I found out about All Points North (APN) after speaking to a fellow cyclist by the name of a Richard Gate. Richard had completed several ultra-events and I was keen to have ago. Endurance riding was my forte and what I enjoyed the most. I had the perfect bike (Kinesis GTD Titanium) and just required bags to hold the kit I was going to take. I emailed Tailfin and Spatz advising them of the challenge I was about to undertake, and they kindly sent me a Tailfin aero pack and a set of Convoy Cargo bib shorts and a Squadron Cargo Jersey, respectively. OTE also provided the necessary nutrition for the duration of the event which also covered the training period. I was over the moon and couldn’t thank them enough for their generosity. I later found out Rab were going to sponsor me as a rookie rider and were providing kit from their Cinder range and a sleeping bag. Again, incredibly grateful for the generosity shown as I had an old sleeping bag, but it wasn’t the best.
The APN is a 1000 km, 3-day event starting in Sheffield on a Bank Holiday weekend. It was easily accessible without taking away any annual leave. There was a rookie category meaning an early start was possible. Given this was my first ever ultra-event I took advantage of this and started on Friday at 10am instead of the mass start at 8pm. Having no major events, it was great to get this in the diary and have a target for the year. The event was being run on the same self-supported rules as the Transcontinental although it was designated a ride and not a race.
Having now been advised of a confirmed entry it was time to focus on route planning. Clockwise, anticlockwise, or figure of eight? Did I want to tackle the climbs in the lakes and then a flatter run into the finish via the east coast, or a flatter run out and a hillier finish. These were the questions playing on my mind as I got down to business. In the end I decided to route clockwise and go into the Lakes before heading to the furthest checkpoint in the Scottish borders (Norham Castle) and then down the east coast and finally back to Sheffield. My route planning tool of choice was Komoot having heard it had several useful features such as adding POIs and being able to view the route using google street view. I thought this was important to help reduce or even eliminate going down a single-track road on a road focused bike! The POI feature was useful as I could map shops/cafes along the proposed route. I had planned routes between each checkpoint instead of daily routes mainly because it kept the file small and if something were to go wrong re-routing would have been much easier and efficient with the smaller file size. Having now completed the routes I decided to recce some of them given I was not too far from the start (1 hour on train). I decided to recce CP1 to CP2 and the start to CP1. This was done over two weekends and put my mind at ease having now seen the routes. I also did a lot of riding on the loaded bike to get a feel for the weight and handling. This was important and a major part of the training leading up to the actual event. I would rock up to social rides where club members would have a laugh and joke about the bike. Training also included taking part in a few Audax events (Delightful Dales 200km and Knock Ventoux 300km) along with several sportive events (Mallorca 312 and Fred Whiton) so was in good stead to tackle the APN. One of my biggest fears was the unknowns. Irrational, as I knew nothing could be done about these, but also a little rational as I knew I had no experience of what the event would be like and lacked a tried, tested or trusted approach.
The big day had arrived and an early train from Leeds to Sheffield was still running and on time despite various train strikes up and down the country. I was now both nervous and excited to meet fellow cyclists taking part. I arrived in Sheffield at 9am and it was then a short journey from the station to the start. Here I registered and collected my GPS which I placed in the top tube bag. I would have liked a coffee to calm the nerves but didn’t see one available. Anyway, I attached the number to the aero bars using a couple of tie clips and was ready to rock and roll! A few snaps from the photographer and I was on my way.
