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DAVE AND STANS PENNINE BRIDLEWAY CHALLENGE 2004
Sunday May the 9th , somewhere in Lancashire.
Our two intrepid adventurers got off to a very early start , as before they signed in for the ride they had the Lester family tour - Daves gran used to own the best post office in Lancashire .They also visited sites of historical importance such as , Daves old school , Daves old house .
Both of the riders were signed in given their numbers (340-Stan 341-Dave) and ready for the off at 8am .
After a few doubts about the weather , both of them were thankful that although overcast it was not raining .The first few miles were going good , our boys passed a few riders , a few riders passed them , but a manageable pace was been set and the first real climb was no problem .
And then it happened .
Only 7 miles into the ride and Stan overshot a corner and had to rejoin the track via a rather steep grassy bank ,only at the last minute realising that the bank had a 2 foot vertical drop ! Result , sudden ground to head interface moment and a new helmet please . Dave rushed to his aid quickly and with a quick "you alright mate ?" Both riders were soon back on the trail.The first check point was reached with no further incidents and after a quick refuel they were swiftly on there way again .
The climbs were getting harder and Dave's arse was getting redder (Well he was wearing a pair of old RAF issue PE shorts) . In need of a legitimate reason for a rest Stan hit the auto puncture switch for Daves front tyre and a swift tube change gave a short but sweet break from the ride , Dave used his new toy for the first time - a CO2 inflator .
Before they new it , it was afternoon ,only one check point to go before the big climb that everyone had been whispering about , then downhill to the finish . It was around this point that Stan experienced his first attack of cramp , but after a quick stretch and a few swear words he managed to catch back up to Dave .
This wasn't the end of it though ,the cramp was just hiding and came back a few times before the last checkpoint was reached , a quick call was made and when they arrived at the check Daves brother was there with a tin of 'Deep Heat!'his wife and young daughter (Do the Lester family own Lancashire ?)Stan was very greatful and repaid the compliment by nicking a chocolate biscuit for Daves neice.
Now came the real test , the climb up Rooley Moor. No corner was given , both men dug deep within themselves and climbed , and climbed and then climbed some more . All around them lesser mortals were getting off their bikes and pushing , but on and on they rode reaching the summit without a falter in their pace . The final descent went past in a blur , with the speed hovering around the mid 20mph mark .
Just under 8 hours later and they were back where they started from , only to discover that when Dave had used his CO2 pump earlier , he had over inflated the tyre and had rode at least the last 20 miles with his tyre bulging out over the rim of his front wheel ! Lucky is not the word !
Both riders thoroughly enjoyed the event and are up for it again next year . Are you ? ?
