SEASON OF MISTS

Whilst on the subject of Audax's don't forget to enter the Season of Mists - 100 scenic Km, Sunday 7th of October from Hebden Bridge.

Halifax CTC's famous catering at the finish.

3 PEAKS ALTERNATIVE

As you will all have heard this years Peaks has been cancelled.

In order not to waste the specific fitness we have all been working on I suggest we enter the 'Grassington Round' off road Audax. Only £3 entry for 82k. I'm going to do it on the cross bike seeing as how I've invested £20 on a pair of Landcruisers. Details on Audax UK web site.

Its on Saturday 29th Sept

19 Sept - Club Meeting

In the Puzzle Hall Inn, Sowerby Bridge, from 9pm.

Agenda:

1. Grimpy's cyclocross -

2. items for next newsletter - 3 Peaks report

3. dates for 2008 - AGM, club dinner

4. renewing memberships of BC, CTT, CTC, HCA, etc.

30 August - Grimpy's Birthday Bash

Grimps has arranged a "do" this Thursday from 9pm in the Brown Horse, Coley. There will be some food and, quite possibly, some beer. What more do you need?

There is the usual Imps ride first from Hx Post Office at 7.30.

Ian

26 August - Kettlewell

We haven't been to visit Madame Zarina's Cafe in Kettlewell for a while, so that is the plan for Sunday. Route is flexible but might well involve Arncliffe to Malham (or perhaps Arncliffe to Malham) at some point. I guess that means going up (or down) the side of the cove.
Meet 08.30 at Keighley roundabout and Melvyn can half-wheel us all day from there.

Sunday 19 Aug - MTB run

The weather is like Autumn and so are the club runs - the mtb season is starting early this year. So far it is Steve, Robin, Nigel and Ian meeting at 8.30 in Hebden Bridge at the Nutclough traffic lights (2 mins up the hill toward Pecket Well). After that we can go whereever is most wet/muddy and laugh at me falling off. Anybody else fancy coming along?

YCF 100

Brian pictured riding to 4th place in yesterdays YCF 100 mile time trial. In rather wet looking conditions he finished just one minute over the four hour mark.

RACE NEWS

As you can see from the above Grimpy's been doing a lot of posing recently. The top pic is from the podium of last Sundays BC National Road Races held in Staffordshire, John took silver in his age group once again conceding gold to his 'bete noire' Mick Ives.
The other photo is taken at the end of last Wednesday's cyclo-cross at Greetland All Rounders and includes Steve Cavell and former Condor member Andy Whitworth (propriator of Tri Cycling at Kirkburton). John not only took the over 60's but he also beat the over 50's. This was the last event in the Yorkshire summer series, Steve was 3rd vet 50 overall.
Brian appears to be going well (although he would no doubt deny it). I've managed to find a few of his results on the net from the last couple of weeks. He took bronze in the Vets National 25 mile TT Champs, the following week he won his category in the LVRC Road Race at Stokesley and last Sunday he was 5th overall in a quality all age group field in the Pennine CC '50' witha 1.52. He did'nt defend his National 100 mile title but will be riding the YCF 100 next Sunday.

29 July - a trip to church

Steve is getting married soon and needs to be at Austwick for 11am on Sunday. So it the spirit of a dedicated rider the only way to get there is by bike of course.

Parishoners of the church of seventh day cyclists are invited to gather at 08:30 at Keighley roundabout. The congregation will then proceed to Settle at the regulation pace of 17.5 mph. There will be a collection for bacon and egg sandwiches in Settle.

Hopefully our lead chorister Neil will sing an aria on the way back through Oxenhope and over old road to the tune of "Cramp of ages".

FREE BEER - 18 July Club Meeting

Gordon Turner is celebrating his 80th birthday this week and would like to buy all his fellow Condors a beer (or maybe two) at the club meeting this Wednesday 18/7.
We'll be at the Puzzle Hall Inn as usual from 9pm and, if the rain holds off, going for a ride first from Luddenden Foot at 7pm.

Condor R.C. Amble Sunday 8th July

Anybody out there interested in this wonderful walk from Luddenden Foot starting 10.15.
8 mile circuit , lunch at Cat in't Well, return around 4 pm. Full details posted earlier .

I aint exactly been inundated with punters !!!

Contact Trev. on home no.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

A good picture of Mick Collins shortly before he was caught on the last lap at the Brighouse Town Centre races last Tuesday (pic. from BC website). Note the map holder left attached to his bars after the 3 Coasts 600 Audax. Just proves that all that beer at the Catty must be good for you. Mick attacked with 4 laps to go - if he'd waited another lap he may have won the £200 first prize.

