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.

Sunday 8 Nov - Buns in Burnsall?

I'd quite like to follow Pete on some long Audax ride but a shorter ride would be better for me this week. How about we set the default to meet at 0900 in Keighley at the main roundabout. I'm tempted to head over Addingham/Cringles to Bolton Bridge, make our way up to Burnsall for some good coffee and then back over Embsay maybe. I know that would work for Robin - anyone else fancy joining us? Cheers Ian

Youths - U8/U10s - U12s

results for the cross - Seniors

Grimpys Cross & Sunday 1st November

Grimpy's Cyclo-Cross took place today at Bradley Woods and was once again a success with over 70 riders taking part in the main event of the day, the seniors and vets combined race. The weather was spot-on for this ideal location which had also attracted large fields for the schoolkids races.

Tomorrow we are meeting 0900hrs at Keighley roundabout for a road run up to Buckden, round the triangle and down to either Kettlewell or Burnsall cafe.

Next Sunday 8th Nov I've entered the Eureka 200k Audax, a pleasent meander through the lanes of Cheshire and the Wirrel. Mick Collins and a few of his mates from Brighouse are also entered. Note that it is pre-entry only however you can enter on-line, or try 'phoning the organiser.

Sunday 25th October

If anyone fancy's a 60 mile or so road ride tomorrow I'm meeting Brian at 0930hrs (GMT), Shelf roundabout for Otley and perhaps Norwood Edge, Bland Hill, Greenhow and home - route subject to weather conditions.

Club Meeting - 21 Oct 09 in caty

John and Peter

Yes you are both right. In the July newsletter we said that there is a club meeting on THIS WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER 2009 - 9pm at the caty in Wainstalls.

I expect to be there for the cross to help out and will put the word round.

Ian

CONDOR CROSS

 

 

Hi Everyone,

 

CONDOR  CROSS  Saturday 31st October venue as before at  Bradley Woods Scout Camp, Brighouse HG6 3TU

Events and times are:

 

Youth 11:00 £4.00 (£4.00)  duration approx 30mins
Under 12 11:45 £1.00 (£1.00) duration approx. 15 mins ( maybe 2 off depends on number) 
S/J/V/W 13:00 £10.00 (£10.00) duration approx, 50 mins

 

We need your help to make it a success again, all assistance kindly appreaciated

I will be on site from 8.30 am complete with tape and marker posts parked hopefully (as normal) in the area just before the

gate entry to the course which is just before the site bungalows.   

We need 2 groups to prepare the course, one for the top section and another for the bottom section.

Plus marshalls, judges, signing on officials etc.

Trevor to my knowledge is ok for the signing on steward with maybe help from Peter?

Ian to help Gordan & Father judging please, i am hoping Norra & Phil will also assist. 

Please bring a knife, hammer & work gloves.

I will be getting some new poles and tape. 

Ian:

Please kindly Email me a full set of individual Email addresses so i can also send individual reminders.

Kindly inform me when the next meeting is please

 

Thanks - look forward to seeing everyone available to help

 

  

 

 

 

Regards
John Ginley

Condor off-road club?

Last weekend was another trip out on the mtbs - this time around Stoodley Pike and out into the badlands of Lancashire. This was mostly a new route for me, which seemed to be mostly uphill and mostly into a light headwind. If there were any downhill section then they passed in a blur of rocks and dropoffs. some sections were fantastic, and the views were splendid any time I lifted my head away from the front wheel.
The lads seemed intent on giving me a hard time and succeeded throughout. Steve seems to be recovering his legs after a few weeks away from the bike. I think the only time we stayed together was on the canal towpath back from Littleborough to the climb up London Road - and that was only because I wouldn't let either of them past.
The bacon & egg report rated only a fairly poor 4 out of 10 at the cafe in Hollingworth Lake - the egg was alright I suppose but the bacon was below par and the service never made it at all. Not a patch on the Towngate Tearooms run by Mrs Barker in Heptonstall which gets an 11 every time (but then I might be biased).
There have been mumblings about having a night ride one Wednesday - but I'll let Robin organise that if it is going to happen. There have even been mutinous remarks about *not* going to the Caty afterwards and going to the Robin Hood in Pecket Well or the Hare & Hounds at Lane Ends. Well, go on then if there is beer ...
ian

Whats happened? the blogs gone very quiet, has everyone retired for the year. I seem to recall that Club Meeting is due to take place in October, the Caty' was mentioned as a venue, is this still on, if so can the date be confirmed.

Please keep your diaries free for Grimpy's Cyclo-Cross at Bradley Woods SATURDAY 31st October. If your'e not riding please make every effort to be available to help on the day.

Good to hear from Johnny, sounds like he is in training for Rileys Treat.

Cycling in Manchester...

It's been a while so I thought I'd give a bit of a status update!

I've joined the university cycling club here, UMCC, a nice sociable bunch of about 25 roadies, and far too many mountain bikers. We've got three rides a week, two lengthy days out and a fast interval training session on a Saturday, and of course a "social" evening on Tuesday with copious amounts of beer to complete ruin any training you did during the previous 7 days.

