The route will also be way-marked with direction signs.

For those of you using GPS for navigation, you can download a *.gpx file at
http://westyorkshiresr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Le_Tour_de_Calderdale_Track.gpx
or a *.tcx file at
http://westyorkshiresr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Le_Tour_de_Calderdale.tcx

You can also study a map of the route at
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4711305

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Should you have any queries about the ride, please feel free to contact me by personal message.

Thanks,

Chris Crossland

Tour de France Fantasy League

From Mike Beecham
 

The Fantasy league is now up and running. Wondered whether you could post this text featured below on the blog. Some may be interested for a bit of fun to enter a team! I have used my email address on Gmail to set it up. Don't think anyone needs it but you have it via this email if needed.

 

Interested in joining a fantasy cycling league for the Tour de France? then go to www.velogames.com and enter a team into a league that has been set up for Condor, Imps and friends!

You need to log on with your details to the Velogames site, from there you can choose the Fantasy Tour de France 2014 option. You will see a tab for 'Riders', this will show you who you can choose. From a maximum of 100 points you will need to form a team which must contain - 2 All-rounders, 2 climbers, 1 Sprinter, 3 Unclassified Riders. (Only one team allowed per person- site rules not mine).

Give your team a name (mines, Zenzero - means Ginger in Italian, in case you're interested!) then you can enter it into the mini league I have formed for all our riders and others (wives and girlfriends welcome).

The mini league is called 'Over the Bars'. To enter it there is a number required 27194405.

You can change your team up to the start but once the Tour starts you're fixed, no changes. Check the rules on Velogames before you begin. I will find a prize for the winner. All the best, Mike Beecham.

 

If you need any help e-mail Mike at     elvenien@gmail.com  

Next Week

I'm away for a few days myself so please don't wait for me to suggest a Sunday ride. However I would like to bring to your attention two events during the week.

Tuesday 1st July - At 7pm its the Yorkshire Cycling Federation Open Hill Climb on the Cragg Vale climb. Unusually we almost have a team entered with Chris Smith seeded at number 25 and new man Graham Lloyd off at number 39. There's a good field of 60 riders, including quite a few locals such as Brian Jennings, Blair Buss, Steve Robinson, Andy Peace and Emma Osenton, with the current National Hill Climb Champion Tejvan Pettinger last man off.

Wednesday 2nd July - 10am from Shelf roundabout, Martin Bruce and a colleague from Tesco are doing a charity bike ride in aid of the Teenage Cancer Charity.  They are hoping to be joined by other members of the usual Wednesday group as they join the TdF route at Haworth and follow it over Cock Hill, Cragg Vale and on through Holmfirth and over Holme Moss from where they will be making their way home (about 80 miles).  You may make a donation via the Teenage Cancer website.

On Wednesday evening you may fancy unwinding by watching our old mate Bernard Hinault present the prizes at the Otley Town Centre Cycle Races.

Whats Going On ?

Just been scanning the world wide web and see that Brian is maintaining his form with a 21min 47sec ride in the North Mids 10 mile time trial down in Nottinghamshire on Saturday, a time which gave him 8th place overall on time and a runaway win on age related standard.

Also a good result from Paul Daly in the Hospice Mountain Bike Challenge where he was 6th fastest out of a field of 150 on a challenging new course around Elland, Scammenden and the Ryburn Valley. Good preparation for Paul who next weekend is defending his rainbow jersey at the Fire Service World Championships in Switzerland.

The Grande Depart is nearly with us and there is much talk about where to go to make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity.  Several Condors are joining me on the Saturday, we intend to ride out to Leeds to watch the signing on and the actual depart, then ride out to the Stray at Harrogate, watch the action through the Dales on the big screen, see the stage finish and Cav putting on the yellow jersey.   If you fancy this option we will be meeting at Shelf Roundabout at 8.30am.

Stage 2 of course comes through our own back yard, there's lots of excellent vantage points close to home but after much consideration I rather fancy; bearing in mind that bikes are allowed on the route up to an hour before the race, joining the route at Haworth and making the most of a traffic free roads following the route through as far as Langsett cafe then cutting across to the top of the Midhopestones climb where the hammer will really be down on this short but steep climb.

