New Look

Yes, you are in the right place. I've given the blog a quick makeover. Ian

SEASON OF RAIN

Only a few hardy Condors braved the deluge on Sunday for the CTC rides,I dont mind a bit of rain but when a mop & bucket are needed at the signing on desk it's more than drizzling.

I turned up for the 50k ride and discovered 55 stalwarts had set off on the long one including Robin, Ian, Melv and a VS contingent, perhaps not liking the look of the weather, other condors were "thinking of building an ark".

Apparently a "lets get this cracked off" pace was set by Melv up to Heptonstall which rent the group assunder. Robin, having a rare off day, had it even worse when his bottom bracket dismantled itself over the long causeway. He turned for home at this point, as did a cold and wet Ian, while Melv, oblivious to their plight pushed on with VS.

After a buttie stop at Slaidburn (taken inside the cafe, thats how bad the weather was!) the condor pressed on, leaving lesser mortals trailing in his wake and ploughing through deepening flood waters to finish at the front of the pie queue in Hebden.

The 50k route was a relatively easy carry on, only going as far as Worsthorne before looping back, the most taxing thing being locating house names and numbers for the information check points. Working on the theory that such a short ride doesn't warrant a cafe stop, I too was first back (in a massive field of 9 including hy-brids and a tandem!).

The heavy rain never gave up through the entire ride and some sections over widdop were almost impassable as water surged off the moors and across the road up to bottom bracket height. Brakes were pretty useless as they wouldn't dry out and I ended up walking down the steepest descent over widdop. I usually walk up the hills over there!

I'm afraid I didn't wait for the long ride to return to the finish, from the HQ we could see the Calder completely filling the bridge arch outside. Folks were even posing for pictures by the swollen torrent as the flood warning siren sounded! I heeded its warning and headed for higher ground, in bottom gear!

CONDOR CROSS SUNDAY 24th OCTOBER

Message from Grimpy to all you happy campers:

Yes it’s that time of year again and we need your kind help & assistance to ensure we have another successful event.

The handbook details are below, same venue ( Bradley Woods). All being well we will repeat last years shorter course, removing the bottom leg which seemed to be more favourable to competitors and less work for us.

I will be on site from 8.30 a.m. and as before we need 2 groups to mark out the course from 8.30 sharp to ensure we have it complete before the youths start at 11.00.

Group 1 marking out the top end starting at the finish, doing the top loop back to just beyond the steps,

Group 2 starts beyond the steps making its way around the camp road to go up to the highest point in the woods, decending down to a tight turn returning back along the camp road to eventually arrive at the finish.

If you arrive late the tape & sticks will be with either group.

Please bring along equipment to help. E.g. hammer, scissors, knife, gloves, biro etc.

Bear in mind the site only has a tuck shop and its best to bring sandwiches and a flask.

Look forward to seeing you

Cheers

John G

Bradley Woods Scout Camp, Brighouse, HD6 3TU.

Youth 11:00 £4.00 : U12 11:45 £1.00

V/W 12:45 £10.00 : S/J 13:45 £10.00

3 Oct - Season of Mists

I'm not much of a Keats fan. For all that romantic guff about "moss'd cottage-trees" it seems that he lived fast and died young - in Rome of TB aged just 25.

Still, it might put you in the mood for a ride this Sunday starting 9am prompt in Hebden Bridge. Follow the trail of middle-aged blokes in unsuitable shades of lycra to find the start on Salem Street and go to Chris Crossland's site for full details.

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells

With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And still more, later flowers for the bees,

Until they think warm days will never cease,

For Summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells.

Steve is 'Barker-ed'

Pete suggested a report on the recent mtb rides so here goes. Hopefully Melv will add a photo or two shortly.

A couple of Sundays back (5 Sept) we gathered as agreed at the lights in Hebden. Nigel & I were at the main lights in the centre of town. Steve was at the pedestrian lights near the Co-op. Never mind. Its not a big place. We met up eventually.

