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Etape du Dales May 16 2010
![Senecio [Daniel D]](https://forum.ccashwell.co.uk/uploads/userpics/691/nAAIKVAJWITJP.jpg)
Early on I met some fine scholars (Tony and Olly) from the yellow shirted Common Lane Occasionals cycling club of Sheffield; they were clearly willing to do time in the front if I was. Thus the second yellow/blue coalition in 7days was formed. There were no major policy differences and I am most grateful for their excellent company and shared effort.
Some say L'Etape du Dales is the hardest sportive, I have not done the infamous Fred Whitton Challenge but I can attest that this Yorkshire ride is spectacularly hard. Last year my low moment was turning into the relentless wind at Nateby; this year it was climbing Tan Hill (to the pub where those students got stranded over New Year). The pub had the usual range of cars outside it, but also a tracked vehicle that would not look out of place in the Arctic! This is a desolate place, almost desert like. The long climb and the headwind had taken its toll on me and so I was grateful to rest up a while with some sweet coffee and a tuna roll. This was only 40 miles into the 112 epic! After a bit of shivering getting going I was okay and found my legs again.
By the end I had lost 30 minutes on time from last year and scored 8h23m58s. Congratulations to Malcolm Currell, who put in a blinding time of 7h20m52 (I didn't see him at any point though).
There are no frills on this ride, no goodie bags, no medals, no account for age or gender in the time classifications. Just good marshalling, excellent feed stops, excellent HQ and above all a stunning route. It's a gem.
Daniel
Some say L'Etape du Dales is the hardest sportive, I have not done the infamous Fred Whitton Challenge but I can attest that this Yorkshire ride is spectacularly hard. Last year my low moment was turning into the relentless wind at Nateby; this year it was climbing Tan Hill (to the pub where those students got stranded over New Year). The pub had the usual range of cars outside it, but also a tracked vehicle that would not look out of place in the Arctic! This is a desolate place, almost desert like. The long climb and the headwind had taken its toll on me and so I was grateful to rest up a while with some sweet coffee and a tuna roll. This was only 40 miles into the 112 epic! After a bit of shivering getting going I was okay and found my legs again.
By the end I had lost 30 minutes on time from last year and scored 8h23m58s. Congratulations to Malcolm Currell, who put in a blinding time of 7h20m52 (I didn't see him at any point though).
There are no frills on this ride, no goodie bags, no medals, no account for age or gender in the time classifications. Just good marshalling, excellent feed stops, excellent HQ and above all a stunning route. It's a gem.
Daniel