Thursday, July 28, 2016

Brian Smashes National Record & whats on this weekend


Thanks to Ian for the photo. If only I could get to the top first there would be more pics of Condors climbing.

Top story this week is of the evergreen Brian Sunter who last Saturday smashed his own British age record for the 10 miles time trial with an astounding time of 20minutes 43secs. Thats not far off 30mph - can't find any more details as reports are not yet on the web.
As Brian goes from strength to strength on the time trialling scene Grimpy is maintaining a high profile for the jersey on the vets road racing circuit taking another category win on Sunday. Again I apologise for having no further details.
Young Chris Smith continues his winning ways at mid-week time trials, last Tuesday he didn't only record the fastest time of the evening in the Imps race, 2 laps round the Norland circuit but he also broke the course record with his time of  18.08.

Our numbers were down on usual at the Good Companions 200k Audax on Sunday with just 3 of us on the startline, Gary Mitchell, Adrian Lord and myself. We soon settled in to a good pace with the 3 of us doing big chunks of the work at the front of the pack, Adrian in particular showed us all that his training for this weekends Ride London Sportive is paying dividends, Once at the cafe control at Glasson Dock, Gary (and his mate from the CTC, Simon Roberts) showed cunning beyond his years by getting his card stamped and jumping back onto his bike whilst the rest of us waited an eternity for our posh-nosh. The plan worked and they were back at Mytholmroyd and enjoying the CTC Calderdale hospitality before the rest of us. Myself and honory Condor 'Jeronimo' were next to finish with Adrian not far behind. Once again this Chris Crossland/Calderdale CTC event excelled all expectations, no other Audax comes near the quality of Chris' events, thank's from all who took part.

What's Coming this weekend -

Friday 29th July - meet Salterhebble Lock, 8.30am for MTB morning, destination Wessenden - route planner Paul Daly to whom all complaints should be made.

Sunday 31st July - again meet Salterhebble but at 9am on road bikes, we're taking Jeronimo for a social ride round the RvC climbs before he goes home to Mallorca next week. We'll be re-grouping at the top of the climbs and enjoying one or two cafe stops. Paul, Gary, Simon and myself have comitted ourselves so far and all welcome.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

News


Not the best conditions last Saturday if you're looking to record a super fast 100, the windy conditions causing half the field in the YCF time trial at Thirsk to be either DNS or DNF. However our man Chris Smith always enjoys a challenge and finished 12th fastest with a time of 4hrs 12min 38secs.
Also on Saturday but at the other side of the country Brian was in action in the Border City Wheelers 10 on the A66 west of Keswick where he recorded a good time of 22.52 against the winners 20.39.
Simon went one second faster the following day in the Selby CC 10 out on the Hull course, his 22.51 knocking several minutes off his PB in his first season time trialling, obviously the speed training we did on our Humber Bridge ride the other week is paying dividends.


Four Condors turned up at Keighley for the Bronte Sportive, a tough 88 mile circuit which when it wasn't going up hill was going down hill. Mel, Paul Daly, Pete Whiteley and myself  started together shortly before 9am having numerous earlier starters to chase down kept us focused, Mel, Paul and I completing the 'Monster' and Pete the 'Little Monster' (which was far from little, Pete had over 100 miles and 11,000 ft of climbing in by the time he got home). A really good day was had by all with a barbie at the finish before we retired to The Boltmakers for a pint of Timmy Taylors finest.

Whilst we were being pampered in the Bronte, Steve Thewlis and Andy Myers were getting in the big miles at the Yorkshire Mixture 200k Audax from Otley. Not happy with a mere 200k they rode out and back topping over 160 miles for the day, hard men that they are.

This coming Sunday its the Good Companions 200k Audax from Mytholmroyd (8.30am), if you want to beat Melvin's record you will have to ride at least the last 50k with your saddle in your back pocket. Entries are being accepted on the day.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Updates


Our racing men were in action around the country last weekend with Chris grabbing a good 5th place in the Nelson Wheelers 10 mile TT on Saturday. Brian braved the rain and wind up on Teeside in the Hartlepool Whs 10 where he took 1st place on age standard and pocketed the £50 prize. On Sunday Grimpy traveled down to the Midlands for the LVRC  OMLOOP VAN DER DRIES DORPEN  32 mile road race, the term road race not being exactly correct as 40 % was on unmade tracks. Results are not yet published but we can be pretty sure John won his age group as he was the only 'G' in the race. Our friend from 3RT, Dave Micklethwaite (aka Pinkie) had a good day taking 3rd place overall.

This coming Saturday Chris ups the distance when he takes part in the Yorkshire Cycling Federation 100 mile TT up on the Thirsk course, good luck Chris, hope the weather's kind. Brian's another busy weekend with a 10 mile event on Saturday on the A66 between Bassenthwaite and Keswick before joining Grimpy in East Yorkshire on Sunday for the Tour of the Wolds Road Race. Simon is down to ride the Selby CC  10 on the Hull course on Sunday but I'm not sure if his recent dislocated shoulder injury (fell off his MTB) is sufficiently healed.

Closer to home and hopefully in a less competitive environment Paul, Mel & myself are down to ride the Bronte Sportive from Keighley, Ian is threatening to join us for this challenging route, anyone else that fancies riding this very hilly event the good news is that entries are being accepted on the day - go to the Sue Ryder website for further details. I'm meeting Paul at Denholme Gate at 8am to ride to the start from the Bradford University Keighley Campus where we intend to cross the timing mat shortly before 9am.

Also on Sunday is the Yorkshire Mixture 200k Audax Event from Otley, a fine ride up though Wharfedale and over to Wensleydale and Swaledale before returning to Otley through the Vale of York. Oakworth Steve and Andy are entered. 
 

Monday, July 04, 2016

Condor Buckstone RR Sunday July 3rd

I am pleased to report a successful event. The majority of the participants seemed to enjoy what we might describe as a testing parcour. The feedback in particular on the marshalling was all positive. For myself the stress levels were reduced due to the large turnout of members, friends and imperial wheelers it's not often you have a marshall from New Zealand?  Thank You for taking time out to support the event. Our only rider Melvin finished 2nd in his category, taking home a prize.
The results were spot on from Ian and JK with nobody contesting the positions.
On reflection i was advised we need someone to assist the finish area and will endeavour to
allocate someone next year? Full Results are already on the LVRC web site. Thanks again.