Waddington Report

A very good turn out yesterday, several new faces in the bunch including Holme Valley champion Steve Robinson; a rather fast looking guy with a VS top on, I hadn't met him before but I think he is called Andy (apols if I've got that wrong), and a recent immigrant to Calderdale, Stuart Harper. Not having been out with us previously Stuart had been concerned about whether he was up to the pace but he looked comfortable all morning. We went the planned route to Waddington. Pete Whiteley broke his chain at Broughton so we had a welcome rest whilst he got his hands mucky - I was tempted to potter on a bit by myself at this point but Neil pointed out the error of my ways - I was cursing him half an hour or so later as I was struggling to keep on the back of the bunch up those long, straight, gradual inclines before the descent to Bolton by Bowland - why is it that every time Mel goes to the front my legs and lungs hurt - it wasn't like that 35 years ago -mind you he didn't ride club runs on Ksyrium ES's back then, that must be the reason. Due to having to be home early we said goodbye to Grimpy, Dougie, Chris Brown and VS Andy before lunch.

Once fed and watered I heard a rumour that a return journey via Downham, Pendle and the Herders was being planned, there was no way I was going to keep anywhere near the peloton over those climbs so I made plans of my own - Whalley, Padiham and Tod. Brian, Richard and Kev Brown volunteered to keep me company - things were looking good - but then Ian and the two Pete's (Whiteley & Smith) gatecrashed the party and my plans for a steady potter home were in tatters.
I hope someone blogs a report about the Pendle/Herders route home - I have heard a few snippets which may or may not be correct - one is that Mel had a go at half wheeling Steve Robinson (no surprise there then) but Steve gave as much if not more than he got. Also that our new man, Stuart, was left to fend for himself in unfamiliar surroundings somewhere on the top of the bleak pennine moorlands - in fact I have been given a ticking off by the club treasurer, Mr Gower, for throwing him to the wolves before getting £6 subs off him - hope you found your way home alright and we look forward to seeing you again.

Sunday 30th January

Thats the destination tomorrow, Waddington Cafe. Mel says he has an easy route planned via Bank Newton and Bolton by Bowland. He has also told me that the bunch will not get split up - I guess I will find out tomorrow if he is telling the truth on either issue. As usual Denholmegate 9am or the roundabout at Keighley 9.30.

I understand that Paul Gower is intending leading a smaller but more sociable group to Waddington from somewhere in the Calder Valley.

Worlds masters cyclo cross zilvermeer- mol

A report from the man himself....................................................................................

Finished 4th again, worse still again behind Vic Barnett who was 3rd. On the positive side I felt I wasn't running on empty (I finally managed to train hard for 3 weeks and even race 3 times). 1st was a big dutchman Theo Broere followed by a little belgium Romhan Boelens ( new guys to me)
The course was great a lot different than previous years due I guess to new UCI rules and site alterations, not quite Alton Towers on sand but great fun.
The secret is to accept some sections you just can't ride others you have to hit slow and then push through the sand in a big gear. The rest is hard pack forest land fast (big ring) with great cambers, some hand built wide steps interwound with tarmac and a man made jump. Just got to mind the pine trees?
I again had a poor start, my fault couldn't get my jacket off at the start line over my dam gloves reminds me off some guy with no key for his lock?
Off course a BC official is helping Vic I look at him requesting assistance and he ignored me?
noted
international star?, still I pay my fees?
By the time we get out of first sand section I am 6th, move up to 5th then take half a lap to get past a french guy. I can see the first three but thats it i can't get nearer, no excuses i'm going ok and get better each lap thro the sand passing lots of younger females who started earlier nice views although no takers?

On sunday I went to the world cup meeting at Hoogerhieme in NL
No UK juniors, Helen Wyman was 3rd on the grid finishing 8th.
The elites race was amazing, incidently all the top guys use shimano electronic gears, got to be good to work ok in cross? The course was 3Km, includes starting & finishing on a flyover some serious mud and they were still lapping in around 6mins
Neil Albert won

23 Jan - Farne Hill takes no prisoners

Hi Richard. Thanks for the write-up. Glad to hear you had an OK ride in the end.

