Cracking On

Sounds like your mechanical woes didn't spoil your day Pete - It was still a 'Gold' time. You did turn down my invitation to start with us - but in any case we didn't have a cassette remover with us either ! 
Yes. a stunning ride on a stunning day, with the early mists, sunshine and the lakes like glass. I made a point of taking it all in, at least till the 70 mile feed after which I seemed to look at Roger's rear wheel a lot !
It was a joy riding up Kirkstone Pass and around Grasmere, Langdale Valley, Blea Tarn. As usual Wrynose and Hardknott were getting choked with struggling cars but we had the the lanes after Eskdale to ourselves.
This second half of the ride had some really painfull climbs and my 39x27 was getting on top of me. (I'm still resisting a 'compact'). It also got a bit hairy on narrow, rough and gated roads- but slowing down wasn't an option.
We caught the Harrogate Nova duo who were riding well & Greg Ketteringham, who is usually one of the fastest, left his fading friend and joined us - but left us on Bigland Hill, no doubt chasing the days best time. We managed to come in just 5 mins. quicker.
The good weather did help make the day but its definately a ride I would do again.

Pottering On

Come on Robin, tell us how you performed 'Up the Butress', would have come over to cheer you on had I known about it earlier.

What a superb route for yesterdays sportive, 'The Cumbrian'. Anyone who was thinking that there were just Kirkstone, Wrynose  and Hardknott to worry about was in for a rude awakening. Mel was riding round with  former Halifax CTC man Roger Palfreeman, judging from the results they appeared to have a great day out finishing as the days fastest riders. Hopefully Mel will give us a full report.

My day didn't run quite so smoothly, breaking a spoke after about 5 miles I removed the offending piece of wire and slackened off the rear brake to stop it rubbing before setting off again. All was going well up Kirkstone but on turning left opposite the summit Pub disaster struck, unusually the spoke had snapped at the end of the butting and the inch and a half or so of remaining spoke had jammed between the cassette and hub preventing the cassette from freewheeling, there appeared little I could do without a cassette remover and chain whip so I had to pedal all the way down The Struggle to Ambleside with my brakes on so my legs could keep up to the pedals. My plan was to make it to the 1st check/feed station at the Youth Hostel after Grasmere, at the top of Red Bank, where I felt sure there would be some tools available - unfortunately the only bike tools available were 3 tyre levers, a search of the hostel eventually produced an alan  key and a pair of pliers which I used to dislodge the jammed spoke and bend over into the centre of the hub, away from the freewheel. After about 40 minutes I was away up Langdale now free from the self imposed pressure of doing a good time I resolved just to enjoy a beautiful sunny Sunday cycling up those iconic climbs and takeing in the scenery.  After Blea Tarn, Wrynose and Hardknott the route took us over Birker Fell into Dunnerdale and then over Far Kiln Bank to Broughton Mills and Subberthwaite Common before reaching the Lyth Valley and back to Milnthorpe. A superb route, equal to the Fred Whitton.

I'll be doing the buttress today. This year it takes in the steeper bottom bit, so we could end up on our arse.

http://singletrackworld.com/2012/09/up-the-buttress-prize-news/

Any other takers come along.

