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The Yorkshire Dales Group Home Page
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Past Ride Reports for 2010
Wednesday 14 April: A Ride from Carleton over Embsay Moor
A group of 18 cyclists set out from Carleton on the inaugural ride of the new Yorkshire Dales Group. Numbers were increased to 20 after lunch! We headed for Skipton and the canal towpath to Gargrave, collecting Peter from the station en route.
It was a lovely sunny morning only blighted by the stiff northerly wind which even produced waves on the canal! I spotted a couple of swallows and heard several curlews. A cup of tea at the cafe in Gargrave then it was up the road to Eshton and along the back road past the impressive Friar's Head Hall. Through Winterburn and onto the lovely green bridleway along Cross Lane and down Moor Lane to Hetton.
Time was getting on so we took the road to Cracoe, the Farm Shop Cafe and a good lunch.
It's not a particularly good idea to climb hills straight after lunch but that's how it worked out. Back through Cracoe, this time through the village which is much nicer when you leave the main road. Along Chapel Lane to Rylstone church, then up the bridleway that climbs steeply past the trees onto Embsay Moor. Some of this is rocky and loose, then peaty with assorted rocks to catch you out! Views of Great Whernside, still with some snow, Buckden Pike and from the top Ingleborough and Pendle Hill helped us on our way. Eventually it becomes an easier track, going downhill helps too! We gather again by the cattle grid, then down the track to Halton East, another Moor Lane. Last time we rode down here it was a nice grassy descent, since then it's become more rutted. Then back along the road to Embsay, Skipton and home.
An enjoyable ride, we were fortunate with the fine weather and dry conditions on the ground. Thank you everyone for your company and hope to see you all soon!
Jane Gill
Click here to see the photos of the ride.
It was a lovely sunny summer morning so it was a shame that various cyclists had already said they were unable to join us. As we hadn't heard from anyone else we weren't unduly surprised that no other Rough Stuff Cyclists turned up. Neville had work to do but I enjoyed my ride home on quiet roads, bridleways and the canal tow path. The countryside looked lovely in the sunshine and there were ducklings and cygnets (but no waves!) on the canal.
Hopefully see you all soon!
Jane Gill
Monday 9th August A Ride from Burnsall,
A select group set off from Burnsall under grey skies. After a stop for refreshment at The Old School Tearoom in Hebden we set off up the bridleway to Yarnbury.
We had found a route that Brian hadn't been on before! It is an interesting valley with old lead mine workings near the top. English Heritage has recently given money to help preserve these. Unfortunately the forecast rain started on the way up and we had a wet descent to Grassington on the road. After a cafe lunch it was still raining and the cloud was down at around 300m on our proposed route so we decided to stay on the road through Linton to Cracoe and back over the minor road via Thorpe back to Burnsall. This was a good decision as the rain stopped where we were but we could see it raining higher up!
Maybe it will be drier next time?
Jane Gill
Five riders assembled at Golden Acre Park in Leeds for a very wet ride along the Wharfe Valley. Our initial objective was the Leeds Country Way, reached via the tracks past Eccup Reservoir, the production set for Emmerdale, and the grounds of Harewood House, location for aristocratic soap operas. Arriving at the domesday book village of East Keswick we paused to study the information board. A steep track took us down to the bridge across the Wharfe near the Wood Hall hotel, the writer being a victim of the treacherous bridge surface. And of Neville’s nifty camera work. After discounting the hotel (five star, includes spa) as a venue for the Easter meet, we were onto the Thorpe Arch / Spofforth Sustrans trail, taking us past Wetherby Racecourse (going officially heavy) to our cafe stop at the Trading Estate.
After a filling lunch we retraced north on the trail towards Spofforth but turned
off onto the bridleway through the Stockeld Hall estate. We got past a locked gate
(the farmer told us it should not have been locked) and onto a pleasant track through
to Sicklinghall. From there it was on road to Netherby, where we picked up the bridleway
along the north bank of the river. Crossing back over the river at Dunkeswick, we
re-
Almost all rideable, mostly off road, shame about the rotten weather.
Reid Anderson
Click here to see photos of the ride.
27th October: A ride to Cracoe from Grassington
Eight riders from as far away as Formby on Merseyside turned up at the meeting place
of Skirethorns Lane, Threshfield, on bright day but with a strong, cold northerly
wind. Our first stop was at the toilets in Grassington car park where we were joined
by Brian and four of his 'five-
From Grassington we went along the minor road alongside the east bank of the Wharfe to Conistone and then across the river to have a quick break at the Kilnsey trout farm. Leaving the trout farm we started up Mastiles Lane before forking left on a bridle track leading to Boss Moor.
Here the effects of the strong wind, the greasy limestone and sticky mud began to kick in with those on touring bikes really having a bit of a struggle. Because of this, when we reached tarmac again where the track crosses the upper end of Skyreholme Lane, we decided to turn right along it to the farm at Bordley. From here, a lovely firm based track took us south to Lainger House and more tarmac. After a short cheeky climb, there follows a lovely fast descent on the tarmac lane to Hetton.
Turning left on the road to Cracoe, our scheduled lunch stop, a few were disconcerted to find we weren't going straight there. Instead we followed the wrongly named Mucky Lane to Rylstone (of Calendar Girls fame) and then to Cracoe by a track that runs parallel to the main road.
From Cracoe, we followed Swinden Lane (more slippy mud) before encountering an interesting stream crossing. Here John decided he might have more chance of walking on water if he took his shoes and socks off. Once across the stream it was a fast descent down Moor Lane, a beautifully made up track, across the main Wharfedale road and into the delightful village of Linton. From here, it was a short ride on tarmac back to the start.
Although the total distance was only about 18 miles, the conditions made it a fairly testing day.
Neville Cohen
Click here to see photos of the ride.