The first run of the year seemed to go OK and people joined in or dropped out as they wanted. It was good to see so many out. Sean & Niall, Grimpy, Damien, Irish John, Young Johnny, Melv, Vicar, myself, and Andy (eventually, after he'd chased on all the way from Denholme to nearly Skipton - it was good extra training and I'm sure he's benefitted from the workout).
There were still five of us to enjoy the good butties at Madame Zarina's cafe and watch the 2CVs go past. On the way back we met up with Janice & Paul Hicky who were coming home from Cracoe. I think they were the last remnants of the joint club run but I was happy for a few miles at that pace.
Not wanting to overburden the roads with too many riders in one big group we then managed to split four ways. I'm not sure how, but Vicar managed to become separated from us while ingesting his Black Cherry Yoghurt Flavoured Energy Gel just before Cononley and he decided to go the "other" way through the village. So, Vicar turned left toward the main road. The rest made their way over the small climb to Crosshills and I found my car with Young Jonny pleading tiredness and taking a lift while John made his own way on through Keighley.
It was good to be sitting down all the way up Ingrow (with just my right ankle doing any work - on the accelerator). We eventually overtook Vicar and then, later, Paul Gower who declared himself "buggered" after apparently having riden by himself all day, but he was close enough now to Queensbury to refuse any offer of help.
Next week - Sun 13 Jan 09 - meet 09:30 at Shelf Roundabout (next to VW garage). Any suggestions for a good route?
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Saturday, January 03, 2009
LAKELAND WINTER BREAK
A big thank you to the lads who rallied round and got me and my bike back to civilisation on Friday after a dumb choice of route resulted in me stacking on an ice shelf in Grizedale. I sit typing with one hand after an x-ray on saturday morning confirmed a fractured shouder.Dont think I'll make the Kettlewell run on Sunday!
Nige.
Nige.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Training rides.
It's that time of year again guys!
We've put together a list of meeting times and places for the upcoming training season, it's on the CCA website (Ian's also published the list in the Condor Beak). The hope is that a set list will ensure that even if no-one takes the initiative before the Sunday we can all be assured of a few friendly faces (and one or two wheels to sit behind) on the morning. Perhaps we could use the blog to discuss the route/destination beforehand, failing that we could decide on the day.
We've got 9.30 at Denholme Gate down for this Sunday's meet, traditionally we go up to Kettlewell on our first ride. Everyone up for that?
Unfortunately, I'll not be along myself this week as I have a cast on my left wrist. I'm hoping it'll be off by next week.
Happy new year to all.
We've put together a list of meeting times and places for the upcoming training season, it's on the CCA website (Ian's also published the list in the Condor Beak). The hope is that a set list will ensure that even if no-one takes the initiative before the Sunday we can all be assured of a few friendly faces (and one or two wheels to sit behind) on the morning. Perhaps we could use the blog to discuss the route/destination beforehand, failing that we could decide on the day.
We've got 9.30 at Denholme Gate down for this Sunday's meet, traditionally we go up to Kettlewell on our first ride. Everyone up for that?
Unfortunately, I'll not be along myself this week as I have a cast on my left wrist. I'm hoping it'll be off by next week.
Happy new year to all.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Elterwater 2nd January
Nige and any others out there
Might be interested in this run but I don't have any 'phone numbers and I don't want to make a trip up to the frozen north only to find you guys have hit the snooze button and are still in bed.
Could someone give me a call to confirm that the trip's still on.
Richard
01484 602288
07834656726
Might be interested in this run but I don't have any 'phone numbers and I don't want to make a trip up to the frozen north only to find you guys have hit the snooze button and are still in bed.
Could someone give me a call to confirm that the trip's still on.
Richard
01484 602288
07834656726
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
LAKES PARK & RIDE
Burn off some christmas calories with a lake district mountain bike ride on Friday 2nd Jan. Steve Barker has come up with a low level route,meeting in Elterwater at 09-30 and taking in the trails of Grizedale forest.Steve assures me it wont turn into an MTB marathon!
Happy New Year! Nigel.
Happy New Year! Nigel.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
long causeway - Tuesday 23 Dec 08
I'm reliably informed by Steve Barker that we are meeting on road bikes at 9:30 in Hebden Bridge on Tuesday 23 Dec 08 for a ride over log causeway to Whalley and that sort of place out west. I hope to see you there, Ian.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Vindication!
Interesting report from the Guardian that suggests, despite years of marginalisation, we were right all along!
Win gives cyclists momentum to move into the mainstream
The spotlight afforded cycling by the Sports Personality Of The Year could propel the sport firmly into the public consciousness
Members of the Great Britain Cycling Men's Pursuit Team train at Newport Velodrome. Sunday night was the first time this year Chris Hoy has not started a race as favourite, but it made no difference. Hoy thoroughly deserved his win in what he termed "the big one", for his attributes as an all-round human being as well as for being a great champion.
Watching Britain's Olympic track team at work day after day in the Beijing velodrome, it was obvious that he had assumed the role of moral leadership. Occupying the same seats at every session, he and Victoria Pendleton shared jokes and, when necessary, silences with the rest of their colleagues as they prepared to go out and conquer the world.
But Rebecca Romero would have deserved it too, for her astonishing and sometimes almost spine-chilling focus on the ambition of going one better than the silver she had earned as a rower in Athens. So would Nicole Cooke, whose Olympic gold was followed by victory in the world championship road race a few weeks later, a double that no cyclist, man or woman, had ever achieved. It was she, after all, who struck the first blow in a campaign that made this a year of unprecedented success for the sport in Britain.
When the entire squad won the team award, and their performance director, Dave Brailsford, was named coach of the year, no one could be left in any doubt of the scale of their achievement. But will cycling, which has always struggled for mass acceptance in Britain, reap the rewards of the publicity, or will it go the way of curling, which won the hearts of the nation for about five minutes when a quintet of Scotswomen performed amazing feats during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City? Six years later, you don't see kids racing out of the house on a Saturday morning for training at the local rink.
