Three go to Burnsall

Only three out for today's club run, in fact it was nearly only two; having left home a few minutes later than usual and a blustery wind slowing my progress to Denholmegate I was approaching our 9 o'clock meeting spot when I found Damien sneaking off back home. Fair play though he did look ashamed of himself and without a word turned around to face the battering winds and heavy rain to join me for our Sabbath saunter. It was no surprise to find Chris waiting in lone splendor at the Skipton Road roundabout, freshly greased wheel hubs and a smile upon his face. The forecast of showers with sunny intervals was erring more towards the showers so we decided not to be too ambitious and set our compasses for the Riverside Cafe at Burnsall and the finest bacon and egg butties in the whole world.
The rain was easing as we rode north from Keighley, we turned left at Vietnam Bridge to chance the back lanes to Gargrave, the Aire north of Carleton was just inches below breaking its banks but gave us a dry run up to Broughton and over to Gargrave.  We then put a loop in around Winterburn enjoying a tail wind through the quiet back lanes to Hetton and on to Cracoe and that most wonderful of Dales lanes through Thorpe and onto Burnsall.

Refreshed, we enjoyed a helping wind down through Appletreewick and Storiths Lane to the Cavendish. The sun was now shining, as we approached Beamsley Chris confessed that he had never been to Langbar so we did the decent thing and took him up there, it felt a lot easier than it does at the end of the White Rose Classic!
On then through Otley, up the Chevin and down through Esholt before hitting the busy Shipley to Ilkley main road where the traffic was at a standstill due to a horse in he middle of the road doing an impression of a bucking bronco, a terrified rider unable to control her steed. Fortunately our fearless farrier was at hand to spring from his own (two wheeled) steed and rescue the damsel in distress by grabbing the halter and leading the anxious equine away to a quiet side lane.
Our perfect day was rounded off by a potter up to Thornton and the Great Northern Trail to Queensbury. Hope Chris negotiated Todmorden safely!

CTC Calderale 86th Presentation Dinner

Wednesday Ride Report

With heavy rain forecast the Wednesday ride was down to eight, myself, Hoppy, JK, Peeps, Martin, Mike, PG and Grimpy. Mike announced that he was going to Newmillardam whether anyone else was or not; so we went with him, on the Greenways to Ossett then down to Horbury Bridge and Crigglestone where the predicted rain started.

We took a long leisurely lunch watching the rain bouncing down outside. It eventually bated just before         1 o'clock when Grimpy led a charge for the quickest route home, the main roads round Pugneys. As the day appeared to be brightening up I decided it would be a shame to rush home so I said my goodbye's and pottered round the back roads through Notton, High Hoyland, Upper Denby, Farnley Tyas and Castle Hill.

NOTES -

If you're intending to ride the Ronde van Calderdale get your entry in now - only a few spaces left.

Sunday 9th Feb -  9am Denholmgate, 9.30 Keighley, club run - suggest a ride over Waddington area.

Sunday's ride : Silverdale

Looking like an 80s indie band mistakenly diverted onto a cycle outing (fronted by Oakworth Steve aka Mr Kool Glasses), here is a snap of the happy group taken at the top of Silverdale.

Whilst Grimpy was pursuing a misspent youth watching YouTube (see previous blog) the rest of us were busy preparing for the North West Passage (less than 2 weeks to go) by following our traditional warm-up route round Silverdale.

And what a great days ride it was, with temperatures soaring up to 6 degrees and a fresh south westerly breeze we (thats Nige, Ian, Damien, Chris, Steve and myself) decided to attack Silverdale from the Stainforth end.  Occasionally a plan works and today was one of those rare occasions, for not only did we enjoy a helping breeze over Silverdale but to my surprise the wind also blew us down Littondale with Nigel and Damien making the most of the fast conditions establishing a gap on the descent down to Halton Gill and consolidating their advantage down the dale to Arncliffe where someone, who asked to remain nameless made the lighthearted observation that although Nige takes a larger waist fitting he shares his jeans (sic) with Mel.
Nigel waited for us at Arncliffe but Damien was now on a mission to get to Cracoe Cafe as soon as possible and rode off alone to take the direct route whilst the rest of us had a potter round Grass Woods, Grassington and Linton (looking at todays Strava ascents for the Grass Woods climb there's a Simon Fortune on the board - could this be the same Simon Fortune, also affectionately known as 'Single Simon' who once upon a time rode with us - and who was supposed to be coming out with us today?).
After a long, long, rest at Cracoe Cafe we headed straight home via Skipton and Keighley with Chris doing a magnificent job, resisting his natural urges and setting a comfortable pace for us up the Ingrow climb.
More of the same next week!

Whilst we have been enjoying the mildest winter in Yorkshire for many years Paul Daly has been having to endure day after day of  hot, sunny weather out in New Zealand.  The above photo shows Paul flying the Condor colours at the end of last weekends 90mile Taranaki Challenge where he finished as 1st vet60. Oh-dear, I was hoping he would be taking it easy and come back a couple of stones overweight.

