Setting the Fastest Known Time: The UK Triple Crown

The First Year of the UK Triple Crown

The UK-TC was announced earlier this year as a collaboration between the race organisers of the Dales Divide, Highland Trail 550 and North Wales 400. The Gauntlet was laid down and many rose to the challenge with few finishing. We've an explainer on the challenge , but the three events have Grand Departs in April, May and August respectively. Riders can finish either the Grand Departs or an ITT to be eligible.

The first rider to take the Triple was Ashley Cordingley, who took all three in 7 days 14 hours and 59 minutes. He was then overtaken by Alex Berry who managed a staggering 6 days 10 hours and 44 minutes in September.

Other riders have completed the challenge, notably no women as of yet after Kerry MacPhee had her bike washed away in a river crossing in this year's HT550. The leaderboard can be found on our Fastest Known Times .

As this was the first year, we wanted to dig a little bit deeper with Alex and Ashley to see what their experience of the UK Triple Crown was like.

What prompted you to go for the Triple Crown this year?

Alex

I first heard about the Triple Crown while on the start line of the Dales Divide. I remember thinking, “Wow, this is incredible — I’d love to be part of it.” But having already done the HT550 twice, including in 2024, I didn’t think I’d be able to swing it this year. At that point, I hadn’t even confirmed I’d be doing the NW400.

The opportunity only really materialised after I’d completed the mass starts of the Dales Divide and NW400. I had solid, clean runs on both, and my wife helped juggle things at home so I could take on the HT550 as an ITT once I’d recovered. It all came together quite organically.

Ashley

When I first heard about the UK Triple Crown, it was through a chat with a friend the previous November. At that point, it was just an idea, but when it was officially announced early in the year—January or February—I was already signed up for the Highland Trail, so my focus was there. The concept of the Triple Crown really intrigued me though; it felt like something unique and challenging. It was also the idea of being the first person to complete it, as I figured most people would wait for the races to settle in before committing. I already had the Silk Road Mountain Race firmly in my calendar, so the year was shaping up to be big. When a friend mentioned they were doing the Dales Divide, it clicked that I could actually make the Triple Crown work. Getting a last-minute spot for the Dales Divide sealed it, and from there it became about figuring out how to fit everything in.

You’ve mentioned that the Highland Trail was your "A" race and that the Silk Road Mountain Race was your main focus. How did the UK-TC fit into that overall plan?

Ashley

I’d say both the Silk Road Mountain Race and the Highland Trail were A races for me, with Silk Road being the primary focus. The Highland Trail felt like a local race where I could do well, so it was important too. The UK Triple Crown wasn’t intended as a training block, but in hindsight, the experience from those events, especially riding in tough UK conditions, gave me a lot to draw on for Silk Road. I’d often find myself thinking, ‘This isn’t as bad as the Highland Trail,’ or ‘It’s not as much climbing as the North Wales 400.’

Fitting all four races into just over four months was hard. It became a real challenge to manage fatigue across the three UK events and then head into Silk Road. It wasn’t just about racing, it was about recovery, keeping training going, and staying motivated. So while the Triple Crown wasn’t the main goal, it definitely had its own significance, it added depth to the season and gave me confidence for the big one.

Alex showing us why we ride!

How did you feel chasing the FKT set by Ashley?

Alex

Honestly, I didn’t feel like I was chasing a time as such. The DD and NW400 times I’d put in gave me a huge lead already. I’d done just under 4 days on the HT550, which would’ve taken nearly 23 hours off Ashley’s time. I knew Dicky Hibbert and Tom Bruce were also attempting it, and my aim wasn’t to beat Ashley — it was to make it physically hard for Tom and Dicky. I didn’t want it handed to them on a plate. It’s something they need to earn now!

Ashley doing what the UK-TC requires a PhD in, Hike-A-Bike

How challenging was it to manage your energy and recovery over those four months between the races?

It was pretty difficult, to be honest. The Highland Trail took the longest to recover from, being the first big event in the lineup and almost four days on the bike. After the Dales Divide, I bounced back quickly; I was riding at full capacity within a week and even did a big bikepacking trip the following weekend. But the Highland Trail was a different story; it really drained me.

The North Wales 400 came about a month later, and that one was tricky. I felt like it maybe set me back a little in terms of recovery for Silk Road, and I even contemplated not doing Silk after that. But I managed to train well leading into it and felt strong going in.

Overall, fitting all four races into just over four months was tough. It wasn’t just about racing; it was about managing fatigue, recovery, and still keeping some training going. That said, the UK races were a great way to hone skills. They’re accessible, right on our doorstep, and you don’t need to go abroad to get an amazing bikepacking experience.

How did you find the ITT vs the Grand Depart?

Ashley

It’s an interesting conundrum, it’s a classic bikepacking race dilemma. Grand Departs are amazing because I get a lot of energy from riding with other people. The atmosphere, the buzz, chatting to everyone: it’s great. But they’re also really hard because you tend to go out too fast at the start. That suits some riders, but it can mean you’re riding at a pace that isn’t right for you, which might hurt you later on.

With an ITT, it’s more of a mindset shift. In some ways, it’s easier because you tell yourself you’re still racing people, you just can’t see them. For me, that’s not really any different from a normal ultra, because once the field spreads out, you’re basically racing the clock and yourself anyway. That’s how I approach all ultras: as an ITT where you’re ultimately racing yourself.