For cycling, there ought to be some encouragement in the identity of the man who finished runner-up. Lewis Hamilton trailed Hoy by a sizeable margin - 283,630 votes for the cyclist against 163,864 for the new grand prix world champion - and even allowing for the fact that this was an Olympic year, that the Olympics are covered by the BBC, that the formula one season was broadcast by the rival terrestrial network, and that the audience perhaps acted on the understanding that Hamilton will have further chances, it was easy to conclude that a message was being sent.
At the end of last week British Cycling, the biggest of the sport's governing bodies in the UK, announced that its membership has reached 25,000 for the first time, and that 13,000 cyclists now possess racing licences - increases over the past five years from 15,000 and 8,500 respectively. All sorts of events now encourage people to take part, from races for folding bikes around the grounds of Beaulieu to the large British participation in the annual Etape du Tour, when amateurs take on a mountain stage of the Tour de France. On the roads of British cities, more and more cycling commuters are challenging the assumption that cars and lorries rule, with pathetically little support from central or local government.
And for the internal combustion engine, the current global financial crisis looks like a death sentence. A US government bailout for Detroit's big three automobile makers, the New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman wrote last week, is the equivalent of putting money into an improved typewriter on the eve of the invention of the personal computer, in CD manufacturing just as the iPod was being dreamed up, or in the mail-order catalogue business at the time of the birth of eBay. What they ought to be doing, he suggested, is investing in the inventor of a new electric car network, whose vision might just represent the future.
This doesn't devalue Hamilton's success in the slightest. In 10 years' time, he might be winning world titles at the wheel of an electric car. In the meantime, with luck, more and more people will be following the example of a group of self-propelled sportsmen and women who looked pretty good in Sunday's spotlight.
Richard
Win gives cyclists momentum to move into the mainstream
The spotlight afforded cycling by the Sports Personality Of The Year could propel the sport firmly into the public consciousness
Members of the Great Britain Cycling Men's Pursuit Team train at Newport Velodrome. Sunday night was the first time this year Chris Hoy has not started a race as favourite, but it made no difference. Hoy thoroughly deserved his win in what he termed "the big one", for his attributes as an all-round human being as well as for being a great champion.
Watching Britain's Olympic track team at work day after day in the Beijing velodrome, it was obvious that he had assumed the role of moral leadership. Occupying the same seats at every session, he and Victoria Pendleton shared jokes and, when necessary, silences with the rest of their colleagues as they prepared to go out and conquer the world.
But Rebecca Romero would have deserved it too, for her astonishing and sometimes almost spine-chilling focus on the ambition of going one better than the silver she had earned as a rower in Athens. So would Nicole Cooke, whose Olympic gold was followed by victory in the world championship road race a few weeks later, a double that no cyclist, man or woman, had ever achieved. It was she, after all, who struck the first blow in a campaign that made this a year of unprecedented success for the sport in Britain.
When the entire squad won the team award, and their performance director, Dave Brailsford, was named coach of the year, no one could be left in any doubt of the scale of their achievement. But will cycling, which has always struggled for mass acceptance in Britain, reap the rewards of the publicity, or will it go the way of curling, which won the hearts of the nation for about five minutes when a quintet of Scotswomen performed amazing feats during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City? Six years later, you don't see kids racing out of the house on a Saturday morning for training at the local rink.
For cycling, there ought to be some encouragement in the identity of the man who finished runner-up. Lewis Hamilton trailed Hoy by a sizeable margin - 283,630 votes for the cyclist against 163,864 for the new grand prix world champion - and even allowing for the fact that this was an Olympic year, that the Olympics are covered by the BBC, that the formula one season was broadcast by the rival terrestrial network, and that the audience perhaps acted on the understanding that Hamilton will have further chances, it was easy to conclude that a message was being sent.
At the end of last week British Cycling, the biggest of the sport's governing bodies in the UK, announced that its membership has reached 25,000 for the first time, and that 13,000 cyclists now possess racing licences - increases over the past five years from 15,000 and 8,500 respectively. All sorts of events now encourage people to take part, from races for folding bikes around the grounds of Beaulieu to the large British participation in the annual Etape du Tour, when amateurs take on a mountain stage of the Tour de France. On the roads of British cities, more and more cycling commuters are challenging the assumption that cars and lorries rule, with pathetically little support from central or local government.
And for the internal combustion engine, the current global financial crisis looks like a death sentence. A US government bailout for Detroit's big three automobile makers, the New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman wrote last week, is the equivalent of putting money into an improved typewriter on the eve of the invention of the personal computer, in CD manufacturing just as the iPod was being dreamed up, or in the mail-order catalogue business at the time of the birth of eBay. What they ought to be doing, he suggested, is investing in the inventor of a new electric car network, whose vision might just represent the future.
This doesn't devalue Hamilton's success in the slightest. In 10 years' time, he might be winning world titles at the wheel of an electric car. In the meantime, with luck, more and more people will be following the example of a group of self-propelled sportsmen and women who looked pretty good in Sunday's spotlight.
Richard
Monday, December 08, 2008
7 Dec - The white stuff on Top Withens
After a cracking mtb ride last week it was back to the muddy bikes again this weekend with Robin & Steve. We met in Hebden and climbed through Hardcastle Craggs up to "poo farm". Lower down the surface was frosty but gave good grip. Higher up and we began to slip and slide a little on patches of compacted ice, higher still and we had to work hard through some deep snow. By the time we descended "the field" to walshaw it was more like cross-country skiing!
The tyres made a great buzzing noise crunching through the thick snow. There weren't any tracks to follow but our own - so it was a choice between forging a new route off-piste or trying to follow EXACTLY in wheel of the bike in front (and steering, leaning, turning at the same time they did). Synchronised bikeing didn't work and I quickly went for the off-piste option.
We then headed up over the hill to Top Withens ("Bleak House") for more great snow-fields of fun. Then it got deep. Really deep.
In some places the snow had a hard icy crust and was like riding on tarmac. Then about ten feet later there'd be a footprint or weak spot that wanted to swallow my front wheel. So a mixture of riding and falling off ...
Which brings us to the photo here of Robin standing on a drift. This bit was like the cresta run - hard crust over deep snow lining the sunken track. One of the best sections of the ride. I was (almost) dissapointed to get back to the black stuff.
