It's a wrap

First Woman Home

All aboard the Finisher's Train 

Rookies Race is ON!

Dots Everywhere!

Union Chain Gang

Rookies Set Go!!

Race Preview

Adrian Wilson

Seweryn Cieslik

Mark Jones

James Brown

Andrew Cribb

Lindsey Bonner

Catherine Hickman

Edward Stratton

Gill Crane

Morgan Crawford

Joss Winter

Nadia Kerr

Thomas Roberts

Steen Berg

Barry Neild

Lisa Carter

Alan Montgomery

Hamida Hamid

Cheryl Reid

Ann Walsham

Angus MacDonald

Andrew Jackson

Jason King

Stephen Morton

Miles Fisher

Georgina Wilcox

Jay Sharp

Sophie Walker

Steve Saunders

Don McGibbon

Clare Heathcote

Rachel Caverhill

Andrew Anderton

Daisy Ash

Steve Pallant

Rachel Davies

Helen Bakie

Paul Carr

Christopher Hood

David Hitch

Rachel Saunders

Amber Rowland

Joe Tresadern

John Gallagher

Lisa Matthewson

Stephanie Small

Victoria Mathwin

Helen Kellar

Seb James

Andy Callow

Elizabeth Brown

Laurence  Brown

Giles Aldridge

Sophie Chudley

Emma Renshaw

Emily Ciandella

Damian Ludlow

Freddie Jagger

Daniel Vipond

Tom Downes

Callum Hale

Ede Harrison

Jaimi Wilson

Matthew Vickers

James Jones

Lars Orth

Andrew Brunton

John Wood

Byron Buck

Stefan Hurst

Jonas Fischer

Will Schrimshaw

Amy  Hudson

Darren Denning

Thomas Brandi

James Roberts

Michael Collins

Dean Evans

Andy Fry

David  Wong

Luke Temple

Josh Roberts

Louis Moorehead

Ryan  McGlen

Dan Swain

Esther Lloyd

Hatty Doherty

George Bennett

Ian Marris

Vic Hayzer

Ella Brown

James Milne

Aleksander Wanowski

Richard Patterson

Steffen Besser

Daniel Barry

Wayne Henderson

Sophia Attwood Apperley

Patrick Dewick

Mathew Phazey

Jelmer Vernooij

Richard Lam

Norman Lomax

Anna Petters

Mark  Turnbull

Kai Magne Barstad

Jonny Pillar

Phil Shackleton

Dan Bannister

Mike Jeavons

Mike Watson

Phil Loftus

Sophie Finnigan

Andy Blades

Chris Skelhorn

Andy Connelly

Stephen Kennedy

Frankie  Morgans-Slader

Hugo Manson

Nadine Ansorg

Mark Agar

Angus MacKay

Nick Duggan

Zubin Tucker

Lizzie Jenkins

Adam Batty

Tom Marshall

Ailish Green

Andrew Yeomans

Anna Carlqvist

Charlotte Dadd

Graham Dunn

Jake McCreedy-Evans

James Illman

Mike Ford

Neil Connett

Richard Edwards

Stephen Haines

Claire Rendall

Storm Graham

Tom Banks

Joe Banks

Magdalena Thallinger

Eric Brook

Alice  Rance

Joshua Davis

Jack  Childerstone

Harry Hawkridge

Emily Nix

Nick Bury

Benoit Bely

Mael Bely

It's a wrap on this edition of All Points North, what a wild ride it's been across the north of England. There are many ways to skin a cat, and this heat map of all the rider's varying routes speaks for itself. 

![Screenshot 2024-05-29 at 16.19.00](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/20Lq5Yusp9ddoCUPKjJ7Gj/985108ee9781cb93dec1d813826ebdee/Screenshot_2024-05-29_at_16.19.00.png)

Rookie Lantern Rouge cap 106 Angus MacDonald was the last to roll home within the time limit, chapeau Angus - that's a full value ride you've logged! I hope there's some curry left overs for you...

The finish rate this year was 60:40. That is, 60% finished whilst the remaining 40% scratched (or are still riding!). In terms of distribution 53% of were in the 72-hour solo category, 31% were in the Rookie Solo category and the remaining riders were pairs. There is no definition of gender distribution on FMC, and the leaderboard for each category is not broken down by gender. This makes for a holistic race whereby everyone is on a level playing field regardless of gender, a strategy that some but not all races follow. That being said, the turnout from women this year is perhaps the biggest I've ever seen in this event. This is great to see, and has a lot to do with the inclusive nature of the event and the accessibility with thanks to the 'Rookie' category. Thank you to Ang and Tori, and the team at A Different Gear in Sheffield who pull out all the stops in order to make APN what it is today. 

