FINDING FREEDOM IN THE FELLS
Determined to create her own winter multisport adventure and escape the jaws of London, Sophie Radcliffe heads to the Lake District for a DIY tri to remember…
One, two, three, go!’ I say these four words and plunge into the icy cold water of Red Tarn below the summit of Helvellyn in the Lake District. The loss of feeling in my hands is instant, so I swim fervently into the centre of the tarn knowing this isn’t somewhere I want to hang around too long. Focusing on regaining control of my breath after submerging my body into the crystal-clear water, I look up and take a moment to absorb where I am. With snowy mountains all around, not a cloud in the sky and the warm sun on my face – even though I can’t feel my fingers or toes –I am truly in my element.
I fell in love with triathlon a decade ago, going straight in at the deep end by signing up to Ironman Wales. During my training I did an Olympic distance and 70.3, and returned to do Ironman Wales for a second time a few years later. For me, race day feels like I’m going into battle with these three sports as my weapons to help me complete the challenge and overcome any obstacles. At the start of my first tri, a friend said: “Don’t forget to smell the roses.” This stuck with me and no matter what kind of turmoil I’m going through, physically or mentally, these words are a reminder to look around and take it all in.
Few things compare to the energy of competing in races with thousands of likeminded people, but they can also create a lot of pressure and the cost can be prohibitive. I can’t remember exactly what sparked the idea for my own DIY triathlon, but it’s a seed that grew in my mind until I decided to go for it. I wanted to create my own challenge combining these three great sports, choosing a part of the world that inspires me. Using these sports as a way to climb mountains, swim across lakes and cycle up famous passes sounded like an adventure and an awesome way to spend a weekend.
“I feel a million miles away from city life and I couldn’t be happier about it”
So, I decided to base my DIY triathlon on Helvellyn in the Lake District, as there’s an amazing route up Striding Edge to the summit and down Swirral Edge (which the Helvellyn Triathlon route takes in) to Red Tarn. I chose a weekend in early March and started poring over maps to plan my route.
THE FREEDOM OF THE FELLS
After a long drive from London, I pull into the campsite and park my van beside a fast-flowing river. Under a beautiful, starry sky and crescent moon, I breathe in the cold air and let out a sigh of relief. I feel a million miles away from city life and couldn’t be happier about it. This is what I’ve been craving and I can’t wait to get started on my adventure.
It’s Saturday morning and I wake to beautiful sunshine. I pack my bag, make sandwiches and set off up the mountain with my brother’s dog Hegley – my favourite adventure companion! The Helvellyn route is eight miles and starts with a steep uphill section for two miles. With no wind it feels like spring and I’m getting a proper sweat on as we make tracks towards Striding Edge. I stop for a break and lie on the warm mossy earth enjoying my sandwiches and the incredible views. The Lake District is an area of the UK I’ve always wanted to explore and discover more of, and I feel lucky to have this weather. I wait for a moment, taking time to ‘smell the roses’.
On the ridge there’s snow and ice underfoot so I take care with each step. As we make our way along the stunning ridge line, people are coming back saying the conditions ahead are icy and dangerous. I didn’t pack crampons, so decide to turn back short of the summit and head to the tarn. I’m gutted not to do the full route, but don’t want to put us in any danger. I’m here to have a good time, to challenge myself – sure – but the mountain will always be here and I’m loving just being out in the mountains with Hegs on such a beautiful day.
INTO THE DEEP
Red Tarn glistening in the afternoon sunlight would look appealing if it wasn’t flanked by snowy mountains giving clues to how ruthlessly cold the water is. Nevertheless, I have my heart and mind set on a swim. To really experience a place, I love to get totally among it, to immerse myself in it. And nothing brings you into the moment quite like cold-water swimming. I change behind a rock and smile at fellow walkers looking at me inquisitively. I don the obligatory woolly hat and make my way into the body of water.
Up to my waist the cold barely bothers me, but it’s venturing further and submerging my hands when it really starts to take hold. ‘One, two, three, GO!’ I swim out to the middle of the tarn before turning around and swim back to the shore. My hands are completely numb – not a pleasant feeling!