Friday, November 21, 2008
16 Nov - Cracoe
This was a grand day to be out in the Dales. A rare day of brilliant sunshine and light winds. I made the most of riding alone to take in the pleasant sights all around on a trip from Keighley - Skipton - Eastby Brow (lovely climb, if taken slowly; great descent too, if taken quickly) - Barden Tower - Appletreewick - through Thorpe - back to Cracoe for a grand buttie - then finish through Gargrave & the back road home.
Every now and then I met up with some fellow Condors - Melv, Robin, Steve & Johnny. One of them would kindly drop back the 100 yards to wait for me so we could group up and then they could drop me again on the next rise. Still, I'm learning the quiet pleasures of the solitary cyclist and look forward to the next trip ...
Every now and then I met up with some fellow Condors - Melv, Robin, Steve & Johnny. One of them would kindly drop back the 100 yards to wait for me so we could group up and then they could drop me again on the next rise. Still, I'm learning the quiet pleasures of the solitary cyclist and look forward to the next trip ...
Monday, November 10, 2008
Condor Cross - thanks!
Comment: Pictures of all Condor riders on the British Cycling web site. I'm not sure if you can use them gratis or not. If you do post any of them please, pretty please, don't use the one where I look as if I've slipped through a space time continuum, to find myself confused, on foot, in lycra, on a muddy hill with a muddy bike.You may recall that Pete posted a variant of that one a few weeks ago following the Three Peaks!Vanity, I’m afraid, is a vice that doesn’t diminish with age! Richard (the Vicar) Burnham
The condor cross was this Sunday just gone. All the usual crew helped out, so a big thanks to all involved. Gordon's trailer for the finish-line and timekeeping station this time came complete with a great rain cover so we had somewhere to huddle out of the rain showers. It was much admired and then duly appreciated.
In horse-racing terms the going was "soft" - tending to "quagmire" in places. Did anyone manage to get any pictures of our riders in action? Although I spent most of the day looking down at the lap-scoring sheets and just noting down a frantic stream of numbers I did glimpse at least Andy Marshall, Steve Cavell, Robin Holt, Johnny Perry, Richard Burnham and of course Grimpy all go past (at various speeds and in varying states of pain). The official results will be on the YorkshireCycloCross.org.uk website shortly here.
We had a massive turnout for the kids races thanks to Chris Young dragging them in from all the local schools. So many that we ran U8s, U10s and U12s in separate races. Fantastic news for the sport. I hope they all enjoyed the day.
And he must have promised free beer or something because there were 70 entries for the Vets race. Pete Horne and Trevor Lever had their hands full at the signing-on table.
What else have you missed? well a good mtb run from gargrave to malham and back last week. up past bell busk, otterburn, dacre lane, langber lane on a climb that went on forever eventually to the top of scalebar falls above settle - then turn right on stockdale lane to the top of malham cove and down to the boot cafe for bse (bacon sausage & egg) sandwiches. I was still full at 3pm - no need for lunch when I got home. anyone up for a muddy run this weekend (16th)?
The condor cross was this Sunday just gone. All the usual crew helped out, so a big thanks to all involved. Gordon's trailer for the finish-line and timekeeping station this time came complete with a great rain cover so we had somewhere to huddle out of the rain showers. It was much admired and then duly appreciated.
In horse-racing terms the going was "soft" - tending to "quagmire" in places. Did anyone manage to get any pictures of our riders in action? Although I spent most of the day looking down at the lap-scoring sheets and just noting down a frantic stream of numbers I did glimpse at least Andy Marshall, Steve Cavell, Robin Holt, Johnny Perry, Richard Burnham and of course Grimpy all go past (at various speeds and in varying states of pain). The official results will be on the YorkshireCycloCross.org.uk website shortly here.
We had a massive turnout for the kids races thanks to Chris Young dragging them in from all the local schools. So many that we ran U8s, U10s and U12s in separate races. Fantastic news for the sport. I hope they all enjoyed the day.
And he must have promised free beer or something because there were 70 entries for the Vets race. Pete Horne and Trevor Lever had their hands full at the signing-on table.
What else have you missed? well a good mtb run from gargrave to malham and back last week. up past bell busk, otterburn, dacre lane, langber lane on a climb that went on forever eventually to the top of scalebar falls above settle - then turn right on stockdale lane to the top of malham cove and down to the boot cafe for bse (bacon sausage & egg) sandwiches. I was still full at 3pm - no need for lunch when I got home. anyone up for a muddy run this weekend (16th)?
Monday, October 20, 2008
Condor Cross - Sun 9 Nov 08 - HELP NEEDED!!
The Condor cross will be held on November 9th.
I need as much support as possible to continue with its success.
On Saturday 8th I will be on site (Bradley Woods) from around 10.00 to see what circuit can be used and to mark out any new sections as we are always effected by what space/ tracks are available.
Main requirements on Sunday 9th are:
Marking out the course from 9.00 a.m.-- need hammer, scissors, gloves,. boots , wellingtons etc + food & flask ( to my knowledge there is only a small tuck shop on site)
Marshalling & Judging the events.
Someone else to help Trevor in the signing on area
On arrival certainly up to 9.30 I will be close to the start area with the gear being in my red Audi estate.
The events so far this season have been well attended particularily vets, youths & U12’s, with usually British Cycling people around (you can get a taste by looking at the British cycling web site) .
Vets have had 80+ in the last two events and U12’s around 50 (these had to be split into U12’s & U8’s).
We also need more Condor riders so anyone interested themselves or their children can enter on the line.(we have had Myself , Richard & Steve performing so far this season, come on Robin, Melvyn etc. – its great fun and fast only lasts 45 Mins.?)
Kindly confirm who can make it, you can Email me at work jginley@pennineuk.com or home johnginley@btinternet.com
Or telephone home 01274 601567 mobile 07973 328 995.
We have organized a new set of numbers and Gordon is getting some more tape this week, other things to sort include plastic stakes?
If anyone remembers any problems or concerns from last years event please contact me.