That's all from me. Thanks for following along, I look forward next year with a whole new set of checkpoints!


Cap 25 Ede Harrison rolled into the finish just before 10.30am this morning, the 6th 72-hour rider back to Sheffield and also the first woman home. Ede finished in a time of 62 hrs 28 mins, just a couple of hours ahead of cap 33 Jaimi Wilson. Over such a vast distance these are small margins to play with especially considering that Jaimi's route was 33km longer than Ede's, given her late diversion into the Dales for the final two checkpoints. Congratulations Ede and Jaimi on a blistering ride, both well within the top 10 overall. 

Another strong performance for the women - cap 128 Lindsey Bonner was the 6th Rookie to finish earlier, also clinching the title of Fastest Rookie Woman! Lindsey is no stranger to APN, having taken part last year she smashed her previous time by almost 8 hours on a tough course in far more challenging weather. Chapeau Lindsey, top lass!!

![IMG 5884](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4LyfO47heA4sIC9ZxMY92z/94f863020458be02b1e67a4aaa91fb45/IMG_5884.jpg)

Fastest pair from the 72-hour group goes to 96A & 96B - The Banks Duo of Tom and Joe, in a time of 70 hrs 49 mins. Great work lads! Around 40 riders have made it back to Sheffield by now, with plenty more advancing as the evening draws in and the curry comes out. 

### Scratch Report To Date
123 Jason King, 132 Miles Fisher, 118 Georgina Wilcox, 124 Jay Sharp, 145 Steve Saunders, 113 Clare Heathcote, 103 Andrew Anderton, 114 Daisy Ash, 144 Steve Pallant, 137 Rachel Davies, 121 Helen Bakie, 135 Paul Carr, 112 Christopher Hood, 115 David Hitch, 190B Giles Aldridge, 193B Sophie Chudley, 193A Emma Renshaw, 28 Frankie Morgans-Slader, 31 Graham Dunn, 34 Jake McCreedy-Evans, 35 James Illman, 42 Jonny Pillar, 47 Lizzie Jenkins, 50 Mark Agar, 55 Mike Ford, 56 Mike Jeavons, 61 Nick Duggan, 75 Stephen Kennedy, 78 Tom Marshall, 82 Zubin Tucker, 95A Harry Hawkridge, 95B Jack Childerstone.

That's quite a few scratches, perhaps owing to the torrid weather conditions this year. The current finish rate is 30%, and a good chunk of those 70% who have not finished are scratchers. 


The finisher's train is full steam ahead! Over the course of the night and early morning 5 Rookies have made it home along with another 3 from the 72-hour category. Cap 100 Adrian Wilson was the first Rookie to roll home in a time of 95 hrs 58 mins - great riding Adrian! Another 4 Rookies rolled home over the course of the night and as things stand, cap 122 James Brown holds the mantle as 'fastest rookie', with a time of 81 hrs 2 mins. Chapeau James! Of course, all times will have to be verified to ensure all checkpoints were visited and the mandatory rest period criteria were met.

The 72-hour riders are also finishing their journey across the north. Cap 17 Damian Ludlow rolled into the Heeley Institute at 2.20am without fanfare or fuss, in a time of 54 hrs 17 mins. Upon arrival he reported 'It was alright'.. More than alright we say, a bloody amazing effort by the northerner who arrived in space blanket style. Cap 29 Freddie Jagger arrived a mere 10 minutes later, a strong effort despite missing one checkpoint - Druridge Bay. A few hours later cap 21 Daniel Vipond finished in a time of 57 hrs 7 mins - nice work Daniel. 

![IMG 5880](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/39BW1e7DeiVkwkCULnZLa3/aab95b45e4bc20f99a2c6e1645c1b06f/IMG_5880.jpg)

It's too soon to define a 'podium' as the times on the FMC leaderboard need correcting to match the rider's timestamped photo finish (the tracker can be up to 5 mins out). In addition, the organisers have the arduous task of verifying all rides, including a DNF for anyone who missed a checkpoint (Freddie?), along with time penalties for those who didn’t take a mandatory rest stop. The final results will be on the APN website in due course. 

In the pairs race is also yet to be decided; 92A & 92B Claire Rendall and Storm Graham have made it back to Sheffield in a time of 59 hrs 40 mins. However having skipped 2 CPs (Danby Beacon & Dales Bike Centre), the fastest pair on the road currently are 96A & 96B Joe Banks and Tom Banks, with just Scar House left to visit before heading for the finish. Unfortunately the speedy due of Harry and Jack have DNFed after 6 checkpoints due to 'sore knees'.

