Thanks to the great looking new forum, I've had to wait a bit longer to post a ride report.
We got up to Morecambe ready for a start at 5 to 6. We'd only travelled 1/2 mile when the first scalp happened, it was a guy on a MTB and looked like he was late for work. The early part of our route took us through Caton and Hornby on the A683. Then there was a short ride on the A65 near Ingleton, before turning onto the B6255 which we followed all the way into Hawes, passing the Ribblehead Viaduct on the way. I have to say that early on a Saturday morning, this is a fantastic road to cycle, great scenery and hardly any traffic. My highest speed of the day was achieved just past Ribblehead, a paltry 39mph. If it wasn't for the side wind (which hampered all day), I'm sure I could have got nearer 45mph, but not to worry.
It was about 20 to 9 when we rolled into Hawes for our first scheduled stop. We topped up drinks bottles and ate, before setting off again on the A684 to Leyburn. It was during this part of the trip I experienced some cramp like twinges in my right thigh and as we were only 40 miles in, I wondered whether I was in for real problems later on. Again, this part of the route took us through picturesque little villages and rolling hills before there was a short sharp little hill into Leyburn. By now the twinges were getting stronger, and I did wonder whether I was in for real problems later. It was in Leyburn I drank a full bottle of electrolyte drink then set off again. This appeared to sort my legs out as they were fine until our next planned stop in Bedale. We thought we might have gone horribly wrong when we saw a sign for Newton le Willows, I never knew there are 2. A couple of miles before entering Bedale, were thought that we might have to divert, as there were signs saying the road was closed. We decided to risk it, and apart from 500 yds on the pavement, we were fine to proceed (which I'm glad about, as the support vehicle was taken on a 20 mile detour).
By the time we reached Bedale it was 20 past 11 and we'd completed 66 miles. GPS showed that we had 54 miles to go to get to Robin Hood's Bay. All 3 of us were in very good spirits and used this as our main lunch stop.
We set off again at 10 to 12, heading towards Northallerton. We were making good progress, but with hindsight we might have pushed this section a bit too much and I was feeling much more tired by mile 80, and realised that we still had a good 40 miles to go.
After cycling through Northallerton we remained on the A684 towards Stokesley. It was during this leg that I realiseed that I hadn't researched this part of the trip as well as I may have, as there was a small portion on the A19
. This was also the portion of the trip (before A19), where we saw other cyclists. It was about 2pm and there were a couple of chain gangs and several solo riders out.
We then set off on the A172 towards Guisborough, with the thought of the North York Moors now looming large. After Guisborough we then rode along the A171 and as the 3 of us all have different abilities, it was becoming increasingly difficult to stick together as the urge to go at our own tempi took hold. It was near Charltons (where those that know it will probably agree that it's a bit of a brute) that I thought that I might not complete the trip. Paul had pushed on ahead, and Matt had dropped behind. I also knew at this point that Matt was quite close to quitting, so I took the decision half way up the hill to stop and wait for Matt to catch up. What a mistake that was, all my thigh muscles on both legs went into spasm and it took a couple of minutes to free them and get going again. I then thought that dropping into the granny may help me, only for my chain to jam between the frame and the chainset. It was soon free again, and we were on our way. That'll teach me to drop into the granny.....
For the next 10 to 15 miles, I have to say that I didn't really enjoy this part of the ride as I felt like I was running on empty, and probably got close to bonking at one point. Then came the fun part, a great descent down into Whitby at around 30mph in the dusk. It was also at this point that I realised that I was going to make it and got quite euphoric but the ride had one final sting in the tail, there was further climbs to make out of Whitby to get to Robin Hood's Bay. At least the legs felt refreshed at this point and we were soon heading down the 17% descent towards Robin Hood's Bay, which then becomes a 30% descent to the beach at the bottom. It was pitch black by now, we finally finished the ride at 5 past 5 in the afternoon, with a travelling time of approximately 10 hours. The total distance was 127 miles, which is twice as far as I'd previously ridden in a day and as Paul said that the end 'that's another one off the bucket list'.
There were many highlights and a couple of low ones during the journey. I'd cetainly like to cycle the Dales more extensively, as the scenery and rolling landscape is some of the best cycling I've ever done. If I was to do a similar route again, I'd try to find a better way from Bedale to the North York Moors. I found cycling on roads with fast traffic and roundabouts challenging when feeling knackered. I would probably find a better route with less traffic on the NYM than the A171 as well.
All in all, a fantastic experience where I learnt that 'mind over matter' certainly applies, there were several times where it would have been easy to quit between 100 and 115 miles in (I'm so glad I didn't).
Thanks to the Southerley wind, it was mostly a cross wind all day, but it was fairly light, so not too much of a pain.
After a quick pint in the pub at the bottom of Robin Hood's Bay it was back in the van to Huddersfield to celebrate my 40th birthday. I must have done a good job of ahem re-hydrating, as I weighed just as much yesterday morning as I did the day before.......
. That way you may well cover all of the 'Dales' winding and somewhat precarious roads in daylight which would be better and safer.
