The Morning before the day after
At this very moment in time it's just another trip, but in 24hrs I along with three friends (I managed to persuade to come along), Al, Raph and Grant, will be starting off on our epic 112 miles journey through the Yorkshire Dales.
I am feeling fine right now though slightly concerned about the weather and the possibility of rain, heavy rain. If there is one thing that really makes me think twice before going out on a long bike journey, then it's the wind and rain combined, but lets keep our fingers crossed.
The distance should not be a problem (i hope), but I have never cycled the roads of Yorkshire and this route is going to be one hell of a hilly mother. Sat here in my armchair waiting to be picked up is all very nice (not in the armchair), but I am going to have to seriously change my mindset by the morning.
As soon as the guys get here we will be heading to Edwards in Camberwell to pick up Als bike and then we will head off up the M1. It's a long drive so there will be a need to pick up an independent and cycling weekly in order to keep the troops entertained.
Having just spoken to Grant , who has informed me they are about to leave Raphs, I was told that Al would bring some of her cds, as she was concerned that I might bring, mmmmmmm wait for it, mmmmmmmmmmm SHOW TUNES. SHOWTUNES, how very dare you, me dear, showtunes dear, never. (I have however packed a 70s disco cd - whatever).
The Etape Du Dales
It covers the hardest Yorkshire Dale climbs in one day. Starting/finishing at Wharfedale rugby club in Grassington. The route takes in Tan Hill (the highest pub in the uk). All profits go to the Dave Rayner fund and in memory of Stuart Holdsworth who was tragically killed in 2008 whilst out cycling near his home town of Settle.
It is a long and challenging ride with the maximum gradient being 1:4 (25%).
The route is 175km (110miles) long and has around 3540m of climbing including many famous ascents: Fleets Moss, Buttertubs Pass, Tan Hill (the highest pub in England), Mallerstang, the Coal Road, Newby Head and Halton Gill.
The reward is great Dales scenery and the satisfaction of completing one of the hardest cyclosportives in the country.
The Route
www.etapedudales.co.uk/etaperoutesimp.htm
The Profile
www.etapedudales.co.uk/profile.htm
This youtube video taken by parkysouthlondon gives you a small flavour of the ride.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dn0jVMax-0
In the beginning there was a large bag.
It was going to be one night in a hotel, but Raph and Al turned up with enough kit for a week.
While Al looks at her bag and thinks "have i packed enough?", Grant looks on thinking how on earth will we get everything in - oh well
We drive down to Edwards in Camberwell to pick up Als bike and Al doesn't miss an opportunity for some retail therapy. Tassletastic.
Come on Al - we have to drive to Yorkshire - no time for riding round streets of Camberwell.
Grant and Raph try to get als bike into the back of the car.
Raph looking at the Pinarellos and considering some retail therapy. Come on raph they have to be better than a Focus :)))))))))
So while Raph and Grant sorted out some details with the car hire company Al was checking out Grants packing skills.
The journey up to Yorkshire was trouble free and we arrived up near Skipton late afternoon. Grant had secured us a nice and relatively cheap place to stay and after averting our eyes to the hoards of caravans in the fields on the way up to the hotel we arrived duly surprised.
Like a church alter - my clothes for the morning all layed out and what a perfect veiw to wake up too.
Stop slobbering Grant - Grant has his eye on once of these - a great vehicle to take your bikes around in. Just think of the trips we can all make. Can you put me on the insurance please?
I think it will work better the other way up to be honest.
Ok Grant, as your so clever why don't you go on The Apprentice and have done with it.
Andy - so what you are saying is one side operates the back brake and one the front, mmmmm ok i get it. See how long i can balance here without moving.
Now how does this work - you push down right?
Do not open this door on any account. The trials and tribulations of sharing a room with Grant.
Tampering with the bikes? Mmmmm how competative can they be?
Caught in the Act.
The Pork Pie duo were seen attempting to enter the establishment with the sole intention (i believe) of eating as many pies as possible, but once they saw the camera they made a quick exit. Ask them about their Pie eating escapade and they will flatly deny it, but now you can see the evidence.
Yes, i have my own cake shop down the road and am proud of it.
Brodies - nice food and great company - all trying to forget why they were really here. Shame - i kept reminding them but thankfully came out the 'bistro' alive, though i was threatened with the occasional slap or two.
OK - so why are we here Andy - you siad it would be easy and no we have our doubts.
Infact we are sh........g ourselves. Andy, mention one more hill and you are going to get the biggest slap - seriously, this is not funny. What happened to newspapers in bed on a sunday morning , nice breakfast and waking up at 10am.
The smiles were false. I had to really work hard to capture a smile - really hard indeed.
OK sleep - it's 6am and time to get up- the enthusiasm was electric - no sooner had i mentioned this fact then he bounded out of bed with the eagerness and excitment of an underwhelmed, disinterested person from the land of bovard. (nice headboard btw)
Does my head look big in this - the final touches before Al was ready to rock & roll.
Raph debating whether he was wearing too much. Put it on, take it off, put it on mmmmmmmmmm
Grant rounding up the troops - it was a bit cold, and a little bit of drizzle was making us all reconsider our gear. Too much faffing me thinks.
The start - 7.3am and ready for the off and a trip to 'DIY Painland'.
Come on guys - it's only a little hill. This was the start of a very tough day in the hills.
This was a taste of what was to come and we were not liking it.
Al had a smile on her face but sadly this was early on in the ride and it was going to disappear as quickly as it had arrived. I waited at the top to take the picture, but hadn't realised Grant was was coming up behind Al and so I jumped back on my bike in front of him without taking a pic, before heading off again. Oops.
No idea who the man in the fluro jacket was but Raph is coming up behind him.
The drag up to Tan Hill was arduous. A strong wind made the going tough and I was counting down the miles until we reached the control point.
Then just as I was about to leave having made the obligitory call of nature, a long line Nissan cars turned up. Of all the days for them to ponce around in the middle of the road in their suped-up penis extensions.
The Ribblehead Viaduct
We past this, but not having time to stop I have used someone elses pic (oops)
Coal Road - this was a toughy and nearly out of saddle all way.
Times/Splits
| 848 | Andrew Walker |
| 01:51:42 01:51:42 | 03:46:15 01:54:33 | 05:24:11 01:37:56 | 06:59:19 01:35:08 | 08:16:13 01:16:54 |
| 446 | Raphael Jenkins |
| 01:51:42 01:51:42 | 04:11:11 02:19:29 | 06:21:14 02:10:03 | 08:34:07 02:12:53 | 10:25:34 01:51:27 |
| 130 | Annlouise Cawley |
| 01:51:19 01:51:19 | 04:10:41 02:19:22 | 06:20:50 02:10:09 | 08:33:58 02:13:08 | 10:25:17 01:51:19 |
| 574 | Grant Meldrum |
| 01:51:13 01:51:13 | 04:02:17 02:11:04 | 06:13:44 02:11:27 | 08:18:34 02:04:50 | 09:46:07 01:27:33 |
Malcolm Elliot breaks the record
This is the time of the guy who came first. Crazy times from this British legend.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Elliott
| 939 | Malcolm Elliott |
| 01:15:02 01:15:02 | 02:42:45 01:27:43 | 03:49:04 01:06:19 | 04:53:51 01:04:47 | 05:43:24 00:49:33 |
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/469450/elliott-sets-new-etape-du-dales-record.html