BUCKSTONES FLANDERS -CONDOR ROAD RACE saturday 17th MAY 2014

I was hoping to make the sunday run this week, but did a shorter ride so i could be back to see the battle between Svn & Stybar in the Elite Cyclo Cross world champs.
The speed and skill plus the quality of live streaming, remember when it used to freeze and if you switched to full screen it was all hasy now its better than live TV. On the main point of my blog.  
Ive been asked on a number of occasions to describe the course for our new challenging road race.
Hopefully the following details will clarify the route.

Complete 8.25 mile circuit is highlighted in red on map below 

The section through scammonden reservoir including the concrete wall climb is shown in more detail below. 

The circuit finish is approximately 300metres along lower scammonden road reached after exiting the climb through the yorkshire water top gate.

Complete circuit description:
Start on lower scammonden road, riders will then turn left on short road to the tee junction with saddleworth road (B6114), left with care for approx. 3 miles to buckstone moss tee junction. Turn left with care onto new hey road (A640) continuing for approx. 3 miles to turn sharp left down hey lane proceeding to cross junction with pinfold lane to turn under motorway and then left onto YW service road. Through YW access gate (open for event)
along unsurfaced track (keeping on LHS) to meet intersect with concrete embankment up steep concrete climb (scammonden wall 100m long @ 20%+)  to exit YW gate (again open for event) and turn right onto lower scammonden road to finish. 
1 lap = 8.25 miles 
event 1 start time 10.00 (5 laps)  A,B groups O40's
event 2 start time 10.03 (5 laps)  C,D groups O50's 
event 3 start time 10.05 (4 laps)  E,F,G groups O60's

Event headquarters: Greetland community & sports centre HX4 8JG (as norland circuit) 
I have applied for max of 40 riders in each event (total 120)
Again for a successful event we need your kind support and assistance. so please keep Saturday 17th may free to help. I envisaged we will need a similar number of marshal's and support staff as on the norland circuit.
My first volunteer requirement is for signing on? I will be back with more details closer to the event. I am hoping that not only will the event give a sporting challenge but will also provide lots of entertainment. Please spread the word so we get a good field.
To enter riders must join the LVRC (fee £20) which gives access to 250+ events in the UK.plus event fee £11.00. enters open 8 weeks prior to the event using the rider hq web site. Full details will be found in the LVRC web site found by googling LVRC.
Meanwhile as last season we need your support for the halifax imps RR,so they can as usual reciprocate and assist us on May 17th. This year's imps event uses the norland circuit and is on saturday morning April 26th. In the absence of Sean Smith, the event is being run by Martin Gargett. 

Cheers Grimpy   

Sunday 2 Feb - road to anywhere?

The forecast looking alright for Sunday - if not sunny then at least dry with a fair southwesterly breeze.

So 9am Denholme and 9:30 Keighley could be good and then off wherever the fancy takes us (slowly, in my case, and with an early cafe stop, please). From last week's report is seems that the lie in wasn't a bad idea ... except that now my so-called 'training' is even further behind the real athletes. Ah well, we can always form A & B groups and send the fast lads off to do a couple of extra hills.

2013 Club Champions

Brian took the time trial trophy for the 30th time since 1975. During the year he broke the National  over 70's time trial record for ten miles, took the silver medal in the Vets national 30 mile championship and the gold medal in the vets national 50 by an astonishing 4 minutes on age standard.

John snatched the 2013 Road Race Trophy, he won the 2013 LVRC National Criterion Championship whilst Brian won the National Road Race Champs (with Grimpy 2nd and Peeps 5th).  The deciding factor was John's magnificent overall victory in the season long Percy Stallard National Series.
On the CycloX front John is the current age related National Champion in both the British Cycling and LVRC versions of the event and was silver medalist in the UCI World Championships held at Loisville, USA

There were two outstanding qualifiers for the Audax/Sportive trophy, Simon Fortune and 'Padiham' Chris Smith.   In 2013 Simon became the first Condor to complete the classic 1400km London - Edinburgh - London, he also completed a 200/300/400/600 series, and in a normal year would have taken this trophy with ease.  However with Chris now on the scene the bar has been lifted, a glance at the Audax web site revealed that Chris had logged 13,134 Audax kilometres (which included just short of 300,000 feet of climbing) and this doesn't include sportive s such as the Fred Whitton and the Mill & Hills. 

Sunday 26th January

Water, Water Everywhere!

Todays Riders

• Melvin
• Chris
• Irish John (VS Cycles)
• Dougie (VS Cycles)
• Adrian (British Cycling Disabled Team)
  

With grim, cold, wet weather from the outset this morning, it was swiftly decided that a quick bash up to Burnsall Cafe would be a sensible choice of route.

