Historic Pix (2) Three Peaks 2005

Speaking of Geoff Booker (see "Why No Yellow Breeches" etc., below) here's a pic that's historic for me at least.

Recognise in the face the delighted look of a man who's just found a woman with a spare wheel (click on image to view full size version - and note flat rear tyre). 2005 and Geoff was coming off the second peak of Whernside - shown in the background heavily shrouded in low cloud; and had blown his rear tub (sew-up).

Happily my missus was waiting at the official service point at Ribblehead Viaduct (AKA Batty Moor), and offered my spare wheel to Geoff, who then happily waltzed off and beat me by over 45mins+.

Fortunately I didn't need said spare, or else 'words' might have been exchanged afterwards - and doubtless I would have come off worst...

However there is a serious lesson to be learnt here. Whernside is possible the easiest (and most boring) ascent of the three - but arguably the toughest descent.

The first section after the control point at the summit flatters to deceive in that it's a relatively easy single track across the flat ridge at the top (tricky only in a high wind). Then it gets very nasty. About a mile or so of increasingly slippery, downhill, off-camber limestone paving slabs with wide drainage channels every 5th or 6th slab.

Deadly and a total puncture-fest. This is almost certainly where Geoff picked up his flat.

So unless you're challenging for the lead or are a complete mentalist - best to run this section rather than try and ride it.

However, please take no notice of me. I have to say that even after all these years the sight of fellow riders and their bikes flying into the boondocks in all directions still cheers me up... (photo - Bina Briggs)

WHERE'S WALDO?

(photo - Bina Briggs) click on image to view full size version

Three Peaks 2003. By 2002 and the race's return from its one-year Foot & Mouth 'Sabbatical' the organisers had realised that the demand for places in the 'Peaks had reach such a level that they had to find a way to expand the field and still manage to get them all safely over the first cattle grid at Selside*.

So the 'two stage' start was born - Ladies, Juniors and Veterans (Masters) off at 09.30 hrs followed by the Seniors 30 minutes later. That way the entry list could be expanded from 300 to the current limit of 400.

Prominent in this picture taken just before the L/J/V 'off' at Helwith Bridge in 2003 are Neil Orrell - Zodiac CRC (273) who has ridden every 'Peaks except one. Louise Robinson - Stourbridge CC (293) British International and at the time of writing 4 times winner of the Three Peaks,. Hannah Reynolds - Evans Cycles (number obscured but 2nd rider from right) "Cycling Weekly" Health & Fitness Editor and John Rawnsley - Bradford RCC (extreme right)...

Notice how serious everyone looks - except for one half-wit near the back. Can't imagine who he might be.

* The first 5 miles or so on the road from Helwith Bridge to Selside are somewhat puckishly referred to as 'neutralized'. In other words no racing is permitted and everyone has to stay behind the lead car.

The reality is that the neutralized zone is actually a eyeballs-out sprint for Selside, where the lead car mysteriously gets faster and faster until the bunch is nicely strung out and can get through the first gate and cattle grid to Ingleborough in complete safely. Well; that's my theory.

TRIVIA NOTE 1:- Louise Robinson is the daughter of Brian Robinson - the first Briton to win a stage of the Tour De France.

TRIVIA NOTE 2:- I'm pretty sure the bike Louise is riding in this pic is the exact same one I saw her using yesterday (23/08/08 i.e - 5 years later) in the Brevet Populaire 100k Audax at the Mildenhall Cycle Rally... Sad I know - but cyclists notice these things.

WHY NO YELLOW BREECHES? (and other stuff)

(Photo - Bina Briggs) click on image to view full size version

The first time I had any contact with Yellow Breeches Racing is was in summer 2005 when club member Albert Greene was then proposing to ride that year's Three Peaks Cyclo Cross. Through a series of events (that escape me now) Albert made contact with me by email from the 'States.

Not then knowing the derivation of the name (see entry below) and making all sorts of assumptions, I have to confess to being rather disappointed when I first met Albert on the morning of the 2005 'Peaks to see that his racing shorts weren't yellow - and in fact carried only a modest amount of the colour.

Yellow Breeches = Yellow Racing shorts - simply too obvious perhaps? - and aesthetically a reason not to do it?

The picture above shows our first meeting in 2005. L to R: Albert Greene - YBR, the author, Geoff Booker - Oxonian CC.

TRIVIA NOTE/S: Albert Greene was the first person to ride both the Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross and the Iron Cross, and has ridden every edition of the latter.

The list of people who have ridden both races has now expanded to six* (listing below is in date / alphabetical order):

Albert Greene (USA) - Yellow Breeches Racing (2005)
Ian Briggs (UK) - Capital Bicycle Racing Club (2006 & 2007)

Gary Hill (UK) - Capital Bicycle Racing Club (2006)

Stuart Bowers (UK) - Cycle Sport Magazine (2007)

Rob Jebb (UK) - Wheelbase (2007)

Andy Peace (UK) - SIS (2007)

*If I am mistaken and there are actually more names to go on this list, please contact me and I'll be happy to make corrections.

This list will expand by at least one in 2008 as my CBRC clubmate Chris McBurnie will be flying across for the 'Peaks next month - along with, we know, a number of other Stateside racers.

Chris has already finished the Iron Cross (2007) and so automatically will go on the list above.

...WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

Iron Cross 2007. This is Nick Burton of the Watchung Wheelmen at the very top of the Wigwam / Powerline climb. The picture tells the entire story. You can now see the reason for the climb's appellation (note the powerlines - but we're not yet certain about the 'Wigwam' part) and Nick's face reveals his sheer relief at reaching the summit.

