The Handcycling Association of the United Kingdom

_The forecast wasn’t looking good for our weekend in the Yorkshire Dales so the early arrivees decided to make use of the late sun on the Friday afternoon and to tackle Beamsley Beacon.  We dubbed it the National Handcycle Hill Climb Championship – why not?  We set off down the A59 only to find that when we reached Beamsley junction, Geoff was missing. After waiting a few minutes we started the slog back up the hill to find him at the side of road replacing an inner tube after catching a snake bite puncture. As we had a hard weekend ahead of us we decided to take it easy on the climb but as usual Andy scampered up the hill as if it wasn’t there!  Louise was actually first to the top, Andrew third follow by Geoff last.  If we had a factoring system with handicaps for lack of weight the order might have been different.

_The following morning Geoff, Andy and Andrew set out for Malham via Arncliffe. We had not gone far and were approaching our first major decent just past 'Buffers' cafe at Back o' th' Hill Farm when we had that day's incident. Andy was first round the bend and shouted “cyclist”, Andrew was next and encountered the cyclist in the middle of the narrow lane. Braking on a wet cow muck covered steep descent was difficult but in trying to avoid the cyclist he hit a large rock in the road. This tore a hole in the front wheel tyre which instantly deflated. Braking on an aluminium rim isn’t very effective and controlling the direction of the bike was challenging.  The options, if realistically there were any, were to either hit the cyclist or go off-road!  The latter seemed the better option and Andrew ended up in what he hoped was only a muddy entrance to a field. Geoff found the sight of Andrew apparently shooting off the road and disappearing into a muddy hole very amusing. As recompense for his laughter, Geoff donated his spare tyre, and with repairs made, we were on our way again along the hilly back road up Wharfedale.

_We stopped to refuel at the Falcon Inn in Arncliffe where Andrew perused the extensive selection of food on offer (cheese or ham roll) and opted for ham. We were ready now for the first and main climb of the day up the flank of Darnbrook Fell.  It's steep in parts and rises nearly 200 metres. Now the weather changed to be like the forecast – damp and windy. This made the next two descents to Malham scarier than we had expected but despite the smell of overheating brake pads, they were fun. The return leg to Beamsley via Embsay was undulating and uneventful, although we did have an unexpected tea stop at a HCAUK member’s house after being identified by his wife a few miles before.          

Thanks!  We'll call again.  The route was about 45 miles in total with a few hills.

_Saturday night was curry night and they went down a treat, thanks to Geoff and Andrew, but just a warning - when Geoff says it's hot, believe him. 

_Sunday morning we were joined by Alan and after a good breakfast we set off in a day that was wet with strong winds.  Again we headed up The Wharfe and a further climb to the exposed Craven Moor.  Despite the cross wind, the stretch between Greenhow and Blubberhouses felt like it required no effort to maintain a good speed and if we had sails would have been even quicker/better? Looking at the profile later, the fact that it was predominately downhill would also have helped. At Thruscross, Louise decided that she was too wet and cold to continue so set off across the moor to the A59 and the quickest route back to the cottage. The rest of the bunch continued across Askwith Moor before the descent to Ilkely.  Alan was finding the going tougher by this time so we split into 2 pairs with Geoff leading Andrew for most of the return and Andy and Alan chugging along later.  Distance today was about 33 miles with not so many hills but a bit of wind.

_ Sunday night was round 2 of the curry.

Despite being cold, wet and tired we are looking forward to next year’s visit.