I’ve just got back from my second training ride on the Pennine Bridleway which, this time around, was based around the southern end of the trail. After finding myself a good campsite at the midpoint of the lolly stick (the bridleway consists of long trail running approx from south to north and a circular trail, which I rode last week, at the nothern end) I decided to head south on an out-and-back mission. The idea was to see the trail in both directions and to record the route on Satmap for future reference and for film and/or photographer to use for following the route when I go for 7ds3.
The southern end of the trail is much softer than the Mary Townley Loop that I rode at the northern end last week. So much so that the variation in trails is quite stark and throws into question all sorts of equipment choices. The first half of the lolly stick section that I rode today could be tackled on a cross bike and would be a lot faster. Once you get out to the MTL a full suss is gonna be quicker, or rather I should say that I’ll be quicker on a full-sus than on a crosser! Then you have the return leg, combined with fatigue from the length of the ride and sleep deprivation…
I’ve still got about 35 miles of the lolly stick to see yet so no equipment choices made yet apart from knowing that I’ll not be going singlespeed as the first (and last) bits of the ride would be tedious without the luxury of a big fat gear mmm…
Rob, have you got a date in mind for this yet?
I’m planning to go at it this month…
Rob