The right turn from the A629 goes to Farnehill, which was a new route for me, but Andy Marshall assured us that he knew the way. We passed a few pleasant houses then turned up a decidedly unpleasant hill. It was a bit of a shock after the flat stuff and had several people on the ropes immediately. A crest and a right turn let most of us rejoin the troop, but our Condor team-mate wasn't to be seen and was eventually left for dead by the lead riders. I'll not say who gave the deciding shout, but sadly I won't ever be in a position to return the favour and leave him behind.

It must have been a while since Andy was last up here, but we followed his lead onto a super-smooth back road. The tarmac was enticingly perfect, but the road was a dead end. Maybe the top brass in the Aire valley road repair dept lives here? So after struggling up we freewheeled back down and then followed signposts to Draughton, getting us back to the familiar route across the Cringles. Then to Halton East and, staying on the back roads, through Appletreewick to Burnsall (cafe too busy; Andy turned here) and over Thorpe.

We were a long time in Cracoe cafe (as Robin predicted - he set off straight home), but I was glad of my "cyclists special" when it eventually came. By the way, searching for "Jacksons of Cracoe" provided this image of a full breakfast - recorded by some Japanese traveller. And we think their food is strange ... what would you make of this if your main diet until then had been rice, sushi, veg and healthy noodles!

That just left a familiar route home and, surprisingly, I was still in contact in Keighley. Some temporary lights on Ingrow must've upset Nige and he launched a stinging (but inevitably short-lived) attack along the pavement. That encouraged a split, with me now tapping out a steady rhythm in a rearguard posse along with Neil and ChrisT (not sure why he was back here, something about a dodgy knee I think).

Well Waddington has been mentioned again for next week. Usual starting point - 9am Denholme and 9:30 in Keighley.

Club meeting this week Jan 26th - let me know if you want pie & peas ordering.

Works dinner - menu choices to Paul G as soon as you can please.

Sunday 23rd January 2011

After cleaning the Jackson Pollock from my right jacket sleeve (palette of greens and yellows with a splash of white), right sleeve? - Westerly out Easterly home, I am now able to consider today’s ride and put the day into perspective.

After a couple of weeks off the bike; ear infection throat infection general kak at work I suppose today was always going to be challenging – and so it proved. I briefly made contact with the ride in Keighley; the early signs were not promising, -they rode past me, the good ol’ boys from VS were tapping out a brisk rhythm, Pete W looked like he’d lost a couple more pounds, Brian had resorted to his summer bike and Melvyn had a steely, take no prisoners, look in his eye - I tucked in nevertheless.

Someone had whispered ‘Cringles’ so when we flew past the turn to Addingham, my spirits lifted and I began to entertain hopes that we might be heading on towards Cracoe and Grassington and that, subject to me hanging on out of Skipton, I might have a wheel to suck for at least a part of the day.

It was not to be, the VS were aware of an alternative route over Cringles that involved a sharp right at the left to Cononeley. As the road ramped up I slipped away, not, unfortunately, in to death’s sweet embrace but in to a sort of purgatory that lasted until I accepted that there was no point in chasing, at which point I settled in to my own rhythm and began to enjoy the day.

By the way I did briefly make contact with the run again. I’d made my way to Cracoe Café (second best sausages in Yorkshire) and as I was about to leave in they trooped; Burnsall apparently was too busy. I resisted the temptation to hang around and made my own way back, once bitten twice shy.

PS In case you were wondering Tesco Value Range Chipolatas
PPS If you want a run report I suggest you ask someone who was on it

23 Jan

Its 9am at Denholme again this week going through Keighley for 9:30. Route to be discussed. Bolton-by-bowland and Waddington have been mentioned but lets see. If El Presedente or others would like to join in en route maybe give me a ring just after nine & maybe by then we will have decided where we're off to!

Ian

16 Jan - Airton - with report

Quick report -

It was "rather damp". Increasing to "wet" by midday. But getting a bit better later on.