Happy Sunday! At the time of writing, cap 100 Adrian Wilson is closing in on the finish line having visited all ten checkpoints, the only rider to do so. However, cap 123 Jason King is set for a faster finish with just Danby Beacon left to visit before the finish line beckons. Jason started after Adrian, but with a slightly faster average moving speed and less stoppage time (72% compared with 68%) it looks like Jason has this on in the bag, barring any disasters in the last couple of hundred kms. Cap 122 James Brown is hot on the heels of Jason, but has still yet to venture across the Yorkshire Dales to visit Dales Bike Centre and Scar house before heading for the finish, some lumpy terrain to endure on tired legs. 

Meanwhile in the 72-hour race, a strong bunch of rider are into their final day with the first riders expected to finish in the early hours of Monday morning. Let's not forget the finisher's curry party in Sheffield on Monday evening, which is the target that most are aiming for. There's been reports of some 5* bivvy spots from Amy Hudson (see cover image), along with Aleksander Wanowski whose bivvy of choice was a bench outside a primary school in the Scottish outback. 

It's very rare to see a pair win the overall of any ultra race. Pairs 95A and 95B Harry Hawkridge and Jack Childerstone look to be on a mission to make history in this edition of All Points North. It's a little too early to make any hasty predictions at this point, however their average moving speed of over 30kmph is way faster than anyone else.. are they 2up-ing their way around the north!? Despite this blistering speed, they are approaching the 1000km mark having entered the 6-checkpoint club. In the solo race cap 29 Freddie Jagger and cap 17 Damian Ludlow are both in the 8-checkpoint club but having covered much less distance than the speedy pair. Check back later for some analysis of route choices, perhaps the route planning of Harry and Jack has left something to be desired. 

All Points North is perhaps the hardest race to follow. I mean, just look at those dots! - they're covering nearly every inch of the north, and the APN party is in full swing. I enjoyed a jaunt up to the Dales Bike Centre today to try and spot some dots, a mere spin from my hometown of Harrogate in comparison to the distance these riders are covering. By now, as the 72-hour riders are just past the first 24 hours and heading into the second night, fatigue will be setting in. The weather has been fine today, with a gentle south easterly wind benefitting those in particular who are heading up the east coast of Northumberland towards the Union Chain Bridge. 

![Screenshot 2024-05-25 at 20.08.01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2GUiQgmMVAXw8j7MRUVn5W/77e57d8eff861858f24de77a563fef33/Screenshot_2024-05-25_at_20.08.01.png)

In order to decipher exactly what's going on, it pays dividends to look at the leaderboard then cross reference on the map. In the 72-hour riders those who have covered the most distance are cap 17 Damian Ludlow and cap 51 Mark Turnbull. They are well past the halfway mark distance wise having checked off 6 checkpoints each, with a 98% and 95% moving average respectively. Cap 14 Callum Hale isn't too far behind at all, and the only rider to have a 100% moving average (4 minutes stoppage)! Callum's pace is slightly slower than Damian and Mark, and this may be down to lack of rest. Callum has plenty of ultra experience having ticked off some big rides in 2023, including finishes in The Transcontinental and Paris-Brest-Paris. 

Seven riders are in the 6-checkpoint club, including cap 25 Ede Harrison, the only women to do so. Cap 33 Jaimi Wilson has a marginly faster average speed than Ede, with 5 checkpoints down. Both Ede and Jaimi have opted for an anticlockwise lap of the north, however Ede has managed to visit Scar House and Dales Bike Centre on her journey north, whilst Jaimi will have to divert into the Dales for these two checkpoints on her way home. Jaimi is further ahead on the road but with less checkpoints ticked off - a questionable strategy! Also, a big shout out to Amy Hudson who is trucking along in a strong pace, enjoying her first big ultra distance race! Chapeau Amy. 

In the Rookies race cap 100 Adrian Wilson is heading straight for the finish!! Adrian is just south of Durham, approaching 900km with just Danby Beacon left to visit before making a bee line for Sheffield. However because all the Rookies started at different times, the Rookie category won't be decided until all are home. It's worth mentioning that the 'Finish' doesn't actually open until 11am on Sunday morning, so if Adrian decides to push on into the night he might discover a deserted finish line.

