Dales Divide - I’m Not Scratching

Hi all!
Back in 2022 I signed up for the Dales Divide, didn’t train correctly, and ended up with a knee injury due to a sudden spike in activity. My training ride 2-3 weeks before saw me cycle to the Lake District ( • A 200 Mile Bikepacking... ). I pulled out from the start and went to see my friend off. When I drove home, the route went over the M6 to taunt me just a little more. Once I got home, I set about trying to work out how to strengthen my knee and get to next year’s start line.
I signed up and started the training in November just after the Bear Bones 200 route ( • Bear Bones - My 200km ... ). I was even prepping food and doing a lot of off-bike exercises too, I even started rowing.
Before I knew it the Easter break was here - which means only one thing, it’s time for the Dales Divide 2023.
This ride is a 600km ITT (individual time trial) not for the faint-hearted, but it's for anyone willing to push themselves. It goes through some of the best trails that the Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors have to offer. I had to cover a minimum of 150km a day just to stay in the race.
Due to the amount of training I did, it was a fun ride, but still hard. The hours in the saddle were long, but the scenery along the way made up for any discomfort or exhaustion.
I really hope you enjoy this film “I’m Not Scratching” If you did you can buy me a slice of 🍕( www.buymeacoffee.com/allenboa... ) or just sit back with a coffee. This ride meant so much to me to complete due to the non-start last year, it’s not my usual type of film, but as I’m now dipping my toes into long-distance racing, I couldn’t stop too much.
You may also notice I’ve bought a new frame bag it’s by Poca Bags probably the best frame bag I’ve ever bought, reach out to them and see what you think pocabags.com not an advert, more of a recommendation.
See you next time!
-Allen

[@oot-n-aboot]

Amazing job, Allen! Way to dig deep and be willing to stay in the pain (and sleep deprivation) cave…as miserable as it is. 💪 Deep respect and admiration, amigo. And yes, care for the steed and it’ll care for you.

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you so much!! I absolutely loved this ride, even though I had to push hard and dig very deep to get around. Brakes are kept on top top condition now and work perfectly 😂 I needed a new front brake lever actually, it was cracked! Thanks again buddy.

[@adiemather]

Well done, great little film 👍

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you, I’m happy you enjoyed it. 😀

[@Ey_up]

Brilliant!

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you!! 🥳

[@bricksandgames2244]

Epic.

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks :)

[@mattscott-chalmers5710]

Your an inspiration to us all! Outstanding effort to complete and whilst filming too! See you on the trail cheers

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you so much!!! You’ll smash this year. Have a burger waiting for me at the end will ya haha!!

[@TheDownHillerKiller]

Amazing effort, well done Al. A video on your training approach would be worth a watch 👍

[@AllenBoardman]

Hey, thanks for watching! I’m chuffed you liked it. I’ve considered off the bike videos, maybe one to think a bit more on. Thank you!

[@richardgate1571]

Great adventure, congratulations!

[@AllenBoardman]

It was truly so much fun! Thank you for watching!

[@shropshirecycle]

Fantastic video, fantastic achievement 🎉😊

[@AllenBoardman]

Ah thank you!! 🥳🥳

[@rossheeley4400]

Good work Al - much respect💪

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks Ross! Means a lot. 🥳

[@2pinttony719]

Well done Allen. What a cracking ride. Amazing 👏

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AileenClifford-xu3ut]

Wow, what an achievement. Legend

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you Aileen!!

[@theogre57]

Nice one Al! Still had the strength to lift your bike too! Great chipper video as usual.

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks so much! I’m pleased I finished strong and in good spirits. Appreciate you watching!

[@shafter164]

Al... this just popped in my feed again. Watched it with a bit more vigour as I'm entered into the Northwales400 and don't wanna scratch either... Well done again mate...

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks man!! I appreciate you watching. Hopefully your North Wales 400 goes well! Cheers!

[@explorerjames8563]

Awesome! Well done mate

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you! 🤩

[@VeloPageyAdventures]

Amazing video & an amazing ride.

