Trans Pennine Challenge

Terry and I wanted to make sure we were fully aware of how difficult the most awkward part of the Trans Pennine Trail would be prior to the actual challenge, so we decided that we’d ride it the weekend before.

On Saturday morning Gina dropped us off at Reddich Visitor Centre in Stockport. We bought a map, got geared up and set on our way.

The trail quickly introduced us to two of it’s difficulties. The first being horse steps. These are large wooden blocks that you have to stop at, get off your bike, lift your bike over them before remounting. These make regular appearances along the trail and are a real time waster when you’re hoping to cover the distance we are within the time-scale we’ve set ourselves. I’ve mentioned in my personal training diary that momentum is key to riding distance, well these are great for breaking it! The second difficulty we’d anticipated - vary surfaces. Just outside of Reddich the trail is made up of cobble like bits of stone. This is both painful on the rump and wrists. This said, by the time we reach this point of the challenge, I dare say we’ll be able to feel neither!

Our first issue of the day came about a mile into the journey. We followed the signs as we’d expected to and found ourselves in the middle of a housing estate. The map indicated there should be a bridleway linking two sections of the trail; however no such bridleway existed. This first issue quickly led into our second and most problematic issue of the day - Terry had a puncture. We stripped his bike down and repaired the puncture. Whilst doing so we were able to find where we were and get back on track by asking a friendly local. We’d been warned by someone (by email) that many signs are missing or have been vandalised along the trail. We’d quickly learnt to keep our eyes firmly peeled. About ten minutes after we’d repaired Terry’s puncture we noticed his tyre was about flat again. We stopped, checked the repair and re did it.

Once we got back on the trail again Terry’s tyre stayed inflated for about 6 miles. This journey took us across a variety of difference terrains: shale, rocks, mud, gravel and even sand! Read more

Unfortunately, due to health reasons, Steve will not be able to ride with us.

We’ve know for a while that it was likely that this would be the case, but we’re still gutted that he won’t be able to join Terry and I.

This said, Terry and I will still be taking the challenge it’s course and are very much looking forward to it.

We’ve just one week to go.

This time next week we’ll be out on the trail slogging our guts out heading towards Penistone.

The long range weather forecast is “unsettled” so we’ll have to wait and see what it brings. We’d prefer cool, cloudy and still.

This weekend we’re out riding from Manchester to Penistone so we’ve first hand experience of what the path across the Pennines is going to offer us. If we remember to take a camera with us then we’ll get some snaps up at the start of next week.

Our sponsorship is still doing well. There are several people who’ve very kindly promised us sponsorship that’s not yet on the tracker - fingers crossed we’ll see it there soon. If you’ve not sponsored us yet then we’d love your support.

We’d like to extend our thanks to JE James Cycles of Sheffield. They’d very kindly agreed to loan us one of their expensive mountain bikes for the challenge. Normally we’d have had to pay a rental fee, but they’d waived it since we were doing a charity ride.

Unfortunately they cannot insure the bike for us and we’ve no spare monies to obtain insurance for the bike. Secondly, the only demonstrator / loan bike they’ve available for the challenge dates was a 17″ frame. Both Terry and I are too big to make use of the bike so we’ve had to respectfully decline their offer of a free loan bike.

We’re delighted with how the sponsorship has been coming in so far. Thanks to all who’ve contributed and made a real difference!

Two weeks today we’ll be out on the trail and well into the challenge. Next weekend Terry and I will be out together getting some last minute training - more than anything to make sure we can ride at a comfortable pace together.

We’ll soon be able to see what the weather predictions will be for the challenge. Fingers crossed for calm and dry weather.