As Ian mentions, last Saturdays Rumble was a tough course but its only as hard as you make it. The photo's are approaching the summit of Blakey Bank, a climb that has been used for the National Hill Climb Champs. There was a really long descent following that climb along Blakey Ridge and down to Castleton and then east down Eskdale. Then a loop over the moors took us to Rosedale and the 2nd 'Hors' category climb up Rosedale Chimney ( 1 in 3 and another former National Hill Climb Champs climb). Following the Chimney it was down to a feed station at Hutton-le-Hole. Some big gear work followed as the course headed south and into the Howardian Hills around Castle Howard. The third feed was at Ampleforth School. Only 20 miles to go from Ampleforth but they were not easy miles. Another Hors' cat climb up White Horse Bank to bring us out at the top of Sutton Bank and I was expecting a steady run in for the last 10 miles or so but with only three or four miles to go to the finish we were turned left to visit Rievaulx Abbey and the steep climb from Rievaulx to the main road - I was beginning to lose my sense of humour and I know Melvyn felt the same. As mentioned by Ian, Melvyn recorded the third fastest time, what Ian did'nt know was that if Mel had'nt soft peddeled riding with me for the first 20+ miles he would without doubt have recorded the fastest time of the day. I was quite happy with 18th overall and 1st over 50. A very good route, everything well organised and a lovely change of scenery - put it in your diary for next year ( its going to be in August in '08).

FORTHCOMING EVENTS -

Sunday 8th July - Brimham Rocks 200k Audax, one of the CTC West Yorkshire Series, a nice steady ride with checks at cafe's at Knaresbourough, Howstean & Otley.

Sunday 5th August - Pendle Pedal Sportive - did this last year, its a really good route and well organised.

IMPORTANT!!!!!! Entry forms for the 3 Peaks Cyclo-Cross go live on the web on Sunday the 1st of July - you must enter early to avoid disappointment.

26 June - Brighouse Criterium

It was a good night and very enjoyable to watch from the sidelines. There were quite a few local riders to cheer on, including Daniel Shaw (Hx Imps), John Dogherty and Paul Dixon (VS Cycles) and of course our ex-member Andy Marshall (VS Cycles). Photos from the British Cycling website http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/.

Start of the Elite race

The lead group. Tom Barras is third wheel and went on to win the sprint finish.
See also http://www.brighousecircuitracing.co.uk/

23 June - Rydale Rumble

Peter and Melvyn both had a fine ride in the Rydale Rumble on Saturday 23 June. The detailed results show Melv finishing in third place just five minutes outside the top time. Peter took the steadier option but wasn't far behind at the finish in 18th place. The only comment I've heard from them was that it was "hard".

See http://www.bcyorkshire.com/html/the_ryedale_rumble.htm.
Thanks to http://www.cyclingmages.co.uk/ for the sample photos. They have big versions available to buy there for this and several other rides.

ELMET CRC 12 HOUR - NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 29TH JULY 2007

Keith Lawton from CTT has alerted clubs to the plight of the Elmet CRC who are running the Nat '12' Champs in our region: they are short of marshalls for the event. Anyone who can help? Please ring Ray Charles on 01757 269287 asap.

12 hour(and 24 hour) events are the ultimate spectator sport. Rider after rider increasingly suffering as the day wears on. Perhaps Brian will ride it. It will then be the opportunity of a lifetime to see him suffering all day.

Otley Crits Tonight 20th June

Anybody going to watch Otley Crits tonight. See you for a pint at Rose & Crown next to Chevin Cycles about 7.30.

White Rose Classic

Photos from the web - 2 from last weeks WRC and 2 recent TT photo's of Brian

Good Comapanions 200k tomorrow, 8am Mytholmroyd

Ryedale Rumble Sportive next Saturday.........Melvyn and myself have entered, Neil & Robin are reported to be on the verge of doing so. Great course round the North Yorks Moors National Park.

10 June - White Rose Classic

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Neil had a "whale" of a time on his new Orca, and Melvyn apparently looked "fin-ished" by the tail-end. Still, they posted a very respectable sub-7hrs for a top-30 placing, with Mr Ingham also along for the ride. Pete Horne was also doing well with a 7.29 and well inside the top 100. Although strangely there are no photos of Peter ...

Further down the field, Nigel, Vicar and myself had our our personal battles to fight. My problem came with hills - just no power for climbing. Given that the ride went over Norwood Edge, Fleet Moss, Coal Road, Dent head, Silverdale and Langbar for a total 3911 metres of climbing this was something of a setback. The only consolation was having Nigel leave me for dead at Hawes (and rightly so given the state I was in) but then catching him up at Malham for a companionable ride to the finish, despite some mechanical troubles.

Sat in the sun on the grass at the finish with pint in hand, this wasn't a bad ride as we swopped tales and watched other riders arrive in even more wretched forms. But I'm not rushing to enter another "challenge" ride for some time. Roll on some easy Wednesday night rides instead!

(thanks to http://www.cyclingimages.co.uk/ for the pictures - go there if you want to purchase)

6 June - Imps Skipton & Back

The best thing about this ride? ... the sandwiches and cheese platter at the Brown Horse! Thanks to the Imps for laying on the excellent tea.

There was a good turnout of around 30 riders, including a last-minute charge from the VS Cycles contingent to make the start line just in time. The usual fast pace then took us out against a nagging easterly wind with a small band of strong riders doing a lot of the work on the front. After coming though once very briefly, I soon realised why so many people were vying for position at the back of the bunch.