Ravensthorpe 120

Last Sunday

 I've copied the following from the Ravensthorpe CC's 'Thorper Blog' -
                                               
 'Firstly it was a time for reflection, todays ride in memory of the passing of a fellow cyclist Andy Ridsdale, and as the day went on it was evident how many riders had rode and knew Andy, and i”m sure his mother who waved us off must of felt joy and sadness in it all.      And so, on our now annual celebratory ride we welcomed fellow cyclists from around the district to join us in what is now known as the 120 ride.     We all met at the library which is the normal meeting spot for Ravensthorpe cc, but this time an hour early at 8am.   So with riders of a group around the 90 mark, we set off to Dewsbury and onwards for our first stop at Tadcaster.   it was nice to see the new members of Ravensthorpe  finding the tempo non to aggressive for what was their first time in a large group and can only bode well for the club as it tries to encourage and attract local cyclists to the club.   Once we got to Tykes cafe in taddy we all sat down for a coffee and a chat, for many this was to be the turning point for home, deciding to take the shorter ride leaving a now smaller group of the mid 40s to carry on for Sutton Bank.  The roads were nice and quiet as we headed onwards for Easingwold on the relatively flat roads , all the time everyone anticipating the first big climb up over the bank.  Pain and suffering for me as the cramp struck at the worst possible time as i hit the hill, got to say the cafe was a welcome sight and the need for food never more so, doesn”t get any cheaper does it!  The journey home in full sun made the trip worth it as the tempo cranked up hitting 30 mph for long stretches as we passed Borobridge for home .  I would like to thank on behalf of our club those who joined us today , wasn”t it great to see all different club shirts together?  A final word of thanks goes to Daz Whitely, Daz drove the full route [ wouldn”t you if you had a fancy lotus sports car?] taking pictures , thankfully not of me going up the big hill, hitting my thumb with a hammer i showed less pain on my face, Daz you a star and your good turn will never be forgotten . Got home with 130 on the clock with an average of 17 mph, bloody glad to get of the saddle , 130 mile on the flat left me with something a African baboon would be proud of, chamois cream ! next year its axle grease.'

There were 4 Condors at the start, Richard, Simon and myself loitered at Tadcaster cafe whilst Damian continued for the full route. We were joined at the cafe by Kev Brown who had his caravan parked near Selby so after an extended stop we made our way by the back roads to York then south via the Transpennine Trail to Selby and round Bishopwood to the cafe at Sherburn in Elmet for another tea break. We then said goodbye to Kev and rode home via Rothwell and Dewsbury. An easy day and a welcome change of scenery.

Along with Melvin I've entered The Cumbrian sportive next Sunday (although I'm not expecting to see much of him - perhaps a brief glimpse of his back wheel). When I saw the route I just couldn't resist - there's still time to enter so have a look at it, it should be memorable.

If the weathers not too bad I'm going to have a ride out to Blackpool next Wednesday to see the finish of stage 4 of the T.of B.  I suspect there may be a few other intending to do likewise so I'll post a meeting time & place later.

Cobbles & Sunshine

This might give Pete some ideas - but I 'm sure we wouldn't be welcome riding around the Piece Hall !

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/cyclocross/article/cyx20120904-cycle-cross-Cyclo-Cross-Pre-Season-Training---The-Yorkshire-Way--0

Sunday 2nd Sept and other bits

Happy birthday to Grimpy who today has achieved his three score years and ten - to make it a day to remember he gave everyone a hammering on yesterday evenings 'social ride' and them made us all eat and drink far too much in Shelf's Duke of York pub, not allowing us to go home till the wee small hours. Good luck this weekend John in the Veterans National Criterium Championships at Birmingham.

  

Richard took up my suggestion last Sunday and joined me for a tour of the North York Moors. Not a great weather forecast bu it stayed fine and dry for us all day with occasional bursts of sunshine. Having met at Sutton Bank we made our way to Helmsley via Rievaulx and then turned left for a circuit of Bransdale, I'd forgotten just how long and hard the road up to and away from Cockayne is. Next was over the lumpy roads to Farndale and up Blakey Bank onto the Ridge where we headed north past the Lion pub and then right and down to Rosedale where we had a cafe stop. I was glad I'd given the cake a miss as we were straight out of the cafe onto the Rosedale Chimney climb then the long steady descent back down to Ryedale.

I had planned an intricate tour of the lesser known back lanes once south of the A170 which took us through  hamlets that time had forgotten including Coulton, a small village who's old water powered corn mill had featured on the BBC's Restoration programme a few days earlier - as you can see above Richard managed to p******* outside the mill so we were treated to a chat with the owner . From there we made our way to White Horse Bank via Byland Abbey.  A great change of scenery for the day and we managed to finish a short time before the heavy rains came.