It was head down, ass up as we were buffeted by blustery squally showers. A fast ( ish ) pace was essential to avoid the ill effects of the cold setting in on Lycra clad bones.

Typical winter training. Clinging on to the wheel in-front whilst avoiding rain filled pot holes. Sleety snow started as we approached Cracoe with Minus 1 degree C registering on Johns Garmin. A hind puncture was the only thing to slow Melvin, which was efficiently attended to, as the rest of us shivered pathetically, and we were soon again rolling along.

A warm welcome at the Cafe was appreciated with great hospitality as usual. Once refueled and thawed, we hoped the weather would fair a little. It didn't!

Pressing on regardless past Bolton Abbey we enjoyed our first glimmer of sunshine  Splitting at Addingham, Keighley and Ingrow we made our separate ways home, to enjoy the satisfying post-ride feeling which is only obtainable by getting out there and turning a crank.

"  Winter Training rides, Win Summer Races "  APPARENTLY!

   Chris Smith

Sunday 26 Jan

I know that many of you are keen to get out, even when tomorrow is predicted to be 'slightly damp'.

In the absence of a better suggestion, shall we say 9am Denholme, 9:30 Keighley and take it from there.

It's the club dinner tonight, and so possible that some people might prefer a lie-in tomorrow ...

Sunday 19th January - Ride Report

Condor Provides a "Fearsome Visage"

Today's Riders

• Ian
• Damian
• Nigel
• Richard
• Chris
• Neil ( IMPS )

A sensible and well disciplined ride today. The poor start in the weather didn't put off the keenest of Calderdales cyclists, with a large number of groups assembling at Keighley Roundabout.
We thought it would be useful to check that Ye Olde Naked Man was still open and fully operational, as this is a control point for The North West Passage ride, held in a few weeks time.
After being kindly towed on main roads out of Keighley we threw a left to Cononley via Vietnam Bridge. Back lanes gave a safe route filled with wildlife to Gargrave. Airton flashed by with the whizzing of wheels. The road over Attamire was strewn with occupying Highland cattle, with horns to skewer an unsuspecting cyclist given the opportunity.
Damian was keen to achieve KOM status, so of course I had to give a little challenge in the name of sportsmanship. Neil was off the back here for a short while as the dreaded BONK set in for him. Im sure he'll be back to normal fitness given a few more 'Training Rides'.
Limestone showed its rugged beauty as we had a technical decent past Scalebor to Settles market place. Of course Ye Olde Naked Man, dating back to 1663 has had plenty of years to perfect bacon butties and beans on toast.
We briefly refueled and chose flatish back roads via Rathmell and Wigglesworth to rejoin the main road to turn up to Bank Newton, which this time last week resembled a glacier. We churned our way up past Acecroft Holsteins (excuse the pun) towards Parrot Brow.
A speedy pace kept up as we approached Keighley with all riders climbing Ingrow ( even Ian who had showed true training grit, to pass his 4x4 to prove to himself he still had enough left in his legs ).
Here we split to ride home in the bright winter afternoons sunshine. Thanks for a great ride guys!

       Chris Smith

Sunday 19 Jan - We Settled for Settle

Chris has volunteered a detailed report - to follow later.

A rare action shot of the Condors taken 'in flight' on the way back toward Carleton. Photos were also taken in the cafe at Settle and may be added later (assuming anyone wants to see yet more shots of some lycra-clad blokes enjoying mid-ride refreshments). Richard had just put in a good turn on the front but, from his expression here, perhaps he wasn't appreciating our comments about this rare event needing a commemorative picture?

BC National Cross Champs

Anyway i gave PG instructions on my iPhone to take pics but somehow he managed to take 6 of the guy who was second in my cat but none of me?? 

                                        Eventually i manage to get an official BC Podium pic

For the record i won the  O70’s cat (not to difficult only 2 finishers- mick ives was ill- PG said he didn’t start because coach PG was present?) as a saving grace i would have been 2nd in O65’s.
Still aching never had so much off the bike to contend with ideally you should have change bike each 1/2 lap. Trainer PG really struggled as they wouldn’t give him any pit water, 
Funny really because one lap i came in to find he disappeared, turns out he was on other side of pit still trying to clear the mud. 

                                                   Grimpy actually riding 

Ian Taylor and Andy Peace were in there element in the O40’s race. Craig just seems to float on mud, wins vets then comes third in elite race
still he’s only 44?

