3 Peaks

The Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross is staged in the Yorkshire Dales National Park on the last Sunday in September. The 45th anniversary was in 2006 and attracted a record entry. It is the toughest and biggest Cyclo-Cross event in the UK.

Andrew Cawley's report:

Some pics of mine from last weekends 3 peaks cyclo cross the 45th event. The weather was almost ideal.

The event attracted an entry of 400 riders although the organiser said he could have had 500 if the police had allowed it - they were reluctant to allow any more support vehicles in the area as the roads become clogged up. Thankfully John called a special meeting and discussed allowing another 6 'regulars' in who had entered late - included in this is our own Andy Walker who was gretaful for the exception. It certainly is more popular than ever - a really testing event, and having started 6 times - being there gets the juices flowing with commitments and promises of 'next year!' It would be good to get a team together to celebrate Robo's 25th Anniversary.

It turned out to be a bad day for Andy Walker - striking a rock on descending Wherenside which left him with holes in his knee / hip and elbow on his right hand side also unable to use his left hand to break (suspected two broken fingers) - the situation was made worse when on setting off again he found that his right hand brake lever had been snapped off. He abandoned and later found luckily that there where no fingers broken.

Robbo finished 243rd in a time of 4hrs and 53 minutes, with the usual complaint that he must be the only rider in the race who, living in Holland, lives and trains 15mts below sea level - hardly good preparation for a race of this nature. More impressive is the fact that this is his 24th consecutive event - this must be a club record - there can't be many club members who have completed in an anual event 24 years running. Dave Percival completing his first peaks (I think) completed the course in 5hrs 32 mins comming in in 293rd.- well done.

Andy Walker starting his 14th event	Graham Robson on the start line for his 24th Consecutive 3 peaks
Graham on the start line with Race organiser John Rawnsley aged 70 starting his 45th event.