UNDER THE EDGE INCORPORATING THE PARISH MAGAZINE GREAT LONGSTONE, LITTLE LONGSTONE, ROWLAND, HASSOP, MONSAL HEAD, WARDLOW www.undertheedge.net No. 271 August 2021 ISSN 1466-8211 A Long Slow Climb Back to Normality As the long haul of lockdown began to wind down, a little flurry of events brought back a tad of normality after so long without anything to look forward to. The weekend of 26th June saw the first Open Gardens for two years, then the Longstone Cycling Hill Climb took place on the Wednesday, and the Peak District Ultra Challenge was the following weekend. It remains to be seen whether this episode is the start of a new dawn or if things will wither on the vine like those brave buds and shoots that are cruelly cut down by our sharp May frosts. At the moment, with the Prime Minister and Chancellor self-isolating, and a ‘pingdemic’ forecast to cripple the nation with hundreds of thousands of new COVID-19 cases a day, it’s a hard one to call. This is only the second year that the Cycle Race has been held, but it is the first where locals have been able to enjoy the evening as spectators. It is quite a gruelling challenge, Station Road residents Les and Grace Williams and Jane Littlefield, with a standing start on some of the steepest gradients just with Wendy Hammond and dogs Rudy and Lola, watching the above the entrance to Dale Farm, which give no chance to get racers start their climb up Moor Road from just above Dale Farm a bit of speed up on the flat first, as there is for the similar event held in Ashford. Much bonhomie and camaraderie was in evidence on a lovely balmy evening, from participants and spectators alike. Encouragement was both chalked on the road “Go JRC Taylor” “Keep Going!”, and given by the clamours of “Go, go Beeston, go!” from the small groups of enthusiastic supporters every twenty yards or so. Shouts of “The hardest bit’s over!” from the first layby after the cattle grid helped spur riders on, even if not strictly accurate. Apparently the worst part was the false corner near the top of the hill, which gives the impression the end is nigh when there’s still much grind and grunt to get to the finish line. The noise did not just come from the spectators and the whizz-whirr of the riders’ tyres; the volume of the cyclists’ exhalations were worthy of a Wimbledon finalist, and brought back memories of the old steam trains in their regularity. Susan Hudson from Aston (on the right) with grandsons Harry (riding) and Finley and their father Paul (on the left) Most welcome of all was a refreshment tent run by Jane Stirland near the top of the hill, providing plenty of carb replacements for cyclists and spectators alike. Lauranne Pearce manned another stall in the Station Road paddock, hastily rearranged from the Village Hall, which sadly could not be open for the competitors as planned because of COVID-19. The money raised by Jane and Lauranne provided Jane Stirland’s refreshment stall with loads of carbs! much needed funds for Ashgate Hospice, and the leftovers were much enjoyed at Longstone School the next day! The Second Annual Longstone Edge Hill Climb After a successful debut last year, 109 racing cyclists from across the country assembled in Great Longstone for the Longstone Edge Hill Climb. As COVID-19 restrictions had eased, the event could be based in the village, and spectators welcomed onto the course. The weather played its part to ensure a steady stream of supporters heading up to cheer on the riders. It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the spectacle against such a magnificent back drop. Racing got underway at 7pm with the youngest riders. Last year’s 15 juvenile entries had increased to 25 this year, and it was 7-year-old Raife Sheehan riding for Sheffield Triathlon Club who got proceedings Under Starter’s Orders underway. Resplendent in a polka dot cycling top, Raife made short work of the climb to record a magnificent time of 10 minutes 40 seconds in his first race, but immediately after Raife came another 7-year-old, George Anthony, who astonished the assembled gallery with a time of 9:49. Raife and George, however, only just managed to finish before rider number 3. Olivia Marriott rampaged up the climb to establish a record time for a 9-year-old girl with an extraordinary time of 8:48, which was finally usurped by a 6:19 time from 11-year-old Finley Hudson from the heavily represented Matlock Cycling Club. Another