Harriers V Cyclist - Nov 09
December 12th, 2009 by Andy NicollSorry forgot to mention this little race that I sneaked in November.
It’s run every year by Bingley Harriers and it follows a very unusual format in that cyclists race against runners over the same course at the same time. You would think that one or the other would have a distinct advantage but due to the widley varying incline and ground conditions this race can be won by either (and often is!!)
It is also quite unusual as it attracts some of the countries top names from both the fell running and cyclo-cross communities along with some very steady weekend warriors, again on both two legs and two wheels - a real mixed bag.
The race starts near to the Leeds Liverpool canal between Bingley and Shipley and runs / rides to the top of Hope hill before looping around the hill and descending back via the same route - in all around 6 miles of field, track, rocky crag and exposed moorland.
Last year Alistair Brownlee (who has just been crowned World Triathlon Champion) showed up to take on Rob Jebb on his cross-bike and came off second best - that gives you some idea of just how quick Rob is on a bike - rumour has it that he passed Alistair going up to the summit with his bike on his back!!.
This year Rob was on his bike again but Simon Bailey (English and British fell champion) turned up and made use of the very wet weather to take the win.
Just for fun I did it on my bike again (cross-bike this year) and whilst I enjoyed it I found it very hard work.
Following my puncture riddled disaster at the 3 Peaks earlier this year I changed my tyres to Schwalbe Landcruisers and they made short work of the rocks, bumps and lumps found on Hope hill - I hope they’ll be just as good next year at the peaks.
Since the Harriers v Cyclists I’ve been getting some nice solid training in with a few good 2 hour + runs at the weekend during which I’ve been training my mind to ‘going long’ in preparation for the West Highland Way race next year.
Tomorrow it’s the Calderdale Way relay race where I’m running leg 1 for Bingley’s V40 (old duffers) team with my ‘old’ pal Steve Fry. Steve’s full of cold right now so I should have a relatively easy time although I’m not looking forward to the 6am alarm call.
