Everest Challenge 2012 - The sound of Music.

Good luck to Phil who left these shores yesterday in what is to be an attempt to become the first Condor Road Club member to conquer Everest. Phil's progress can be followed on /http://everestchallenge2012.co.uk/

Condor RR - Norland Circuit - 26 May 2012

CONDOR ROAD RACE NOTICE:
JOHN GINLEY NEEDS YOUR HELP TO MAKE our LVRC road race a SUCCESS.


Saturday  26 May 2012  - Race starts at 10am prompt
Distance 8 laps (36 miles) round the usual Norland circuit, open to riders 40 age +

Event headquarters: Greetland Community and Sports Association, Rochdale Road, HX4 8JG.

We are looking for help from all Condor club members and any other friends who can kindly spare a couple of hours watching others riders suffer. Meet from 9.00 at Headquarters. 

It’s on a Saturday to avoid missing your Sunday ride/race/sportive, the race will finish before 12.00 noon.

Riders will assemble in the layby opposite Moorcock Inn on Moor Bottom Lane, proceeding westwards to bear left into Butterworth End Lane and up through the finish area at Gallows Pole Hill, proceed to the junction with Rochdale Road (B6113) (4xMarshalls ) where left with care, continue for approx. two miles before turning left (3xM) into Turbury Lane for 1 mile crossing Clough Moor Bridge with care (2xM) and proceeding on Clough Road into Norland Village. Bear left (3xM) onto Moor Bottom Lane for approx 1½ mile to pass through the start and, soon after, the finish area. 

To Marshall the course we need (4 + 3 +2 +3) = 12 in total

In return for your help either free pea & pies or a pint will be supplied, event cars will also have fuel support. Please contact John by email: johnginley@btinternet.com  or home tel:  01274 601567 to advise him what support you can provide whilst cheering on the condor flyers who we are expecting to ride.

NIGEL (Hartley) - I've put in an entry for you already ...

The Imps are also promoting a road race on Sunday 22^nd April same venue/course and they are looking for some support which we hope will be kindly reciprocated at our event - volunteers needed - please contact Sean Smith on 01422 341101. Many Thanks .

Race Round Up

Whilst some of us were enjoying sunshine and temperatures in the teens as we were being hammered up the Nick o' Pendle, the more ambitious members were racing for real.

Grimpy, Pete Smith and Brian had travelled down to Husbands Bosworth to take part in the LVRC road race, the Fleche Waltonne. Whilst Brian was unfortunate to puncture with a lap to go John and Pete battled on through the rain and sleet on muddy single track roads. Three riders were away in what was a successful break with Pete making a lone effort to bridge the gap with 2 or 3 miles to go he had to be satisfied with 4th place - which after last summers serious crash he must have been very pleased with. John, the world masters cyclo-cross champion, took his first road race win of the year in the 'F' category (at this rate his new Willier steed will soon have paid for itself).

Simon Fortune had also made the trip down to the Midlands on Saturday to ride in the Barkston Circuit League near Granthan. He finished feeling frustrated after allowing himself to become boxed in for the gallop and was placed 10th. However his journey was not wasted as his sons, Adam and Nathan, riding for Kirklees Cycling Academy, took 2nd and 1st places respectively in their schoolboy categories.

Sunday 18 March 2012 - "Some mothers do 'ave 'em"

We ignored the potential delights of Mothering Sunday and gathered at the appointed early hour in Hebden Bridge - me, Pete H , Neil, Mr Barker & Robin. Starting with a steady climb up over Long Causeway we followed the route of "seasons of mist" out on the ridge road toward Whalley. I thought an early tea stop was in  order but we continued on to do a loop round skirting Waddington and swiftly through Colne to attack Widdop.




Mr Barker has decreed a plan which involves meeting at half-eight in Hebden Bridge.

From there out to the wild west of Whalley, Downham and back over Widdop. If anyone is keen we can start over long causeway. All welcome.

Ian

Club Run Silverdale

MTB Report - Studley Pike

Well done Simon - we look forward to reading your full write-up soon.

