This ride, the second of three was slightly shorter than the first day at 60 miles and only had three climbs of note.
Breakfast was duly dispatched and I readied myself and the bike for another fast, long day in the saddle with the fast group, and to my surprise, all the same people put themselves up for the challenge for a second day (although one would later drop back into the slower groups after suffering cramp).
We headed off again through Skipton but then turned North West and on to the first climb of the day, Scosthrop Moor, which was challenging but more memorable if truth be known for the descent into Settle which was fast, twisting and utterly unnerving thanks to a rippled road surface which constantly threatened to destroyed any control that you had over the bike. More interesting though was that at the bottom, the welcome into Settle was in the form of cobblestones - ouch!!
The first feed station was located here and after a short session of taking on all the food and drink that you could we turned right and with the warning "make sure you are on the small ring here" (i.e. your easiest gears, indicating a nasty climb). They were not kidding, immediately the road narrowed and swept left, steepening rapidly. Fortunately this was short lived and the, now single track road levelled and followed a hedge line before meeting up with the main road.
A right turn later and we began the main climb of the day - Heading almost North from Stainforth, we turned into what was again a howling wind and the road was very steep at the start.
To use a cycling commentary term, the steepness of the road, coupled with the headwind "blew the group to pieces" and I ended up in the second of four groups, trying to play a cagey game by shielding behind another two riders. Eventually though, one rider dropped away and just myself and Darren continued to the top.
The gradient had now relaxed somewhat and although the wind got even stronger as we ventured further out on to the moor. Courtesy of www.sportivecentral.com
I was becoming aware of a mountain to our left-hand side , and it looked strangely familiar. It almost looked like a forehead...... Darren told me that it was Pen -y - Ghent. Now it made sense as I had been camping there with my Dad many years ago when we did the Three Peaks walk.
Quite a sight. This just about signalled the summit and a long flat stretch which then descended (very steep and fast again), to Halton Gill where the second feed station awaited.
The next section followed the river Skirfare before swinging left over open grassland over to the far side of the River Wharfe, through Hebden and the delightfully named Appletreewick.
A quick descent and a sharp right turn over a very narrow bridge and we were nearly at the final climb - Halton Moor. The group had to stop though as Darren's chain had snapped. He indicated to us that we should carry on (as luck would have it the owner of the local bike shop was in the pub nearby having Sunday lunch and just happened to have his tool kit in the back of his van).
We pressed on up what was a very nice steady climb. My legs were very tired though and I got dropped on the climb and ended up finishing the ride on my own - my only comfort being that I did get back to the hotel a creditable second.
Better still, we were back in time to grab a quick shower and watch the football. I sat there and stuffed my face with all the post ride recovery freebies that we had been given.
Another ride tomorrow and not too sure whether the legs will be up for it.
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