### Scratch Report
Cap 78 Tom Marshall - had to head home swiftly due to personal emergency, cap 116 Don McGibbon, cap 132 Miles Fisher - had a lovely day today and wanted to finish on a high, 91A & 91B Benoit Bely and Mael Bely, cap 82 Zubin Tucker - due to knee pain. 

Tonight at 8pm the 72-hour riders departed from A Different Gear in Sheffield, heading north to settle into a rhythm for the night and adventure beyond. A quick glance at the tracking reveals that 71 solo riders and 7 pairs are now on the road. 

Some names that stand out include Mark Turnbull - a strong rider returning for redemption after things went pair shaped last year. Setting a strong early pace include Stefan Hurst and Phil Shackleton. However any good ultra racer knows that the race is won in the second half, so time will tell if their pace is sustainable. 

In the women's field Jaimi Wilson is back to settle the score with some unfinished business, having scratched a few years ago following a crash mid way through the race. With a recent win at The Gravel Rally a few weeks back, I'm tipping Jaimi as the favourite for the women's race. Ede Harrison is also one to watch out for, an experienced ultra distance rider. Both Ede and Jaimi have been fastest women across Europe on the Transcontinental Race (on different editions), so they both carry experience and tenacity. 

In the pairs competition, setting a blistering early pace are caps 95A&B - Harry Hawkridge and Jack Childerstone. I can't find much on Harry, but Jack has plenty of distance experience under his belt along with a win at Further East in 2022. Following the same thought process of the Rookies, the majority of riders have set off on an anticlockwise route, heading for Emley Moor and subsequent hills of the Lakes and Dales first.

The Rookies are trucking along nicely, aside from a flurry of scratchees today. There's a real Union Chain Gang heading up the eastern Northumberland to reach that godamn bridge tonight! What a mental boost it will be to turn 180 degrees and start heading back in the direction of Sheffield once again. Cap 100 Adrian Wilson is the first rider to crack 600km, having ticked off 7 checkpoints so far including the notorious Great Dun Fell this morning. However its cap 123 Jason King who is ahead in theory, with a 90% moving average compared to Adrian's 70% moving average. Jason has covered 430km and has the fastest moving average of all Rookies, having checked off 5 checkpoints. Half way there Jason, in checkpoint terms but perhaps not distance!

### Scratch Report
Cap 114 Daisy Ash, 137 Rachel Davies, 112 Christopher Hood, 103 Andrew Anderton, 121 Helen Bakie, 144 Steve Pallant.

Over the course of yesterday and today all the riders in the Rookie category have departed on their northern adventure - 48 in total. For those with less experience they were thrown right in at the deep end, with heavy rain across the north last night. Today has dried up somewhat, and the weather gods are so far behaving for the grand depart of the 72-hour riders who depart tomorrow at 8pm. It's looking ideal, with light winds and an overcast sky.

Observations of the dot trails so far suggest that the vast majority of riders have opted for an 'clockwise' route. That is, heading north west to tame the hills sooner rather than later, when the legs are still relatively fresh. Historically this is an obvious choice for riders, who may relish the thought of sailing across the flatlands of east Yorkshire in the latter part of the race as they head for home. 

![Screenshot 2024-05-23 at 22.32.34](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5kz7Oc7iWbcm9NW32SuGVZ/f5f41274ca98c06bf1e64653cffc2763/Screenshot_2024-05-23_at_22.32.34.png)

The most northerly rider is cap 139 Seweryn Cieslik; having already covered over 400km he's ticking off those easier to reach checkpoints early on, but the going will potentially be slower on the way home via the Lakes and Dales. Danby Beacon will prove to be somewhat an annoyance for some, very much off-piste in the heart of the North York Moors, adding significant distance which will see lots of ridings going back on themselves as Seweryn has done. 

### Scratch Report

138 Rachel Saunders who had an unfortunate run-in with a car towing a trailer last night - she's doing OK injury wise but decided to call it a day to focus on recovery. Pair 193A & 193B have also scratched after 17 hours on the road. Cap 115 David Hitch has suffered a Garmin fail and has lost the will to carry on. Folks, that's +1 for the Wahoo brigade ;)

Check back in tomorrow and we'll see how our Rookies have faired overnight. 

Hello and welcome to the tracking and commentary for All Points North! Having started this event three times in the past, it's a race that has a special place in my heart. There's always a pang of FOMO when this time of year comes back around, but I hope to bring you some insights of the race as it unfolds, and trying to decipher the mass of dots scattered about the north of England. Let's get to it. 

