Sunday 1st May

I've arranged to meet Simon at 8am at Odsal Roundabout with a view to having a ride out to Thirsk or Sutton Bank to watch the TdY pass by. Out via Knaresborough (where we may have a cup of tea and a bun), back  via Ripon. Looking at the schedules, and wanting to be home for 4ish I may only have time to get as far as Thirsk (location of 1st sprint). Please feel free to join us.

Update re TdY, Friday

After studying the weather forecast and seeing the conditions 1st hand on the tops today we've decided to go to the finish in Settle, possibly lunch at Feizor (Burnsal closed on Friday anyway). Meet same time and place but will be getting home early evening.

Tour de Yorkshire, Friday 29th

I'm meeting Richard at 10am Denholme Gate on Friday to ride out to watch the KoM prime at the top of Greenhow Hill. We'll be having lunch at Burnsall Cafe, All welcome.

A few updates

Thanks to Sarah Burbridge for the above pic. from last Saturdays LVRC Derek Smith Memorial Road Race. It was fitting that two of Derek's old sparring partners, Condor's John Ginley and Brian Sunter took 1st & 2nd respectively in the over 70's age group. Also there, in the over 50's race was Mel Hartley, looking fit and tanned following his recent Mediterranean holiday training camp he took 4th in his category following an impressive amount of work at the head of the bunch chasing an early breakaway.

Grimpy's been in fine form in recent weeks with a fine win the previous week in the CC Luton Claydons Spring Classic, a round of the season long Percy Stallard National Series.

Whilst Grimpy's been taking the honors in road racing Brian kicked of his 2016 assault on the Vets National Championship Time Trials with a fine bronze medal in the 30 mile event in Kent on Sunday 17th April ( although he was not overjoyed himself, saying he hadn't really traveled all that way for 3rd place - and being that defending champion I suppose he can say that).

A full day out for the long distance brigade yesterday in the Red Rose 200k Audax, superbly organised once again by Dave Dodwell and CTC Calderdale. I was joined on the ride by Condors, Steve Thewlis, Pete Whiteley, Chris Smith and Garry (The Badger) Traviss, and also accompanied by guest riders Niall Smith (his longest ever ride - and still looking worryingly fresh dancing on the pedals as he rode off and left me on the climb up from Luddenden Foot towards the finish at the Oddfellows Rooms in Halifax), Andy from Maverick Velo, showing his best ever form this season, honed on Calderdales finest Cobbles during our RVC recce' ride a few weeks ago, plus Elland rouleur Gary Mitchell.
The day wasn't without its problems, three punctures for Pete, one for Niall, and a bit of aggro in the bunch for Garry, but nothing The Badger couldn't deal with - his left crank also fell off, he was fortunate to have Steve and Andy to look after him, they'd sort of formed an alliance after dining together at Glasson Dock, enjoying cheeseburgers, and tea out of polystyrene containers, standing in the rain by the greasy spoon caravan  whilst Chris and I forked out an extra quid for waitress service and fine dining in the Lantern O'er the Lune Bistro (which we can recommend, good food and very welcoming).
After 70 miles of head wind to get to Glasson Dock I was expecting to be blown back to Halifax, this was not the case, yes it was predominantly a helping wind but there were sections, especially along the Calder Valley where the flags were blowing towards us.
There were some tired looking faces at the end but all agreed that it had been a good day out.

This weekend

Saturday 23rd April - Halifax Imps Road Race, Norland

Sunday 24th April - Red Rose Ride, 200k Audax from Halifax

Sunday 17th April

Meet 9am Hebden Bridge for Slaidburn

A few updates

The racing boys are getting well into their stride for the 2016 season with Brian and Grimpy both having notched up road race wins in their age categories and Chris is looking very strong in the TT's

The above and below are from last Saturdays Ravensthorpe 10. Chris rode the 2 up with Halifax Imp Martin Gargett, they combined well to win the composite team category and were 2nd overall with a 22 minute ride. Brian rode in the solo class recording a 24 min ride, several minutes slower than the previous week on what is known to be a slow course. Thanks to craigzadphotos.zenfolio.com , where many more excellent photos from the event can be seen.

Smashing day for last Sundays Spring into the Dales audax. Very well supported as always by the Condor we were treated to blue skies and beautiful views and the legendary magnificent feast at the finish.

A big thank you once again to Chris Crossland and his CTC Calderdale team (or is that now Cycling UK Calderdale ?). All cyclists are truly indebted to you

Thanks to Dave Dodwell and John Keighley for the photos lifted from CTC Calderdale Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/ctccalderdale/?fref=ts

Whilst most of us were enjoying Springing into the Dales Mel had found an even harder challenge, the Ronde van Calderdale, a superb event taking in many of the area's cobbled climbs. Mel was missed on the Dales ride as he is usually Condors representative for the breaking of the skin on the rice pudding ceremony for the 1st back, I don't know who had that honour this year but I'm assured by the organisers of the RVC that the clash will not occur again.. Thanks to Laura Jackson for the photo taken from the RVC Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/335447969840167/?fref=ts

Ronde van Calderdale Recce

Great day out last Sunday on the Ronde van Calderdale recce'. The pave' had dried out nicely by the time we hit the big climbs and we were able to sit outside in the sun to enjoy lunch in Hebden Bridge.

We were lucky with the weather for our 1st evening mountain bike ride of 2016, only one casualty, Garry, and 2 punctures, both Steve.

Spring into the Dales this Sunday, 9am from Salem Community  Centre, Hebden Bridge or the shorter Leap into the Aire at 10am.  Places still available to join Mel and Grimpy in the Ronde van Calderdale, 9.30 Spen Valley High School.

Sunday 3rd April & Thursday 7th

Ronde van Calderdale recce', this Sunday, 9am Brighouse (meeting o/s Websters, bottom of Hudds Rd). A gentle potter round our infamous cobbled climbs in celebration of the Tour of Flanders which will be taking place at the same time in Belgium. I can't promise that my old diesel engine will be ascending Trooper Lane at the same pace that the Pro's will be ascending the Koppenberg but I can guarantee that our bacon butties will taste better than Cancellara's gels.

Thursday 7th - 6.30pm Brighouse - Our 1st mountain bike evening of the 2016 season. We should manage an hour and a half in daylight before we have to retire to a suitable hostelry.