Can't wait for a sunday soon in hell, meanwhile i'm having a detrain with Maureen - see you soon  

Slide into the Dales

The sub-zero temperatures scuppered the original plans for Sunday. My intention was to start with the Ilkley CC lads at 8.30 for Halton Gill and then join the Condors at Feizor but with minus 4 and a freezing mist hanging in the Wharfe Valley they changed plans and after a circuit around Skipton with them I met the 7 Condor stalwarts at Uttley. Pete Smith, Pete H., Ian, Nige, Damian, Steve and Chris.
It was decided that, dismally, the main roads would be the safest policy but after Gargrave we were lured onto the quiet lanes to Bell Busk where we found our first ice flow - dumping Pete Smith from his lofty perch painfully onto the ground. Nursing a sore hip Pete decided to limp homewards and after Ian and Chris had also been horizontal we were all very twitchy and reduced to walking at the first sign of any shiny bits.
This slow progress resulted in us being thoroughly nithered by Hellifield and so we headed for a warming at the railway Station Cafe there.
After tea, butties and talk of railway things we lined out and headed down the main road to Gisburn and through Barnoldswick, Foulridge and the back lane to Laneshaw Bridge. Despite the temperature rising to a balmy 1 degree we played it safe and avoided the Herders instead taking the main road over the Moss where Pete H installed himself on the front in order, I suspect, to keep Padiham Chris off it.
I turned at Steeton to return over the Cringles after a steady and sensible ride - even Damian was holding back, perhaps tempered by his ride with the chain gang to Buckden the day before - unless it all kicked off after I left them ?!

Next Sunday - another attempt at Feizor perhaps ?

Today's Vets Ride and next Sunday 12th Jan

A very reasonable turn out of 12 for the first of the new years Wednesday Vets Rides. It was a slight variation of the Bolton Bridge cafe circuit in that Mike Beecham took us up through Allerton and down to Sandy Lane and Cottingley to avoid Manningham before joining our usual route through Esholt and Otley. All present; Paul G, Paul P, JK, the Stanger Brothers, Mike B, Everard, Brian, Grimpy, Hoppy, PC Chris and myself appear to have survived the festive season in reasonable shape (although most would deny this) and it was Grimpy, fresh from recent success at the LVRC National 'Cross Champs and International duties in Switzerland last Saturday who took the honors on the Ingrow climb but there will be many more battles before the year is over. Good luck to John in next Saturdays BC 'Cross Champs at Derby.

Sunday 12th January

Thanks to Richard and his i-phone for the above pic. taken at Hebden cafe last Sunday, I was eventually served with that mammoth bacon & sausage sandwich when everyone else had finished their lunches, I had no time to chew it, it had to be swallowed whole.

Next Sunday its again 9am Denholmgate, 9.30 Keighley roundabout - perhaps Feizor? - gives us options of main roads or back lanes depending on weather conditions.

Grimpy's Cross News ?

Just done only my 3rd & 4th cross's of the season
Third Event 
December 29th LVRC Nat Champs

Sorry about the quality of pic, gave my iPhone to another non technical winner? I'm flanked by the Jewson duo Mick Ives and Graham Clements struggling to get my jersey on. If i recall correctly i was 25th in the overall the winner was Darren Atkins who is presently leading the BC nat trophy series. For you old sods like me you will remember his Father the great John Atkins. Superb course at Moreton Morbury, fantastic decent but due to my condition lots of heavy breathing.

Fourth Event 
World Masters UCI champs 4th Jan 2014- Venue Gossau in Switzerland (about 20km from Zurich) 
An eventful trip.
I made the decision to go a few days before the event dreaming i had the condition? 
Took the north sea ferry and drove down to Mulhouse in France close to the
swiss border for my overnight stay leaving me with about 100mile trip to the venue. 
Arrived via sat nav.(how did we mange without it), in reasonable shape considering the long drive on Saturday morning about 3 hours before the event start time at 13.00. Signed on to the 65 + championship event with no over 70's cat. The last time i road in the over 65's i was 5th but that was 3 years ago? Still because i was an ex world champ i was on the front row of the grid. So with ego built up the gun fired and we were away. Off road into the glue and down the first decent, Vic Barnet (2013 over 65's world Champ) falls but i stay on and go through the pits in 5th place. But already my bike is clogging up due to the conditions (5C in the swiss alps in January) we need some snow. Reality jumps in I've no support just a spare bike which i dropped in the pits, i did ask Mick Ives if Jewson team support could assist. ' Best you take yourself so you remember where it is'? Still you can float when you are in the grove and have the condition?
Gradually i am past by a few riders and am going backwards quick. So its into the pits and onto my spare bike. Fatigue easer's and i start to move with less pain. The welcome bell sounds but the spare bike weighs more than PG's machine and its getting clogged up. I pass the pits and my girl friday (lovely young girl whom I've never met) shouts I've jet cleaned your bike i smile saying dreams do come true?
Away on the light machine and up goes the speed and my moral, i catch one guy with a stars and strips jersey and see another ahead who i thought i caught on the line. But computer result shows same time and behind him still i was only sprinting for 8th. So sorry guys best i could do was 9th? still they were all younger than me? Well it makes me feel better. Also if you are going to win you have to race and train in your specific event. So next year i'm resolving to get in better shape? Its the long drive back -still i found a new friend but don't tell maureen.
Finally i see i will be able to get an hammering on the road soon on the sunday (training) runs, but before that it's the BC national champs in Derby this Saturday.
Cheers Grimpy   



     



     

KETTLEWELL 5th Jan 2014

There was a time when the first Sunday run of the new year, billed as a "training run", heralded the start of longer and harder rides to build fitness after a social season.Unfortunately for some of us,in this era of all year round Audaxi and sportives, a high level of fitness has been maintained by many members for whom a jaunt to upper Wharfedale presents no challenge whatsoever.

