Trevor Lever Memorial Skipton & Back Ride

It felt more like 'The 3RT Chain Gang' with the boys in red & black well out numbering everyone else. The Condor had good representation with fast Chris, Steve Thewlis, Peeps, Phil Haigh, Pete Whiteley, brother Nige and I spotted the Fortunes, major & minor turning at Denholme to join the ride. Apologies if I missed anyone.
It seems an unseasonaly cold and windy evening is not unusual for this ride and maybe riding fast is the best way to keep warm. Chris was prominent on the front & Nige was active bridging gaps as we were buffeted over the Flappit & down to Keighley. The pace to Skipton was a bit erratic, with Team 3RT in a non co-operating mood, with riders either going off the front or allergic to going near it.
On the return leg chaos ensued at Kildwick roundabout with the usual confusion about the route & our Chris disappeared for a while.
Knowing it would kick off at Ingrow I got the first dig in - calculating that I could slip back on to wheels that were more my pace. Sure enough the young guns came good and I watched a group of 6 ride away, and with the strong tail wind, at big ring pace. I kept at it on my own & caught up the group at the top of the tip (it included Neil who I drafted in from Ilkley CC). Two of the young 'uns were up the road but our group swelled as Chris TT'd his way back up & then did sterling work on the front- surprising some of the fast lads who had likely underestimated our mudguarded and understated Condor hard man.
A gallop for the finish saw me 5th finisher just behind Neil and Chris following on - so not total 3RT domination ! I believe the time was around 1hr 26mins but I can't give you more names & times as I returned straight back to my car  - without having a pint !

NOTE - Most unlike me but I've entered a mountain bike challenge if it appeals to anyone. It's by the organisers of the Sue Ryder Bronte Sportive, on June 19th from Grassington & going over the moors around Malham & Settle 39miles-26 offroad.      www.sueryder.org/3dalesmtb

Business as usual this Sunday. Tour of Cambridgeshire UCI Gran Fondo - closed roads and, apparently, a scary fast thrash.


 

Message from Kev Brown re this Sundays Yorks Div RR Champs and Brian's Vets National 10

Dear All,

As you know, the BC Yorkshire Regional Events Team have formed a working group to promote the 2016 Yorkshire Regional Road Race Championships. This year the event will be held on the Upper Denby circuit which is a smaller version of the Upper Cumberworth circuit. We are now just a few weeks away from the event and are seeking help with volunteers on the day and help in promoting the event. Everything is shaping up quite nicely and we are out tomorrow walking around the circuit, meeting residents and letter dropping to each house on route to give notice of the event.

Could I ask you all the promote the link below and flyer attached to your club and cycling contacts. 

Article here:

http://bcyorkshire.co.uk/2016-regional-rr-championships/

If you would like to help, please let Ashley Brown or myself know and we’ll allocate you a job! Most have done already which is great news.

Congratulations to Brian who celebrated his 73rd birthday by taking the bronze medal in the Veterans National 10 mile Time Trial Championship on a course in Lincolnshire on Saturday 21st of May. 

Trevor Lever Memorial Ride

Just a reminder, this Wednesday, the 1st of June, its The Trevor Lever Memorial Ride, a 32 mile ride to Skipton and back. 6.45 pm from the Causeway Foot Inn, Ogden, Halifax. Always a well supported ride followed by a social gathering in the Causeway Foot Inn. £2 on the night to enter,

I'm a bit out of touch with racing news at the moment, not having seen Brian or Grimpy for a few weeks I haven't had the opportunity to prize information from them. Chris has continued to be active on the TT front. He and Brian rode the Holme Valley Wheelers 25 last Saturday, Chris recording a 58 min ride and Brian a 59, although I don't know who the winner or his time is. Chris had a good ride in the Halifax Imps Mountain Trial in poor conditions last Wednesday evening coming 4th overall and Simon made his Open TT debut last Sunday in the BBM Revolution 10 on the Fairburn course recording a 25 min ride, which is 2 minutes faster than his only previous 10 - he's hoping to continue a similar rate of improvement and reckons that Alex Dowset's national record for the distance will be under threat after another four 10's .

Paul, Chris and myself had a good day out at The Struggle sportive, from the Army College at Harrogate a week last Sunday. A hilly 108 mile loop round the Dales taking in many of the most feared climbs including a newly resurfaced Park Rash.