This Sunday Ravensthorpe CC are holding their annual 120 mile ride in memory of local rider Andrew Ridsdale who was sadly killed earlier this year whilst taking part in a time trial. The ride starts at 8am from outside the library in the centre of Mirfield. There should be a good turn out with several Condors already committed plus the Ritz Rebels giving their retro bikes an airing prior to the Eroica (Strade Bianche).

Ramblings

Good to see that the upper valley boys have started their preparation for the 2013 season, I hope to be out with you soon, lets hope that the Autumn weather is better than Summer. The poor weather doesn't appear to be affecting Brian - I haven't seen him for a few weeks but glancing at the CTT results page I see that he has returned 1hr 55min 50miles and a 54min 25mile times over the last couple of weeks - I'm sure he will try to explain to me why these are not good results when I do see him but the look pretty impressive to me.
I dipped a toe in the Sportive world for the 1st time for a few years last Sunday riding the Evens Cycles 'King of the Pennines' , a 101 mile route from Skipton.  I didn't expect there to be many riding this event due to the 'Ride with Brad' sportive from Barnoldswick taking place the same day so I was surprised to find over 500 cyclists signing on at Craven College where we were given breakfast  plus energy bars and gels for the jersey pockets.

I teamed up with an old mate who lives in Skipton, Rick Small, and we went for the 9am start to give ourselves plenty of people to chase.  Rick certainly wasn't short of miles in his legs having just ridden home from the Mediterranean coast with his and his wife's camping gear attached to his bike in 4 panniers. However it didn't stop him being worried that he may be short of speed for the impending 3 Peaks CX. 

The route took us down into Skipton then to Rylstone duck pond but via Stirton to avoid the by-pass roundabout. From Rylstone it was down to Eshton then up to Malham and climbed the left side of the Cove where a good number of riders were already experiencing difficulties - it was going to be a long hard day for some. Over Darnbrook to Arncliffe and up to Kettlewell for the 1st feed - Cake, flapjack, bananas, jellybabies plus gels and energybars and sportsdrinks for your bottles - rather impressive - I was obviously going to finish the ride heavier than when I started.  We then made our way up Langstrothdale and over Fleet Moss, I had been relieved to find that Rick and I were compatible up these climbs as I know that he can really push it climbing when he wants.  We turned right in Gayle then right and right again up to Countersett and Semerwater before taking a left down to Bainbridge.  The rain started at Akrigg but it wasn't cold so we soldiered on to the 2nd feed at Redmire village Hall. We loitered there for some time donning rain jackets when we set off again but taking them off again on the climb from Wensley over to Coverdale - still raining but too warm for the jackets. By the time we were on the climb to the top of Park Rash there were some big strong looking lads struggling but Rick and I, twiddling on our granny-rings were both feeling good and still catching up on the gossip. The descent of Park Rash was taken with care in the rain and after a brief stop at feed 3 at Kilnsey we headed via Grassington and Burnsall to the sting in the tail, the climb over Halton Moor to Embsey and back to the College for our 'goody bag' and meal. At £25 entry it was in fact good value for a great ride.

GET WELL SOON

Ian Wellock - Ian was run down by a motorist who 'didn't see him' (although another vehicle had already stopped in the other lane)  at Outlane roundabout a couple of weeks ago leaving him unconscious and with broken ribs and a broken coller which requred plating. I spoke to him yesterday and he sounds to have regained his usual self and is considering digging out his Turbo.
Clive Williamson - Clive has undergone surgery on his eyes and has invested in some hiking boots, he can be seen rambling over the Calderdale fells waiting for his sight to improve enough for him to return to his bike.

I must have caught the sportive bug 'cos I was going to enter the Rydale Rumble till I found out its been cancelled so I'm going to have a change of scenery anyway and do my own Rumble. I've got a 90 mile route planned this Sunday (26/8) from Sutton Bank car park including Blakey Bank, Rosedale Chimney and White Horse Bank (will shorten route if poor weather). I'm intending to leave Sutton Bank at 8am - if you fancy a day cycling in the North Yorks Moors let me know. 