Meanwhile, a small group enjoyed a day on the hills. I met Robin and Steve in Hebden, along with Chris & Graeme (two mates of Robin's and potential Condor recruits). Taking ourselves up to Studley Pike for a play in the rock garden we had a surprisingly dry & clean route covering about 30 miles in total. There are some more pictures here on Flickr, but really the only shot that matters is this one outside the cafe in Heptonstall. Our pleasant rest in the sunshine was as always complimented afterwards by flying down the Blue Pig descent. But the camera was safely stashed in my pack for that bit, plus the others were too far ahead ... Ian.

Fortune wins at Tameside

After being DNF in his first 2 road races Simon today didn't just find his way to the finishing line but sprinted away from the bunch to win in style. What a great achievement for someone who only 2 weeks ago had never raced on a bike ( I'm assured that last years Paris-Brest-Paris was not a race). Congratulations from all Condors, I'm looking forward to hearing a blow by blow account .

Today's Club Run
We eventually made it around the Silverdale route after several postponements due to adverse weather. We were a depleted pack due to the alternative attractions of a mountain bike ride from Hebden Bridge. Myself, Damian, Richard and Pete W battled the headwinds from Denholmgate collecting Nigel at Keighley (yes that's correct, Nigel - I wonder if its now Melvin's turn to go missing for 6 months).
Nigel turned off at Rylstone leaving the four of us to fight the winds in the hope that once we turned up the Silverdale road from Halton Gill we would pick up a bit of tail, but that wasn't to be as the breeze funnelled down towards us between Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent.
The road from Stainforth; sun, clear blue skies and tail wind made all the effort worthwhile. Predictably on the 1st sunny Sunday of the year, Settle was packed to capacity so someone came up with the bright idea of going down to Hellifield Station where we were assured the cafe is always fairly quiet (or so he said). Anyway I was wrong the station cafe was full with a Harley-Davison motor cycle convention and the staff (all one of him) was moments away from a heart attack. Now in desperate need of a cup of tea we made our way to the Dalesman at Gargrave via Bell Busk - success at last - cholesterol butties and tea - just the job after 60 odd miles without a break.
From Gargrave home we had the usual burn up with Pete W, recently returned from a weeks training block in Tenerife, again inflicting pain on us mere mortals (there is speculation that his fat rear hub hides an electric motor not a power meter). 92 miles @ just over 17mph.

Sunday 11th March

I'm not going to suggest Silverdale for tomorrow in case I put a curse on the weather - we'll keep it to 9am Denholmgate, 9.30 Keighley and take it from there.

MTB alternative option - 9am from Co-op car park in Hebden Bridge - give me a ring/text if you are thinking of coming. Route will involve going 'over the hills and far away'. And a cafe stop, hopefully. Ian.

RVC - Ronde Van Calderdale - 90 mile reliability ride

RVC - Ronde Van Calderdale - 90 mile reliability ride - 1st April, 2012
A 90 mile reliability trial starting from Spen Valley school on the 1st April. Its a local version of the infamous Tour of Flanders and will include numerous cobbled climbs. Route will be fully sign posted but you will also be given a route sheet.
Certificates at the end for various finishing times.
Hopefully one or two feed stations but this will be confirmed later.
... RETRO and VINTAGE KIT is the order of the day with a special prize for the best dressed rider. Check out the pictures from last yrs event for inspiration
Price to enter will be £3.00
Start time will be between 9.30AM
Money raised will go to Kirklees Cycling Academy.
This is a ride using open roads and the highway code must be followed at all times


http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/335447969840167/
Any further details you need - PLEASE could you contact Mick Collins directly on 0787 292 7351 or email collins2802@hotmail.com ***AFTER 8TH MARCH***
Best wishes
and good luck to all who attempt it

Sunday 4th March

After two hectic weekends its back to usual tomorrow, 9am Denholmgate, 9.30 Keighley for a hopefully steadier ride into the Dales - suggest perhaps Halton Gill and Silverdale or if the weathers not too good we can turn left at Arncliffe and go over Darnbrook to Malham.

