Three Peaks Cyclocross blog

Marco Locatelli's blog of the 2011 race... from Italy

2012-01-12T11:36:00.001Z

Google Translate isn't bad if you need to get by and don't speak Italian, but it's not perfect. Marco's seemed to enjoy this 2011 epic... it comes across quite poetic actually...

Here's the Google Translate version of his original blog here
___________________

North of England
Yorkshire Dales for accuracy
Or 200 km north of Liverpool
We start from Orio Friday 'with 28 degrees and arrive in Liverpool with 11 degrees
Just to clarify that we did not come to make a tour of health
We rent two cars
Some casino with Hertz but in the end give us a Galaxy and Kuga
Show
We slapped on our bikes, and even canned way to Settle
First shaking with RHD
And 'the night and luckily the traffic and' almost non-existent
A couple of stops and after a three hour or so we are at your destination
Hard time to find the fucking Bunk-house where we will base
We lie down to be 5 am or down 'to them
Fainted for a few hours

Then breakfast
and good 'Taliani we brought the coffee maker at home ...

Meanwhile, outside the wet and windy
Good omens
Anyway the moral 'high
"We get the box" from the machines and get to remount our bikes
Everything works
All in Order
Yeah!

We decide to go to "make the numbers" but we arrive in the heart of the fateful 3P Helwith Bridge that all is quiet
No mention of the coming race
Nothing at all
We are stunned to fill his belly with a delicious fish and chips as indigestible

Let's walk in the country and return to Helwith Bridge where we meet the vice organization that calms us:
will put everything 'moving in the morning on Sunday
Be as quiet
is all ok!

The bombard of questions
How many members are there?
How many eateries?
Pasta party end?
And the prize?
And what condition are the roads?
He responds very seraphic all our questions
Approximately 670 members
No refreshment
No pasta party the final
A flood of cash prizes all
The streets?
Which roads ... Here there are only a few traces in the paths and lawns anything ...
I understand that even here, the rules of the throttle paragraphs 8 and 9
Or ...
If you have mechanical problems are your dicks
If you are in trouble are your dicks
I understand to be in place, including the mentally ill like me!
No frills
No cotillones
No inflatable
No mountain bikes only and strictly moto-cross, and no change and 'tolerated means
It is serious
No chat
No distinctive
Mutism and beating
Hoping to stay in the time that the organization imposes
Disqualified
The obligation to stop
And the eternal pillory!

We return to the base and prepare to eat the delicious spaghetti
The Bunk House is crowded at dinner we slowly and fifteen
4 Italian 2 Scottish English and the rest with many editions behind cycling
Anecdotes of the race start
The legends begin
The advice
Big laughs and then everyone in bed
The alarm clock and 'at 6.30 just to get it right
Light breakfast finishing touches to the bike
Souvenir photos

Last check the pressure
I opt for 3 bar and 3.4 bar behind the front
Undriveable
But having the tire to feel soft and 'guaranteed pinched
So the choice is being required
The top riders are all tubular handlebars and dual brakes to no camelback water bottles but they do not have all the supporters located at strategic points
I've brought me a water bottle
The others have also taken camelback

We align the finish starts to rain and dense
Low clouds
But I want to pass the moments and the
The car in front of cap does indeed been traveling faster
shells and the group without any problems
A few miles and turn decided on a grass
There 'no roads or only grass path
The riders spread out and take the path that most 'likes and you start to climb
Destination clouds
Report and on very short
We are facing the first of the three hills
We are on Ingleborough
The brutal
After a while, and 'impossible to pedal to the slope and then sit down in the shoulder and the bike up with brisk
I've seen videos of the most recent editions of 'times and now I'm here really
I'm excited I cling to the network as many do, but they are in trouble 'in great difficulty'
The wall has a slope incredible and more and more 'high
Someone slips and drops the ones behind him
It 's really hard to climb
We are in the cloud and it 'all wet
If I stretch my arm in front of me from what I cling to the grass and 'vertical climbing
Then suddenly opens
We are on a windswept plateau of stones
The visibility 'and' limited
We're ghosts in the fog
There are tracks and if you lose 'those before you, most do not know' where to go
Moments hell
Then he starts to climb again always with the bike on your back
There 'also an obstacle to be overcome Marines style
Then finally we reach the first checkpoint
Here we have the chip on the wrist
It 'a kind of Pennine 5 cm long, which is threaded into a detector that people are holding
Wood chips and begin to fall

Moments and the risk of canopy
The road and 'steep and difficult
There 'mud and large stones and sharp
It goes down better on grass but sometimes' so soaked you as a tipping point and you fool
The British, however, have no qualms giu 'gun without remorse, and if you havoc: so honored!
I am terrified
Stiffened with fear
Point for survival
I pass dozens but I fuck
Arrival at Cold Cotes in the head with the feeling of being a miracle
On the plane there is' a spectacular typhoid
Whole families to support children, wives and sisters and brothers, fathers there 'to say that England are 20 for 200 slaughter!
I'm still alive
I resume the desire and devour the stretch of asphalt that leads to the second hill Wherneside
At the beginning of the climb there 'for a drink station
Or a glass of water
I take one and give up a golata Wherneside
Here is' a road pedaling for a few hundred meters, then bike on the shoulder and up an endless staircase
The clouds have lifted but it 'came a wind that blows extremely tense side of the hill
Going with the bike on your back the wind whistling between the spokes and between the cable sheaths and I have to resist not to be knocked down
It takes 58 minutes to climb to the top
A good time only 4 minutes above the table to get under 4 hours
But when they begin the descent approach to pain
Here is a path alternating flooded with very rough and steep rock to heavy and sharp real slippery stone slabs
I do the long walks and the brave who try to help give life to a real circus with hood slipped the rabbit leaps and flights of seagulls ...

32 minutes and end this suffering and also to return the asphalt to Ribblehead
Clearly, the wind and 'against
The legs are stuffed, and now I can not do group
Now we're all desperate to be only their step
Arrival at Horton where and 'place the second gate
If you do not come out six for 14.00 hours
I guarantee that it 'happened to many

I transit around 12.30
Missing the last peak
Pen-y-Ghent
The latter, and I 'liked most' of all
A little 'for the name
A little 'why' and 'the last
A little 'cause ups and downs always on the same road / trail and you can see the friends you have in front and those behind
A little 'why' and 'fairly affordable pedaling uphill and downhill
The top riders from the top to finish it takes me 19 minutes ... 27 culvert usual ole '!
Arrival in Helwith Bridge as I was in a movie shot from the truth at last
Under the banner of the finish line hand-written to launch the usual scream Abdujaparov
I take dozens of "well done" and I put them in his pocket
Apply to me as gold
Now I'm Good
The monkey 'once again sedated

I go inside the car with that feeling of deep satisfaction
Nirvana and 'a step away!

The Olive and KingPetrucci SuperGelli that standard is changing
The two old men I have played and dangerous Petrucci has even won its category in the first edition of his race when the British claim that you have to do to win the 3P least 5 / 6 times

High esteem Petrucci soak-up to the podium and 125 pound beautiful fresh!
Finished the race back to the Bunk House-I Doccio I change and go to the finish line

I put myself in line to take the necessary and so drunk on pints pints
So a royal dinner at the Old Lion in Settle with super-sirloin steak and more beer belt
We are all well SCATTAdori finisher and that 'but his pace and reached the' arrive without a diploma and the only 'Robert, who suffered a mechanical problem before the last climb ...
A real shame
We are satisfied and the night runs away in a flash but the morning I can hardly walk down the stairs from the sore legs ...
The acid comes over me
Normal given the short workout to run uphill and downhill with the bike on your back
Normal if I consider that accuse a detachment of the vastus lateralis muscle of the right leg from the last stage of the Transalp meta 'in July ...
It 's official
And 'now that I stopped to regain strength and heal the tendon
But it 'just after this officer on the ninth floor of the Sanpaolo
There 'printed my name on the head of a bed with straps ...

The loudest jersey in the Dales

2011-10-14T09:02:00.000+01:00

Piers Mortimer's blog on the Team Velocake blog. May be another 'personal worst' on a tough year but the jersey made up for it Another great read with lots of the same emotions most of us have felt over the years in this race.

Read the blog post here or click the loudest bit if the jersey

"I tell myself me and this race are finished, no need to do this again. I will be back next year."

Greg May - lessons learnt and lessons to learn

2011-10-05T16:24:00.001+01:00

Greg made the trip from Ireland again in 2011 after a year off the 3 peaks in 2010 and his preparation was meticulous... (in part!) as his blog shows. As ever, and a recurring theme in this race isyou can never prepare enough.

"Turn left onto road, big ring, smash it out…or so I though. After about 500m cramp…not a little …but both thighs and hamstrings at the same time. Try to pedal…can’t…f**k.. get off bike to stretch….cant swing leg over cross bar…f**k….pedal again…cramp…and repeat."

Some good lists there on hios blog anyway about what went well and what he'll do different next time..!

The Isle of Man TT of cyclocross

2011-10-04T22:29:00.001+01:00

"the thought struck me during a moment of clarity half-way up Whernside that this race is essentially what the Isle of Man TT is to Moto GP racing… the latter is a modern-day slightly sanitised spectacle, whereas the former is the purest form, as tough and still to this day demanding of the ultimate sacrifice as it always has been… and I found myself thinking the same of the 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross in comparison to an hour and 5 laps around a city park"

Some cracking thoughts here post-race by Whyte Bikes designer Ian Alexander. I knew Ian for many years - first when he raced as a skinny junior (Will his thighs fill his cycling shorts now? Katie asked me when I told her Ian would finally be riding - we haven't seen him for ten years!).

Aside from catching up with a friend from my days in Cheltenham, I was so pleased to watch my favourite race unfurl itself to such an experienced cyclist as Ian. A modest but strong and very wise rider, Ian's ridden the Ras in the past (as a team mate of Rob Jebb at the time, as it happens) and certainly knows a thing or two about bikes.

It was a great joy to link up again with Ian and a shame I wasn't in good enough condition to chew the fat after the race, wandering round all slinged up as I was. His blog's a great read here on the Whyte website. Thorough, analytical, but also heartfelt and warm.

"I fed and watered without problems too and I was pretty sure the only wall I was likely to hit was the hard stony sort lining the trails. "

(Read Ian's pre-race tech blog of his Whyte bike via an earlier post here)

Geek Haven

2011-10-03T11:07:00.001+01:00

Really geeking out on this at the moment. It's a great visual way of seeing where youyr strengths and weaknesses were in this year's 3 peaks cyclocross.

(I've found out that the descent off Penyghent was where I lost most of my time)

What else you will learn:

Andy Peace would probably be on the podium again if he descended as well as Rich Thackery or Ian Taylor (and if Jebby wasn't racing!)
Rich Thackery yet again takes the Penyghent descent leg - utter downhill god.
Lewis Craven's 14 mins by the roadside at Stoors Common with no puncture support cost him another possible podium place
People lower down the field had relatively much poorer legs for the Ribblehead > PYG leg. Fatigue..!

