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The 2008 bicycle season represents a major milestone in the life of London retailer Condor Cycles as they will be celebrating their sixtieth anniversary. Very few companies can claim to be owned by the same family since day one, and even fewer still have that same passion for bicycles. The business was started in 1948 by Monty Young at 90 Gray’s Inn Road, and has only moved twice since, each time to larger premises in the same road. Nowadays his son, Grant – who has been with him for 35 years – runs the business.
Condor has been involved in racing cycling since day one. They were renowned from the early years for building world class lightweight frames and were the first to provide technical race support. To this day they are committed to supporting up-and-coming riders and sponsoring national and international teams. Their current racing team, Rapha Condor, has had great success this year (the high point being Dean Downing’s Lincoln Grand Prix win).
As part of the 60th Anniversary celebrations, Condor has chosen to make a faithful reproduction jersey as worn by the riders of their highly successful Condor Mackeson team of the late 1950s and 1960s. The team included such gentleman stars as David Bonner, Colin Lewis, Alan Jacobs, Derek Green, and Hugh Porter, who became the World Pursuit champion.
The jersey is made from 100% Merino Wool, but, unlike the original jersey, will neither shrink in the wash nor go baggy in the rain. It is hand-embroidered with the Condor Mackeson name in the distinctive purple and white colours of the Team and has the specially designed 60th Anniversary logo on the back.
Sizes will run from small through to double extra large. There will also be a long-sleeved version on sale for those chillier days. These replica jerseys will be on sale for the first time at the Retail Zone at this year’s Cycle Show at Earls Court from 12th-14th of October. There will be a limited run of 200 short-sleeved and 100 long-sleeved jerseys, both of which will come in a special presentation pack, which will include a commemorative key ring, a mussette, and a certificate of authenticity.
The retail price is £84.99 for the short sleeve and £94.99 for the long sleeve version.
If you cannot make it to the show and wish to reserve a jersey, contact Condor Cycles on +44 (0)20 7269 6820 or [email protected].