I think the ride of the week must go to Melvin who rode the 165.6 miles to Kippford in Scotland for his holidays, at an average speed of  18.8 mph - he did however have a half hour stop en-route.

Hope to see a good turn out on Wednesday, Pete

29th and counting

With Peter again indisposed with Audax duties the rest of us can have a pleasant potter somewhere sunny. Meet 9am in Keighley on Sunday for a tour lead by the genial Mr Hartley to Silverdale and back via le cafe in Airton.

22nd in Barley

With some of our clubmates apparently committed to Audaxing (enjoy 'the struggle' Peter) I'm going to meet myself at 9am in Hebden Bridge and saunter slowly to Sabden, or possibly breakfast in Barley, or a potter around Pendle. Other alliterative routes are also possible, such as a bumble to Burnely or a clatter to Clitheroe.

Updates

I rode round the Fred with the faster lads from Ians workplace (Team Appleyard Lees) We formed a band of 4, myself, Dave (centre) Rob (right) and another Chris who sadly got dropped before Whinlatter. We rode nicely together, but I was conscious of maintaining my well drilled Condor manners and waited at the top of each climb for them. 

A bit too warm to fly around with the mountain rescue straining to cope with collapsing dehydrated riders. I finished with Rob with a leisurely time of 7.16, Dave arriving 10 mins later. a proper good day out in the beautiful lakes with time to appreciate it.      Chris.

Thanks to Chris for his Fred Whitton report. For anyone not in the know the time of 7.16 may be leisurely for Chris but faster than over 4/5ths of the finishers.

It was a stunningly beautiful day though, and not just in the Lakes. The Dales were looking at their finest as witnessed by our club run where Damien, Nigel, Pete W, Simon, Sean & Niall and myself made the most of the conditions going to Feizor cafe via Malham Cove (right side) and Knight Stainforth, returning via Wham and The Herders after an hour sat enjoying the sunshine, tea and BE&S butties. A more perfect day out in the Dales would be hard to imagine.

On the racing front Grimpy and Brian continue to dominate their category nationally in vets road racing, both enjoying wins in different races whilst the tourists were enjoying Feizor. Chris has been busy with mid week, enter on the line TT's, with wins at Rossendale and on the Imps Wednesday evening Norland circuits plus a fine 2nd place at the Holme Valley Wheelers 10 on the Birdsedge course with a 23 minute ride; a fast time for such a hard course. Also riding the HVW 10, making his TT debut on his all new Planet X superbike was Simon Fortune. Whilst soundly thrashed by Chris it was a great relief for him to catch his son, Adam (enjoy it whilst you can Simon). I have no doubt there is much more speed to come from Simon once he's got more races under his belt and wears his aero lid.

I'm sure most will know that our New Zealand team are back in the old country for some warm weather training. Paul touched down on home soil last Monday, I'd talked him into entering the Cumbrian 200 Audax last Saturday in the hope that he would still be suffering the effects of jet-lag.
Unfortunately there was no lagging of any description. A superb route from the shores of Windermere, over Kirkstone, Matterdale End, Mungrisdale, Back o' Skiddaw, Newlands, Cold Fell, Wasdale, Eskdale, Birker Fell, Dunnerdale, Kiln Bank, Torver and Hawkshead. Together with perfect weather and the wind in the right direction it was probably the best days cycling ever, anywhere, it will never be beaten.

Sunday 15 May

The western section are meeting 0900 in Keighley for a potter to Pateley Bridge this Sunday at a modest pace and with a butty stop already planned.

Updates, and Sunday 8th May

Superb evening for mountain biking yesterday (thanks to Tim for the pic.) which shows Adam Fortune at the top of the podium in recognition of his weeks efforts, racing at Manchester Velodrome Tuesday, making his TT debut on Wednesday at Holme Valley Wheelers 10 on the grueling Birdsedge course and mountain biking on Thursday (when does he do his homework). His dad Simon, also made his TT debut in the same event, starting 2 minutes after his 13 year old son both had maximum motivation to go as hard as possible and father did eventually pass son but not without a great deal of effort. Adam tells me he is planning to let his dad beat him this year but next year will show no mercy.
Our very own Chris Smith took 2nd place in the event squeezing under 24 minutes, an excellent time on that course in windy conditions but one position lower than the previous night when he won the Rossendale 10.

