JOHN Batchelor, Steve Halsall and Andy Wylde completed the Three Peaks Cyclo Cross Race, competing against more than 400 riders. Set in the Yorkshire Dales, the event stretched over 38 miles on a undulating course. The 441 riders rolled out of Helwith hea

JOHN Batchelor, Steve Halsall and Andy Wylde completed the Three Peaks Cyclo Cross Race, competing against more than 400 riders.

Set in the Yorkshire Dales, the event stretched over 38 miles on a undulating course.

The 441 riders rolled out of Helwith heading for the first of the three hills, Ingleborough at 723m.

After a brief, rideable off-road section the track quickly turned into a footpath that climbed steeply straight up the side of the hill and shouldering the bike became the easiest option, the riders said.

The three riders then had to negotiate a steep path down, which was described as being very difficult in places before flattening out to a road section leading to the next hill, Whernside.

The riders made it to the top of Whernside at 736m before descending to the Ribblehead Viaduct on a rocky path that was mostly rideable and "tempts the riders to go faster than tired limbs can control".

The final climb of the day was Pen-y-ghent at 694m. Inevitably the track got steeper nearer to the summit and bikes had to be shouldered again.

The race was won for a seventh consecutive time by Rob Jebb in a course record time of 2h 52min and 22 seconds. Steve finished 36th in 3h 36min and 45 seconds, a superb effort on his first attempt at the race. John finished in 4h 46min, and Andy Wylde finished in 4h and 51min.