What a shame about the weather today. Had it been warm and sunny it would have been a perfect day. However, long sleeves gillet, full fingered gloves and knee warmers were the order of the day. It rained virtually all day - some of it was very light, however.

The day was still splendid despite the weather. For £15 there was a top route, three feed stations and a hot meal at the end - Etape eat your heart out. I did the 100 mile 5 dale route which took in, amongst other climbs, Tan Hill, Fleet Moss (the hard way, from Hawes) and Park Rash. This is a hard ride, but a rewarding one. I saw Jack, briefly at the begining, and I understand that Craig was going to do the ride too. A shame that there weren’t more club members there. I missed silver by 4 minutes this year, but knocked 22 minutes off last years time, which I am delighted about. I was very tired at the end and suffered, strangely, with a bout of hiccups for about an hour after scoffing my hot meal. I sounded like a Drunk on a Friday night with a belly full of ale.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record - everyone should do this ride.