However life hasn't been smiling on all Condors this week; catastrophe happened for Richard on the way home from Thirsk on last Sundays club run when, whilst attempting to put on his gloves in the middle of Otley slipped on a grate and fell, breaking a bone in his hand, a miserable end to his preparations for this Sundays Fred Whitton Challenge.

Life must go on though and we must plan for the future. Firstly I welcome 2 new members to our endurance squad, Gary Mitchell has signed up from Ravensthorpe CC and his mate John Lumb (not that J Lumb) from HTC. Gary's presently recovering from a problem that made sitting on the saddle painful during the recent Red Rose 200 but both are natural hard-riders and I look forward to seeing them regularly on our rides.

Several Condors have entered the following Events in May -

Saturday 14th May - Cumbrian 200k Audax

Sunday 22nd May - 'The Struggle' sportive.

Saturday 28th May - Richmond 5 Dales Sportive
                                  and Holme Valley Wheelers 25m TT

Wednesday 1st June - Trevor Lever Memorial Skipton & Back

Sunday 8th   Meet 8.30am Denholme Gate or 9am Keighley for Feizor via Malham Cove and return via Wham.

Wednesday 11th  MTB run is meeting at Shelf roundabout this week, at the usual time, 6.30pm; Tim is taking us for a tour of St Ives.

Sunday 1st May

I've arranged to meet Simon at 8am at Odsal Roundabout with a view to having a ride out to Thirsk or Sutton Bank to watch the TdY pass by. Out via Knaresborough (where we may have a cup of tea and a bun), back  via Ripon. Looking at the schedules, and wanting to be home for 4ish I may only have time to get as far as Thirsk (location of 1st sprint). Please feel free to join us.

Update re TdY, Friday

After studying the weather forecast and seeing the conditions 1st hand on the tops today we've decided to go to the finish in Settle, possibly lunch at Feizor (Burnsal closed on Friday anyway). Meet same time and place but will be getting home early evening.

Tour de Yorkshire, Friday 29th

I'm meeting Richard at 10am Denholme Gate on Friday to ride out to watch the KoM prime at the top of Greenhow Hill. We'll be having lunch at Burnsall Cafe, All welcome.

A few updates

Thanks to Sarah Burbridge for the above pic. from last Saturdays LVRC Derek Smith Memorial Road Race. It was fitting that two of Derek's old sparring partners, Condor's John Ginley and Brian Sunter took 1st & 2nd respectively in the over 70's age group. Also there, in the over 50's race was Mel Hartley, looking fit and tanned following his recent Mediterranean holiday training camp he took 4th in his category following an impressive amount of work at the head of the bunch chasing an early breakaway.

Grimpy's been in fine form in recent weeks with a fine win the previous week in the CC Luton Claydons Spring Classic, a round of the season long Percy Stallard National Series.

Whilst Grimpy's been taking the honors in road racing Brian kicked of his 2016 assault on the Vets National Championship Time Trials with a fine bronze medal in the 30 mile event in Kent on Sunday 17th April ( although he was not overjoyed himself, saying he hadn't really traveled all that way for 3rd place - and being that defending champion I suppose he can say that).

A full day out for the long distance brigade yesterday in the Red Rose 200k Audax, superbly organised once again by Dave Dodwell and CTC Calderdale. I was joined on the ride by Condors, Steve Thewlis, Pete Whiteley, Chris Smith and Garry (The Badger) Traviss, and also accompanied by guest riders Niall Smith (his longest ever ride - and still looking worryingly fresh dancing on the pedals as he rode off and left me on the climb up from Luddenden Foot towards the finish at the Oddfellows Rooms in Halifax), Andy from Maverick Velo, showing his best ever form this season, honed on Calderdales finest Cobbles during our RVC recce' ride a few weeks ago, plus Elland rouleur Gary Mitchell.
The day wasn't without its problems, three punctures for Pete, one for Niall, and a bit of aggro in the bunch for Garry, but nothing The Badger couldn't deal with - his left crank also fell off, he was fortunate to have Steve and Andy to look after him, they'd sort of formed an alliance after dining together at Glasson Dock, enjoying cheeseburgers, and tea out of polystyrene containers, standing in the rain by the greasy spoon caravan  whilst Chris and I forked out an extra quid for waitress service and fine dining in the Lantern O'er the Lune Bistro (which we can recommend, good food and very welcoming).
After 70 miles of head wind to get to Glasson Dock I was expecting to be blown back to Halifax, this was not the case, yes it was predominantly a helping wind but there were sections, especially along the Calder Valley where the flags were blowing towards us.
There were some tired looking faces at the end but all agreed that it had been a good day out.