Mark Mckie's first time

2011-10-03T10:50:00.002+01:00

Just discovered a few blogs from the pre- and post- race days from Mark Mckieof York Cycleworks on his first event. Well done Mark a solid first ride and sounds like more to come.

Read hios post-race blog here

and more in the run-up / aftermath here

Velocake Podium

2011-10-01T22:02:00.001+01:00

They ride bikes, they eat cake. I may be one of them, as I even have one of their jerseys. But I didn't podium this year. Steve did for them. With two of my cousins. And my brother. Cheeky. Read their blog here.

Welland Valley back once more in strength

2011-10-01T21:52:00.001+01:00

The guys from Welland Valley have more cyclocross experience between them than many small-to-medium countries. With a fine pedigree behind them. Adrian Killworth, Andrew Wood, Julian Rathbone and Dean Barnett all turned up for this year's event and a club update is here.

"All four of the intrepid Welland Valley riders were climbing well with Barnett descending as quick as the leading riders as he used his previous 3 Peaks experience to seek out the quicker lines."

Crosstrax celebrate brilliant 2011 team victory with a movie

2011-10-01T17:45:00.000+01:00

Some great video work by Team Crosstrax to top off a great performance in the team prize this year whilst the other teams around them crumbled.

Crosstrax @ 3 Peaks Cyclocross 2011 from Ed Barber on Vimeo.

Adrian Nelhams returns

2011-09-29T15:53:00.001+01:00

Adrian Nelhams has written on his Blog ...

"...apart from the toughness and the challenges on the day it's got to be one of the best events I've ever done. I had a smile on my face when over 650 of us left the start & headed up the road to Horton-in-Ribblesdale, just to be part of something like this was special & then to finish in a good time, I couldn't have been happier."

Mee too Adrian. Know where you're coming from. I used to be nervous at the start - now I'm just excited.

Ed Edwards, Kate Moss' charming bosom c.2001 etc

2011-09-29T14:56:00.000+01:00

Fantastic blog here by Ed Edwards on the Retrobike forum. I'm not sure whether Jean Paul Sartre ever rode the 3 peaks actually. Or Kate Moss. But it's worth thinking of at times when your head's under pressure.

"I was feeling increasingly weary and the cut off was looking a challenge so to fortify myself I pondered about what Jean Paul would do (that’s J-P Sartre, rather than Jean-Paul who featured in my ‘O’ Level French textbooks). I found that this line of thought made my head hurt so instead focused on thoughts of Kate Moss’ charming bosom, circa 2001. As if by magic I was at the bottom of Whernside in one piece."

This, my friends, is why I love the 3 peaks cyclocross. It's like a literature festival at the moment Ed's time of 6hrs 26 was a near time-cutoff thing, but just imagine missing out on writing like this?!

Images from 2011 race by Andy Spencer

2011-09-29T14:12:00.000+01:00

Some very respectable and quite arty images from Andy here on his website

Only 16 images but they make up for that in quality!

Paul Myers day of compassion

2011-09-29T14:08:00.001+01:00

Lovely write up by Paul Myers on his blog. Paul's one of those people who I've 'known' for ageas through the internet but never met - and it was a real pleasure to meet Paul on Sunday for real - albeit in strange circumstances and with a sling round my neck. Paul (@sprocdoc) has helped me out (on Twitter) from afar in the past with various injuries - or just chivvying me along - so it seemed appropriate that I was not at my peak fitness when I saw him.

His rideitself was another of those 'not the fastest ever' ones but ultimately a very steady ride (or as steady as they go). Lovely anecdote too about potentially saving the life of a foreigh rider on the wrong side of the road..!

"From Ribblehead I was a bit alarmed to see a rider in front of me on the wrong side of the road, blithely riding round blind bends in danger from on-coming traffic. Catching him up I realised he was foreign, Italian I think, so shouted that he needed to be on the left. He duly latched onto my back wheel sheltering from the headwind!"

Read in full here on Paul's blog

Otley Rich defies bad conditions

2011-09-29T11:58:00.000+01:00

It's been on the cards but we finally have found someone who had a good day and a PB !!!! Richard Allen, come on down!

The Here Come the Belgians rider had a great day out on Sunday and bettered his PB in tough conditions. He's shown some great analysis of his 2010 vs 2011 split times and (like me) recorded a miles faster leg on the Cold Cotes to Whernside summit section, laying foundations for a great result. (Note to you all - don't 'save' yourself on the road sections!!). Great ride Rich. Blog post here

"A personal target is to drink one bottle on this section and I force myself to do it. A few glances over my shoulder trudging up the steps to see if I could spy Al (@crossjunkie) but no sign as yet and I'm hoping he hasn't had a mechanical/puncture - last year he breezed by me on this ascent. Over the top and its onto my bogey section having punctured and mangled mechs here in the past. Each 'Peaks I think I ride more and more of the descent from Whernside but I still run the first section on the left as it seems both quicker and safer - as Clint says "A man's got to know his limitations" "

John the Scone's Flickr Pics of PYG and Simon Fell

2011-09-29T11:48:00.000+01:00

Not many images here on Flickr but some good ones. Click here or on the one of the casual one-hander to see the set.

Adrian's first time - elation and a healthy respectful terror

2011-09-29T09:46:00.001+01:00

My cousin Adrian Holmes is one of those people who puts some dedicated cyclists to shame. Whilst some experienced cyclists can't commit to the three peaks, fearing its utter awesomeness, Adrian entered it as his first ever bike race. His blog here shows how an inexperienced syslist can get round steadily just with a blend of realism, mountain experience, preparation, luck, support and food.

"After encouragement and flapjack from our enormous support team, I'm on my way to the Ghent, and munching a Torq bar because I said I would. As I start ascending the track, riders are hurtling down which is quite nerve racking....I've still got to come down there....but not yet. Higher on the hill, I see Steve...then Phil....then Mark....and it's uplifting to see them and the warmth of their greeting. Before long I'm on my way down, and it's great cycling. A lovely 'ski traverse' contouring decent above the path, with my Landcruisers holding their edge superbly, and then as we get off the steep bit I start cycling, and keep cycling, for the longest period off-road of the day. "

Phil's Flickr Pics

2011-09-28T21:27:00.002+01:00

Support crew to my brother and cousins: Anne, Dee & Sarah took a few photos on race day and Phil Haygarth has uploaded them to his Flickr account here along with some pre-race day and post-race day bike fettling.

Mark leaves his mark

2011-09-28T21:20:00.002+01:00

Mark Holmes

I wrote last week before the race about my excitement to be sharing this race with two of my cousins - Mark & Adrian Holmes - this year, in strange circumstances, with Mark visiting on a round-world trip from New Zealand.

As it turned out, it was even stranger sicrumstances for me as the big family knees up planned for after the race had cold water poured on it by my sitting in hospital for the lion's share of the evening.

Great of Mark as an honorary 'Belgian' to write about his first ever cyclocross race.

"shockingly awkward descents, clicking cameras, warm sunshine breaking through, cries of "go the Belgians" and so to the finish still in one piece.With wincing triceps and sore palms I really knew I'd done something different"

Haygarth Breaks Bone shocker (no - not that one - it's Phil)

2011-09-28T19:54:00.000+01:00

Pic: © Ed Rollason 2011

My brother Phil Haygarth has been doing the three peaks a tiny bit longer than me, having ridden his first in 1994. Epic tales ensued (on that occasion he finished the race on a bike borrowed by me - I was riding his spare wheels round but his pedal collapsed on Whernside!). As with everyone's 3 peaks, there's always a tale to tell, and this year Phil's tale wqas simply being there given that he broke his leg on the last weekend on June. Phil's blogged about his attempts to simply get to the race - then to get round - here on the Here Come the Belgians blog.

"I was laid up all summer and the forced idelenss meant weight gain and no training. The plaster came off in August and apart from some limped training walks to the supermarket on the family holiday in Spain, I did my first proper bike ride on 1 September."

Chapeau Phil - and so chuffed you got round after such crappy preparation

Ingleborough Summit Videos by 'walker with camera'

2011-09-28T19:07:00.001+01:00

You'd have to be a real lover of mist and murk to get into these videos by a pssing walker (I'm guessing) uploaded to Youtube. Or... erm... an obsessive 3 Peaks Cyclocross lover

Neil Mansfield's tough time in 2011

2011-09-28T14:58:00.002+01:00

I properly met Neil Mansfield a few weeks before this year's 3 peaks. Neil's an experienced MTB rider with a good deal of cyclocross experience but he's always keen to learn and take on more advice and generally chew the fat... like a lot of us it seems. This race has got hold of another one big time.

Neil's blog post here tells of how his elation at achieving a 20 min improvement on his PB turned sour when his GPS device had cruelly failed him. Next year, eh, Neil?

"Climbing Whernside was an uneventful slog, carrying the bike up the rocky climb, passing the injured Rob Jebb (2010 winner) en route. Checking in at the summit with GPS time of 2:15 it all seemed to be going well despite the conditions; who needs a grand plan glued to the top tube? The traverse across the top is high speed - as we encountered a long section of peat bog I felt the bike initially plane across the top but then start to cut into the soft soil. Speed only reduced gradually but handling plummeted to zero and I was thrown off spectacularly. It was a big crash and I was at first pleased to realise that apart from a sore head, I was basically OK... then slightly disappointed as I realised that the hardest part of the race was still to come"

Singlespeed blues from Dave Barter

2011-09-28T14:47:00.001+01:00

I have a mixed relationship with singlespeed riding. I used to ride a bit of singlespeed MTB as a fun / hack / hassle free bike and had some fun times on it somehow - but to race on Singlespeed against people on gears seems a great cycling oxymoron. Essentially thought, this is the three peaks, and if you ever thought it was a level playing field you'd be sectioned. It's a playing field though.

Dave Barter has put together a truly great heart-felt blog post here, complete with lots of F-Word stuff so don't show your mums.

He even took a few photos mid-ride. Casual but committed to blogging. Like it.

I reckon I had 30 seconds of easy pedaling to the bridge then it all kicked off. Suddenly my cadence was in the 200rpm area as I fought tooth and nail to stick to the wheel in front. “F**k me we’re doing 27mph!” I heard. didn’t I know it. Within one mile I was at lactate threshold just trying to hold on. “A hill, a hill….my kingdom for a hill” I thought, anything to make the furious spinning stop. Less than five minutes into the race and I wanted to get off.

Nic Bertrand's first time - will it be the last?

2011-09-28T11:15:00.004+01:00

Nic's a dedicated road man and based in Lancaster he's seen enough of those three cheeky mountains in his life, but his first event was a toil. His account on his blog seems to rebuiff the inevitable suction that this event has. Nic will be on the start line of the 2012 event - we all know it, it's just that Nic wouldn't admit it until yet... that took a good 48 hours! Welcome to the addiction, Nic.