Note also the stunning vistas to be seen in the State Forest - not that the riders have much time to admire them.

Actually the image is a bit deceptive in that it looks as though the ridge in the middle distance is higher than the foreground. This is not the case at all, camera angle and foreshortening due to the telephoto lens being used create an illusion. What you see is in fact the 'pre-climb' for the ascent - the first 'bump' if you like. Get to the top of that and you are then confronted with the real problem.

Lastly if the race seems a bit underpopulated, try examining the full size image (click on the picture above) and then look closely at the trail in the distance and see all the lost souls with still about 40 miles racing ahead of them... (photo - Bina Briggs)

WHY YELLOW BREECHES?

Non-US readers in particular may be wondering about the name of the club that organises the Iron Cross - Yellow Breeches Racing (YBR).

The club is named for the creek (a small river or stream to us Brits') which rises in the Michaux State Forest and runs down the Cumberland Valley passing close to the equally elegantly named resort town of Boiling Springs, just south of Carlisle - home of YBR.

Last year our B&B host - an enthusiastic local historian, explained the derivation of the name.

During the American Revolutionary War in the late 1700s, when British Redcoats forded the creek wearing their red coats and white trousers (breeches), after crossing, they realized that the creek had turned their breeches yellow. The American Revolutionaries apparently found this hugely amusing, and so the name stuck. So now you know...

Historic Pix (1) Three Peaks 1996

A quick response from fellow Three Peaks blogger, Dave Haygarth.

Here's a picture of him powering up the lane to Pen-y-Ghent in 1996. (click on the image to view full size version)

This image is of note for a number of reasons. Firstly Dave is riding a "Bespoke" 'cross frame by local builder Norris Lockley who used to have a shop in Settle - no more than 8 miles from where this photo was taken.

Secondly it represents the cross-over period from 'hairnet' style crash hats (like this uber-cool Cinelli that Dave's wearing) to the hardshells we all now sport. Dig the groovy early Specialized worn by the second rider here... (note however that I have a picture taken by my wife Bina of a rider at the start of the 2003 race wearing a 'hairnet' - so they still took a long time to fall out of use)

Lastly I think I'm correct in saying that '96 was probably the most recent running of the 'Peaks where the riders had to endure really dreadful weather for the entire race - as witnessed by the standing water and low mist. So fingers crossed for 2008 - but make sure you bring your waterproof just in case... (photo - Dave Haygarth Archive)

I LOVE HISTORIC PICTURES

(photo - John Rawnsley Archive)

I don't know about anyone else, but I really love looking at old / retro / historic pictures - and so having obtained John Rawnsley's OK - here's a full-size / full resolution version of the 1961 'Peaks finish photo in the sidebar at the right (click on the image to view full size version).

In fact, if anyone has any good images of either the Three Peaks or the Iron Cross which you'd like to see on this blog, send then to me in jpeg form* at Lemansgtman@ntlworld.com and I'll place them here on the site for everyone's delectation.

* As large size & high resolution as possible, but aim for 1 to 2 mb maximum file sizes (for example the pic above is about 500kb).

They can be anything at all connected with either race - even just a picture of you that you're rather proud of. It goes without saying that we'd be very interested in images from the early years of the 'Peaks in particular.

Let us have as much detail of when the image was taken and where - and any other relevant information. Please also ensure that the copyright holder (usually the person who took the photo) is happy for it to be published.

First things first...

(photo - Bina Briggs)

You're all excited now - and you think you want to ride the Three Peaks Cyclo Cross and / or the Iron Cross? Here's how:-

Three Peaks:- Sorry, entries are now closed for the 2008 race. However even though the selection procedure for the 2009 running has yet to be announced, it will almost certainly be at the organisers' discretion again and you need to keep a regular eye on the "race info" page of web site here -

http://www.3peakscyclocross.org.uk/race_info.htm

For your guidance though it is now usual for entries to open online on or around the 1st July (though you have print and post the entry form).

Please understand that entries are not currently selected on a 'first come first served' basis but are selected by the organisers. At the very least you will be expected to show on the entry form that you generally have the requisite experience, race fitness or have undertaken the proper training to be able to compete in the 'Peaks. Beyond that we can't give much guidance.

Mainly because of the 'rise' of the internet, the Three Peaks Cyclo Cross has become a much higher profile event in the last couple of years and seems to have gained the attention of folks from outside of the quite small Cyclo-Cross fraternity, so the entry is now always heavily oversubscribed and closes within a few days - so you'll have to act quickly and we can only wish you the very best of luck.

NOTE:- In answer to the oft repeated question - NO you can't use a mountain bike in the 'Peaks - Cyclo Cross bikes only... Don't bother asking, it's not going to happen.

Iron Cross VI (i.e. 6):- Entries are open until race morning 12th October, though it's cheaper to enter in advance and the entry limit might max out before race day of course...

It's very simple, go here:-

http://www.yellowbreechesracing.org/ironcross/registration/

...and follow the instructions, You will need to register on the BikeReg website first (quick and free) and then you can enter instantaneously using a credit card. Child's play...

NOTE: Cyclo Cross and Mountain Bikes are both very welcome in the Iron Cross - in fact I don't believe I know of a race reg' that precludes you from using a unicycle if you were daft enougn... NO please don't.


Coming Soon:- How to get there - and where to stay...