Wrynose again! (22nd April)

So, having spotted the mistake in the book, it’s a quick revisit to Wrynose. This time there is no mistake. To be sure, we ticked it today from both sides. In fact, every hill was done twice, as it was an out and back trip.

Having cycled in from home, The Beast, the Descender and I met up in Keswick and headed off. The target, 31 miles away, Eskdale and the cafe and the bend of the La’ll Ratty. Hopefully today wouldn’t bring a repeat of Dene’s near death experiences on the Lakeland Loop, but instead, a pleasant, though energetic ride out. And so it proved, with no major mishaps on the way to our first photo stop at the Three Shire Stone, for evidence of another ascent of Wrynose. The only moment of note – the descender getting burnt off by a girl on Wall End!

The drop down into Cockley Beck and then up over Hardknott passed swiftly, and after a momentary lack of concentration from Dene just above Troman’s Corner, we arrived at the lunch stop.

Having filled up with his customary soup, the Descender sought another way home that was less arduous. Unlike last week, there would  be no chance of running out of steam!!

The ride back was great. Lots of hills and great views down in Little Langdale and then Langdale. Having dragged ourselves back over Dunmail, we finished with a blast along Thirlmere back to Keswick.

All was topped off with a piece of the best Bakewell tart ever. Thanks Ems!

72 miles 2240m

The Descender and the Domestique (15th April 2012)

The Lakeland Loop – always a great ride, and usually good weather. Though, unfortunately for some, “the wind was against us”. This phrase was to become the Descender’s mantra as we pedalled our way around some the best scenery in the land.

The plan was simple, I’d ride on the front, Dene would sit in, and he’d get round in under 5 hours. Factor in my charge over Whinlatter to get him food and drink so that he didn’t have to stop in Lorton and we were on to a sure-fire winner. Sadly, like City’s run into the last few games of the Premiership, it didn’t work out as planned.

We could have done with a few more bodies on the back of Thirlmere to sustain the charge along the lake, and “the wind was against us” from Lorton onwards.

There were highlights though...... The Descender descending at a rapid rate towards the front of an on-coming double-decker is one though that I don’t want to see repeated! How he squeezed through the gap between the car and the bus still dumbfounds me.

We hit the bottom of Hardknott at 4 hours, but sadly this is where the game was lost. The tough climb up Hardknott, as demonstrated by Deno,

followed by the climb over Wrynose

brought us to the final shoulder across the back of Blea Tarn.

A quick dash down Wall End and we were back in the field. Job done for another year!

Two passes today, though the book is a bit confusing. It shows the ascent over Wrynose from west to east, but the description is east to west. I’ll have to come back and do it from both sides to make sure!

69.4 miles 2268m

Dartmoor again (12th April 2012)

Well, I didn’t think I’d be back here so soon. After the JOGLE last year I didn’t expect to find myself on the Dartmoor hills again for a while, but the challenge has dragged me down to this next of the UK once again. However, unlike last summer’s blast across the centre, a had a date today with some other hills.

So, a 48 mile round trip from Bovey Tracey, taking in four great climbs, each different in character.

The first haul up into the moor was a long one, heading up to Haytor and some fantastic views over the moor to a series of Tors.

Then, having made the top, a short sharp descent brought me to Widecombe. I’d be back here later for the last climb, but I bashed on, climbing up and over again and then dropping down to Dartmeet. Again, I’d be returning this way to climb back up a fairly steep descent. The problem with heading over the moor to Tavistock is that I’d have to repeat all the climbs, but in ascent, on the way back.

The descent down to Tavistock was fantastic, though with a wind against me I could only reach 47mph, unlike the 69mph the Descender clocked last year!

Then, having turned around I set back up on Mount Tavy Road for the return journey. 

This was much quicker, with the wind behind and long gradual descents and short ascents through the middle section. A couple of mechanicals (spokes and mudguards) and then I arrived at Badger’s Holt at Dartmeet for the steep climb up and over towards Widecombe.

On through Widecombe and up and out of the valley – did Chris Boardman really do this in 4 minutes? Awesome......

As the sign suggests, I was a bit slower than Chris for a reason! (Honest....)

The descent down from Haytor was great, averaging 30 mph for at least three miles.

Back into the car and off to Sidmouth (managing to leave my waterbottle at the carpark!)

The final climb of the SW tour took me up a steep slope to the top of Salcombe Hill and the Norman Lockyear Observatory. Fitting that it finished with a bit of physics!

So into the car for a 360 mile drive home. The south of England ticked in a busy two weeks!

49.6 miles 2226m

In the words of Arnie.... Exmoor, I’ll be back! (11th April 2012)

After an early breakfast at Cheddar YHA (and the worst vegetarian sausages ever – have they never heard of Linda McCartney?) I headed off to Crowcombe for the first climb of the day. This was a tough little beast rising up onto the Quantocks, and perhaps a taster for what Exmoor was to throw at me later! I was going to stay in the local pub, but it looked less than busy and a little run down so Cheddar YHA was a good choice.

My next stop was the car park at the top of Dunkery Beacon. A poor choice as I found out later because it meant I had to do a 10/10 climb to get back to the car at the end of the ride. 

Finally, I had a ride that had some distance in it. 40 miles, taking in Porlock Hill, Exmoor Forest and then back up Dunkery to the car.

And what a tough ride. All three climbs get high scores on Simon’s grading.

First up was Porlock Hill. Steep to start, with a toll road option for the less-foolhardy (see photo) it was steep from the gun with a 25% section of sharp bends complete with signs saying “Beware of out of control vehicles” Gulp!

Over the top, and then a few fairly flat miles to Contisbury Hill and the descent into Lynton and Lynmouth. It must have been difficult for Simon to choose the hills for the book. Why didn’t this one make it for example!

On the way I had a blast from the past, passing Yenworthy OEC. I came here as a young pup back in the seventies on a school trip. Today was full of memories, as we’ve had holidays here and at Woolacombe with the girls.

 The climb out of Lynton was very alpine, with steep wooded slopes and a tumbling river but fairly long, gentle gradients. It was a steady climb with great views doen into the river valley, past Watersmeet, which is great NT cafe.

Over the top, with a quick stop for a photo and then on to Simonsbath.

The only problem with dropping down the south side of Exmoor was that I then had to climb steepy back over it to reach the foot of the last climb. After a tough drag up out of Exford I had a swift, bendy descent back to Luccombe and the last climb back to the car. I had another two wildlife incidents on the way. At the top of the climb I scared up something that looked a little like a fox, but was grey with a shiny coat – no ideas at to what it was (the Beast of Exmoor?) and then on the descent a squirrel with a deathwish missed my front wheel by the thickness of the rubber on my tyre!

I finally made it back to the car, knackered but having had a good ride back up the climb.

Challacombe Hill in Woolacombe was next. This was fairly straightforward, with great views out to sea!

I had planned to do two more climbs today, but having driven to Woolacombe to do Challacombe Hill I was then faced with a 60 mile drive to Exeter, and the attraction of the YHA and some food was more than Sidmouth, so it had to wait until tomorrow.

Exeter YHA was welcoming, and I had dinner with Andy, an archaeologist from Worcester Uni. After a poor Red Thai curry and lots of interesting conversation I finally made it to bed and a welcome rest!

43 miles 2067m