Difficult to comprehend this race really. It's unique. Did I enjoy myself? mmm... I'd say enjoyment is a strong word. It was an interesting journey in discovering new sets of aching muscles. The question is will I do it again? most definitely. I am eating my words as I was adamant that it would be a one-off.

Russ Jones' pics on Cross Crazy

2011-09-28T09:50:00.001+01:00

London visitors aplenty once more this year - some experienced, and some new. "London people are always welcome in the Yorkshire Dales, and always welcome to leave" as I think the phrase goes. (Don't shoot the messengar, please - or loot me - or whatever you do these days). Some big smiles on the faces as the sun finally came out at the end of the day in Helwith Bridge here. Great pics Russ

Support Crew pics for Here Come the Belgians

2011-09-27T22:58:00.000+01:00

Some of the HctB support crew's snaps from John Parkinson and the day our helping the men in (Red and ) Black on Sunday here on Facebook

Steve Riley: Once more unto the madness

2011-09-27T22:45:00.001+01:00

Steve, left, descends to Cold Cotes

Steve's a great friend whose arm I ruthlessly twisted into his first 3 peaks in 2009. By his turning up to do the event again this year, I trust that friendship is possibly back on.

Steve's a writer by profession and his blog posts always make a good read. He's even written for us here on this blog before. Read his 2011 update here

"We climb. Now we're on grass, getting muddy, getting steeper. Then it gets really steep. Nothing really prepares a first-timer for the horror of Simon Fell, but this time I was more ready for it. I got my head down and plugged away, picking off places, alone on the right away from the mule train."

He's also added some of his personal photos from the day here on his Flickr account

Paul Watson's drizzly road pics from Helwith Bridge

2011-09-27T21:02:00.000+01:00

Based mainly in Helwith Bridge, 3 peaks and geberal cycling legend Paul Watson was snapping away whilst supporting son Rob in a great ride (and an inventive tub-free one on the top part of PYG).

Photos here on Facebopk

Crossjunkie's blog update for 2011

2011-09-27T15:00:00.003+01:00

... not a minute too soon, Alan 'Crossjunkie' Dorrington - an utter connoisseur of things 3 peaks cyclocross - has updated his blog here

Alan's 2011 ride was a 'did better but went slower' one that almost all people seem to have recorded in this year's conditions.

"And I was faster, I 'know' I was. The splits tell a different story - slower on the descents, slower on the road - but that is only half the picture. I flowed more, I took more risks that were calculated and that paid off. The mojo was there going downhill, something I had worked on all year."

Biketreks day out, minor tumbles and all

2011-09-27T14:29:00.002+01:00

Thorough blog post here from the Biketreks team - based in Ambleside, Cumbria. With a large contingent this year they covered all bases and abilities. Click the clenched butt to your right or read the blog post here

"The climb up to the top of Whernside is almost completely un-ridable and relies on riders negotiating a series of rocky steps cut into the side of the mountain, following this competitors faced a long technical descent to the Ribblehead viaduct, with a very wet rocky track where many riders faced punctures and tumbles off the bike all the way down. It was at that this stage that John had lost count of the minor tumbles he was experiencing."

Twinkly Dave's hard year

2011-09-27T12:38:00.000+01:00

Regular rider and looney-mileage-addict Dave Powell writes so enticingly it's such a joy to read his personal blog posts. Dave's 3 peaks didn't go too well this year, after a nasty crash in training just a few days before sent him into a spiral of mechanical hassle and then unrelaxed, tense riding on the day.

The first marshalls out on the course fade back into the mist and murk as I start to grimace my way back down Ingleborough. Arms embarrasingly locked as rigid as the chunky seatstays I’m bounced wildly down the hill. Less flow than the water beating me on it’s descent I feel like a shambles. The road can’t come soon enough. I’m not carving round the kinks and corners in the grassy singletrack, I’m pinballing in the slowest way you could imagine. I’m hating it. I need some sort of reprive, something to help remove the damp-through misery I’m starting to feel.

Read his unmissable blog post here

Warren Edmond's video of the start

2011-09-27T11:43:00.000+01:00

Lovely subtle mainly slo-mo build up at the start here from Warren Edmond on Vimeo

3 Peaks Cyclocross Race Sept 2011 from Warren Edmond on Vimeo.

Ivan Boyes toils and battles with friends

2011-09-27T09:52:00.001+01:00

A four part report here from Ivan Boyes of Huddersfield Star Wheelers (result here) on the Huddersfield Star Wheelers forum here

"...not sure whether I was just knackered or trying to delay the inevitable rocky descent which you can check out as your trudging up as riders who have already got to the top are coming back down on the same track."

Jason Miles : Chasing the big four-o -o

2011-09-26T22:05:00.000+01:00

Jason Miles is one of those monsters who rides 12 and 24 hour MTB things very very fast and then eats more cycling for his tea. His blog from this year's race, his first as a big grown up 40 year old, is all about chasing the big 4 hour PB. But it's wet and windy - will he make it? Read here

I had powerful brakes, bar-top brake levers and a very short stem. I suppose I was cheating. But it looked pretty impressive and was immense fun.

Andy Holden's PYG and Simon Fell photos on Flickr

2011-09-26T21:11:00.003+01:00

There's something sinister about photographing a man sitting on the ground clutching his collarbone*, but incredibly fascinating for some of us at the same time. I won't sleep so well tonight thinking of this one from Andy Holden on Flickr - but they're some great shots!!

*only kidding Andy

The Kinesis Crossdresser

2011-09-26T18:55:00.002+01:00

Found 4 photos from (I think) Marcus Shields on Flickr - one of those sets of before and after shots. Marcus had five punctures this year and still finished in just over 4 and a half hours. Anyone better that?

Pics here

Wheelbase's year to forget... almost

2011-09-26T17:10:00.005+01:00

With Rob Jebb and Stuart Reid not riding this year, and no Noel Clough for the second year in a row, it was always going to be a hard year for Team Wheelbase.co.uk/Cannondale, and in many ways it went from bad to worse with Lewis Craven suffering a badly timed mechanical and my own feeble flailing on Penyghent.

But out with the old, in with the new. Steve Clark's third 3 peaks saw him mature with a very solid 13th place, and Tom Armstrong's debut ride - just 17 years of age - saw a fantastic win in the junior event. There may not have been any team prize or ornaments taken home to Jebb Towers, but it wasn't such a bad day at the office.

Read their blog here

Singletrack forum aftermath

2011-09-26T15:33:00.002+01:00

It's one of the most vocal cycling forums in the country, and will shortly descend into someone being derogatory about someone else, so go and check out the thread on the Singletrack site before it gets too negative ;-)

Ed Rollason's blog post of 2011

2011-09-26T15:18:00.000+01:00

Ed Rollason was deployed on photo duty for British Cycling on Sunday and as well as uploading loads of his pics, his own website update is an interesting insight into a day out in the mist and wind. Read it here

Dave Haygarth's cracking year

2011-09-26T14:36:00.000+01:00

Dave 'Hey - that's me' Haygarth of Wheelbase had a bit of an off year this time round, culminating with a bit of an off on the top of Penyghent and a long walk / coast back to the finish. Never mind, we're all in one piece... read the blog post here

Neil Coverley's gallery on Facebook

2011-09-26T14:29:00.001+01:00

Neil very kindly emailed me a 7mb image of myself suffering on PYG lane so I can relive it in great detail. Here's a gallery for you lot on that private whole internet in a site thing known as Facebook

Cycling Weekly photos

2011-09-26T14:25:00.003+01:00

Some cracking shots from Andy Jones @ Cycling Weekly here on their site here (thanks to Keith Parkinson who uploaded this link and a few others to the official 3 peaks sit ebefore me - I'm a bit slow today!)

Gavin Hetherington's Video of the 2011 race on Vimeo

2011-09-26T14:21:00.000+01:00

Watch here in a new window or below - wonderfully edited from stills and motion footage. Great work Gavin
Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross Race 2011 on Vimeo.

Martin Henson's CyclicngImages pics

2011-09-26T14:15:00.000+01:00

Plenty of photos to browse / for sale on the cyclingimages website by Martin Henson. Click on the poor little chap's battered legs as he walks down Penyghent to a personal worst...

Ed Rollason's 2011 photos on Flickr

2011-09-26T14:10:00.001+01:00

Ed was snapping away (a bit like me) this year on Blea Moor and on eor two other spots for British Cycling. See the pics here on Flickr

284 Photos from Steve Fleming on FLickr

2011-09-26T13:48:00.001+01:00

Steve Fleming's posted a wealth of photos to Flickr from PYG and a few of the Gill Garth section here

Singled Out: Richard Seipp's fixed gear record attempt

2011-09-26T13:04:00.000+01:00

Richard Seipp's attempt at the fixed gear record this year wasn't to be - his account here shows that even the best laid plans don't always bring results.

The going down off Ingleborough is gloopy, I never touched the brakes until the very last bit to Cold Cotes. Frustratingly twice my chain falls off. The chain tension is OK, how does that happen? At Cold Cotes (another 20 places up) I stop and tighten the chain, and swear a lot (sorry kids), and loads of people who I've passed now pass me.

Everything's gonna be all Whyte

2011-09-24T08:27:00.001+01:00

Great geekwork by 3 peaks first timer Ian Alexander of Cheltenham & County CC here. You'd expect it a bit - Ian's a bike designer for Whyte Bikes so loves the detail. Check out this article on the Cyclist No 1 site.

Whyte were very fortunate to secure a set of the not-yet-released Hope Hydraulic disc brake converters to try out which means I should be hoping for rain and wet conditions to maximize any advantage these fantastic brakes are going to liberate.

My review of the same prototype Whyte cyclocross bike (that I'll be riding tomorrow) is here on the UKcyclocross site too

To the launchpad

2011-09-23T12:07:00.001+01:00

Quick post on my own blog talking about how I'm feeling about things / preparation, bikes, etc.

I’m feeling the usual nerve/excitement cocktail at the moment. It’s not the best of times to get much focused sense out of me. It actually helps to write things down a bit.

Feeling good about somethings and feeling bad about some… so here’s the list

View the blog post here

Recce - in the nick of time

2011-09-22T14:35:00.002+01:00

A few recces have been taking place as usual. It's the kind of race that attracts you more and more as you do it (don't I just know it...) and it's a healthy thing to do in many ways. Just simply familiarising oneself with the basics of the hills brings a bit of comfort. For the connoisseur there is the working out of lines etc.

Alan 'Crossjunkie' Dorrington and Konrad Mannning went up for a fairly late recce on Tuesday. It's a good thing to do if you can spare the time, of course, because the weather's affect is generally a done thing by now.

I enjoyed a brief sojourn up Whernside 'the wrong way' back in August too. It's a nice thing - to have a few moments to immerse yourself in the finer detail, and amongst the actual canvas. I stashed the bike once I got to the 'not allowed to ride' bit of Blea Moor and headed up to look at the upper part of the descent in detail. It does change subtly each year. Nothing major this year but just a few things to work out and scratch the head about.