This weekend

Saturday 23rd April - Halifax Imps Road Race, Norland

Sunday 24th April - Red Rose Ride, 200k Audax from Halifax

Sunday 17th April

Meet 9am Hebden Bridge for Slaidburn

A few updates

The racing boys are getting well into their stride for the 2016 season with Brian and Grimpy both having notched up road race wins in their age categories and Chris is looking very strong in the TT's

The above and below are from last Saturdays Ravensthorpe 10. Chris rode the 2 up with Halifax Imp Martin Gargett, they combined well to win the composite team category and were 2nd overall with a 22 minute ride. Brian rode in the solo class recording a 24 min ride, several minutes slower than the previous week on what is known to be a slow course. Thanks to craigzadphotos.zenfolio.com , where many more excellent photos from the event can be seen.

Smashing day for last Sundays Spring into the Dales audax. Very well supported as always by the Condor we were treated to blue skies and beautiful views and the legendary magnificent feast at the finish.

A big thank you once again to Chris Crossland and his CTC Calderdale team (or is that now Cycling UK Calderdale ?). All cyclists are truly indebted to you

Thanks to Dave Dodwell and John Keighley for the photos lifted from CTC Calderdale Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/ctccalderdale/?fref=ts

Whilst most of us were enjoying Springing into the Dales Mel had found an even harder challenge, the Ronde van Calderdale, a superb event taking in many of the area's cobbled climbs. Mel was missed on the Dales ride as he is usually Condors representative for the breaking of the skin on the rice pudding ceremony for the 1st back, I don't know who had that honour this year but I'm assured by the organisers of the RVC that the clash will not occur again.. Thanks to Laura Jackson for the photo taken from the RVC Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/335447969840167/?fref=ts

Ronde van Calderdale Recce

Great day out last Sunday on the Ronde van Calderdale recce'. The pave' had dried out nicely by the time we hit the big climbs and we were able to sit outside in the sun to enjoy lunch in Hebden Bridge.

We were lucky with the weather for our 1st evening mountain bike ride of 2016, only one casualty, Garry, and 2 punctures, both Steve.

Spring into the Dales this Sunday, 9am from Salem Community  Centre, Hebden Bridge or the shorter Leap into the Aire at 10am.  Places still available to join Mel and Grimpy in the Ronde van Calderdale, 9.30 Spen Valley High School.

Sunday 3rd April & Thursday 7th

Ronde van Calderdale recce', this Sunday, 9am Brighouse (meeting o/s Websters, bottom of Hudds Rd). A gentle potter round our infamous cobbled climbs in celebration of the Tour of Flanders which will be taking place at the same time in Belgium. I can't promise that my old diesel engine will be ascending Trooper Lane at the same pace that the Pro's will be ascending the Koppenberg but I can guarantee that our bacon butties will taste better than Cancellara's gels.

Thursday 7th - 6.30pm Brighouse - Our 1st mountain bike evening of the 2016 season. We should manage an hour and a half in daylight before we have to retire to a suitable hostelry.

Whats Happening

It was a spectacular day for me and Chris down in the Peak District last Sunday, with Chris putting the hammer down on the plains of Cheshire on the run-in I'm in need of an easier day this coming Sunday. After consultation with Chris and Nigel we're planning a trip up to Buckden triangle with a café stop at the recently re-opened Zarina's at Kettlewell on the way back. Meet 9am Denholme Gate or 9.30 Keighley.
For anyone else who's interested in tiring themselves out, Chris and I have entered a few more Audax's in the coming weeks.

Saturday 26th March - Yorkshire Gallop 200

Wednesday 30th March (Easter week) Goyt Peak Super Grimpeur 109k

Sunday 3rd April - because of the unfortunate clash between the Spring into the Dales and the Ronde van Calderdale we are intending to do a Ronde Recce', following the full route except we will start from Brighouse joining the route at Rastrick. Meet 9am outside Websters, bottom of Huddersfield Road.