                                                                                                   
Half a dozen Condors, mainly from the above group, left Keighley accompanied by a similar number of Paul Milnes Cycles chaps at a fair gallop with Damian and Padiham Chris pulling on the front, my computer reading numbers starting with a 2 most of the time! A more sedate pace ensued after Skipton when Pete Horne took a turn, although from my position hiding near the back we could see that some condors were eager to push on, overlapping and bunching up behind Pete and impeding passing traffic. It didn't go unnoticed by others in the group who were shouting for a more disciplined peleton. Perhaps some of us need lessons in "club"riding?                                                                                                                  
The cafe being shut in Kettlewell we thundered through and took the back road to Conistone at just about maximum safe speed for a winding, greasy, twig and branch strewn country lane, to arrive at the Old school house in Hebden, and still only 10 past 11!

                                                                                             
              Breakfast allowed a chance for some stragglers to catch up including our own Richard (the vicar) who had lost contact coming out of Skipton. Peter decided that porcine based products were the best fuel for the return journey and promptly ordered a sausage and bacon butty, not helped by the power cut shortly after our arrival, this monster of a sarny eventually arrived as some people were paying and donning helmets!
Poor Pete didn't even have time (or room) for flapjack or some other delaying frivolity.                                                
           Appletreewick and the back road to the cavendish were cracked off in ever decreasing numbers of riders after breakfast and Addingham Moorside selected as the route back to the Aire valley. I knew at some point my legs would start complaining and they duly obliged on the start of this climb, Melv, Damian and others jousting for the summit as me, Pete and Oakworth Steve brought up the rear.On cresting the hill I was suprised to see that they had waited for us and we descended to Silsden where we picked up Richard who had gone over cringles.

            Damian, who had been having his own forays off the front all day in the style of a scout sent ahead to see if the way is clear, finally disappeared into the distance before Keighley and we were left in the company of the Pennine cycles group for a sensible climb of Ingrow. I really could have done without that strengthening southerly wind and accompanying rain as I battled over Fly Flatts to home.

Early Season Events

A few dates you may wish to enter in your diary.

Saturday 15th February  The North West Passage 200k Audax, 2014's first 'Monument', the oldest Audax on the calender and supported by the Condor since the 70's.

Sunday 23rd February  Halifax Imps Reliability Ride, same route as last year, a bit hilly with 'Le Tour in Yorkshire' run-in.

Saturday 8th March  Yorkshire Gallop 200k Audax, a circuit of the Vale of York Racecourses.

Sunday 16th March  Ronde van Calderdale Recce'  A look at the cobbles to come on the 6th of April. Meeting at Brighouse 9am, joining the official route at the top of Rastrick  and missing out the Fly Flat and Cock Hill sections.

Sunday 23rd March  Todmorden Loops 100k Audax. One for the hardriders, catering 2nd to none, enter on-line via the Audax UK website  http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-995/

Sunday 30th March  Wheelbase Spring Classic. Excellent and popular sportive route from Staveley, a reasonable entry fee and good feed station.

Sunday 6th April  Ronde van Calderdale - need I say more - a classic sportive on our doorstep promoted by our friends from Kirklees Cycling Academy and 3RT. You can relax for the rest of the year after finishing this. Enter on-line  https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/102030/Ronde-Van-Calderdale-2014

Sunday 13th April  Spring into the Dales, 110k Audax. A perpetual favorite brought to us by CTC Calderdale, enter here http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-162/  Who will have the honor of breaking the skin on the rice pudding?

Saturday 26th April  Imps LVRC road race. Condor will be helping with marshaling so if you're not riding the race your assistance is required.

Sunday 27th April  Red Rose 200k Audax. Another CTC Calderdale day out with lunch at Glasson Dock, http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-99/

New Years Day Ride Report and Sunday 5th Jan

It was great to see so many keen cyclists at the start today and although the weather was a little inclement at times enthusiasm was not dampened as we made our way to the iconic 'Sids Cafe' at Holmfirth.

Pinkie and Mick Collins did a good hard stint at the front through Huddersfield until our prayers were eventually answered just out of Honley when Pinkie punctured.

After a good breakfast stop we set off in the rain on the Isle of Skye road in moderate temperatures with a buffeting cross tail wind, the main problem being keeping the bike on the road in the strong gusts.

