Day 1, mercifully uneventful

​8:30am outside Merv’s house, the advance party of three met for the photo shoot and press conference. Something more important must have been going on for the paparazzi so the boys took a selfie and set off.

Today, on a spreadsheet at least, is the hardest day of the tour. About 80 miles and 4800 odd feet of climbing. Route to Ripon, Masham, Leyburn, Askrigg and then up and down to Nateby, which is the posher village just outside somewhat rundown Kirkby Stephen. Crossing the Pennines diagonally in other words. Good to get a whole mountain range out the way on day 1 says Pete. The weather was kind to us apart from a 15 mile slog into the wind after lunch in Leyburn. Pete was regretting the rather average sausage roll he’d eaten. It was his own fault though as, mindful of the shorter evenings in mid September, he had requested short stops in case of a major mechanical delay. Steve would far rather opt for long leisurely lunches in the poshest cafe available. Doubtless he’ll get his way once or twice before we’re done. Merv brought Spam sandwiches. A man of class, style and distinction!

As for mechanicals, we did have a number. Merv broke his mudguard rivets in Masham. Steve reckoned he needed a couple of bolts or a zip-tie. ‘What?’, says Pete rummaging in his saddlebag, ‘like this zip-tie here?’ Job done. 

A few miles from the end, Steve broke his gear cable. ‘That’s the last time I buy that Shimano rubbish’ he says ‘it’s only lasted 15 years!!’. Handily he had a spare.

Pete, having patted himself on the back for diagnosing an irritating noise on his bike last week, has now developed a new noise. Steve reckons it’s his bottom bracket. Pete annoyed as this bit of kit is only 4000 miles old, and he’ll have to live with the noise for another 10 days. Luckily Pete has Spotify and headphones with him to drown out the sound. Pete also annoyed at Strava’s auto-pause skipping 10 miles. Garmin to the rescue.

Fabulous black skies in the final run in..

Tonight is in the Black Bull at Nateby. Black Sheep and Taylor’s beers are a good start. Steve wants a Parmo for dinner. His desire for quality lunches and junk food at night is a strange contradiction. 

Anyway, day done. Eat, sleep and repeat tomorrow when Andrew will join us somewhere around Carlisle. Hopefully no more troubles, large or small!

80 miles

4813 feet