Many Thanks
John Ginley
Official details:
09 Nov 2008 Condor Cross (Yorkshire Points 6)
VENUE Bradley Woods Scout Camp, Brighouse, HD6 3TU
Start Times + entry fees for BC licence holders:
Youth 11:00 £4.00
U12 12:00
V/W 12:45 £10.00
S/J 14:00 £10.00
I need as much support as possible to continue with its success.
On Saturday 8th I will be on site (Bradley Woods) from around 10.00 to see what circuit can be used and to mark out any new sections as we are always effected by what space/ tracks are available.
Main requirements on Sunday 9th are:
Marking out the course from 9.00 a.m.-- need hammer, scissors, gloves,. boots , wellingtons etc + food & flask ( to my knowledge there is only a small tuck shop on site)
Marshalling & Judging the events.
Someone else to help Trevor in the signing on area
On arrival certainly up to 9.30 I will be close to the start area with the gear being in my red Audi estate.
The events so far this season have been well attended particularily vets, youths & U12’s, with usually British Cycling people around (you can get a taste by looking at the British cycling web site) .
Vets have had 80+ in the last two events and U12’s around 50 (these had to be split into U12’s & U8’s).
We also need more Condor riders so anyone interested themselves or their children can enter on the line.(we have had Myself , Richard & Steve performing so far this season, come on Robin, Melvyn etc. – its great fun and fast only lasts 45 Mins.?)
Kindly confirm who can make it, you can Email me at work jginley@pennineuk.com or home johnginley@btinternet.com
Or telephone home 01274 601567 mobile 07973 328 995.
We have organized a new set of numbers and Gordon is getting some more tape this week, other things to sort include plastic stakes?
If anyone remembers any problems or concerns from last years event please contact me.
Many Thanks
John Ginley
Official details:
09 Nov 2008 Condor Cross (Yorkshire Points 6)
VENUE Bradley Woods Scout Camp, Brighouse, HD6 3TU
Start Times + entry fees for BC licence holders:
Youth 11:00 £4.00
U12 12:00
V/W 12:45 £10.00
S/J 14:00 £10.00
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Cyclocross Appeal
Although I survived the Three Peaks the other week it would seem that my cyclo cross frame didn't. I've just identified a crack on the down tube (the sort of damage you get when you run your Raleigh Chopper in to the back of a bus - only titanium, I now find, doesn't bend quite like steel).
This blows a bit of a hole in my cyclocross season, I'm looking at a few new frames at the moment but this is going to take some time and it crossed my mind that one of you guys might be looking to off load an unwanted frame or bike, (for an agreed number of beer tokens of course), and that this might be a quicker way of getting back in the saddle.
Most of you will be able to guess my approximate frame size (52 -54 cm). Let me know if you've got anything suitable gathering dust in the back of the shed.
01484 602288 (evening) 01937 547807 (day)
Richard (The Vicar)
This blows a bit of a hole in my cyclocross season, I'm looking at a few new frames at the moment but this is going to take some time and it crossed my mind that one of you guys might be looking to off load an unwanted frame or bike, (for an agreed number of beer tokens of course), and that this might be a quicker way of getting back in the saddle.
Most of you will be able to guess my approximate frame size (52 -54 cm). Let me know if you've got anything suitable gathering dust in the back of the shed.
01484 602288 (evening) 01937 547807 (day)
Richard (The Vicar)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Monday, October 06, 2008
From Harrow to Helwith Bridge
When, on a whim, I bought my first road bike in order to commute from Harrow to Tottenham Court Road I never thought it would lead, 25 years later, to me gunning down Pen Y Ghent in hot pursuit of my long time nemesis and and long time team mate, Ian Wellock. That I caught him on the road to Helwith Bridge and that he then out sprinted me to the line ranks as a minor frustration when set against the exhilaration of a spill free, puncture free, fifth Three Peaks.
Whilst my time at 4 hours 46 mins was the slowest of the four Condors riding it was only two minutes slower than my fastest time set a decade earlier. That, this year, I had to queue for 12 minutes whilst the bulk of the field clambered, one by one, over a stile on Simon's Fell ranks as a rather more significant frustration, as a clear run might have put me close to my ambitious target of sub 4 hours 30 mins
Notwithstanding Grimpy's earlier post he seems to have had a pretty good ride although amazingly his time of 4 hours 23 mins was only good enough to win him third place in his age group. Was is beyond doubt, is that Robin's ride, finishing his first Peaks 43rd out of a field of 450 riders, was impressive and suggests that with a bit of cyclo cross specific training he could be pitching at a top twenty finish. We'll have to see if he's got the Three Peaks bug; if he has he'll know by now as already he'll be mulling over strategies for shaving seconds and minutes from his time. Revealingly, on last Wednesday's training run, he did offer up the view that he could "probably improve his time by 20 minutes with the correct training" - maybe we'll see him back next year!
The bug seems to have got me again. I've already carried out a forensic examination of the split times, (for the first time an electronic timing system was used) and this reveals that I improved my position by from the top of Whernside to the finish by 15 places. So, the stamina seems OK - all I need to do now is work on a quick start and getting to that bloody stile before the traffic jam.
Richard (The Vicar)
Whilst my time at 4 hours 46 mins was the slowest of the four Condors riding it was only two minutes slower than my fastest time set a decade earlier. That, this year, I had to queue for 12 minutes whilst the bulk of the field clambered, one by one, over a stile on Simon's Fell ranks as a rather more significant frustration, as a clear run might have put me close to my ambitious target of sub 4 hours 30 mins
Notwithstanding Grimpy's earlier post he seems to have had a pretty good ride although amazingly his time of 4 hours 23 mins was only good enough to win him third place in his age group. Was is beyond doubt, is that Robin's ride, finishing his first Peaks 43rd out of a field of 450 riders, was impressive and suggests that with a bit of cyclo cross specific training he could be pitching at a top twenty finish. We'll have to see if he's got the Three Peaks bug; if he has he'll know by now as already he'll be mulling over strategies for shaving seconds and minutes from his time. Revealingly, on last Wednesday's training run, he did offer up the view that he could "probably improve his time by 20 minutes with the correct training" - maybe we'll see him back next year!
