Team Diary
(Forwarded by Tim) This whole idea had started out originally as a John O’Groats - Lands End kind of trip. I wanted to do something big to show my feelings toward BASIC, and the work I had seen them doing. Being that I would have been stretched for time for such a trip, a colleague and friend suggested doing The 3 Peaks. I rejected the idea as one being done by so many people all the time, I wanted it to be bigger - and what I thought as better (not at all true!) Once the seed had been sown, I dipped my toe in the water and I told a few people. Very few people, almost everybody, shook their heads, thinking I was still “affected” I suppose! People cared and they said so. But said “I shouldn’t bother if I was you”.
There was a defining moment in all of this. Another colleague said “Tim, go and do your calculations again, it can’t be done. You’ll never do it”. When I invited him to try with me, he politely declined saying “No. Sorry, it’s a big ask”. You see, those words are not the words which beat you down and leave you feeling dejected, they’re the words of incitement. I asked him to tell me again - and he did! And now I use those words when I’m battling against the wind for miles on my own. And I always get there. Those words will be the ones spinning in my head when we’re grinding up the longest climbs and at every hard turn of the cranks.
The next person I told was Peter Banks. He didn’t flinch, he paused for a couple of seconds and looked me square in the eye. “I’ll do it with you. All of it I mean. I’ll do it”. The rest is history as they say, but this is where the hardest work only really starts...
During our research, and having spoken to seasoned Internationals on the fell-running circuit, we have only discovered, to the best of our knowledge, that two men have previously attempted this serious challenge. We understand that former racing cyclist Alan Evans and then former fell runner and cyclist John North (Clayton-le-Moors) have succeeded on separate occasions. Both men have completed this in around two and a half days.
Peter has run races on the road last year (2005) and achieved very high ranks, as usual! He claimed a 2nd place and 1st Veteran in the Dent 14. Langdale Half Marathon saw him home 6th, 2nd Vet. He is consistent in his effort and will continue to build his training - he will reach a good balance of around 40miles running and 150-200miles on the bike in his build-up. “We have to follow our own personal training plans appropriate for ourselves”. Tim’s winter has been a core of tough mountain biking with some long road rides. He rides about 160miles a week at the moment, with no running. He is starting to mix in some running with road biking. By mid-May, his aim is for a modest 20miles hill running but about 230miles on the bike. His peak mileage of biking will reach about 300miles in a week.
99 Days to go...
Easter 2006 saw Peter doing his usual running and a full day walk on the hills. Tim also turned to the fells on the Sunday, doing a double ascent of Black Combe before breakfast! (Just for fun?) Work and family commitments curtailed Tim's biking a little last week, but a 2 and a half hour mountain bike ride midweek and a 62 mile hilly road circuit over the Pennines/ West Yorkshire on saturday were the highlights.
87 Days to go...
With 3 months to go, Peter had a planned rest week from normal training whilst Tim's was just maintained. This week concluded with a 91mile ride into the Dales, totalling 180 for the week. This is when their training will really start taking shape - next weekend is a trip to Ben Nevis for a timed recce, then a solid ride to finish off the day.
80 Days to go...
Saturday (6th May) was the start of their recce of 'The Ben'. It took a planned and paced 3 hours - to the second - to go up and down, despite shin deep icy snow for the top half mile. A change and snack was taken before a ride on the first 50 miles down the A82. Strong headwinds hindered any big speeds but a good strong 6 mile climb up through the Pass of Glencoe was enjoyed on a warm, dry day, followed shortly after by a second climb of just 3 miles. Plan for the coming week - 230 miles biking (Tim), resume running, whilst building the bike miles for Peter.
66 Days to go...
After some 190 mile weeks, and more running on the fells, it was time for a test. Bike 35 miles to Horton in the Yorkshire Dales, a run up and down Penyghent then after tea and cake, bike the 35 miles back - all in the pouring rain. Oh well, that's the British weather for you. If you avoided it you'd never get anything done!
50 Days to go...
After an easy training week (busy one at work), back to 200 miles of cycling in a week. Off on holiday for 2 weeks in the sun and some gentle running on the beach and a well- earned rest.
26 Days to go... (1st July)
A hot day was expected, so an early start was opted for. Tim cycled a hilly 30 mile loop from Horton-in- Ribblesdale. Having changed and fuelled, he then went up and down PenYGhent on foot before 7.30 saturday morning. Another change and refuel, he repeated the same and finished by 10.30 This gave a hard 60miles ridden and two 1,600ft ascents of the mountain done and dusted, time to drive home and spend the day with his family!
16 Days to go...
Tim & Peter have a 2nd recce of Scafell Pike, the first being in the sweltering sun, this one in wind, rain and the mist - good route-finding preparation and training for the real thing (although the greasy rock doesn't help much for anything).
13 Days to go... (Getting Close)
Tim had an extended ride of 111 miles into North Yorkshire on Saturday (and got more suntanned!) It was another hot day but a steady pace gave a pleasing 6hr 30min ride. One more week of good training before easing it off a bit getting ready for the big day (or 3 very very big days to be more precise).