However we were sheltered in the valley from Greenfield to Denshaw before turning right over Buckstones and down to the Works in Sowerby Bridge where Mr Gower was collecting 2014 subs (Still only £6 - payment requested as soon as possible).

SUNDAY 5th Jan
Meet Denholmegate 9am or Keighley 9.30 for Wharfedale. Note that the cafe at Kettlewell is closed so we will have to decide cafe on the day depending on the weather.

Annual Dinner, Prize Presentation and Disco

CONDOR ROAD CLUB

64th ANNUAL DINNER, PRIZE PRESENTATION & DISCO

TO BE HELD AT – BAILIFFE BRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTRE

Victoria Road, Bailiffe Bridge, Brighouse, HD6 4DX

SATURDAY 25th JANUARY 2014

Meet at 6.30 for 7.00pm

MENU

STARTERS

Winter vegetable soup

Creamy garlic mushrooms

Homemade salmon fish cakes

MAINS

Traditional roast beef and Yorkshire pudding

Slow roast ‘Lamb Henry’ with minted gravy

Individual fish pie

(V) Vegetarian option

PUDDINGS

Rhubarb crumble and custard

Chocolate torte & ice cream

Cheese & biscuits

Coffee & mints

COST : £ 23.00 per person   (complimentary wine included)

Please contact Paul Gower with numbers and choices by 11th January 2014 - Latest

Thank you

Paul Gower: 01422 201533

y  

Sunday 29th

Despite my best efforts to confuse everyone (including myself) several Condors did make it to Airton Cafe today. We went via The Duckpond and Winterburn getting to the cafe at about 11o'clock and just beating the rush.

Ian was keen to take an easy route back to Halifax where we had an appointment with Neil and a barrel of beer. This easy route included the Cononley B'stard and up past Aberdeen Farm to Cold Edge Road, I was relieved he hadn't fancied a challenging route. I'd like to say that, with training not officially starting till next Sunday we rode together in a disciplined ' season of goodwill ' manner but this was not to be with Ian putting in a stinging attack on the A59, Nigel clipping off the front after Carleton, getting Damian and Chris all excited, then Damian & Chris making all-out attacks on the B'stard and again up Cold Edge. Although it's not really the 'done thing' to award KOM points for Christmas week club runs I've been asked to mention that Damian got the better of Chris on both these 'hors categorie' ascents - in fact there was only Steve Thewlis and me who rode sensibly.

It was then down to Highroad Well for  a well earned pie & peas and a pint courtesy of Neil and his missus, thanks again for your hospitality.

Sunday 29th and New Years Day

Sunday 29th - meet Denholmgate 9am or Keighley 9.30am for cafe ride (Airton?) and back to Halifax for a pint with Neil.

New Years Day - meet 10am Brighouse (bottom Hudds Road) for cafe stop at Holmfirth then Isle of Skye and back through Saddleworth and over to Sowerby Bridge.


Note - Sunday 9.30 Kly (not as originally blogged)

Ride Report - Rileys Treat

Just four of us out for the Sunday ride, Melvin, Ian, Nigel and myself. We were resolved to have an easy ride prior to calling in at the umpteenth Rileys Treat at Pecket Well. It was good to see the Hartley's together at the front although I'm worried that Nigel is coming into top form far too quickly ( I'm hoping that he doesn't get much faster). 

We turned left from the Skipton Road at Vietnam Bridge to take the back roads through to Broughton and Elslack, then over Carleton Moor and down to Cowling before enjoying a strong tail wind up past Lunds Tower. The cafe stop at Haworth was achieved via Slippery Ford, Oakworth and Tim Lane, sounds hard work but the hardest climbs were wind assisted and a very fair all day breakfast (and exceptionally well priced) at the bakery half way down Haworth main street made the effort worthwhile.

We then went round the back of Penistone Hill and down to Oxenhope with Mel setting just the right pace into the wind over Cock Hill and down to the Robin Hood.  There was a good turn out at Rileys Treat where we were joined for a Christmas drink by the West Pennine RC, Halifax Imps, VS Cycles & Batley CC plus many  more Condors.
Thanks to Dom Turner for the photos - send me the others and I'll add them to the blog.

Merry Christmas to  smithsinsydney hope its not too hot out there and to the Daly's in New Zealand, you can keep tabs on Paul at http://www.strava.com/athletes/3146530

Christmas greetings from Oz

To all our friends in the Condor:

And to keep up with our news: smithsinsydney blog

Cragg Vale Spiral

Thanks to Jonathon Emberton for todays Cragg Vale Spiral, its true to say that I would never have considered riding the route had not Jonathon organised this challenge event. When I took the dog out last night it was raining hard and blowing a gale and I was certainly in two minds as to whether to set my alarm but I did and I was glad I did.

