A day in the wilds
Clayton-le-dale to Dent: 45 miles
The rain in Spain may fall mainly on the plain
But the rain in Dent it did finally relent
We are familiar now that when the distance for the day is relatively short it usually means one thing - most of it is uphill and today very much confirmed that view. Started off a wet day with everyone lingering over their breakfast, not really all that keen to go out in the rain and face the hills. A break in the rain got us all out onto our bikes and of course within 5 minutes the downpour started again.
Climbed up out of the Ribble Valley and onto the moors in torrential rain, a pretty tough climb (circa 5 miles) was made even harder by the weather. Once up onto the moors one can only describe the weather as pretty wild, rain was blowing in sidewards and before too long even the Gore-Tex was beginning to seep water in. Everyone pretty soggy before too long. Apparently the scenery was great but all I saw was mist and rain. Had to slow right down going downhill as rain was stinging my face so badly, it still hurts now, several hours later.
Stopped after 1.5 hours feeling pretty chilly and wet for a nice hot chocolate and cake at a tea shop and thankfully the rain eased and within another hour the sun came out. Another climb after the tea stop, a 6.5 mile climb up onto the north york moors again. After climbing for an hour we reached the summit and the saw the view down the other side, it was so incredible that it bought me out in goosebumps all over, really achingly beautiful.
Well, what goes up must come down and after taking an hour to climb the moor it took 5 minutes to descend it again. Barely saw a car or another person all afternoon, just mile upon mile of baron landscape. Stopped for lunch and then the third and final climb of the day, another hour long 6 mile slog up onto the moors again. Didn't see a single car all the time, crossing the moors on very rarely used gated roads. Zipped down the other side and arrived in Dent, a "Hovis Advert" village, complete with cobbled streets, very pretty.
A tough day, feeling pretty tired by the end.
Stats for the day:
Time spent cycling 4hrs 2 mins
Average speed:11.0 mph
Max speed: 44mph (Weeee......)
Cattle grids crossed: 12
Sheep spotted roaming wild: Millions
Brake blocks shot to pieces on the descent: 2
Miles done so far: 525
Miles to go: 550, almost half way there.
Love to all.
The rain in Spain may fall mainly on the plain
But the rain in Dent it did finally relent
We are familiar now that when the distance for the day is relatively short it usually means one thing - most of it is uphill and today very much confirmed that view. Started off a wet day with everyone lingering over their breakfast, not really all that keen to go out in the rain and face the hills. A break in the rain got us all out onto our bikes and of course within 5 minutes the downpour started again.
Climbed up out of the Ribble Valley and onto the moors in torrential rain, a pretty tough climb (circa 5 miles) was made even harder by the weather. Once up onto the moors one can only describe the weather as pretty wild, rain was blowing in sidewards and before too long even the Gore-Tex was beginning to seep water in. Everyone pretty soggy before too long. Apparently the scenery was great but all I saw was mist and rain. Had to slow right down going downhill as rain was stinging my face so badly, it still hurts now, several hours later.
Stopped after 1.5 hours feeling pretty chilly and wet for a nice hot chocolate and cake at a tea shop and thankfully the rain eased and within another hour the sun came out. Another climb after the tea stop, a 6.5 mile climb up onto the north york moors again. After climbing for an hour we reached the summit and the saw the view down the other side, it was so incredible that it bought me out in goosebumps all over, really achingly beautiful.
Well, what goes up must come down and after taking an hour to climb the moor it took 5 minutes to descend it again. Barely saw a car or another person all afternoon, just mile upon mile of baron landscape. Stopped for lunch and then the third and final climb of the day, another hour long 6 mile slog up onto the moors again. Didn't see a single car all the time, crossing the moors on very rarely used gated roads. Zipped down the other side and arrived in Dent, a "Hovis Advert" village, complete with cobbled streets, very pretty.
A tough day, feeling pretty tired by the end.
Stats for the day:
Time spent cycling 4hrs 2 mins
Average speed:11.0 mph
Max speed: 44mph (Weeee......)
Cattle grids crossed: 12
Sheep spotted roaming wild: Millions
Brake blocks shot to pieces on the descent: 2
Miles done so far: 525
Miles to go: 550, almost half way there.
Love to all.
posted by Chris Pugh at 4:23 pm
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