Sunday Guys..looks like an improvement in conditions
It will be a similar day to Saturday with brisk winds and sunny spells. Showers will again be mainly across more western hills. Winds will be gusty during the afternoon. All Westerly so still in your face up Tan Hill :-) See you all this evening G
I am jealous, missed this obviously. Was up around that area a few weeks ago or so cycling from Carlisle to Leeds and got all weather throughout the day, torrential rain, hail, sleet and finally snow! tough day! Good luck all!
Looking forward to the reports...Everyone was upbeat at meal on Saturday. I cycled up Tan hill on the route in order to cheer on our riders...The wind was simply horrific and chapeau to all riders for getting to the feed station at the Pub. Martin was the lead rider soon followed by Jeremy and then a group with John P. Robbie and Daniel. Didn't get to chat to Daniel maybe because he got going quickly to make up time lost with a puncture. Delighted to see Jane who made it despite her bad back..and then a surprise extra rider John (?) who stayed with family in Shipley I think he said. Since it's in my back yard I will do this next year as I expect to have the form to tackle it by then. It's a well organised ride and very well supported despite the conditions bordering on dangerous. Well done all CCA riders.
A hard day. When I close my eyes I am still going up Tan Hill.
Great to see you Geoff. I was a bit delirious by the pub.
Chapeau to my fellow riders, especially the super domestique of all super domestiques John Polak.
The hot pie with minted mushy peas and gravy at the end tasted divine.
I reckon Robbie came in on about the 18th percentile, John, Martin H and myself on about the 21st percentile and John Thorpe 39th. Quick analysis so far losing some data including I think Jeremy. (I'll look at this again).
The 40+mph westerly wind made a hard day in the saddle even more epic. The first descent was really scary in the cross winds - thankfully the others seemed less affected.
Tan Hill was a 8-10mph grovel in the 34x28 and Geoff provided a welcome smile at the top! He rode out from his house so experienced Tan Hill as well.
I broke off from the Blue Train that formed after Tan Hill - simply needed to find a group riding at my own pace and take longer stops at the feeds.
The last 15miles were (mostly) a much welcomed wind-assisted blast on the big ring.
Robbie was first man back (8h10min-ish), then the Blue Train of John, Martin and Daniel (8h20something), I finished with 8h47min. Jane soon followed into the clubhouse with JT (not sure what time JT started).
Great day out, beautiful countryside and felt like a real adventure. The event is well organised and doesn't have that corporate feel of many sportives. Well recommended.
I'll always remember this ride for the momentous climb up Tan Hill (250m in 12km on v exposed moorland) in a gusting headwind of 20-40mph
Last year I rode that in 37mins (albeit with a healthy back and having trained well), but this year it took me a gruelling 59mins. The only 'positive' I could find to keep me clawing my way along, was that the terror of the swirling crosswinds was taking my mind off the relentless effort required to drive me forward. I remain enormously grateful to 2 local medics who befriended me somewhere between Thwaite and Low Row, swapping tales of Etape-injured cyclists in previous years and veterinary days ... and we worked together, collecting a few randoms as Tan Hill started to take its toll. (None of whom gave us much help, but certainly they benefitted). Never have I been so relieved to see a feedstop as I was at the top of Tan Hill this year
It was never going to be a good day for descents either, but in hair-raisingly gusty crosswinds, I just had to knuckle down and take it as a master class in minimising the risks. (Still reckon the descent from Hardknott challenged me more than anything I rode in Etape du Dales, but in terms of braking power, my bike performed a whole lot better yesterday than when I rode the Fred, which has to be a factor)
I shortcut this ride, as planned, which meant an hour in the pub at Nateby, followed by a train ride south to Horton-in-Ribblesdale, excusing me from 25 miles and 2 big climbs. The pub staff coped marvellously with a steady influx of riders in various states of exhaustion/grumpiness/elation and nobody raised an eyebrow as I stretched my back in front of the coal fire. Loved the dry way of Yorkshire folk and the soothing effect it had on us visitors. Also really appreciated the scenery this year and riding solo in tough conditions and v exposed terrain turned out to be surprisingly ok
The train ride brought new comrades and more banter and then the final push from Horton to HQ, which didn't feel nearly as tough as I'd feared. Great to be reunited with John T at the final feedstop and ride the last 20 miles together and twas vgd to see all CCA jerseys safely back at the finish. Lorra laughs, windswept faces, steaming tea and chips in the clubhouse - a fitting end to an epic ride. V tired body, but nothing seriously damaged. Mission accomplished
Best Sportive I've taken part in. Daniel was right... it's special in many ways. It feels earthy, local and real. And with that wind it certainly was tough over those Yorkshire and Cumbrian hills. John's climbing was impressive! Was a battle against either full on headwind or a gusty sidewind most of the way... so after Tan Hill and encouragement from Geoff, it was just a case of burying yourself in the ride in your own way. Think I rode 60 miles on my own or with the odd rider to share the load. Loved the pork pie, peas and mint sauce recovery dinner!
I've looked at the results again. I think the best time was 6:23. In 2015 2% got sub 7 hours and 14% sub 8 hours; in 2014 10% got sub 7 hours and 38% got sub 8 hours.