We had a full turnout of a dozen or more riders. How many more would come on a sunnier day I don't know. So there we are in jackets at the start and we met with a few more in Keighley. Out along the back road through Connonley and Carleton, then gathered pace towards Gargrave. I'd had my money's worth out of my back tyre and it went "phut" loudly. A couple of kindly souls stayed with me (sorry about the broken tyre lever Nigel), but it was not the weather to hang about. The racing lads set off over Darnbrook without a break. Repaired, our smaller group went on to Gargrave (closed) then Airton, arriving damp and leaving very cold. John Lumb came in as we were making to go, so he took advantage of our wheels for the way back. It took me until Broughton to start coming round again and lift the spirits. Another puncture on Ingrow (sorry - again) delayed us enough for the fast boys to appear in ones and twos, so obviously the "A" ride had blown apart in the end. I wasn't the only one nursing a poorly bike - Chris T had a broken spoke to contend with. Still, it got me home and I've made sure to put a new tyre on right away. Ian

It has been decreed that this Sunday we'll be heading for the cafe at Airton. It has been mentioned, in passing, that some keen lads might get there by going over Darnbrook. Others might be finding more sensible routes. However you do it, I hope that you have a good ride.

ps. There is of course a slight issue, in my opinion, with the cafe at Airton. My views on bacon butties without egg are well-known. It simply won't do. And, furthermore, no decent butty ever came with a limp bit of salad on the side. So I'll be going there under sufferance, but, for good harmony, I'll try not to mention this point again.

pps. Do you know how hard it is to find an image on the web of a good bacon & egg butty? Naked women and people doing stupid things aplenty. Or am I looking in the wrong places? This one has all of the right ingredients, but will you just look at the state of that egg. And are those seeds on the top of the bun? The bacon might be passable. At best it gets an RBE* rating of only 3/10.

RBE* - Robinson's Bacon & Egg rating. Soon to replace Michelin stars as a guide to eateries worth visiting.

Latest News

At Derby on Saturday Grimpy kept the Condor colours to the fore taking the silver medal for his age group in the National Cyclo-Cross Championships. Former professional 'cross rider Vic Barnett snatched gold but judging from the photo John was happy enough with the result after a season interrupted by a knee injury. We all wish him good luck at the World's in a few weeks time.

Sunday Training............. It was a bit blustery but a balmy 2 degrees encouraged a group of 15 to hit the road to Zarina's. Unfortunately Martin Kemp punctured early; it is usual for the group to wait when someone punctures so early into a ride (unless they really really beg to be left) but, perhaps due to the enthusiasm new year always brings, or it may be we were concentrating so hard to keep up to a rejuvenated Pete Whiteley and Brian we hadn't realised he'd punctured; anyway such etiquette was dispensed with and we carried on, fortunately Dougie showed more decency and waited, they caught us at the cafe. The rest of us proceeded at a fast pace (or so it seemed to me) until the next incident where Niall Smith was thrown from his bike after hitting a pothole on that pig of a climb out of Skipton on the Grassington Road. This unfortunate event prompted several other Smith's (his dad Sean and comeback man Pete) to launch an attack. I saw it as a chance to have a breather but once Niall had recovered a little he spent a minute sat behind myself, Brian, Robin and Steve then shot past us intent on catching the peloton. Robin and Steve, not wishing to be tempted by the fruits of Madam Zarina's establishment, turned at Kilnsey the rest of enjoyed the break at Kettlewell.
We returned to Kilnsey then crossed over the Wharfe to Conistone, through Grassington and Linton and back to Cracoe. Brian and myself continued towards Skipton whilst the everyone else chose the harder alternative of Hetton, Gargrave etc. I look forward to hearing how the ride developed.
Brian and I shared the pace until Ingrow where I was unable to do my share on the climb and just sat in, to really cheer us up, as we passed the tip close to the top, a group of three riders in Pennine kit, including a rather good looking blond girl rode straight past us.

Madam Zarina's

I can confirm that, unlike last year, Zarinas Cafe will be open tomorrow

Stop Press...........Grimpy takes silver at 2011 National Champs. John today lost his National Cross title in the mud at Derby to former cross professional Vic Barnett.

Sunday 9th Jan

The traditional ride to Kettlewell and back has been discussed this week for the first of the training runs. Meeting at 9am Denholme Gate.

Violence marrs Wednesday Ride

BREAKING NEWS..........Violence today marred the inaugural 2011 Wednesday Ride. High upon the hills above Holmfirth a defenceless Condor was attacked by hungry cyclists.

A full report is expected from our man on the spot, Neil Dyson (now almost recovered from the mental scars left from the Cragg Vale girls on mountain bikes incident)

Happy New Year

Mild conditions made for a good turn out on the New Years Day ride including a rare appearance from the Brown's who will no doubt be giving us some pain in a few months as long as they keep it going.