Didn't do either of the above routes - weather not so good and I was suffering from a cold. I met Melv on the way down to Keighley but by that time I'd decided to get home for lunch so I left Mel at Skipton and he disappeared up on the Grassington Road with Chris Young and some lads in BC Talent Team tops and came home via Bolton Abbey and Otley. It was 2° and sleeting, there were numerous cyclists out in Wharfedale and I was amazed to see many wearing shorts and track mitts - they must be 'ard.
PeteH 5/3/12

New club clothing order has arrived, Steve Cavell and I have been out all morning making deliveries from my saddlebag but I need a rest now so if you want to arrange to collect yours give me a call on 07649821349 or 01422 205547. Note that I have got a bit extra for stock so give me a call even if you didn't order but have now decided you need something.

Reliability Ride 2012 - Thank you

On behalf of John and myself thank you for supporting what has now become known as 'JK's Early Season Reliability Ride '

I thought John had been kind in his route plan this year - but i'm getting snippets now that it was not so.
As I drove over to Keighley early afternoon I did see a few 'pained' faces at various stages of the Ingrow.

At least compared to the NWP the weather was kind to you

Also thank you to some of you for spreading the word to other clubs as I'm sure I was taking entry fees from members of 'clubs' that I don't have a contact for.

We had a record 92 entries who paid the entry to start out on their chosen distance and only a few didn't see it through to the end!

Best wishes
Janice

Halifax Imps Reliability Rides

As can be seen from Zappers video there was a good turn out at the Ritz for yesterdays Imps Reliability Rides. 92 riders including current GB internationals turned up on a dull but mild February morning and paid their £2 for the privilege of riding either the 82 mile or the 62 mile routes.
We were led out of Brighouse towards Bradford by the Condor's World 'X Champ, Grimpy and Condor's VTTA British record holder, Brian. The routes split at Bankfoot, the long route turning left along Bradfords ring road and up Thornton Road eventually fragmenting on the Dog & Gun road from Denholme to Oxenhope. Whilst we did re-group briefly splits occurred again over Penistone Hill and there appeared to be an unspoken understanding amongst most of the Condors that we would stick together as Moto 2.
Melv and Robin had gone on ahead with the lead group (although Robin soon decided that discretion would be the better part of valour and waited for us over the Herders). By Laneshaw Bridge we had a good little group including Brian, Neil, Robin, Pete Smith, Simon (who had made his road racing debut the previous day at the Velo 29 Pursuit Series on the Croft Circuit in North Yorks - and he says he enjoyed it!). Somewhere over the exposed moors we had lost Grimpy and Ian - we took it steady up Emmot Lane but seeing no sign of them we pressed on towards Colne Edge. Knowing the next significant land mark was Fanny Greys we went up to Foulridge and left onto the Fanny Greys road. Moto 1 had taken a more circuitous route - we had in fact taken over a kilometre off their route and were now in front of them, they caught up as we approached the A59 north of Barnoldswick, our comfortable world was shattered and it was back to sprinting up hills and fighting for space as we passed through Horton and north through Nappa towards Hellifield.
I was riding with Robin about 18 or 20 back from the 'tete de la course' who were rather too focused on keeping the speed high and missed the right turn to Hellifield, Robin and I being the first to turn we of course found ourselves leading the peloton so we had a good dig over to Otterburn and Airton. the bunch split again towards Winterburn and Hetton where our gruppetto of mainly Condor's re-formed stopping at Cracoe Cafe for a well earned snack (although Brian and Neil decided to press on without a break).
Whilst at the cafe Ian and Grimpy turned up - Grimpy rode straight past, Ian came in the cafe but decided not to continue with us so it was me, Pete S, Robin, Simon and Brenden from 3RT who continued the route through Linton and Grassington eventually teaming up with John at Hebden.
Appletreewick, Barden, Bolton Bridge and Addingham passed swiftly beneith our wheels. The route then took us over Cringles where we were priveledged to witness Robin having a bad day (sorry Robin - did'nt know you'd gone till well down the other side). On the road to Keighley Simon set a brisk pace but the previous days racing caught up with him as we hit Ingrow. I went to the front to keep the pace steady, Grimpy shouted to me that the group was splitting so I slowed - at which point he charged past me so Pete an I sat on him till he blew.
Our remaining trio pottered on towards the finish at the Pinebury catching several Condors nearing the end of the shorter route, Doreen valiantly pushing Trevor from the rear of their tandem and Paul G sprinting out of the saddle up the Keelam climb the smell of Black Sheep bitter already fortifying him.
An enjoyable hour or so re-hydrating and chatting ended a great day out - many thanks to the Imps John Kaye and Janice Saleem for organising the ride.
PeteH
ps I heard a rumour that Melvin blew - is this true?

