The Achille Ratti Tour of the North Lakes - October 1st 2011

The Peleton: Dave Makin, Chris Lloyd, Dave Reynolds, Brian Hodgkinson, Peter, Martin, Emma Osenton, Ali Mills, Mick McGovern, Trevor, John, Phil Hodgson

Unusually for us, we actually set off at the time agreed the night before – except John who, departing an hour before us obviously had a cunning plan to get back first and make a good start on the barrel of beer.

This was the weekend when summer briefly returned from its even briefer appearance in the summer. We were already drenched with sweat by the top of Red Bank. We swooped into Grasmere and dodged the traffic on the road to Ambleside. Then... the biggest climb of the day. Whoever named the Struggle hit the nail right on the head. What a beast of a climb. The ascent strung us out so we regrouped opposite the Kirkstone Inn, panting from the extreme exertion.

Our top speed down from Kirkstone hit 48mph. As it flattened out a small breakaway pulled away from the main peleton, hanging on the back wheel of young Martin (is his last name Schleck?). We were nearly mown down by the secretary of the FRA when, unsuspecting of our ridiculous speed, he manouevered his camper van into our path . Suitable abuse was exchanged!

With Martin and Dave R racing each other up most significant hills (I think it was 29 – 0 to Martin) we regrouped at regular intervals, occasionally wondering where our more leisurely riders had got to. Dave was heard to comment to one back marker, “We’ve been waiting so long we’ve all grown beards”. However, the waiting didn’t matter, it was warm with occasional sunshine, the scenery was stunning, the company entertaining...and we had time for a shave!

Team captain Chris Lloyd, by right of his committee membership, proceeded to whittle down our merry band. First to take a wrong turn were Emma and Ali – next time we saw them was at the top of Whinlatter. Then Mick opted for a short cut, no doubt also lured by the thought of the full barrel of ale back at the hut.

Arthur & Sheila’s Mobile Tea Emporium was always parked in a strategic spot by the side of the road just when we needed our carbo levels topping up. Butties, cake, flapjack, biscuits, hot tea and cold juice. “Yummy” said Dave M as he washed it down with lashings of tea.

We meandered (at not far off race pace!)along the quiet country lanes round the back of Skiddaw losing yet another three riders as Martin, Dave R, and Peter raced ahead and missed the turning to Lorton. (Obviously an excuse to miss out the second big climb of the day over Whinlatter). Thinking that Red Bank was the only steep bit left between us and Langdale we hammered up and over the pass to meet up with the walkers, and the Mobile Tea Emporium at Braithwaite. However, we’d reckoned without the sadistic intentions of course designer Brian. The ride up to Castlerigg stone circle is a killer when you’ve got 70+ miles in your legs.

Our three missing riders eventually caught up with us having circumnavigated Cockermouth at least three times. By now we were at the end of what must be the flattest six mile length of road in the Lakes; round the back of Thirlmere. What a lovely ribbon of tarmac, it’s crying out for a Ratti Time Trial (watch this space!). Dunmail succumbed with ease and we raced down to Grasmere. Red Bank now loomed before us, the last climb and the one we’d all been dreading, particularly as the road was wet. This nasty bit of road soon claimed a few victims with Martin’s sideways nosedive being the most spectacular when he got terminal wheel spin on the steepest bit.

No regrouping at the top of this climb... the next stop was the Wainwright. Dave M and myself were first out of the blocks but I hate to admit that Dave beat me there (a good job really as I’d forgotten to take any moneyJ). He did however take a dubious short cut. Those drinking outside must have wondered what was happening when Dave M, aka the Red Rock Ramrod, screaming down the road towards the pub, gave the finishing salute more closely associated with the Manx Missile!