Neil was rather annoyed to suffer two rear wheel punctures especially as he had been told that the tyres were puncture proof (when he bought them five years ago). A gentle ride was enjoyed by all and just to make Ian happy I managed to drift off the back going up the Gully towards Buckstones.

New Years Day ride

Just a reminder - 10am Brighouse for Holmfirth and Isle of Skye - should be at The Works, Sowerby Bridge half one to 2.30pm.

Training season.

That time of year again chaps! For anyone interested I've taken the liberty of posting meeting times up on the CCA site, 9am at denholme gate during January. Won't be there this week, we're away in Scotland at the moment. Have a good one.

Neil's Pie & Peas - 27 December

Neil Dyson very kindly has a regular "open house" bash each year, and the Condors are all invited. Call round for pie & peas, and help him go through a barrel of beer.

Monday 27th from 1pm. Highcliffe Drive, Highroad Well. Ring me if you need directions.

Also a ride beforehand from Post Office on Commercial St in Halifax at 10am.

Cheers! Ian

Neil says he was rather cold on Sunday but he's probably just been spending too long at home sat in front of the fire. Judging from the above photo taken by Irish John on his i-phone of Chris & Neil on the Long Causeway it was a glorious day. Shame most of us missed the joys of riding round the East Lancashire mill towns on black ice and elected to go via easier routes to the Robin Hood at Pecket Well for the long established 'Rileys Treat'.

After a 10 out of 10 breakfast at Steve's wife's establishment, Towngate Tearooms, in Heptonstall we sprinted up to Pecket Well. Buses, trains and walking boots had been the preferred choice of transport for the majority of revellers with Kev Shand being the only Rochdale lad seen to have arrived on a bike.

Quite a lot of Paul's had walked up from Luddenden Foot and having stopped for, as one of the Paul's put it, 'a gargle', at the Lane Ends en-route they were soon dancing on the tables and forgetting their lines (no names mentioned - see above pic.).

It was good to see Ian Wellock so far away from the Red Rooster - surprisingly he left early - probably to go to the Rooster.

Remember the serious stuff starts with the Kettlewell run, Sunday the 9th of January, 9am Denholmgate, 9.30 Keighley roundabout.
There's a very much less serious run on New Years Day from Brighouse, 10am outside the old VS shop for breakfast at Holmfirth and on to The Works at Sowerby Bridge via Isle of Skye and Windy Hill. If you're feeling too fragile we should be at the Works 1.30 to 2pm. There's a good chance there will be a not too serious ride on Sunday 2nd of Jan - if anyone has suggestions why not post a blog.

Oh dear oh dear oh dear .... I start by casting back to last week, when we were actually cycling, and Nigel remembered briefly what it was like to be in front (see above), albeit being in front means people might better see the toadstool atop one's head, which is fine provided you concentrate on its being value for money. Even Ian was giving it some welly, and though Steve had not even bothered to Barker himself before calling in on an at home party at Mr Pain's, he stuck with us through the hilly stuff at the end. The call had been made to meet at Hebden Bridge. We duly met, to find John and Chris joining an unlikely gathering of four Condor's. The flock flew low along the valley road at sedate pace, then up and over along the edge of Burnley, Padiham and into the well appointed and well-icy environs of Whalley where another Condor, in fact The Condor, menacing in his lonely perambulations of northern fells, joined up to make for five and so a full set of riding members. The Abbey coffee shop had witnessed mass industrial action, and though the picket lines had been cleared by avenging angels, the staffing remained as solitary as The Condor in his riding. There appeared to be a total of two eggs and some bacon, and some bread at the bottom of the breadbin, and nothing much else, so we divied it up in good Famous Fashion style (save Chris, who somehow managed to get his own order in first). The heating had also gone on strike, so we took back to the bikes to warm up, and ne'r did stop until passing the Silent Inn below Stanbury John and Melvin appeared to have a bi-lateral caesure causing a muscular arrest (too much pointless jousting in December) and an involuntary vocal spasm which sounded enough like 'We're stopping for a pint' for us all to join in, and have three; the fire was warm, the conversation was good, if a little frayed toward the end, when Chris began a panegyric on making the cyclops cry.

