Sunday, June 30, 2013

More Sore Legs

I hope Peters legs are recovering. Mine were hurting in the road race at Barton on Humber last week. I instigated an early break with 2 others and then some more joined us a few laps later. As usual my legs gave out when they started jumping around with a lap to go - I haven't got the race legs, so I let them go and came in 10th or so.
Yesterday (Sat 29th) I rode the Virgin Cyclone Sportive from the north of Newcastle with hard riding Roger Palfreeman. 104 undulating miles out into Northumberland. Its a very popular event with three distances to choose from, all sharing the same start & finish roads, so it was pretty congested (4000 riders!).
As usual we hammered round, with the fastest time I believe, 5hrs 15mins - 20 mph average.  
Next Sunday its the White Rose Challenge from Ilkley, so it will be sore legs again. Peter is entered as well.

Friday, June 28, 2013

Five made it on last Sunday's ride to Burnsall, myself, Phil, Damien, Simon and Paul D. It was a bit wet in the morning but being summer rain it wasn't too uncomfortable.  We went straight up to Cracoe and over Thorpe Lane which is always a joy to ride but particularly so last Sunday with all the wild flowers being at their peak. I regretted having left my camera at home (along with spare inner tubes and bottle) but Earthdreamer had been there earlier in the week and blogged this  http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/3184318 and as you can see does a far better job than me.
Getting to the cafe at half past ten I was surprised to find it already busy and we were lucky to find a table. Although the girls there were rushed off their feet they remained calm and efficient and were soon delivering bacon and egg sandwiches almost if not equal to Elaine's at Feizor.
Having dallied in the cafe for a good hour the roads were dry by the time we left and waterproofs were stuffed in back pockets for the rest of the day. There homeward journey was made down to Otley keeping to the east of the Wharfe with a good tail wind encouraging Damien to make frequent attacks whenever the road started climbing but with Paul claiming the KoM jersey. After the Chevin and Esholt we braved Manningham and Toller Lane en route to the peace and quiet of the Great Northern Trail from Thornton to Queensbury.

Results from the racing men have been hard to come by this week. Grimpy, Pete Smith and Mel were all racing at the LVRC event at Barton on Humber last Saturday but the results didn't make the LVRC web site. I know Grimpy took 2nd in his category; he tells me that Pete had a good ride and knew that Mel hadn't won but couldn't enlighten me further. Brian turned out a 1hr 58min 50 mile Time trial in the wind and rain in the Otley CC event on Sunday morning and for the 1st time this season Steve Cavell had team mates at a Summer Cyclo-Cross Series race, this week being at Newsome, Huddersfield last Wednesday evening he was joined by Ian Wellock and new man, Chris 'Robbo' Robinson .

We had a few apologies for absence on the Monday evening MTB ride but still managed 8 or 9, including Robbo making his debut. We headed out over the Magna Via, Claremount and Ambler Thorn to Ogden and over the moors to Fly Flat returning via Cold Edge Dams and Ovenden Woods to take refreshments at the Travellers, Hipperholme.

This Sunday the randonneurs section are riding the Yorkshire Mixture 200k,  leaving Otley CC clubhouse at 8am for a trip up to Swaledale and back through the Vale of York.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Sunday 23rd

Due to having crap legs all week I pulled out of todays Lakes ride and the other Condors were scared off by the weather forecast so in the end no one went.

Tomorrow a few of us are meeting at Denholmegate at 8.30 for a steady potter up to Burnsall cafe, if you fancy a slow ride please join us.

Peter Sagan parking

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Congratulations to John, the 2013 LVRC National Criterium Champion - a title achieved even though he was riding last years bike.

Brian was also on the top step of the podium a bit nearer home, taking his first win in his new category at the Tom Simpson Memorial Race in South Yorkshire.

Paul Daly also had a good weekend, riding his first event since signing for the Condor he finished 4th fastest (out of over 200) in the Overgate Hospice MTB Challenge. Team Hope's Jack Clarkson recorded the fastest time.

