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