The one recce I've never managed to make time for in a busy life is over Simon Fell. It's not legal to take the bike up there but I'd love to wander over the top and onto Ingleborough, then jog down the descent. Two cars probably needed but would be good to feel the terrain I only see when I taste blood and sweat in my mouth.

Tapering blues (a short verse)

2011-09-22T13:20:00.004+01:00

Another year, nearly there
Kit laid out, checked all the spares
Checked tyres, spokes, links on chains
Bars straight, brake pads changed.
Dread this time though every year
Emphasising the tiniest fears
"Did I tighten that cassette?"
"What do I wear is it's not that wet?"
Strangely though it's somehow great
Knowing that by now it's too late
Training is replaced with rest
Drinking water, keeping stretched.
No more working on those lines
Hopping storm drains twenty times
No more pounding up Bull Hill
What's done is done - time to chill

Genes reunited

2011-09-21T14:02:00.000+01:00

2011 is going to be even more special than usual for me - and for my brother Phil. Both lovers of the 3 peaks come what may, some strange string of events has led to two of our cousins riding this year's race. Not hugely strange to most people, but basically eldest cousin Mark Holmes (right) has made a bit of an effort to get to Helwith Bridge from his home in Nelson, New Zealand.

His travelling round the world on a mid-life career break with wife Sarah has brought him back to his home country of England in September. Fitting in with Dave, Phil and friends in September - as you'll imagine - means one thing really. "You're welcome to come and stay, but you'll have to enter the 3 peaks cyclocross". That type of thing.

Luckily, Mark's a very active mountain biker down under and is up to the challenge, but has never ridden a 'cross bike until last week(!!). His digging deep experience as a former fell runner (not a shabby one either, completing the Ben Nevis race in '93 with me, as I recall)

To compound matters, and celebrate the family spirit - Mark's brother Adrian (still living in Blighty) thought he'd better join in as well. Occasional off-roader and cyclocross bike commuter, Adrian too has never done a cyclocross race - but will draw upon extensive mountain experience to put together a first good effort 'inside the time limit' as he modestly puts it.

Great times for my family, come what may.

Rapha's Konrad Manning on a 'peculiar' race

2011-09-20T10:07:00.001+01:00

Konrad's been featured here before, and taken a short break from organising the Rapha Supercross seried and is lugging his bike over three large hills. Bring on the obsession.

"A goodly part of this unique race is spent walking up rocky mountain paths or near vertical grassy slopes with your bike perched on your shoulder. Hill reps have been done, mountains have been climbed, so bring on race day."

Read his article on the Rapha site here

2011 Preview on British Cycling wqebsite

2011-09-19T16:40:00.003+01:00

A great summary of what's to come in just under 6 days time here on the British Cycling website

"The big news is that last year's winner, Rob Jebb, who has won the event 8 times, is out recovering from shoulder surgery. In his absence Nick Craig who won in 2009 and was second last year will probably start favourite. However, Hope team duo Paul Oldham and Dave Collins, both returning to the race after missing it for several years, should also be in the hunt.

Of the women competitors, the last two years' winner Renee Saxton is back, but may find it hard to retain her title with the return of four times winner Louise Robinson, who holds the women's record over the course, 3-39.33, considerably quicker than Saxton's p.b of 4 hours 18 minutes. Nick Craig's 2009 win showed that being a veteran is no bar to winning the race, so if Robinson is fully committed, she could just do it. Also likely to be in the frame is Isla Rowntree, another former winner."

Read in full here

Rouleur extract from Matt Seaton, from Penyghent 2010

2011-09-15T14:56:00.001+01:00

Those folks at Rouleur mag get about a bit and always come up with a great read. They've just published an extract from Matt Seaton's 3 peaks write-up last year on their blog.

"My thumb is throbbing, my ankle hurts, there are muscles in my legs I didn’t even know I had which are now threatening industrial action. I just want to get off that last hill."

Read it here

Rob Jebb not riding the 2011 3 peaks

2011-09-14T08:26:00.002+01:00

Defending champion Rob Jebb (WHEELBASE.co.uk/Cannondale) won't be defending his title in this year's Three Peaks Cyclocross.

Rob Jebb underwent shoulder surgery on Monday 12th September for a persistent unstable shoulder and internal fracture at Wrightington Hospital. The surgery went well and expects a complete and comprehensive recovery. The procedure was reasonably complex and as such the rehabilitation time will be slightly longer than with normal unstable shoulders. This will mean that Rob will miss the 3 peaks on the 25th of September and probably the entire cyclocross season in order to facilitate his full rehabilitation.

All his treatment and rehab will be undertaken with the team at thebodyrehab in the Millyard at Staveley, who sponsor both Rob and the WHEELBASE.co.uk/Cannondale team. He will be using their altitude/hypoxic equipment to train at altitude throughout to maintain fitness and working hard in to come back fitter, stronger and faster for next year.

As a team mate of Rob's and someone who know how much this race means to him, I obviously feel for him immensely at this time, and I sincerely wish him a full and speedy recovery

Steve Riley "goes long", punctures, bends bars, eats... a grand day out

2011-09-04T21:20:00.002+01:00

Terrific taster of some more training obsession creeping in to people's lives here from previous contributor Steve Riley. Steve's second attempt at the 3 peaks this year will build on 2009 when he "was on a borrowed bike I'd not seen until a couple of weeks before" - this time he know's what's what a bit more and is dealing with the luxury of experience.

Read Steve's blog post of a good hard three and a half hours on an unsuitable bike at the Llandegla forest trail centre.

Rob Jebb shoulder rumours... the truth

2011-09-03T20:07:00.002+01:00

Two or three rumours going around on Twitter that Rob Jebb's shoulder injury (sustained in the English Championship fell race at Whittle Pike on 31 July) is now threatening his ability to defend his 3 peaks cyclocross title at Helwith Bridge on 25th September.

Rob's injuries were serious but he's been able to continue training with his usual dedication. However, Rob will undergo a scan in the coming week and it will be determined then whether surgery is needed - and if so, when that surgery will be.

Needless to say, it's on until it's off, and I'll do my best to keep you posted.

You can't beat a bit o' Bully

2011-08-26T18:54:00.002+01:00

You probably don't know why I wrote that title. If you can't rememberJim Bowen saying that phrase at the end of 'Bullseye' every Sunday teatime, then you're probably of sound mind. ...But it's a phrase that keeps ringing out in my head in the run-up to the 3 peaks each year.

The connection (in case you think I've just lost all my senses in a mire of Beetroot and Sardine fitness juice) is Bull Hill - my nearest hill - is the scene of a good 50% of my Three Peaks training. It's a relatively small, fairly unspectacular mount of a hill, aspesially from most local vantage points, and you wouldn't see it as having any particular value for training, but it is absolutely perfect; and here's why:

It's very near to home.
Having something within jog-home distance means that I have to take no spares with me. No pump, so spare tubes or tubs, no tools - just me, bike. That in itself is significantly less faff.
It is a very close simulant
Somehow in a circuit up there of 12-14 minutes (depending on how well I'm going) it packs in so much of the 3 peaks it is uncanny. We have
- steep rideable bottom gear climb,
- uncomfortable gnarly descent
- have-to-walk/scramble grassy bank
- able-to-jog boggy moorland climb
- grassy moorland fast, rutty descent
Any colour you want as long as it's brownSomething comforting about the nasty boggy peaty stuff that is predictable. I'm being polite to Bull Hill here, it's wet - it's always wet, even when it's dry, it's very wet. At least you know in advance
Repeat as Required
With a 'lap' taking you that long, you can do an hour or as long as you want - the beauty of reps.

I heartily recommend you find your own simulant like this so that Simon Fell doesn't come as a shock to your system on the last Sunday of every September.

If you want to take a look at the parcours, then check out one of the many the GPS files I've uploaded to Garmin Connect... or read more Bull on Crossjunkies blog

Join Us

For the next three Fridays, (2nd, 9t and16th September) we'll be meeting up at the car park of the White Horse pub in Helmshore at 12:30 for an hour of peaty Bull Hillery. Be there. You can't beat a bit o' Bully. More details on UK Cyclocross here

Fixed gear: A niche record to have a pop at

2011-08-26T08:28:00.000+01:00

Richard Seipp contributed to this blog the other day - about his dedicated training for this year's race on a trip to the Lakes. On the another blog post in the Team Here Come the Belgians blog, Richard's talking about the challenges of going for the fixed gear record in tis year's 3 Peaks cyclocross. Similar but significantly different to 'Shaggy' John Ross's singlespeed record from 2009, the fixed gear bike means no freewheeling option.

“What gear are you going to ride then?” This keeps me awake at nights at the moment. Too big a gear and I'll be on foot for all the off road that points upwards, and too small a gear and I'll be left way behind on the road. I trialled 42:18 and found it unmanageable offroad uphill. Today I've ridden 38:18 and that seems a little bit to easy. So somewhere in between I guess.

John Wyatt's 3 peaks fixed gear record of 4:52 set in 2006 seems well within Richard's grasp - his fitness is sound and he's an experienced fell runner. Hear of how he aims to put down a better benchmark on the blog here

Tubeless: The Holy Grail?

2011-08-25T21:11:00.000+01:00

I had a bit of an online chat with Lee Shunburne today who'd read the Paul Oldham interview talking about - amongst other things - tubeless tyres for the 3 peaks. Lee and I go back a few years and he's one of those familiar faces at all the national trophy cyclocross events over the years. Paradoxically (to me!) he's never ridden the 3 peaks but will put that right in the next couple of years.

Lee's generously volunteered some hands-on experience with riding tubeless on a CX bike and it's a fascinating insight, backing up quite a bit of opinion that seems to be coming over from our enthusiastic 'cross cousins in the US.

From Lee himself:

"Just read the interview with Paul about the 3 Peaks, thought you might be interested to know how I've been getting on with tubeless for the Peak District rocks.

I got sick of constant pinch punctures at pressures that actually gave any grip, so thought I'd give it a go (been running tubeless on the MTB for a while so I had some of the kit already), my cx training wheels are bog-basic Open Pros with Vredestein Premiato tyres. I like the Premiatos as although they're narrow (34mm actually comes up as a 30) the tread pattern is the same as a Typhoon so it's good practice for racing. Anyway, I picked up a couple of proper Stans strips from nextdaytyres.com and fitted them along with some yellow spoke tape. Tyres went straight up and sat properly on the rim with a bit of soap suds on the bead. Half a scoop of Stans liquid shaken around inside and they sealed within about 10 minutes.

I've been running them at about 30 front 35 rear for a few weeks and have had no problems at all, bouncing them off rocks and roots pretty much with impunity. Grip is pretty good, particularly in comparison to others out with me who have to run 60-70 to prevent pinching! Ride quality is much improved over using a tube, more flexibilty and comfort.