The early turn on the outskirts of Skipton was a welcome point in the ride as we could then get a small breather on the slightly downhill return to Crosshills. Of course, what goes down must then go up and the "fun" of Ingrow wasn't far away. This hill sorted out the weaker riders and I soon found myself trailing slowly off the back. Encouragement came fairly quickly though when some others began to drift back too.

It was all over by the time I got to the finish, and I had to wait until the pub to hear how Neil would've done even better in sprinting for the line if only he'd known where the finish line was!

3 June - Tatham Fells

Another great ride through the Trough of Bowland. We had a fast run straight up to Settle but - horrors! - no cafe stop yet. Instead the Hartley twins encouraged us to go on right over Tatham Fells before finally reaching Slaidburn. The sandwiches and the setting are both great at the Riverside cafe, but at 58 miles from home it was about 7 miles too far for my legs.

Things recovered as the food & tea worked into the system for the run home. A grand total of 102 miles and another fine day on the bike. Ian

VS Cycles Brighouse Circuit Races 26th June

Please make a note in your diaries for this event.

Got some mighty fine riders entered and it will be fast and furious around this tricky circuit.

So will be seeing any Condors flying around with numbers on their backs or just supping pints???!!!

CONDOR R.C. AMBLE 8TH JULY 2007

The first family walk will be on Sunday 8th July from Luddenden Foot via the Cat i‘th Well for lunch.
This is a circular walk of some 8 miles through very pleasant and varied countryside.
It is hilly but not too strenuous and is very suitable for children. WARNING: Cyclists should be fully “walking fit”
START: Luddenden Foot car park by the bridge.
TIME: 10.15
LUNCH: Cat i’th Well 12.30 --?
FINISH: Luddenden Foot 4.00
The pub serves excellent value meals, including sandwiches, and any cyclists should note that the beer is also rather good.
The Landlord would appreciate some idea of numbers so will you please let Trevor know if you will be attending.
Phone: 01274 874789 Email: trevor@avocet-dyes.co.uk

20 May - Etape du Dales

A lovely day to enjoy the great scenery of the dales. We had quiet roads, no hassle from cars and good weather. In fact it was so sunny I've got sunburnt knees. And oh yes, it nearly slipped my mind, and there was seven hours of suffering in the saddle too ...

Despite the various hardships I think all will be pleased with their ride on the day.

Robin flew round hard on the wheel of his mate Jamie Newall for the fastest Condor time yet. Melvyn followed close behind and posted a very respectable overall time.

Many thanks to Neil and Martin (Hx Imps) who joined me just for company and ended up working tirelessly all day on the front. I'd have been really grovelling in the latter stages without these two for support.

2007 Results:

Greg Ketteringham 6:02:21
(Greg was first back - just so we know what to aim for next year)

Robin Holt 6:29:12
Melvin Hartley 6:42:18
Ian Robinson 7:29:38
Richard Burnham 7:36:56
Nigel Hartley 7:58:06
Peter Round ???? - no result available

2006 Results

Andrew Wrigley 06:10:34 (first back)
Greg Ketteringham 06:20:20 (improved to 2007 winner)

Ian Robinson 6:57:18
Robin Holt 6:59:08
Nigel Hartley 7:04:38
Peter Round 7:17:57
Peter Horne 7:25:25

For full results see http://www.etapedudales.co.uk/

Pictures will follow on http://www.kennedyimages.co.uk/index.asp

"GOOD AS NEW" ITEMS FOR SALE

1. Integrated Cinelli 'Angel' Tri-Bars, complete with Shimano brake levers and bar end (very slick) changers. Super fast time trialling capability.
2. Rondelli padded, bike bag. One lady owner (Paulette).
3. Hard shell bike box complete with straps and internal foam padding. Virtually baggage handler proof.

Contact Philip on 01422 300254 (home) or 01274 433167 (work).

Traing run map on bikely.com

I recently discovered this natty little tool for creating and sharing routes/training runs etc. As a test I have tapped in the Wednesday night training run. I thought it may be useful, especially for anyone new, who gets stranded in Lancashire after getting dropped out of Milnrow!
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Condor-RC-Wednesday-Training-Run-7pm
Please let me know of any mistakes, I had to make up the last bit down to Puzzle Hall having never made it myself! You can also view the elevation profile if you go to the 'Show' tab then select 'Elevation Profile'. Cheers, Daniel

13 May - 08.00 Denholme

This Sunday there is a suggestion we meet 08.00 at Denholme and then plan a run from there. Pateley Bridge and Masham have been mentioned. See you there - or 08.30 in Keighley. I'll be bringing a rain jacket ... Ian

6 May - Bank Holiday Weekend

Nmbers are down this weekend with several people away. Despite the poor weather forecast, Ian & Nigel are meeting at Luddenden Foot for 08:00 on Sunday for a run out west. Let one of us know if you are coming.

Sunday 29 April - 8am Denholme Gate

This Sunday we are meeting 08:00 at Denholme Gate for (yet another) run over Silverdale and on to Settle. All good practice for the Etape du Dales in a few weeks.

Our heroes at the Imps Road Race