Mini mountain marathon - Borrowdale

After the last mini mountain marathon of 2016 in November I entered Hannah and I into the first of 2017 as it was also going to be in the Peak District. Unfortunately they then changed the location to the lakes. We decided to still give it a go as Ali was happy to look after the dogs. So on Saturday I headed up to Leeds to collect Hannah once she finished work. We stopped at Tebay for our tea which was lovely and nice to see it quiet for once. Hannah had worked out a layby for us to sleep in near the start so once we got there and parked I quickly made up the bed and we got some sleep.

In the morning we could see snow on the hills and after lots of faffing, from me, we were on our way at 818am. The first control was relatively easy and flat to get to and then we started climbing. The climb was long but steady and we were soon at the next control. Leaving here was impossible without getting wet feet and then we were in snow. My feet were really hurting and I was trying to get them to warm up. Eventually they did and we got to the next control on the snowy top of a hill. On we continued and started Scrambling a bit, this meant we went too high for the control. A bit of map work and we realised we didn't want to follow the others further up and we started Scrambling down as we were sure the control was below us. This was interesting and slightly terrifying as it was a steep snow covered slope and very very slippy. I was using both hands and when it was less rocky by bum. Hannah had a bit of a slip but fortunately stopped pretty quickly. We were very pleased when we did find that control.

After that excitement we headed back to the valley and along, collecting one more control. With a bit of cajoling Hannah even managed some running as we were going to be late back (which means losing points). We were only ten mins late back in the end so not too bad. After changing into dry clothes it was time to head home, via a late lunch at Tebay.

It was a fab day but such a long way.

Mini Mountain Marathon

It seems ages ago that Hannah and I entered this event and with the weather forecast I wasn't sure I was really looking forward to it. All we knew when we entered was that it was in the Peaks somewhere, turns out that was Greenfield which is probably as far north as you can get and still be in the Peak. An early start so we could get an early start, you could start anytime between 8:15am and 10am.

The weather was as forecast and I set off in full waterproofs, Hannah was soon putting her trousers on as well! I had only done my navigation course two weeks ago which meant it was all fresh in my mind. Happily I didn't get us lost and we got to all the control points we aimed for. Unfortunately after two hours we knew if we tried to make a circular route we would be back late so we retraced our steps. Our score was pretty low but we'd had a great time in the hills.

A bit of practise for Saunders

We were meant to be at the Welsh Ride Thing this weekend but Ali has a sprained ankle and would like me about, she'd also really struggle to walk the dogs. So Hannah and I planned a little adventure, which went from biking and bivvying in the Peak, to a training walk (with maybe a bit of running) but sleeping in beds since the weather overnight wasn't meant to be that great.

We choose four points on the map, the plan being to navigate between them and hence practise our navigation as well. Ali dropped us off at Great Hucklow so we were a little closer to the first point. We got very close to the first point, a trip point, but it wasn't assessible without climbing over walls and walking on gliding club land so we had to make do with a wave. Onto our next point and that was easily ticked off before dropping into Hathersage, we had quite a steep down where Cybi wanted me to go faster than I could! I think Hannah was glad she didn't have a dog attached to her at that point.

Our next point was a Fort in the hills outside Hathersage, well being a Fort on the top of a hill. It was brilliant up there though and worth the climb. We then descended to longshaw Estate, planning on grabbing a drink at the cafe, which was shut meaning it was later than we had realised. It also started to rain so we made a quick call to Ali and arranged for her to collect us at Grindleford Station, which was a lovely walk through Padley Gorge to finish the walk.

14.5miles in total.

Monyash Audax

A while ago I suggested to Hannah that we did the Wednesday audax over Easter, we had enjoyed it last year when we rode with Sarah, Al, Ros and Julie. Hannah suggested we did the hilly one for a change this year. Although I hadnt done much riding since last summer I thought why not, anyway it would motivate me to do some riding. But before I knew it it was Easter and I hadn't done much riding.

After some bike fettling in the car park and a second breakfast at Costa we were on our way. The weather was stunning and I was glad I had put sun cream on. The route was brilliant but definetly hilly with some steep steep hills. Hannah has been riding more and so she was powering up the hills while I plodded along. By the end I was sore but happy after a great day in the saddle.

Just over 100k with over 2000m climbing was a brutal reintroduction to riding.

Mondays Rock

Another fab Monday rode with Hannah. Tried the cafe at Grindleford station and had the hugest portion of chips. Then some exploring on the way home and a nice chat to a guy from the National Trust who was very pro mountain biking.

Another Monday and some exploring

It was pretty misty out today bit another fab ride. We explored a bit today going along Curbar Edge and then discovering some lovely singletrack through the woods. Breakfast stop I had the big option before a bit of messing with my seatpost left my saddle at a very jaunty angle which wasn't very comfy. One last new track that I wanted to try meant some more climbing before getting home. I like Mondays.

Mud and more mud

With Hannah back from her holidays she requested an easy ride,  some excuse about not having been on a bike for a month. I had a nice easy 25 miles planned in the white peak. She also asked for breakfast so bacon rolls were made in her arrival before we headed out. We were lucky and the weather decided to be sunny and clear. Although it wasn't long before Hannah started mumbling something about hills. I'm guessing how much she had missed riding up them.

 

It wasn't long into the ride when I decided to do a superman impression apparently it was quite impressive and I landed  flat. Amazingly apart from a slightly sore elbow I was fine. So we could head off before the walkers came to check I was okay. We were headed out Chatsworth way and the trails were very muddy but lots and lots of fun. We got to the lunch stop at Rowsley before they started serving lunch but after two breakfasts I only really had room for cake anyway.