... and so we move directly on to this week, we arrive at the Robin Hood and Riley's Treat or Bent Head Do, to find the same characters ensconced, bearing witness to what may well have been a week long uninterrupted speech from Chris on the many ways of spilling seed. Ian, Nigel and son of Nigel has walked oe'r moor, Steve had walked down hill, and only John, Chris and Neil had done the big ride. El Presidento was in his kit, so could have done a turn, and id spotted Pete Horne leaving early so he could just potter on, meaning Condor was not completely unwheeled, but nevertheless we showed poorly. As the early evening drew on people were starting to loose reason. Ian came back with a pie and peas covered in coagulated pan scrapings that actually drew lingering admiration from those having to make do with turkey stock, as though they had missed out in some way. Ian seemed to agree that his plate was positively the best plate of food anyone might wish for, which seen through the fug of so many Landlord's it might possibly have been. Chris seemed to find it easier to get out of his tights by ripping them rather than unzipping (the 'Why get out of them in the first place?' didnt seem a pertinent question). John and Neil seemed intent on promising one another 'a dry one' in the lay by at the end of next years Skipton and back, so bring your cameras for that one. I was trying to justify the use of increasingly long words on the grounds it made me look sophisticated when everyone knows I was just compensating for being witless. Nigel showed a picture of son of Nigel's girlfriend to Chris which was a big mistake. Steve was being very calm actually, counting whiskey. And so it went. Until we left, those walking took to the moor, those cycling unlocked the bikes, de-iced them (see above) and took to Heights Road, and the inevitable crash just outside Midgley when Chris decided he would try and run John into the side of a house, forgetting he was neither as big nor as sober, so came off, snapped the derailleur, scarred his cheek like a war mark and grated all his kit. He was doing about 20 at the time, so bounced quite a way, he seemed to walk OK though, and judging buy the above picture Neil and John seemed quite happy with the performance. Neil and I left with Chris still sitting on the ice doing a chain fix with a paper clip under the capable supervision of John who seemed to be squeezing him with water. I hope they got back alright.

19 Dec 10 - Riley's Treat

I'd really like to take on a full breakfast in the Cafe in Heptonstall this Sunday, just to get things off to a flying start. Steve is keen and will phone through our order for us.

Lets meet at Denholme at 09:00 and make a route from there. On road bikes, hopefully.

We'll get to the Robin Hood in Pecket Well for lunchtime-ish in good time for the afternoon's entertainment.

If it really is foul and snowy, give me a ring first: 07966 713 158.

12 Dec 2010 - road ride [update!]

The western section did as predicted and met in Hebden, including a welcome visit of two friends from the "far east". That's John & Chris of VS hailing from far distant Brighouse.

The slightly slippery lanes from Padiham brought out the comment from Nigel that "they must have run out of salt round here". And Lo!, at that very moment another Condor rode into view and said EXACTLY the same thing, this being Melvyn of course.

The poor chap in the cafe at Whalley Abbey was there by himself with no staff and, worse, no stock (no beans, and just two eggs). A bacon butty really does need an egg on top to fill a hungry cyclist. Still, it was better than nothing. Partially fortified we sallied forth to the Herders and there found ourselves stationary outside the Old Silent Inn while we regrouped. Well it was, at that point, the only thing to do to pop in for a pint ...

On offer was "Barm Top" from Gooseye Brewery in Keighley, as a very pleasant light ale. The VS lads stuck to familiar pleasures - Guiness & larger, respectively - but it seems to be going down well. Sadly Robin's "Old Peculiar" doesn't seem to have brought out a smile, but he could just be camera-shy?

Now after missing out on my egg earlier, the beer was just the thing to fill my legs. So with a "beer boost" I could go fine on the hill up from Stabury reservoir, and again on the old road back to Wainstalls, to finish feeling good. Its just as well we won't be found loitering in pubs again any time soon ...

Meet Hebden Bridge 09:00 for gentle ride to cafe at Whalley Abbey. So far its the western section - me, Steve Barker, Nigel and probably Robin. Others welcome!

Thanks to Pete for the recent posts - good to see so many out. And Grimpy is a hero with deep section carbon rims in the snow. A true racer.

Wednesday ride Christmas Lunch

It was the Wednesday ride Christmas lunch yesterday. After a chilly ride round Bradford, Bingley, Keighley and Cock Hill we had a mediocre lunch in a cold pub - never mind a sprint up Jowler on the way home got the circulation going again.