I tried to go lower with pressure to see what it would be like on a standard cross course, but at 20-25 it was possible to unseat the bead slightly in corners and lose pressure. They're a narrow tyre though so I bet with something bigger like a Mud 2 you could go lower. The ride still isn't up to tub-quality, partly due to the pressure but mainly I suspect down to the stiffness of the sidewalls. And I'd say that I might have been lucky so far with the tyres, they're fairly fragile all in all so I might go for something tougher when these wear out. I'm using them well out of their design spec though so I can't complain!

So all in all I'd say for normal racing tubs still have a clear advantage, but for your mid-pack rider or those who can't be arsed with tubs then they're miles better than tubes. For the 3 Peaks they might just be the Holy Grail!"

I'm interested to see if he's right - it certainly makes sense when you hear about those sort of tyre pressures and no punctures. I'm sticking with tubulars for now though and will let others carry on with the research for me...!

Richard Seipp exorcises those bike-carrying demons

2011-08-22T09:11:00.001+01:00

From Hayfield in Derbyshire, Here Come the Belgians rider Richard Seipp is an experiences 3 peaks and general cycling / mountain / running / outdoor man and has contributed to this blog before. Richard has sent me this very special training blog from his ... ahem ... "Family Holiday" in the Lake District. Great reading, and starting to give me slight not-enough-hours-in-the-saddle nerves.... great stuff.

I wrote this a couple of days ago before I read Dave's train your weaknesses comments.

I've done the Peaks before, and I know that I can ride a bike well enough to ride all the descents and pass people, and I hold my own against my peer group on the road. I'm a better rider than I am at getting up those steep ascents on foot for sure.

This year my “training” has included bike riding of course, but the emphasis for the first time is to make sure that you folks don't leave me behind at twice my pace on those bits of the race where we don't ride bikes.

I drove up to the Lakes this week for a holiday with the family, only a few days, snatched between work commitments. I arrive in the Duddon Valley with my CX bike late afternoon. I say Hi to our friends and then head into the hills.

I ride, 400 yards from our accommodation, and then lift my bike towards my shoulder. Walna Scar Road. Once upon a time this may have been a road, but now the rumble tumble of boulders may be still as wide as a road, but from the Seathwaite side, it gives an enforced opportunity for practising the carry. A few hundred metres height over a good kilometre of rough.
I hang a right onto another bridleway. A Lakeland right of way marked on a map tells little of real life. At first I ride fast then the bridleway quickly becomes impassable on any kind of bike. Steep rocks, then wheel swallowing bog. Plenty of opportunity to practice jumping on and off the bike as the ground fluctuated between the ridable and not. I pass three walkers walking up towards. One says without prompt “Good luck with the 3 Peaks”. The drop back to Seathwaite is exhilarating, super technical in places, and of course fast.
Only a short loop, but more off than on the bike.

Next morning my wife asks me to go for a run, and I oblige. She jokingly says “I'll run, but you run with your bike.” When I've done the peaks before I've had to carry my bike, but I've never practised doing it. In fact I hated the carrying bits. No practised technique, only an awkwardness that reflected my refusal to see this as an important part of the whole. I didn't carry the entire 6 miles but I either ran alongside my steed or carried it, soon working out which method would best suit on race day. A tough little session, and of course my wife was quicker than me, but only just.

Next day I had a free, no obligations, so a big bike ride?

How many Cyclo-Cross riders complain of the pain of the ridable sections of the 3 peaks?Are you a regular Cyclo-Cross rider, a Mountain Bike rider, or a Road Cyclist? Chances are that you are.

And if so, what is your weakness? It's not riding a bike is it?

The previous afternoon we'd been for a walk with the kids up the Old Man of Coniston, we'd surveyed the clear panorama to the North. In the distance we see ScaFell Pike.

Our last day here. A lie in and then a pleasant lazy morning spent with friends and the family. I have a plan for the day. One that will not involve my bike. I suggest an itinerary for the day to my friends, but they all smile, and say they have other plans.

12pm, I am good to go. My computer mapping program gives a forecast time of 6 hours for running based on my fell running times. It would take more, I knew that. I won't give my actual route, as the value of which, via coniferous forest bashing,thigh deep bog stomping, knee deep tussocks and brambles is not worth repeating, but my calves were burning from the start, and that is a good thing.

Once into upper Eskdale I can see 600 metres above me the highest spot in England. Some folks are further up the hill,and Imagine them as competitors in a certain race. I start running hard. Steep rocky ground, changes to loose scree. My breathing is breathless. One by one, I reel them all in.

Once at Broad Stand it starts raining, I keep on running. Dare I say it the terrain a bit harder than the Yorkshire Dales has to offer, but it's always nice to have something in the head at a date in September to remind yourself that things have been worse. At the top of ScaFell Pike I spend a moment, in which a Euro Fighter magically does a roll, a couple of hundred feet over my head.

I don't roll off the Pike but I'm still fighting and pushing the speed. Down the hill, and back up the next rise. By Great End the farthest out point of the day the weather has turned rude. I keep running on to Esk Pike. Then I engage brain, and change my planned route slightly to avoid the distinct possibility of getting lost in the Lakeland mist and rain. Down Ore Gap and another non existent “footpath” takes me to the valley. Still running, though more than once the bog stops me dead. No one to race against now.

Once at the road I'm on the days Horton Helwith stretch of my route, only 4 miles left, though with no bike. I've never suffered on the last road section of the Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross. I did in the Lakes that day.

8 hours to the minute, 21 miles of running 5000 feet of ascent and descent and not a revolution peddled.

Looking forward with a wry smile to Simon Fell now.

Keep in contact with Richard via his Flickr Photos or follow him on Twitter

Confused? You will be... First Time advice and conflicting opinions

2011-08-20T21:50:00.004+01:00

The internet is barely 20 years old. In its infancy when I rode my first 3 peaks (in 1995), it certainly would be many years before people would turn to web pages.. then forums, then blogs, then Facebook / Twitter.. to find out more info about this race. Now it's a stunning mass (c.54,000 and rapidly growing) of Google results for the race if you type '3 peaks cyclocross'... so where do you turn for reliable information? How do we pick the niche opinion from the right choice for tyres, preparation, food, training, recces, etc etc?

There's obviously a few reliable sites and forums, and people will also know other people who have ridden the race and can chat to... but it's surprising at times how much conflicting opinion there is on all these things.

I'm going to throw a few of what regular readers of this blog would see as my common basics and a few that are a less common: My first-timer-friendly advice for the 3 peaks cyclocross.

1. Who are you??

Firstly, what's your background? What do you ride and how well do you do? Are you a regular 'cross racer, a Mountain bike rider, occasional off-roader, Sportive rider...? It's so obvious but how do you apply your background to getting the most out of this race?

What I'm basically getting at is the need to train your weaknesses - not your strengths. The chances are that you don't normally lug bikes up big mountains on your shoulder so a bit of that is an obvious thing to be trying out and getting used to. If you're a cycle commuter with little or no experience of racing then think of riding really fast for short bursts. If you are a mountain biker who lavishes in the comfort of a 120mm all mountain bike with fat tyres then ride your cross bike over really uncomfortable terrain. Do what you can to get out of your comfort zone and simulate this race.

2. Getting tyred of answering

If you're on clincher tyres, then Shwalbe Landcruiser 35mm or Maxxis Locust 35mm. Maximum PSI. Fit 35mm-40mm tubes NOT 28-35mm ones. Stretched tubes will PUNCTURE

If you're on tubulars, Tuffo T34 or Vittoria XG 34mm. Again, maximum PSI. Fill them with Latex (eg NoTubes) sealant and plenty of it.

Why?

Lots of reasons, but in essence and in no particular order:

TREAD: Grip isn't a real issue in this race
WIDE: Punctures wreck your race and you get mild comfort from the width
PRESSURE: Punctures wreck your race (again!) and rocks give punctures here, not your mamby pamby flints or thorns

Unless your an absolute whippet or you really know something I don't, then don't ride anything that varies from this. Tried and tested.

3. Eat, Drink, and you will be merry.

Drink and eat. Winners are never thirsty, and you will burn more calories than you can think possible. Whatever you can stomach that helps. Energy drinks are your friends - they provide nutrients and minerals that you will need like you have never needed them before. Get bottles handed up or carry a camelbak and take fluid at the two water holes to save carrying it before. The climb and descent of Penyghent is hard going enough on the body without you having to beg an apple from a passing walker. Cramp is also a killer and may well undo loads of hard work. Drink regularly and sensible fluids. (I use SiS Go and SiS PSP22 generally - check the proportions of powder to water - that is important to ensure you don't cramp).

4. Prepare for the worst

Carry what you'll need to get you to the next stop. I have cocked up several times with crap tools etc and know loads of other people who have... but you can prepare by knowing your bike is in tip top shape. Replace cables a bit before, brand new brake pads in case it's wet... check those bolts so you don't end up riding two and a half peaks with only a rear brake like some numpties.. :-) - be meticulous - you'll sleep better. Here's some real life bad news stories (there are many more)

Carrying spare tubes with valves too short for the rim
Carrying an emergency pump that inflates the tyre so badly you puncture again immediately
Not carrying a spare tube or pump (!!)
Not knowing how to split and re-link a broken chain
Jockey wheels / cranks / pedals / cleats / saddles / brakes "falling off"
Frames or Forks breaking (harsh I know, but check them before for cracks and ageing!)
Spare wheels not fitting bike or rubbing on brake pads etc.
Chains jumping on replacement wheels.
Saddle Bags (with tools) falling off (when later needed)

5. PMA

It can be a tough race on you for all sorts of reasons, but a positive mental attitude is the best ally in difficulty. It's once a year - if things aren't going well, just do everything in your power to get the best out of the day. Everyone's got an excuse or ten when they get to the finish line - just look forward to sharing yours but don't think about packing in.

Paul Oldham: "The Race that Comes Back to the Bike Rider"

2011-08-17T22:13:00.005+01:00

It came as some mild surprise to me when I heard shortly before entries closed that British Cyclocross Champion Paul Oldham was riding this year's three peaks. Rumours tend to do little for the reputation of this race... I've heard people say things along the lines that it 'blunts you for the real 'cross season' or it 'takes too much specialist training', so it was refreshing in a way to chat to Paul Oldham at the 3 peaks two years ago.

Paul was there in the capacity of support crew for his dad (Chris), who has raced the event plenty of times (a role reversal - Chris is normally Paul's pit man in the National Trophy races). When I asked Paul in 2009 why he wasn't riding, his answer was pleasantly understandable and frank: "Because I absolutely hate this race", he said. Far from being taken aback, I knew what he meant. Paul had soared as high as fourth at his best in the 'peaks and is a quality rider, but it's so specialist and off-the-beaten track, in cyclocross terms, that his 'inside the top ten' placings that would make most of us very happy, probably weren't doing it for Paul.

I spoke to Paul about this year's race; why he was back, and what his plans were. I started asking him the obvious question: Why was he back?

"I want to do the jersey proud" was his first reaction, "I think I'll be the first national [senior male] champion to start the 3 peaks in a very long time". That's an understatement - the last one to enter was either John Atkins (in the 1970s) or Nick Craig (When he was twice champion in the 1990s) - still - John was the last one to win the 3 peaks as national champion - in 1970. So is Paul going to Helwith Bridge to win?

