Darnbrook (7 March 2010)

A short report:

We rode our bikes. Again.

Longer version:

We followed Pete's suggested route in his honour, with the man himself absent with a sore knee I hear, over Darnbrook from Arncliffe. After a great BSE - that's bacon, snorkers & egg - at the Muddy Boots Cafe (ranked 9/10 - the service was far too slow) we set off to find Brian who had ended up at Airton instead. He had got separated on the descent and then lost us among the thronging hordes of people that had come to park their cars in Malham.

Then we rode home. Very slowly in my case.

Ian

Sunday 7th March

Back to normal this Sunday after 2 weeks not racing - 9am Denholmgate.
I suggest we make another attempt at Littondale, Darnbrook, Malham Tarn and down to the cafe at Airton, Lumby's away in the Lakes this weekend so we may be allowed out of Arncliffe. We can decide on the route home over bacon panini's.

Racelight Express

The HCA reliability trial, now the Imps (John Kay) reliability trial is always a bit of a mystery tour; you never know what sadistic route he will come up with. Basically you meet up with other colourful souls on a street corner in Brighouse, queue to meet a man who asks you questions like "long one or short one?"(mileage) and "fast or slow one?"(time), exchange a sovereign for a piece of paper that condemns you to a few hours of self inflicted torture. It must be said at this point that the only answers to these questions for an aspirational Condor are "long" and "fast", even if you've hardly ridden a bike through winter.

It turned out the route was tame by JK's standards; a loop out to Otley, Burnsall, Gargrave and back, no hidden agenda in the form of 1 in 5 back roads, and so off we go to wallow in the delights Bradford ring road has to offer.

Melv and Robin set an admirable tempo from the start, only to be rudely evicted from the front by Pedalsport's Danny who decided more speed was needed, at least it thinned the group out into more traffic manageable portions, though the myriad of traffic lights undid his good work.

Pete Horne had been looking forward to the climb up to Yeadon airport, "Ialways get dropped up there" he complained at the start - and he did - just like he said. The power of positive thinking.

I meanwhile was doing my best to shirk any responsibility for cutting through the nagging north-westerly by hiding at the back studying rear hubs, becoming quite an authority on the design and construction of said items. Pool Bank, Otley, Ilkley, Bolton Abbey all went by in a Condor/VS cycles powered flash and we turned a more southerly direction at Linton.

The road gets lumpier after Hetton and the well regimented peleton got a bit ragged as people started to fade and drift off the back. The climbs out of Gargrave had Robin on the ropes and I was instructed to make his excuses at the finish as he headed straight home. Niall Smith too was shelled out; his Dad (Sean) declaring him "big enough to get back on his own now".

Ingrow saw the big guns firing and a steady pounding of the pedals by John, Chris,
Sean, Danny and Melv had me and Brian hoisting the white flag. I decided to drop off when the hub in front went into soft focus with stars dancing around my eyes; time to go through the one way door into the zen like place where pain diminishes and all is peace (see previous blog ref.north-west passage!)

Meanwhile back in the real world the elite are working each other over up by the tip at the top. Melvin, finding himself wanting, decides the best form of defence is attack and gets dropped for his efforts by Sean, Chris and John who nearly made a very close inspection of the roadworks. The soon to be racing trio finished first and Melv (who should be racing as well) consoled himself by dropping Danny on the last climb; well it would have been rude not to.

All this fun and frivolity and we're back at the Pineberry and its barely half past one. Not much later Paul Gower and John Lumb roll in having completed the more sedate 50/60 mile route (as opposed to our 75/80) looking very fresh.

As Pete would say, especially when he trundles in at five past two having ridden most of it on his own, "it's not meant to be a race you know!"