The Longest Climb on the Longest Day

Great weather for Jonathan Emberton's Cragg Vale extravagaza. There were 20 or 30 on the start line at 6pm with many others joining in throughout the evening to enjoy favourable breezes and a stunning sunset. Halfway up the first ascent Paul D and Chris took over at the front of the peloton and it was at this time that my legs began to protest. Strange as it may seem this problem afflicted almost everyone else as well and the field was in tatters. It was in reality a relief to let them go and settle in to a more comfortable pace.

Both Paul and I had only intended doing two or three ascents but we were enjoying ourselves so much that, when I found Paul sat outside the Robin Hood with a pint in his hand after three climbs he took little encouragement to join me for a 4th ascent.
We then re-hydrated for a while back at the pub, after a couple of pints we decided it would be fun to do a 5th ascent, which we did with Pauls mate Mark, then we ventured home fitting in a sprint up Ripponden Bank as our finale'.
................Meanwhile, Padiham Chris, upset that he was unable to ride the whole 24 hours due to work commitments on Saturday, was really warming up to the task. Whilst Paul and I had been boozing we saw Chris pass by several times, his teeth getting closer to the handlebars on each occasion. We waited so we could give him company to the top on his 7th ascent and en-route he asked me how many ascents would be sensible before he knocked off and went home to bed. I told him that it was too late, he had gone past the sensible.  He pressed on the pedals a little more and went to talk to Paul who told him that he thought 13 ascents would be sensible - so thats what he did (I bet thats the 1st time anyone's asked Paul for advice on what would be sensible). Chris has assured me that on his 13th ascent he felt stronger than on the 1st.

I went back on Saturday afternoon to see how the event was going, still plenty of riders, including Condors Adrian Lord and Chris Sylge.
Other Condors seen at the Robin Hood included Simon Fortune, who failed to complete a full climb after being given a hard time on the 1st section by his sons Adam and Nathan, and Danien who did one climb but sensibly could not be persuaded to go up again and looked quite settled sat outside the pub, pint in hand.
A special mention for Pauls wife, Linda, who did 2 ascents.

This Weekend

It's here at last, our chance to ride up and down Cragg Vale non-stop for 24 hours - although you are allowed a stop or two if you want; in fact I plan to go home and have a good nights sleep.  I had been looking forward to seeing just how many ascents Chris could manage in 24 hours and was willing to put the kitchen sink on Chris being able to climb the height of Everest but he's gone and double booked himself and has promised to be farrier in residence at Tod Agricultural Show on Saturday so his chance of imortality has gone.  I'm hoping to see several Condors at the Robin Hood at 6pm on Friday, Jonathan tells me there  has been a lot of intrest in the event so there should be plenty o people to ride with.

The event finishes at 6pm on Saturday which will give you 6 hours rest before the start of the Calderdale CTC Midnight Ride to Morcambe - starting from the Oddfellows Roome in Halifax, go to
  

Morecambe Midsummer Night Madness

Oddfellows Rooms, Unity House

Jun 21st 11:30 pm - 11:00 am

Cycle together through the night and into the dawn, to Morecambe where a full cooked breakfast awaits. Then cycle back to Halifax at your own pace over the Trough and through the Forest of Bowland. 130 miles

Ride Leader: Dave Dodwell

Notice from Ravensthorpe cc

 Damien we are putting on our 120 ride on the 7th september with full support from kirkless cycling academy who are putting on 2 feed stations. Can you pass on our invite to condor and the imps please , 7.45 meet with a 8am start from mirfield co_op car park . Donations of 3 quid at the start and the same at feed stations with all money taken going to the kca. This year we stop at the gliding club atop sutton bank which has a better cafe than the visitors centre

TdF stages X 2 - not recommended.

