Nearly there (hopefully)

In just over 24 hours I should, with any luck, be stepping out of the building at work to run 8 or 10 miles along the canal - and I've no idea how horrid it's likely to be.

No pain from my calf at all, and no amount of hopping, heel raising or poking about can glean any kind of pain from it.  There's a wee bit of tenderness where John and his trainee torturer have bruised it a bit, but I reckon tomorrow's the day.

By way of a farewell I got out with Rick on the bike today - met up at Gargrave then headed up to Airton and over the top to Settle.  This is one looooong hill, but never too steep.  Then it was off up Ribblesdale to Stainforth and something rather meatier - the road over to Littondale.  This is very steep at the bottom, and had me thinking about a few weeks' time when we'll be hitting this after 90 miles of the Etape du Dales.  Blimey...

I coped fairly well today, as did Rick, who's getting a lot fitter these days (for an old bloke).  We paused at the top of the road over Malham Moor to consider whether to cut over that way, but as the sun had come out we decided that a full loop was in order.  Caps were removed and buffs pocketed as the weather had started to feel decidedly springy.  Pen y Gent looked fabulous with the last remaining snow patches hanging on tenaciously, but the warmth we could feel from the sun suggested they won't be there for much longer.

As we came over the top the view of Littondale stretching out to the east caused the usual exclamations of appreciation, and then the swooping descent with assorted potholes drew exclamations of a more terrified nature!

The ride down Littondale with a helpful tailwind (does it ever blow out of the east up there?) passed enjoyably, then apart from the horrid road past the quarry near Linton the remainder of the trip was a pleasant mixture of fast riding and putting the world to rights.

Back to Gargrave for tea and medals at the caff, and a most enjoyable 42 miles and 2,800' ascent.  Ready for running tomorrow though - especially as it appears Hinsley needs his mentor back, having run a pretty (for him) average Bradford 10k today.