The bug seems to have got me again. I've already carried out a forensic examination of the split times, (for the first time an electronic timing system was used) and this reveals that I improved my position by from the top of Whernside to the finish by 15 places. So, the stamina seems OK - all I need to do now is work on a quick start and getting to that bloody stile before the traffic jam.
Richard (The Vicar)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
3 Peaks results
News from Grimpy:
"I was 3rd in my age group 185th in the event, poor ride had a heavy cold ( still have) anyway that’s my excuse- you can see all the results on the 3 peaks website.
"Ian & Richard finished nearly together. Quite an experience with 500 starting together on the open road."
"Robin won a prize at the 3 peaks, he did a great ride I think he was 40th out of 400+ anyway he was 11th in the over 40’s "
"I was 3rd in my age group 185th in the event, poor ride had a heavy cold ( still have) anyway that’s my excuse- you can see all the results on the 3 peaks website.
"Ian & Richard finished nearly together. Quite an experience with 500 starting together on the open road."
"Robin won a prize at the 3 peaks, he did a great ride I think he was 40th out of 400+ anyway he was 11th in the over 40’s "
43rd Robin Holt MV40 - 3:40:46
185th John GinleyMV60 - 4:23:45
267th Ian Wellock MV40 - 4:46:24
269th Richard Burnham MV50 - 4:46:42
DNS - Peter Horne
Monday, September 22, 2008
28 September - 3 Peaks
Nigel has mooted a mountiain bike ride "like we did in the old days", starting at Settle and finishing at Horton in Ribblesdale in time for the end of the 3 Peaks.
Sadly I'm away but the rest of you can get together and sort something out I'm sure!
Meanwhile good luck to our five brave competitors - Ian W, Vicar, Robin, Pete H and Grimpy.
Sadly I'm away but the rest of you can get together and sort something out I'm sure!
Meanwhile good luck to our five brave competitors - Ian W, Vicar, Robin, Pete H and Grimpy.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Sunday 31st August
Having just returned from two cycle free weeks abroad I find myself hankering after some quality riding time on the lanes and byways of God's own county.
Anyone up for a ride, perhaps up to Nidderdale with a Bacon and Egg sandwich at How Stean Gorge? Other venues and cafes willingly considered
Let me know either by phone 01484 602288 (mobile caput) or through the blog
Richard
Anyone up for a ride, perhaps up to Nidderdale with a Bacon and Egg sandwich at How Stean Gorge? Other venues and cafes willingly considered
Let me know either by phone 01484 602288 (mobile caput) or through the blog
Richard
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sunter success
Now it is no surprise that Brian has won an event, but I am a tad surprised that it seems to have been reported first in the Liverpool Daily Post. What's more, I can't find anything posted yet on the VTTA website for this championship event:
Sunter takes title
Aug 27 2008 Liverpool Daily Post
CYCLING: Brian Sunter, 65, of Condor RC is this year’s winner of the VTTA National 50-mile championship.
He gained a plus of 48 minutes and 10 seconds after producing an actual 1 hour 56 minutes 53 seconds for the J4/16 course at Goostrey. Stockport Clarion CC’s Derek Hodgins (74) just snatched second place with an actual 2.09.09 to give him a plus of 47.21. Third place went to 73-year-old Frank Kerry of Lancashire Road Club after recording 2.08.29 to gain a plus of 47.20.
For the original article click here.
Sunter takes title
Aug 27 2008 Liverpool Daily Post
CYCLING: Brian Sunter, 65, of Condor RC is this year’s winner of the VTTA National 50-mile championship.
He gained a plus of 48 minutes and 10 seconds after producing an actual 1 hour 56 minutes 53 seconds for the J4/16 course at Goostrey. Stockport Clarion CC’s Derek Hodgins (74) just snatched second place with an actual 2.09.09 to give him a plus of 47.21. Third place went to 73-year-old Frank Kerry of Lancashire Road Club after recording 2.08.29 to gain a plus of 47.20.
For the original article click here.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Happy Holidays ...
Unlike this chap I'm leaving my laptop computer and mobile phone at work so there will be no blogging from me for a week or two...
Saturday, July 26, 2008
27 July - 9am Hebden Bridge
Apologies for the very late post - I've been outside enjoying the sunshine.
It is just as well I didn't tell you about plan A because we've had a change of mind and gone with plan B instead = 9am at the lights in Hebden Bridge.
Meanwhile good luck to Johnny Perry who is racing tomorrow. Also Vicar & Grimpy will be winding up their summer series cyclo cross with the final race this Wednesday at Huddersfield New College - if you fancy cheering them through!
It is just as well I didn't tell you about plan A because we've had a change of mind and gone with plan B instead = 9am at the lights in Hebden Bridge.
Meanwhile good luck to Johnny Perry who is racing tomorrow. Also Vicar & Grimpy will be winding up their summer series cyclo cross with the final race this Wednesday at Huddersfield New College - if you fancy cheering them through!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
20 July - bikes and bbq
So far the plan for Sunday 20 July is another mtb ride starting 9am from Wainstalls. And, if you bring a fleece and a wooly hat, you'd be welcome along at a bbq at Ian's from around 3pm on Sunday afternoon. Give me a ring if you are coming. I've got heat, meat, wine, buns and beer. What more do you need? Well, maybe some thermal underwear ...
Thursday, July 03, 2008
World Wide Scoop
| On an unbelievably hot, sunny day in Provence on his birthday (Tuesday 1st July 2008) an ex- Tour de France winner look alike, otherwise known as our President, began the ascent of the Ventoux from the Bedoin side. There were frequent stops during the 22 kilometres of torture to chew over the immensity of the task. And to seriously consider turning back. But onward and forever upward he flew into the Condor record books, and of course cloud at the top, to be the first ever Bird of the Andes to conquer The Giant of Provence. When I saw John at his holiday home that evening to celebrate his birthday, he looked awfully ill. But a few shots of Cote de Rhone revived him to tell us all the tale of his epic challenge ride. Let us all raise our glasses to his achievement. An exiled Condor, Philip |
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Melvins 'Mega' Sunday
In the absence of a report from Mel (better known in Ilkley simply as 'The Condor' - see below - I've borrowed Earthdreamers report from his blog - I'm sure he won't mind.