From Robin

 

This year's North West Passage ... the very long enema audax across the flatlands of Lancashire, started as it always has with a large group of largely badly dressed cyclists meandering their way along the valley bottom into West Yorkshire, there to find the sun coming through the cold mist. For Yorkshireman Brian this change in the weather was part of the normal cosmic flow of events that pass between the county borders. Nothing remarkable. The gentle ascent from Tod was gently taken, save for Pete would decided to lead one of his main rivals for a top finish into a pot hole, causing said opposition to puncture whilst the cunning retiree from the force pottered on. John had a little dig somewhere toward the top. A sign of things to come later. Burnley was still asleep when we went through, so no abuse from the passing windows of slouch-mouthed family saloons. Barrowford was also asleep, but we woke up a bit on the climb, though a gentleman's pace was maintained throughout, allowing a larger group than normal to drift sedately upon the Naked Man. Cards stamped, save Nigel's, which was requisitioned by the stamper who seemed to have warmed to her bureacratic task with an almost soviet zeal for making the most of paperwork. Booker Brow witnessed another one of John's kicks, setting the singled-out train in motion, with him at front, then Chris who did take a really really long time to come round when being a team mate and all he should have come forward sooner, before the Condor then upped the pace massively ....  for about a second ...  and then dropped off into a far more doable rhythm and we pedalled briskly into Kirby. The burger bar at the bridge was standing in a pool of sunlight so warm and bright that even the feint pall of fat that always surrounds such mobile food outlets seemed almost a spring-like pollination. The people running the burger bar seemed to be practising for the how many operatives can you squeeze into a mobile burger bar competition ... they looked to be five twisting about in the trailer, and none of them were small. They made vegetarians wait until ALL the bacon eaters had been served. Quite right. Pete and Brian re-convened with the group, so we all of us set off to Lancaster on a very smooth run, back into the fog, because of course we were leaving Yorkshire. Then John let loose past Garstang. We kind of hung on. Many of the un-named we'd picked up coming into Lancaster got dropped, and we caught the front group just before Scorton. Pete was getting excited. Front group and all. Though not for too long, as we split up by the Roebuck. John and Chris had finally got fed up of dragging round a flock of tired Condors, so set off a pace leaving us, uncomplaining about being left, though the twins here decided they better start complaining about something, so found themselves suffering from cramp, which gave them ample opportunity to set up a brotherly grumble about the different types you might incur, classified according to a complicated categorization involving location, intensity, duration and shrillness of associated cry of pain. We managed the first hill through to Blackburn without too mucg ado, though I was of course hanging on, keeping quiet, but not as quiet as Brian, who was also hanging on it seemed, though less successfully, as he fell off just after the main raod. We mentioned this to Pete, and how we might wait, but Pete seemed reasonably happy with his reasoning that on no account should Brian be allowed to catch him up because we had the hill coming. Not sure the logic was there in this argument, but it seemed sufficient for Pete, who then put down some speed as though he were back working and had been given permission to sound off his nee naw siren. Even more encouraging for Pete (and I must admit for myself too, and maybe even Nige and the Condor), we found John and Chris by the road side trying to fix a ripped tyre with a discarded lucozade bottle and in time honoured Condor fashion sped past them whooping with delight that the the shoddy VS equipment had held them up. The last hill .. .something with Bets in the title i think ... is not really a hill unless you've 130 miles in your legs and are not that fit and then it is a slog at the top of which lies a dark and lonely inward place the door of which you knock at, get let in, and then accept it is only one way. Luckily, as in all previosu years, the rest of the route is downhill, and, aside from Pete's anxiety to visit the heavenly version of a one way door as he ventured to re-write the give way laws in favour of anything that was old and wearing a condor jersey, we found the end without much actual physical endeavour, which was kind of just as well, given I for one had nothing left to give. It was all worth it of course, because Condor had beaten VS in what will be the only event of the year when the two race head to head. So first and last blood to the blue streak and just goes to show it's always best to hand within the shadow of a VS wheel and then trust to the linguistic coincidence that 'fast' rhymes with 'last' . The ride finished as always with pie, peas and a one way chat with a someone who seemed content just to stare mutely into the middle distance. Oh those audax boys know how to have a good laugh.

 

 

Imps Reliability Ride

While we wait for a full report from the North West Passage, I hope to tempt you with details of more fun and frivolity for next weekend.

Janice Saleem has sent us an invite for the now-rebranded "Halifax Imps Reliability Ride".

Starts 08:45 from the Ritz Ballroom in Brighouse.