Not a bad turn out from the Condor with Steve Thewlis, Chris Smith, Garry Traviss and Old Town Stewart joining me outside the Robin Hood at 9am together with Hoppy from the Imps and VS's Dom Turner plus an array of cyclists, young and not so young on various steeds ranging from road racing machines to mountain bikes.
On the 1st ascent, into a head wind, I was soon in oxygen depth and before the barking dogs junction had lost contact with the front runners who were being towed, inevitably, by our own Padiham Chris. Stewart was going very well for a big lad who doesn't get out much and although Hoppy had been telling me he was feeling really rough, before long they both gapped me. I looked round and was surprised to see we had already lost Garry and Steve. I dug in and re-contacted Stewart and Hoppy and we worked together picking up several remnants discarded from Moto 1. It wasn't easy, the higher up we climbed the stronger the buffeting head wind was.
At the top the leading bunch kindly turned round and came back to us so we could complete the lap together, down past the Beehive and through Mill Bank to Sowerby then back to Mytholmroyd through Boulderclough and down Scout Road. Dom told me that Chris had ridden the whole of the Cragg Vale climb at the front and confided that he had difficulties keeping on his wheel.
The next ascent followed a similar pattern although heavy rain was now added to the strong head wind. The 'tete de la course' was now down to 4, Chris once again driving the pace with Jonathon, Dom and a young lad in a Team Sky top pulling away, and myself and an a guy who lives up at Turkey Lodge working well together at 100 metres (somewhere we had lost Hoppy, Stewart and others - I'm told that Hoppy had to stop to adjust his saddle pack). Chris and the break loitered for us at the summit and we completed this 2nd lap together, through Cottonstones, past The Alma and once again up to Sowerby.
 I was hoping that by the 3rd ascent Chris's speed would be tempered but I was soon disappointed, he just didn't slow at all when we hit the climb and I knew I would have to watch the same 4 pull away once again as together with Turkey Lodge we settled in to bit and bit up the longest unbroken climb in the country once again. However the mental effort of the climb was broken by observing Dom up ahead frequently losing contact, digging deep to get back on then drifting off again until he eventually failed  to get back and came back to us. I was very surprised at the summit when I looked round and he was gone. Knowing he's not one to give up easily I got down on the hooks and gave it what I could round on the top road round to Hubberton. I made a navigational error here by going through Boulderclough once again when I should have kept on the high road before dropping down to Scout Road but the now tail wind ensured I didn't lose too much time eventually finishing at the Robin Hood just minutes behind Chris, Jonathan and Team Sky.
I'm really glad I made the effort to be there and sorry I was unable to wait at the pub to greet our other finishers.

A few pics from Weds do

Yesterday, Wednesday, Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd

It was really good to see Nigel and Steve Barker down at the Hebden Bridge start yesterday, they've been missing for far too long, but as with all true cyclists they eventually return. They joined Padiham Chris, Oakworth Steve and myself for the club-run. As promised, and as you can see from the above profile, there was plenty of downhill but I'm not sure that starting up Mytholm Steeps was popular with everyone. With no Melvin to compete with, Chris behaved himself reasonably and responded well to the occasional advice that was necessary (ie. to slow down). Nigel was riding very well for someone who has for so long been concentrating on gourmet meals and fine wines - I'm hoping that his improved fitness will be an indication that his mono-zygotic sibling will be going the other way.

From Blackshaw Head we picked up the Season of Mists route through to Fence. Nigel and Steve B left us at the start of Sabden Ridge to go straight to the Clarion Pavilion via Sabden Fold and up to Newchurch as Steve T, Chris S and I attacked the Nick o' Pendle, although in truth attacking the climb sounds more dramatic than reality as a good tail wind blew us over the Nick and we were soon flying down the other side towards Pendleton Hall where I had the (bad) idea of turning right onto the bridleway towards Downham. Its only a couple of kilometers to the Worston-Downham lane and the 1st km was metaled but it deteriorated dramatically and then disappeared into a boggy field. We about turned and followed the sensible route to cross the A59 and onto the old road and the cycleway to Worston. The climb over Downham Moor and Pendle Side almost caused Chris to move down from the 54 chain wheel, and he actually did briefly use the 39 ring climbing up the double chevron-ed rise from Barley to Newchurch.
Disappointment soon followed as we got to the Independent Labour Party's tearooms to find that, not only were Steve B and Nigel not there, but even worse, there was no water, which in turn meant no steaming pint mugs of tea so we had to settle for washing our pork pies down with a glass of milk as we sat round the coal fire chatting to other disappointed comrades including former West Pennine man and Falcon professional Alan Mellor.

Once on the road again we picked up the Seasons of Mists run-in from Roughlee through Nelson and over Widdop to Heptonstall where we popped in to The Cross, soon to be joined by the Imps club-run (sorry for the poor photo - it was the landlords fault).
Once again mild and dry - how long can this last? - a highly recommended Tour of Pendle.