Mega Challenge
The day of the Dave Lloyd Mega Challenge started at the the ridiculously early time of 3.30am. With Cacophony sadly absent, El Cid drove Chills and myself down to Ruthin to arrive just after 6am with light drizzle falling - marking the end of my long run of perfect weather on events. There we met up with Knacker and Spectre, and also The Condor. The climbing started pretty much right way, the route going straight up Bwlch Pen Barras from Ruthin. This actually suited me better than a fast roll-out on the flat and I felt good on this first climb, having difficulty holding the reins, so to speak. At the summit of the pass we seemed to have lost El Cid and my guess (knowing his canny judgement of pace) was that he was just determined to take a steady start and conserve his energy for later. I felt that I should probably be opting for the same strategy but I was enjoying myself too much and felt that we had a good group together already. In the absence of El Cid at the front of the peleton, The Condor was co-opted, in an unspoken kind of way, as surrogate team leader. The only problem with that was that he's a class apart from the rest of us, but what the hell. I decided to go with the flow!Even in the intermittent drizzle the scenery was stunning. I've only visited this part of the country sporadically, and after each trip I pledge to visit more often because it is just so beautiful ... before somehow forgetting. I've now made the pledge again. Another long, more gradual climb out of Ruthin (again) and then the Horseshoe Pass towards Llangollen. I was feeling comfortable on the start of this climb but as my group picked up another group the pace seemed to increase just a notch and I decided to be conservative and hold back. I was thinking of El Cid, with his masterplan, ready to come steaming over the Bwlch-y-Groes with the rest of us twiddling away on dead legs. I felt like buying into that plan!It was good to have some space and be able to look around at the incredible landscape rather than the back of someone's wheel. It was just so pretty. A small part of me wanted to stop and take it all in, but I already had sight of the road descending on the other side of the valley and a much bigger part of me was driven on by the prospect of those long sweeping bends. So, a very rapid and exhilarating descent into the Vale of Llangollen before taking the road out to World's End. This section was really lovely, a little back lane of a road, snaking its way up a hidden valley underneath the ancient Offa's Dyke. It somehow seemed out of time and World's End a remarkably appropriate name. I had been steadily overtaking small groups of riders and once the climb kicked in I felt myself going well, again having difficulty holding in the reins. Up on the top there was a great high moorland section with a following wind before a steep descent to the first feed station, where I met up with my group again.Knowing the next section was a little intricate and without any big climbs, I got in and out quickly and rejoined the gang. This part of the course is a bit of blur in retrospect, pretty enough but without any significant landmarks. All I do remember is that it started raining at the top of the climb out of Rhosemor and that it was definitely rain rather than drizzle, and whereas before there were breaks in the cloud to suggest a shower, now the sky was uniformly grey. There was a sense that this might now be the order of the day. And, space-head that I am, I had forgotten my waterproof! Once again, I backed off the pace a bit and took the Moel Arthur climb on my own before soon rejoining the group at the second feed station. Although it was raining and everyone was wet, spirits were very high, possibly down to the wonderful fare on offer here. The pasta was a revelation, so combined with several cheese sandwiches and a slice of malt loaf, I had quite a feast. This kind of 'normal' food is just so much better than energy bars. And somehow I think the body knows what it needs.Just before we left, El Cid arrived, claiming that he wasn't just taking it steadily, but that he couldn't keep up with us. I still wasn't sure. He was only 5 mins adrift after 60 miles and we'd had the advantage of riding together a lot of the way! Anyway, off into the rain, with a lot of water now on the road and loads of spray. Not that I actually found it particularly unpleasant, except perhaps for my hands going numb. It was a shame that the landscape was now hidden in mist, but I was still thoroughly enjoying this amazing sense of journey, joining together places, some that I've driven through on odd occasions, others, like Denbigh, that have only previously existed as names on a map. We were soon on the infamously billed "Road to Hell", over the moors to Cerrigydrudion, in the rain and into the wind. It should have been hell really, but it actually passed without too much pain. A lot of that might well be due to the good company I was keeping, The Condor, Chills and Spectre all doing more than their fair share at the front, along with a few other strong lads who had joined us. Feeling guilty, I did try to get to the front on one occasion, but I didn't last long before I got swept up. As the elder statesman of the party, perhaps it is my privilege to get towed around! But the pace must have been quite good because I think we dropped Knacker at this point, and he had been riding strongly up to here.The section from Cerrigydrudion to Bala passed very quickly and in better weather. The clouds were breaking and the stunning landscape re-emerged from hiding, offering us a glimpse of the big mountains of Snowdonia to the west. We were soon at the third feedstation, the 90 mile point, and the time seemed to have passed very quickly. If this was a regular event we would be close to finishing, and I have to say that the legs felt better than they usually do at that stage. And it certainly didn't feel like I'd been conserving much energy. Just after leaving we met El Cid just coming in, so he was still just a matter of a few cheese sandwiches behind us on the road. Was he still being canny? Would we soon see him come flying past on one of the big descents?To be continued ...
