Beverley Knights’ third annual Derbyshire hill-climbing adventure was, once again, painful, exhilarating and…well…hilly! This year the motivation came from Le Tour de France, which is passing through the region to attempt the climbs of Holme Moss (on The Tour route) and then Snake Pass (not on The Tour route.) Much of our ride coincided with the route of the Wiggle Tour of The Peak, so there were certainly plenty of riders out on the roads. The ride started near Ladybower reservoir (up hill) and there was no time to get the legs going before we hit the steep deliverance climb that took the first cleat bashing victims of the day! From then on we knew what we were in for. Someone had come up with the bright idea of having a ‘King of The Mountains’ prize and also a fastest descent prize that encouraged speeds in excess of 50 mph. I don’t think that prize will be on offer again! The break of the day was in Sid’s Cafe in Holmfirth and as we were sitting around the back (it was a sunny day) I don’t think many of us realised the significance of the place. It was only when you went to the toilet and saw all the Last of The Summer Wine pictures did the penny drop. No wrinkly stockings or Norah Batties in sight! After refuelling, it was time to get back on our saddles and go straight over Holme Moss which was long and steady (at my speed) and then Snake Pass which was full of traffic and not the nicest of roads to cycle on (oh and long). The coverted ‘King of the Mountains’ prize went to Colin for the Holme Moss climb, I think he had been saving himself for this one as he was in a different class from the rest of us stragglers. Once we had got Snake Pass out of the way, it was back down to Ladybower reservoir and a few well deserved pints in the pub, again sitting outside in the baking sunshine. What a great ride. Rumour has is that Pat (alias Mountain Goat) was even tired when he got home. You can see details of the ride from strava below.