Another exceptional ride was that of Paul Gower who was Condor's sole representative in the CTC Calderdale Midnight Ride. Leaving the Oddfellows Rooms in Halifax at the witching hour and having to don waterproofs at the 1st traffic lights they rode throughout the night into a cold headwind to Morecambe before returning over the Bowland Fells for refreshments at Weatherspoons in Halifax. Paul clocked about 140 miles home to home, I hope I'm up to doing the same in my mid 70's.  I saw him out training today and he told me he was feeling tired - I wonder why?

Reading Mel's Blog I was happy to see that I wasn't the only Condor who was suffering on Sunday. A good turnout for this time of year saw Phil, Richard, Damien, Robin, Steve, Simon and myself head towards Feizor via Slippery Ford, Cowling, Earby and Wigglesworth. Robin and Steve missed a treat by turning for home at Wigglesworth, missing out on probably the best bacon, sausage and egg sandwiches in the world. We made our way home via Wham, Long Gill, Gisburn, Colne and Widdop with Damien's attacks being matched by Simon who was showing no fatigue following his 600k exploits the previous week. For the 2nd week running I ran out of steam and rode the last 20 miles on empty legs - Damien has been kind enough to tell me its probably due to my age and the poor form is probably permanent.

The Monday night mountain bike rides are going really well, a great route in ideal conditions last night took us over Beacon Hill down to Salterhebble, North Dean Woods, Norland and Ringstone, returning home via Black Brook and the canal bank, stopping at the Rooster for refreshments. We were joined for the 1st time by Elland mile-eater Mike Thompson who has recently purchased his first ever mountain bike, and an old friend of the Condor, Pete Bates.

The Fred Whitton trip has been postponed untill Saturday.
Ravensthorpe 120 mile ride
September 1 at 8:00am
Meet Mirfield library

Alex Millman OK everyone the 120 ride is back on for another year and all your support in making it a great success is very welcome. The formate is as always with a mass start from Mirfield with a tea stop at Tadcaster (at this point those wanting a shorter ride can return 60miles approx round trip) and then on for Sutton Bank for Dinner. Return via Boroughbridge and refreshments at Morrisons and then home.
Remember this is not a race but a great social event for all to enjoy so can I please have all your support in holding it together. 
There is no support vehicles so everyone needs to be able to make it under there own steam so any breakdowns (mental/physical/mechanical) need to be resolved by friends and family.Please carry a phone.
Everyone who owns or can borrow a bike is welcome to join us so please spread the word to all friends and cycling clubs that you may know.
Hope to see you all on the 1st Sept 07.45 for departure at 08.00.

Monday, June 17, 2013

LVRC National Criterium Champs 15th June

An eventful day ended with a CONDOR win in the over 70's cat.
It was my first ride at the hillingdon venue close to Heathrow.  The circuit is in a small country park,
just less than 1 mile long, wide and yes amazingly smooth tarmac with a couple of undulations and nice smooth bends. Weather conditions were just before the start heavy rain,windy almost a gale, although during the event it remained dry. I punctured twice once before the start and whilst panicking (the chimp kicked in) i managed to replace the rear wheel inner tube. Turned out this was my best decision as it allowed me to have spare wheels at the start line which i needed, my new rear tub blew after 30mins of the race. Luckily criterium rules allow wheel changes until 5 laps to go.
Derek Wooding (team Mick Ives) as provided a detailed race report  which you can find on the LVRC web site. www.lvrc.org/latest_news.asp   Derek had a great ride and mindful of Mick Ives out sprinting Brian at Bashaw Eaves i kept my eye on Derek and Mick eventually getting a wonderful lead out from Derek to get the jersey.

Honest thats me in the centre on the podium shot (a Graham Watson special?)

well thats the easy bit, got to follow Pete around the Fred Witton route on wednesday that will be fun??