"It's certainly a possibility. I think I'm capable of winning it if it goes well. 4th was my best in the past but I was a different rider then."

"It's a race that comes back to the bike rider" says Paul - speaking of the vicious start up Simon Fell onto the Ingleborough ridge. "Ingleborough's a runner's hill - and so is Whernside to an extent, but not so much. When you get to Penyghent, it definitely favours the rider".

Paul refers more directly to the opposition, by saying "Rob [Jebb] is bound to be at the front on Ingleborough but a gap on the road is going to be harder to keep this year [with a stronger field at the top end]. Craigy [Nick Craig] has had to chase on his own most years, but if Rob gets a gap on his own, people will eat into it if they ride hard".

So we chatted for a bit about the various scenarios - 3 minute gap at Ribblehead, 2 minutes etc... it starts to become a serious prospect that Paul - with his excellent mountain bike AND road experience could win the event this year.

"It's be nice but I'm not doing much special training" says Paul, playing it down in much the same way that everyone does, before adding, "you need to be doing loads of specialist training and I do what I can, but I have to gear my training towards the rest of the season - wearing the jersey is important this year so I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket".

It's a familiar but understandable explanation (but unfamiliar to me, who is happy to put eggs, bacon, fried bread, tomatoes etc all in the 3 peaks basket!). So what is Paul doing then, with this race on the horizon? "I'm doing a bit in the gym - there's a Jacobs Ladder thing that I go on for about 15 minutes [simulating a stiff walking climb], and a bit of hill work when I can fit it in".

It's refreshing that he's putting in a bit of specialist effort. But what about the bike?

"We've been expecting a delivery of bikes ready for disc brakes" says Paul - who rides and works for Hope, "We've made some reservoir adapters so we can get decent [hydraulic] brakes on, but the frames are late so it's looking like I'll be riding one of last year's Scott Addicts. They're dead light so will be great when you're carrying. Other than that the only special difference is the wheels and gears".

We chat for a bit about the gearing issue / choices... "it's hard, cause when you're going really well you don't have to think about low gears. The year I was 4th I rode 39-25 up Penyghent and overtook all the way up". Legend has it that he was indeed in 14th place at the start of the climb that year. "But you need a bail out if you're having a hard time".

And what about tyres, I ask. I know it's an obsession for us all...! "I'll probably ride [Schwalbe] Landcruisers, 'tubelessed up'. " - I was slightly taken aback - whilst tubeless is really an accepted norm in many MTB races, it's certainly not mainstream in cyclocross. "I never ride owt else off road - I love it" adds Paul... "and you can always put a tube in then just as quick as a tube if you get stuck". An interesting prospect - dying to see how he gets on with this on a 'cross bike (and slightly tempted myself now...!).

Finally, one big issue on my mind was this year's team prize (for the three highest placed riders in a team). "I think we're in with a good chance and it'll be close" says Paul, before I explain to him that Stuard Reid, of team favourites Wheelbase.co.uk / Cannondale will not be riding this season. "Oh - I think we could do it then if it all goes well - it'll be really close - we need Keith [Murray] to pull his finger out though!". It's a good point and meant in good spirits. Keith is a massively experienced rider in all disciplines and has had an amazing season time trialling this year, but has never quite fulfilled his potential in the 3 peaks - his time will come. If it comes this year, then Hope could be very hard to beat in the team competition.

"It'd be great for Hope" adds Paul. Hope have generously and consistently supported the prize list of the 3 peaks, so indeed it would. But not without a fight, eh?

Whatever happens in September, it's great to see the bike rider come back to 'the race that comes back to the bike rider' anyway - welcome back, Paul.

2011 entries - some analysis

2011-08-15T21:52:00.002+01:00

Just finally taken a good look through the 2011 entries and wanted to collate some thoughts / initial things that strike me. In no particular order:

It's Big
Not really much surprises here but this year's entry looks huge and we should see a record number of starters in September. There's som ebig name first timers on there too, as well as a few welcome returns... which leads neatly on to:
The first British National Cyclocross champ for a while.
Paul Oldham will start the 2011 3 peaks cyclocross as the first current male senior champion since... (I'm struggling a bit here) ... ? Anyway - certainly the first senior male champ I can remember riding in recent history. Louise Robinson is riding again and I think she was the last senior national champ to have ridden the 3 peaks in their national jersey.
More to play for at the top
Aside from having some more very high quality riders than in recent years, it's also a bit muddier to predict who'll win the team prize this time round. Team Wheelbase have won in some guise or other for every year but one in 2003, when Nick Craig, Dave Collins and Keith Murray squeezed them out. The trio of Paul Oldham, Dave Collins and Keith Murray will give hope some good hope (geddit?) of that prize this year with Wheelbase lacking big hitter Stu Reid, who has counted in the 1st team for most of those years. (Stu is having an operation on his shoulder and will miss the 'cross season). Talking of shoulders...:
Cold Shoulder
Rob Jebb, who has been pretty good at the 3 peaks in the past took a very nasty tumble in one of the English Championship fell races (just down the road from me) and had two very painful hours getting his shoulder put back in at the same hospital I spent 2 painful hours getting my shoulder back in in April. Suffice to say that a fit Rob Jebb may not have things all his way this year (his shoulder was dislocated just weeks before his 2009 defeat). I'm sure the go very very very fast up Ingleborough strategy will be employed again though... but after eight wins it's not a done deal. Nothing is. Race on.
Movers and Shakers
There's a few people who have had potential for a while who have been flying in various forms this year - expect some stalwarts to suddenly move up the positions this year.

More to follow soon on the blog - sorry it's been quiet!

Get Cross - A Cyclocross Skills course with Skills expert Ed Oxley

2011-07-18T10:44:00.001+01:00

Last Year's 3 Peaks Cyclocross saw me having to deal with only one brake for 2 and a half of the three peaks, and in my own blog post last year, I wrote:

"... it’s fairly obvious that this is the type of race that not being in control is not a good thing. I had to work with what I’d got" .... "A day of skills training from MTB Skills coach Ed Oxley in summer came into force, and rather than slowing the bike with my brake, I was forced to pick my lines well, nail them, and have confidence in where I was going. It was more about confidence than nerve" .... "It soon made sense and I didn’t lose any places...."

It's coming to that time of the year again. Your bikes are being built up, cobwebs dusted off, and the endless summer sun (??) has made your legs the powerhouses you always dreamed of. But wait...! Have you got all the gear you need? Allow me to do a checklist for you:

State of the art Bike []
Wheel bling []
Legs like Cancellara []
Cyclocross Skills [] ... (eh??)

Yep - you can buy the first two if you're so inclined. You could enjoy the wall to wall sunshine of the British summer to get the third one. But 10th September at Lee Quarry in Lancashire is when you can UPGRADE YOURSELF and to learn to ride your cyclocross bike PROPERLY.

Ed Oxley - famous for his MTB skills courses, will be joining forces with Lancashire based 'crossers Alan Dorrington and myself to combine his 'be the bike' skills coaching with their extensive years of cyclocross experience.

You can book your place on the event here

Ryan Hawson's pics on Facebook

2011-05-12T15:31:00.000+01:00

Another set emerged into the world from good old unreliable Facebook search. This time Ryan Hawson's photos from the 2010 event. Click on the lambs to the slaughter to the right to see the photos of the race and one of some sheep.

Pics from Theo Stead on Facebook

2011-05-10T10:29:00.000+01:00

Not loads of pics, not brilliant ones but a couple of nice ones... and hey - you might be in there... so best take a look! Click on the now illegal flat bars to see 23 pics

The trip from Switzerland, and a discussion

2010-10-25T08:04:00.001+01:00

I've been lucky enough to 'meet' a few people on the internet with this blog, one of whom is James Eddison. James lives in Switzerland now but makes the journey over each year. It'll come as no surprise that James is a fellow obsessive... here's a discussion about some of the finer points of this year's race (with my, slightly less verbose responses in bold and prefixed by DH).

The trip was worthwhile as always, though the race and results not as I had hoped for! I will try to explain why, and perhaps ask for some advice for next year?

This year my training has been limited on the bike, but I went into the weekend very fired up and actually feeling quite strong. I think this was a result of having quite a diverse range of exercise over the full year. After the peaks last year, I went on and did my first ever half Marathon over here without actually doing any running training (ouch!), then when the snow came we were straight into the cross country skiing (freestyle/skating style). We have started doing a famous cross country ski marathon in Engadin/St Moritz every year. I originally entered as a method of learning how to XC ski, but now it’s become a sort of tradition with us at the end of the winter season. It’s a great way of keeping fit when there’s too much snow around to ride.

DH - Very envious! Love winter sports in general!

The plus side is that come the start of the cycling season, you have a great base fitness to work from. That, with a bit of mountain biking some road races/riding and a bit of fell running all helped. Though through the year I probably only did about 1500km of riding, compared to about 5000km the previous year. So, I was surprised to get to the Peaks this year feeling as strong as I did.

DH - Me too - less and less each year (family, business, generally other things to think of!) Done 1170 miles on bike since 1st Jan - just checked my Garmin logs

My time up Ingleborough was 2 mins quicker than I have ever done. I remember you saying people’s times were down on average for this leg due to the headwind, so I was chuffed to have got up there quicker.

DH - Nice one.

My run down the other side was smooth enough, apart from a whole group of us dropping off the edge too early and having to traverse across to the path. It was probably a bit slower down than last year due to the moisture however. The run up to the start of Whernside was ok - if a little slow for my liking in the pack I was in. I did my couple of turns on the front but was very conscious about pushing too hard before the climb.

DH - same comments from lots of mates - no-one wanted to work in that headwind - you needed no more than three riders or people would start to sit in and that makes no-one want to work

Then the first mental blow hit me. As soon as the track started climbing, cramp set in on both legs just above the knee cap towards the inner side. Then it moved to the quads etc… It pretty much stayed with me up all the steep parts where about 10 people passed me. On the lesser slopes it died away and I could pick other folk back off again, but I was yo-yoing.

DH - I had quads cramp near the top of WS too - think that cold wind was not helping on sweaty legs

Down Whernside I passed quite a few and was pretty happy with the descent – I stayed on the paved track all the way, only getting off for the steep couple of drops high up. I passed quite a few folk on the way down there. Then at Ribblehead, I managed to tag onto one chap, which then became a pack of about 8 of us. I sat in all the way to save energy for PyG. I was hoping to ride far more this year owing to the 34-34 set up I mentioned thanks to 10spd Shimano, and I did ride more than usual, but at a total snails pace. The cramp had sapped everything from the legs, even though aerobically I was feeling fine.

DH - the headwind up the laned track was deceptive this year - we all suffered!

