Alport Stone

Alport Heights is a nice place to visit. It has good points and bad
The bad part is the ghastly masts that are there and the trig point is FENCED OFF, whats that about.
But the good part is Alport Stone and the amazing views to be had. One other odd thing is the cairn on the top has a plate pointing out all the POWER STATIONS on the horizon.

Badger lying near the Stone

Crowden Horseshoe

A quick trip up to Crowden for the annual Horseshoe that Des Gibbons puts on. A great race and a bit of everything. Lots of technical parts which I love. Give me some rocks and Im away.
I can run uphill and descend very fast on rock but I am not so fast on the grassy dowhill bits. Thats just how it is.
Anyway I pushed on a bit up to Laddow Rocks and round to the Soldiers Lump knowing that the first part of the return journey I would be a bit slower. It was a strange run really and I think I passed three people but apart from that I was in no mans land. The finish of the race is quite steep and I ploughed down that and came 9th.
So I was happy at that.


A typical welcome to the fell race sign

The start and finish of the Crowden race. The activity centre is just behind the tree.

Just passed the Soldiers Lump after the bogs and its flat out all the way to the finish

Last bit needs a touch of concentration

I didn't realise until I was told that I was first Derbyshire back and this being Derby Champs Race made me Derbyshire Champion. Well I will take that, It did make me smile.

One thing that pleased me was to get under 1hr 10mins. Very pleased with that.

I love you Robinson

The Newlands Horseshoe as I call it is one of the most brilliant fell races ever to be concieved. We have a lovely couple called Wynn and Steve to thank for that.
One problem is the climb out off Scope Beck and up to Robinson is a bugger. Steep as a ships mast and very hard. Ive tried every way up and there is no easy way.
Its a hard race with a bit of everything in it. Tough climbs, rocky and grassy descents, ridges, and views to die for.
This year was a good race. I set off steady but came strong in the middle near Dale Head tarn. If only I could do that all the way.

Early in the race and on the track leading out towards Robinson. Muir my team mate is just a little behind me. He beats me in the race. He is a demon descender whereas I catch him on the climbs.

Coming off Catbells. Ive just passed the tourists on the top who always look gobsmacked. Well I managed 17th place just behind a good friend called AL Fowler. Al is a bit like our young Fleeter who was at the Ben Nevis race and is in the Under 23 age bracket. He gave me a good run for my money and it was good to see him run well. There are not many Under 23s in the country that could run a race like that never mind in under 2 hrs. One of the beauty of fellrunning for me is watching other runners do well. Especially when they are young.

Bet his legs didnt ache like mine after the race.

potential

What can you do with a Collie that wont chase or work with sheep. Simple send him to a rescue centre and someone like me will take the dog on. Farmers send lots of dogs to Collie rescue centre's because of dogs that wont work.
Its a shame really because the breed was bred for working but down the generations, non working bloodlines have crept into the UKs population. Who is to blame is anyone's guess.
Badger wont have anything to do with livestock, which is a bonus when your after a running dog.
We regulary come across this flock of sheep and its comical. Im sure Badger would rather just not bump into them. Just after the photo of him approaching the flock he flopped down and waited for me to move them.
Good grief

But seriously though, Badger has taken a lot of training and thousands of miles of running which Im sure helps with a Collie's behaviour.
We stopped for a minute to take this picture and have a cheese sandwich.

back to normal

Well I suppose it will be situation normal soon enough with our airspace back to its usual busy self. Reminded me of the nights Ive sat at the Travel Inn Premier Inn at Heathrow watching the planes land one after the other.
Some of you will know the exact spot.

One after the other

hundred

Now as my Bob Graham partner will tell you, I'm useless with technology. Lots of people have these Garmins and I purchased one years ago but hardly ever use it. I can turn it on and wait for it to acquire satellites but that's about it. Well today I fancied doing a good ride so I put some new batteries in and under instructions of ( Clear Trip Data) to reset it I set off on my ride.

100 mile rides are nothing new to me as Ive lost count of how many Ive done over the years. My usual route up into the peak is a steady start but as I passed through the masses at Matlock I was feeling good. Bakewell slipped by and I headed up the steep A6 before turning right for Tideswell. Lots of climbing but some nice descents are what the White Peak is about. Millers Dale is awsome. I headed through Wardlow then Monsal Head and back to Ashford in the Water.
Back down the A6 all the way to Derby then across to Nottingham past East Midland's Airport. As the miles ticked by I glanced down at my Garmin and as it clicked 90 miles I pushed on from Nottingham and headed home. The magic 100mile mark just tripped as I came back into Ilkeston. Perfect
One of those days when everything went right
Just under 5hrs 30mins and I had a 5 minute stop for a can of coke in that as well.

Still not managed to alter the time yet. It was 4.34 when I got home.

Crich Stand

Well I finally worked out how to take a picture with my I phone tonight. A nice 57mile ride which is about typical of what I do nowadays. Loads of climbing, Upping as its known. Now Ive ridden up to Crich lots of times over the years so I thought Id try and take a couple of pictures.
Im not looking my best at Ive just hauled myself up from Cromford and then ran up the track with the bike on my shoulder cyclo cross style.
The view was amazing tonight and I could see all the way home.

Spring is here and its so nice to be able to get out on the bike. Not quite short sleeved top weather but we are getting there. My tan lines are non existent yet unlike someone I know
Crich Stand Monument

Quite breezy at the top. Its a pity the monument was shut and I couldnt walk up it.

The last part of the track leading up to the monument.