Midweek Meanderings

A couple of weeks ago we took to the mountain bikes with Mr Holt for an impromptu Wednesday evening ride in the wild places about Hubberton Green on the top of the moor. Briefly, fleetingly, it was warm and dry, and clear and sunny. Shorts and shorts sleeves, carrying CamelBaks but leaving our woes behind.We worked our way along, exploring unfamiliar, untamed and overgrown bridleways and back down exciting new steep descents. So good we pulled our way back up Scout Road and found another packhorse path of well worn flags to rocket down. Just thought I'd mention it. You know it can be really good round here. Sometimes.

Then, just this past Sunday, we were honoured by the company of both Nigel and Richard for an extensive tour of the northern parish of punishment park, with no less than three crossings of the watershed from west to east and back, and back again - Isle of Skye, Meltham & Marsden to Diggle & Delph (Standedge Cutting perhaps, officially), then, regaining more familiar ground, Buckstones and back home. It started fine, we were well fed at the second cafe we tried in Uppermill, then set off for the major climbs with a bit of drizzle for company. Ah well, it was good to be out.

This week? Steve says he has a route. Something involving Bacup Road. I know, I know ...

Ian

Sunday 19th August

Apologies for the late post. Nige, Steve & myself have a ride tomorrow from Hebden Bridge at 9am (traffic lights on the main road - in the centre of town). Off toward Greenfield and Isle of Skye. 50 miles. Low and slow. With a cafe stop. All welcome - send me a text if you fancy it and we'll hang on for you. 079 66 713 158. Ian

Strava Segment

Sunday 5th August

If anyone fancy's a steady ride tomorrow I'm intending to do a route taking in Broughton, Winterburn, Thorpe, Burnsall cafe, back road to Cavendish, Otley and home in good time for the Pommel Horse Final.
8.30 Denholmegate - 9 Keighley.

Whats Happening

The Condor Road Club appears to have drifted into its usual mid-year slumber, even Brian's taking time off for cruising round the Norwegian Fjords, however he has still managed to take the bronze medal in the Vets National 30 mile TT Champs. Pete Smith is back racing following a virus, I hear Melvin was stirring the bunch up in a LVRC road race last Sunday although the race was stopped due to an accident involving one of the riders.  Damian's also been riding the odd  LVRC event and Simon was a regular in the bunches until crashing out on the last bend at Tameside a few weeks ago and breaking his hand - says thats it for the season now and once he gets the pot off he's going to have a potter round a few Audax's with me. I've ridden a couple of 200 k Audax's since I became able to don my cycling shoes again - The Manchester Loop from Denshaw which made its way over the Nick to Clitheroe then headed west over Winter Hill and Rivington ebfore looping round to Whaley Bridge and following a very interesting route back up to Denshaw.
Last Saturday I rode a 215K loop round Lincolnshire - sat down and on the big ring for 8hrs plus - give me a few hills anyday. Grimpy's not racing at the moment, concentrating on his preparation for the 3 Peaks he's spending a lot of time running up to Stoodley Pike with his 'cross bike on his back.

Here's a list of some not to be missed local events coming up soon.

Sunday 29th July - Good Companions 200k from Mytholmroyd Comm Centre 8am

Sunday 19th August - King of the Pennines Sportive - 100m from Skipton, taking in Malham Cove, Park Rash and Fleet Moss to name but a few - a must for any 3 Peaks aspirants.

Sunday 26th August - Tan Hill Audax, 200k

Saturday 8th September Daves Dales Tour 200k

Sunday 16th September - Tour of the Pennines Sportive. 

And then there were three

Congratulations to Melvin on another impressive sportive - or is it Nigel - or is it perhaps their long lost triplet Pierrick Fedrigo of France riding for FDJ-Big Mat and winning stage 15 in this year's Tour.

I can never tell those buggers apart!

Salad Days!

