top dog events – yorkshire dales 100 – 15 july 2018
last sunday 33 riders sacrificed their normal lie in to gather @ 3-1-5 health club, lancaster, for an early start to top dog events latest sportive – the yorkshire dales 100
a bit like brexit – the riders where closely split between the 100 mile and 100 km routes – 18 / 15 – the weather was kind to all, being a little cooler than the previous weeks of tropical conditions.
the club was opened by 0630 by marcus and neeve (thanks for that) with riders staring to arrive – the startline and registration desk were next to come online – thanks to sue and steve
lancaster’s newest cycle store – on yer bike provided mechanical cover on the start – but thankfully had little to worry them as most riders came on well prepared bikes
all riders got underway in the allotted time – between 0700 and 0800 – with a few banding together for a group start at 0745
both routes headed towards ingelton, then up and along the roman road between whernside and ingleborough to ribblehead and on into the remote dales countryside to their 1st refreshment stop – manned by deena from 3-1-5 and the junction with dentdale
here the routes split – with the 100+ km riders descending into dentdale, then through the village of dent itself, with its cobbled streets and handy public loos – then they continued to sedbough and re-joined the 100 milers shortly afterwards
meanwhile the 100 milers continued north through amazing limestone scenery towards the town of hawes, then up and over the legendary pull of buttertubs, and then west along hidden valleys and wild fell-sides before steeply descending into nateby and along the main road to their 2nd feedstation – expertly manned by james from lancaster’s omm advice centre.
the long route then headed south by following the hidden road between the howgills and the lune / m6 (chris’s new favourite road) before joining the 100+km participants on the outskirts of sedburgh
all riders now enjoyed the traffic free lanes to their final pit stop of the day just outside kirkby lonsdale – manned by jane – before continuing back to lancaster and 3-1-5 via quiet lanes through borwick, the kellets and halton
once back at the finish – all riders were presented with a well-earned muffin and goody bag.
everyone then headed into the club to be presented with their finishers medal – and a fresh brew – before spending the rest of the day enjoying 3-1-5 s amazing pool side facilities (thanks for this sean and co)
judging by the feedback both on the day and since – see https://topdogevents.co.uk/event-reviews/ a challenging but highly enjoyable day was enjoyed by all – which is ample reward for the weeks of effort the top dog team has spent organising the event
thanks also to lynn and steve in the broom wagons who spent the day following behind each route
we are now busy planning our next events – the forest of bowland 100 sportive on 16 september and a “try a trail” 5 km and 5 mile runs from leighton hall on 30 september
hope to see you there ????
chris, lynn and top dog events ltd team