Day 1 – Sheffield to Wasdale head via Widdop Moor and Selside
Adrenaline running high and with fresh legs I left the start and had to immediately turn right as that’s what initiated the GPS tracker as detailed in the user manual. It did cross my mind as to how many people would have remembered! Having recced the route a few weeks earlier I was at ease as the roads looked familiar. I decided to stay on the main road given it wasn’t busy with it being 10am and make good progress. A few rolling hills before I got to Hebden Bridge where I stopped for a comfort brake before climbing up towards Heptonstall. I was making substantial progress and soon reached CP1 (Widdop Moor). A quick photo and snack and I was on my way towards CP2 (Selside) A flattish run from CP1 into Barnoldswick and then into the Yorkshire Dales towards Settle and Selside. I was feeling good, eating, and drinking well on the bike. I travelled a bit further and stopped for an ice cream near Whernside (3 peaks start). A mobile van was parked in the layby, and I took full advantage given the sun was blaring down. I also had a can of Coke and then decided to continue towards the Lakes with the aim of getting to CP3 (Wasdale Head) before Sunset. I decided not to go via Wrynose and Hardknott mainly because I didn’t fancy descending the steep bits in the dark so opted to go via Coniston, Broughton in Furness and Ulpha. The elevation gain was similar but without the steep 30% inclines although saying that the climb out of Ulpha had some very steep sections. It was now getting cold on the descents, so I stopped to put on my arm warmers and gilet. The views around Wasdale Head were amazing. I’d ridden in the Lakes a few times but never went towards that area. A hidden gem. I reached CP3 (Wasdale Head) around 8pm and decided to setup Bivvy at the campsite. I was feeling cold and tired so decided it was time to go to sleep with a view to leaving just after sunrise
Day 2 – Wasdale Head to Rothbury via Long Meg and Norham Castle
My first time ever bivvying and what an amazing experience it was sleeping under the stars. I slept very well and heard the alarm go off at 4am. A quick visit to the gents which was around the corner it was now time to pack the sleeping gear into the tailfin. This was effortless and took about 10 minutes. All packed and ready to go I loaded the route on the Garmin and off I went. I had a route option of going via Hardknott, Wrynose and the struggle to get to Ambleside before heading towards Keswick and Penrith. However, I decided to go via the Fred Whiton route in reverse as id ridden those roads a few weeks earlier as part of the Fred Whiton challenge. This routed me via Calder Bridge, Cold Fell and Whinlatter. I stopped at a Spar in Keswick as I needed some breakfast and was running low on Water. I spent almost 15 minutes here refueling before making my way onto CP4 (Long Meg). The terrain was fairly undulating with a fair amount of A and B roads. It was early so not too much traffic and therefore bearable. Once I got to CP4, I was looking for the sign on the tree trunk as detailed in the brevet, but it was no where to be seen, I asked a local who wasn’t aware so took a picture to prove I had visited the checkpoint and carried onto CP5 (Norham Caste). I decided to head here and then go back to CP6 (Winters Gibbet) as I didn’t want to double back on myself. This worked out perfect as the shop next to the CP was still open. I got some snacks and restocked items for the evening in case I didn’t find a shop once I had reached my Bivvy spot. At the shop and checkpoint, I bumped into 2 other cyclists also doing the APN. We had a chat and breather for about 15 minutes before heading in our own directions. I headed towards CP6 (Winters Gibbet) but only got as far as Rothbury as the sun was coming down. I was keen to find somewhere to Bivvy before it got dark and managed to find shelter in the village church. It was clean, quiet, and out of the way so an ideal place to setup Bivvy as less likely to be distracted at night. It got to around 10:30 and I was tucked into the sleeping bag with my Patagonia micro puff down jacket. Toast and warm I was out like a light with my alarm set at 4am.
Day 3 – Rothbury to Filey Brigg via Winters Gibbet, Dales Bike Centre and Helmsley
Another decent night sleep and up early despite the church bells ringing every hour! I didn’t take this into consideration but will do in the future. I quickly packed the sleeping equipment into the Tailfin and had a banana I purchased from the shop for breakfast. I also had a cheese sandwich and was ready to make my way to CP6 (Winters Gibbet). I was hoping to make it the night before but due to nightfall decided to wait until the morning light. Lovely roads as I headed towards CP6 albeit lots of wildlife. It was around 4:30am so inevitable. Rabbits, Owls, and Deer all seen as I made progress. I think much safer in daylight so guess my original plan of riding between sunrise and sunset was working very well. Some very remote locations with no phone signal made it interesting. Hoping and praying a rabbit or other wild animal wasn’t going to run across my path taking me out! As I got closer to CP6 I saw a tandem coming towards me. I can only assume they were heading towards Norham Castle. I reached CP6 and bumped into another rider that had got their a few minutes earlier. We had a quick chat before taking the obligatory photo to prove we had been at the checkpoint before heading in different directions even though we were both heading towards CP7 (Dales Bike Centre). My route took me towards Stanhope and the north penines However, I had to endure the A68/69 for 8kms before I was back on traffic free country roads. At one point I nearly scratched as it was just too busy with close passes from articulated trucks. It felt extremely dangerous and like being on a motorway! I got to stanhope and then remembered how hilly the terrain was having been on the roads on the motorbike. The climbs were brutal on a loaded bike and what didn’t help was the blistering heat from the sun. I made my way near the top only to be attacked by Lapwings! Those birds were brutal and become extremely aggressive when nesting. A long descent to the next village and then the climbing started all over again. By now I was feeling tired, no food stops and little food left on the bike, heat stroke and fatigue kicking in. I was around 6kms from Bernard Castle when I just couldn’t pedal any further. I stopped, got of the bike, and made a phone call to my brother advising him of the situation. I was ready to quit/scratch but then decided to call my close friends. They encouraged me to continue but to first take a good break. Eat whatever food I had left on the bike and then carry onto Barnard Castle where there was a Morrisons. I felt refreshed after the stop and little food I had left and managed to make to the Morrisons. Here I had two of everything including sandwiches, crisps, chocolate, and coffee. I also took the opportunity to fill by bag with food items for the night. I now felt fresh and energized following the stop and was keen to get to CP7. This did mean a few more steep hills but with my legs feeling good again I was on the move. I got to CP7 where I needed a comfort break. This checkpoint was being staffed so a stamp on the Brevet and I was rearing to go. Given I had stopped earlier for a considerable amount of time I was keen to make progress and get to CP8 (Helmsley). It was either flat or downhill from now on, all the hills had been done so a slight relief. Legs felt good and I was fueled well. I got to Helmsley where I met a few other riders. A quick visit to the local store for re-supplies and I had to make a choice as to whether I found a place to Bivvy or carried onto CP (Filey Brigg) I was tired, and it was around 9pm so getting dark too. I knew I’d be able to find a Bivvy spot near the CP in Filey and given two other riders were also planning to continue. I decided to continue too. A flat 50kms of boring road. Guess needs must and I was soon at Filey Brigg. It was now cold and mega windy with being near the coast. I saw lots of cars parked very close to the CP and decided to setup Bivvy in amongst them to shelter from the wind. It was now around midnight and ready to go to sleep.
