3 Peaks Cyclocross

The 3 Peaks

Words by Rob Allen

Ever since I started riding cross a few years ago, the famous 3 Peaks Cyclocross race in Yorkshire is a itch I have wanted to scratch. Despite the catcalls from some on the London cross scene of “it’s not a real cross race” – easy to say from your armchair! – I was keen, if a bit intimidated. So this year, when the entries opened in June, I was primed and ready. Somewhat to my surprise, a week later I got an email saying I was in……

Rob Allen of Handsling Racing

A summer spent carrying my cross bike up every hill I could find later, I found myself on the start line in Horton in Ribblesdale. It’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced – commentator with a broad Yorkshire accent telling unrepeatable jokes, while 700 plus nervous crossers jiggle for position in an extremely narrow road.

Once we set off, the pace made a mockery of what was supposed to be a ‘neutralised’ road section. I was pretty much on the rivet trying to stay up front and away from the shambolic bike handling further back as the road twisted and swooped toward the first climb at Ingleborough.

The massed start of the 3 Peaks Cyclocross race (photo courtesy of www.3peakscyclocross.org.uk)

Pretty soon we were slogging up the essentially vertical Simon Fell on foot, on the way to Ingleborough proper. It wasn’t fun, but it was going ok, I had trained a lot for this kind of carrying. Over the top the fun really started. It was pretty much too windy to be able to ride at all; I saw several of the people that tried literally blown sideways off their bikes. Once we crossed a stone wall and got some respite, it got technical and very boggy.

At one point my front wheel disappeared and I then also disappeared gracelessly over the bars with enough force to remove my rear wheel from the dropouts. I had a second, much bigger face plant on the descent of Ingleborough proper which properly knocked my confidence – and probably in hindsight gave me mild concussion. That, combined with a general lack of experience riding steep, loose, rocky descents on a cross bike with 65 PSI in the tyres conspired to have me feeling like a rock in a stream on the descents for the rest of the day.

Eventually I got to Cold Cotes where I grabbed a bottle, gel and bar from the remarkable Mark Turner who had kindly agreed to support me for the day, then hit the rolling road section to Whernside. Hard going with not much respite.

The climb to Whernside was dispatched with more grunting and suffering but no real drama. The descent was predictably tough again, rocky and slippy and for me, without a rhythm. Another bottle from Mark at Ribblehead and onto the road to Pen-y-Ghent. By this time there weren’t that many groups to be joined; it was about survival, all hopes of a decent time lost on the downhills.

The climbing was still going well though and I was taking places both while riding and later while carrying. Another very near miss on the treacherous upper part of the descent and I made my way down to the road. The final road section was odd – lots of people seemed to have given up and I took about 10 places between Pen-y-Ghent and the finish.

It’s a very strange race, but I really enjoyed it and find myself keen for more. I learnt a lot which I am sure could make me a chunk faster next year, some of which I will hopefully share on this site as preparations take shape nearer the time…

Huge thanks to Alan Dorrington, aka Crossjunkie and Mark Turner @Sparkieturner for advice, accommodation, encouragement, support, camaraderie and more. Diamond geezers.

Despite his descending woes, Rob Allen completed the 2013 3 Peaks in a very respectable time of 04:47:36. Winner Rob Jebb finished in 03:05:14.