Sunday 10th April - Spring into the Dales Audax or Ronde van Calderdale

Saturday 23rd April - Halifax Imps Road Race, Norland

Sunday 24th April - Red Rose Ride, 200k Audax from Halifax

13th in Feizor

9:30 in Keighley this week for a pleasant potter to Feizor.

Sunday 6 March - sunny with a clear Skye

After the spring monuments of the past couple of weeks I think we can take it easy this Sunday and go for a tour round Isle of Skye, aiming for the cafe at Bolster Moor. Meet 9am at Hebden Bridge.

I'm sure many of you will have seen all this on Strava, but if not then here are the photos:

Imps Reliability

Some great cycling weather this week for a change (as long as you're well wrapped up). Lets hope it stays that way for the Imps Reliability Ride this coming Sunday. Bring you £2 entry fee (make sure you have the correct change) down to the Ritz by quarter to nine and both the 75 and 60 mile routes will be starting at 9am.
If you haven't seen the route yet its here https://www.strava.com/routes/4134387 . The 60 mile route is the same as far as Walk Mill then straight down to Tod, Sowerby Bridge and Brighouse.

75 in 6 route - Brighouse -  Odsal -Queensbury - Bocking - Oakworth - Laneshaw Bridge - Trawden _ Haggate _ Worsthorne - Walk Mill-  Deerplay - Bacup - Sharneyford - Hollingworth Lake - Milnrow - Denshaw - Outlane - Brighouse

Weekend round-up

A rough weekend weatherwise, as bad a weather as I can remember  for the North West Passage on Saturday with wind, rain and low temperatures making it a challenging day for the 80 odd starters. However, as usual for this event which we have been taking part in since the 70's, the Condor were well represented with Ian, Nigel, Mel, Chris, Adrian and myself toeing the start line at the Spring Inn for the 8am start of the 200. I know Steve rode the 120k route starting at 9am but I'm not sure whether Lumby and Mick White made it or not.
Actually it was dry at the start but as forecast the rain started at about 9. Chris and I had stayed out of trouble by sitting at the front as far as Tod before swinging off and letting Mel and Ian through. The pull up through the valley to Clivinger went well but after the scissors junction on the outskirts of Burnley disaster struck for me when I unshipped my chain jamming it to such an extent that I had to stop and get my hands dirty. However it did give me a chance to put on my rain jacket ( although by this time I was wet through anyway ).
The next 20 or 30 minutes were not what I really needed; in the red zone chasing to get back to moto 1. With the assistance of strategically placed traffic lights I managed to make contact but then the Greystone climb loomed and the big guns (Nigel, Mel and Mel's mate Neil) rode away as I struggled with the gradient. I was happy to make it to the summit with Chris and Ian but my plan to recover on the descent to Gisburn was in tatters when Chris and Ian decided to do bit & bit downhill into the driving rain. Their plan worked as they caught the front runners ( except for Nige who'd gone for a solo break - probably a little early with 100 miles still to go ).
All had been going well on the road between Gisburn and Long Preston before Mel went to the front and split the peloton to tatters. Ian and I worked together to minimalize our losses and were all reunited by the Naked Man check. We weren't reunited for long though as Flat Earth Bob sneaked away chased by Mel, Nige etc; Ian and I decided to eat our bananas whilst stationary whilst Chris hung around waiting for us although he rode away from us accompanied by Charlotte, a young woman in a British Cycling Talent Team top, who is, as the jacket said, talented, as soon as we hit Buck Haw Brow.
Ian and I worked well together up the A65 battling the headwinds and rain, pulling back Charlotte and almost making contact with Chris before he decided to press on the pedals a little harder. Mel and Neil were just leaving the Devils Bridge check as we arrived but Nigel wisely chose our company for the 2nd half of this epic. We four Condors kept a nice pace going, down the Lune Valley, through Lancaster and down the A6 to the next check at Scorton where we all agreed, contrary to the original plan, to stop for a pot of tea and a bite to eat at the café. Mel and Neil had obtained their proof of passage from the shop and were almost ready to attack the last leg as we ordered our soup, scones and tea.
We were joined in the cafe by a near hypothermic Charlotte who had dropped off the back of our train and missed the Scorton turn off thereby adding a few unwanted miles to her test of character. She was in such a state that we felt unable to leave her, Ian helped her by eating half her scone before we left as a fivesome to attack the remaining 40 miles, picking up several more lost Audaxer's on the way. [comment: said demi-scone was offered to all of us, but I was the only one who volunteered to assist! - Ian; ps, thanks for this write-up Pete]
The remaining miles, probably due to the café stop, seemed less arduous although I was found wanting on the Oswaldtwistle Moor and 'Owd Bett's climbs my team mates waited for me and we finished together. Mel and Neil had set the fastest time for the day but there was only a couple of other  finishers in front of the Condor Train. After pie & peas Chris set off to ride home thereby topping 150 miles for the day as preparation for the 3RT Reliability Ride the following day.