Ian

Halifax Imperial Wheelers

Would like to invite you to join them for

Their

Annual Early Season Reliability Ride

(Formerly run as the HCA ride)

Taking place on

Sunday 28^th February, 2010

Start Point: The Ritz Ballroom, Brighouse

Finish Point: The Pineberry Inn, Mountain, Queensbury

Meet at 8.45am for 9.00am start

Choose between 50/60 mile or 75/80 mile ride

Entry Fee of £1.00 per person payable on the day in exchange for a route sheet

Latest News - Grimpy to join Team Sky?

Grimpy at BC Champions Night, Saturday the 20th Feb with Dave Brailsford and Sir Chris Hoy

Quantocks, Quarks and quite a lot of cycling...

Hello all,

Time for another update from the other side of the Pennines....

I've now started track racing with the Monday night ACT league, did my first night last week. I was encouraged by a good performance in the Devil takes the hindmost and the scratch race. I'll keep you all posted on how that's going!

Before Christmas we had a few days out in the lakes. I've now tackled Wrynose and Hardknotts (admittedly not in sequence at the end of a 130 mile sportive..).

We started our January training in earnest with 3 days in Bristol. Some amazing riding in the Quantock hills and Exmoor with some silly racing around thrown in for good measure. We're doing regular chain gangs with the Manchester Wheelers 2/3 times a week which makes for a good mid week leg-breaker.

I've built myself a fixed-wheel commute out of some old bits I had knocking around and some bargains off eBay (Thanks to Dave Grant for the retro Campagnolo cranks!). Might pop some pictures up at some point. Hasn't fallen to pieces yet...

The Easter break is coming up in about a month or so. I'm looking forward to some riding with the "flock" to get a break from the Physics and murderous bus drivers!