Looked like a great day out in the Wolds. I also just had Saturday available for riding and took on the questionable challenge of completing the two Tour stages in a day. Setting out at 5am the Stage 1 loop round Swaledale was a joy and I joined Stage 2 on the A59 after Killinghall around 11.00, which cuts about 30k off the distance.
After a cafe stop at Cross Roads I still felt OK and even resisted the temptation to miss the Haworth loop out. Luckily the usuall westerly wasn't blowing so Cock Hill and Cragg Vale were fine but by Holme Moss it was hurting and turning toward Langsett the head wind was at me over Woodhead, reminding how folly this idea was. The sting is certainly in the tail on this stage and although it is lovely countryside Midhopestones and Bradfield really hurt and the Cote d'Oughtibridge is a swine. As I got in to Sheffield the route is harder to follow so I missed the Cote du Jenkins Road, thankfully. Sheffield is not the best place to end a ride which is probably why so many sportives are using Stage 1 - I sat outside a Pizza Hut with a beer waiting for my good lady to collect me, feeling decidedly spent. 350k not to be repeated.      

Pock Pedal

With Paul D, Steve and Chris joining me today for the Pocklington Pedal route it was never going to be an a steady day and the weather over in the Yorkshire Wolds was a bit damp early on, contrary to the forecast.
We left the Stamford Bridge Community Centre car park as planned at 8.30 and picked up the route which weaves it way up and down and around the Wolds for over 100 miles visiting all that is best in this beautiful but little known area of 'Gods Own'. Even the fame that has been brought to the area over recent years through the art of David Hockney hasn't spoilt the quiet lanes (although the Bigger Trees Near Warter appear to have been felled).

                                                               Hockney's Sledmere

Eventually (after an extra 10 miles due to the navigator misreading his GPS) we breakfasted at an excellent cyclist friendly cafe in Pocklington where we saw several Audaxers on the 3 Coasts 600 getting their brevet cards stamped at the petrol station. After refreshments and on the road between Kirby Grindalythe and West Lutton we caught sight of a Condor Blue clad figure racing towards us, it was Simon Fortune who had left his home in Huddersfield just after 6am; unable to devote the full weekend to riding the 600 he was part way through riding the 1st 2 thirds of the route alone and having already been to the Scarborough Check was on his way to Malton for lunch with Ruth and the kids.  We completed the route  in time to be home for tea and all agreed that it had been a grand day out.

Veteran Cycle Club Exhibitions

Note, also an exhibition at the Colne Valley Museum. where Brian Haskells team Viking and a Hilton Wrigley are on display, it only opens on Saturdays & Sundays, between 2.00 & 5.00 p.m. and the exhibition will be on for the next four weeks.

I am also organising a ride for riders on bikes prior to 1980

on Cragg Vale on sunday the 29th of June, meeting at the Stubbing Wharfe, Hebden Bridge at 10.00 a.m.distance about 25 miles, returning to the "Stubbing" for lunch.

Any queries. give me a ring on 01274 674693

Regards

Derek Browne

Secretary of the Yorkshire Section, Veteran Cycle Club.

Sunter National Champion again

Brian was on the road at 4.30am last Sunday travelling down to Shropshire for the 2014 VTTA National 50 Mile Time Trial Championships. He made the trip worthwhile by yet again taking the winners spoils with an age related winning margin of several minutes over the silver medalist. Congratulations Brian on yet another exceptional performance.

WHATS ON THIS WEEKEND

Brian and Grimpy have another busy weekend ahead of them with the Vets National Criterium Champs at York on Saturday and the Tom Simpson Memorial Road Race at Harworth on Sunday

If you're fancying a longer ride there's plenty to choose from this weekend with The 3 Coasts 600 from Mytholmroyd Community Centre at 6am Saturday (entries accepted up to 7am) .  On Sunday you can join the riders for the last 3rd of the 600 by riding The Good Companions 200 which leaves the Community Centre at 8.30am.  The weekends events are organised by Chris Crossland and his Calderdale CTC team so 1st class promotions are guaranteed.

Unfortunately I'm unable to make the Sunday event so I've uploaded the route of The Pocklington Pedal Sportive (a 100 mile event in and around the Wolds that Mel has ridden several times and recommends) to my GPS so I can make the most of the forecast good weather on Saturday. The irrepressible Paul D and Padiham Chris have volunteered for pacing duties.  We're kicking off from Stamford Bridge at about 8.30am.