1. 
   Mel25 February 2016 at 17:14

   Great write up Pete but it makes me look far more capable than I was. It was in fact Chris who put the hammer down before Long Preston to reel in my errant brother.I just hung on for dear life - as I did for most of the ride, made worse by snapping a front wheel spoke at Hornby causing extra resistance as my wheel 'thwock thwocked' on my mudguard all the way home. A bl**dy painful day out.
   (Stats- Neil's power meter showed average 198 watts compared to 148 last year - 33% harder !?

3RT Reliability Ride.....from a special correspondent (Phil Haigh).........

Just 3 condors for the inaugural 3RT reliability trial. A total field of around 70 riders (but this was the day after the North west passage)
Me (Phil H) Chris Smith and Garry Traviss. Chris was taking it easy after yesterday's exploits. Garry must have decided to make it harder, turning up on and old bike with 53/39 and 11/23 gears. Not ideal for a lumpy route, but he's made of tough stuff.
The expected tailwind out didn't seem to arrive and much of the day was spent battling severe crosswinds, especially over the tops. It was pretty dangerous in sections.
Anyway, true to form, Chris ride on the front nearly all day and Garry's gears took their toll towards the end.
The weather forced some riders to shorten the route and we were a fair bit behind the 3RT racing contingent for the pie n peas.
A great day out though. 😄

Whilst the Condor's Northern Hemisphere team were battling adverse weather over the weekend Paul Daly was enjoying sunshine and super form in the Rev 100k road race down in New Zealand. Run as an adjunct to a prestigious pro road race Paul conquered all before him in his age group and finished high up overall. He'll be back over here in the UK for 4 or 5 weeks come May - you have been warned !!!!!!!!

Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st & Sunday 28th

Busy weekend coming up with the North West Passage on Saturday and a new event for the calendar on Sunday, the 3RT Reliability Ride.

As usual the NWP starts from the Spring Inn just outside Rochdale, the 200k ride starting at 8am and the 120 at 9, both following the routes established when the event began back in the 1970's. Myself, Chris, Steve, Ian, Nige, Simon & Mel have expressed our intention to ride the long route and Lumby and Mick White the shorter route. Others have ticked the 'may ride, depends on the weather box'. Entries, which include a hot meal at the finish are being accepted on the day.

If you fancy a shorter ride starting nearer to home 3RT are holding their 1st ever reliability ride starting from outside the Ritz Ballroom in Brighouse at 9.30am on Sunday(£3 entry on the day). Its about 60 miles in distance with about 6800ft of climbing and finishing at the Three Sons (formally the Clough House) where food will be available for a small charge. A .GPX file of the route can be viewed and downloaded from https://www.strava.com/routes/4154446

On Sunday the 28th of February its the Halifax Imperial Wheelers '75 in 6' (that's miles and hours) Reliability Ride, also starting from outside the Ritz, the start time being 9am and the climbing being about 7800ft, finishing at the Beck Inn on Bradford Road, Brighouse where again food will be available. Download the route from  https://www.strava.com/routes/4134387