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks very much Michael! 🤩

[@robertleuty]

Loving the new adventure recorded for everyone to see for all-time thanks for a great watch 👍

[@AllenBoardman]

No, thank you for watching 🤩

[@MuddyRattlerNeil]

Congratulations Allen. Massive ride. 💪

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you! I’m still on a high from this ride! 🥳🤩🥳

[@TerraVenture]

Outstanding effort. Hats off to you. K

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks buddy 🥳 thanks for my messages of encouragement whilst racing!! 🤩

[@Shewie01]

Smashed it, well done mate, those rainy clips looked proper grim

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you! Yeah, the rain was something else. Shame my phone was too wet to record the worst too. Thanks for watching!

[@CycleXplorer]

What a great film, I'm hoping to do it next weekend 😱

[@AllenBoardman]

You’ll love it. You’ll learn a lot about yourself. Thanks for watching! See you on the pier !

[@RootsRiding]

Inspirational effort there Allen. Great video as always pal!

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you so much! 🥳

[@jamesherd9132]

Well done Allen amazing effort and video as usual .

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks very much James. I’m happy you enjoyed it 🥳

[@phy7tes]

Great ride Allen - we swapped places a few times around Malham Tarn (I'm in the orange gilet @3:30) and you were looking strong then. From the video it looks like you had a good mindset to finish as well. Thanks for sharing the video, it's good to relive some of the bits I've forgotten or rode at night!

[@AllenBoardman]

Hey Tom. We did leapfrog a little didn’t we? I was absolutely determined to finish. I’m pleased you could re live bits you zoned out on or rode in the dark. Always good to see a route from a different perspective, so thanks for watching!

[@GrahamFootBicycleLover]

Fantastic insight Allen, well done my boy. I now know what I've missed. Next year hopefully. Thanks for making the effort to film this. 👍💪💪🦵🦵

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks so much Graham. The route will still be there next year - be good to see you at the start line. Thank you for watching 🤘🏼

[@danb4542]

Great video!!

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@honda0105]

Another quality video and thanks for sharing Alan. 👌 Your eyes took on that haunted look at Scarborough that only those of us who’ve ridden Audax type miles will understand! 🥱😴 As for your front brake, do you know a good bike mechanic? 😉😁 Keep ‘em coming mate and thanks again.

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks so very much! Yeah - it was a tough cookie this one. Type two fun in places and type one too. I now have Hope brakes as I blame the guy who didn’t service the old brakes enough 😂😂 Thanks for watching. I’ve been having a bit of a break whilst I’ve been training for the HT550 for this year. 😀

[@OutdoorWalesforever]

Well done, a great achievement and a good video.

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks very much for watching 😀

[@randelscyclevlogperthwa7342]

Much kudos to you. Enduring the cold, rain, sleep deprivation and doing that many K's on quite wide tyres too. Congratulations

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks so much! They’re a set of Vittoria Mezcal in a 29 x 2.35 / they rolled really well. Definitely recommend them. Thanks for watching 🤩

[@stuartantrobus7924]

Well done Allen, I hope you got a good sleep in after that.

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks Stuart. You have no idea how much I slept 😂 I couldn’t stop eating for almost a week!

[@fred123456b]

I watched this on Friday night before doing a 100km gravel ride yesterday. To think you did 6x what I did with way more hills is crazy. So impressive, well done mate an amazing achievement. I was watching your dot the whole way 🍻

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you buddy, really appreciate you following my dot! Good job on your 100k - getting out is the main thing, no matter for how long. 🙂

[@grantswheelstohills]

Well done Allen,I bet that was a great surprise at the end. Its always down to having a great wife / partner at the end of the day ! Thanks for sharing and look forward to see more of your adventures ! Atb Grant 👍

[@AllenBoardman]

It was honestly so exciting to see them all! Thanks for stopping by and watching. I’m pleased you enjoyed it 🤘🏼

[@Lendres100]

Thaaaaaaats wetwang! :D

[@AllenBoardman]

Haha! Someone got it!!

[@andytromans1]

Well done lad! See you at the WRT?

[@AllenBoardman]

100% Andy! Thanks!

[@peterlynch2285]

What's tour frontlight

[@AllenBoardman]

That’s an Exposure Six Pack :)