I've got an unexpected entry to the Etape du Dales this weekend

I saw a post from Andrew Whiteside on Ilkley Cycling Club's Facebook page last night. He had hit a cat and broken his collar bone (that's hit a cat whilst riding his bike, not punched one in a bar fight). Poor fella had entered the Etape du Dales Sportive this coming Sunday and could obviously no longer do it so was offering his entry up.

After checking the weather for Sunday and seeing light SE winds and dry I decided to go for it and fortunately the ticket was still available, so in exchange for a donation to the Dave Rayner fund he has given me his entry. Andrew if you are reading this then thank you very much indeed and I hope you are able to get back on the bike soon.

The Etape is 112 miles of hard Dales riding with 9000 ft of climbing over 7 major climbs.

The climbs are:

1. Fleet Moss (from Wharfedale to Hawes)

2. Buttertubs (from Hawes to Swaledale and it's on the TDF route)

3. Turf Moor (from Feetham in Swaledale into Arkengarthdale which is new territory for me)

4. Tan Hill (to the highest pub in Britain)

5. The Coal Road (linking Garsdale station to Dent station)

6. Over Dent Fell to Newby Head (taking the route back into more familiar territory)

7. Stainforth to Halton Gill and home)

I'm looking forward to it for the riding and the scenery, especially up above Swaledale. It's supposed to be a beast and one of the top 10 rides to do in the country. It's certainly great training for LEJOG!