Ride-Out Lunch & Presentation

 A really good turn out of Condors assembled at Denholme Gate and Keighley, thankfully in really good weather, to put in a 50 mile loop to get to the lunch and presentation being held again at the Robin Hood, Cragg Vale. We split briefly just after Crosshills, whilst the Hartley twins led a quartet of grimpeurs over the hills to Black Lane Ends the rest of us enjoyed the tail wind through Cowling and over the Moss for morning coffee at The Old Rock Café at Trawden where we regrouped.
From Trawden we checked out a section of the forthcoming Imps Reliability Ride route through the fords at Catlow Bottoms. The fords didn't claim universal approval, utmost care being needed for the 1st water splash which has been damaged by recent flooding but it was the 2nd ford that claimed our only casualty when Garry's wheel got stuck in a gap in the cobbles resulting in him falling from the bike but fortunately being unharmed.
Richard then wound the pace up at the front, straight down the Valley (except Mel & Robin who took a detour round Deerplay and Sharneyford) ensuring we made it to the pub shortly before 1pm.

After an excellent Sunday roast dinner and spotted dick the formalities took place with our special guest, British Cycling motor cycle commissaire, Kev Brown, presenting the trophies.

John Ginley (better known as Grimpy) took both the Road Race and Off-Road Trophies. Notable results for 2015 being 2nd in the BC National RR Champs, 2nd in the LVRC Percy Stallard Series, 4th in the LVRC National RR Chanps. John feels he could have done better but struggled with a knee injury later in the season.
He was the 2015 National Cyclo Cross Champion and 3rd in the World Championships in Switzerland. His 2015 winter campaign was blighted by knee and calf injuries but he now appears to be back to top form and keen for the 2016 season to get underway.
In 2015 he also returned to mountain biking taking 5th place overall in the Mary Townley Loop CX Challenge  and 3rd place in the BC MTB Champs on the London Olympic Course in July.

 Our Middle Distance Champ was Chris Smith (better known as Padiham Chris). Purchasing his 1st TT bike early in the year he took the trophy with a 22.24 '10' , a 58.40 '25' and a 1.57.56 '50' and a 4.06.15 '100', giving him an average speed of 25.12 mph.
During the season Chris took 11 wins out of 17 starts in the Rossendale evening 10's, a record number of wins in a single season.
He had a full Hill Climb season taking a win in the West Pennine climb on Blackstone Edge and representing the club with credit at the National Championship.
He also managed to pace the author round several Audax's and gain an elite finishing time in the Fred Whitton Challenge.

Brian Sunter had a remarkable season re-writing the record books again. Winning our 25 mile trophy for the umpteenth time with a time of 55.53 does not really reflect the scale of his achievements. He made his target the VTTA National Championships gaining 2nd on age standard in the '10', setting a new British age group of 21.14.  He was also 2nd in the '25' with a time of 56.11. In the '30' he took the gold medal with a time of 1.08.55 and also took gold in the '50' with another national age record of 1.50.53.

I managed to amass the greatest distance to take the Audax/Sportive Trophy with Mel 2nd and Steve Thewlis 3rd.

Sunday 14th Feb - Ride-Out Lunch

About 25 meals booked so far - still plenty of room if you fancy joining us for the annual lunch and presentation (traditional Sunday lunch with choice of sweet, £12.50, all welcome). Meal booked for 1pm at the Robin Hood, Cragg Vale.

If you fancy getting a few miles in en-route to the function we're meeting at 9am Denholme Gate or 9.30 at Keighley for a steady ride back to the Calder Valley via Crosshills, Laneshaw Bridge and the Old Rock Café at Trawden.  After a coffee I thought we may have a look at part of the Imps Reliability Ride route through the fords at Catlow Bottoms to Haggate then on to Cliviger.

See you Sunday.

Barley for Breakfast

With Peter and Chris enjoying yet another long Audax today around Derbyshire, in the rain, I suppose that we'll have to make our own plan for a Sunday ride.

I'm heading west - meeting 09:00 in Hebden Bridge if you fancy it - for Padiham and the log cabin cafe at Barley with a return route to be discussed across one of our many local moorland crossings. Maybe Widdop if we're feeling brave.

Ride-out Lunch & Presentation

As decided at the AGM we are again having a ride-out lunch and presentation at the Robin Hood, Cragg Vale. Sandy kindly took on the responsibility of sorting the finer details and it's booked for 1pm on Sunday the 14th of February. As quite a few were not totally happy with the buffet we had last year we've plumped for a traditional Sunday lunch, roast beef etc. and a choice of sweets. Cost is £12.50. It was a good 'do' enjoyed by all last year so we're expecting it to be as well supported again.
Please contact me on petehorne@yahoo.co.uk or on 07549821349 to book your place.

