© Ed Rollason
www.edrollasonphotography.co.uk

Phoenix lady Astrid Wingler took part in the 3 Peaks cyclocross race over the 3 highest peaks in the Yorkshire Dales and, according to the organisers, is the toughest cross race in the UK. This year’s wet conditions made the race particularly hard. The lower slopes of Ingleborough were turned into a quagmire and the steepest sections involved scrambling on all fours (or rather all three with the bike slung over one shoulder). Slipping on the wet rocks, getting stuck in the mud and somersaulting over the handlebars, Astrid battled her way up and down the peaks, overtaking people on the way up, but being overtaken on the way down. On the descent from Whernside Astrid was determined never ever to take part in this crazy race again. However, when the sun came out Pen-y-Ghent turned out to be manageable and crossing the finish line was an immensely satisfying experience. Despite losing lots of ground on the descents, Astrid finished in 8th place (out of 35 female finishers) and 4th veteran woman in a race that was won in amazing style by Louise Robinson (Stourbridge CC). The 3 Peaks is a truly bonkers race, but the organisation is superb, the landscape beautiful and everyone ‘oop’ north very friendly.