Mike (Jacques, a workmate) and I set of in high hopes for decent weather and hoping our 2018 training would be good enough to get us round. I did have an aspiration of breaking 10 hours (remembering I did 10hr 18m when previously doing this with Richard ‘the Swan’ B in 2015) but obviously in the knowledge that the event is very much back-loaded, with the serious issue of Hardknot Pass (97 miles in) followed by Wrynose Pass. Had hoped my legs would be in reasonable form (had ridden well on the HSLCC ‘Mayfield Mayhem’ hilly course just a few weeks back) but from early on Kirkstone did not feel it was going to be there today. Mike was generally ahead at this stage and knowing there was much more to come was thinking this was going to be a long day (typical Colin you say, dragging things out again).
Weather forecast was possibly going to be good, with a lot of rain coming up from the south but possibly passing more to the east. As we rode through Patterdale kept an eye out for clouds pushing in from the right but didn’t seem to be happening so could be lucky. Good chase along the A66 toward Keswick with some wheel sucking (did take my turn on the front) and had caught up a bit of time. Maybe legs are starting to come good.Caught up with Mike (well he caught up with me as had stopped for a comfort break on the A66) at the first feed station around 40 miles in. Both seem to be ok and the weather seems to be improving with some sunshine making an appearance. Quickish stop (Martin’s tip) and away for more climbing. Was having difficulty with my left shoe cleat. Stopped to check the problem and there was the obvious answer, I didn’t have a cleat on the shoe anymore. Bugger. Have been using the shoes (MTB type) in the gym for several months and, thinking of Hardknot, had chosen them over my road shoes. What I had failed to do was check the cleats were sufficiently tightened up. You live and learn….
So with seventy miles to go I was on one and a bit pedals. Hey, ho. SPD pedals are anything but, with little to get much purchase on, so climbing would be very difficult with shoe sliding off and not being able to get out of the saddle (without the serious prospect of wrecking my marriage tackle). Perhaps there would be a mechanic at the second feed station with a spare. Honister Pass proved to be a walk on the lower section, as could not do 20% plus in the saddle without the potential of coming to a dead stop. Will have to push a bit more between the steep bits to get some time in hand.After some more unnecessary hills eventually got to the second feed station (Highland cattle on road between Ennerdale Bridge and Calder Bridge, first time anyone called out ‘cows up’) and waited to talk to the mechanic. This took about twenty minutes (too long, says Martin) but he had no spare cleats. Ok, so will need to push harder as no choice but to walk Hardknot. Left Mike behind (he seemed to think he was ahead of me again but only caught up as we ascended to Blea Tarn, the very last climb) to try and get as much advantage before the long walk. Passing lots of tired riders (or those being sensible knowing the vertical challenges ahead) until the cattle grid at the bottom of Hardknot and then it was into mountain climbing mode. The MTB shoes were better than road shoes (or socks as some others had resorted to) so made steady progress up the first section. Almost as fast as some riders. I think the weather was having some impression as seemed to be more walkers than riders today and definitely more than 2015.
When the gradient came down got back on and peddled to just below the steep bit (30%) then off and walking again. A girl came past (is that allowed – sexist moment) then fell sideways as just ran out of energy. Couldn’t get her feet unclipped, so was shouting ‘drag me to the side I don’t want to stop any riders’. Bit Monty Python, so we helped whilst directing those still in the saddle go around her. Began speculating that this climb ought to be sponsored by Stannah (the stair lift people), or should fit a drag lift. Anyway, enough of the banter and back on the bike for the final bit up and then the descent. If you have never ridden down Hardknot (or Wrynose) then my suggestion is, don’t. It is as steep as going up, braking is hard on the hands, the rear wheel wants to lift off and the roads are so rippled from sun melt in years gone by that it is surprising there were not more crashes and accidents. Oh, and the hairpin bends, so all adds up to something which could be a very unforgiving experience. Then along the valley floor and then up Wrynose (25%). Well part way and then walking again. Over the top and down and then the new bit. This year instead of the gentle undulating road back to Grasmere, no, let’s go up again, to Blea Tarn (25%) and then down and along Langdale. By this stage my chances of breaking 10 hours were still in the balance. Mr Garmin said I had a chance but needed to put the hammer down. So whilst most others had settled for a gentle last dozen miles, your correspondent had to go for it. Pushed very hard and eventually got to the finish with the Garmin showing a couple of minutes inside my self-imposed time limit.
But no, it was not to be. The official event controls had me down for a very un-satisfactory 10hr 3m. As I say again, bugger. Was I deluded, did the Garmin loose some time when on Kirkstone (the auto pause kept stopping as I was not moving fast enough to keep it going, so stopped to re-set). I obviously stopped too long at the second feedstop (Martin was right, again, that’s annoying in itself). And it was my fault anyway.
Some stats for those interested; 113 miles, 10,810 feet of climbing. Official time 10hr 3m (Garmin said 9hr 57m) moving time 8hr 57m, average speed 12.65mph (max 36.55mph). HR max 189 bpm. HR red zone 1hr 2m, and over half the ride in zones 4 & 5 (Mike has a slow HR, so only in red for 3m, or was he not really trying)
So after all that effort is came down to three minutes. Maybe, just maybe, I will have to do it again.
Colin
NB. Great support all along the route. Lots of cow-bells and cheering and even most of the motorists who were inconvenienced by all the cyclists took it in good spirit.
