3 Peaks Cyclocross Race

Today I went to the 3 Peaks Cyclocross race.

The race goes over the Yorkshire 3 Peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-Y-Ghent.

It covers 61km (38 miles) and has 1,525m (5,000ft) of ascent. Some of it is on metalled roads, but most of it is off road.

Competitors must ride Cyclocross bikes which are basically road bikes with knobbly tyres and no suspension. Mountain bikes are not allowed!

The descents are steep and sometimes rocky. Punctures are common and wheels can break. I even saw one competitor carrying his broken bike frame!

Most riders have a support team who lurk near the bottom of the descents. They carry drinks, high energy foods, inner tubes and spare wheels.

This is my friend, Tim, just about to grab a drink bottle from his support team, his partner, Jayne.

He was going well at this point, near the bottom of Ingleborough.

Unfortunately, descending off Whernside, he had a series of punctures and used his spare tubes up. This meant he had to carry his bike for quite a distance when he should have been riding it!

When we saw him carrying it we ran to meet him and carried out a quick pit-stop and he continued on his way.

The time lost meant he didn't get the time he was hoping for. I'm sure he would have, judging by the amount of time he made up, once his bike was mended!

4.5 hours is very respectable, none the less!

Chapeau Tim! As they say in cycling circles.

When I left, Tim and Jayne were heading for the beer tent for some well-earned refreshments!