Halifax Sailing Club and a bit extra…..1st June 2014
Halifax Sailing Club and a bit extra…..
The morning of the 1st June was a cracker I was all giddy for the annual MTB challenge as this is one of my favorite events around the area. Now for me it’s not a case of how fast I can go and try for a podium place as those days are well gone, well they were never there in the first place, but we can all dream.
Anyway the start time of the event was 9am but I wanted to make a full day of riding as the forecast was great. Blue skies, very warm 23c perfect.
My objective was to ride for as long as possible today and enjoy the wonderful scenery and bridleways that Yorkshire as on offer. I love Yorkshire.
I left home at 7am for the 9 mile climb from Copley to Wainstalls and yes you feel like you’ve done the event before it has started. I made it to HSC by 8am and picked up my race/event number 15. The place was full of happy mountain bikers.
I met up with an old pal Paul who is a true inspiration and is still riding at 73. I hadn’t seen Paul for a while so it was great to meet up again. Danny, Ash, Jonathan, Matt and Keith all Strava buddies said hello.
9am and the car horn sounded I was in no hurry but the guys at the front were off like a shot. My legs were OK even though I had climbed 12,000 feet that week so I was surprised I was turning the pedals. My bike today was the Mariachi 29er Hardtail Rigid which I really love and thanks to pedalsportshop for the time and energy spent working with me to get it right.
The climb out of the start is a steady one and you are soon on the road to a fast descent only for you to slow down and turn left to ride along the water channels. We all rode along before climbing a fairly steep and rocky climb up and over Walshaw Moor with a cracking downhill to the marker of the 20 mile turn off or the tough 30 mile course. I turned right with several others and continued my adventure heading towards Hardcastle Craggs along the steady steep climb. At the rundown sheep shed (which is always muddy) I think I’ve only seen it dry once in all the time I have been riding and that must have been last summer.
The climb up to Shackelton Hill is tough and fitness levels were showing on some of my comrades but we managed and enjoyed the grassy descent to Shackelton.
As we headed for Widdop res there was a much needed pit stop.
Well I’m no racer so I filled my boots with snacks and drinks and was soon on my way up the climb out of Widdop (tough) and reach the descent and head down Long Causeway. Now this Pennine Bridleway is amazing but you must be careful with the speed humps/ water drains. If you take them too fast you are coming off as a fellow mountain biker found out. I approached him and he was out on the ground lying on his back with blood over his face. He was in safe hands with 3 other mountain bikers who had stopped and taken care of him.
I stopped and asked the guys if they needed any help but said they were OK and an air ambulance was on its way. The awesomeness of mankind shone through as a fallen soldier needed help and they gave up their race to be with him.
Well done lads. It turned out that he was air lifted to Blackburn Hospital and had 3 broken ribs.
The ride continued on the Pennine Bridleway North heading out towards the Bronte Way. From here it is probably the best hard packed riding you will experience it is fast and flows and with the dry weather its wonderful to ride.
I soon reached the next food stop and had Paul and Martin on my tail who for their age are very fit riders. We rode along the next section of the course which was all road but had a very hilly road climb where I finally caught Jonathan who had cramped and was suffering a bit. I continued up the road and enjoyed the descent before climbing the off-road “Stairs” climb. This is one tough climb after nearly 25 miles of riding and climbing so it was ride and push.
I was spent by now and ready for the finish line where I could re-fuel for my second leg of my adventure 3,000 feet and a road climb to come was enough for now and all I wanted was some grub. The climb to HSC was steady/steep and I was spinning my legs while others around me were pushing. Martin and Paul were on my tail but I piped them to the finish line in 3 hrs and 30 minutes and celebrated my achievement with coffee and cake.
This is a fabulous event and for a great cause it is a test of endurance and mental strength to get you to the finish line so well done to all who took part and a big thanks to the volunteers for all the clear marking/pitstops and hospitality back at Halifax Sailing Club.
I rested for a while and chatted to Danny, Ash, Paul and Martin who are all fabulous guys and great mountain bikers.
My journey from here was to explore Wainstalls and head down to Cragg Vale along the Bridleways I’ve not ridden before. I reached Robin Hood Inn and rested for a while enjoying the sunshine and food.
My goal of 62 miles and over 6,500 feet of climbing was achieved and I was very happy!