What a difference a day makes – 27th May 2012

After yesterday’s scorcher, today dawned even hotter with less wind. Having survived the night in the B&B despite a 2 am wake-up due to noisy neighbours, 8.45 found Quigs and I waiting patiently for the start of the Kilotogo Tour of the Peak. Another long, hot day in the saddle beckoned, but at least I had some company – all 1000 participants!

Lesson number one – read the map before entering any event. The route was brutal. Up and down all day, eventually climbing over 3500 metres, almost as much as the Fred, and it felt harder!

A great start across to Macclesfield from Chapel-en-le-Frith soon found us at the foot of the first climb, the infamous Cat and Fiddle. This was one of the longest UK climbs I’ve done, most of it into the wind. Hopping from wheel to wheel in search of shelter soon meant I was at the top, and there was time for a bar whilst I waited for Quigs. Finally the old boy arrived and we headed off to try to beat the cut-off at the top of Winnats. 

A blast across to Tideswell and then a swift drop into Castleton soon found us at the foot of the climb. Unlike yesterday, the Pass was full of sweaty, starining bodies as we all made the ascent. A few of the participants gave up and walked. As ever, in the land of hills the Triple is King.

We made the cut-off and then headed for Ladybower. I was starting to flag and a tea-shop would have been a welcome sight- but alas the possible distraction failed to materialise.

The next few miles passed in a blur of ups and downs through the relentless heat. It was tough, and I would have quite easily given up, where it not for the conscience that was Quigley sitting on my wheel!

The second feedstop finally arrived. A cool barn full of refreshments and cyclists hiding from the Sun. As for the refreshments, I’m getting fed up of fruit flavoured cardboard consistency energy bars. Time to go back to good old Mule Bars or something similar. I often crave savoury snacks towards the end of a long ride and today was no exception. After a brief rest, and a dowse under the tap in the kitchen it was on to the next objective, Holme Moss. We could see the objective as we left Holmfirth. A gradual ascent and then a final couple of switchbacks threw us onto the summit road.

After a brief photo stop,

 it was back to the grind and a fast, swooping decent down towards Glossop.

A final climb from Glossop, and then we arrived back at HQ in time for a plate of Chilli and a cup of tea.

The Tour was good. Fantastic scenery and great hills. Tough though! God knows how the TdF riders cope in France during the summer!

100 miles, 3248m of ascent

Back on the road! (26th May)

So, after a couple of weekends off completing the Fred and the Keswick Tri (and yet again getting the Science Dept Gold!) I’m back on the road ticking hills.

Today found me down in the Peak District. I stayed last night at Chapel-en-le-Frith and spent today completing a ride through some stunning Peak District scenery. I’d forgotten how beautiful this part of England is, and it brought back memories of the time I spent here when I was teaching in Ashby.

So, after a stunning cooked breakfast at The Roebuck, I set off about 9.15. The first climb was Peaslows, up to Sparrowpit. After a slight routefinding problem which found me heading the wrong way up a dual-carriageway I finally got on track and completed a fairly straightforward ascent. 

Then, a lovely ride across to Tideswell, and some more navigation problems, found me at the foot of Monsal Head. This was a great little climb with some fantastic views from the top.

Those of you that know me well will be surprised, but I choose not to avail myself of the Monsal Head Ice-Cream.

Instead, I headed down to Bakewell and on to Rowsley Bar, which was a cheeky little climb with a kick at the end.

Onto Matlock, and after a little detour I got onto Bank Road. What a great climb in the middle of town. Constantly challenging, with no respite.

However, having made the top I swooped quickly down to the foot of Riber Road and headed up to Riber Castle. This route was a toughie, and I was chasing a couple of horses most of the way, but made no headway on them or their riders.

From Matlock, it was quite a drag to Curbar, but the trip was enlivened by a stunning descent into Beeley, and then the road through the Chatsworth estate.

The climb up Curbar was hard, as I was running out of energy, but the top soon came and I could look forward to a cafe stop.

The climb up to Eyam was hard but the reward of the food and ice-cream was well worth the effort. From there, the 15 miles to Castleton passed really quickly, apart from the drag up Small Dale.

And so the final climb, Winnats. I’ll be here again tomorrow with Quigs on the Tour of the Peak sportive, but today I had lots of tourist cars for company!

The final swoop down to Chapel was fantastic and I arrived just before Quigs. Time for a beer!

69 miles, 2416m of ascent.

Hardknott and Wrynose; a weekend off! (6th May 2012)

(I know this is a bit late, but.....)

Having climbed Hardknott and Wrynose on each of the last three weekends, and with the Fred Whitton due on the 14^th, it was at a chance for a change of scenary......

So, the bike on the car, Laine and I headed off for a weekend with friends and Ian’s sixtieth birthday party. After a couple of teething problems with the B & B, we met up with Mick, Chris and Martine for spot of lunch and a catch-up. Mick looked pretty fit, obviously the Half-Ironman training is working! The birthday boy was on good form too, and it was great to see G mobile after her hip-op.

Having shown the youngsters up with a spot of salsa at the “do” on the Saturday night, Laine and I set off to visit her parents in Chester, via a couple of little hills!

First up was the Burway. Rising out of Church Stretton and climbing onto the Wrekin, this was a great hill with some fantastic views. I’ve dropped a little video clip in, just to whet the appetite. This was the descent back down in the car and I’d just done the same descent (though slightly faster) and made the climb back up.

From Church Stretton we headed across to Ironbridge, and the climb up Coalbrookdale. Fairly easy climbing led out of the valley past the old factories and works. This was not the shortest, but probably one of the easiest climbs. Ironbridge itself was full of cyclists, including one old boy who took great pleasure in saying that the Burway was quite an easy climb!

So, a fairly easy two hills, and the last real effort before the Fred... bring it on!

8.5 miles 456m of ascent.