With some 37 completions in as many attempts, Darrell is the most experienced previous finisher in this year’s 3 Peaks, and by some way.
I chatted to Darrell about his history in the race and memories along the way – and enjoyed every moment.
Thanks Darrell, and thank you for watching. Stay tuned for more on the channel!
When it comes to the brutal, iconic Three Peaks Cyclocross, few names command as much respect as Darrell Bradbury. A long-standing stalwart of Sheffield’s Norton Wheelers, Darrell has conquered the fells an incredible 37 times since his debut in 1983, and he is currently gearing up for number 38! Between Darrell and his brother Robin, the Bradbury family boasts a staggering 66 completions—making them true fixtures of race history. We caught up with Darrell for a proper chat about his journey from a top-50 contender in the 1980s to his warm “just get round” ethos today, taking a trip down memory lane covering course changes, equipment mishaps, and wild weather events.
Four Decades on the Fells: Milestones & Memories
Darrell’s relationship with the race started back in 1983. Interestingly, he had hoped to enter in 1982, but a sudden rule change raised the minimum age to 18. By the time he turned 18, the minimum age was dropped back to 16, meaning he missed out on a year! Since then, he has amassed 37 completions, with his finest performance being a brilliant 12th-place finish during his 1980s peak, clocking a lightning time of roughly 3 hours and 45 minutes.
Even as the years have rolled on, Darrell’s endurance remains formidable, recently completing the grueling course in around four and a half hours. The race has always held a deeply personal place in his heart, too—it consistently falls right around his birthday on 25th September, and he even celebrated his 21st birthday by slogging through the race on the day itself!
How the Course Has Changed: 1983 vs Today
Back when Darrell first lined up in 1983, the field was intimate—just 80 riders compared to today’s massive turnout. The race started at the Helwith Bridge playing field, but riders turned right onto the road to tackle Whernside first, followed by Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent—the exact reverse of today’s route! The terrain back then was wild, primitive, and completely unmanicured: vast swathes of open peat bog riddled with hidden drainage ditches, with none of the modern flagstones or stone-pitched paths.
Descending back then was a heart-in-mouth affair. On Pen-y-ghent, riders rattled down alongside wooden lath fencing held together by wire, frequently getting launched over the handlebars whenever a wheel caught a concealed ditch. Over on Whernside’s Blee Moor, organizers laid strips of roofing felt and lap boarding over the peat—remnants of which can still be spotted buried near the railway tunnel gate today!
The Golden Era of Norton Wheelers
In the 1980s, Sheffield’s Norton Wheelers were a powerhouse in British cyclocross, using the Three Peaks as their grand season-opener. Darrell trained alongside CX legends like David Baker, Mick Stenton, Russ Beresford, Mick Ferris, Mick Rosen, and the late Mark Hughes. It was a golden generation, and while David Baker never took on the Three Peaks himself (though his brother Gary may have!), the club’s camaraderie and focused preparation built a legendary spirit that endures to this day.
Tales from the Trail: Wild Weather & Sibling Rivalry
Over nearly 40 years, Darrell has braved every weather condition imaginable—from early 1980s races where snow settled on Ingleborough’s summit to the ferocious storms of 2014. That notorious wet year brought south-westerly gales so intense at Pen-y-ghent’s peak that riders carrying bikes on their shoulders couldn’t lift them off without turning around into the wind first!
Then there’s the friendly sibling rivalry with his brother Robin. The brothers usually climb together, but Robin’s fearless descending always sees him fly past Darrell on the way down Pen-y-ghent. Towards the finish, Darrell almost inevitably faces severe leg cramps on the final road section back to Helwith Bridge—pedalling one-legged at times. Mind you, mechanical drama strikes everyone eventually; Dave fondly recalled the 2024 race when his freewheel failed, leaving him no choice but to scoot his bike all the way from Horton back to the finish line!
Gears, Rubber, and Tech Talk
Equipment choices at the Three Peaks are a delicate balancing act. Darrell’s golden rule has always been high tyre pressure to survive the brutal drainage ditches and avoid pinch punctures—a strategy that has paid off remarkably with only one puncture in 37 races! Having started on tubulars before shifting to inner tubes, Darrell is considering tubeless for his 38th run, though high pressure in tubeless tyres brings its own risk of sudden air loss on harsh impacts.
When it comes to gearing, Darrell sticks with a double chainring setup to ensure he has a low gear for the steep climbs and a big ring for fast road sections—especially the rapid run from Ingleborough to Whernside where staying with a group is vital. He looks back with amusement at his first cross bike with its single 44T ring and 5-speed cassette, noting how modern bikes have come full circle. As for clothing? Arm warmers remain his top tip for flexible layering on cold September mornings.
Support Crew, Logistics & Race Rules
Behind every great racer is a dedicated supporter. Darrell’s partner, Lynn, follows the race on a bicycle, waiting at the bottom of the first climb with a drastic backup plan: if Darrell suffers a catastrophic mechanical failure, he’ll swap to her bike and carry on, leaving her to find her own way back! Meanwhile, logistics like parking at Helwith Bridge have grown increasingly tricky, explaining why rider entries are capped.
Both Darrell and Dave welcomed rules requiring riders to use a single cyclocross bike throughout the event. In the 1980s, riders tried swapping between dedicated road and cross bikes at hill bases, leading to utter chaos when bikes didn’t arrive. By the mid-2000s, riders optimized within the single-bike rule using near-bald cross tyres for road speed—a tactic Dave admits was fast, even if it pushed the spirit of the race!
Riding for the Joy of It
These days, Darrell isn’t chasing positions or finish times; he races for the sheer joy of completion and the friendly rivalries built over decades. One of his favorite moments came at the finish line a few years ago, when he was warmly greeted by Richard Firth—a former student Darrell had taught and introduced to cycling in Dewsbury years earlier, now finishing the race alongside him as a veteran!
Darrell admits he’s a bit more cautious on the descents now, which is where Robin gets the upper hand. Reflecting on descending advice, Dave shared a funny memory of training with Lewis Craven, who once joked that Dave wasn’t falling off enough—proof that he wasn’t pushing hard enough! It’s a humorous sentiment both riders appreciate with a smile.
Looking Ahead to Number 38
As edition 38 approaches, Darrell is weighing up his final setup choices—weighing the benefits of tubeless tyres against the risk of high-pressure deflation. Dave is planning his own kit strategy, considering starting in a gilet to hand off at Cold Cotes if temperatures drop. But whatever the weather or equipment, one thing is certain: Darrell Bradbury’s passion for the Three Peaks remains as strong as ever.