Johnny

Ride Report 14/2/10

It may not have been the longest Sunday run this year but it was without doubt the hardest. A reasonable turn out considering the twin distractions of Valentines Day and the start of the Half Term Holidays saw Sean and Niall, John D & Tommo, Myself & Brian, Grimpy and, making his first appearance on a Sunday run Steve Cavell.
Brian & Sean led us at a sensible pace to Keighley where we were joined by Melvin and Steve Barker. JD & Chris took over at the front from Keighley; the pace quickened. I was sat in second in line with Niall hoping that once we got to Silsden they would pull over so Niall and myself could dictate a more reasonable pace over Cringles. I never got the chance to put that into play, they were pulling away even before we got through Silsden, I wasn't able to stop a gap opening, Niall stayed on, Sean & Mel jumped across from behind me.
I was relieved when no one else jumped across fearing that I was about to spend most of the day chasing alone. It was far too early in the day to screw myself in an attempt to close the gap, staying comfortable and saving a bit for later in the day was obviously the best tactic especially as I wasn't alone.
Steve and I were tapping on at the front, about 100m behind the main peloton when I glanced round and saw that Steve Cavell had completely disappeared and Grimpy, even though he had his best cyclo-cross tyres on, was losing contact. Not wanting the run to completely disintegrate so early in the day I kept pulling Steve back by his jersey to give Grimpy the chance to get back on.
Once at the summit they were waiting for us at the junction where Mel had the bright idea of making our way to Bolton Bridge via Draughton rather than the usual route through Addingham. Had my brain been working a little quicker I would have said what a good idea it was and then gone by myself via Addingham giving myself a chance to attack the climb up the A59 to Kexgill in front of the big hitters and then have a gentle potter towards Thruscross Reservoir.
However what did happen is that they set off like an express train over the icy surfaced undulations of Draughton Moor, me at the back on elastic and; sadly, Grimpy, shown no mercy, was left to fend for himself, not to be seen again that day.
As everyone knows the hardest part of the climb up to Kexgill is the first bit from the end of Beamsley Lane but John, Chris, Mel & the Smiths didn't appear to notice the steepness of the incline. I told Brian that I would see him at the cafe but whether by choice or necessity I don't know, he dropped off the back with me and we shared to effort. Steve Barker was the next to drop off so I put in an effort and got onto his wheel. We slipped into a comfortable routine, I took them on a couple of minor diversions just to add a little more interest to the day but they didn't even say thank you. We had slipped into a comfortable rhythm happy in the knowledge that we wouldn't have to get out of breath again this side of Burnsall. That was not to be, they had caught Nigel up at Kexgill (he'd set off from his in-laws in Ilkley), he had told them off for leaving us and made them stop and wait (yeah, great, thanks Nige). We more or less stayed together then to Burnsall Cafe where we found Ian looking pleased with himself, having set off late (again) and gone straight to Burnsall over his favourite climb, Eastby Brow.
Now I had suggested that if the weather was kind and we were feeling fit and keen we could consider coming home via Thorpe, Gargrave, Elslack, Black Lane Ends and the Herders. Never in my wildest dreams did I think there was anyone other than me was daft enough to do this route on a cold icy day in the middle of February during the hardest winter in living memory. My bluff was called. As we rode through Hetton towards Gargrave I thought surely someone is going to tell me that this is just a joke and we are really going to go home straight through Keighley.
No one cracked. We got to the junction at Broughton, Brian mumbled something (I'm not sure what he said, but I know what he was thinking) and turned left and rode off alone. The Herders being my suggestion, I hadn't the bottle to go with him. It went a bit quiet towards Elslack, people were stoking up on gels and chocolate. The climb from Elslack up to Pinhaw is never easy and the damp, greasy surface made it worse than usual. I was relieved that I wasn't the first to go off the back, that dubious honour went to Steve who in recent weeks has spent more time in the gym than on the bike - was it Eddy Merckx whose three top training tips were - (1) Ride the bike. (2) Ride the bike. (3) Ride the bike.
Ian then slipped back a little, then me, Ian came up to me and we continued together. I could see that Nigel was continuing his recent return to form and was up there with his brother setting the pace before he slipped back slightly just before the top. I don't know why I had expected them to stop and wait at the junction but they didn't, although when Ian and I managed eventually to get back on I was assured that they had been riding slowly to allow us to catch up. Not slow enough however as we didn't see Steve again (I suspect it won't be long before he gets his revenge).
Up the drag to Black Lane Ends Ian disappeared out of the back and that was that, no prisoners were being taken.
The start of the Herders wasn't too bad but I did lose contact when it got steeper, Nigel then drifted off the back as did Niall who had been riding very strong all day but was now feeling the distance. We regrouped over the top with Sean dropping back to look after Niall.
The next big obstacle was from the reservoir at Stanbury over Penistone Hill. Chris attempted to be the first cyclist ever to climb this hill on the big ring; I'm sorry to have to report that he failed. It was up the Dog & Gun climb the for John, Chris, Mel and me. Chris and Mel at the front and me dropping off the back. John started to come back to me, I told him not to wait for me, he said he wasn't, he was going flat out. Mel turned off at the D&G and I followed Chris & John from a distance of 50 or 60 yards over the cutting eventually getting back on their wheel at Queensbury for a welcome freewheel home.

PS sorry about the length of this report

Sunday 14th February

Most of the usuals out again last Sunday for the Silverdale run plus Mick Collins and Andy Garling making their debut. Robin & Steve failed to show, hope they wern't slacking, its a bit early to taper for the NW Passage. I lost my nerve a little on the black ice over the tops but it didn't appear to bother anyone else - must be my age. Lumby almost timed it right, having parked his car in Keighley and setting off ahead of the bunch with the intention of getting to the cafe ahead of us he almost achieved his aim but once he was spotted on the road between Stainforth and Settle his fate was sealed as the big guns hauled him in.

This coming Sunday its the same time & place, 9am at Denholmgate with the intention of going over Cringles to Bolton Bridge then up to the top of Kexgill where left to West End and on to Duck Street and Greenhow, left towards Grassington but turning left again just after Dibbles Bridge to Hartlington and Burnsall Cafe. We can decide at the cafe whether to come home either via the Spring into the Dales route of perhaps if the weather is being kind and we're feeling good(very unlikely on both counts) to Gargrave, Laneshaw Bridge & The Herders.

