The 2025 PF 200mile Challenge

First ridden in 2023, the route was devised as an unorthodox idea of ‘fun’ by Pendle Forest’s Matt Kayley. A little over 200 miles and almost 10000 feet of climbing, it passes through four counties. The roughly rectangular anticlockwise circuit begins at the usual PF meeting place, Dicky Nook, Higherford. Heading eastwards, the first section passes through Glusburn, Bingley and Otley before turning North to Harrogate and onwards to the first sheduled stop at at Boroughbridge. Continuing northwards the route then turns westwards at Northallerton passing Bedale into Wensleydale. Fine Yorkshire Dales scenery dominates the westward leg through Leyburn, Hawes, and Sedbergh. The turn south near Kendal takes the route to the coast at Arnside and then onto Carnforth and Lancaster before turning eastwards again at Garstang. The final leg, on roads very familar to PF, goes through Longridge, Ribchester and Whalley. A final effort after Sabden is the tough climb up Black Hill before an easy coast along the ridge and the down the bypass to come again to Dicky Nook. 

Midsummer’s day on a perfect morning found us gathered at Dicky Nook. The conversation was subdued, all of us were aware that a major challenge lay ahead. There was some talk of the first to get to the top of Black Hill, but that seemed very far away: over 200 miles and 16 hours into our future.

Setting off, we headed east on familiar roads in the unaccustomed quiet of the early morning. Conversation started to flow and the initial apprehension faded as the early miles build up: over The Moss to Glusburn, then in quick succession Keighley, Bingley, Shipley and Otley. Pacing was good, working as a team energy was conserved and speed good.

North towards Harrogate and the early morning quiet faded by degrees, traffic becoming heavier. Knaresborough was behind and it was time to look forward to our first stop at Boroughbridge. Conditions were superb. Bright sunshine and a slight tail wind, we were in great spirits.

Back on the road after great breakfast stop at Boroughbridge we continued North. This was a low point for me. I had been focussed on getting to the first stop. Now it was done, the full implications of the distance began to sink in. We were not even close to half way. Names from the past intruded: Dishforth, Topcliffe. Passing over the A168, I looked down on the road where, nearly 10 years ago to the day, I passed four times, the fourth time in disbelief that I was on my way to the first ever 30mph ride of a 100mile time trial (or maybe not).

A turn westwards and Wensleydale lay ahead. An unscheduled stop for supplies was the low point of the whole ride for me – waiting to set off for our next major destination, the sky ahead was dark, rain threatened.

A brief lift as the 100mile point came up and then rain hit – not heavy but enough to be uncomfortable. By degrees the weather improved and our spirits lifted as Hawes approached. A puncture (me) delayed us a little but it proved to be the only mechanical of the day and soon we were sitting down to a very well-earned lunch.

Though the direct route home lay southwards towards Newby Head, we took the longer way westwards. These were familiar roads once again for several of us: the Circuit of the Dales time trial in reverse. The highest part of our route was Garsdale Head and here once again, the weather turned fine. The decent to Sedbergh was superb and seemed to go on and on. It’s no wonder the Circuit of the Dales is so tough.

Leaving the Dales course south of Sedbergh we were once again in unfamiliar territory. The day was at it hottest and with no wind the narrow lanes with high hedges made for some oppressive heat. A brief detour for a road closure and then it was on to Kendal and once again the familiar roads: our warm-up area for the Levens 10.

A delightful interlude by the sea at Arnside lifted us all: it was in the bag, we were feeling strong and a mere 60 miles remained. It shows how our sense of distance was skewed. Here we were, farther than we would typically be on our longest Pendle Forest Saturday run and yet it felt like we were almost home.

South in fine weather but to our left over the Bowland fells was a black sky with flickering lightening. The area was being treated to a summer deluge but we were at a comfortable distance still basking in the evening warmth.

Onwards to our final stop at Carnforth. We had cravings for something salty and a chippy seemed to be the perfect fit. A brief hunt around town following the alluring smell of frying chips led us to the outlet with the slowest service in history. Hungry from our exertions and light headed from lack of food, we waited patiently for the slow deliberations of the staff. I felt dizzy and drifted off into a daydream… At the far end of the counter an aproned figure planted tubers in pots on a conveyor belt. Moving slowly along, the plants burst into leaf and yielded juicy potatoes ready for slicing. An age of peeling and chopping and finally a sizzling. Returning to the end of the counter, the aproned figure, now wearing a sou’wester began lazily to construct a fishing net. ‘Twenty Five’… shaken from my reverie, my number was called! Chips at last and a grand time spent outside in the evening sun.

On again through Lancaster and then back into familiar time trialling territory – Brock with its long history of competitive cycling. Surface dressing on the A6 was a low point – deep gravel impeded our progress.

Garstang and the final turn east. These were familiar roads. In the last good daylight we flew down the long descent from Longridge towards the Ribble. The day was fading and with it conversation ebbed.

Whalley was behind. The last big effort was close. Always tough: the sharp climb out of Sabden up Black Hill to the Ridge. Though tired, there was a spark of competitiveness on the climb. One of us did indeed make it to the top first…

Together again on the Ridge, the supreme moment arrived: we had done it, the short distance remaining would be easy. For me this was one of the finest moments in all my years of cycling, rivalling the feeling of hearing the words ‘you’re done’ from a timekeeper on the finishing circuit of a 12 hour ordeal.

The final moments were brilliant: a final glorious sprint at the end of the bypass and a seemingly effortless roll back to the ride’s end at Dicky Nook. The 2025 PF 200mile Five:

Tom Ashworth

Richard Bideau

Paul Braithwaite

Matt Kayley

Martin Welsh

Distance:  214 miles

Ascent: 3059 m

Moving time: 12:24

Elapsed time: 16:43

Energy used: 6650 kcal