We've been pottering about recently at speeds far less than 19 mph. I think that tells you something about the superior performance which comes from riding hard all year rather than sitting about in cafes. Well done Melv and I hope to ride with you in the autumn after you've detrained a bit (or a lot).
This weekend saw Nige back on his bike with his mates for the first time in a long while being joined by Robin, Steve & myself. Climbing up from Lud Foot we enjoyed relatively dry trails all day despite the recent wet weather, taking in the rock garden near Studley Pike and a rocket back down to Callis Bridge.
We then took to a steep climb on a good track up through Winters Wood to Colden and, to put on a bit extra while waiting for our companion, dipped down Wragley and back up Lumb Bank to our cafe stop in Heptonstall. The butty was excellent - as always - with an unbeatable combination of solid teacake, smokey bacon & deliciously fresh egg that so many other places just can't match.  When Nige had slipped back his last words were "mine's a BSE" (bacon, sausage & egg), but we decided that he hadn't really earned all that and got him something much more appropriate as in the photo below.
Sadly he didn't ever reach the cafe, having been tempted back downhill to Hebden by a handy right turn and swept along the valley bottom as a flatter route home. Still, I hope that its the start of regular outings from now on and I'm looking forward to getting back out on the knobbly tires again soon.

Sunday July 1

A late post - Robin and myself fancied a Bowland ride tomorrow, over Tatham Fell or Bowland Knott - with sustenance at Slaidburn. We also thought an earlier start - 8 at Denholme or 8.30 Keighley.
As I write this the rain is hammering down so fingers crossed for the morning.

Brighouse Town Center Cycling

A few tit-bits

It was good to see Simon lining up on the front of the grid for the start of the supporting race at Otley yesterday evening, unfortunately he was brought down on a corner at the beginning of the 2nd lap and spent much of the rest of the race in a small chase group. Mick Collins stayed with the lead group until the last lap when he was delayed behind a crash which prevented him from contesting the sprint. I'm not sure just how much they enjoyed the evening but myself, Steve C and Mel thoroughly enjoyed spectating and I'm looking forward to the Brighouse Race next Tuesday.

I've been rather out of touch for the last month but I'm now back on the bike and managing to squeeze small bits of information out of our active riders. Well done to Melvin and Robin for their stellar performance in last Sundays White Rose. Grimpy travelled down to Henley-on-Thames to compete in the LVRC National Road Race Championships but missed the boat when a group of about 10 caught him napping and broke clear early in the race never to be seen again. His race was won by a man most of our members will remember, the 1976 British Professional Road Race Champion, Geoff Wiles who beat current Masters World Champion Mike Allen into 2nd place.   Brian had stayed closer to home taking 2nd place in the Tom Simpson Memorial Road Race at Harworth, being beaten by one of Wiles' old Professional team mates, Reg Smith.

Hope to see plenty of Condors down at Brighouse next Tuesday - I'm on duty in the pits backing up Simon - if you're able to help with the marshalling let the organisers know ASAP.

Richmond & White Rose Sportives

Despite the quiet blog (hope the foots doing OK Peter !), and the discouraging weather, there is some bike riding going on.
Jubilee week-end saw me at Richmond for the tough '5 Dales' 100 miler, however due to road repairs after Tan Hill on the Keld to Nateby section we 'enjoyed' The Buttertubs route over to Hawes instead (then Fleet Moss and Park Rash). This did cut the distance down to 86 miles but far from being easier it was just faster. The improving Mr. Doherty joined Roger Palfreeman and myself to get it 'cracked off' in efficient style, unfortunately the Harrogate Nova trio were a bit more efficient and came in 4 minutes quicker. We managed 4 hours 35 mins. 19 mph average.
Last Sunday was the White Rose Classic resurrected by Ilkley CC. It proved very popular with a full field of over 1000 riders over 3 distances. A change from the original 110 mile route missed Malham and took us to Settle and over Attermire to Airton. Then down Wharfedale but still with the sting of Langbar to finish us off. ( I remember one year Nige had so much power still left at Langbar that he bent his rear wheel !)
Sundays posse consisted Robin, Dwarty, 'Bin man Thompson' and myself. The early miles had a bit of niggling headwind and after being passed by the fast boys at Fleet Moss we knew we weren't going to be top of the table today.
As we left Hawes to start the drag to Garsdale Head Dwarty's rear tyre blew out with some style. He confessed to spotting a lump on it earlier and thinking this could be terminal Robin and myself adopted the Pete Horne strategy of 'pottering on' - in any case we could only manage a potter over the Coal Road and up Dentdale. We were moving better down Ribblesdale but not as well as the VS duo who caught us at the bottom of the climb up Attermire.     
It was a tough run in via Thorpe and Burnsall but by Langbar Dwarty's legs enjoyed a miraculous recovery which he used to distance us all as he struck out for the finish being chased by Robin and me but leaving his team mate. We may not have caught him but were helped by the appearance of a  timing point before Ilkley that Dwarty nearly missed.
We came in with 6 hours 39 mins. Top ten places but this time some 30 mins behind the fastest Harrogate Nova guys.
Its the Otley races tonight so I may see some familiar faces amongst the beers and bikes.