 

Then it was uphill Hannah was having some  chainsuck issues so she tried cleaning her chain and jockey wheels to see if it helped,  otherwise her Hill climbing gears just weren't working!

More mud and more hills with the only disappointment being that Black Harry was closed so we finished with a road descent.

Three Peaks Cyclo-cross 2013

So this year I had a new bike but somehow had managed no specific training, there really is no excuse as I do now live somewhere perfect to train, but on the plus side I had rode my cross bike a lot including off-road. As Ali was away I stayed at Malham YH the night before with Hannah which meant no having to get up early and an easy 8mile drive over to the start. Once we registered (thanks Ros of the Whistle as I had forgot mine). We met up with Al, Sarah and Norn and enjoyed the fact the sun was shining. Lining up it was nice to catch up with people I hadn't seen a while but soon we were off.

The road section was crazy as always although I lost the back of the main group, could tell at that point I had lost fitness over this summer, still my main aim was to make the cut-offs and finish so that was fine. Onto Simon Fell and it hadn't got any flatter, this year you could also see the whole line of riders/walkers up to the top. I soon was into my slow rhythm to the top, my main aim being to not stop which I managed. I was finding the carrying hard though, but I managed a PB to the top by a minute (probably as much to do with the better conditions but one I am pleased with).

That's me bottom left

Up onto Ingleborough and I was riding the singletrack but once we started climbing the wind became quite strong and at one point I was more of less crawling at the top. Dibbed in and started descending, a bit more walking than I would like and also one crash when the wind blew my bike off the track and I went over the bars but no damage. It was great to have my cheer squad at the bottom.

I headed along the road to Whernside and for the first time I caught someone and we shared the work to the bottom. Then it was another climb before some more descending, I managed to find some of the lines off the side of the track which helped me ride more of it.

I made the last cutoff and headed up PYG lots of riding on the way up was good but my legs were struggling. The turn around came and after walking the top section it was riding all the way, I enjoyed the descent and felt strong on the way to the finish actually passing two guys on the way to the finish.

Sub 6hours isn't anything amazing but I'm chuffed to have finished again.

So next year....yes I may try and actually train....

Monday Riding

Hannah over again to spend the morning playing in the dark peak, Nick joined us in Hope and we headed up the Roman Road. Lots of climbing, lots of rocks, a new bridleway to me and lots of mincing from me before cake at The Woodbine. Another fab Monday.

Hannah's First Audax

I invited Hannah to join me on a 100k Audax today, she said yes and then pointed out how hilly it was....to be fair very! I rode over from home and was early enough to get a Costa Hot Chocolate and Pastry and Hannah arrived not long after me.

The usual low-key start and we all stayed together for a while before Hannah's chain came off, and again....she should have taken it in to Garage Bikes!

The route basically went up or down! We had a lovely 16% to get up near Macclesfield Forest.

I think Hannah was glad to get to the lunch stuff and we had half an hour in hand which is always nice! I made sure I ate loads.

Then more hills, meaning more amazing views.

We even met this cute little fellow.

Finished with an hour in hand and were fed a sandwich. The regulars then started trying to persuade Hannah to do some more, 300k was mentioned!

A lovely day

Hannah came over on Wednesday this week, I'm sure it was a cunning ploy to have a shorter ride (I was in work at 1pm). Well it worked but I still found lots of hills! Nice loop up the Roman Road, along Rushup Edge, Edale, Jaggers Clough and the Roman Road back to hope for cake at the Woodbine.

Although she said she was feeling sorry for herself having to ride here I don't think she really meant it.

A little too techy for me

Another Monday and another ride with Hannah, I am enjoying these rides. The first bit involved following a restricted byway, I basically crawled up the last bit!

Some more exploring off the moors led to a lovely techy descent, I could tell at that point I wasn't riding well, probably not helped by the fact I was on Ali's bike and it is a tiny bit too big for me! The Beast was the next big downhill challenge and it mostly defeated me!

28miles done when we got home and a quick shower and lunch and I headed to work.

Cutgate before work

Yesterday I was starting work at 3pm so Hannah came over and we rode Cutgate. It was very misty and most of the time we were in the clouds but once again it was a fantastic ride. Right on the edge of my technical ability and reminded me I need to ride my mountain bike more.

Off-road and BBQ

While I was busy at work Ali has been working on the garden, with help from Hannah. So after a lovely ride home from work off-road I got home to a BBQ, perfect Friday evening.

A lovely day with friends

Hannah and Norn were over for the weekend, unfortunately I was working the Sunday so missed out wandering around the Well Dressings but on the Sunday we took the bikes out for a play. The plan was to head over to Great Longstone and get on the Monsal Trail to ride through the Monsal tunnels, something I have been meaning to do since they have be opened for cycling use. We started by climbing up Coombs Dale, an easy enough climb till I suggested to Hannah we climb up the nearly vertical slope beside us (my excuse was Three Peaks Training), I was kind enough to not make her carry the bike up.

Some more pedalling and we arrived at Great Longstone, two pubs but we wanted icecream. Following a sign to the Cricket club saying there was a ladies match on we were nearly roped into playing but also got ice-lollies, perfect. Then it was a short freewheel and onto the Monsal Trail. It was busy, expected on such a sunny day, and the tunnels felt really cold when riding through them. Reaching Miller's Dale it was time to leave the trail, ice-cream first though!

Down into Litton where we decided to eat, seeing as we hadn't had lunch and it was nearly teatime. Burgers all round!

Then a nice pootle home via Silly Dale.

About 19miles in total but lots and lots of smiles.