Martin T.....next time you are planning a Carlisle to Leeds ride let me know. We'll have a place for you here if you want a break. You'll probably have come to Alston and then it's an easy'ish run to Middleton in Teesdale which is 12 miles from us here at Gilmonby (Bowes). Welcome to try us out.
I left some good feedback for the team at Dave Rayner Fund and had a nice email back, apparently 'it was a particularly difficult day and we had to recover a lot of riders'
Etape du Dales is a tough ride in good conditions and we endured hellish winds to boot. So to everybody who rode this, be proud of the achievement - and doing that so early in the year bodes well for lots of good rides to come. And in better weather, I promise
Hats off to all our riders ...I have done it twice but not in such demanding conditions and it was bloody hard.
You all showed the Ashwell CC spirit, determined and enthusiastic but with a smile on your face.
Pictures are now available but you need to scroll through the galleries. There are a few of us in galleries 1, 2, 12 and 13 associated with the event. The CCA kit stands out fairly easily.
Comments
think this ought to be here Daniel not on the training weekends
21 minutes ago
Bit of a crisis here; could I get a lift to Skipton with anyone's? Daniel
It will be a similar day to Saturday with brisk winds and sunny spells. Showers will again be mainly across more western hills. Winds will be gusty during the afternoon.
All Westerly so still in your face up Tan Hill :-)
See you all this evening
G
Since it's in my back yard I will do this next year as I expect to have the form to tackle it by then. It's a well organised ride and very well supported despite the conditions bordering on dangerous.
Well done all CCA riders.
Great to see you Geoff. I was a bit delirious by the pub.
Chapeau to my fellow riders, especially the super domestique of all super domestiques John Polak.
The hot pie with minted mushy peas and gravy at the end tasted divine.
I reckon Robbie came in on about the 18th percentile, John, Martin H and myself on about the 21st percentile and John Thorpe 39th. Quick analysis so far losing some data including I think Jeremy. (I'll look at this again).
Tan Hill was a 8-10mph grovel in the 34x28 and Geoff provided a welcome smile at the top! He rode out from his house so experienced Tan Hill as well.
I broke off from the Blue Train that formed after Tan Hill - simply needed to find a group riding at my own pace and take longer stops at the feeds.
The last 15miles were (mostly) a much welcomed wind-assisted blast on the big ring.
Robbie was first man back (8h10min-ish), then the Blue Train of John, Martin and Daniel (8h20something), I finished with 8h47min. Jane soon followed into the clubhouse with JT (not sure what time JT started).
Great day out, beautiful countryside and felt like a real adventure. The event is well organised and doesn't have that corporate feel of many sportives. Well recommended.
Last year I rode that in 37mins (albeit with a healthy back and having trained well), but this year it took me a gruelling 59mins. The only 'positive' I could find to keep me clawing my way along, was that the terror of the swirling crosswinds was taking my mind off the relentless effort required to drive me forward. I remain enormously grateful to 2 local medics who befriended me somewhere between Thwaite and Low Row, swapping tales of Etape-injured cyclists in previous years and veterinary days ... and we worked together, collecting a few randoms as Tan Hill started to take its toll. (None of whom gave us much help, but certainly they benefitted). Never have I been so relieved to see a feedstop as I was at the top of Tan Hill this year
It was never going to be a good day for descents either, but in hair-raisingly gusty crosswinds, I just had to knuckle down and take it as a master class in minimising the risks. (Still reckon the descent from Hardknott challenged me more than anything I rode in Etape du Dales, but in terms of braking power, my bike performed a whole lot better yesterday than when I rode the Fred, which has to be a factor)
I shortcut this ride, as planned, which meant an hour in the pub at Nateby, followed by a train ride south to Horton-in-Ribblesdale, excusing me from 25 miles and 2 big climbs. The pub staff coped marvellously with a steady influx of riders in various states of exhaustion/grumpiness/elation and nobody raised an eyebrow as I stretched my back in front of the coal fire. Loved the dry way of Yorkshire folk and the soothing effect it had on us visitors. Also really appreciated the scenery this year and riding solo in tough conditions and v exposed terrain turned out to be surprisingly ok
The train ride brought new comrades and more banter and then the final push from Horton to HQ, which didn't feel nearly as tough as I'd feared. Great to be reunited with John T at the final feedstop and ride the last 20 miles together and twas vgd to see all CCA jerseys safely back at the finish. Lorra laughs, windswept faces, steaming tea and chips in the clubhouse - a fitting end to an epic ride. V tired body, but nothing seriously damaged. Mission accomplished
Etape du Dales is a tough ride in good conditions and we endured hellish winds to boot. So to everybody who rode this, be proud of the achievement - and doing that so early in the year bodes well for lots of good rides to come. And in better weather, I promise
You all showed the Ashwell CC spirit, determined and enthusiastic but with a smile on your face.
Sort of.
http://www.cyclesportphotos.com/section483233.html
How have your legs felt this week? I've only been up to small gear spinning on my daily commute - made me realise how deep I must have gone on Sunday.