Another Day at The Edge of the World.

 

Having dropped Stevie off at her mate’s in Congleton, on their way to Italy, I took the opportunity of a run around Macclesfield Forest on the far west of the Peak District. The area known as ‘Staffordshire moorlands’ has a uniquely wild and remote feel. It repays the extra time to drive from our side of the Peak.

 

For some strange reason I parked at the Cat & Fiddle, which was bleak in the extreme, with cold & driving rain. Having just come back from holiday in Turkey I was eager to get back out in the hills, but after 10 days at 40° C, wind, rain and 9° C was a bit of a shock.

 

I headed south from the Cat, passing groups of DoE hikers laden with dripping packs, and dropped down past Cumberland cottage, then up over the modest but elegant top of Shutlingsloe. On the summit I met two guys who needed directions back to their car at Clough House, and were about to set off in the opposite direction. They had been following a book of ‘Peak district walks’ but had lost it somewhere along the way, and had no concept of their location at all. Having pointed them in the right direction I carried on, glad to drop down out of the worst of the wind, and a while later found their guidebook and case beside the track.

 

I cut through the woods to Macclesfield Forest Chapel, a hamlet with the ancient and splendidly simple Chapel, used for some scenes in ‘League of Gentlemen’. Further on through the woods then down to the reservoir at Langley and a steep climb up to Tegg’s Nose. Here there is a fascinating partly restored stone quarry, but also this rocky hilltop forms the very edge of the Peak and there are unbeatable views across the Cheshire plain: at least sometimes. Last time I visited, walking with Jill, we were above a cloud inversion, creating spectacular views over an unbroken sea of white, which felt like the very edge of the world.

 

This time I looked out through the driving rain to an impenetrable wall of grey. Somewhere out there was Cheshire, Jodrell bank, eventually North Wales and Snowdonia. Maybe next time, or maybe this actually is the edge of the world.

 

I dropped back down into the valley and climbed up to the forest edge. Turning east into the wind along Charity Lane I was getting uncomfortably cold, and had to stop to put on an extra layer and warmer hat. My hands were cold but I looked at my gloves and thought, this is July, they are staying in the bag.

 

Heading back through ‘Bottom of the Oven’ I climbed back up to Buxton Road following a pleasant steep sided valley.  Finally back to the car and drove somewhere more sheltered, to get changed and head back to civilization.

 

Finn

 

 

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First time trial with Witham Wheelers

Endomondo Cycling Workout: was out cycling 11.98 miles in 34m:16s using Endomondo.

Wasdale 2012

Wasdale wasn't any easier second time round, but I managed to knock 30 minutes of my previous time and finish in 6.01 - 95th out of 144 starters. It was mostly clear all of the way round, not too warm (apart from the climbs) and mainly dry underfoot. I was going really well until Gable and then the wheels started to come off. I found the climb to the summit hard and felt like I was running on empty from Styhead only managing a steady walk to the summit of Scafell Pike and even though its all down hill from there to the finish the legs just wouldn't let me go that quick. Reflecting on my performance at the finish I don't think I ate or drank enough. I had plenty of gels and energy bars and a bladder full of energy drink. However I didn't fancy any of these and therefore wasn't taking on any fuel. I reckon I would have been better with some jam sandwiches, pork pie, nuts and raisins and just plain water. You live and learn and it means I'll have to have another go to test the theory.   The blurb on the back of the race map talks about Wasdale being the hardest race in the calendar and I'd probably agree. It's been along time since I've struggled walking up and down stairs after a race, but it sure beats a day shopping! Richard

L2P - I understand this is the cool way to write London to Paris

One of the reasons I’ve been spending so much time on my road bike just recently is that I keep falling off my mountain bike.

 

The other is that I entered the classic London – Paris Ride, finishing last Saturday at the Eiffel Tower. Apparently this is the obligatory pose at the end of the 300 mile event. Wish I had known that, I would have bought a lighter bike.

 

 

As soon as we set off from London (well Holiday Inn at Bexley) last Wednesday morning, I quickly realised I was short of experience in traffic. There’s only 1 roundabout here in Newark, and 3 sets of traffic lights, but on Day 1 we had 30 miles of it. And although we shouldn’t have had to use the map, it wasn’t easy to spot the yellow arrows as they were only 12cms long (that’s about 5 inches in old money), particularly when trying to negotiate traffic. We got used to it by the end of the trip and spotted most of the 900 arrows that were put out.

 

Once we escaped London it was into open countryside in Kent. Hilly open countryside and a pub lunch both booked by the organisers. Think I’d rather be a rider than an organiser with the responsibility of making sure that everyone got to the next check point, usually 20 miles apart. We were well looked after for the 4 days, with the 2 support vans leap-frogging each other to ensure they beat us to the next check-point, just. Finished riding at 3.00 pm Day 1, lots of standing around waiting for 37 riders to re-group, and further delay getting onto the Ferry caused by some Hi-Vis-Jobs-Worth. Tea on the Ferry and then 5k ride to Hotel Number 2 in Calais.

 

Day 2 from Calais to Arras should have been 71 miles, but thanks to a missing arrow, most of us made it 91 hilly, hot and windy miles. My Endomondo App on the i-phone suggested I had used over 5,100 calories that day. Fortunately the bar was open when we got there and I managed to put most back.

 

Day 3 from Arras to Compiegne through WW1 battlefields, passing several monuments and memorials, through lovely open countryside.

 

Day 4 Final leg to Paris. 30 miles of riding in London doesn’t prepare you for Paris. But riding as a team of 9 we were first to finish at the Louvre before re-grouping for the last time to ride as group of 37 along the Champs Elysees, round the Arc de Triomphe to Eiffel Tower for an emotional finish to our ‘Tour’. Some relatives were there to meet us; cheers, hugs, kisses and even a proposal! Some people just get carried away.

 

So it was fun, competitive, social and tiring. And there 100’s of photo’s flooding Facebook to remind us. Fascinating to observe the team formation too. Our Team WPQ formed on Day 2 and we worked so well as a Team of 9 and are already discussing another trip next year. I will be using examples in future training courses!

 

 

Bob