Alex

In a way, I preferred the ITT. When I ride the Grand Depart, I enjoy riding with people for an hour or two, but after that I just want to be by myself and lose myself — that’s why I’m there at the end of the day. The ITT gave me total freedom to ride by feel and not have my pace dictated by others.

That said, it takes a different kind of mental strength to push on when it’s blowing 70mph gusts, lashing rain, and you know you’re totally on your own with no one behind you if something goes wrong.

Alex showing us some normal UK weather

Alex set off on his ITT in a stormy week in September. How did you find the weather on September 9th?

Alex

Utter disgusting filth. I’ve honestly never ridden in conditions like that for such a duration. From the start, rivers were swollen, fast, and waist-deep. The rain was horizontal and didn’t ease for the first 40 hours. I’ve no idea how I got through it mentally and physically.

I had a pacing strategy to match Dicky, but the conditions meant I dropped back by 6 hours early on. I had to maintain a good pace and keep moving. By the last checkpoint, I was still 6 hours behind, but I decided to really push. In the end, I clawed back 4 hours and closed the gap to just over 2 hours — that was tough!

It's difficult to explain to those who don't know why we do this, but I think Ashley's photo here sums it up.

What did it mean to you to be the first person to complete the UK-TC? Did it feel like you were setting down a marker for others?

Ashley

At first, it didn’t feel like a big deal, nothing does after an ultra. I just got back into my car and drove home after a sleep. But as I reflected on it, it became quite significant. I knew I’d never be the fastest person to do it this year because of some physical limitations I have on the bike. I have Perthes disease in my hip, which means I’ve got a noticeable leg length discrepancy, causing a power differential and limitations. It also makes riding painful a lot of the time and causes constant bike‑fit challenges.

That said, I knew I could ride the duration and do the other things that keep me competitive, even if I can’t match the raw power of the really fast riders. So my goal was to be the first person to complete it and put a solid benchmark out there. That thought really focused me, especially on the North Wales 400 ITT, because I knew I’d only have one shot at finishing the Triple Crown before more people started doing it, as the race was on at the same time as the Silk Road, and that’s why I chose to do an ITT. In the end, it felt like setting down a marker for others—and that’s something I’m proud of.

Looking ahead to a potential next attempt...

It’s pretty cool, honestly. I really enjoyed following Alex’s ITT on TrackLeaders as he was going around. Obviously, part of me was gutted at the end when I lost the record, but it was also really cool to see it happen. He looked like he had some pretty bad conditions too; typical Highland Trail fun and shenanigans!

If the gap wasn’t so big, I’d probably go back and redo the North Wales 400, as a 2km section of the route was so impossibly slow with fallen trees that Tom had to change the route and that lost me a lot of time. I might still do it anyway... watch this space. As for the UK Triple Crown, I think it has the potential to become something really established, like the US-TC. It’s such a great concept, and the routes are already iconic. I’d love to see it grow, and who knows? I might line up again one day.

A rather blurry Scottish skyline from bike by Ashley, 10 points to anyone who knows it.

What are your tips for anyone taking on the UK-TC?

Alex

Take it event by event. The person who ultimately takes the crown will be the one who can choose to ride when conditions are best — and that requires a high degree of flexibility (which I don’t have!).

Group starts can help. They naturally create faster times because the group pushes you along. Know the routes. Experience helps massively. I’d recommend doing a recce of each one at a slower pace — learn where the resupply points, taps, and sleep spots are.

Be mentally prepared. When race day comes, knowing what’s ahead gives you confidence and lets you ride on autopilot.

Stay adaptable. Conditions will change, and plans will need to shift. That’s part of the challenge.

Ashley

My biggest recommendation would be a good set of waterproofs. Riding in the UK is incredible, but the weather is unpredictable, even over the so-called ‘three months of summer,’ it was wet on every single one of those rides. There’s something beautiful about just having your hood up and riding in the rain, but you need the right kit to enjoy it.

Second, make sure your bike is in good fettle before each event. I didn’t do that before the Dales Divide, and I’m pretty sure it cost me a bunch of time. After that, I replaced everything that needed replacing for the Highland Trail, and that got trashed too, same with the North Wales 400. So check your bearings, chain, and drivetrain before each attempt. You don’t want a mechanical failure out there.

Also, know how much food you need for each distance, especially on routes with fewer resupply points, you don’t want to have food panics. And above all, be comfortable on your bike and go in with the right mindset. You’ve got to want to finish it. That’s probably the number one ingredient for success.

Ramen stop on this year's Dales Divide

Ashley included some closing thoughts for us:

It’s pretty useful to reflect on how these events have become such a great springboard for bigger challenges. That’s what Chris always intended with the Dales Divide, what Alan did with the Highland Trail, and I think it’s probably Tom’s motivation for the North Wales 400 too; routes that started as training loops but have naturally grown into big events in their own right.

It’s amazing and a privilege to have such incredible riding so close to home, with access to remote areas and the right to ride there. The fact that people support these events and that the community makes them possible is a real testament to the UK bikepacking scene. And then, as Brits, we go away and do really well, constantly, on the international stage. That says a lot about the strength of what we have here.