Had a few good sessions on the track over the last few weeks. Thanks for the loan of the (yet another) bike Ian! All the accreditation sessions for October were booked up so it looks like I'll have to wait till November to get stuck into any kind of racing!

As for commuting and riding round the city, it's pretty interesting. The roads are a lot worse than Halifax and littered with glass, potholes, students, recumbant cycles etc...

Hoping to return to blustery heights of up Wainstalls soon for a good meal and a Sunday ride!

All the best,

Johnny (not yet Johnny "50" here in Manchester...)

'Season of Mists'

Surprisingly few Condors turned out for this local favourite, just myself, Brian, Mel & Clive Williamson taking the longer option with the Pauls Gower & Priestley opting for the shorter version. Chris Crossland had once again organised good weather for the event which had a good entry with many familiar faces in the peloton.

Not surprisingly the peloton split a hundred metres or so after the start, that ride up to Heptonstall doesn't get any easier. Unfortunately for me last weeks Munro bagging hadn't done my cycling legs much good and I waved goodbye to Melvyn and Brian before the cobbles; even more unfortunately for me I found that Brian had stopped to wait for me at the top of the village whilst Mel had pottered on with Daniel from Pedalsport. I think Brian had intended that we do bit and bit into the headwind, he explained to me how much easier it would be if we caught Melvyns group and then sat in. So Brian took the 1st turn on the front and stayed there till we caught Mel at the cafe at Waddington, in my defence I can say that my navigation was spot on, although Brian's done the event a few times previously he couldn't recall it going up Nick o' Pendle so its a good job I was there.

Mel and Dan left us again over Newton Fell but we teamed up again at Slaidburn only to be left again going over to Grindleton (Brian again waiting for me at the top of the climb). We met up with them again at Coldwell leaving the tearooms together but losing contact over the Widdop climb.

Mel, Dan and a 3rd guy were first back to the rice pudding with myself and Brian 4 or 5 mins later.

Thanks once again to Chris and his team.

I'm riding the Hebden Bridge Star audax next Sunday, Mick Collins and his Ritz boys are coming over for what is possibly going to be more of a social event (booze-up) as a hard ride.

three peaks

from robin

Climbing up the age range of the MV40 class for the three peaks cyclo cross entry is effortless, climbing up the bloody three peaks is not ... indeed climbing is too strong and manly a word for it, as though there were some planned route involved, an engagement with the hillside, a test of ascending dexterity, when the actual experience is a kind of semi-vertical trudge up a wall of bog-grass peppered with sheep shit ... at least the first most of the first peak is, the second is more a kind of set of rock steps at irregular heights, and the third is evidently more track-esque, more rideable, but that is rideable by someone who gives a toss by that stage of the race. So with trudging and not giving a toss firmly in mind, I set off with Ian and Steve in the Condor team van ... a yellow LDV of dubious provenance and a heater that actually worked so well you could not turn it off ... to do the race. me that is. Ian and Steve were intent on having a bacon sandwich on arrival, gesturing toward trying to find 'the condor' who'd arranged to meet us at the start, and then having not really found him watch me set off to put begin to put some serious distance between myself and anything resembling a comfortable life ... they went on a fell side amble on 5 inches of plush travel, and I went on a hell side scramble ... after the top the memory of going up Ingleborough was instantly repressed, its gone into my id or some such, never to come out save under trauma hypnosis or some such ... going down i still remember because it was a laugh, until i gagged trying to eat some jelly beans ... water only from then on in. The big 'w' was a long long staircase of flags and steps built after an alchemical ratio of irregular proportions, so just as you got into a good step rhythm, it was upset, without fail, all the way to the top. The descent was similar, though the irregular steps were no match for a bike that could not do anything other than go at a good lick because its brakes stopped working at a certain pitch. The trick is to bunny hop the bigger steps without the saddle kicking you up the arse. The last climb, after the second of what were very pleasant road sections, began well enough because it wasn't really a climb, and then when it becomes one you climb off. Or I did. I became a little irked here. First sign of exhaustion. Some guy riding/walking next kept urging his fellow riders on with a 'gooo-on son' horse-like grunt, companions on the grasses of the fellside one and all. I wanted off. The knackers yard. Anywhere. They kill horses don't they? Good film. I got cramp for the first time ever. Now I know it hurts, but all that yawing and oooing is a bit much. Its nothing more than we deserve, for being ill prepared or some such. I was a bit rubbish going down this last hill. Trying to pretend I could ignore the cramp. It went after a few skirmishes with the rock. The end came and went soon enough. 54th, 2 minutes down on last year, a few places down, the slow ebb of middle age. But then an MV40 won it, so that's no excuse.

3 Peaks weekend - muddy bikes

We have planned a ride from Settle - 9am at the Naked Man - to support our lads doing the 3 Peaks cross race. I haven't done this route but I'm looking forward to it. Steve and Melv have signed up so far - all others welcome. Cheers, Ian