I snuggle up to Hegley basking in the sunlight and start to thaw my hands. The sun drops behind the summit of Helvellyn and I realise that if I’d continued on the ridge, I’d still be up there now and would have missed out on the opportunity to swim in the tarn. Without the sun it would have been way too cold. I’m happy with my decision and how the day is panning out. Next stop: the pub! With 8.5 miles on my Garmin I enjoy a pint and packet of crisps in The Traveller’s Rest and head back to the van for dinner and bed. With longer days in the summer I’ll definitely do a DIY Tri in one day, but as it’s winter I decided to spread it over a weekend and take my time to enjoy the Lakes.
THE STRUGGLE IS REAL
It’s pretty handy having the van as a ‘transition hub’. I designed my van exactly for weekends like this where I have everything I need to do the sports I love and can go anywhere. Using the campsite as the base to do my tri from, I decide to cycle from Glenridding, at the southern end of Ullswater, to Ambleside. It’s a route that goes over two of the UK’s famous passes – Kirkstone Pass and The Struggle – covering 35 kilometres and 823m elevation gain. It might not sound like much, but after cycling up those two passes, with 20% gradient in places, I’m completely wiped!
Leaving Ullswater, the road winds through the valley of Patterdale giving me a chance to warm up before going into the climb. The terrain is quintessentially Lake District with dry stone walls, a meandering river and sheep dotted over the hillside. As the gradient kicks in, I look over my shoulder and see Ullswater in the distance. I know there are a lot of corners on this climb, so I settle into a pace that feels manageable, knowing I’ll be in the pain cave soon.
It’s been a while since I’ve cycled up hills like this and I’m hoping muscle memory will help me ride to
SOPHIE’S DIY TRIATHLON TIPS
1 Find a part of the world you feel inspired to explore. Use an app like ViewRanger, Komoot or AllTrails to discover and plot routes. I based mine around Helvellyn and would suggest finding a focus to base everything else around. Decide if you want to do it over a weekend or one day.
2 Organise your kit ahead of the challenge to minimise any faff and time wasted. Be flexible and adapt to changes in your plan.
3 Take a friend or furry friend to share the adventure with and have fun. Life is for living, so go out there explore the world and see what you’re capable of achieving.
the summit. It’s slow going on the 20% gradient sections, but slow is smooth and smooth is fast. I pass the Kirkstone Inn and descend down The Struggle, enjoying the freedom that riding a bike downhill brings. With the wind in my hair, majestic mountains all around and the sun filtering through the clouds, there’s nowhere I’d rather be.
“With the wind in my hair and majestic mountains all around there’s nowhere I’d rather be”
I ride through Ambleside to the shores of Lake Windermere before turning around and heading back to the van. Going up The Struggle is tough going, but I’m spurred on by the thought of completing the challenge and a fireside pub dinner. They say the best views come after the hardest climbs and I stop to admire the view before making the final descent. I’ve been so lucky with the weather, but the wind is whipping up now and it feels like a new weather front is moving in. Time to get going…
A PASSION PROJECT
Back at the van I’m greeted by a very excited Hegley and flop down on my bed. Physically I’m spent.
My legs are aching from the weekend’s endeavors, but mentally I feel alive and inspired. One of my biggest passions in life is getting people into sport. I discovered a passion for endurance in my twenties which opened a whole new world and set me on a path to break free from the rat race.
Challenging myself was the outlet I needed to escape the monotony and boredom of an unfulfilling office job and a reason to get fit. Going on this journey, which included triathlon and Ironman among other incredible challenges all over the world, gave me the confidence and courage to change my life, and I’d encourage everyone to go on their own transformational journey with sport and adventure, that is my life’s mission.
I know this isn’t a traditional triathlon by any means, but I had a truly amazing weekend doing what I love in the beautiful Lake District. Weekend challenges like this stoke the fire inside, keeping my energy and joie de vivre topped up until the next one.
Sophie Radcliffe is an adventurer, van lifer, cyclist and Ironman athlete on a mission to champion ordinary people achieving extraordinary things.Driven by her philosophy ‘One Life Live It’, she quit the rat race to explore her passions and create a new story.She’s also the founder of TrailBlazers, an initiative building confidence and courage in teenage girls. Find her at @challengesophie