Mel says -
It is true !! I blew big time after spending most of the day outside my comfort zone and, as Uncle Neil keeps reminding me, not eating enough. My first cereal bar went under the following pack when I dropped it and the second bar had no effect on me, neither did a gel consumed at Addingham. I had been shot out on the drag from Winterburn - got back at Cracoe then out again from Hebden! Moto 1 then went the back way via the Cavendish so I got back to them at Bolton Bridge - only to decide on the Cringles that I didn't want to be there and dropped off again! By now I was light headed and needed to stop at the Co-op in Denholme for a sugar fix - and I wasn't alone! A much harder day than it should have been, but then this ride usually is !By Mel on Halifax Imps Reliability Rides on 28/02/12

Sunday 26th Feb

JK has devised a new routes for this Sundays Halifax Imps Reliability Rides - just over 80 miles for the longer ride and 20 miles or so less on the shorter route.
Signing on is 8.45am outside the Ritz in Brighouse for both events (£2, please have correct change). Both finish at the Pinebury, Queensbury.

North West Passage - High Winds & Hailstones

There will be a tale to tell from each rider of this fine day out. My version has some highs and some lows, through the dark satanic hills of post-industrial Lancashire, some "gentle breezes" and a "light shower" just for good measure.

Leaving home I thought twice about my jacket. The glowing dawn sky promised a bright day ahead. But it was lying. I'd seen the forecast and threw a cape in the car. Chatter at the start still debated the merits of pocketing vs donning rainwear as the first drops started to fall. By 8am it was mildly damp. By Todmorden it was torrential. By Blacko the bucket-sized raindrops were bouncing back up to handlebar height. I decided that a jacket was probably a good idea after all.

Through all this, Pete Horne, who had grabbed the head of the peleton leaving Rochdale,  held grimly to that position for mile after mile until Gisburn, thankfully keeping VS Chris and others off the front and holding the pace to a manageable level. That all changed when "The Condor" forced his way forward after finally losing patience with a fluorescent pannier frame. He spread his wings to rid the flock of this irritant, and swiftly dumped Neil out the back on a series of little rises.

Now I was wavering between "uncomfortable" and "into the red" at this point, using well-rehearsed survival tricks to slip a few lengths back on each of the ups and regaining contact on the downs. The thing is, Neil is one of my riding heros, and he's been going very well recently, including nursing me home at the end of a recent club run. So if he is in trouble, I'm probably pushing too hard, considering the length of the ride, and it would be prudent to ease off & save something for later. Plus, if I slip back too, then maybe the message will go forward that the pace is just that smidgeon too hard.  

It didn't work. There was just me, Neil, and some wolves. It was a long, exposed 5 miles to Settle. I got my head down and dragged the Imp along. Maybe it was penance for the things I'd said earlier about his racing cape looking like a diaphanous negligee (see photo for details - I think an "empire waist" will be making a comeback soon for many professional cyclists, it seems so ordinary now to have the elastic around the hem of your jacket rather than round your lower chest).

At Settle we wrung water out of gloves and, letting the faster lads bugger off, formed 'Moto 2' to tackle Buck Haw Brow at a steady pace. Robin emerged from the pack, now minus his purple hooded anorak (yet another eccentric sartorial statement), to start our group over the next 20 miles to Kirby Lonsdale. We cheerily waved to the fast lads as we swept past them - they had stopped at the side of the road to admire Sean's broken chain and chat to the friendly locals in a white van who seemed to have a problem with dozens of cyclists being on the A65. Which gets us to the butty van for a welcome hot cup of tea - in the sunshine - while it was now Brian's turn to get busy with a chain tool.

