Before I start on todays ride I thought I should report on the dinner with Bill Reynolds one of my lunching group at the Australian Club in Melbourne.
Bill met me at Shireburn Arms Hotel (I think I named this wrongly on yesterday's post) at about 7.00pm after driving up from London on the motorways....a long drive! I introduced Bill to most of my fellow LEJOG riders and after a beer on the terrace we adjourned for dinner. Bill regaled us on his trip so far in Denmark, Germany ( Berlin), France ( Paris) and of course his days at the Ascot Races complete with top hat and tails. Seems he has had a really great time and It seems he might be doing the racing season here at Ascot again next year. The dinner with our table of Steve ( fast rider), Chris Jones Bill and myself was great with us drinking 2 bottles of red between 3 of us...Chris does not drink alcohol. I think the wine made me have a great night of sleep!!!
Anyway...on to today!
At first glance the directions sheet showed we had a shorter day of about 64kms.....It also ran in to 2 sheets as opposed to the normal 3 or 4 sheets....BUT looks were very deceptive as we were going to climb some big hills to get to the Dales and Yorkshire Moors to get through to our final stop at Dent in Cumbria.
The weather for the day promised to be sunny with the possibility of a tail breeze.
Setting off at about 8.30 am we rode through relatively flat country for the first 10 kms until Waddington....I had to make a loo stop at Waddington to loose a few kgs for the ride ahead!!! Very pleased I did.
The next 5kms up to the moors was a climb of about 10% average with some sections at 12%. This really sorted out a few early on. The view at the top of the climb was very good and the moor country sheep were interesting to see...even if they roam freely and have access to the roadways.
The next 6 kms to Slaidburn was through open country with some paddocks made of local stone. We had a welcome tea stop at Claidburn to fill water bottles and have a snack,
After tea it was then on to another relatively long climb to cross in to North Yorkshire. The climb this time was about 6 kms again at about 10% until we reached High Bentham where we had lunch. Lunch consisted of a roll and a can of ginger beer and lemonade...I was very thirsty and needed sugar!!
After lunch it was then on to Ingleton and on to Thorton in Lonsdale to get ready for the final climb for the day....and what a "mother of a climb" this was...about 10 kms with some sections at 16%. On the positive side the views were spectacular and there were many locals out hiking in the Dales for the day...once again we had to watch for sheep on the road and as we were in open country we had to negotiate a few farm gates.
At the top we were warned of the decent which was very dangerous...so I took it slowly as we neede to negotiate a winding road and several farm gates on the road....You all might be interested to know that I am a bad descender, particularly on unfamiliar roads.
All up for each of the climbs I was pleased that I managed to do them without stopping for a "breather" and was in a good rhythm each time!
For those interested we climbed 1500metres for the day and despite the effort I feel OK at the end of it!
Tonight we are staying in a lovely hotel in Dent called the George & Dragon. Dent is a pretty village with cobblestone streets
Now for the photos....
Bill and Peter sharing a beer together before dinner
Our Route for the day....bloody steep!!
At the start of the first climb...and where we had to go!!
At the top of the first climb with our van and a few of the "girls" celebrating the climb....
More to come!!!
Along the top of the moors between climbs...quite fast riding!!
But watch out for stray sheep!!!
...but here we go again for the next climb...the topis in the distance!!!!
..Gulp there is more!!!
The country is quite pretty...we were lucky the wind was behind us!!
...A hay shed for winter made out of rocks...
Note the rock fencing
Morning tea in Slaidburn...Steve and Scott enjoying the break
Quite a pretty town
Railway viaduct in Ingleton...another pretty town
...off again in to the hills!!!
Passing through one of the gates we saw this farm complex built out of local stones
Can't imagine what it would be like in winter!!
I guy in a motorized wheelchair beat me up to here.
I thought about hitching a ride!!
..and then the descent...GULP!!
FYI...I was "stuck" here for a while as my tyre got stuck in melted tar on the road!!!
All climbed out!!!
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