The National Three Peaks Challenge

The National Three Peaks Challenge is an endurance event in which participants attempt to climb the highest mountains of Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours. Walkers climb each peak in turn, and are driven from the foot of the mountain to the next. The three peaks are:
Ben Nevis (1,344 m or 4,409 ft), the highest mountain in Scotland
Scafell Pike (978 m or 3,209 ft), the highest mountain in England
Snowdon (1,085 m or 3,560 ft), the highest mountain in Wales
The total distance walked is estimated at 42 km (26 mi) or 44 km (27 mi), with a total ascent of 3,000 m or 9,800 ft.

The organiser of this trip was Brent Curless, a member of Datchet Dashers running club. My sister Denisa is a member as well as Brent so this way I knew about the challenge.

We were split in 2 teams. Team A and Team B. Team A hired people carrier because there were only 5 of us. Team B were 10 people, including myself, and we hired a minibus with 17 seats. We left Windsor at 9:30 am and drove to Glasgow.

We arrived at around 7 pm as our minibus was too slow! Unfortunately, the maximum speed was only 60 miles per hour. In our group were 3 people who wanted to be drive. After check in we went to have a dinner together and we had a little briefing too.

The next morning we drove to Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis. We arrived around noon and had a lunch. We set off at 2:15 pm. Weather was warm but as we climbed up weather changed from sunny to foggy, windy and damp. Almost on the top of Ben Nevis was snow. We managed to have a snowball fight. The climbing up took us 3 hours and going down it was only 2,5 hours. As soon as we all got to the bottom of the hill we drove to Scafell Pike in England.

We got there at 3 am. It was so dark so we prepared head torches. After 45 minutes climbing we could see sunset. It was such a beautiful sight. We found climbing of this peak a bit difficult as it is covered with shattered rock debris and its steep in many parts too. We finished within 4 hours. Again we bordered the trusty minibus but this time to Wales. We hit some traffic but that meant more snoozing time. We were so lucky with the weather. Snowdon was welcoming us with summer temperature. We arrived at 3 pm. It was the busiest peak. On the way up we took a shorter route which was around 11 km. Surprisingly, at the top there was a buffet with drinks and food. On the way back we took different route down that meanders the stunning lakes which was 13 km long. We were so tempted to jump into the water. When we finished this peak it was already 7 pm. Then we went to a hotel which we booked in advance in a village called Capel Curig.

After this achievement we had all dinner and drinks and swapped stories on what we liked best about the magnificent mountains and scenery.

We had done it! We did it in 28 hours. We all were more than happy about our challenge and had a nice memories about the peaks. A great challenge, with old and new friends. Back home safely. ;0)

Brent and I

                                                             Top of Snowdon

FT London Cycle Sportive

The Financial Times London Cycle Sportive, supporting Access Sport took place on Sunday 30 June. The event started in Dulwich Park, not far away from the iconic finish on the 1948 Summer Olympic Velodrome at Herne Hill. It was organised by leading mass participation events company Human Race. They offered riders completing 48 km, 100 km and 100 miles distances. My friend Robert decided to do the 100 km route with me.

We set off early in the morning. At the park before the start we prepared our nutrition as well as our racing numbers. The forecast was looking good, sunny and dry around 26 degrees. Our start time was from 8:20 am till 9:15 am.
 
The medium route 100 km headed out from south London to the North Downs and offered a few stunning views over the Kent/Surrey countryside and Biggin Hill, then the lanes between Reigate and Dorking where it then took on the 2012 Olympic climb at Box Hill. The total height climbed was 812 metres with a maximum elevation of 275 metres.

Around the 24th mile we stopped at the first drink and food station. We drank lots of fluid during the ride so we had to top up our drinks bottles. We spent around ten minutes taking some refreshments and doing some stretches. As we were ready to go one of the organisers told us to join a large waiting group as there was a car accident further up the road. We lost a good 20 minutes just waiting. The delay was very frustrating and I lost the buzz I had been feeling earlier. When the marshals had sorted out a diversion around the accident we started cycling again. It was not as enjoyable now as we were now a big mass of cyclists. Our leader was a motorbike who made sure that we were following him on the diversion. They had to extend our cycling route due to that car accident.

All along the route we could see a few minor accidents that had happened to some cyclists who had broken their chains or had punctures. Luckily nothing happened to us.

Around 35 miles the mass was clearing up and lost completely on climbing the infamous Box Hill. It was such a great feeling to be on the top of the hill with beautiful views of Dorking and Leith Hill. After that there was the second and last drink and food station. So we topped up our bottles again and had some food. Robert just had a banana but I ate a tray of Jaffa cakes. We spent probably another 10 minutes at the second stop. The last 20 miles were still awaiting. After the break I felt a bit tired so I started cycling slowly. I really enjoyed the flat roads and downhills as I could go fast. Robert was faster on uphills than me but slower on flat roads. We were supporting each other all the way long. As soon as we hit London the traffic was very heavy and there were a lot of traffic lights on the main roads. This slowed us a lot but despite this we were still pushing it. The end of the route was to cycle around the Olympic velodrome track. It was such a unique experience. We did it! Our time was 5 hours and 21 minutes with 103 km distance long. We got a medal too. At the end we were pleased with all of the event and weather. We couldn´t ask more. :0)

Top of Box Hill

                                                                 Robert and I