Daniel

Two years ago on my 42nd Birthday, I decided to drive up to Wales & smash out Stwlam Dam. It was an excellent idea & the memories from that day still linger. Last years my bosses required my efforts at work(shocking). This year for my 44th birthday they were nice enough to grant me a day’s holiday. Well, that really couldn’t be wasted now could it. So, after me & a mate did a 3 Simon challenge in Inverness about 3 years ago now, where I had to be persuaded to take part because the weather was very Scotland like(wet), but in the end came back with a beaming smile as wide as the river Thames, it was time for another Col challenge but this time 4! Where too? Well, I’ve completed almost most of Devon, so it was off to my other favourite D, Derbyshire. I had already been(suffered) up Winnats in January on the wrong bike, so it back for some new Simons with the right bike this time! After parking up in hope, I was off to Simon no1 which was Pindale. A brief warm up & then bang 12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20%! It eventually levelled out and then kicked up with the eyesore cement works looking on menacingly ! It levelled again and it was then then long 6-9% grind to the top. Once that was conquered it was time for the Beast of Bradwell! And bloody hell what a beast! Hard from the get go without the gradient ever dropping below 13% and reaching about 19% at its peak. The long slog to the top after the harpin was a grind indeed. After that it was a loop around Mam Nick(the last remaining poster I have which I hadn’t been up yet). Certainly not as punishing as the beast but it wears you down as you slowly turn the pedals looking for the brow where you think the suffering will end but what comes is another brow. I promised myself a coffee in Castelon after this but first I had to go and see the Broken Road and well what a sight and what a view! Nature is a beast and it’s the winner here. The last Simon of the day was Burbage Moor which starts off gentle but it eventually finds it sting from the mid point onwards but with views to die for it was marvellous way to end a really. quite special day out of the bike. I’m not a drinker any longer but if Carlsberg did days out on a bike they would be welcome to advertise this one!

03:32

59.6km

16.9km/h

1,260m

1,220m

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Daniel

About Daniel

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Road ride

Road ride

Road ride to Hoo Meavy Climb

Road ride

Road ride

Road ride

Salvage Job & mileage tidy up after picking up a full job off early cover at work! Thankfully James V did my last bit. As for those lanes, I forgot how bad they are at their best let alone after the ravages of a West Country winter! 🥶 ☔️

NCN2️⃣ Gosport to Eastney Dock via Gosport ⛴️ & Southsea, Solent Way out of Pompey & NCN 2️⃣2️⃣ to Havant Station. Frustrating day all round. Chic City was always going to be an ask given the slog of a drive to Gosport. Oh well get another trip needed! 😕

Stage 3: Worthing to Gosport — National Cycle Network Route 2

Col Hunting Challenge - Derbyshire Dales Birthday edition - ( X37 Pindale X38 Beast of Bradwell 126 Mam Nick & 128 Burbage Moor) WHAT. A. DAY. A birthday that will live long in the Memory! Days like this don’t get much better on a bike for a 🏔️ 🐐!

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