Leeds-Carlisle-Leeds

I have done this route twice before, it?s a great route crossing the Pennines twice, using England?s second highest road on the outward journey and the spectacular Yorkshire Dales on the return leg. This year we modified the last leg of the return journey to take in Boroughbridge instead or Ripon to avail of a late stop at Morrisons and used the very easy A168 home.

We elected for a 2100h Friday start to give an evening finish to allow straight to bed and a chance of a normal Sunday. This also has the advantage of the night ride being first instead of last, all the problems of night riding will be faced when fresh and alert.

Two of rendezvoused at Leeds Station at 2015 for coffee and more food, it was buzzing with revelers arriving for a night out in the city and a few late commuters making their way home. Departure time rolled around and we set off though the streets with lights on as darkness started to fall. Very quickly we got out of the traffic and directly up the A58 to Wetherby then the A168 to DIshforth. We know this route very well but tonight we noticed something we had never seen before. On our right to the east was a radio mast with many red lights on. Must be Bilsdale. It watched over us for hours as slowly we crept past it as we made our way north. Into the lanes following a route sheet to Scotch Corner. I am glad we had been this way before as we missed some turns and realised immediately so all we needed to do was stop and check the go back. My front light isn?t quite good enough for dark lanes, I had trouble at times distinguishing the road from the hedge. I can?t remember if my halogens were any better, I don?t recall this problem before. I shall refit them now that I have my hub back from it?s service.

At about 0130h we arrived at Scotch Corner Services to meet Deano who had brought some food with him for us. He was to continue the ride with us to complete his first 400km. Well done. His knowledge of the area meant that no navigation was required, he led us up a short section of the A66 then back onto the LEL route bound for Middleton-in-Teesdale via Barnard Castle. A beautiful night to be out, no clouds, the stars were shining like rebel diamonds. It was getting light all the time and after a short stop in M-i-T at 0400h for food we switch off our lights at commenced the ride up Yadd Moss. A long and gentle climb, one that I really like. We could see the sunlight on the hills to the west of us, we were in shade and it was really cold, I longed to the in the sunlight. My time soon came near the summit.



Understandably there was no other traffic, we had these super roads and landscapes to ourselves, well, apart from the sheep, bunnies, birds and alpacas. The latter were in a farm. Dozies attacked me, a caffeine pill staved them off and I took two more as the day progressed.

The cashpoint at Alston was out of order so nothing for a control at 0555h. We took some photos to demonstrate that we were there and chatted to the street cleaner!




At the pace we were going we?d get to Carlisle for about 0800h just in time for breakfast. Perfect, it worked out that way.

The sun was out, not a cloud in the sky and a headwind. We put lighter clothes on and made for home. Some nifty navigation got us out of the city very quickly and soon we were in Penrith. More drinks. Heaving traffic, it was nice to turn off, head east towards Appleby. That?s more like it. Next proper stop Kirby Stephen for lunch, it wasn?t too bad going to there, well not for me, the headwind was getting to my companions and the small climbs one after another sapping their strength. I was OK which is very pleasing. That headwind though.

Revived and refreshed ready to take on one of the highlights of the route, Mallerstang Common. With a morning start the challenge is to make it through here in daylight. In the afternoon sun it is spectacular. From wide flat valley the round progresses up getting narrower until it meets the railway and finally spills out into Garsdale at the Moorcock in. Left turn.

Sadness. Shortly before we arrived there had been a motorcycle and car collision. The rider was dead. No police or emergency services had yet arrived so the other drivers and riders stopped the traffic. We respectfully walked past on the grass verge as far away from the incident as we could.

Hawes was heaving with people. We sat in the shade and ate and drank. We didn?t really want to go into a cafe, they were all busy and we?d have to wait ages. Onward, on the back road. I managed to drop my companions on climb, another rider overtook me and waited and we rolled along and chatted about long distance cycling. Once he turned off I slowed to let the other two catch up. The wind was less strong here, we were lower down and heading due east but even when we started heading south east towards Masham and Ripon it seemed easier, I think it was dropping. I wasn?t looking forward to this road, it?s a transition from the Dales to the Vale of York and I find it tedious. We did OK though, letting the weakest rider set the pace he wanted.

