The 3 peaks cyclocross race saw its 60th edition on Sunday. For those who are not familiar, this unique and prestigious event is considered one of the most challenging races in ‘cross. Taking on the yorkshire 3 peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen y Ghent on a CX bike is a tough proposition. You can read about the event at the following link if anyone is interested and want some more context: http://3peakscyclocross.org.uk/

This year our very own racing secretary Joe Shepherd was returning for a second attempt at this great race following his debut in 2023.
Excuses were the order of the day and after a week leading up to the race marred by illness Joe arrived in yorkshire apprehensive as to what state his energy reserves were in.
An inauspicious start to the day saw our hero sign on and immediately leave his number in 1 of 15 identical portaloos, a predictably amusing scene ensued.

Race number retrieved with a not insignificant amount of embarrassment and the race got underway with a 5km neutralised road section. Early signs were promising as Joe got off to a good start negotiating the 100% gradients (not kidding) of Simon Fell and making it to the summit of Ingleborough 3 mins faster than the year previous. With overhead conditions considerably better than 2023 the descent of ingleborough was less of a voyage into the unknown as the great vista of the yorkshire dales stretched out in front of riders. Joe made it to Cold Cotes and the first pit area a smidge ahead of the schedule from the previous year and optimistically set out on the next road section to Whernside dreaming of a time under 4hrs and a top 100 finish.

As the course turned off the road and the long trudge up the flank of the 736m summit began, worrying sensations grew in Joe’s legs. Some of the larger limestone steps bringing on on crippling cramp in his thighs, likely the effects of long-term dehydration following the sickness earlier in the week.

Still, there were chances to catch up on the notorious descent of Whernside to the famous Ribblehead viaduct. In 2023 the limestone paving and steps proved a bit much for the honourable racing secretary, a series of ‘offs’ resulting in a smashed helmet and a fair bit of time lost. Not so this time around as a hair raising descent took Joe to Ribblehead and the secind pit area 6 minutes ahead of the benchmark set the previous year.

With things looking good Joe once again set off on the road heading for the final peak, Pen y Ghent. Disaster struck just a few kms later though as a familiar sinking feeling revealed that our hero had not made it off Whernside unscathed, a rear wheel puncture is always a risk with a lot of sharp edges to be negotiated and the resulting innertube palaver was costly when it came to the stopwatch.

Tube installed, tyre inflated to a (somewhat) satisfactory pressure and Pen y Ghent next on the list, joe was unfortunately starting to flag. The ascent and descent of the final summit is along the same track, this makes for added spice with riders coming down with limited control having to dodge riders going up with limited mobility. The cramp was back with a vengeance and Joe’s race goal turned from finishing well to finishing, time was out of the window at this point. A mental battle followed with multiple stops required for leg stretching and general cursing. 4hrs and 6mins after starting it was all downhill to the finish for Joe. The punishing descent of Pen y Ghent is fast and furious, fatigue in the arms and hands presents a real issue and control tends to siffer as a result. Only a stretch of road now lay between Joe and the finish, battling all the way he stopped the clock on 04:32:45, not what he was hoping for and a good 15mins slower than the previous year but not bad in the circumstances.

Joe will be back for a third attempt next year, if anyone is interested in the 3 peaks and wants to know more, get in touch with your racing secretary!