Time/Position: 2.49.06 (14th from 63)
Fourth race in eight days, so it does feel as if normal service is gradually being resumed. Welsh races remain notable by their absence, however, perhaps just as well as the weather has been dreadful: the worst May I can ever remember. It had dried out a bit today, though, and was merely cold and cloudy as we set off from Bradwell on a staggered start which worked well. I ran the Full Tour of Bradwell in 2018, which was a pretty memorable 34 mile journey taking in Stanage Edge and many other parts of the Peak. This was a lot more civilised, and I thoroughly enjoyed the race. In fact, it was the most enjoyable race I've done since before Covid. An initial climb over private land led up to a long and gently rising track which wound its way towards the Derwent valley, with views of the Dark Peak edges ahead. It was very pleasant indeed and led eventually to the flat disused railway at Shatton. I remembered this from the full tour, and a relaxed rhythm makes for quick progress up towards the Ladybower reservoir. From here, the route kinks up through the forest to gain open moor below Win Hill. Down through Aston to Hope and then the long but steady climb up to the top of Lose Hill. This was wonderful. I felt pretty good, the views are excellent, and it wasn't raining for a change (although it stayed dull). A fast descent down to Castleton, surely one of England's nicest villages, before another long but fairly gentle climb all the way up Cave Dale. I remembered this well from the full tour and was glad to be climbing not descending, as the limestone is very polished and was very wet: a racing descent would have been awful. I had been keeping pace with Mark from Wardlow, and his local knowledge and company was a great help for the lengthy descent through the quarries from the crossroads back to Bradwell.
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