Riding tomorrow ... we'll be at Keighley roundabout at 9am ... some of the Heptonstall slackers have threatened to come along, and Steve

Skipton and back was a blast. The weather cleared by 7. The roads were heavy with the rain though, and we were picking our way lightly through traffic and roadworks most of the way out. Despite or because of this Damien (who has a loose relationship with cause and effect)  managed to get some quality time to himself off the front. Coming back and on another of his sortees into introspection initiated just before the main roundabout at Keighley bypass he was joined by two others who formed a handy break as the rest of us we were held up by slow lorries and then lights. VS were out en masse and enjoying soft pedalling (which they were very good at by the way, very cunningly disguising it as trying) whilst their break buddy pressed on. I was in two minds about whether to chase seeing as Damien was there, then decided to chase, having no idea whether he was actually still in the break, and wanting to feel that we had had a ride. We caught them up top of Ingrow, by which point I was well bushed, leaving VS to attack off the front in turns, whilst I got slower and slower in response. The elastic snapped for me on the last hill, and I left it to the others, with the young un losing to John by a cock length (Chris' description)

Skipton & back

Janice kindly sent on the results from the ride to Skipton & back and amongst the 30+ riders taking part we had a few claiming allegiance to the Condor:

NAME	TIME
ROBIN HOLT	1.22.06
DAMIEN HILL	1.23.09
JOHN GINLEY	1.27.12
BRIAN SUNTER	1.27.12
RICHARD BURNHAM	1.35.18
PAUL GOWER	1.49.22

Thanks to the Imps & Hx CTC for organising. Maybe we can have a more detailed post from someone who took part? I thought about it ... too much. The bit of rain at teatime was enough to put me off.

Chain Gang 1

Skipton & Back Challenge

Wednesday 6th June plays host to the 2012 Skipton & Back Challenge jointly organised by CTC Calderdale & Halifax Imperial Wheelers  32 miles in 2hrs or 2.5hrs    £3.00 to inc Supper

It's the same as in previous years - starting 7pm from Whitakers at Denholme Gate out to the roundabout turn point on the outskirts of Skipton and finishing at the Farm Shop at Keelham Bank.
Pie & Pea Supper afterwards at the Pineberry Public House, Mountain, Queensbury.
You need to sign on for the challenge prior to 7pm so allow yourself enough time to do this and also for those new to the challenge to familiarise yourselves with the route/turn & finish points.

You can complete an entry form document in advance which may speed things up if you can and bring with you on the night.  (Ian R may well have sent you all an email with it attached but if not contact Janice somehow)

 Hope to see you there

Allan's 70th - Party Photo & Bike Ride

                                         Allan & The Condor 'Youngsters' at Allan's 70th Bash

The start 'Garforth Railway Station' - just after 8am

 Monday 28th May, 2012

Allan wanted a challenge of completing a 70 mile bike ride on his 70th Birthday.  So having asked his son in law David to plan a route he set out from Garforth just after 8am along with 'Route Planner' David, daughter Janice and very good friend '82 years young' Dave Moore.

