The Swing Bridge - photo: Dexter
Autumn Training Run
In March I organised a training run in the National Trust historic natural woodland at Allen Banks, taking in Plankey Mill and Staward Peel. It was such a success, that I decided then that I would organise another around October, when Allen Banks is resplendent in its glorious Autumn colours.
I have now selected the date for this, which is Sunday 24th October. This will hopefully maximise the woodland glory, whilst avoiding most other racing commitments. This is the weekend before the OMM, two weeks before Gibside, the weekend after the FRA Relays, and as far as I know, there are no races that day that are typically entered by fell runners. It is also the first weekend of what, for most, will be the school half-term holidays and the week before the clocks change.
So, for those that joined us in March, the arrangements will be the same and the route broadly similar, but probably not identical. For those that didn’t attend in March, there is a report on the website [here] that you may wish to read, but details are ……..
Turn up at the Allen Banks National Trust car park, around 3 miles west of Haydon Bridge [streetmap] ready for a 9.00am start. The route will be almost exclusively woodland trails, but could be slippery in places if it has been wet. Footwear should ideally be fell shoes, but trail shoes should also be fine, and if anyone only has road shoes, you will get by with appropriate caution if it is wet.
Expect around 2 hours of running, with somewhere in the region of 1,500ft of ascent, made up of several shortish, but quite testing climbs. Distance probably around 9 – 10 miles? It will be social pace, rather than fast, but we will try to make steady progress so that we can target a “finish & changed” schedule of around 11.15 – 11.30am, which should still allow time for the occasional photo stop or re-grouping. This schedule is so people have the option of lunch/café to follow, or travel home again for lunch, whichever suits them. This timescale for the intended route should be perfectly achievable for anyone with a reasonable fitness level, so don’t assume you will need to be an elite athlete! (I’m not!)
It is an ideal place for dogs, as there is very limited exposure to livestock, but please bring your dog’s lead with you too, just in case.
Parking is free for National Trust members, and is pay and display for others. I think the charge is £2, irrespective of length of stay. The car park has toilets but no other facilities.
If we catch it right, and it is a nice day, Allen Banks can be truly spectacular in the Autumn, so you may wish to bring your camera, or at least have it with you in your car for a decision whether to carry it on the day.
From Staward Peel - photo: Dexter
Anyone from other local clubs, or just friends, are very welcome to join us, providing they are comfortable with the proposed time, distance, ascent. The nature of Allen Banks is such that it is very flexible if anyone wants to run a shorter or easier route, or just wants to enjoy an Autumn walk.
Please arrive for a prompt start at 9.00am, so we don’t have to indefinitely delay the start in the expectation that someone else may be due to arrive; if you aren’t there by 9.00 we will assume you aren’t coming!
At the end, there is a nice tea shop at the Langley Garden Station, 2 or 3 miles away [streetmap], and a group of us may well conclude proceedings by enjoying some well-earned cakes! They do a modest selection of vegetarian meal options for anyone wanting something more than cake. Alternatively, also within 2 or 3 miles, and close to the Garden Station, is The Carts Bog Inn [streetmap], which is a nice country pub which does substantial Sunday lunches for £8.50 per head. If anyone thinks they might fancy refuelling with a roast beef dinner, I would recommend reserving your place in advance by ringing the pub on 01434 684338, as they tend to be booked up most Sundays.
I hope many of you are tempted to join me. Last time we had around 20 + a couple of dogs, and it would be great to have the same or more this time. The Garden Station café and Carts Bog Inn give two nice options for couples or groups where not all are runners, where someone could just enjoy a walk whilst the rest of us run, before adjourning for a nice Sunday lunch. The choice is yours!!
Anyone wanting further information can ring me on 01434 684072 or 07939 208041
Dexter