High Moors Sportive

I made a big mistake. I agreed to a barbeque the night before in the misguided belief that I would restrict my drinking and get an early night and failed miserably.
The attraction of this event was discovering some new roads and with John Dwarty, Martin Croft & Dougie Burnside we left Appleby with the sun breaking out.
First climb, Stainmore Common over to Middleton in Teesdale was enjoyed with a tail wind and then up again over Bollihope Common until a hair-pin on the descent to Stanhope in Weardale when a  spoke snapped in Johns front wheel. (Damian's Zipps last week, my FSA seatpost now Johns Racing Zeros - they just don't make gear like they should - no matter how much you pay).
We continued after a lot of adjustment to get the wheel to clear the brake but he was relying on a rear break only - which didn't really matter because all the roads seem to only go uphill ! A steep pull from Stanhope gets you over Muggleswick Common - miles and miles of bleak nothingness, but no traffic either.
It was a lot greener alongside Derwent Reservoir before a feed/check at Blanchland then it was more bleakness over to the Rookhope Valley and up to Allenheads before climbing Burtree Fell back over to Weardale.
A brief respite down Weardale allowed me to relieve my cramp but I was really beginning to suffer with the relentless climbing only for the hideous climb of Harthope Moss to rear up in front of me. We were turning back into the wind and this swine, the highest point at 629m (& the highest road pass in England) even had a special warning sign for 'cyclists to be aware of severe weather, at any time' !
Another feed/check near Langdon Beck and we were on the drag over Harwood Common and the small matter of Hartside Pass before getting back on the lanes of the Eden Valley but by now I was in a world of pain and allowing John to do most of the work.
We came in with 6 hours 21mins and just a duo with younger legs faster at 6.05. Martin 6.38 and Dougie 6.45
It was a beautifully scenic ride on roads we had to ourselves but  it was also 170k and 10,400 feet of severe pain. It would be a nightmare in bad weather (Martin & Dougie confirm) and I hope to avoid places with the name 'Common' for quite a while.


Saturday, June 15, 2013

Shots of the dales from two weeks ago. Shots from the rear are 'in' you know. Prizes for guessing the location. Steve Barker can feel free to enter too. He had no idea, even though he was there.



Thursday, June 13, 2013

Next Sunday, Fred Whitton next Wednesday and Merino Retro Kit

Great day out with the Wednesday Club yesterday saw a dozen of us make our way for lunch at the excellent cafe at Gisburn, via Oakworth, Herders and Ba'lick. We returned to Calderdale over to Colne and Widdop.

Next Wednesday, so long as the weathers looking reasonable, a few of us are going to ride the Fred Whitton route in the Lakes. Peeps, Grimpy, Paul D and myself have signed up so far and we're intending to start from the car park round the back of Wheelbase at Staveley at 8am.

Simon has a weekend free from London-Edinburgh-London training this coming Sunday, the 16th, and has expressed a desire to visit his favourite cafe at Feizor, so with that in mind can we meet at Denholmgate at 8.30am with a view to heading there via Slippery Ford and Earby with a return journey via Gisburn, Colne and Widdop.

Force GB of Liversedge are making me a few Condor retro jerseys in sportswool, I have seen the ones they have made for 3RT and can confirm that they make some excellent kit, they're also doing me some matching black bibshorts - I'm not ordering any for stock so if you fancy some please let me know. Click on the images below for a larger graphic.



Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Bits and pieces from the weekend

For many of us its been an Audaxing weekend with CTC Calderdale's Chris Crossland again running his popular 3 Coasts 600k ride on Saturday and the Good Companions 200k for the softies on the Sunday.
I was with the softies which also included Mel, Damien, Big Phil, Paul Daly, Pete Whiteley and Mick Collins.  Single Simon, who since a bad experience the Lincoln 400 a few weeks ago has discovered the advantages that derailleur gears had put us all to shame by riding the 600. He didn't just have a very fast 600 (sub 29 hrs) he also looked as if he was enjoying it as we crossed him just after Cliviger, sitting up, smiling and waving - I was very impressed from a man who had ridden nearly 400 miles.
Good weather encouraged a brisk pace as the Condors took turns at the head of a dwindling peloton - too brisk for Mick Collins who had to retire at Whalley (on the outward journey) in desperate need of a full English breakfast. Notable incidents en-route included Damien breaking a spoke in the rear wheel of his super-dooper v.v.v.v.expensive Zips and Mel's saddle clamp breaking which required him to ride the last 15 miles or so with his saddle in his back pocket - sounds dangerous to me. I was the the 1st our group to crack, suffering from too much big gear work on the flatlands to Glasson Dock I was found wanting when we hit the hills over to Chipping and finally lost contact just before Whalley. Phil and Paul also lost contact before the finish as Pete, Damien and Mel gave an exhibition of power and speed. Ade Hughes of North Cheshire Clarion has blogged an account of his ride here - http://ade2010lejog.wordpress.com/

A good turnout of 9 for Monday evenings mountain bike ride with Paul Daly taking us on a route round Shibden, Beacon Hill, Trooper Lane, Southowram, Brookfoot, Wellholme, Norwood Green, Judy Woods and Chelsea Valley. I wasn't alone in having tired legs from the previous days efforts but Simon appeared unaffected by his weekends mega-miles.