Steve's plan was a start up Ragley Woods. It was fairly quiet and we even saw a couple of deer. Soon after that Nige then ran into a pair of walkers. It wasn't intentional, honest. Front wheel slipped out at the worst moment and the walking chap ended up unexpectedly cuddling our biking friend. If anything Ragley seems easier than the road alternatives, e.g. Mytholm Steeps, so these old tracks are quite handy.

Eventually we hauled our way onto the tops - only to take a steep descent, at Steve's insistence. "I know a good route", he said. Nige & I exchanged worried glances as we dropped very fast, on road and then again on a narrow track, pretty much all the way back down to Burnley Road, knowing that the height had to be regained and the cafe was now at least a half-hour further away.

This route of Steve's did involve some good riding though, so he was nearly forgiven - that is until Mr Hartley got himself in a jam. Dabbing a foot down Nige was surprised to find that he'd managed to step in a hole. A big hole. He toppled gracefully sideways into a hawthorn. While our chap was taking a sharp interest in this thorny problem, we of course clattered on in true Condor style. It was several minutes before he caught up, bloodied but unbowed.

Grinding back up to the windmills we crossed Long Causeway and headed out over 'Burnley Bumps' to Upper Gorple, then crossed Heptonstall Moor for some great singletrack.

Now, in recent years we've adopted a new verb, which had cause to be used again this day. To be 'Barkered' is to plan a ride where your ambition outdoes your ability, where you've spent the whole morning fighting a strong headwind and gone several miles further than is good for you, and then find the tank running a little empty while you are still a fair distance from home. Usually, this applies when Steve is feeling strong and has talked one or other of us into doing more than we really should have done. This time, however, Steve barkered himself. That extra loop must have overdone it, and the long climb up to Upper Gorple really took its toll. Climbing for ages on little more than willpower and wishful thinking, he was quite relieved to crest over the top and start crossing the moor, which is mostly downhill, and even more relived when we got to Towngate Tearooms for the obligatory butty (and a jam scone too I noted).

What was left? Well a rocket down Blue Pig, a toil up the toilet block to Pecket Well and home across Midgely Moor.

What's that? I missed a bit?

Well. I was waiting for Nige, who'd dropped back a bit on the uphill. Actually he'd been back on my wheel for some time without me noticing. Now that we'd regroup I declared "Right I'd better get on with it then", thinking I'd now fly down to Catherine House and make a decent job of the descent. Cue a trip over the bars two seconds later (onto soft heather). Oh well ...

Racelight for sale

Due to a medical condition (insanity?) my mate Phil Trudgill (Trudders) is selling his almost unused Racelight training bike. Its the superlight Tk2 model in 2010 colours and graphics (metallic steel grey/white), full 105 compact groupset, 54cm frame, Open Pro rims (Sunter built), 57mm brakes with full m/guards, Conti 4 season tyres, Cateye wireless computer etc etc.
This cost about £1400 less than 12 months ago and has been ridden less than 500miles, looks as good as new and is offered at a must not be missed price of £700.

I have pointed out to him the error of his ways but his mind will not be changed, indeed he says that if and when he is able to ride again he will gladly buy another. He did send me a photo to put on the blog but it will not copy so have a look on Kinesis website.
Trudders number is 07881 92011, or ring me on 07549 821349

Amendment Trudders tel no should read 07881 920111

Red lining at Oakworth

Hav'nt been getting in my usual long miles lately (see photo below for reason) so I thought I'd nip over to Keighley last Sunday and make my debut on a bike in the Vet 60 category. Expected to see a few more Condor's there but I was the only one (there were twice as many Condors taking part in the Blackshaw Head Gala Fell Race the previous day - Steve Cavell and me).
I was amazed to see that there were about 90 on the start line just for the Vets & Ladies race. After a frantic start with a lap around the football field I was relieved to find that there was a queue to get onto the single track through the woods and the chance for a bit of a rest. It was more a case of plugging away steadily than racing for me for the next 50 min or so although I was pleased to get past former Hebden Bridge-ite Mark Pimlott (known to quite a few Condor's) on the last lap. I won the V.60 category (but have to confess that I was in fact the only rider in that category).
So now that I've broken the ice I intend to ride some more of the Yorkshire Series X's as preparation for next January's club runs. Lets have a few more Condors at the next round which is Sunday the 12th in North Yorkshire, its enter on the line and you don't even need to be a BC member (just pay a £3 levy)

For you Mountain Bikers there's also the Mary Townley Loop Challenge next Sunday - whilst on the subject what about a report about last Sunday's Condor MTB ride.