19:15. Very quick stop in Boroughbridge ready for the blast back down the A168 to retrace our outward leg of 22 hours earlier. Back in Leeds a shade over 24hours which I am pleased with all things considered. The head wind was irksome in places, it kept us cool though. The sun meant we needed regular fluids. The night ride was superb. Dean was on Fixed and continue on home, 100km on his own to finish his first 400km. Well done.

Half of Spurn Head

Sneaked a 200km DIY in yesterday in case we don't manage the 300 next weekend. Had a bad feeling about it being the final weekend of the month. Anyway, I'd submitted an entry for an easy 200 a few weeks ago as a standby. The weather was looking good, no rain forecast, it was windier than they'd lead us to believe though.

Can't really work out why my route included Knottingley instead of Castleford, it would mean doubling back to Ferrybridge if I wanted to take the back roads to Howden. I use these roads all the time but rarely the main road, the last time I used the main road was January in the dark, so, with the tailwind I decided to go for it. Traffic was light and on my own it was absolutely fine. Fast, no real turns, made it to Howden in 1 hour 15 mins. including the stop in Knottingley. By the way here is the route The ride down to Thorn wasn't as bad as I'd feared, it's very exposed out here, no shelter from the winds. I turned and headed west directly into the wind, I was travelling much slower hoping that I'd find some shelter in the lanes. No chance. Short stop in Askern, affixed route sheet for the next section which I didn't know so well. This was a tough section, cool wind in my face, sun and hills. Heavy going, I was gald to get to Woolley Edge services and sit down for a while, some coffee and more food. I was getting too hot so I removed my tights for the first time this year. The next section is also hilly but I went better, maybe it was the food or the fact I was no longer overheating. The roads became more and more familiar and I felt better with the ride.

I first did this ride in 2005 as my recce. for Spurn Head 400 but turned for home at Mamas & Papas near Huddersfield. just had had enough that day. On Spurn Head itself it was dark for the stretch I did yesterday, stars shining bright above me. I don't remember much about it to be honest, I was with others and probably very very tired with it being my very first 400km.

It got quite cool as I rode up Calderdale to Mytholmroyd, dull, low cloud. Quick stop, put tights on and headed east with the tailwind. I felt a bit funny, cold and shaky. At Sowerby Bridge I put my gloves and gilet on again, and managed to relax on the downhill roads. It is all quite easy cycling to Dewsbury especially so with the tail wind. Dewsbury isn't my favourite West Yorkshire town and I didn't want to leave my bike just anywhere. I found a control on the way out of town and completed the last 9 km home with consummate ease. Got home before it got dark, didn't get to try my new lamp !

A New Year

It's been a while but I am still here. Still cycling. My hip is in pretty good shape, I am getting some fitness back now after a pretty good winter. The gym work is paying off (I shall probably talk more about this), my cycling is good for the time of year, my weight is good. The weather is getting better and generally I am looking forward to a good spring and summer. My ride plans are taking shape, Easter Arrow at Easter and LEL in July.

You might notice a new addition on the right, my 2009 LEL micro Blog. My plan is to update this as I do the ride so you, the reader can track my progress on line.

Wetherby 100

Not sure how this RR is going to go, it’s a very benign ride, 100km in North Yorkshire and maybe a little bit of West Yorkshire. I rode there, 30km from The Chateau, that part went very well, cool with a little drizzle. I can’t remember what time I set off, about 06:45 I suppose. Some of my clubbie who were doing the 200 with it’s 08:00 start said “I’ll see you at the start” but I didn’t really expect to be there in time. About half a mile from the start hall I saw them all rolling down a hill, “morning, morning, morning” shouted I. So gets there at about 07:05 and sat around chatting to the organiser and his helpers who also happen to be clubmates of mine. No one else whom I knew showed up L and I wondered what sort of ride I’d have, you see sometimes I am not too good at making new friends but today I was on form. “Just follow Martin” said Peter as we waited for the hour. I think I was the most sporting looking rider there, these 100s attract a different set of riders to what I am used to, I must confess feeling a little over dressed, thankfully I had a rack an mudguards on my Hewitt !!