Then before the track kicks to the right for the final traverse, or after the gate actually, the cramp set in again to the point I was close to tears. Quads, hamstrings, calves – the lot! You can’t stretch your quads because your hamstrings cramp and vice versa. Somehow through grit and determination I got to the top! The descent was good. I have spent a lot of time on stupid trails out here with the cross bike improving the down hilling to the point where I can match/beat most folk within my time window. I flew down passing a good few people and got onto the road at Horton at about the 3.54 point. Another chap I was with shouted to me that we could still do sub four hours, which would have been some consolation at least! As we set off, I had that horrible lump lump feeling from the rear – a chuffing flat. ARGH! I pride myself on bike preparation, and cannot stand it when kit lets me down. Additionally, 60psi, landcruisers and a body weight of 60kgs should be enough to withstand a lot of pounding. Not that day. Knowing it was only a Km or so down the road to Helwith, I tried to ride it out knowing that time spent changing a tube (my support crew had already gone to Helwith as they thought I was on the home straight) would be greater than the time lost riding a flat – but the tyre and rim parted company. So, stop, change tube, inflate with gas cylinder – gas cylinder unseats tyre off rim mid inflation. ARGH! So, no option but fit and try ride to the finish with lumpy back tyre. 500m then BANG! Second flat in 1km. ARGH! – I’m surprised you didn’t hear my expletives from the finish area. Approx 25 riders passed me whilst all this was going on, then slow ride back to Helwith. Trying to negotiate the right hander junction just before the bridge was interesting with tyre rolling away under me!

DH - Gutted. I've come off PYG with snapped forks in the past so know the blues involved.

So, not the best of races when initially I was feeling good.

Cramp: Haven’t a clue why this happened to me. Last year I did get a bit of cramp up Whernside and up PyG, but not as bad as this. This year I did more specific fell running, hiking with all the backpack kit, and finding the steepest route up our 500m climb here with cross bike on back. Maybe I didn’t stretch enough in the weeks prior to the even to supple up a bit. Maybe I should also have had more magnesium/potassium/ general salts prior to the event. Any advice would be very gratefully received on this one.

DH - I have reduced cramp significantly over the years and I think it's due to my dining out on pure simple energy products all day. SiS Gels, SiS 'Go' and SiS PSP22 - basically, they all have those essentials in and they're as near as I've got to eradicating the problem, but a cold day has an odd effect on sweaty, damp cycling shorts.

Wheels and Tyres: As I only weight 60kgs and my bike weighs 10kgs, it’s a great percentage of my body weight. If you don’t mind me asking you, what wheel/tyre combo do you run please? I hope to build for next year some Stans No Tubes road rims, with cross tyres and some lighter hubs. Doing this I calculate I can save 1.4kgs of weight by reducing hub weight, getting shut of tubes which should eliminate pinch punctures, and getting rid of the ridiculously heavy landcruisers. I suspect you are running tubs of some form – which would help me a lot. I just have more experience of a ‘no tubes’ set up on my mtb.

DH Last couple of years I've run 34mm tubulars on standard tub rims. I put notubes in them just in case. Tubulars with Stans in them way better than tubeless because of the simple physics - look at a profile of them - they're round. A 65psi tubular (or prob 60 in your case) has way more bounce in it than a clincher (even tubeless).... and little of the pinch puncture risk. Down side is you're screwed a bit if they puncture... but that's the case with clinchers sometimes as you've proven. You also didn't factor in that you f*cked up in mending the first not getting it seated on the rim properly. Harsh, I know, but that's down to sheer panic / rush - I've been there too. Level head is crucial at times like that.

Next year I don’t have any big races planned. 2009 was Trans Alp road race, 2010 was Trans Germany Mtb race etc.. so I am thinking of going balls out for the Peaks as the main aim. I really want to do a sub 3 hr 45 time if possible. Over the last couple of years I feel to have, pardone the pun, ‘peaked’ too early, then the run up to the peaks has been mentally tough extending the season from late May through to the September. Motivation has taken a dive about August time and only recovered about two weeks before the Peaks.

DH - My training proper started after family hols c. 20th August. It's do-able if you focus on quality and don't panic about quantity - you're not after the win!.

I had a look for you at the finish, but I think you had already changed into civvies and I couldn’t spot you. Shame. I would like to have a sit and chat with you sometime, and muse over the race etc, my pals here just don’t quite ‘get it’.

DH - It's hard to get across isn't it.

Maybe one of the times I come back home we could meet up for a ride somewhere? I left the cross bike back at home in the Skipton area this time as time was short to pack it up for the flight back. So, that’s about for use when I go home next. I get home a bit more frequently now as I have bought a house close to Skipton which I am renovating for any eventual move back to Yorkshire (which isn’t planned yet – we love living here too much at the moment!), so there could be a few opportunities.

DH - would be great but to be realistic I can't even seem to plan in a ride with my brother who lives an hour away - life's mad - but do let me know when you're over - you never know!

So, another essay. Hope you’re still awake!

Congrats on your result by the way, especially considering the brake ‘issue’. You should be very happy with that in the circumstances.

DH - Chatting about it to someone the other day and decided the best analogy was to ask someone to drive around in their car and just use the gears to brake. It's do-able but needs a lot of "planning".

Phil Haygarth: back after a year off

2010-10-13T12:08:00.000+01:00

My brother Phil's just updated his blog and posted his memories of the 2010 race. It was great to see Phil back in the race again this year after an exceptionally busy 2009. He rode his first event a year before mine - in 1994, and I remember riding round, supporting him on my road bike, which he eventually had to take from me at Ribblehead and complete the race on after a mechanical (complete with road bike tyre clearance and 28mm cross tubs!)

This year's race was an enjoyable outing for him and he got to within spitting distance of a PB after all this time, but his enjoyment is far more than performance-measured...

It was unusually social event this year, finding myself around lots of old 'mates' - one classic moment there was a line of myself, Matthew Bardgett, Sam Clarke & Carl Nelson all riding in a line across the top of Whernside - I quiped 'if we see a pub we must stop for a pint'.

Phil's blog of the 2010 event is below. Click on my brother, my neice, or either of my nephews!

Simon Fox: Abusive Relationship

2010-10-12T11:12:00.000+01:00

Simon, a frequent contributor to this blog, sent in this wonderful report from his 2010 race....

The instant switch from pinballing off rocks to riding smooth, flat tarmac is an extreme one, almost like coming in off the storm lashed deck of a ferry into the warm cosiness of the bar. No such comfort for me though. My fried legs have to keep going for another couple of miles to the finish. Cramp hits again and again as I stand up on the pedals to clear a rise in the road.

Abusive Relationship - 3 Peaks Cyclocross

Delia Beddis' first time on the Peaks

2010-10-11T22:04:00.000+01:00

London cyclocross site Cross Crazy has published a first timer's blog by "Delia of the Dulwich"

My attempts at running training seemed to have been in vain as I was soon scrambling on all fours up the steep bank.

Click on the shiny sun to read her tale

Scott Brown's 2010 3 peaks pics on Picassa

2010-10-10T21:38:00.000+01:00

Scott Brown has posted 167 Chapel le Dale and Ribblehead photos from this year's race. Thanks to Paul Myers sending the link in via NECCL

See the photos here or click on the rather handsome chap below with pursed lips. Sort of like Sean Connery c. 1967. But on a bike.

123 Pics from Pete Hartley

2010-10-08T08:12:00.000+01:00

Don't know if I've already blogged these - I'm losing touch... some great 2010 photos from Pete Hartley here.

Click on supervet Jim Thomas, who's taken some time out to show passers by his front wheel.

Phil Haygarth's gazillion photos on Flickr

2010-10-04T16:58:00.000+01:00

My brother Phil hit the race again this year after a year out and pulled out a good ride.to finish within spitting distance of his PB. Phil's family (aka my sister in law, nephews and niece!) were supporting Phil and the motorwind on the Nikon camera was working well...! Phil's family shots of the day including a photo of one of my more pleasurable pints are here on his Flickr page

Click on that bridge thingie just behind Phil.

Chris Riley's 2010 story on the Will's Wheels site

2010-10-03T19:42:00.000+01:00

Great read here from Chris Riley on his club's website

During my attempts in 08 and 09, I began to stretch my abilities on the descent to frightening new levels. Short sections of complete lack of control were buoyed in my faith that speed would carry the body of the rider across even the worst of terrain. And to some degree it worked beautifully with a new understanding of how the really fast descenders are able to seemingly float across even the most impassable of terrain.

http://www.willswheelscc.co.uk/node/1052

Cycling Weekly start 'Page 6 stunna' feature

2010-10-01T10:35:00.000+01:00

Cycling Weekly have run a photo feature on the 3 peaks this year. In line with their policy of keeping racing well away from the forefront of their mag, you need to leaf to page 76 to see the 95 word report.

Still, their new page 6 stunna below makes up for that. Phwooargh.

CXMagazine's 2010 report from the USA...

2010-10-01T08:14:00.001+01:00

Our friends over the Pond CXMagazine have put a report on their website about this year's 'peaks.

This area of Yorkshire features windswept moors and rock strewn paths, and as you climb, mist can engulf you in a moment, and the cold can cut through you like a knife. For the 48th edition the sun shone, but still the wind blew and riders were minded to be careful atop the peaks; people have been known to get blown off of them in the past. All competitors must carry a survival pack just in case...

We still can't subscribe in the UK to CXMagazine('s paper version) but if you can get hold of a copy, the paper version's great.

Read their 3 peaks write-up here

Fishy goings on

2010-09-30T10:22:00.002+01:00

More on the photo story of the year on the Rouleur Magazine blog from Ian Cleverly

...a naked Salmon, leaping and swinging in the breeze? I have scoured the race instructions and competitor’s advice, and nowhere does advice on how to deal with such an eventuality exist. Riders must carry a bivvy bag and whistle for emergencies, such as losing your way in fog on Whernside, but it seems the chances of a naked, platinum blond cyclist springing out from behind a rock are so remote as to fail to get a mention.

Read it here... fantastic stuff. Folklore already from a 3-time winner. Great stuff.

Mark Richmond's first timer's 'blog'

2010-09-30T09:12:00.000+01:00

Mark Richmond, a first timer from Ilkly Harriers wrote this 'blog' on their forum. Good ride Mark. Oh, for that familiar judder of cyclocross brakes.... ho hum.

The day brought pleasant autumnal conditions, perfect for a day of cyclocross racing over three of Yorkshire’s three highest hills. The temperature was in the early teens with a light wind blowing in from the North-East.

MKII found himself alongside Stefan close to the front of the line up at Helwith Bridge with an unspoken sense of nervousness, anticipation and excitement amongst the assembled riders. The start brought five miles behind the commissaire car with a ripple of banter passing through the bunch. The narrow bridges in Horton safely negotiated and two riders went clear gaining about 10 seconds to no avail, as the lead car pulled off and the serious contenders forced the pace. The arrival of the first off-road section was greeted by the familiar squeal and judder of cyclocross brakes as the course narrowed into a farm track Gill Garth. A few riders touched wheels which brought the field to a temporary standstill although there was relief at the avoidance of a pile up.