Condors National Champ

Congratulations to John who yesterday again took the gold medal in the National Cyclo-Cross Championships

Sunday 7th Feb & Club Dinner pics

A good time was had by all at The Condor Road Club 60th Annual Dinner & Prize Presentation.

It is intended to do the Silverdale run this Sunday but as I write snow is once again creating a winter wonderland so if we meet as usual at Denholmgate at 9am we may have to revise the destination.

Sunday 31st January

Anyone fancying a gentle recovery run on Sunday (following Condor Dinner on Saturday) I've arranged to meet Brian at Shelf Roundabout at 10am with the intention of pottering over to Otley and up Wharfedale to Bolton Abbey or Burnsall Cafe.

"Flocking Condors"

I may have misheard but I'm sure that is what they said after seeing more that a dozen riders gather together for this ride.

After being the cause of so much trouble last week I made sure to be at the start early. This meant a prompt start from Denholme for the assembled throng, and we picked up the three more waiting in Keighley with no fuss at all. Pete & Brian soon had us through Crosshills and on toward Cowling, handing over to Grimpy and Andy for another a long pull. I did a very short stint on the front on a downhill stretch toward Laneshaw Bridge but, knowing that there were plenty of eager legs waiting to come through, felt that I'd better not stay in the way for too long. So I dropped back and tried to hang on for the rest of the ride.

Well I got dropped a couple of times and I was quite pleased to see that Vicar and Pete Horne also hung back just to keep me company. Even Nigel moved to the back of the group on some of the climbs so that he could keep an eye on proceedings- at least I assume that is why he slipped down the string of riders? Andy kindly came back on a couple of occasions to make sure that the stragglers were safely "Marshalled" back into the fold. Thanks lads - much appreciated.

We then dropped down to Whalley to wish Mike Darke a happy 70th birthday. I'm sure the Mytholmroyd crew were "delighted" to see us get to the cafe and pack the place out just seconds before they arrived...

After a bit of a wait while we all got served (but still a highly rated 8.5 points - tasty bacon, good egg, nice fluffy teacake; pleasant service; free coffee refill and a bit of cake - all for just £5!), some riders were keen to get going again. Too keen perhaps as some of the group were still queuing for the only working loo. So after Nigel had ridden up to berate those eager souls we reformed just in time to for Nigel to exchange pleasantries with a charming Volvo driver at some lights.

Now it must be recorded that el Presidente was out to meet the ride yet again and was riding well. Good on yer John. Meanwhile Peter had punctured in Padiham, giving an opportunity for us slower brethren to "just potter on" up the ramps of Burnley bypass and even make a start on Long Causeway. Just as well really because that gave the faster riders chance for a good aerobic workout and we could just about hang on as they caught us for the final couple of rises. That left the slight step up by the Sportsman to contend with and here it was Robin who kindly paced us back on for the final charge down to Mytholm Steeps. A chap waved from a car coming up and from the way that the hand blocked the entire side window it could only have been Bernard.

Now my legs were starting to twinge a bit and a final climb up from Burnley Road to home was just what I needed to finish off another fine ride. Still, you should always finish with a warm-down by going slowly in a small gear - which was just below walking pace in the granny gear in my case.

Sunday 24th January

Routes for next Sunday were discussed at last nights meeting at the Caty'. It was decided that we would make our way to Whalley Abbey cafe via Crosshills, over the Moss to Colne and Barrowford then on the ridge to Padiham Heights from where we may go straight forwards to Whalley or as suggested in the pub (beer talking?), put in a loop down to Sabden, over the Nick of Pendle and make our way to Whalley via Pendleton and Wiswell.
Either way we will probably come back via Padiham and Walk Mill then down to Tod or over The Long Causeway.

Sunday the 17th part III - And then there were 7!

By the time we glanced around in Cracoe there was a hardy group of 7 of us: John, Chris, Dom, Andy, Melvin, Niall and myself. After the hesitant start we were beginning to warm up by now and pressed on to Arncliffe without incident. On the approach to the village and with Darnbrook looming the mood in the group was similar to that in the TDF bunch on the approach to Bourg d'Oisans. The mood wasn't to last however and was punctuated with the appearance of John Lumb with tales of ice and snow on the climb, he'd turned back and advised us to do the same. So rather than turn in the road we carried on into the village to follow the road down the north side of the river. We realised this may have been a mistake as we followed the two wheel tracks separated by a 10cm thick block of ice down the middle - we carried on regardless.

