The Stanage Struggle.

Out to Hathersage today, to take part in the Stanage Struggle fell race. An unusually warm September morning made me wish that I was far better hydrated, a lot less tired and that I hadn't touched any beer last night...

The race left Hathersage at 11am, winding up through fields at first before heading into tree-lined tracks. I started at the back, not looking for places or times, just a good experience. Soon a road was crossed, and the track turned to blocks of stone cutting through bracken, all the time gaining height. Sometimes we ran, sometimes we walked. Before long we clambered up rocks, passing cheering climbers, up onto Stanage Edge and flat(ish) running along the top, dodging rocks and peaty puddles. All the time I was moving up places, although a few moved past me.
Dropping down off the edge was steep at first, then pleasant running along rocky singletrack though more bracken, the foliage obscuring the path at times making progess a little tricky. Along a road, through more fields and we're back in Hathersage, sprinting down a side road before finishing in a school field.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself, finishing the 9.7k course with a huge grin on my face and peaty mud up my legs in an hour and five, putting me in 218th place out of 301 finishers. Afterwards Dani and myself headed into Outside (an outdoor shop with a cafe upstairs) where I demolished a plate of chips and cheese along with a mug of tea, and leaving with a book of maps detailing the coast to coast mountain bike route.

Pre-race coolness...

Paul.

Totley Moor revisited.

I last did this ride back in 2014, and this week I decided that it was time for another visit. Last time I rode my cheapo s/s 29er, this time the weapon of choice was the fat bike.

With fair weather and dry ground under my wheels it looked set to be an enjoyable, if short romp, and so it was. I suprised myself by riding the route from memory, without recourse to map, with no unplanned diversions or even any moments of doubt. As for the ride, a moorland trail led to sweet sweet singletrack contouring around a hill, fields stony with added moo-cow blockade (they moved eventually, in their own time) more sweet trail centresque singletrack, a ford, some uphill tarmac (time for reflection), a lovely technical ascent leading onto Houndkirk Road. Houndkirk Road was super fun, some rocky sections which most would avoid gave opportunities for rock crawling, some sections were rode flat out, on others I deliberately rode bad lines, and every now and then I got air, not much but enough for someone who prefers both wheels on the ground.

The whole ride was only 12k, but despite being a short ride I thoroughly enjoyed myself and drove home with a smile on my face.

I only took two photos today;

Totley Moor, looking towards Sheffield.

Houndkirk Lane.

Paul.

Goyt Valley Trail Run.

September is here, and with it the first round of Dark & White Events Autumn series of trail races. These events have two different length courses, when I did the Spring series I competed in the short course races but this time I've entered the long course events.

Today's race was in the Goyt Valley, starting and finishing at Errwood Sailing Club. Whilst the short course runners had a mass start the long course competitors went out in staggered intervals between 8.30am and 9.30am. I chose to start quite late at 9.20, partly so that I wouldn't be overtaken too many times by later starters and could chase down earlier starters, and partly to give myself a few extra minutes in bed.

Conditions were good, in fact from my point of view too good, being warm and sunny when a bit of drizzle would have helped me cool off, especially as I was a tad overdressed (well, its usually a bit grim when I run in the Goyt).

The course started off with a tarmac climb before heading south off road towards moorland, firstly on wide tracks then through rocky singletrack with some boggy sections. I don't mind a bit of mud during a race, if you're prepared to motor through rather than skip around you can make up a few places and save a few seconds. A bridge reached, then north firstly on tarmac then through wooded paths and stony tracks, climbing through a car park with an awkward surface, then past the feed station and through more woodland on a fire road. Now we pass farms on the way to Taxal, over the River Goyt, and start the return leg back to Errwood. This section was very familiar to me, I've ran it and rode it on various occasions over the years. Fields now, following the river, crossing it again, climbing up and heading for Fernilee Reservoir. Once at the dam its easy running home, dodging dog walkers then a steep slope just before the finish.

I finished in 55th place out of 121 runners in a time of 1:49:19. The course was 17.4k long.

Dani raced today as well, doing the short course. She finished in 5th place with a time of 32:49
We are both quite happy with our efforts, although my legs are now shot!

Paul.

The Tour of Britain.

Tour time this week, and again we have the route passing close by. So Dani and myself rode out of town up the Old Macc. Road to the Cat & Fiddle, which was the top of the third of todays King of the Mountain stage. The riders would be coming up from Macclesfield then turning off and heading towards Congleton and down to Tatton Park.

The climb out of Buxton on the O.M. Road is steep and quite tricky, with lots of loose rock to stall your front wheel. I haven't ridden it for a while, and have only cleaned it a couple of times (on my Kona full bouncer). Today I was on the fat bike, and made it up with only one dab, as did Dani on her White hardtail (now fitted with new wheels, tubeless rims on pink Hope hubs).

We rode up to the pub, which for quite a few months has been closed. But beer was to be had, from an inflatable pub in the car park...

I didn't succomb today, although the irony of buying beer in a pop up pub in a pub car park did have an odd appeal. However we did both pick up free cowbells from a holiday stall. Dani got a bit carried away ringing hers...

We chose a spot just down from the C&F, as the KOM finish line outside the pub and the corners were crowded and I wanted to take a few pics. Like this one;

After the usual procession of course cars and motorcycles (what do they all do?) the breakaway group of Stannard, Briggs and House came through with a six and a half minute lead over the peloton came past, Stannard (on the left) smiling and looking comfortable;

Judging by the camera bike looking straight at me I must have been on the telly (again). Dani's on the left of the photo.

Here's the peloton coming through, two Team Sky riders at the head;

We enjoyed a fun ride back, down the Old Macc. Road again, then headed to our favourite Buxton cafe (The Green Pavilion) for tea and cake.

A good day out, and a rare chance for Dani and myself to cycle together (she's normally hammering her road bike and I'm usually either running or out on the fatbike).

Paul.