My face says it all. descending Pen-y-Ghent (pic. courtesy of Richard Starkie)

I’ve not done much on the bike recently due to injury, and other things occupying my time. That’s not saying I haven’t ridden, but just not a lot.

But as I rolled up to the line, I thought that this didn’t matter. After all 4-5 hours on a bike is no big deal when you can do a straight 24. Right?

Initially all was going well. The fast road section towards Selside, I was taking places no problem, and with  low gear engaged, continued to overtake as we approached the steeps of Simon Fell.

However once the bike was shouldered climbing up the steep grassy slope of Simon Fell, people started to catch up and pass me. It was now, that it really started to hurt. My calves were on fire. I rode on from the stile whilst others walked, though once the enforced carrying of the bike up to the summit of Ingleborough I couldn’t stay with my group again.

No problem, descending is my forte, and I caught several folk quickly on the descent to Cold Cotes. I also took the opportunity to engage in my first stack of the day. I’d seen a lad take a line through a boggy section, so followed at speed, and of course I went straight over the handlebars whilst my front wheel stayed in the bog. The landing was a new one to me, as I landed squarely on the top of my head. Slightly dazed I walked back up the hill a few paces, picked up my bike and headed on down the hill.

From Cold Cotes there’s a good road section, where again I was catching riders. All was well.

Next came Whernside. Not as steep as the first climb, but still a bike on the shoulder job. I was tiring already. Every step an effort, and conscious that pushing too hard would result in blowing completely. Not good.

The descent of Whernside was one of the highlights, steep and rocky and rideable except for walking traffic getting in the way.

Once the viaduct at Ribblehead was reached, another road section, and more overtaking.

From Horton in Ribblesdale, just one more hill, Pen-y-Ghent. My low gear of 28:32 meant that even though I was running on empty, I rode most of the way up the hill, albeit slowly. Still the race had shown me I was certainly better at riding a bike, than pushing or carrying one. The last section though was another carry. My upper body was racked with pain.

Descending, another crash, this time landing in pointy rocks. Bruises and a gash on my bum,but still able to continue, though with a bit more reserve now. No point in DNFing myself at this stage of the race.

I was more than grateful when the hand and arm jarring descent was over, and all that lay between me and the finish was a couple of miles of road.

I made it. No mechanicals or punctures.

I finished in 4:54:31 compared to 4:50:39 in 2006. Slower, but amazingly not much so.

I’ll be back next year, presuming I get an entry.

Training, will mostly consist of carrying my bike up some very steep hills.

NB Not a race to do without training hard for it.

Doing non family things on Sunday morning, I met up with Ann and the kids in the afternoon, and Skye wasn’t feeling too well.

A bit of a cough and sleepy tired too.

She spent the rest of the day laid out in front of the telly as usual, yet unusually went to bed without supper. My plan was to take her to the doctors next day, as it was obvious she wasn’t well.

However things don’t always go according to plan. Come 11:30 or so, it was obvious that what ever was ailing her was getting worse. She was not only coughing, but seemed to be starting to struggle breathing.

Not good. I told Skye that it was better we went to see a doctor tonight than tomorrow, as we could go on an adventure which would be fun. She thought this a good idea.

A phone call to NHS direct, and 10 minutes later we had some nice people in green at Skye’s bedside giving her the once over.  And 5 minutes later, were packed into a potential campervan conversion with blue flashing lights, and on our way to Stepping Hill hospital.

Once in the ambulance Skye was quickly administered a mask and oxygen, then stuck on a monitor. The stats said she wasn’t well.

On arrival at hospital, she was whisked into A+E, still on oxygen,  greeted by nurses, then inspected by doctors. A series of drugs by nebuliser and orally were administered. We weren’t going home tonight.

Thankfully by 5 in the morning, things had improved, such that we were allowed to go up to the ward and got to bed. There was obviously a bed shortage that evening as Skye and I had to share the same one. She being ill obviously had most of it, me a little corner. After all, it’d be bad form to get tangled in her wires and oxygen tubing.

Anyway we stayed for another night (me in my own bed this time), and on Tuesday morning she was released back into the wild. Obviously now on the mend.

Skye had an ace time on her adventure, in spite of her illness. Breakfast in bed, TV in bed (with remote control) and in her own words “servants”. The staff there were ace.

I’m all for adventures, but I’m glad she’s better.

Yesterday Skye did her 3rd ever fell race. A nice loop with a steep little climb. Her best result yet.

Here she is discussing tactics with Nick Craigs lad.

If you were hoping for bike stuff, have a look at these pics  from today.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peakcyclehire/sets/72157607414288559/