First though to help you picture the man as you read his blog let me introduce you to another of our heroes........
James -or Captain C (alamity) or perhaps Anakin ??? .
Favourite Colour - The Spectrum
Family - Lots
Bike - The one with all the new bits on it.
Sponsor - Red Bull and Lego Star Wars( read on!)
Riding for - Christ Church New Mill and Lupus UK
Hair - By Graham Gooch and Shane Warne
Song - I would ride 500 miles
And now without further ado a further tale of daring do from Captain C........
Training Done
The final weekend before our big trip, I was eager to get some decent miles in. As I placed my bike in the hallway ready for an early get away, the vision on the old yellow pages ad jumped into my head, “eeee I was right about that saddle.”
Off to bed full of the excitement for the next day, a planned trip with our graceful leader.Arriving downstairs fully kitted up and raring to go, 1 nice bowl of the new Sugar Puff waffles to get me started as to ensure Richard wasn’t cross with me for not fueling up correctly. Then “ping” you have new voice mail.... “Sorry Cpt C, little lads sick and I have to be a good Dad.”
Fully kitted up I sat in the kitchen contemplating my next move, undress and retreat back to bed, (well I had got the Old boy covering work), change and go to work..nar that would be a waste, (and I knew my Dad wouldn't go home anyway,) or go alone.
Conscious of the need for mileage, but also aware of the mental resilience required for solo flights, the need for miles won and I departed a little after 8. The standard B on a B start up to the windmills and over the other side whipping down into Thurlstone. The little back road loop the Trans Pennine way and off towards Dunford Bridge.
Moving swiftly along and enjoying the early morning sunshine I soon arrived at the car park. Unsure of the best way to get the next part of the Trans Pennine trail I decide to take a quick comfort break, refuel with a hamster bar and check the iphone GPS for my next move. It was only then did I realize that the iphone requires both GPS and GSM signal to locate your whereabouts, and with no mobile signal in the bottom of Dunford bridge I could only guess in the direction to go.
Heading out of Dunford B into the next county, I was soon reassured by some signs directing me to the trail, the road climb towards the main road into a head wind did start to bite a little but happy with the knowledge that what goes up must come down I ploughed on. Arriving at the main road I quickly crossed to find the trail and a lovely section of off road, down hill, swooping in the bottom to find a quaint little bridge, I was slightly bemused by a little climb back to the main road.
Crossing the main road again I hit the track hoping for a long and fun decent, I wasn’t disappointed. Speeding along I came across a guy alone with 5 MTB’s, forever the good Samaritan, I stopped to see if everything was OK and ask how he managed to ride all 5 bike at once! Seems he and a group of friends were tackling the Trans Pennine Trail in full, and the steep off road climb had caught a few riders out, but in true team spirit the fitter ones of the bunch had walked back to help, carry, push along their friends to ensure the team moved along.
(Note to our fitter riders...Please remember this!!! Help, Carry, Push!)
Rejoining my descent I soon found myself at the “DARK SIDE OF THE MOSS” as I rounded the corner to begin my ascent a blur of bodies whisked around the corner...roadies..then more ..and more! Geeez these guys where shifting..Smiling and nodding to well over 200 riders flying down the “DARK SIDE OF THE MOSS” becomes quite a chore and disheartened, slowly I plodded on, watching the 10th’s click by, feeling every little lump in the road and I began to question my decision to attempt “DARK SIDE OF THE MOSS” alone!
Pedal turn after pedal turn and eventually I reached the top, slightly warmer than I was at the bottom and extremely relieved. Stopping in the car park to catch my breath, I quizzed some slightly official looking riders (they had Hi Viz vests on) who explained to me about the 75 mile road race which had started at Lockwood Park and would finish there 75 miles later. As I watched the back markers make it to the top, I was happy that on a Road Bike I would obviously be able to climb just as quick!
Happy with my performance but unhappy with the odometer reading of just 18 miles I began to think of other routes home, speeding down the Moss I spotted the track to Yateholme Res, littered with road closed signs I was sure there would be a way through to BrownHills for a rebel like me!Enjoying the off road section again I blazed past sign after sign informing me of NO WAY THROUGH....ROAD CLOSED...NO ACCESS.. And just as I arrived at the bridge to Freedom there they where, the largest metal gates you’ve every seen, the largest number of site safety signs you’d ever come across and the largest NO PUBLIC ACCESS sign. Chuckling to myself I about turned and began a nice section of off road climbing back to the main road, half way up I thought that I perhaps should have taken a picture of the gates for the blog, Doh!
Back on the road on heading off to the village of Holme still eager to get more miles in I took a quick left to drop down to Digley, confident I could take on the Digley climb as well as the off road climb we had done several times before. The road section done, I took to the track for the zigzag climb up to the main road, having to dig in little on the way and getting a little cross in the large stoned section near the top, I made it.
A quick bite on another hamster bar and it was time to see if RED BULL really does give you wings. Deep in my pack was a Red bull Power shot, having dragged it around several rides and forgetting to try it, reading the blurb on the bottle I expected to be home in less than 5 mins!Opting to take the track back down to Digley to reward my climbing efforts I soon found myself in Holmbridge. Maybe it does give you wings, it certainly does something,because for some strange reason I decided to take the route home which beat me first time out!
Along Dob Top and up the climb past the chicken farm this time without getting off, continuing along the road up to Cartworth, down though Washpit at break neck speed and up under Bank Old road to Cinderhills. Not exactly thrilled with Richard’s route last time we where here, I stuck to the road and made it up to Scholes Moor. Adamant to have one last climb I pushed on straight ahead to take on Dean bridge and climb up to Hepworth. JOB done it was downhill all the way home!4 hrs 20 mins riding time 36.5 miles and 2615 ft of climbing!
I can’t wait for next week!!!!!
Captain C
What a Hero can you believe the hardship this man is enduring , please if you can get that pen out and sponsor him so he doesn't have to drink anymore Red Bull shots as they appear to make him feel he is invincible..... and be turning him towards THE DARK SIDE........
Till the morrow as the countdown continues
Racing
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