Day 4 – Filey Brigg to Sheffield via Easingwold
As usual the alarm went off at 4am and I was ready to put the sleeping equipment away. I was well versed with this now and literally took minutes. I had some food items in the bag that I has purchased the night before so decided to eat before setting off. It was cold and windy so kept the down jacket on which kept me toasty and warm. I was making substantial progress and enjoying the tailwind. I came across a co-op and decided to stop as needed a coffee to fully wake me up. I wasn’t here long as felt cold and wanted to keep warm on the bike. A few hours later I got to CP10 (Easingwold) where I stopped to take a picture and have some food too. I topped up my water from the local Spa and purchased a few items of food. However, I should have charged the Garmin and phone, but I didn’t, even though I was at this CP for at least 30 minutes. It was now onto Sheffield for the final stretch. This was around 100 flat kms so definitely on the home stretch. As I followed the route, I came across a bridge closure sign. Panic as the Garmin was rerouting and adding nearly 30kms onto the route. I checked google maps and it was similar. With all the re-routing my phone battery was now critical, and the Garmin was at about 20%. I had no chance of making it back to Sheffield without charging said devices so made the decision to route to York which was 20kms away. Here I found a Spa where I was able to charge the devices, stretch the legs and consume some proper food. I was stopped for an hour which I meant I was fully refreshed. I loaded the route and headed out of York. A bit of cycle path at the start to get out of York and then it was mainly B roads. I had ridden some of the roads previously so familiar territory. I was making good progress and about 30kms from the finish when I noticed a petrol station so decided to have a quick stop. I was feeling some discomfort in the knee and could see the saddle had moved down. The toolkit was at hand so popped back to where I though it was originally. I’m overly sensitive to the slightest of saddle/post movement and have experienced saddle sores and/or knee pain as a result. Even though there was only 30kms to go I didn’t want to aggravate the pain further and not finish so a good call in the end. Whist I was tinkering with the bike a member of the public was intrigued with my setup and asked where I’d been/come from so told him id done a loop from Sheffield to the Scottish borders and was not on my way back to Sheffield. He was struck in awe and asked how long it took and what kind of speeds I was doing. I thanked him for the well wishes and headed out from the petrol station and back on the road. As I got near Sheffield, I noticed noise from the chain so decided to stop and lube as I didn’t want a snapped chain just before the finish. It was also now just after midday and getting warm so decided to remove the arm and leg warmers at the same time.
Emotions were running high at this point as I was about to complete my first ever Ultra Endurance event. I had put a lot of effort into planning, training, and kit, so a huge achievement from my perspective. I was now in Sheffield and very close to the finish when I get a call from Akky aka Beard on a Bike. He was trying to follow me in the car and was asking where I was so he could film me riding to the finish. This was a lovely touch and one I will never forget. I was over the moon to see him as he followed me to the finish.
I’d visited 10 checkpoints and covered just over 1100kms! Feeling super proud we took a few pictures at the finish before heading inside to cheering riders. A quick drink and some food before heading to the shower which was most needed! Akky and I decided to stop at a subway before heading home as I couldn’t stay for the finisher’s meal. As the adrenaline wore off, I felt super tired and fell asleep in Akky’s car. Overall, a fantastic event and can now say I have the Ultra Endurance bug. Not sure whats next maybe the Pan Celtic or something similar in the UK before attempting the infamous Transcontinental Race (TCR) one day.
In numbers my ride was: 1102kms, 15,500m of climbing, and 77 hours and 39 minutes. There’s a map showing what it looked like below – it was brutal, and beautiful.
All Points North 2023 | Ride | Strava
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Altaf Hussain 
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