Posted by Earthdreamer at 29.6.08
Mega Challenge
The day of the Dave Lloyd Mega Challenge started at the the ridiculously early time of 3.30am. With Cacophony sadly absent, El Cid drove Chills and myself down to Ruthin to arrive just after 6am with light drizzle falling - marking the end of my long run of perfect weather on events. There we met up with Knacker and Spectre, and also The Condor. The climbing started pretty much right way, the route going straight up Bwlch Pen Barras from Ruthin. This actually suited me better than a fast roll-out on the flat and I felt good on this first climb, having difficulty holding the reins, so to speak. At the summit of the pass we seemed to have lost El Cid and my guess (knowing his canny judgement of pace) was that he was just determined to take a steady start and conserve his energy for later. I felt that I should probably be opting for the same strategy but I was enjoying myself too much and felt that we had a good group together already. In the absence of El Cid at the front of the peleton, The Condor was co-opted, in an unspoken kind of way, as surrogate team leader. The only problem with that was that he's a class apart from the rest of us, but what the hell. I decided to go with the flow!Even in the intermittent drizzle the scenery was stunning. I've only visited this part of the country sporadically, and after each trip I pledge to visit more often because it is just so beautiful ... before somehow forgetting. I've now made the pledge again. Another long, more gradual climb out of Ruthin (again) and then the Horseshoe Pass towards Llangollen. I was feeling comfortable on the start of this climb but as my group picked up another group the pace seemed to increase just a notch and I decided to be conservative and hold back. I was thinking of El Cid, with his masterplan, ready to come steaming over the Bwlch-y-Groes with the rest of us twiddling away on dead legs. I felt like buying into that plan!It was good to have some space and be able to look around at the incredible landscape rather than the back of someone's wheel. It was just so pretty. A small part of me wanted to stop and take it all in, but I already had sight of the road descending on the other side of the valley and a much bigger part of me was driven on by the prospect of those long sweeping bends. So, a very rapid and exhilarating descent into the Vale of Llangollen before taking the road out to World's End. This section was really lovely, a little back lane of a road, snaking its way up a hidden valley underneath the ancient Offa's Dyke. It somehow seemed out of time and World's End a remarkably appropriate name. I had been steadily overtaking small groups of riders and once the climb kicked in I felt myself going well, again having difficulty holding in the reins. Up on the top there was a great high moorland section with a following wind before a steep descent to the first feed station, where I met up with my group again.Knowing the next section was a little intricate and without any big climbs, I got in and out quickly and rejoined the gang. This part of the course is a bit of blur in retrospect, pretty enough but without any significant landmarks. All I do remember is that it started raining at the top of the climb out of Rhosemor and that it was definitely rain rather than drizzle, and whereas before there were breaks in the cloud to suggest a shower, now the sky was uniformly grey. There was a sense that this might now be the order of the day. And, space-head that I am, I had forgotten my waterproof! Once again, I backed off the pace a bit and took the Moel Arthur climb on my own before soon rejoining the group at the second feed station. Although it was raining and everyone was wet, spirits were very high, possibly down to the wonderful fare on offer here. The pasta was a revelation, so combined with several cheese sandwiches and a slice of malt loaf, I had quite a feast. This kind of 'normal' food is just so much better than energy bars. And somehow I think the body knows what it needs.Just before we left, El Cid arrived, claiming that he wasn't just taking it steadily, but that he couldn't keep up with us. I still wasn't sure. He was only 5 mins adrift after 60 miles and we'd had the advantage of riding together a lot of the way! Anyway, off into the rain, with a lot of water now on the road and loads of spray. Not that I actually found it particularly unpleasant, except perhaps for my hands going numb. It was a shame that the landscape was now hidden in mist, but I was still thoroughly enjoying this amazing sense of journey, joining together places, some that I've driven through on odd occasions, others, like Denbigh, that have only previously existed as names on a map. We were soon on the infamously billed "Road to Hell", over the moors to Cerrigydrudion, in the rain and into the wind. It should have been hell really, but it actually passed without too much pain. A lot of that might well be due to the good company I was keeping, The Condor, Chills and Spectre all doing more than their fair share at the front, along with a few other strong lads who had joined us. Feeling guilty, I did try to get to the front on one occasion, but I didn't last long before I got swept up. As the elder statesman of the party, perhaps it is my privilege to get towed around! But the pace must have been quite good because I think we dropped Knacker at this point, and he had been riding strongly up to here.The section from Cerrigydrudion to Bala passed very quickly and in better weather. The clouds were breaking and the stunning landscape re-emerged from hiding, offering us a glimpse of the big mountains of Snowdonia to the west. We were soon at the third feedstation, the 90 mile point, and the time seemed to have passed very quickly. If this was a regular event we would be close to finishing, and I have to say that the legs felt better than they usually do at that stage. And it certainly didn't feel like I'd been conserving much energy. Just after leaving we met El Cid just coming in, so he was still just a matter of a few cheese sandwiches behind us on the road. Was he still being canny? Would we soon see him come flying past on one of the big descents?To be continued ...
Posted by Earthdreamer at 29.6.08
Sunday, June 22, 2008
White Rose
From the photos online here, here and here (oh, and here) it looks like our chaps had a good day for the White Rose. Timings are listed as Melvyn 6.49, Doug Burnside 7.33, Damien 8.22. Can any of you post the full story?
Even closer to home I see that some Condors were there at the Pain in the Pennines - including Doug (7.08), and Mr Gower (9.18). That's for the long 'un. Well done Paul, you are putting the rest of us to shame. And El Presedente was there too doing the 60 miles in 5.35.
Next, a mystery for you. There will be a prize for the best answer. Who is the elusive 'Graham Norton'? He rode the Etape this year and the White Rose amongst others as a "Condor". I've even seen him in a club jersey once upon a time at the North West Passage. But have you ever spoken to this most shy of riders? (More importantly, asks Gower, has he ever paid his club subs ...).
Thusday 26th is the Otley crit. Let me know if you want a lift over and we'll sort out who is going.
And next Sunday is the Dave Lloyd mega-challenge - 140 miles of pain as explained here. Now it is no surprise that Melv has entered - and Steve has too but is wishing he hadn't. So there might be a place going if you want it ...
Ian
Even closer to home I see that some Condors were there at the Pain in the Pennines - including Doug (7.08), and Mr Gower (9.18). That's for the long 'un. Well done Paul, you are putting the rest of us to shame. And El Presedente was there too doing the 60 miles in 5.35.
Next, a mystery for you. There will be a prize for the best answer. Who is the elusive 'Graham Norton'? He rode the Etape this year and the White Rose amongst others as a "Condor". I've even seen him in a club jersey once upon a time at the North West Passage. But have you ever spoken to this most shy of riders? (More importantly, asks Gower, has he ever paid his club subs ...).
Thusday 26th is the Otley crit. Let me know if you want a lift over and we'll sort out who is going.
