NESRF 50th Anniversary Challenge: Manchester to Newcastle Cycle Ride

2016 marked the 50th anniversary year anniversary of NESRF.  To celebrate we ran  a number special fund-raising events. Perhaps one of the most challenging was a 160 mile (256 km) bike ride over 2 days between Manchester and Newcastle, incorporating part of the tour de France route through the Yorkshire dales (including 3,324 metres of ascent).  This was challenging enough without the tough weather conditions which were thrown in for good measure!

It began with 8 of us meeting up on a July Friday night in central Manchester to bond over a carbohydrate loading meal, with the welcoming hospitality of the pasta factory restaurant (http://www.pastafactory.co.uk – who are known for their support of cyclists). 

Excited and ready to go the following morning we set off bright and early.   Sam Ryder, Head of Research Operations and Business Engagement, Dermatology in Manchester kindly saw us safely on our way and also acted as our official “before shot”  photographer.

Unfortunately shortly after leaving Manchester the Heavens opened but we survived, arriving in Littleborough for our first coffee stop after about 27 km.  Rob told us this was a quarter of the way which was encouraging, and Steve tucked into the largest bacon butty we’ve ever seen.  Then back on the bikes for a couple of steep climbs to get to Blackstone Edge reservoir (shown on the photo) before dropping down into Luddenfoot.  A very steep climb out of here resulted in a number of walking for a while!  Then onto Mount Tabor reaching an elevation of 425 metres, passing Wallingmore reservoir.  After a descent into Oxenhope and another short sharp climb we arrived for lunch in Haworth.  The pub was kind enough to put the radiators on so we could dry out! 

Having covered about 44 miles we were encouraged thinking we were half way there – this was until Rob dropped in that we still had 60 miles to go!

So off we set again passing through Keighley and Skipton, stopping for a very welcome Tea at Grassington; by now it was now 4.30 pm.  Pete boosted morale (not) by pointing out that the route from here to our overnight stop Grinton, closely matched a whole day’s cycle he had done in one of his previous trips!  With this in mind Rob took the tactical decision to minimise further steep hills by adapting the route – phew!  Although we still had the gradual climb up the Wharfedale valley through Kettlewell , Starbotton and then onto Buckton. 

Penny had been supporting us all day, but indelibly etched in our memories is when she met us with ice creams at Leyburn.  I reckoned I only had 10 miles left in my legs, which was fortunate as we had 9 ½ left to go! 

We were so relieved when we arrived in Grinton, but less relieved when we found the Youth Hostel was ¾ mile up a further steep incline (this was cited by Neil as one of the low points on the tour).

With Penny’s chauffeuring down to the pub we made dinner with just 10 minutes to spare before the kitchen closed!

The following day was, by comparison, relatively straightforward.  A mere 60 miles. A long climb out of Reeth through Langthwaite followed by a series of steep sections before reaching the highest point on the route, Stan Forrest 509 metres, on the border of County Durham (see photo). 

Covering almost 100 miles the day before had clearly taken its toll and I certainly suffered for the 1st hour and especially on this climb!  Thereafter it was mostly downhill apart from some small climbs out of Barnard Castle towards Copley and then skirting the outskirts of Durham through Chester le Street and Gateshead, where we suffered our first puncture.  A sunny Newcastle afternoon welcomed us back, and Penny was there to record the “after photos.”

Thank you to all those that took part: Team and Route Leader Rob Ellis (consultant dermatologist Middlesbrough), Neil Rajan (senior lecturer and consultant dermatologist Newcastle), Steve Robson, (Professor of Fetal medicine) Pete Bennett (IT consultant Newcastle), Leighton Jenkins (Penny’s husband), Rhys Jenkins (Leighton’s brother!) with support from Penny Lovat  (Professor of cellular dermatology and oncology) – who will always be remembered for the revival ice-creams and to Richard Simpson (deceased, previous NESRF committee member) who helped with the organisation.