Hard core Captain eats own dog food*

Captain's 3 Peaks Challenge - Andi

Originally billed as a Jags ride, there were actually more Leopards that signed up for this week’s adventure - the Captain’s 3 Peaks Challenge. Now in its second year, this annual event is fast gaining popularity (notoriety). It’s a short ride, just 30 miles, but takes in 3 of the Chiltern’s finest climbs, namely Kop Hill (of Hill Climb fame - registering 20% gradient towards the top), Whiteleafe (17% at the top) and Wardrobes (easy by comparison!).

Despite not firing on all cylinders (due to recent malaise) Captain Jane turned out, sporting her gravel bike (our hard-core captain doesn’t believe in making it easy for herself!), along with Bob G, also on gravel. The rest of the have a go heroes included Fred Whittoners Simon R and Jag, Deb, Lynn and Andi (all putting in some late training for an impending mountainous trip to Spain), and Don, just along for the ride.

Start time was delayed to 9am due to the cold weather, allowing Andi to work out how to share her live location with Lynn who was going to meet the group en-route. Bob only picked up the late start message as he’d parked up at the Spire and Spoke so had plenty to time to think out his climbing strategy, everyone else benefited from an extra cuppa except Jag who thought the meet time was 9am anyway!

A steady 10 mile ride out ensued (unlike last years Challenge which had the ‘benefit’ of a cheetah lead out). There was a short pause for Don to readjust his mudguard and then Lynn joined shortly before the first hill.

Depending on your mindset, Kop Hill is arguably the hardest climb as it has 3 distinct ramps. That seems to imply that it eases up in places, but it doesn't! Simon keen to understand what he was up against quizzed Andi on the way up, but she was suitable vague (nothing new there!). Having regrouped at the top, swapped notes on matters such as gearing, power, seated or out of the saddle, and number of excess layers worn, it was time to turn round and descend back down, do a loop of Princes Ris, ready for the next one.

Whiteleafe. This is the hill that keeps on giving, just when you think you can see the top, there’s a bend and the full horror of the final ramp swims into view.

The two hardest climbs completed, Bob had a puncture. Luckily his tubeless set up self sealed - hurray! He topped it up with more air and then decided it was better to limp home (well S&S for coffee/cake) rather than risk another puncture. Everyone else went on to Wardrobes, with Andi & Simon doggedly refusing to stop at the hairpin (there was a Land Rover coming, but he wasn’t that close!), and on to the final summit at the Pink Lily.

Just 10 miles of gently rolling countryside and quiet roads back to a well earned coffee and cake at the S&S. Talk was of doing the same ride again in a couple of months. Time will tell if that was coffee and adrenalin fuelled bravado or otherwise.

Thank you Captain Jane for footing the bar bill, much appreciated by all. Well done to everyone on getting out and clocking up a good training ride for January.

* Software industry term for ‘practicing what you preach’, i.e. using our own software.