The ascent of Inglebrough was unrelenting, and after clearing the first few fields, it was possible set into a steady stride up Simon Fell where a steady cross wind picked up. Some rideable respite followed the large “Rawnsley’s Leap” stile and, thinking that was close to the summit, set off again not realising that there was another portage to the col. After “dibbing” at the summit the route turned south on to a well surfaced stone track, giving way to a grassy decent down to Cold Cotes where a good crowd cheered on the riders. A quick gel and slurp of drink and it was time for some through-and-off in a group of seven riders along to Chapel-Le-Dale. One rider wasn’t prepared to take a turn, even after comments from a few riders and it was disappointing to see him try and get away on the ascent of Whernside.

Whernside is horrible. The steps are uneven in height and their tread comprises several stones laid end up making it difficult to get a rhythm. Severe back ache set in compounding the tight calves and burning lungs. To add insult to the discomfort, the light breeze at the start was now a strong headwind making the going tough. Eventually, the steps give way to a long rolling rideable summit after which a steady decent over York stone flags leads to a fast gravel track down to Ribblehead viaduct. Some riders opted for a more direct route over the grassy peak bog although the time gains looked minimal at best. This type of fast rocky descending seemed well suited to mountain bikers and it was possible to catch several riders along this section. Another good crowd was assembled at the road junction providing support to the now tiring riders.

A second through and off group formed on the run from Ribblehead to Horton this time driven along by Jason Hemsley of Crosstrax and a rider from the RAF. Turning on to the bridleway to start the haul up Pen-Y-Gent brought a near head on collision with Robb Jebb who was only minutes away from crossing the line to take another win. It was quite some time until we encountered other rider coming down which highlights the margin of his victory. Pen-Y-Gent differs to Ingleborough and Whernside as it is about 80% rideable on a wide well surfaced gravel track, with the main difficulty being the descending leading riders who were increasingly common along the upper slopes. Stefan blasted past just before the single hairpin bend and seemed to be making good ground on the riders around him. By now the lack of stamina was evident, although it’s remarkable to find the reserves you can draw on once the summit cairn draws into sight. “Dibbing” for the final time was a great relief, the only concern now was not puncturing on the many waterbars that litters the bridleway, and not colliding with the large number of riders still ascending the final climb. Safely back to the road, the final two miles were unremarkable with few other riders around. I pulled into the pub car park to cross the line with a time of 03h55 with which I was reasonably happy as a first time effort.

A wash in the River Ribble and it was straight off for a full Sunday roast with all the trimmings complemented by four pints of Timothy Taylors, the wife providing the necessary chauffering service. This had little impact, and a second tea was consumed on arriving back to Ilkley.

What a great event! I’m already looking forward to next year! I can’t recommend this event enough and would encourage other earlybirds to have a go next year.

Another video - great movie from Andy Holden

2010-09-29T22:38:00.000+01:00

Another corker of a video fromt he 2010 3 peaks cyclocross - Andy Holden's movie is some first hand evidence of the severity of Simon Fell, and the speed at which Rob Jebb gets up it. I've know Robb for a while now, ridden with him, on occasion drunk pints with him and shared hotel rooms at dark times in our relationship... but it doesn't stop me from gazing at awe in the presence of a monster when I see the 25 second point of this video.

More Photos - Bina Briggs and Matt Muir

2010-09-29T22:34:00.000+01:00

Some more sent in to Keith on the official website here:

289 Flickr photos by Matt Muir, who has taken the time and trouble to put everyone's name on the photos (YAY) but put a watermark on them all (BOO)

Great photos Matt. Click on Alan's gorgeous white FMB 34mm tubulars to view the set

Zillions of Photos from Bina Briggs on Photobucket

Click on those dodgy socks that clearly cost Neal his podium place ;-)

Penyghent Video

2010-09-29T19:15:00.000+01:00

Another video made by someone gradually making their way down PYG.

Includes footage of an illegal Mountain Bike rider riding off a right of way. The police have been informed.

Lionel Meyringer: Broken in the front of saddle department

2010-09-29T12:11:00.000+01:00

Lionel Meyringer's blog has a few photos, and little words, and the words he has used seem to imply a problem in the trouser department has arisen, too, after his first attempt at the Three Peaks.

Click on the hiking rucksack to see Lionel's blog.

Shaggy John's bikes before battle commenced

2010-09-29T10:20:00.000+01:00

John Ross smashed his own singlespeed record on the 3 peaks last year but came back on gears to see what he could do. Here's some of his bikes... looking very clean and tidy... complete with dry stone wall.

Click the shiny new Tufo T34 tubulars to view more

More Wheelbase photos on Flickr

2010-09-29T10:15:00.000+01:00

Team Wheelbase / Cannondale / Gore Bike Wear's entourage have uploaded a load of other pics:

Billy Reid's photos - click Rob's hand to help him grasp the handlebar to view

Dave Powell's photos - click Millie's cheeky cheeks to view.

Jason Miles' 3rd attempt leaves a bitter taste

2010-09-28T22:56:00.000+01:00

Jason Miles is one of those nutters for whom the 3 peaks isn't enough. (Nice nutter though) A very experienced and rather good 12-hour and 24-hour mountain bike man, Jason's face is well known as he churns out mile after mile on his Titanium Ragley 29er.

So after a PB but just short of his sub 4hr target, Jason set off home on his bike to Manchester, making it a 90 mile day. Yes. I know.

Denied my target by the same kind of niggly mechanicals I mentioned earlier and one hell of a crash, I congratulated friends and fellow finishers for a while, changed into a clean jersey, got some food from the car and then turned a 38 mile race into a 90 mile day out and rode back to Manchester…

Click on Jason's hairline-cracked helmet to see his blog post from the 2010 race

Neil Coverley's 'very special' photos of a dedicated Nick Craig fan

2010-09-28T22:50:00.000+01:00

Hayfield's Neil Coverley was witness to one of the strangest 3 peaks photos I've ever seen, or want to see. Lost for words.... It's a famous ex- 3 peaks rider, too. That's all I'm saying. Click where you think is appropriate to see the small but very entertaining gallery. And yes - it was cold up there, wasn't it.

Paul Myers' faceplants and cramps... all in a day's 3 peaks work

2010-09-28T13:49:00.000+01:00

Paul's harrowing account of a grim but addictive race reminds me of the grip this race gets on you. It's only three hills... yeah... that's right.

I discovered the problem with braking from the drops and was catapulted over the handlebars on a section I should have walked. The landing was one of those awful, bone jarring, crunches on my chin which caused some real alarm amongst the people ascending. Luckily there was no blood evident and teeth seemed ok so I ran off down the bit we’d watched the night before and wondered why people didn’t ride it!

Click on the bruise of your choice to view Paul's account of the 2010 race

Keith Murray's support team's photos from Penyghent and Ribblehead

2010-09-28T12:18:00.000+01:00

Mainly Horton and Ribblehead - some photos by the guys looking after 16th place finisher and cyclocross hero Keith Murray

Click on Keith emerging onto the final road section to view

Russ Jones' Facebook photo gallery

2010-09-28T12:12:00.000+01:00

Lots of nice pics of an enjoyable day out for Russ Jones, (Brixton Cycles) who finished in a great time of 3:51 on Sunday, and some podium photos.

Click on the smiling southern types to see the gallery...

199 Photos from Team Wheelbase

2010-09-28T10:38:00.000+01:00

Chris West was out taking photos on behalf of Team Wheelbase.co.uk / Cannondale / Gore Bike Wear

199 Photos now on the Wheelbase Flickr account.

Click on the Jebbmeister below to view

Full rankings at each of the checkpoints 2010

2010-09-28T10:20:00.002+01:00

Someone simply called Neil (?) has out-geeked me and uploaded a great spreadsheet to Google Docs based on all the checkpoint times...

Click here to view the spreadsheet

Paul Masson... first time report

2010-09-28T09:45:00.001+01:00

Paul kindly posted a couple of blog posts here on the 3 peaks blog before his first attempt and his long journey down from Aviemore was worthwhile, with an exceptional ride on the first attempt.

"but hang on a mo', steps, steps, steps, nooo that wasnae what I wanted! Jings, what a slog, really wasn't ready for that."

Paul's first time experiences have been well documented in the build up on his twitter account and his story of the day's learnings and experiences below are fine reading.

Read Paul's report here

Ben Butler: 1st time, 1st U23, 1st of many

2010-09-28T09:30:00.000+01:00

Ben Butler was a first timer in 2010 and took the U23 trophy away for his troubles. His blog here makes good reading, and typifies that 'first time' feeling:

This grass covered wall was the hardest part of the race and seemed to go on forever, then once it was over the descent was as terrifying as the hill was tough!

Read Ben's blog by clicking on his remains.

Rider video on the British Cycling site

2010-09-28T09:21:00.000+01:00

The video below was shot by a rider in the 2010 race and originally posted on the British Cycling site here

3-Peaks Cyclo-Cross from British Cycling on Vimeo.

Another Penyghent slideshow from Anthony - 'wonkytripod'

2010-09-28T09:17:00.000+01:00

Received this messgage from Anthony on my earlier post...

I added an extra slideshow from Pen-y-ghent. All the videos are linked from my blog here

If anyone spots themselves in the slideshows, email thefairweathercyclist@gmail.com and I will send you the hi-res image.

My own blog of the 2010 race - "So I had to crack on with it."

2010-09-27T22:50:00.000+01:00

One bike, one brake, but luckily a one track mind.

It was a memorable year for me after a mechanical on Ingleborough, my own droning on, borrowed photographs and excuses can be found here

Richard Seipp's photos available to buy in their original high quality...

2010-09-27T18:38:00.002+01:00

The photos posted by Richard Seipp on the British Cycling and Flickr sites are now on his own site for anyone wanting the perfect momento of a tough day in the dales.

See Richard's site here

Mark Baker - back after 16 yrs away

2010-09-27T18:31:00.000+01:00

Mark Baker of Deeside Olympic last rode the 3 peaks when I rode my first - he was back this year to PB by 22 mins.

I had forgotten how steep this is(16years is a long time) the pain in my calf's was unbearable but once over the top I could get into my stride across the top of the fell before hitting the rocky climb to the summit.

Read the blog here

Alan Dorrington: The obligatory, cathartic post Peaks blog post

2010-09-27T16:48:00.000+01:00

Alan's a top blogger and very well respected 'voice' in cyclocross. I always enjoy his turn of phrase and wordsmithery on his tweets, and his blog's well travelled with lots of regular readers from around the world.

This year's race saw Alan (a former top ten rider on a long, sustained comeback!) sneak back inside four hours and record a great finish for his Here Come The Belgians team.

Click on the bespectacled gentleman sealing his lips for safety as he enters the daring 'water splash' below. (Just ahead of another 3pcx blogger, Trevor Page, as it turns out)

I should also publicly thanks Alan for coming to my rescue with just three days to go before this year's race, and supplying me with a set of wheels after a dire discovery of a threadbare sidewall. A true friend.