It was decided that we should somehow continue with plan A as far as possible (since, in Melvins words, the original ride was 'spread across the countryside') and return via Ayton cafe. A decision that probably added a good 15 miles onto the route.

On the return trip through Carlton John Lumb was the first to crack, closely followed by Niall (who was by now on the longest ride he'd ever done!). And that's where I have to leave the report, Dad's duties dictate that you get son's home safely - so I dropped off the group. No doubt there was a further sort out, perhaps on the climb out of Conenley, perhaps out of Keighley?

A latecomer's tale

After a bit of a cold last week I knew that I had no lungs and no legs on Sunday. Still, I'd foolishly arranged to meet Barker at the roundabout so thought I'd better make an effort.

The old road over Withens was still blocked by snow and there was no way through in my car. I had to double back round through Mixenden instead. Now being a bit late, I though it best to let them know. Robin answered his phone and gallantly said that they'd hang on a couple of minutes for me.

Well I found Robin still waiting patiently at the roundabout - but no-one else. It was clear by the time we got to the hospital that I was never going to catch the bunch so I let Robin ride off. Looks like he never caught the bunch either and ended up riding by himself for the day, coming back over Widdop on his knees.

In the car I'd overtaken Mr Gower earlier making his way through Denholme so now I waited by the level crossing and before long the familiar figure hove into view. Cracoe seemed like a good plan. They supplied bacon & egg (unlike some poncy cafes in Airton) but on brown bread rather than a teacake so only rated 5/10 I'm afraid.

We then rode back via Gargrave, being passed by Brian, Pete, et alia just before Carleton. By this stage it seemed best to finish with Paul as we were having a pleasant time and the pace was just fine for me. Even Nigel was there but he was glowing a bit and it looked like I might have had to dig in a bit hard.

Feeling a bit guilty I rode up Ingrow to Crossroads with Paul then turned back to fetch my motor. The second time up Ingrow I sat down all the way and only used one pedal ...

Calder & Craven Dales 100

Hello Condor, can anyone there help me with information about an Audax BP event run I think by John Lee and Paul Gower called Calder & Craven Dales 100 (not the 200). I rode it in 1990 and would like to do it again but can't remember the route, except it started at Grove Inn, Brearley.

roger walker hd22dj@gmail.com

I've moved the comment up here as a new post to make it more visible - Ian

Sun 17th Jan report

Excellent turn out, the regulars were joined by both Hartleys, Sean & Niall, Dom Turner, Grimpy & Andy Marshall. Brian arrived at Denholmgate with a flat back tyre so we were a little late getting started. Going through Keighley we picked up Keith Lambert and a couple of his mates and were rolling along nicely. Steve, Robin & Mel were waiting at Keighley roundabout which is where the problems started. We heard something shouted to the effect that Ian was just behind; we slowed and soft tapped towards Skipton. Mel & Steve caught up telling us that Robin had hung back to pace Ian onto the bunch.

As we entered Skipton Robin & Ian still hadn't caught up, we stopped and waited 10 minutes, Andy rode back looking for them but they failed to show so we set off. Nigel and I struggled a bit on the rise out of Skipton so we decided we would turn off at the Duck Pond and go straight to Airton Cafe via Hetton & Winterburn rather than round Arncliffe and Malham Tarn. I told Brian who thought it was a great idea and came with us. I asked Steve to let the peloton know what had happened to us, he said he would but then immediately turned off the designated route himself and came with us, as did Keith and Rock Racing.

As you can imagine we were sat in the nice warm cafe drinking tea and eating bacon butties exchanging banter with other cyclists we were feeling rather guilty about not doing the full specified route so its made me feel a lot better to hear that the main bunch also failed in their bid to conquer Darnbrook

Perhaps someone could blog a report as to just what happened to (a) Robin and Ian (Ian was sighted briefly later in he day pottering along a back lane with Paul Gower). (b) The bunch and their failure to get over Darnbrook.

