In this weeks blog we have a guest writer, Phillipa Williams who completed the 3 Peak Challenge in her The Cycle Jersey semi-custom jersey! continue reading to hear about how she got on...

Summer 2021.

I had big plans to roam Europe, hopping from mountain to mountain and running up a number of them! But with the realisation that this was looking less and less likely I decided to redesign myself a UK based challenge and embrace the staycation!

I am predominately a runner, although having a 30 mile return cycle commute to work I am familiar with the bike. I decided to run up the UK’s three highest peaks; Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis. However, with no car I decided to cycle between them!

So at 5.53am Thursday 8^th July, me, my bike and my first companion Amy; were “all-a-board” the train to Bangor. After a mainly uphill cycle to Pen-y-Pass and a less than swift outfit change in the carpark, we set off up Snowdon. This of course involved some slight negotiations around the crowds going up the Miners’ Track, and sadly a somewhat limited view from the top (1085m). Amy was particularly delighted when, spying Y Lliwedd (898m) ahead of us, I suggested we ran up that too. Worth it for the view!

After a well-earned sleep and refuel in the Pen-y-Pass YHA it was off to Liverpool and our first glimpses of the sea. 124km’s later when we were both more than ready to ditch the bikes we were hit with an unneeded challenge; how to get through the Mersey tunnel on a bike? The answer is - eye up a big van and put on a big smile!

From Liverpool I started my journey up towards the Lake District. Luckily the Lancashire countryside is mainly a series of gently undulating fields. Thanks to Jade’s company, a local expert, we managed to avoid Preston (mostly) and find ice-creams the size of my face!

Accompanied by my Dad,  the journey through The Lakes began. The 20% gradient sign was a very fitting “Welcome to the Lake’s” sign! Despite a tough day in the saddle the scenery did not fail to impress. A particular highlight was flying around the back side of Thirlmere on a flat bit of road, knowing most of the day's elevation was done! That evening was the England vs Italy Euro’s final. The unfortunate lack of a TV at Borrowdale YHA meant we had no choice but to join the other 20 tables all straining over the phone-streamed match. The perfect distraction from the grey rain clouds moving through the valley over Scafell Pike.

The next morning was time for peak number two; Scafell Pike (978m). Not without a few detours on the way up, and saved by ‘Komoot’, I managed to navigate to the trig point. Something that may never happen again, thanks to the glorious conditions I’m sure, I was the only person at the summit! (or perhaps it was just that I couldn’t see the others through the less than 1m visibility).

Fuelled by banana bread and an enroute pub garden stop, I managed to encourage my legs to cycle the 20km to our next bunkhouse at the foot of Blencathra.

Unable to resist the Wainwright bagging opportunity, the next morning I went for an early morning summit run up Blencathra, before pedalling out of The Lakes through the stunning Caldbeck moors. With father;daughter bonding at capacity, I exchanged my dad for my next cycling companion Anna, at Carlisle station.

Onwards and always upwards, we were straight off to sunny Scotland, land of Irn Bru! Over the next few days the route took us across to the west coast then up north towards Loch Lomond. Considering I had designed the route using google images, I was completely blown away with just how beautiful it was! Coming down to Largs after a particularly brutal climb we were greeted by stunning views of Arran and Goat Fell. The little ferry across from Scotland to Scotland was the ideal picnic spot! 

From Tarbet, following an early morning dip in Loch Lomond, we began to weave our way through the Argyll & Bute peninsulas to Oban. The soggy slog made it the perfect morning for a coffee and cake stop, the best part of any cycle day!

Our final cycle followed the National Cycle Way into Fort William, a forgivingly flat route which my day 10 cycling/running legs were grateful for, especially with Ben Nevis the next day.

After route research, the most ‘running appropriate’ route was to take the main path up and back down. For anyone who hasn’t climbed Ben Nevis (1345m) before, the summit seems like it’s just round the corner for about 5km, but getting there is worth it! The celebratory pint in the Ben Nevis Inn made it even more worth it!

The 11 days were filled with lots of ups + downs, but I had loads of fun. Although it might not have been the ‘summer holiday’ I thought I’d be having, I am so glad it is the one I ended up with. With nothing other than two legs and two wheels (+ one ferry) I got to see the real Wales, England and Scotland. The UK is phenomenal and there is no better way to experience it!

Cycle 894.2k 7815m

run: 71.7k 4583m