[Sorry - these are the most boring photos ever on our blog. And the lads don't look happy do they?]

The scenery gets a little better in the Lune valley, even if we were now into the teeth of the wind. Sensibly hidden about 4 or 5 wheels from the front I was surprised when the VS crew suddenly, at a pre-arranged signal of "broken spoke", pulled off the road and left me unexpectedly exposed. There was no avoiding it and a pull had to be done, but thankfully not for long. It took a long time to remove a layer at the first set of lights we came to, they turned green, and now I was returned safely to the back of the pack.

Which was a mistake. Apparently a criterium had been organised through Lancaster town centre and being on the back gave the full concertina effect of sharp braking and hard accelerations, followed by a 25mph charge out of town on the A6. I'm not sure what we were racing for, but we were going to be there first.

And so to Scorton. The Priory has changed hands and taken against cyclists, so most carried straight on, hoping to catch up with Pete, single Simon and big Phil who had pottered on earlier. They were never to catch them though, because they were in the Barn cafe opposite - with Pete wresting with a super-size portion of soup and a gigantic fruit scone (eyes - belly - slightly hungry?).  At Robin's insistence we loitered for a pot of tea, just to be sociable. I think he's now strongly in favour of multiple cafe stops on each ride.

Which just left Longridge, Blackburn (where I suffered ten minutes of power failure, legs didn't want to turn at all, thankfully solved with a museli bar & a gel - I'm grateful that my companions waited here), Haslingden Moor and Owd Betts. I felt strong on the finish and we were led back without trouble, even if we did have to force Pete to the side of the road in order to let Simon get back on after some lights. The setting sun put out a red glow to highlight Rochdale's many scenic charms, while a black cloud lowered and then threw hail at us in the last 5 minutes to the finish. But we didn't care because we were back, in the pub, 130 miles, and its only February.

Thanks go to Neal Healey & West Pennine for organising and to the Spring Inn for a fine tea at the finish. 

ps Nigel sends his regards. He'd love to come out with us but his bikes all now have a SORN (statutory off-road notice) and he needs to contact DVLA (defunct velocipede licencing agency) ...

Club run sunday 12th february

Thanks to Zapper for the above video - good quality as well - is photography now dead?
In the absence of Robin, Melv and Sean it was a nice steady ride up Wharfedale. I met Ian, Zapper, Pete Smith, Pete Whiteley, Neil and Brian at Denholmgate and we were joined by Steve at Keighley. We had originally been considering Halton Gill and Silverdale but with the temperature at zero and a report of cyclists having to walk 2 miles of the route a few days previously due to ice we decided to continue up Wharfedale, around Buckden triangle and back down to Madame Zarina's at Kettlewell for a bite to eat.
After lunch we headed home down the eastern side of the valley crossing the river at Bolton Abbey and returning to Calderdale over Cringles and Ingrow.
The temperature had improved considerably by mid day (5°) and a brisk pace was maintained.
Unfortunately Pete W felt the need to attack at the start of the Cringles climb just as Ian was beginning to feel the distance (35 miles a week's probably not quite enough preparation). The others chased after him whilst Ian and I took a more leisurely approach.
As Ian and I approached the lights at Steeton they changed to red so we nipped along a couple of back streets to avoid them, blissfully unaware that our club mates were waiting for us at the lights. A tail wind to Keighley helped keep the speed well above evens and we were rolling along nicely as we hit Ingrow.
I was expecting to have sight of our erstwhile colleagues once around Hermit Hole bends and was impressed that their obvious speed had already taken out of sight; that was until Pete W came up alongside me and explained what had happened (I'm ashamed to admit I was not a little amused). We were soon together again and the pace increased as we approached Cross Roads. The tension was intense as we passed the entrance to the tip, Pete W began to pull away from me but was no match for Zapper who went round him 50 metres to the summit to take a fine victory (making it 1 each as I understand Pete W took the Cringles climb).
I guess its all good preparation for next Saturdays North West Passage.
PeteH