Wednesday 18th
39 places booked for the Wednesday Club Christmas do at the Stubbing Wharf - doors open at noon - turkey being served just after 12.30

Saturday 21st
Cragg Velo's Jonathan Emberton has organised the 1st ever 'Cragg Vale Spiral', a 75k ride starting from the Robin Hood at 9am. It includes three ascents of Cragg Vale with 3 different returns to the foot of the climb. Its free to enter and there's pie & peas available (and a pint) at the Robin Hood at the finish.

Sunday 22nd
Meet 9.30am Denholmgate, 10am Keighley for shortish ride and cafe stop before having a look in at 'Riley's Treat' at the Pecket Well, Robin Hood.

Mel17 December 2013 09:37

Monozygotic ! I thought I was reading one of Robin's blogs, seeing words I need to look up. Anyway we may be dizygotic, they didn't worry about these things in 1960 !
I took advantage of the great weather on Sunday to join the Ilkley gang around Coverdale. After a morning meandering the lanes to the fine cafe in Masham we had to face the usually wall of wind over to Kettlewell. Great fun !

Petehorne
I see that the National Hill Climb Champion was also out up Coverdale last Sunday, see  http://cyclinguphill.com/ 

Cannon Hall & Castle Hill - and Sunday 15th - and Weds 18th

Another beautiful December day tempted what must be a wintertime record of 18 to meet at Shelf roundabout today. Due to the numbers we needed a decent sized cafe and the choice was eventually down to Wetherby or Cannon Hall with Cannon Hall winning by a short head. It was a lucky choice because, although we did drop down into the freezing inversion along the Greenway to Dewsbury we soon climbed out of it into the sun on the road up to Thornhill, whilst I understand that the cold mist loitered in the east for most of the day. With the temperature being back up to 8 or 9 degrees and only a light breeze we made our way to Cannon Hall via Blacker Hall Farm and Cawthorne.

Once refreshed at the cafe we were on the road again before 1 o'clock and returned through quiet lanes to Ingbirchworth, Farnley Tyas and Castle Hill to Huddersfield.  Grimpy was left disappointed that no one wanted to add a lap of his new LVRC road race circuit round Scammonden and Buckstones on the route home which meant, unusually, we were home during daylight hours - a dangerous precedent.

Sunday 15th December
The hard-riders section are meeting this coming Sunday at Hebden Bridge (by the park gates) at 9am. The plan is to reminisce about the good old days whilst sitting round the roaring stove drinking pint mugs of tea at the Clarion Pavillion then stopping off at The Cross at Heptonstall for a pint of Timothy Taylors Ram Tam on the way home. The circular route is less than 50 miles but  WARNING - THIS ROUTE COULD CONTAIN HILLS  (if you want more than tea and biscuits at the Clarion you need to take it with you).

Wednesday 18th December 
Next Wednesdays Christmas Dinner at the Stubbing Wharf should be a good 'do' with about 34 having their names down to be there. For those cycling there we will be meeting as usual at Shelf Roundabout at 10am where the day's Master of Ceremonies, John Kaye, will be guiding the peloton over the hills and valleys of Calderdale with the intention of getting us to the pub at about mid-day. The dinner is booked for 12.30.

More Road Bike Tricks

Not for the faint hearted (me). Includes some local spots if anyone wants to try !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhabgvIIXik

Ride Report - Sunday 8th Dec

Only two at Odsal this morning, Myself and Steve Thewlis.  We hung around for a while expecting Padiham Chris to show but eventually decided we must make a start. A tail wind helped us set a brisk pace round the Greenways to Ossett and we continued in the same vein seeking out the quieter lanes to Castleford then through Fairburn Ings and flat arable lands to Thorpe Willoughby and up to Cawood. From there the byways became a little harder as we turned into the once helping breeze.
Chris had phoned me to apologize for missing the start time and was making his way through Leeds towards York, I told him we were heading for the cafe next to the bike shop in Tadcaster and eventually found him sitting outside the cafe at quarter past twelve.  The cafe was surprisingly quiet and we were soon enjoying our lunches.
Once refreshed we headed homeward via reasonably quiet back lanes through Bramham, Shadwell, Eccup, Bramhope, Guiseley and Esholt. At Shipley I was keen to show off Yorkshire's UNESCO World Heritage Site to our red rose team mate so we turned right past Salts Mill and through the back streets of the Victorian model village. By the time we were half way up Moorhead Lane past the golf club I was wondering if this had not been my best ever idea. Of course Chris hardly seemed to notice it was up-hill, very steep up-hill, as Steve and I watched him disappear into the distance.
We had enjoyed good weather so far but by Sandy Lane the temperature dropped and rain, which had started lightly as we were climbing out of Saltaire, was getting heavier and heavier. We said our goodbye's to Steve as he headed towards Cullingworth and, once we were wet through, stopped to don rain jackets before negotiating head winds and driving rain through Egypt, the Walls of Jericho and Moscow.
Chris left me at Queensbury for 30 miles of head winds and rain.
A thoroughly enjoyable day out.