Northwards towards brighter skies

Monday 20th June 2011
Day 6
The Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge
From Matlock (Derbyshire) to Ripon (North Yorkshire)
81 miles

Posted by the Secret Secretary

Like salmon and pigeons, it seems folk from Yorkshire, wherever they may stray, will always, sooner or later, return home. So it was that, with a large Yorkshire contingent in both its active and supporting ranks, the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Team's route for Day 6 of its double End-to-End cycle ride would lead away from the steep hills of Matlock in Derbyshire to (eventually) the undulations of Ripon between the Dales and Vales of North Yorkshire. And as the quest continues northwards the Team will be riding (for one day at least) away from the unsettled but mainly wet weather that is now ensconced in the South (and particularly above Wimbledon where the roof on the Centre Court has already been closed), to find clearer skies! The weatherman has even dared to evoke the possibility of sunny intervals for the northern counties at least, which surely includes Yorkshire, although of course Yorkshire is a rule unto itself and I understand it is quite normal to experience all 4 seasons in the space of a day there. Still, with round-the-world yachting, Antarctic expeditions, Himalayan trekking and a few cycle rides already from Land's End to John O'Groats on its collective CV, this Challenge Team can no doubt cope with even the most capricious bees of the Yorkshire climate.

As it turns out, the weatherman was right. Les reported in early this morning using Skype: "Day 6 was our first sunny day. Leaving Matlock we first encountered the beautiful grounds of Chatterton House and then had an undulating route that passed through Sheffield and Leeds, so a lot of urban scenery. We maintained a good pace and what little wind there was, was favourable. We arrived in Ripon at 5 o'clock yesterday evening to a warm welcome from the Lady Mayor and a hundred or so people. The local press was there too. As a couple of the lads had tailed off, the four of us that got there first retraced the last few miles of the ride to find them - we never leave a comrade in arms, or on the pedals, behind ! The bonus miles and then the 10 miles to David and Kath Greaves' house in Well (north of Ripon) where I was staying for the night, conspired to make another 100 miles. Ouf ! I was very tired and during the evening at the Millbank Arms in Well, as nice as it was to be together for a meal and (for me) to join up again with friends who had turned out especially, I was struggling to stay awake, let alone hold a coherent conversation! I hope my friends will forgive me."

The Wobbly Weasel reporting to the Secret Secretary (disguised as the Pantani Pirate) using Skype. There are lots, more picturesque photographs of the Challenge to enjoy at
the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Website.
Go to:
http://pedalforparkinsons.co.uk/default.aspx
(or just click on the team photo at the top of this page)
and click on the tab marked "Daily Log of the Journey",
which David Greaves is keeping up-to-date.

Happily, a good night's sleep does wonders and as tiring as the accumulative affect of riding nearly a 100 miles every day for the last few days is, Les and his team mates continue to do well. There have been no mishaps on the bike (long may that be so) only the usual wobbles, topples and tumbles off the bike. Les is not alone of course when it comes to wobbling here and there... David, Mark and Neal have their moments too but the Parkinson's wobble isn't a reason to stop cycling and the ride goes on...

Today the lads are pedalling to Alston. '"Alston the highest market town in England, sits at the junction of several trans-Pennine routes; its steeply cobbled streets, hidden courtyards and quaint shops inviting exploration at every turn." The clues are in the opening description of the town in the Go Lakes, Lake District Website at http://www.golakes.co.uk/places/towns/alston-introduction.aspx. It looks as if there is going to be a lot of climbing today. As he was signing off, Les muttered something under his breath about 6000 ft+ of elevation. Shush ! Not a word to the Team.