Road race results - Condors take 1st & 2nd

Despite mistakenly starting with a younger age group Brian managed to take 1st place overall in the LVRC Barton-on-Humber Road Race last Saturday. To add to the Condors successful day Grimpy not only took 2nd place overall but also won the primes points category.

Seacroft Wheelers RR - 29th March

After the blustery (and snowy!) start to the weekend it was a relief to wake up early on sunday morning to see blue skys and not a breath of wind! After a quick scout of the course I was a bit alarmed to see big patches of ice scattered around some of the corners, but they'd quickly melted as soon as the sun hit them.

So, to the race. After the 5 minutes of neutralised riding to the start line we were off on a rolling start and the attacks came quick and fast. The field wasn't letting anything go today and every break away on the first 3 laps of the circuit was reeled in by the bunch. One group of about 7 got away for a good half a lap but then were chased down by the pack after a quick injection of pace by Team Chevin Cycles. At the start of the 7th lap it was clear it was going down to a bunch sprint and the pace quickly wound up. I finished comfortably in the top half of the bunch, but out of the points. A definate success for an early season race, just need to work on my sprints and picking out the right wheels to follow!

"Summer Time and the weather is freezing"

Hi Richard. Thanks for the post. Yes we are out and it looks like tomorrow will be cold but clear. Still, it'd be just as well to wrap up warm and maybe give that winter bike one last outing.
The plan is to meet at Whittakers in Denholme Gate at 09:00 (new summer time - equivalent to 8am GMT), or 09:30 at Keighley roundabout. Get your thinking caps on for a good route to a nice cafe, maybe one that we haven't been to in a while. My apologies to Janis Joplin for the title of this message!
Ian

Tomorrow 29th March

Unlike the rest of you I did the right thing on Mothers' Day last week and am now looking forward to my reward. Anyone out tomorrow?

Text or post (new mobile 07810830752)

Something aFoot

The last of the CCA rides is listed as Luddenden Foot this Sunday at 08:30. We may as well take that as a start and work on from there. Robin and Neil both seemed keen when we spoke on Wednesday. Anyone else fancy joining us? The route is open to offers. How about up Cragg, then see how we feel. The forecast is for cold & cloudy with a westerly breeze so maybe the regular summer route is an option or Isle of Skye with a tailwind? The chances are it will stay dry so I think that the best bikes might be in order, Ian

Spring in Slaidburn

The blog has been surprisingly quiet for the past couple of weeks. I think the training runs proposed by Sean worked well earlier in the year but have probably now finished as the faster riders peel off to race and the potterers carry on pottering.

Two weeks ago a couple of us westerners made the effort to get to the start in Brighouse for 8.30 but found just ourselves there. We then battled round with a windy ride over Isle of Skye.

Last week I went to the start at Denholme and agin the only other person there was Vicar. Still, we had a pleasant run to Cracoe & back. We spotted Grimpy out by himself - does anyone have any news or results of John's trip to the World Champs on 31 Jan?

This Sunday the forcast was for bright sunshine and a stiff north-westerly breeze and I'm happy to report that we got both. Robin had gone out on his own but was diverted by The Condor coming over Cock Hill and came with us instead from Hebden Bridge out through Burnley. From my viewpoint riding behind them, it seemed like The Condor was no less than a half-wheel in front at any point. Still, I was grateful for the shelter and it got me through Whalley feeling fine. Robin then announced a pressing lunchtime appointment back home and turned early while the twins & I followed gorgeous empty roads (including one big dipper that really should be on Blackpool seafront) out to Slaidburn. The road back through Tosside is 8 miles all downhill and, with a strong tailwind, is what best bikes were made for.

After I'd been pleading for mercy on Ingrow, Nige told me off for climbing too fast up the old road from Oxenhope over to the windmills. Still, I was chuffed to do 85 miles and have enough energy left to walk down the pub afterwards. Mind you, I was alseep on the sofa by half way through the film that evening ...