Bollington Festival 3 Peaks

This is a great little race and was well chosen as one of the Wilmslow Summer Series races.  Short fell races always seem to exact a toll on the legs and I was determined to enjoy the hills without killing my quads.  So the tactic was to work the up but stay sensible on the descents.  I'm clumsy over stiles so I'd have a lot to make up on the few flat sections of canal.

1 Peak

We gathered on the Middlewood Way viaduct above Bollington cricket field.  Dark clouds loomed ominously and we'd driven through a cloudburst on the way out.  The elements didn't look favourable for cricket or controlled descents.  We were soon into the first ascent to the top of Kerridge Hill.  I've only ever run this route in reverse and I was surprised how hard we had to work up the rough track to the quarry before getting into the steep climb up to the ridge.  I was happy enough to reach the top in about 10th which gave me a choice of lines to follow down the other side.

2 Peaks

The diagonal traverse up to White Nancy had looked tricky on the map and really anyone with legs of equal length had to work hard against the hill.  Again I had the benefit of following the best lines of those ahead of me and I gained ground while I could see Damian taking a wide loop.  Nancy was soon ahead and I'd gained 2 places before we rounded the tower and plunged down the other side.  This was the descent that had concerned me most as in the winter it had been so slippery that we'd struggled get *up* the hill never mind down.  I was pleased to only lose one place and I soon had that back as we clattered down tracks and alley ways into the village.

3 Peaks

Grinding up through the streets of Bollington I was gaining on two young lads who'd sped away from me down the hills and over the many stiles.  I eased past them on the steep grassy climb up to the Nab.  Damian flew down the hill well clear as I turned to face the final stretch to the trig point.  The soft grass made for a cushioned descent and I managed to just hold off the youngsters until the next stile.  Back out on the tracks and canal I could finally stretch out to full pace.  A strange finish involved us crashing down a small banking and popping out through a hedge onto the edge of the cricket ground and into the funnel.

1 Pint

There was a free pint of Bolly Best at the local brewery and a bowl of chilli, rice, bread.  At £5 entry this was arguably better value than the parkrun :O.  Sitting around with our beer and chilli there was plenty of time to relive our trial by 3 peaks. 

http://www.strava.com/activities/139538296

Easy Thrills In New Mills

I was only aiming for a slow run this morning and stopped to take a few photos of some favourite views in the glorious May sunshine.  I even tried to record the haunting calls of the curlews.

The higher path from the former Moorside Hotel runs below Black Hill.  I saw three curlews gliding across the moor and a buzzard hung on the thermals high above.  The views to the right are amazing right across the valley and up the successive ridges of Windgather, Pym Chair, Cat's Tor and Shining Tor.  The track contours around before heading down to the road where I picked up the path down to Furness Vale.

Joining the canal I followed the towpath then cut off down towards New Mills and the Torrs.  Just after crossing the Goyt there is a farm that keeps a number of llamas.  The first time I passed here slightly light headed after a fast section, I thought my mind was going but now they seem part of the scenery.  I followed the river path down to the Torrs where great stone bridges and viaducts appear to grow out of the living rock as they reach across the gorge that hides in the centre of New Mills.  It's such an unexpectedly dramatic place of cliffs, torrents, shattered mill buildings and clinging trees.  The Millennium Walkway continues the theme providing an exciting bouncy run above the river. 

From New Mills I rejoined the canal to Disley, crossed the A6 and climbed up Red Lane before dropping back down into Lyme Park.