Condor: Past Present Future

It’s not often I get the chance to attend a glitzy book launch. In fact, I never get the chance to attend a glitzy book launch. So it was with shameless enthusiasm that I leapt at the chance to loiter around at Condor Cycles as they unveiled their new book ‘Past Present Future’.

In attendance were various movers and shakers from the cycling industry, plus actual real life cyclists from the Rapha Condor Sharp team. I briefly stood next to former national champion Kristian House. As I was chatting to ‘the busiest man in cycling photography’ Camille McMillan, Dan Craven wandered over to compliment him on the short film he shot during the Tour of Britain.

Overwhelmed by all this celebrity, I took refuge in flicking through the new book. ‘Past Present Future’ is a look back over the sixty year history of one of cycling’s most iconic brands. Although their bikes have been ridden by the likes of Tommy Simpson and Bradley Wiggins, ridden in the Tour de France and in World Championships, the book isn’t just about its racing heritage - it tells how Condor first started making single speeds for couriers in the early nineties, and the stories of epic adventures undertaken on Condor bikes by their customers.

It’s a lovely little book, colourful and packed with great photographs and imagery, a fitting tribute to how the influence and reputation of a small bike shop on London’s Grey’s Inn Road has spread throughout the country and beyond.

‘Past Present Future’ is out today and available from Condor Cycles, Magma Books, Design Museum, Look Mum No Hands and a number of other specialist outlets, priced £14.99.