Found a photo of John at last Sundays race - almost makes you wish you were doing it yourself (in fact it may have been easier than the Hollingworth Lake Buckstones run I had with The Vicar, Pete Smith and Brian).

Grimpy Rides to Glory

Although John claims he is'nt going well after a season hindered by a knee problem he was still the outstanding rider in the over 60's category at the North of England Championships held in bright sunshine on a snow covered course on the banks of Lake Windermere last Sunday. There is a full report and some great photos of the race on the BC web site, unfortunatly I was unable to copy any of the photos so if you're wondering where the snow is on the above pic - its a photo from last year.

Sunday 5/12/10

If anyone fancies coming along I'm meeting Brian 0930hrs Luddenden Foot for a shortish road ride - cafe stop at Hollingworth Lake Cafe - home early afternoon.

Last Sunday on the road

The delights of MTB'ing extolled by that well known proselyte (????) Robin are undeniable but the virtues of road cycling should not be overlooked. Above is the view as I freewheeled down past the Ram Inn towards Denshaw last Sunday, what a beautiful day to be pottering round the local lanes; that was until I had to start pressing on the pedals harder as I was caught by Irish John, Dougie and Martin going up the Gully towards Buckstones. They had been on a warm up ride in preparation for the Imps freewheeling race. If preparation counts John should have been up with a chance of victory - in bed by 3am after a boozy do at the Imps Dinner followed by a breakfast at Hollingworth Lake cafe - oh what dedication in the pursuit of glory.

The off road club continues apace. We had no fear of reprisals this weekend from our skinny tyred brethren, distracted as they were by the heavy physical demands of coasting along some dual carriageway. Call me a bit of a stickler for tradition, a dyed-in-the-wool adherent of orthodoxy, a proselyte for the old ways, but doesn't cycling involve turning the pedals at some point? Descending from Ainley Top in the company of your own weight and the odd pull from the back end of a receding lorry until you simply stop, cease to move, grind to a halt, unwilling to work, might be a good metaphor for the Daily Mail wanting yet another florid way of explaining to its credulous 'readers' how our country is becoming bedeviled by a me too, hand-out culture where everyone wants to get everywhere without expending any effort, but is it a way to treat a bicycle? No. So we sticklers for real cycling went off road, that way avoiding any guilt by association. We pedaled UP and over old road, ALONG the water course, UP and over the top o'stairs and ALONG and OVER to Gorple, ACROSS to Heptonstall, down and UP from the Blue Pig, down and UP from Lumb Falls... oh you get the point by now. Snow, ice, sunlight and moor made a heady and occasionally upsetting mix (viz, Nigel's new hobby of 'static stacking', there are many different ways, evidently, of falling off your bike whilst simply standing astride it, or against it, he is beginning to go through them with a classificatory zeal). The food in Heptonstall cafe was as welcome and uplifting as it always is; sticking to long established ways serves as well for catering as it does for cycling.

Condor Dinner - 5 Feb 2011 - Works, Sowerby Bridge

61st ANNUAL DINNER & PRIZE PRESENTATION

TO BE HELD AT – THE WORKS- SOWERBY BRIDGE

SATURDAY 5th FEBRUARY 2011

Meet at 6.30 for 7.00pm

MENU

STARTERS

Roasted pepper & tomato soup

Prawn & crayfish tail cocktail with a chilli & mayo dressing

Herby stuffed mushrooms

Farmhouse pate & toast

MAINS

Roasted duck breast with a cherry sauce

Loin of lamb with a minted gravy

Roasted loin of pork with a rich mustard gravy

Poached salmon with a creamy dill sauce

PUDDINGS

Fresh fruit salad and cream

Tiramisu

Lemon cheesecake with a raspberry coulis

Cheese & biscuits

COST : £ 22.00 per person

(complimentary wine included)

Please contact either Paul or Trevor with numbers and choices by 25th January 2011 Thank you

Paul Gower : 01422 201533

Trevor Lever : 01274 874789

Dates for next year:

Comment from Pete Horne

Early dates I know about for next year are -
Sat 19th Feb NW Passage
Sun 11th Mch Todmorden Loops (promoted by Danial Webb on behalf of CRC)
Sun 20th Mch Red Rose 200
Sun 17th April Spring into Dales

An Autumn Tour

Every year I go on a cycling tour with other patent/legal types. This year we met in Wetherby and rode to Ravenscar on the coast, stayed over in a pleasant old hotel on the cliffs and then rode back the next day. It was roughly 80 miles there (including three cafe stops - we know how to live the good life) and 70 miles back or thereabouts.

