Sunny bank holiday ride to Middleham Castle

Had a free pass today as my Mother-in-law was down and spending time with Lesley and Amy. The weather forecast turned from monsoon rains to spring sunshine in less than 12 hours so I decided to do a hilly 80 miles to Middleham Castle via Pateley Bridge and Lofthouse and returning up Coverdale to Kettlewell, Grassington and then home.


There's some decent climbs en route, starting with the climb out of Askwith, then out of Blubberhouses, then a couple around Dacre before the route goes into the small market town of Pateley Bridge in Nidderdale.

The climb out of Lofthouse is a bit of a beast and the mouldy sign warns as such as you approach it!

I had a cappucino in Middleham (which is on day 1 of the TDF) and met a Scottish couple who were riding the Tour de France day 1 route over two days and had just got over the Grinton climb. They were really enjoying it and seemed to like milkshakes as they ordered 6 between them! I warned them that the A road between Ripon and Harrogate was going to be busy with a slight uphill gradient all the way. Forewarned at least is forearmed.

Middleham Castle, built in 1190 and once home to Richard III was right behind the cafe so I got a quick snap before heading off into Coverdale.

Even this historic site is embracing the TDF with a sprayed bike outside the main gate! Everywhere on the TDF route now you can see old bikes sprayed yellow.

The 10 mile ride up deserted (and beautiful for those in the right mindset) Coverdale will always be a grind for me, even on a lovely day like today. I just can't seem to get my head around it. At the other end was the descent into Kettlewell via the 25% Park Rash.

On the way back home from Kettlewell someone latched onto my back wheel with no introduction so naturally (for me anyway) I stepped up the tempo and we had some cracking blasts up the few remaining hills to home. When we eventually decided enough was enough at Bolton Abbey we had a good chat and it turned out he was an ex-racer and works for the same company as me! Small world.

Great ride through great countryside in great weather and I'm feeling strong on the bike so the training is paying off for sure. Riding in Yorkshire with all its climbs has to be good training for LEJOG. Pleased I don't live somewhere flat. 

Smoked salmon, pasta and plenty of veg for tea followed by a platter of cheese and biscuits. Can't wait!

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!