The Tour's visit to our shores was one of the best events of our summer but right from the moment that Big Ben stopped chiming and 2014 began we've had a number of highlights we will savour. We look back at the Condor's highlights of 2014.
Condor bicycles available for hire at Lee Valley Velopark and London velodrome
A transformed Olympic park opened in March and saw the new public cycle facility filled with custom designed Condor bicycles. Condor won a five year contract to supply track, road and mountain bikes to the venue. Condor was chosen as the supplier by the Authority for our made by hand philosophy, high quality builds and attention to detail.
Launch of the Classico Stainless at Handmade Bicycle Show
In homage to the 1980s, the Classico Stainless features fillet brazing and an uncommon stainless steel rear triangle and fork. There are many bicycles made from modern materials with a retro twist. Most with glinting rear stays find their sparkle using a method called chroming; a process we deem to be environmentally unfriendly and not beneficial to longevity. We use stainless steel for our rear triangle, which enables us to make the bicycle ride better whilst also catching the eyes of local magpies.
Grant Young awarded Freedom of the City of London
We'll spare you the jokes about walking sheep across Blackfriars Bridge, only because we've heard them a millions times now. In June, Condor's Managing Director, Grant Young, was honoured by the City of London and awarded Freedom of the City, along with Kristian House and James Pope, the organiser of the London Nocturne. Read more about the event here.
Tour of Korea and Tour Series Domination
Rapha Condor JLT dominated the races they entered in the summer season. The team opened their Tour Series account with a strong time trial and then followed with several indivdual and team victories. It meant that they were never out of their yellow leaders jerseys. On the other side of the world the under 23 riders set out to defend their Tour of Korea title, taking several stage wins and Hugh Carthy claiming overall victory.
Condor donates hire bikes to Herne Hill Velodrome
Condor has worked with the Friends of Herne Hill trust for a number of years, helping them to produce and retail a fundraising cycling cap, which can be purchased in store or online at Condor, or at Herne Hill velodrome race meets. In the summer of 2014 Condor donated ten custom branded Lavoro track bicycles to the trust. The ten bicycles will be available for season long hire and help to generate additional funds for the trust and provide riders who are interested in taking their experience of track cycling further.
Tom Moses at the Commonwealth Games
Rapha Condor JLT's Tom Moses was selected to ride for Team England in the Commonwealth Games. The road race was run in appaling conditions on a tough and hilly course. The peloton was quickly whittled down to no more than fifteen riders. Moses remained with the leaders in what became more of a war of attrition than a cycle race. He punctured on one lap to go and waited for over two minutes for the neutral service bike. His hands were so frozen he could hardly take the wheel from the bike and couldn't continue in the race. Tom's ride against several in-form pro tour professionals was magnificent and we expect more great rides from him in the future.