Rising Dawn

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There are only 3 motivating factors that change human behavior; pain, fear or ambition. Which button do you want to press?

This is the last thought in a long technical article about fitness and cycling. Well worth a read - skip over the technical terms if you don’t know what they mean - there’s a lot in there about attitude to fitness and exercise that applies more widely to human life even if you never mount a bike.

The end of the road

Originally uploaded by Dawnriser

Here’s the bike computer at the end of my ride. I’m back in
Grassington and completed 110 miles since leaving here yesterday. I’ve
also climbed the equivalent of two and a bit Ben Nevis’s.
I feel good and apart from the odd light shower it’s been fine from
Malham.
I must put in a word of thanks to my bike. Not a puncture or a squeak
all the way round.
Thank you everyone who donated to sponsor this ride on behalf of
Palestinian Young People coming to the Riding Lights Theatre Summer
School next month. There’s still time to donate. The site remains
active for some time yet. www.help.co.uk/ridingbike

Fine ride to Malham

Originally uploaded by Dawnriser

Despite the cliff face out of Settle, the ride to Malham has to be one
of the highlights of this tour. No rain, a back wind and all that
limestone scenery. In the village a cream tea at this cafe.
Now I’m on the home run - about 15 miles to Grassington. Then home by
car.

Old naked man?

Originally uploaded by Dawnriser

No not me discarding my wet cycling kit in public, just another tea
house along the way. I’m in Settle. The rain eased after Ingleton,
where I changed my inner layers of wet clothes for dry ones. At
Clapham I changed my socks and lined sodden trainers with plastic
bags. The outer layers had dried out by the time I reached Settle and
now - it’s raining again.

By my reckoning there’s another 30 miles left starting with a vertical
climb away from here!

Despite the weather I’m riding through spectacular country. Snipe and
lapwing screech in the fields, sheep scatter alarmed as a streak of
yellow flies past on a silver machine, and motorists make way with
sympathetic looks from the warmth of their cars. I’ve met only two
other cyclists today - both cheerful, both wet! Now I’m heading for
Malham.

Whernside

Originally uploaded by Dawnriser

In all it’s mist covered glory this the best this one of three peaks
could put on display today.

Deepdale

Originally uploaded by Dawnriser

It’s cold and bleak up here. The rain’s coming down in torrents with
just a short respite every now and then.
I can feel the damp through to my skin and I’m thinking “what am  I doing
up here on this bleak moor?”
I look forward to reaching Ingleton for a break.

Dentdale

Originally uploaded by Dawnriser

I’ve never been here before. It’s a lovely little dale and Dent is a good
place to stop for a cuppa.

Rain rain and more rain

Originally uploaded by Dawnriser

The promised fine morning was washed away within a few minutes of
leaving Hawes. The inclines on the road to Ingleton soon warm up my
muscles. No gentle warm up like the one I enjoyed yesterday on the
road to Kettlewell.
So now I’m in Dent. A quaint cobbled street runs through the heart of
the village. There’s a station too - several miles out - and this
viaduct carries the tracks of the Settle - Carlisle railway to it.

Day 2 begins

Originally uploaded by Dawnriser

Setting out for Dent. This is the guest house I stayed at overnight. Ebor House
in Hawes. Excellent and good value.
Fine this morning. And may stay that way till lunchtime.

End of the day

Originally uploaded by Dawnriser

The heavens opened as I arrived on Hawes so I turned up at my B&B
looking like a drowned rat.
I put the bike into the basement, had a shower and walked into the
town for a meal.
The people in this pub, The White Hart,  were really friendly so after my meal I stayed
for another pint.
Now I’m turning in for bed and looking forward to tomorrow.
Thanks for all the messages of encouragement - really apprecited.
Donations are still open at https://www.help.co.uk/ridingbike
Goodnight