Off we go, sure enough everyone sucked my wheel, I split the group pretty quickly and four others hung on, perhaps that’s too strong a word, I wasn’t challenging them or trying to drop anyone. In Garforth after about 10km I need to switch my gilet and armwarmers for my rain jacket. I stopped at a red traffic light and told the others what I was doing, no one waited of course when the light went green. I thought I’d catch them up. I rode on alone, in the rain. I moment of indecision in Barwick-in-Elmet and I lost a minute or two. I pushed on, I know these roads very well and on arriving at the A64 I saw my prey, the busy main road probably delayed them. They were delayed a bit more when they failed to see the turn for the bridleway. They stopped soon after and shouted back to me as I waited for them to U-turn. It was wet and muddy but thankfully not very long. I could have navigated us directly to the first control at Thorp Arch but first we had to find an info control at Wetherby Racecourse, I wasn’t sure about this as I don’t go that way very often, the 2007 Easter Arrow was the last time. I was leading us by now, I was in this position for most of the day but I didn’t mind that as it meant I kept out of other peoples spray. The gate to the racecourse crept up on us, I noticed it as a truck overtook, we stopped and u-turn and had a brief conflab about the turn. We went onto the racecourse but couldn’t see the info L On through to find a locked gate for our exit. Climbing over a wet steel gate made of tubes is not easy in Look cleated shoes, I did not want to fall. I made it. No info here either but plenty of rain. On to the control, I led again and we arrived while John the organiser was still there, he set off 20 minute before us to give the stamps to the controls. He was angry about the locked gate and couldn’t see the info either.

The next section to Copmanthorpe is quite nice in the sunshine and not too bad in the rain. I got my head down and sucked the rest alone, I know the roads. The York-Selby path was used for 9km and it was wet and muddy, my bike that was cleaned only yesterday is now filthy and no longer purring alone L. Some lunch at Selby Bus Station café, John was there still and they have a picture cut from Arrivee on the wall taken on Christmas day last year.

The final 20km took less than an hour, easy. The while ride was easy for me, I am very pleased. The 30km home took just over an hour so all in all an easy day that shouldn’t have been that easy. I think I need some more challenges now.

Wiggington 100

I did my first Audax of my comeback last week. The Wiggington 100. 100km, I rode to Leeds station, got a train to York and rode up from York station. With the homeward journey I did about 85 miles in total for the day. A flat(ish) easy ride and not too quick. I was fine, as I expected to be. I rode with a few people I knew from York and Leeds, some CTC riders who are nice people. I really enjoyed my day, a couple of nice trian journeys and a nice bike ride. Car free isn't too bad, the trains are fun and stress free.

Riding in the North Riding

Physiotherapy continues, we are doing advanced hip/core exercises. I probably should have done these before , they are recommended for cyclists so I think I'll probably come back stronger than before.

I did 57 miles last weekend in three bites. 10 miles from home to the station and back, 47 miles from Skipton station to Gargrave where I met my friends then across to Wharfedale, up to Buckden and back to Skipton, via Gargrave. Cool and drizzly weather, gritty, wet and muddy roads. Could have been better conditions but it was nice to be out with the others again. I hadn't see one of these guys since well before I crashed. I was very pleased with the way I went though, not the route, I mean how I performed. Not as strong as I was, I still not dare do much out of the saddle riding. I never did much out of the saddle before anyway and I am strong enough in the saddle now anyway. The interval training in the gym seems to have paid off.

So some motivation is back, I need to keep at it, keep making arrangements to meet people to get me out.

Walk Tall

Well, I am declaring that I can now walk properly again. Most of the time. If I am careful I think my limp is hard to detect, I still feel some stiffness in my hip and sometimes my foot. Not very often though. My six month x-rays and appointment revealed some ossification on my pelvis where the screws were inserted. Not a problem at the moment since they are not close to my joint. My next appointment with the surgeons is in one years time, they must be happy enough. I am happy enough, I can do most things now. I walked a bit too far this week and made my hip ache, some gym work and rest sorted it out. Cycling is OK, been riding to work a few times each week. My strength is coming back, I need to pile the miles in now and lose some weight. It is good to be riding to work, much preferred to standing around at bus stops.