A long time ago a senior colleague (American) told me “It’s better to be lucky than good”. I would prefer both attributes but luck did favour me on this edition of the Dales Divide.

The first bit of luck was someone from the coaching group I am in (Turn Cycling) offer the room he had booked at The Olde Fighting Cocks up as he could no longer do the event. I snapped it up as I had left it too late to book, having decided quite late in the day to enter. This would be my third time staying there and it is incredibly convenient for the start.

There was the usual kit explosion in the morning before I drove up to the car park at Milnthorpe and then rode back to the start on the pier in Arnside

The weather was wet and windy and we had the addition of Storm Dave predicted to arrive Saturday night. All day Friday it felt as if it had already arrived! The going was tough with the off road sections muddy, slippy with plenty of head wind at times.

I found the going hard and slow and was sure I was behind any previous time I had done on the first day.

I didn’t get to the cafe before Chris’s farm until 4.30pm. I was told they stopped serving food at 3.30 but they took pity on me and I got a plate of beans on toast and some coffee. The weather had somewhat improved as well!

Malham Tarn was the next landmark and was bathed in a warm evening light.

I pushed on and tried to get some of the hills and bogs before York out of the way before it got too late. Around 11pm I decided it was time to rest and found a secluded spot in a dip in the road under some trees. I pitched the tent and rehydrated a packet of Expedition Food Chicken Noodles. Despite my efforts I found it hard to eat and finally collapsed into my sleeping bag around midnight.

Day 2

There is a problem with the Lofoten Tent with condensation. the bottom of my sleeping bag was wet on the outside but I didn’t have time or the weather to dry it. I packed up whilst making myself some porridge and coffee. I was so glad I had brought a small stove, it was a life saver.

Setting off I surged up a climb only realising I had left my light behind and had to return and repeat the hill I had done so far!

It was pretty good going to York but the weather forecast had not changed and there were dire warnings about Storm Dave. I summed and ahhd, while riding into York about whether to divert onto the short cut that headed north to Osmotherley while enjoying the offerings made by a trail angel!

In York I dithered whilst also trying to download the diversion to my Garmin (memo: put all alternatives on your Garmin before the event!). Ultimately I had to resort to putting my phone onto the quad lock I had on my handlebars and plug it into my power bank to let me navigate the route. Tow bits of luck again. Firstly I had a quad lock, which I hardly ever use, on my handlebars and secondly I had learnt from my coach, Niel Copeland, that the app would work in flight mode saving battery wear.

Rounding a corner I almost fell off my bike with surprise to find the aforementioned coach greeting me! He said the conditions were some of the worst he had ever experienced and the going was so slow he had decided to take the shorter route. It validated my decision for me and I tried chasing him for a while before he easily pulled away into the distance.

there was a nasty steep climb up onto the hills before Osmotherley which I mostly had to walk. Then there were miles of glorious gravel track and a tailwind so strong if I sat up it felt like my speed nearly doubled!

I made Osmotherly late in the evening. Niel had said he was heading on to Catterick Garrison but I felt that much extra was too much. I rounded the corner to check out the only hotel in town. Booking.com had no vacancies. There was Aman standing outside having a cigarette. he looked at me, “Have you booked a room?” “No, you don’t have any free do you?” “I’ve just had a cancellation.” Once again Lady Luck struck. I hit the bar for a hot meal and then a shower and bed. Outside Storm Dave raged.