Sunday 17th January & AGM & Condor Dinner

A bit better forecast for this Sunday, temperatures are predicted to soar up to 6 degrees so hopefully we will be able to wander a little way from the main roads. So as not to confuse anybody I suppose we will have to keep to the standard time & meeting place, Denholmgate (outside Whittakers) 9am. I suggest we go up Littondale to Arncliffe then over Darnbrook, Malham Tarn and to the cafe in Airton. Perhaps if the weather is a little kinder it may tempt the upper valley boys out and perhaps even an odd Hartley.

Just a reminder that the Condor Annual General Meeting is to be held at the Caty' at 9pm next Wednesday the 20th of Jan. Please make every effort to attend.

The 60th Annual Dinner & Prize Presentation is to be held at Lightcliffe Golf Club on Saturday the 30th January, 6.30 for 7pm (or 6pm in the White Horse). Cost is £22 including wine. Please contact Paul Gower or Trevor Lever to book tickets. Below is the menu, Paul/Trevor need to know in advance your preferred choice (or you can e-mail me on petehorne@yahoo.co.uk ) :-

STARTERS
Leek & Potato Soup
Creamy Garlic Mushrooms served in large Vol-au-vent

MAIN COURSE
Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding
Pork Loin & Cider Gravy
Salmon Fillet with Chive Mash and Hollandaise sauce

PUDDINGS
Homemade Bread & Butter Pudding
Apple Crumble & Custard
Cheese & Biscuits

followed by Coffee & Mints

Sunday 10th January

Another no-show from our on line convener Sean and from the Wainstalls contingent. Nevertheless we still had a good turnout, seven in total, myself, Brain, Pete, Pete Whitley, John and Chris from VS and Tom Murray from Ploughmam Craven; all in all a pretty wide range, both in terms of age and ability.

We decided to ignore Sean's suggestion of Settle (as he wasn't there he couldn't argue) and set fair for the cafe at Burnsall. The roads were clear of snow and ice and it was a good 3 to 4 degrees warmer than last week - happy days.

I think more than one of us were preparing our excuses for dropping off the back and making our own way as the quality and youth on the front of the bunch suggested that this ride could be a quite brisk. Fortunately nobody was looking to put the hammer down so with the exception of Pete (Whitley) who turned just afer Skipton we all made it to Burnsall more or less together.

On the return Pete struggled with a troublesome free wheel which intermittently was "free" in both directions however this did give me an opportunity to recover and probably meant I stayed in touch for longer than would otherwise have been the case

The ride back inevitably became fragmented with Tom, John and Chris finally breaking some rather slack elastic on the climb over Cringles. I lost touch with Pete and Brian on the same hill, caught them at Silsden only to be dropped again going up Ingrow.

As I say - Happy Days!

Sunday 10th - Training Ride

I guess we'll need to stick to the main roads this week. How about straight out to Settle? Perhaps taking an alternative route once we've assessed the roads situation. Either way, it's same place same time for meeting up - 9 am at Denholme.

1st training run of 2010

It was minus 4 when we met at Denholmgate but it didn't stay like that for long (it dropped to minus 5). However it didn't feel that cold, the sun was out, the skies were blue and all was right with the world untill we got to Kettlewell and found that both cafe's were closed. I reckon that Pete Whiteley must have known they was going to be closed 'cos he disappeared on the climb out of Skipton. It was good to see Pete out with The Condor again, I hope he wasn't put off by Damian's refusal to fit a mud flap to his guards.

We went back to Cracoe and found a warm welcome there, plus the added bonus of not having as far to ride home. It did get a bit serious up Ingrow with the Racelight Tk's putting one over on the bog-standard T's but I reckon they've peaked too early - the North West Passage isn't for another 6 weeks. If you're wondering why the cafe photo is blurred its not the soft focus romantic look its condensation on the lens.

As you can see from the above four hardy souls did turn up for the New Years Day Isle of Skye run, the road over to Greenfield was officially closed with barriers blocking access but it wasn't too bad really. Minus 2 over the top but the wind chill made it feel colder.