Sunday 12th Feb

Robin - we waited till after 9.30 at Keighley - you must have been late - can't think why - surprised you didn't catch us on the road to Cracoe - looking at your miserable photos the weather must have taken a turn for the worse - either that or you need to ditch the phone and get a Lumix FT2 with Leica lens, guaranteed waterproof to 33ft and shockproof to 6.6ft (invaluable on any Condor clubrun).
Neil and I have Silverdale marked in our diary's for tomorrow but that's not written in stone and can be varied depending on the weather - I'm getting tired of having to dodge patches of ice.
Usual time then, 9.00am Denholmgate, 9.30 Keighley.

Well Pete there were some more of us out on Sunday, we waited at 9.30 at Keighley and nowt were seen of other Condor colours, so Steve and I went our lonely way whilst others stayed in bed, or, as in your case, spent their time taking pictures at the start of the ride rather than actually getting on their bikes in good time. We ended up at Cracoe in the end, after much meandering o'er back roads shrouded in mist. Your pictures look a little brighter than I remember it ... perhaps you have one of those filters on your camera where everything is pumped up to number 11? Or perhaps my phone camera has a melancholic filter, as befits current times, or it was simply compensating the light balance when confronted by the somewhat violent hue of orange being sported by Steve's latest piece of clothing, which somewhat surprisingly has lasted him more than a couple of months without being ripped or doused in Stihl Saw oil. I lost the competition for who can last the longest without complaining of cold hands, weak southerner that I am.

Sunday 5th Feb in pics.

I wasn't really surprised when no one else turned up at Denholmgate yesterday but as the roads were clear, the temperature was okay and no more snow was forecast I decided to have a gentle potter up into the Dales.

I wasn't expecting anyone in Keighley either but was joined by Richard and we agreed that Burnsall Cafe would be a good target to aim for (fast becoming a weekly destination for the Condor).

Not a lot of work had been done on the roads north of Cracoe but we were in no hurry and the snowscapes were more than worth the effort.

Its not often that we are the only cyclists in the Wharfe View on a Sunday morning.

Sunday 5th Feb

9.00 Denholmgate 9.30 Keighley, I was intending to suggest a bit longer ride tomorrow till I looked out of the window - unless there's some improvement it may be no ride at all.

Sunday 29th

And the photo to go with Ian's account of the day:




Taken at the bottom of Eastby Brow, if you look hard enough you'll see Robin making yet another repair to his rapidly disintegrating chain (replacement on it's way yet Robin?)

Club Dinner

A big thank you to Trevor and Paul for arranging the 62nd annual Condor Road Club Dinner & Prize Presentation. The recently opened Bailiff Bridge Community Centre proved to be an ideal venue with the catering and real ale both being very good.
No one was surprised when the main award winners were announced; Grimpy taking the off road trophy and Brian the road race and time trial cups. A new name was added to the Audax/Sportive trophy, Simon Fortune taking the award with a superb set of rides including two 600's and the 1200k Paris-Brest-Paris.
Trevor was the evenings MC, Paul welcomed our visitors and in the absence of President Lumb, currently cruising Far Eastern waters, founder member Gordon Turner presented the awards. Unfortunately I had forgotten to take my camera so hopefully it will be a similar formula next year so I can record the scenes for posterity.

Sunday 29 Jan 2012 - Kilnsey

steve (yes he is coming out) and i will be at keighley roundabout 9.30am

Ride Report: Two Imps (Sean and Neil) and two Condors (Ian and Pete Whiteley) met at Denholme while I suspect many of our club mates were still in bed with hangovers. Robin, Steve and Melv joined at Keighley. In view of the ice we kept mostly to the main roads and pottered up as far as Kilnsey. Sean took us to a new cafe in Grassington, and both myself and Robin had never been into the cobbled heart of the village before. But it was closed. So we went to Burnall instead.
My iphone has a gadget for recording the ride, which says that I went very slowly for most of the day and then painfully slowly for the remainder. The readout says "must try harder". Very kindly Neil nursed me home, when he could have been well up the road instead. Ian