We started in our first cafe and then took in some very pleasant flat miles through Ouseburns Little and Greater, over Aldwark Toll Bridge (free for cyclists), and on to Easingwold (excellent coffe and buns). Then continued through the fog in the Vale of York to the Howardian hills, via Brandsby and Hovingham, for stop #3 at Thornton Le Dale (late lunch, in what turned out to be a bit of a transport cafe really).

Then came a real treat. Which, at least for now, is listed in my book as the best road in England. Just imagine. Freshly-laid smooth tarmac for miles. Easy gradients. Great scenery. Cars are actually charged money for using this road, which meant that we saw about three in two hours or so. A bit of north shore to play on every now and then (but I was on a loaded touring bike so only risked a quick go) . There was even a stall outside a farm near the end in Staindale selling jam and scones. So where is this nirvana? It is the Dalby Forest Drive. From Thornton Dale to Hackness and beyond. And I'll be going back there. Soon.

View Larger Map

I don't have any pictures of our luxurious accomodation. But let me just say that it would have been better if there had been hot water for a decent shower. Still, a cold rinse was enough for decency, and sitting with a pint by the open fire chatting was a reward in itself.

Next day we took in the scene from the Panorama Restaurant at breakfast. We could very nearly make out the waves below through the thick mist, so it's just as well that we didn't pay extra for sea-view rooms. Fueled up we were soon out there enjoying the soft morning air and gentle rain showers. A well-signposted bike path soon lead to a farm field. It would have been better in high summer. Maybe.

Looking for variation on our return route we headed north and inland to find some frighteningly steep 1:4 descents on wet leaves and poor surfaces. Only to find positively terrifying 1:3 assents on the other side. The sadistic road makers here even managed to take the road half way up the hillside before dropping, sickeningly, back to the valley floor to start the climb again. This is, at least for now, in my book as the worst road in England. Aftertwo hours we'd managed to struggle through Littlebeck and Sleights to reach Egton, where we could plunge down again to Egton Bridge and begin our final struggle up and over the moor to Rosedale. A fine cafe revived our spirits, and we were now within reach of easy flat roads again.

But, of course, we weren't. After hearing representations from both sides, m'learned friends decided that Rosedale Chimney Bank would be a fine pudding. Well, nearly. But the 40mph descent did take us to Hutton le Hole pretty quickly. And Patrick gets to tick another entry in his "100 Best Climbs".

Now the group had to separate and all that remained was to retrace our steps, by and large, back to our respective starting points. And to look forward to another trip next year.

Sorry Robin I was trying to add this Fay Godwin photo to the end of your report but it refuses to go anywhere but here - I prefer your photo anyway.

Thrown underneath a hastening notation of staved clouds being pushed along by of the brisk pace of an east wind, we - that is condor off road club - took ourselves off over to Ogden - the never ending wall (for the waller) had had a little more completed, and as if in a kind of comical echo of this effort, the decaying farmstead just beyond had also born witness to some building work, though here the job - paving - might well have scored a little lower were some aspirant Saturday night tv gameshow judges to come passing by with their numerical paddles and acid hyperbole: 9 for the wall, 0 for the paving me thinks. Ogden cobbles were very wet, but not as wet as the rest of the ride, during which we spent much time talking about warm socks, overshoes, plastic bags, dry shoes, hooves, anything in fact that we could use in the stead of what we actually had. Our feet excepting, the ensuing ride was exacting in the best possible sense, one of wheel sucking technicality that had us on always on the edge, or in my case over the edge and onto my head-arse (not sure which hit first), twice. Obviously I was inhabiting the limits of possibility, warning others of the risks through a staged occupation of the possible hazards en route, thereby preventing greater harm to my companion. Others may have misread this noble act as bad riding, but such is the life of the unsung and noble. My reward is my constancy.

The last shot looking toward Heptonstall is from way above The Stairs, a bad camera phone homage to Ms Godwin, whose 'Land' series is showing currently at the National Photography and Media Museum down Bradford way.