Also on Sunday is Round 5 of the Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross Series which is being run at King James' School, Almondbury. Steve Cavell and Richard Burnham have been regulars in the Series so far and Ian Wellock has been spotted loitering on the periphery.

A FEW MORE EVENTS COMING UP

Tuesday 1st June - Yorkshire Cycling Federation Cragg Vale Hill Climb.  A CTT open event at 7pm, this should be a popular event with the Tour going up the same climb just a few days later.  Enter on-line from the Cycling Time Trials website by the 16th of June.

Etape de Yorkshire

Whilst Mel and Grimpy were enjoying the real thing at Bashall Eaves, Chris and I joined about 11 hundred other riders at the Etape de Yorkshire, an imitation of a road race.  The sportive route was billed as being stage 1 of the Tour but using the excellent facilities at Leeds Grammar School for the start point rather than Leeds city centre.
We had been given a start time of 8.28am which gave us about 850 riders to chase, its always a great motivation to be able to see lots of riders in front of you and we were soon into our stride passing several large groups before turning into the Harewood Estate where all of a sudden we were alone, with me worrying that I'd been over-keen on our speed to the detriment of navigation.
However my worries were unfounded and we were soon back on familiar roads maintaining a speed which was no doubt comfortable for Chris but a little OTT for me. Our average was in the low 20's and we had been passing others with relative ease when on the Burley-in-Wharfedale bypass I was given a sudden reality check as a peloton of about 20 or so riders, driven at the front by several Harrogate Nova's, came past at such a speed that there was no way I could jump on the back.
I told Chris (once again) that he didn't need to sacrifice his own ride waiting for me but being a selfless team man he wouldn't have anything to do with sitting-in a group on non-Condors and he continued to to shelter me from a head wind over Chelkers and up to the 1st feed at The Old Hall at Threshfield.
From there up to Cote de Cray (thats Kidstones to us Yorkshire folk) we set a lively pace and amassed quite a group of followers, but soon split up on the contours where I allowed myself a slight chuckle to see a rider, even at this early stage of the day, laid at the side of the road experiencing the agonies of cramp.
It was quite hard into the wind from Aysgarth up Wensleydale, I had no option but to leave Chris at the front and we still had an average of 20mph when we reached the next feed at Hawes.
I suffered from this early pace as we made our way over the Buttertubs, but although my legs may have been feeling the pace you couldn't help but be inspired by the view of Swaledale as we descended down off the Pass. Swaledale is always a joy, but on a sunny Sunday with a helping wind there is nowhere in the world I would rather be.
After a toilet stop in Reeth we enjoyed the new road surface over Grinton Moor then the long steady descent to Leyburn and the 3rd and final feed at the Blue Lion at East Whitton. I was under the mistaken impression that the route from here was going to be relatively easy, down to Ripon, Ripley for a finish at Harrogate, I had been reassuring a guy from the Royal Marines that the remaining miles were a 'piece of cake' but when we got to Masham the sportive route took us right, down to Grewelthorpe, Kirby Malzeard and Grantly, a very lumpy route with a crap road surfice - I was really glad when we got to Ripley.
The finish was at the Yorkshire Showground where we were given a medal and a choice of hot meals.
We finished at quarter to four and recorded and average moving time of 18mph for the 123 miles - an average that fell quite a bit for me on our 12 mile ride back to Leeds Grammar School to collect the car.

