Coope's Dozen - Is It really 25 Years?

1. I suggest 'we' go ahead with our annual inspection of the route on 25th July, in keeping with our 'week before Borrowdale' tradition.

2.

3. It's several years since I managed to get round the full route - my training diary suggests YJ, Colin W and I went round in 6 hours 12 in August 2014. Since then I've made several starts but not clocked up any completions, so two days ago I set off to put that right.

Preparation had consisted of a slight increase in my weekly miles from an average of a meagre 22 for all of 2019 to an average of 29 for the first five months of this year, plus a short trip out from Piccadilly to stash drinks and carbs on Great Hill on Friday evening - this was to be a 'solo, unsupported' attempt.

Conditions were generally good, although with all the recent rain it was wet underfoot and some of the grassy descents were a trifle slippery. Also, the heat got to me later in the day.

I'll not bore you with too much detail, but two, YJ inspired, route choices seemed good - after Two Lads I dropped down to Holden's Farm and thence onto Coalpit Lane before climbing back to onto the ridge after the res and then down to Whinberry Hill and Egg Hillock. At that point I did an about turn and retraced my steps back over Whinberry and back onto the ridge and over (at some point) Counting Hill. Then it was on to the Trig Point and down to Hordern Stoops 3 hours and 28 minutes after setting off.

I've always seen Hordern Stoops as the half way point, and I figured that allowing for some significant slowing down after that, I might finish in about 8 hours - it was not to be!

Then Old Adam's, Spitlers Edge and Great Hill to retrieve, and mostly consume, my stash. Then Round Loaf and down to White Coppice, where the wheels started to fall off. From there it was a struggle; partly through tiredness but also sore heels. My little shortie trainer stocks had slipped down and left my heels rubbing on the backs of my shoes, but in true racing (!!!) mode I didn't want to lose time by sorting things out and bravely/stupidly (narrow dividing line) carried on until the damage was done. It took me an hour and 35 minutes to get back from Healey Nab and I reached the Top Barn 8 hours and 40 minutes after leaving it.

A satisfying, if somewhat draining, day out - it must have done me good!

4. If the limit of six folk to a group still applies on 25th July I propose staggered starts at, perhaps, five minute intervals - see you there, and bring a friend - or five.

Week 8

Mon 11th May

Today I decide to explore the footpaths close to the M61

One of which is the Rotary Way (https://ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Bolton+Rotary+Way+Footpath) . I completed a circuit of this last year (admittedly in a few sections)

A useful 15K completed

Tues 12th May

A shorter effort on the run today of 10K, decide not to over exert myself in anticipation of the bike ride into work.

Weds 13th May

Up early and out allowing time for punctures. Manage it in 1hr 10mins. Road Surfaces have deteriorated somewhat since I last did the full cycle in. Weather pleasant, and not the anticipated traffic queues I was expecting.

It's harder on the way back as it's uphill. I've got the route as close to a straight line as I can. 21.82K and 1hr 26mins, I'm averaging 15K/hr, the good club cyclist can average 15-16m/hr. I do have a heavy pack on my back though and it was warm.

Thurs 14th May

Back on the bike again, certainly have the weather for it. I shave 2 mins off the time on the way back. Gutted to see that my Garmin is hardly scoring for activity minutes for cycling, must be all the 'freewheeling' I'm doing on the downhill bits.

Friday 15th May

The day has finally dawned when I can go for a run not from the house.

Here's what I chose to do.

Just over 12K. The section from the Pike to Two Lads was the dryest I've done it in a long while, a little boggy across to Noon Hill, but great to be back out on the Hills.

Sat 16th May & Sun 17th May

Swabbing getting very quiet again over the weekend. One more week left before I head back to the world of teeth.

Having reported on the last 2 months of Lockdown, I will close the reports at this point unless something major happens.

If the good weather remains, it's my intention to continue with the cycling to work as much as I can, with a bit of running at the weekends.

TF