My first full Sportive of the year, Midland Monster starting from Rosliston Forestry Centre, only about 5miles from home. Now on it’s third running, I’ve completed all three with my riding buddy Ron. I haven’t been riding as much as perhaps I should & was in two minds wether to start or not but I guess ya’ can’t let your buddy down.
Ron & his wife came over on Saturday afternoon, had dinner with us & stayed the night in readiness for the ride. We got to the start, registered, attached our numbers & set off around 8.45am. It was very windy & we didn’t get into a big group like last year, so nowhere to shelter. Two hours to the first feed stop, at the top of a long climb in Stanton. As we filled our bottles & grabbed a bite to eat it started to rain! We set off hoping it would quickly pass but lo’ & behold we got wet passing the turning point for the shorter route I was tempted, but we continued onto the longer route. The rain didn’t abate for a while so I tucked my shades away for the day ‘cos I couldn’t see through them!
As we trundled along the A52 we were passed by loads of vintage scooters on a rally, I couldn’t believe how many there were. As we left the A52 & started to climb again the heavens opened once more, hail this time, great! Oh well it didn’t last long in real time but seemed like ages at the time. This climb goes on for some distance before a left turn & a hairy descent with some tight corners ta boot, luckily it had stopped raining & the road was dry again for this descent.
An hour after leaving the feed stop, just after the village of Thorncliffe we were onto arguably the toughest climb of the day up onto the top of the Staffordshire Moors, close on 5km uphill touching 20% in places & of course the rain came back. The wind hadn’t let up at any point so far even if the rain had & as we neared the top with the wind howling from our left side the rain turned to hail again, I knew it wasn’t good when I looked down & the hail was blowing sideways through my front wheel! Eventually we reached the summit, about half distance now, & by the time we made the sweeping right turn the hail & rain abated & the wind was behind us for a while as we descended to Warslow. From here it continues to drag up again until Grindon after where the very narrow, bumpy, pot holed & gravelly road plummets into the depths of the Manifold Valley & crosses the Valley road & river. Of course after such a plummet in this area it means there’s a ‘reverse plummet’ to come, but before the climb we had to negotiate the wandering cattle on the road before we hit the 20% slog up out of the valley, another kilometre or so before there’s any respite.
'Reverse plummet' leaving the Manifold Valley.
Through the lanes we continue, dry for now, & drop down into Ilam a very picturesque setting but of course I’m reminded of the climb out of the village. I’m certainly starting to tire now & my back is aching! Not long tho’ & we’re at the final feed stop in Ashbourne, a welcome breather, 115km done, 45km to go.
After a quick top up of food & water we were now on the final run back to the finish, one sharp bank as we leave Ashbourne & nothing else much to worry about on the climbing front. As we we got back to cross the A50 we caught another rider & passed him but he tagged onto us & seemed to get a renewed energy as he soon came round to take a turn on the front & as we left Tutbury I knew there was a drag coming. That was the end of my day, we left the town with a fourth rider & I just didn’t have the energy to stay with them. I rode the last 20km on my own. I still managed to pass a few riders on the run for home & seeing Julie, with her camera, & Viv on the bridge over the River Severn kept me smiling, finishing just a few minutes behind my buddy!
Considering the lack of riding I’ve been doing of late I’m pleased with the outcome of this ride at 6hrs 43m, (6hrs 26m-2010 & 6hrs 27m-2009)
Just starting!
Nearly finished & still smiling.
Sportive: Midland Monster.