Racing News

I am purposely including the Skipton & Back - Trevor Lever Memorial  ride in the 'racing' category. After it had been a very wet Wednesday Calderdale was drying out nicely, and so plenty of eager riders were at Causeway Foot on their top race bikes and stripped down ready for action. I was less optimistic when I left Wharfedale so came on the mudguarded training bike and wearing over shoes. Amongst the good turnout Team 3RT were in profusion, the VS lads and a Condor contingent of Damian, Ian, Paul Daly and Oakworth Steve.
It was a very disciplined ride out through Keighley, everyone obeying the lights and all keeping together but just as it was set to kick off at Steeton we experienced a downpour of biblical proportions which seemed to dampen everyones enthusiasm, so much that, although it was a fast pace, we were pretty much still all together but somewhat moist hitting Ingrow on our return. Now it kicked off with 3 or 4 going up the road. I hung in with the chasing group along with the indomitable Paul Daly and we were among the few prepared to work before sprinting for the Halifax sign at the 'finish'.
The Causeway Foot Inn was quickly full of  wet, dripping and steaming cyclists who would soon be shivering as well so I downed a quick pint of Timmy Taylors un-deserved 'Le Champion' ale and headed back to my car at Harden.

(   http://timothytaylor.co.uk/tuckerstriumph/   - a tribute to our own 'Tucker' Bury ?)

It was a far better day for the Bashall Eaves Vets RR on Sunday. Its part of the season long Percy Stallard series and so gets a good field with over 100 riders entered for the 3 races. Evergreen Grimpy was the only other Condor and he was racing after a 100k Masters Championship RR the day before -hard man!
As usual I stayed near the front and in the thick of things - I don't believe in wasting my Sunday just sat in the bunch. But, also as usual, when the main break formed I didn't have the legs to follow and stayed with a small group sprinting it out for 6th place. I finished 12th in the race. 9th in category.
It was a hard but enjoyable 55 miles in the sun and made better after a couple of pints of Hetton Pale Ale at the very nice Spread Eagle Inn at Sawley with the Ilkley lads I had travelled out with.
Grimpy came away with more prize money after getting another 1st in his category. Chapeau.

The Wharfedale roads were festooned with sportive direction signs at the weekend with several events following the Tour route. I believe Peter was riding one of them so hope to hear how he got on.

Sunday 4th June The Wheelbase Spring Classic Deferred

Along with Chris, Paul and Melvyn I accepted Pete’s invitation to meet at Ingleton to follow the route of the Wheelbase Spring Classic which had been run from Staveley at the end of March. Pete had entered and paid to ride this sportive but had been unable to participate because of illness – tenacious as ever he was determined to get his money’s worth so here we were.

We started at Ingleton rather than Staveley and headed out on the old Roman Road to Chapel le Dale and Ribblehead before heading north through Dent Dale to Dent. We rattled across Dent’s cobbles on route to Sedbergh with barely a thought for the village’s picture perfect streets – we were to return later in the day to take afternoon tea but that was several hours away.

From Sedbergh we crossed the M6 and A6 before arriving at Staveley where we had lunch at Wilf’s Café - just across the yard from Wheelbase Cycles and next to the Hawkeshead Brewery. The weather had started bright and despite some occasionally threatening high cloud had stayed that way so we were able to eat outside; fortunately we arrived before the 11.30 cut off for cooked breakfast so that’s what we had – rather than lunch. Chris I believe had a sandwich but that’s the folly of youth for you.

We parted company with Melvyn at our second visit to Dent where the rest of the party stopped for tea – Melvyn had to press on - he’d another 10 miles or so to do following Ingleton as he’d parked in Gargrave and needed to get home.

The return to Ingleton was perhaps more spectacular than the ride out taking in   Barbondale, Deepdale and Kingsdale - without question it was more challenging. Whilst the climb of Barbondale was a joy with both the wind and the sun on our backs the climb out of Deepdale before the drop down Kingsdale was more of a grind – at least for me.

Great day out enjoyed by all I think – thanks to my companions for accepting my yo yoing off the back up every hill – I hope it didn’t disturb the rhythm too much.

Richard

Upcoming Rides

Wednesday 4th June
The Trevor Lever Memorial Ride - Skipton and back - 7pm CauswayFoot Inn, Ogden.  A joint promotion from West Yorkshire CTC & Halifax Imps.

Saturday 7th June
Calderdale Cycle Quest - from Norland Town bus stop - 2 hour navigation competition - go to West Yorkshire CTC website for further details.

Sunday 15th June
The Good Companions 200k Audax, Mytholmroyd Community Centre, 8.30am.