Sunday 5 Sept - mtb

Mountain bikes this week (just for a change). 9am at the lights in Hebden Bridge is the plan so far.

I hear that the Dolan has a new home and may even be racing this Sunday at the start of the new cross season - good luck Vicar in your new pulpit.

Ian

For sale - Dolan crossbike, 56cm seat tube, alum frame/carbon forks full mudguard rack & bottle eyes, Fizik saddle, 8sp STI,
£200 ono. Contact Pete Horne 07549 821349 or petehorne@yahoo.co.uk

As planned I met Mick in Brighouse, James joined us at Elland Bridge (bit of a worry meeting James, looking strong and on a new bike with the latest technolgically advanced 29" wheels; Mick always waits for me but would he do so if he had James to race against? - but my fears were short lived - he'd been riding the Blackpool Nocturne the previous evening and was happy to have a steady ride). When Nigel & Melvin met us on the canal bank the other side of Sowerby Bridge things started to get dirty; the canal bank did anyway. A steady ride up Colden Clough was disrupted when Mel spotted 2 or 3 MTB'ers ahead and had to chase them down, fortunately it coincided with Mick requiring a comfort break so there was no pressure on me to chase after him. Once through Colden we joined the M.T. Loop over to Widdop where Nigel was able to give his sibling advice on the art of descending. On the road over to Thursden then over the cattle grid an up that pig of a climb towards Colden. At the top of the climb we turned right onto the new bit of Pennine Bridleway which leads to the old bridleway at Boulsworth Dyke. Down to Wycoller for refreshments then back up the track and onto the road at Watersheddles Ressy. It was road all the way home for me (puppy rearing duties) leaving the hard men to head back to Calderdale via Stairs Lane and Limers Gate. A good social morning out, about 47 miles and home for 1pm.

Grimpy does PB

In todays West Peak Grimpeur the usual suspects from the Condor and the Imps were joined by Grimpy making his debut. Not only was it his first mid week Audax but at the age of almost 68 he managed a personal best by taking refreshments at 3 cafes in one day (Marple Co-op, Tittesworth Reservoir Visitor Centre & Buxton Laundrette Cafe). Another good day with plenty of climbing points to add for our Audax Altitude Award badge.

If anyone fancy's a MTB ride next Sunday (22nd) I'm meeting Mick Collins at Brighouse at 8am, we're riding on the canal bank to H.Bridge then going up Colden Clough, Widdop, Boulsworth, Wycoller Cafe, Stanbury then whatever way back we decide on the day. Persons living in the wilds of upper Upper Calderdale could meet us en-route.

Audax's

Myself and other assorted Condors & Imps have been riding the Peak Audax Grimpeur Series, 5 Wednesdays from the end of July to the end of August - here's a few photos. There's 2 left if you fancy a day off work.

Last Wednesday it was the White Peak, a 105km circuit with nearly 8000ft of climbing. A navigational cock-up split the main bunch in Hayfield with Peeps and Brian (plus others) following the road to Kinder Downfall (ignoring the no through road signs). Myself and Everard kept faith in my GPS and soon corrected ourselves but Paul and Brian placed their faith in three lads who 'looked like they knew where they were going.'

Anyhow we re-grouped at Monyash cafe where we spent an hour or more being noisy before riding back together to the finish at the Ring o' Bells, Marple (Robinsons excellent ales)

Forthcoming Audax's

5th September - Northern Dales 200km

19th September - Bradwell Grimpeur 120 or 200. I'm hoping to ride the 120km event. They're organised by Danial Webb, he lives in Tod and has joined the Condor. Danial is also organising an Audax on behalf of the Condor, the 'Todmorden Loops', 100km, on the 13th of March next year so make sure you keep in shape this winter. Brian, Richard and myself rode one of Danial's events in the Peaks last autumn and in addition to a great route the catering both before and after the ride was second to none.