Chris and I had a super day last Sunday riding the Mere 200 Audax, so much so that we've committed ourselves to the Straight on at Rosie's 200 on Saturday 6th Feb (details on AUK website), entries on the day are being accepted.

Sunday Run - 24 Jan

Thanks Pete for the write-up. Enjoy your 'mere' 200k on Sunday.

Meanwhile I suggest 09:30 in Keighley for Airton Cafe. We have plenty of route options there and back depending on how we feel.

A Few Updates

When I looked outside on Sunday morning there were several inches of snow on the ground and a hard packed icy surface on the road. Simon contacted me to give his apologies saying he dare not risk his recently repaired shoulder in these conditions. I was in two minds myself but I knew that Chris would be battling his way up the Valley from Tod so I dragged my heavyweight Croix de Fer out of the garage to meet him in Brighouse.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the roads were clear and well gritted and I was even more surprised when there were 6 of us assembling in Brighouse, Ian, Chris, Pete Whitely, Richard, Martin Gargett and myself, for the proposed ride out into the flatlands to the east. We had intended taking refreshments at Selby but as Ian was on his 3rd new inner tube before we got to Castleford and Pete was having to reinflate his rear tyre at regular intervals, we modified our ambitions and aimed for Fairburn and Squires Café at Sherburn. A good decision as we all enjoyed the lunch hour spent there and it gave Richard chance to get some blood circulating into his feet once again after we had ridden through icy flooding on the (officially closed) Fairburn Ings road.

After lunch we came home via Lotherton Hall and Aberford, making an unintended diversion to Harehills before 'playing it by ear' navigating the outskirts of Leeds to find Harrogate Road and the welcome lanes round Eccup Reservoir to Bramhope, Esholt and a skirt round Bradford for what had turned out to be a very enjoyable days cycling at a much more relaxed pace than the previous few weeks.

On Monday evening our AGM was held at the Travellers, Hipperholme. I'm not going to put the minutes on here now but it was a successful get-together with 15 members being in attendance. It was decided that, as last year we would have our Annual Presentation in the form of a ride-out Sunday lunch. Sandy volunteered to explore the possibility of holding the event at the Robin Hood at Cragg Vale again and details will be posted here as soon as they are available.

Early Season Reliability Rides & Audax's

This coming Sunday the 24th, Chris and I are riding the Mere 200 Audax from Cheadle, entries are closed now and no entries are being accepted on the day.

On Saturday the 30th Jan. Grimpy and myself have entered the Evans Cycles MTB Challenge from Wardle High School near Littleborough. Entries are still open for this event and entries on the day are being accepted.

Saturday 20th February - North West Passage Audax - see AUK website

Sunday 21st February - 3RT Reliability Ride, 60 miles from Ritz in Brighouse 9.30 start, finish Clough House, Rastrick, £3 to enter, food at finish.

Sunday 28th February - Imps Reliability Ride, another JK special from the Ritz - further details to follow.

Saturday 5th March - Evans Cycles Leeds MTB Challenge, Harewood House.

Sunday 10th April - Spoilt for choice, Spring into the Dales and Ronde van Caderdale

Sunday 17th Jan

Only Condors who turned up for last Sundays ride were Chris and myself. We were joined by 2 more Smith's, Sean and Niall and café racers Mark Mitchell and Adrian Jones. I'd endured rain and snow on my journey to Keighley so it was only right that we had floods, a head wind and hail storm on the road from Bank Newton over towards Halton West. Mark, Adrian & Niall left us and headed towards Hellifield as we continued westwards for our planned lunch stop at Waddington.
The weather had brightened up considerably after lunch and we completed the loop home via Whalley and Padiham, Chris and Sean turning off for the Long Causeway after Burnley by-pass whilst I went for the easier option of Tod and the Calder Valley.

This Sunday, on the suggestion of Chris, we are heading in a different direction, east, meeting by Sainsbury's roundabout in Brighouse at 9am for Selby and Wetherby.

AGM - Just a reminder for anyone who may have forgotten the AGM will be held 8.30pm at the Travellers, Hipperholme on Monday the 18th.