Having cemented itself as a stalwart on the British ultra distance cycling scene, APN is characterised by a unique format involving two rider categories - '72-hour' and 'Rookie'. Rookie riders are self prescribed into said category, and can choose when to set off, any time from Wednesday 22nd May. This allows up to 129 hours to complete their route around all ten checkpoints, scattered haphazardly but strategically about the north of England. The 72-hour category riders all set off together at 8pm on Friday, 24th May. Both categories are riding with the aim of arriving back in Sheffield for the Finisher’s Meal at 8pm on Monday, 27th May. Curry awaits those who are victorious. 

Moving onto the route, riders need to visit all ten checkpoints via a free route - ie. CPs can be visited in any order. Clockwise, anticlockwise, or figure of eight, it's up to the rider to plan and execute their unique APN adventure. In true APN style, riders will be sure to converge at checkpoints before heading off again in their own direction. No two routes will be the same, so route planning in itself offers a certain advantage to those who have meticulously fine combed their route choice. 

![Screenshot 2024-05-21 at 19.36.20](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4nbt8EeGU8veotXv53XH87/f81df31293b4e4d5d8b672baaf06fad9/Screenshot_2024-05-21_at_19.36.20.png)

Departing from and finishing in the city of Sheffield, here are the checkpoints in no particular order - we wouldn't want to assist in any route planning suggestions!

### Dales Bike Centre / 54.384801,-1.930336

The only manned checkpoint, this centrally located checkpoint offers some respite from the monotony of riding, with friendly faces and good food on offer. 

### Danby Beacon / 54.47351,-0.86565

A historical landmark in East Yorkshire, RAF Danby Beacon was an early warning radar Royal Air Force station that formed part of the Chain Home network of radar stations built by the Royal Air Force immediately prior to the Second World War.

### Buttermere / 54.52777, -3.251389

Buttermere, a dramatic valley, encompassing the lakes of Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater. Sitting adjacent is the quaint village and civil parish of Buttermere in the county of Cumbria, England.

### Cross O'Greet / 54.026111, -2.455556

The Cross O'Greet takes riders over Feltham moor from Slaidburn towards High Bentham. To mark the top of the moor, there is a stone with a hollow in the middle.

### Druridge Bay / 55.306838, -1.559013

A 7-mile long bay on the North Sea in Northumberland, England, stretching from Amble in the north to Cresswell in the south.

### Great Dun Fell / 54.684140, -2.450894

The only CP to make a repeat appearance, GDF is the second-highest mountain in the Pennines, standing at a height of 848m and the service road up to the radar station ‘golf ball’ is a 7.5km climb that every cyclist should attempt at least once. Or, for APN veterans, multiple times!

![Screenshot 2024-05-21 at 21.43.18](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6JqzG6UC1BrMAYzrBpEwID/d4e5c5505d75e5ef8d2a8895f4bff545/Screenshot_2024-05-21_at_21.43.18.png)

### Emley Moor / 53.613858, -1.664249

Topped by the transmitting station, a telecommunications and broadcasting facility 1 mile west of the village centre of Emley, in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Seen from miles around the 1,047 ft concrete tower began to transmit in 1971.

### Rookhope Arch / 54.781973, -2.119410

A historic landmark in county Durham, one of the remaining arches carrying a two mile horizontal chimney as part of a flue system.

![Screenshot 2024-05-21 at 21.34.09](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1C1F5lF3xFr8ushssxSpZe/1af362466411d9afcd2984246b0b6701/Screenshot_2024-05-21_at_21.34.09.png)

### Scar House / 54.185556, -1.898889

North of Pateley Bridge, deep in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is Scar House Reservoir sitting below Little Whernside. The natural beauty is paralleled in the masonry which is not only vast at over one million tonnes of stone, but intricately designed.

### Union Chain Bridge / 55.752892, -2.105844

A suspension bridge that spans the River Tweed at Horncliffe, Northumberland. There's always a far flung CP which lies right on the English border, and this is the one this time! Some riders may even pay a visit to Scotland on their way here. 

### Finish - Heeley Institute, Sheffield / 53.360661, -1.468650

The Finisher’s Meal is at 8pm on Monday, 27th May. Curry awaits those who are victorious. 

Nicky Shaw

All Points North - APN 2024 Tracking + Commentary: Northern England's free route race offers a dotwatcher's delight as riders meander between the 10 checkpoints on the rugged and exposed countryside of The North. 

All Points North - APN 2024 Tracking

Northern England's free route race offers a dotwatcher's delight as riders on the Rookie and 72 Hour categories meander between the 10 checkpoints on the rugged and exposed countryside of The North. This year's edition includes some out-and-back checkpoints and some unavoidable tough climbs.

All Points North 2024

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