3rd October - Season of Mists, Hebden Bridge - a Condor favourite

Like a Limestone Cowboy

Plan for this Sunday is a car assist ride starting from Gargrave car park at 9am. Off over the hills and far away including Buck Haw Brow and others on mountain bikes. Give me a ring if you are interested. Ian

All quiet on the biking front

Well, fairly quiet. I assume people are riding their bikes but just doing their own thing.

Last weekend was another ride round on the mountain bikes with the classic route of Ogden, Stairs, Poo barn (very pooy), Walshaw, Lower Gorple, Heptonstall Moor (brill singletrack), Heptonstall Cafe (yeah!), Blue Pig (woo-hoo), Lumb Falls (pretty; shame about the walk), Lymers Gate (excellent) & down to Catherine House (still a favourite descent).

This week? Road bike to Slaidburn is the most likely. As always, give me a ring if you are interested.

Ian

11 July - mtb

give me a ring if you fancy riding on Sunday. So far its me & Robin playing out on the mountain bikes. 9am in Wainstalls.

Ian

Blogging heck: Melv 7th at the National ...

... the National Sportive that is.

"The Condor" has been in touch to say that he finished 7th in the national sportive on Saturday. The full results are here.

He also says that it is the "3 Counties" from Milnthorpe next Sunday. 125 miles of fun. Full details here.

Number	Forename	Surname	Gender	Split	Total
167	Adam	Cairns	M	02:31:54	05:20:10
234	Graham	Payne	M	02:31:22	05:23:03
156	Stephen	Young	M	02:28:27	05:23:36
125	Jason	Hemsley	M	02:25:42	05:24:41
388	Roger	Palfreeman	M	02:32:33	05:28:55
52	Simon	Rushton	M	02:30:49	05:32:18
295	Richard	Posnett	M	02:31:43	05:32:35
7	Melvin	Hartley	M	02:30:08	05:36:29
358	Paul	O'Looney	M	02:30:09	05:36:31
343	Andy	Sudell	M	02:26:28	05:37:48

26 June - visit to the National Champs in Barley

From Robin: Tomorrow we're meeting 9am at Hebden Bridge lights, wend our way over back of Pendle for some hard and fast miles before settling down to watch some gimmers challenge for the national jersey ... bring a picnic

And from Ian: I'm happy to meet in Hebden but hard & fast miles aren't on my list so we may have to go to a cafe instead and then meet you there Robin ...

Course map here

Red Rose 3 - Gower catching John

Red Rose 2 - on Trough of Bowland

Red Rose 1 - setting out

Greetings from over t'other side of the Pennines! Hope everyone is keeping well! Just thought I'd give you a few updates of what I've been up to. After the track leagues finished for the year in April I've been concentrating on the road for a bit, doing plenty of circuit races and the odd road race, including the British Universities Road race championships (which the elite riders made sure hurt...a lot). I've been making a fair bit of progress with my performances in the circuit races and criteriums. Exams put stop to my training for a bit but I'm getting back on it this week with the new Tameside crit series in Ashton.

Had a great day out yesterday at the British Universities Track Nationals down at the outdoor track at Halesowen racing against a pretty tough field. The day was dominated by the professionals and elites but was good experiences and brilliant to get the legs spinning again!

Ian and Robin will be pleased to know I've mastered the art of the puncture repair now and apparently my speedy repairs were enough to merit employment by the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative store in Manchester so I'll be working there most of the summer. I hope to be back for the Imps Road Race (hopefully for a race, if not then join the chaps on a ride). See you soon!

13 June - Red Rose Audax

Starts 08:00 from The Oddfellows Rooms, Coleridge Street, Halifax - full details here.

Ride Report: A lovely trip out of town and on to Crossills at a steady pace like we meant to be out all day. Slowly the blue jerseys of the Condor flocked together and the yellow of the Imps did likewise.

