50 miles in the Peak District

  

 Last Sunday I completed the 50 mile ride in the Peak district that I have been training for for some time now.

I rode this route last year with Shent and completed it in a gruelling 6 hours 45 mins.

This year me 'n Shent decided to do it again and the toss of a coin decided that we would try to beat last years time as opposed to a more leisurely pace. Hence the last couple of months of training for the event.

So  the alarm clock went off at 5 am I got up to a dry but rather foggy start. After loading the car with the bike and a quick coffee and energy bar for breakfast I set off, picking Shent up on the way, for Ashbourne in Derbyshire.

We arrived just in time to register for the event and we set off at 8.10 am

Start / finish line

The ride was just as tough as I remember from last year but as Ive heard this cycling doesnt get easier you just get faster.

Some photos of the ride.

Note most photos were taken whilst riding down hill because it was too much to take 'em while riding up...

CLICK ON PIC TO ENLARGE

Out of Ashbourne

Head down slogging uphill

On top of the Peaks

Shent gets a puncture

Some magnificent scenery make it all worth while.
I completed the route in 5hours 28 mins including a 10 minute stop for the puncture. Thats knocking 1 hour 17 mins off last years time

NOT BAD FOR A FAT LAD THAT !!