After the ride we enjoyed a pint at the Cock o' the North Shed where something strange happened - see below


Saturday, June 08, 2013

Pottering section - 9am Keighley

Not having the legs to keep up with the fast lads, the slow section are meeting 9am Keighley roundabout for a steady ride somewhere warm and sunny. With a cafe stop.

Plenty of pictures were taken on our MTB jaunt last Sunday, and will be posted as soon as Robin's hand has healed enough to type ...


Friday, June 07, 2013

Trevor Lever Memorial 'Road Race' (to Skipton & back)

On one hand this was a more disciplined ride than some in the past. No-one took advantage by jumping lights or fighting past traffic, some riders even corrected their mistake of turning early at the by-pass roundabout (unfortunately some didn't get back on). However there was clearly a tactical battle simmering between the 3RT & VS Cycles lads with only a handful prepared to work.
There was still a fairly large group at Ingrow as 'Bin-man' Thompson opened proceedings. A smaller group of 8 or so were left at the tip top with myself and Paul Daly having to suffer the numerous attacks by younger legs. It came to a sprint for the Halifax sign at the cutting with young Alex getting there before Mick Collins, then myself just getting round Dom.
My certificate - efficiently prepared and handed out to those in the pub afterwards, says 1 hour 22 mins.  
Thanks Neil Dyson, Hoppy, Chris Crossland and others helping on the night. Looked like a record turn-out in great weather.
I heard complaints from some 'senior' riders that Peter had earlier taken the Wednesday run over some of the hardest hills around, so that is perhaps why he didn't show up !

Planning to make the Good Companions 200k on Sunday, as are several others I spoke to, especially with the weather looking so good. Next Sunday the 16th I am joining some of the V.S. lads on the High moors sportive from Appleby taking in new terrain around Teesdale and Weardale.

Thursday, June 06, 2013

Results?

I hear tell that last nights Skipton and back was a great success, anyone got some results to post?????

Tuesday, June 04, 2013

Whats happening

Good turn out Monday evening and excellent weather for off-roading. We headed over to Bradley Woods, Deighton Woods, round the back of ICI and up Nab Hill to Upper Heaton and down to Lower Hopton then heading home via Hartshead, Clifton and Wellholme Park. Same again next Monday, 6.30pm Hipperholme Crossroads.
It looks like I'm in danger of losing my Audax/Sportive Trophy this year, since we rode the Wiggy 300 Simon has managed Audax's of 350k, 400k & another 300k and this coming weekend will be attempting a non-stop 3 Coasts 600k from Mytholmroyd (6am from the Community Centre - entries accepted on the day).  I'm going to ride the Good Companions 200 on the Sunday, 8.30am from the Community Centre.

Sunday, June 02, 2013

Trevor Lever Skipton & Back Memorial ride

Hello everyone...a reminder that the annual CTC/Imps organised Skipton and Back ride which is being re-named as the Trevor Lever Memorial Skipton and Back Ride in memory of Trevor will take place on Wednesday 5 June.

Starting from the usual place outside what was formerly Whittakers at Denholme departing at 19.00.  

The usual small entrance fee will be charged.  Please bring some loose change....

The event will finish this year at the Causeway Foot Inn which has Landlord and Black Sheep and where chip butties will be available for a small fee.........

Mountain Bike's Monday 3rd

I've missed the last couple of Mondays and I'm not sure if anyone's been out so this is a reminder/confirmation that our Monday MTB (social) ride will be meeting at Hipperholme Cross Roads at 6.30pm tomorrow.

Saturday, June 01, 2013

Barkered at Barden Tower

We are meeting 9am tomorrow at Barden Tower in Wharfedale for mtb ride. 'Seve' Barker has a map. And a plan. Oh dear.