Well you couldn't have asked for better weather. Glorious sunshine all the way.

We set out towards Selby where we had a cafe stop - early into the ride but still a very welome bacon bap and nice pot of tea.
                                                                                        

One of the many quiet roads

Once suitably refreshed we carried on through peaceful lanes to Holme on Spalding Moor decorated with Union flags and Bunting to mark our half way point!!!  A slight de-tour  brought us to a Lakeside Cafe at Allerthorpe but it being a Monday 'closed'. So no longer was it two cafes and one pub. It was two pubs and one cafe. As the lunch stop became Sutton on Derwent. We then carried on through the lanes of Elvington, Wheldrake, onto Cawood, Ryther and a final refreshment stop at Church Fenton before the final 8 mile leg back to Garforth.

Final mileage was 74.2 miles with an average riding speed of 13.2.

A VERY BIG WELL DONE

The Finish 'Garforth Railway Station Car Park still smiling

CONDOR ROAD RACES saturday 26th May.

To All Condors, Halifax Imperial wheelers and friends who assisted, Thank You most appreaciated
The event was a success, i have just sent the results for first 10 in each race to the lvrc web site.
Perfect weather and great rides by Condors.
Melvyn was outstanding winning the C category and finished 2nd overall in race 2.
Robin who launch a major attack off the front of Race 1 paid for his effort to eventually finish 22nd. Damian looked fo find it tough early on but to his credit finished a creditable 25th in the same race.
Peter didn't look too well unfortunately i didn't have time to talk to him but my guess is he's still suffering from the bug which laid him up earlier in the month.
Sean who provided me with lots of data and assistance including the kind support from Ross was in the prizes finishing in 5th position in cat B race 1.
Again many thanks to everyone who supported the event.  
  

Big Phil on Top of the World

Hot off the press is news that earlier today Condors own 'Big Phil' Purdy has conquered Everest. Great news -be careful on the descent - with a bit of luck he will be spent for the rest of the year.

Well done to all the finishers in last Sundays Dales Etape' especially Mel who ended up in the top 20 from almost 1000 starters - it was especially good to see that Irish John had such a good ride after his long enforced lay-off - he's been missed on the early season training events . Fell runners and Condor members Graeme Brown (7.49.55) and Chris Sylge (8.38.40) also completed   the event and, having ridden with both of them I know they could have finished in a much quicker time had they wanted to - I agree with Mel that the two disciplines don't always gel well but once you have been involved its not really possible, voluntarily, to give either up (I see Rob Jebb was once again quickest in that sternest test of all, the Fred Whitton - what many will not know is that the previous day he had come 2nd in a British Championship Fell Race in Ireland).

Brian was 2nd overall and 1st in his age group in the LVRC Alford Road Race in Lincolnshire last Sunday and Grimpy was pleased with his 4th in the VC Sevale National Series RR near Worcester the same day. This Sunday Brian travels down to Bodelwyddan (hope he doesn't have to ask for directions) to ride the Veterans National 10mile Time Trial Championship.

Hope all goes well in the Condor Road Races at Norland tomorrow - wish I could be there to take some photos.

For those of us feeling driven into the wilds once in a while to do some real biking, see attached for some distraction. All of these 'stanzas' are along our trails somewhere, to be revealed by the slowly curious

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/audioslideshow/2012/may/24/stanza-stones-trail-simon-armitage-yorkshire