A few more pics from Kentucky

Sunday 22nd Jan - report

Where are you all, only 4 out for yesterday's ride, as you can see from the above photo Robin and Sean; the World Champ and me. It was a breezy start over Queensbury and even breezier for Robin over Cock Hill. Grimpy led the way as he half wheeled Sean as far as Crosshills (or was if the other way round) where we took a left and right over to Connonley and the back roads to Gargrave. Grimpy turned right at Hetton to head for home leaving me to cope with Robin and Sean alone. We continued to Cracoe and over to Thorpe where we were delayed for a short time by a fallen tree blocking the road. A welcome break was taken at a quieter than usual Wharfe View Cafe before proceeding at a wind assisted pace through Appletreewick to Cavendish and Bolton Abbey. Sean and Robin were finding the tail wind not to their liking and turned right towards Embsey (Robin had originally been wanting to go over Eastby Brow - who says all Southerners are softies). I knocked 3 or 4 mph off my speed and enjoyed the blue skies and the Wharfedale sunshine on the road down to Otley although inevitably I eventually had to battle the wind again to get home. Lets hope for a calm dry day next week.
Which reminds me there are places left at the dinner - contact Paul or Trevor - see earlier blog for menu and tel. nos. All welcome.

The Champs Report

For Grimpy's own story of his American adventure follow this link to the BC web site = http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/cyclocross/article/cyx20120120-cycle-cross-Cyclo-Cross-Rider-Blog--John-Ginley--world-champion-0

Sunday 21st Jan

Usual time tomorrow, 9am Denholmgate, 9.30 Keighley roundabout, Arncliffe & Malham ? depending on the weather.

Missed off the list of local events but never to be forgotten is John Kaye's HCA Reliability Ride which will be on Sunday 26th of Feb, 8.45am outside Ritz, Brighouse. He hasn't made his final decision about the route but it can't be any harder than last year.

SUBS. our honourable treasurer informs me that only 4 or 5 have paid their subs so far this year and he's having trouble scraping together the deposit for the new clothing order - its still only £6 for the year so please pay asap.

Link from Daily Mail web site 16th Jan

See link below

I guess you're well out of it Pete - no helmet mounted cameras in your day!!!


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2087312/How-cyclist-got-away-jumping-red-light-tongue-tied-policeman-failed-arrest-grab-head-camera-filming-row.html

Grimpy on the top step

Thanks to CyclingNews for the photo.

Grimpy - World Champion 2012

Whilst the rest of us were yesterday pottering over the Pennines enjoying the early spring sunshine John was over the pond in Kentucky exchanging his Condor jersey for that of 2012 World Masters Champion, a magnificent achievement! congratulations.

Sunday 15th January

Sorry I had to turn so early yesterday, I hope you had a good ride. I'm afraid it's just not happening for me yet this year. When you're stuggling to get over humpback bridges it's pointless trying to stay with a group heading over the pennines and back.

I was punished (for my inadequacy) with a five hour ride - Malham, Darnbrook, Arncliffe, Skipton and back. I'll see if my form improves and hope to join you once again when I'm in finer fettle.

Richard

Good grief Richard it would have been easier staying with us, we certainly didn't go that far
or do so much climbing. Once you left, Mel and Sean set an uncomfortable pace all the way over Reedshaw Moss but then we just steadily pottered on to Barrowford where we stopped at the Heritage Centre Cafe. Once refreshed we went on the back road to Fence and on the ridge to Padiham Heights, this bit of road was treacherous with ice so we took a left down through Padiham and on to the Burnley by-pass where Ian, Damian and myself formed an autobus watching the peloton ahead steadily shed riders one by one. Unfortunately for us they were waiting for us at Walk Mill so instead of sauntering down to Tod an along the Valley we had to go over the Long Causeway to Heptonstall (although Pete W. had slipped through the net and made a lone dash for Tod), however this turned out to be a good move as it was several degrees warmer than the valley.
Pete