And next Sunday is the Dave Lloyd mega-challenge - 140 miles of pain as explained here. Now it is no surprise that Melv has entered - and Steve has too but is wishing he hadn't. So there might be a place going if you want it ...
Ian
Monday, June 02, 2008
June events
4 June - The packed programme this month begins this week with the Imps run to Skipton & back on THIS WEDNESDAY June 4th. Start prompt at 7pm at Denholme (by the joinery works as usual - get there early to sign in). Turn second roundabout going into Skipton. Both ways via Crosshills to avoid level crossings. Finish at the farm shop above Thornton Road crossroads. Food afterwards at the Brown Horse in Coley. Hicko will book food by mobile subject to starters.
8 June – Red Rose 200k Audax sse Chris Crossland's website
10 June is the Brighouse Criterium from 7pm. See brighousecircuitracing.co.uk or phone Chris Volkes at VS Cycles on 01484 715230, Marshalls needed& volunteer helpers welcome – or at least come along for the free spectator sport.
11 June – a reminder to everyone on entering & helping that Brian’s time trial is on Wednesday June 11th. I suspect you can still can get an entry if Brian gets a phone call (or even an official entry form!) by Wednesday 4th as he's on hols till then. Meet at Greetland Sport & Social for 6.30 to get organised.
15 June – Pain in the Pennines – see the Imps website
8 June – Red Rose 200k Audax sse Chris Crossland's website
10 June is the Brighouse Criterium from 7pm. See brighousecircuitracing.co.uk or phone Chris Volkes at VS Cycles on 01484 715230, Marshalls needed& volunteer helpers welcome – or at least come along for the free spectator sport.
11 June – a reminder to everyone on entering & helping that Brian’s time trial is on Wednesday June 11th. I suspect you can still can get an entry if Brian gets a phone call (or even an official entry form!) by Wednesday 4th as he's on hols till then. Meet at Greetland Sport & Social for 6.30 to get organised.
15 June – Pain in the Pennines – see the Imps website
Saturday, May 31, 2008
1 June - 0900 in Keighley
I'm told by a reliable source that the Hartley twins are meeting by Keighley roundabout at 0900 tomorrow 1 June, and we are all welcome to join in. I'll be there and peddaling slowly.
The route is uncertain but may well involve Bowland Knotts and the cafe at Slaidburn.
As it happens the Imps run (i.e. the "real" Condor run from the runs sheets) is meeting 0830 at Denholme for Settle with a stop at Gargrave.
Cheers, Ian
The route is uncertain but may well involve Bowland Knotts and the cafe at Slaidburn.
As it happens the Imps run (i.e. the "real" Condor run from the runs sheets) is meeting 0830 at Denholme for Settle with a stop at Gargrave.
Cheers, Ian
Monday, May 26, 2008
Windy Day
It seems that most riders are elsewhere this weekend, what with it being a bank holiday and the start of half term. Still, three of us got out today on mountain bikes for a great ride with wind mostly on our backs. We went from Wainstalls, over Brown Knoll and Limer's Gate, Crimsworth Dean, Walshaw, Lower Gorple, Wragley Woods and then snuck back from Hebden Bridge along the Sustrans route without ever having to battle a headwind.
As a club, the Condors didn't really get into the CCA ride organised by the Imps this Sunday. My fault for not putting the word round in time - sorry. Still, there are more joint rides coming up soon like the Skipton runs, etc.
Meanwhile, following on from Pete's post below, many of you will have seen and admired Melv's new yellow rain jacket and maybe even ridden along behind its ample proportions. However, I think we may have made one too many adverse comments about that jacket and Melv has seen the need to pass it on to another good home. In fact it is now being put to good use by members of the Scammonden sailing club ...
As a club, the Condors didn't really get into the CCA ride organised by the Imps this Sunday. My fault for not putting the word round in time - sorry. Still, there are more joint rides coming up soon like the Skipton runs, etc.
Meanwhile, following on from Pete's post below, many of you will have seen and admired Melv's new yellow rain jacket and maybe even ridden along behind its ample proportions. However, I think we may have made one too many adverse comments about that jacket and Melv has seen the need to pass it on to another good home. In fact it is now being put to good use by members of the Scammonden sailing club ...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Below is an extract from Earthdreamers blog on the Cyclosport website. Who could the MH be?
Synchronicity19/05/2008
It was the Harrier's Monday night cycle run tonight and it was again amazing not too feel any real tiredness in the legs. Not a single niggle or ache or tightness. What a completely different story to the Three Peaks, after which I could barely climb the stairs for two days. Just a small group out tonight, but running out towards Askwith we were joined by MH (whom we'll call The Condor) who had finished the EduD in a classy 6.37, including a puncture. We were only joking at the end that we never seem to see each other out on the road locally. Indeed I can't ever remember seeing The Condor out before (we only seem to meet on events, having first got introduced on a trip to do the Etape du Tour 3 years ago), and, here, the very next day, he was! He joined us up Askwith Hill and round the loop to Low Snowden before carrying on to Otley and it was good to catch up properly and for me to be able to seek a bit of advice from someone with so much experience and pedigree! He had knocked big lumps off his best FW and EduD times, so it seems that everybody out there is getting fitter ... or perhaps just more confident of their ability?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
news just in ... Etape du Dales
Remember the tickertape reports on Grandstand on a Saturday teatime?
Well here is the latest from our chaps at "thee tap" as I hear it called round here.
Robin Holt 6:17:12
Melvin Hartley 6:37:43
Steven Barker 7:09:00
Richard 'Vicar' Burnham 7:33:24
Damien Hill 7:33:54
Detailed timings are up on the website here, but I'm looking forward to hearing the full hill-by-hill and blow-by-blow account in the Cat I'th' Well on Wednesday.
Ian
Well here is the latest from our chaps at "thee tap" as I hear it called round here.
Robin Holt 6:17:12
Melvin Hartley 6:37:43
Steven Barker 7:09:00
Richard 'Vicar' Burnham 7:33:24
Damien Hill 7:33:54
Detailed timings are up on the website here, but I'm looking forward to hearing the full hill-by-hill and blow-by-blow account in the Cat I'th' Well on Wednesday.
Ian
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