Etape du Dales

This event is rarely blessed with the best weather and with temperatures at the start well into single figures the prospect of riding over such bleak and exposed terrain wasn't inviting.
I had arranged to meet Robin, who replaced his other half at the sign-on, and we located running Graham from Heptonstall sporting his retro Molteni jersey. The VS representatives of Dougie and John Dwarty were also ready to go - John getting back after a long lay-off due to back trouble. Emma from Hebden Bridge also joined us so we had a decent grupetto, trying to get warmed up on the back road to Kettlewell.
Up Langstrothdale and a blue sky was appearing, so was the Harrogate Nova group who are usually some of the fastest round so we tagged along, riding that bit quicker than was good for us. Inevitably we let them go at Fleet Moss as our group was now scattered over the slopes.
We re-grouped after a lengthy stop at Hawes but as we started on Buttertubs Pass things started to fragment again so in true selfish style I pushed on, the desire to post a decent time overtaking my responsibility to our group !
By now the sky was blue, the wind light and favourable and all was well with the world as I solo'd over Tan Hill which I don't remember ever being as pleasant. Things were not so good with Dwarty who had a puncture, thankfully just after the Buttertubs descent - but he had Robin for company.
This was a rare occasion that, despite still being bloody hard, it was a pleasure to see the stunning views on the road over to Nateby and from the Coal Road.
I rode on my own till Stainforth when I joined forces with a Harrogate Nova guy to share the work over to Halton Gill down Littondale and  for the last gasp to the finish.
With such good conditions it was my best ever time. Robin and Dwarty were not long coming in, uncannily with the same time to the second ! - well inside Gold time, Dougie also gold just seconds inside 7 hours. Emma, unfortunately, was just 17 seconds the wrong side of 7 hours !
Graham discovered what Pete H has known for a while, competitive running and cycling often don't mix - he came in a while later, but not sure of his surname I haven't got his time - which he may thank me for !

Mel:6 hours 26 mins.   Robin & John; 6hrs 46mins (photo).  Doug: 6 hrs 59 mins. Emma: 7 hours. 

Wednesday Wandering

Thanks to Pete for the 'foot-note' in the post below. I hear from Robin that a grand day out was had in the dales and hopefully we will have a first hand account on the Blog before long.

Meanwhile, giddy with excitement at this sudden turn of good weather I propose to potter round the full summer loop this Wednesday 23rd starting 7pm on the canal bridge in Luddenden Foot.

Etape du dales tomorrow ... a congregation/parliament/murder/concatenation/neap (collective noun?) of condors setting off at 8am from rugby club at grassington and up into a north easterly, evidently we might just reach double digit temperatures by mid-day, so bring the sun bloc as an ironic gesture.

In an idle moment watch this film ... aaahhhhhhh, the halcyon days of yesteryear when cycling was 'in the water' of the place:

http://film.britishcouncil.org/we-of-the-west-riding

Enjoyed the film Robin, we'll have to try the communal singing on the next club run - good luck to you and Mel, and any other Condors who my be there in tomorrows Etape', won't be there myself as over in the Wolds and Howardian Hills again, riding the East Riding 200 Audax and I know that Brian is road racing south of the Humber and Grimpy's travelling down to Malvern for the latest round of the Percy Stallard National Series. I'm sure he wouldn't admit it but Brian appears to be finding his form with a 56min ride in the Drig. 25 last weekend handing out a beating to such youngsters as VS's Andy Marshall  (should never have left the Condor) and Danial Shaw of the Imps - not bad for someone who enters the last year of his 7th decade next week!   Grimpy has been busy travelling the country recently taking a 3rd behind World Masters Champion, Mike Allen, at Chester last week and a 1st at Worcester a few weeks earlier. Pete Smith is back in the bunch but still recovering from a nasty bug and Simon, who's road racing down in Lichfield today, has started adding points to his recently acquired 3rd cat. licence.  We had 3 riders in round 2 of the Summer 'Cross series at Todmorden last Weds evening with Adrian Lord just edging out Richard with Steve Cavell not far behind. The race was won by Crosstrax's Neil Crampton with former mate from Monday evening mountain bike rides, Chris Taylor, now riding for Pedalsport, an excellent 2nd.  I'm going to be missing for a few weeks from Thursday - surgery on the foot - I've been told by the Doc. I'll be out of action for about 6 weeks but I'm hoping it won't take that long - unfortunately I'll be missing next Sat's Condor RR so good luck to all our riders especially Damian who's returning to the bunch for the first time for several years.            PeteH