So today was the day..... my first severe test on the big hill climbs in the Yorkshire Dales. It was a real challenge in more ways than one....... read on.
It was around 9am, I parked the car and got out and set up my trusty steed. The weather was overcast and damp, there had been some rain, with heavy rain forecast, even thunder storms, thankfully these did not materialise. I set off at around 9.45 and i had only just left Grassington and was met with my first hill challenge on the road to Bolton Abbey (which is very picturesque).
After the first 4 fairly uneventful miles came the first shock, a hill climb that lasted for just under 6 miles but i managed it and was very pleased, it was hard work but my 62 year old legs stood the test....... however i had only just begun this challenging day.
After this testing climb came the good bit, a downhill cruise, which was pretty rapid. I reached 35 mph and thought id better start squeezing the brakes as a bend at the foot of the hill started to loom large. Having passed by Bolton Abbey, I headed towards Ilkley, with even more climbs along the way, this was just what I wanted, and although tough it was also enjoyable.
After Ilkley, I started to head north east again and back towards the Dales, the distant hills looked daunting but it was time to take them on again. Still a lovely ride, I started to rack up some mileage and enjoyed the down slopes, giving my legs some respite for the next upward slope.
A few miles went by and at the 39 mile point yet another climb but this time it felt like I was going up the Rock of Gibraltar. after 3 miles of climbing, I could see the summit and a road junction, I was almost there when all of a sudden.......... 'Bang' !!!!!! my back tyre blew, nightmare, as I said a challenging day in more ways than one.
When I got off my bike, I saw that my tyre had not blown but my valve had in fact sheared off, what a nightmare. However, the nightmare had only just started. I tried to get the inner tube out of the tyre but the valve was bent and so stopped me winding off the lock nut, I had to resort to brute force with my handy tool, it eventually loosened off. So the new tube went in, then came my next catastrophe, the new tube over inflated when using the mini gas bottle, so much so, it blew again.
No more Inner tubes....... will this man ever get to John O'Groats I hear you all say??? Of course I will..... I have learnt some big lessons and the good thing was I got in some serious mileage and even more serious hill work.
I achieved 42 miles in around 3 hours but had to go the last 16 in my rescue vehicle, Ilkley cabs!!
I will be back of course, better equipped, fitter and raring to go. This has been a really good venture and although I didn't make it back on my bike but by cab, I got a lot from the day.
Until my next challenge and blog, see you all soon.
Fundraising In aid of the Born Free Foundation Charity No 1070906
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