I talked the others into stopping at the cafe in Whalley for some early refuelling. Melv was keen to press on and have a full fry up at lunchtime but I had an empty feeling and welcomed the butty & coffee. John "el presidente" Lumb took time out of his busy ceremonial duties to join us here and ride with the commoners. Mr Gower was going well, but I think he was glad of the company from John to moderate the pace.

At Bashall Eves we found the LVRC race in progress and offered our encouragement as we saw Sean Smith flash past (no time for a chat - this was serious riding). Then up through Trough of Bowland with riders from the "Roses Round" sportive.

As we left our SECOND cafe stop a few spots of rain were felt. "Never mind its only a passing shower" says Nigel. The rest of us stopped for our capes and that caused a split. We abandoned Paul & John in true Condor style, so that we could press on through the wet and try to stay warm. Melv departed for home in Padiham but Mick Collins and his mate Simon came up to offer a good pair of wheels for the journey back round Burnley and along the valley toward Halifax. By the time we got back to Mytholmroyd Nigel agreed that it might have been "rain" after all. By this point I think that the miles were starting to tell and smiles were in short supply. It was more like grim determination to get the job done, but at least we could take advantage of the fine spread laid out at the finish thanks to Dave Dodwell & his team.

6 June - mtb for the sixth week running

"The Widdop Switchbacks"

For some reason the knobbly tyres beckoned again this week. Three of us set off in shorts, short sleeves and light rain over top Withens. The charity ride from Fly Flats sailing club set off just as we got there and Robin was all for joining in. He has too much competitive spirit. Nige & I rode steadily on. Then a little-used moorland crossing from top of Stairs Lane over to Walshaw reservoirs and out on to the Widdop road to descend Big Jack on the tarmac. Nigel has been itching to go onto the new Sustrans bridleway (near the cattle grid), where we hit a long (and steep) set of freshly minted hairpin turns. We did then get a quick blast of a descent on these berms followed by another up. Maybe this route should be done the other way round soon to take advantage of all this downhill. The track brought us out onto Upper Gorple which we climbed to the top. Then right to the Gorple reservoirs and picked up the Pennine Bridleway to Heptonstall. Safe at last in our cafe of choice, though we were a bit muddy and splattered. I felt much better after the regulation butty. Slipped our way down blue pig and then an alternate climb (mostly paved) onto Sandy Lane and Old Town. That just left the nice run over Midgley Moor catching up with the tail end of the charity rides and job done.

Weds 2 June - Skipton and Back

Ride Report: It was a very pleasant sunny evening for the 40 odd riders that assembled at the start (sorry, I think that should have been "40-odd" ...; no, hang on, maybe I was right the first time). Anyway, this bunch included a small smattering of blue Condors among the yellow jerseys of the Imps, VS, CTC and other friends.

The steady start through Denholme and down into Keighley gradually wound up (and up, and up) until we were flying along the Skipton Road with Chris Thompson doing most of the work into the breeze while I and a dozen or so others hung on behind. The turn put the wind behind us and the pace went up again as the Smiths, Sean and Niall, took turns with Chris.

After the hospital I was amazed to still be in touch and feeling good, so it seemed a good idea at the time to help out. Well I tried ... and then I blew. Straight from my turn on the front to out the back just in a few metres. The lights in Keighley saved me ( a patented "make the lights stay at red for ages" zapper in my pocket saw to it that the front group would wait until I was back on) . The big guns then pulled away up Ingrow as expected while Daniel Shaw, Everard and myself took it in turns to drop each other until we saw sense and settled into our own chasing group by Tip Top. I was slightly surprised to see a waving flag at the finish, but it turned out to be an Imps rider pulling a kiddie-trailer. It was a struggle, but just about I got past him in the sprint for the line ...

Thanks to the Imps & CTC for organising this joint outing. We must do it again next year.

Ian

Jointly promoted by CTC Calderdale & Halifax Imperial Wheelers

The Start Point: - Whitaker & Co, Denholme Gate, ride via Crosshills (DO NOT GO THE LEVEL CROSSING WAY) to the Bay Horse Roundabout where re-trace the route again you go via Crosshills & not the level crossing back beyond Whitakers where you veer left to -

The Finish Point: - at the Keelham Bank Farm Shop.

