Malham

Into each day, some rain must fall. The original plan for today was to bike some 50 miles; I didn't feel strong, and I certainly didn't feel like I had 50 miles in me. Defeated, that's how I felt.

Wiser today, I was fully bedecked in my rain gear. Glad, in fact, that I'd brought the heavy-duty rain pants. As we passed, I considered whether it was feasible to cuddle with some sheep under a tree—all that warm wool was enticing. Maybe I would just have to bail out at the first steep climb.

You know how a tune gets stuck in your head? Yesterday, and today: King of Pain.

I have stood here before inside the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running 'round my brain.

The toughest climb would come early in the ride: Buttertubs Pass, also featured in the 2014 Tour de France. Unlike the pros, we were tackling the more difficult side (north to south). This article sums it up well; I threw in the towel when I hit the 17% grade, facing sections in excess of 20% further up the hill. (One sign warned: 25% grade for 500 yards. Switchbacks, anyone?) It was was too far to walk, especially in the rain and wind. I'd pedaled less than 8 miles.

My disappointment must have been written all over my face; one of our guides snapped a selfie of the two of us, making me laugh and raising my spirits immeasurably.

The views, and the descent, would have been stunning on a clear day. But I chose to stay in the van, with a few other riders. The road was slick, the wind was blowing, and I didn't have a good feeling about it. It was raining enough, and I was dejected enough, that I didn't even snap a photo.

It was the right call not to descend. One of our riders crashed; luckily, not injured.

I felt reasonably well after a bowl of soup and a cup of tea. Might as well get back on the bike.

We stopped to admire Aysgarth Falls, though it was less than picture-perfect with sediment stirred up the by rain-swelled flow.

Kidstones Pass was another climb in the 2014 Tour de France; again, we were tackling it in the opposite direction. Looking at my stats, I did manage a few stretches of road at 13% grade today (heart rate peaked at 180 bpm). Kidstones was steeper than that. Back into the van for me; again, no photos.

Eventually, it stopped raining, the terrain mellowed out, and I began to suffer less—maybe, even, to relax.

Our destination was Malham, but with enough challenges for the day, our leader amended the route.

We had tea at a pub in Grassington, racked up the bikes, and brought another epic day to a close.

I managed to bike 36 miles after all, with a mere 2,533 feet of climbing. (The gaps on the map represent the segments not biked.)

I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign,
But it's my destiny to be the king of pain...