Matlock superstar, Maia Howell, then defended her juvenile title with a time of 7:13, a shade slower than last year. Fast times came thick and fast with the last ten juvenile riders, with the last word going to the last rider off and pre-race favourite, Ryan Williams, who was second last year with 5:17. One year later and stronger, Ryan flashed through the finish line in a scarcely believable time of 5:02 for someone so young, good enough for 6th place in the senior event. Clearly a name to look out for in the future! With the juvenile event settled, attention now turned to the small, but select, field of 12 senior women. Getting the women underway was 70-year-old Go, Beeston, Go! Yvonne Twelvetree who, like the proverbial bottle of wine, is getting better with age as she shaved her 2020 time by 4 seconds to establish a V70 record of 9:11. Sonia Insley matched her overall veteran’s record of 7:48 she set last year, before Rebekah Smith went to the top of the leader board with 7:27. The day, however, belonged to Becky Hair. Absent from last year’s event, Becky recorded a winning time of 6:03 that was too good for Madeline Crosswaite, who had to settle for second with 6:49, which was the only other time under 7 minutes. An excellent field of 78 junior, senior and veteran men meant much more exciting racing was still to come. The crowd soon had plenty to cheer about when 60-year-old ‘Rapid’ Rich Stoodley recorded an excellent time of 6:53 to establish a V60 record. Callum Spencer from the local 7 Hills CC was the first to breach the 6-minute barrier with a time of 5:23, before Dan Taylor demolished the junior record with 4:52, the first time a junior rider has recorded a time under 5 minutes. It took another half an hour later before one of the pre-race favourites, Leon Wright, went top with 4:39. Darrell Clarke then defended his veterans title with 5:14, and the only question left was would the last man off and previous national champion, Adam Kenway, take the top spot? Sadly his time of 4:56 was only good enough for 3rd place on this occasion. In general, times were slower than last year due to the lighter wind conditions. With the racing done and the signs cleared away, it was time to reflect on how the event owed its success to so many people and organisations. First thanks must go to Great Longstone Parish Council who once again put their full support behind the event. Then, having a closed road means that there is no age limit for competitors, and it was a wonderful spectacle to see so many youngsters taking part, so thanks to Moor Road residents and Dale Farm for supporting the road closure and enabling so many young riders to take part. Furthermore, the event takes place on private land, so many thanks to Stuart Fairfax of Longstone Moor Farm for his support. It was wonderful to see an increase in the involvement of the local community, so many thanks to Jane Stirland, Lauranne Pearce and their helpers for providing not just one, but two, refreshment stalls. Thanks also to Jane Littlefield for allowing us some access to the Village Hall. Trust me when I say that the competitors were very grateful to have the use of toilets! Thanks are also due to to Robert Thornhill who generously offered the paddock on Station Road for competitors parking this year; this made life so much easier for competitors and organisers alike. Finally, if you are one of the people who walked up the hill to cheer on the competitors, can I pass on my heartfelt thanks. Hill climbing is a tough sport and spectator encouragement really does help! If you did not make it out to the event, and you are wondering what the fuss is all about, we will be back next Oliver Mellors clocked in by time keeper Malcolm Smith year. So, pack Chrisyour picnic Myhill bag and blanket, bring some money for the refreshment stall and we will see you on the hill next 2 summer! Thank you would like to thank all those who Jane Stirland and Lauranne Pearce helped with cake and donations of money for their refreshment stalls at the Longstone Edge Cycle Hill Climb. They raised a much needed £177.35 Nearly two thousand hardy participants for the AshgateBe Inspired! Hospice. took part in this Ultra Challenge event on the weekend of 3rd July, walking, jogging or running either 25km, 50km or 100km Rick Gooch and his team are still to raise just shy of £1,000,000 for around breaking one barrier after another in 500 different charities.