{"id":2416,"date":"2011-01-30T19:04:32","date_gmt":"2011-01-30T18:04:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stodgell.co.uk\/?p=2416"},"modified":"2011-01-30T19:20:48","modified_gmt":"2011-01-30T18:20:48","slug":"dark-white-winter-series-4-hope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.stodgell.co.uk\/?p=2416","title":{"rendered":"Dark & White Winter Series #4 – Hope"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The area surrounding Hope and Castleton in the Peak District is one I know fairly well, from both previous Dark and White events and countless New Years celebrations in Castleton as a student. Oh, and I had my stag do there, but the less said about that the better (I did, however, notice that the trough outside\u00a0a pub that I ended up in now contains flowers, not water and goldfish!).<\/p>\n

The day was cold and crisp and the ground fairly dry with no recent rain, so it looked likely that conditions would be fast. I duly pumped up my tyres as hard as I dared and set off.<\/p>\n

I always prefer a downhill finish so headed off up the Edale valley on to tracks I knew fairly well, whilst sorting out the rest of the route as I went.<\/p>\n

The rocky descent down into number 10 had me wishing I hadn\u2019t put quite so much air in my tyres as I bounced around, trying to keep a smooth line, but luckily a sheep track alongside the main path made the re-ascent a little easier. I always love riding the bridleway that goes via today\u2019s number 8 as I seem to come across lots of recreation bikers, mostly on very expensive full-suspension machines, either slowly picking their way down the steep rocky descents or off and pushing on the ups. It\u2019s a nice feeling to blast past them, up or down, on an XC race bike and watch their faces.<\/p>\n

The planning was very good and I was struggling to see a good route to hoover up the controls to the S\"\"south. There seemed no way to circumnavigate the course without some vicious climbs.<\/p>\n

The one up to Chapel Gate was cruel, the only plus being it could have been so much worse if not frozen, but my poor overshoes took a pounding, as, like everyone else, I was off and pushing\/carrying at times up to the top of the 250 metre ascent.<\/p>\n

Moving south I had a decision to make: to leave number 7 in Bradwell\u00a0or not. I knew things were going to be tight and in the end, although only 750 metres off my route, I decided not to descend and get it. Given I was 4 mins late this was the right decision, but winner Mark McPhillips, who took the same route as me did get it.<\/p>\n

The views out over Castleton and the Dark Peak to the north were stunning as I climbed over towards Mam Tor before dropping down into Castleton. I have never ridden the bridleway down from Hollins Cross before, and I will probably avoid it next time. It was slippery, steep and un-rideable in places, making me slower than planned hence being a little late back.<\/p>\n

After getting the last control, it was a 2.5km blast back along the road to the finish in Hope punching in 5 minutes late. There were lots of big names about today and I felt sure, although I\u2019d had a good ride, that I\u2019d be down the leader board; but download showed me\u00a0equal second\u00a0with Killian, another great result and showing that my continued concentration on strength this winter is starting to pay off.<\/p>\n

Thanks Dark and White for another great event, and also great to see Steve Heading back on a mountain bike after his shoulder injury last year (and yes he did ride from Matlock, do the event and ride home again \u2013 legend)<\/p>\n

Stats: 52.8km, 1200m climb<\/p>\n

Results available here : http:\/\/www.darkandwhite.co.uk\/results-cross-country-fell-races.asp<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The area surrounding Hope and Castleton in the Peak District is one I know fairly well, from both previous Dark and White events and countless New Years celebrations in Castleton as a student. Oh, and I had my stag do there, but the less said about that the better (I did, however, notice that the … <\/p>\n

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