£3.00 entry fee to include Pie & Pea Supper at The Pineberry, Queensbury. Supper will be served to you on presentation of your Numbered Ticket (given on entry).

Meet at 6.45pm for 7pm start

30 May - Spring Bank

Just so you don't think that there aren't any Condors riding bikes here is what 've heard recently:

1. The Etape du Dales was "hard".

2. Melv rode to Dalbeattie in Scotland last weekend. Just because he could.

3. Its been very quiet on Wednesday nights with just a couple of riders each time, though apparently last week the two of us went up Cragg just behind Damian & the VS Cycles brigade and just in front of Emma from Hebden Bridge, so maybe all that's needed is a bit more coordination.

4. This Saturday the hard men rode a long audax from Richmond. If you want your name on the trophy then you'd better start logging some serious miles. Mind you there has even been a suggestion that our audax cup should be for average mph rather than miles in total - or is Melv getting mixed up with the BAR?

5. There was no ride posted on the blog so I went out on mtb with Robin this Sunday. We explored the delights of Todmorden Moor (after Studeley Pike & the rock garden) crossing the road at Portsmouth and then doing Upper Gorple, Walshaw Dean, Crimsworth Dean, top of stairs & water channel to finish downhill to home for once. The first two hours went really well - if mostly uphill and into a stiff westerly. The three hours after that I began to flag just a little. Arrived home as an empty husk. Revived later by Timothy Taylor.

Condor Hilly TT - 9 June 2010

CANCELLED - due to roadworks. Sorry chaps.

If you want to ride the club hilly TT its on 9 June. Ring Brian for entry details on Hx 376 136. There is club silverware at stake for the fastest Condor. Even Ian won the trophy a couple of years ago. Mind you he was also the slowest Condor that year as well - down to being the only club member to take part.

22 May - Condor (off-) Road Club

For want of a better suggestion its the Orange again for me tomorrow starting 9am from mine. In shorts and short sleeves -woo hoo. Must remember the suncream ...

Ride report - hot and steady. 28 degrees as we left home. Up over Withens and along the drainage channel to top of Stairs Lane with a pleasant westerly keeping us cool. We caught up with some keen chaps but Nige insisted we let them go on the climb to poo barn. Walshaw and then Upper Gorple including a great singletrack diversion that was new to me (is this the famous "Burnley Bumps"?) . Short hop along the road. Duke's cut and into Heptonstall for a stop at the superb Towngate Tearooms.

Blue pig descent, bit of a walk up to Pecket Well and then more dry singletrack across Warley Moor. Down into Luddenden's happy valley where slight boggy patch grabbed my front wheel and I was over the bars (again), but fortunately had a very soft landing in said bog.

Home dirty & happy - can't wait for next time. Ian

Well?? - what happened?

I'm still eagerly waiting for a blog report of our alternative Fred Whitton ride last week. And I'd be delighted to get a blow by blow account of the duel in the Dales Etape.

C'mon chaps - get typing. Either that or I'm hoping to keep you talking all the way up Cragg Vale ...

Ian

Summer MTB Challenge for Overgate Hospice

I've been emailed details of the Summer Mountain Bike Challenge for Overgate Hospice.

It's on June 20th from 9am at Elland Recreation Ground, Hullen Edge Road, Elland, HX5 0QY

A personal challenge over 23 miles of testing terrain around some of Calderdale’s best bridleways and tracks. Elland - Greetland - Copley - Norland - Barkisland - Krumlin - Scammonden - Sowood - Stainland - Lindley Moor - Elland

£12 per person or £15 on the day - contact Laura Ramsden, Overgate Hospice, 30 Hullen Edge Rd, Elland, HX5 0QY - or ask Ian for an entry form.

Tuesday 11th May message for Pete Horne

Pete

You mentioned a "Fred Whitton" ride this Tuesday starting at Staveley. Is this still on? If so could you post the details - starting time and starting location. I'll try to contact you tomorrow but I don't seem to have your 'phone number.

You could try and contact me tomorrow evening on 01484 602288 after 7 if you prefer (mobile currently out of action)

Many thanks

Richard