A good turn out at The Works in Sowerby Bridge, all committee members present except Ian who we had been expecting but who must have decided to start the new year off with more than just a potter over the Isle.

Comment from Sean Smith re CCA rides

Sean Smith left a comment:

Pete, we tried to put some structure together for the early season training rides last year by publishing a list of meeting points. So thought I'd do the same thing this time. (Details on the CCA website).

I've included the traditional Kettlewell run as you've suggested but left the others open. Anyone have any further suggestions for routes - happy to put a few more up?

You'll also notice I've made Denholme gate the regular meeting point. Attendance fell off dramatically whenever me met elsewhere last year!

Raring to get stuck in, Sean

3:12 PM

New Year

New Years Day - The good news is that I've checked and the cafe in Holmfirth will be open at 1100hrs; the plan is to meet at Brighouse at 1000hrs, have a cafe stop at Holmfirth and if the weather in not too bad go over Isle of Skye, through Dob Cross, Delph & Denshaw, over Windy Hill stopping at Sowerby Bridge for a swift pint.

Sunday the 3rd January 2010 - As is the custom we will be meeting at Denholmgate 0900hrs for a less than leisurely ride to Madam Zarina's at Kettlewell

The next few weeks

The grimpeur's section met yesterday at Elland Bridge for a South Pennine circuit in rather better weather conditions than the previous week. Brian, Damian and myself were joined by Dave Woodhead and Dan Annison.
Highlights were..................
Good tailwind from Greenfield over Isle of Skye
Bacon & egg sandwich at the Wrinkled Stockings, 5 out of 5
Dave in agony with cramp on the climb from Slaithwaite to Pole Moor
Lowlights were...................
Headwind from West Vale to Buckstones
Setting off again after an hour in the cafe
Dan making everyone's legs hurt

Next Sunday, the 13th I suggest we meet 0900hrs Denholmgate and perhaps go Skipton, Hetton, Winterburn for cafe stop at Aireton, stopping off at the pub in Carleton on the way back to have a pint with our old mates from the Bradford Elite.

The following Sunday, the 20th, will of course be Rileys Treat, I assume as usual at the Robin Hood, Pecket Well. Looks like a Denholmgate meet again, 0900hrs for an en-route potter round Herders & Widdop and a look in at this cafe Iv'e heard a lot about at Heptonstall.

Sunday 6th December

I'm a bit reluctant to to suggest a meeting place/time/route for this Sunday - no one else turned up last week - I had to content myself with the company of Team Sky over Buckstones (not one of them had mudguards fitted).

However I did enjoy the bleak South Pennine scenery and so I'll suggest the same meeting place, the bus shelter at Elland Bridge at 0930hrs.

I'm happy to go for an alternative should that not be a popular choice.

Sunday 29th November

In the absence of other idea's and looking for a bit of a change I suggest that we meet at Elland Bridge 0900hrs for Buckstones, Greenfield & Isle of Skye with refreshments at Holmfirth.

Sunday 22nd Nov

I seem to remember in the pub at Oxenhope last Sunday that we agreed to meet at Keighley roundabout at 0900hrs next Sunday with the aim of taking refreshments at Elaines Tea Room, Feizor. Unless something else has been arranged we will stick to that.

In 2010 Chris Crossland and his team are organising several Audax's from Calderdale. I'm listing them below so that you know when to keep your diaries free.

18th April, Spring into the Dales
22nd May, The Old 240 and the Spurn Head 400k
13th June, The Red Rose Ride 200k
26th June, The 3 Coasts 600 & the Spurn Head 400
27th June, The Good Companions 200k
21st August, The Old 240 & the Spurn Head 400k

15 Nov - Whalley Abbey

The suggestion this week is to ride out to Whalley Abbey for an "ecumenical buttie" and then back over Pendle perhaps. There was even mention of stopping for a pint on the way back, but I'm sure that was just idle chatter because you'd never see the keen athletes of the Condor resting in some hostelry on a Sunday afternoon. Oh dear me no ...

Meet 09:00 in HEBDEN BRIDGE.

Ian

ps The Bay Horse Inn at Oxenhope has a fine pint of beer from local brewers Cullingworth Old Spot - very refreshing.