The rest of the day was spent on the roads crossing the Vale of York. It was still raining but a tail wind
ensured the ride was enjoyable. We were outside, riding our bikes with no need to get home or go to
work. The countryside flowed pleasantly past for mile after mile.
The world eventually crept back in. The route guide marked the A684 as a dangerous part of the journey,
and it wasn’t wrong. As cyclists we had the dubious honour of being allowed through a police roadblock to
find they were clearing up a head-on collision. Not nice.
A brief stop at the local shop in Osmotherly gave us chance to stock up. The bananas were ignored in
favour of a handful of pasties and pies. I was past the usual riding food, giving my body what it craved. It
was a great idea except for the paper bags. The rain was heavy and, although it was close, a cheese and
onion pasty had disintegrated by the time we reached the Youth Hostel. No worries, we were hungry, it
didn’t go to waste (6hrs40min, 52miles, 4362ft).
ensured the ride was enjoyable. We were outside, riding our bikes with no need to get home or go to
work. The countryside flowed pleasantly past for mile after mile.
The world eventually crept back in. The route guide marked the A684 as a dangerous part of the journey,
and it wasn’t wrong. As cyclists we had the dubious honour of being allowed through a police roadblock to
find they were clearing up a head-on collision. Not nice.
A brief stop at the local shop in Osmotherly gave us chance to stock up. The bananas were ignored in
favour of a handful of pasties and pies. I was past the usual riding food, giving my body what it craved. It
was a great idea except for the paper bags. The rain was heavy and, although it was close, a cheese and
onion pasty had disintegrated by the time we reached the Youth Hostel. No worries, we were hungry, it
didn’t go to waste (6hrs40min, 52miles, 4362ft).
Tanhill – Osmotherly (05-10-06)
We woke to bleak moors weather.
Raining, with grey clouds skimming the
hilltops. After taking time over sewing
my shorts we eventually headed off
into the murk. The descent was soft
and boggy and had us using granny
ring. Groping our way down through a
fog of tiredness we wondered why on
earth we were doing this? I felt only
just capable of riding, relying on my
bodies’ reflexes to keep me upright.
At each stop it was good to see the
other hurting, finding some comfort in
shared suffering.
The long climb up Gunnerside Gill
gave us time to wake up. A quick once
over and we realised most parts ached
We woke to bleak moors weather.
Raining, with grey clouds skimming the
hilltops. After taking time over sewing
my shorts we eventually headed off
into the murk. The descent was soft
and boggy and had us using granny
ring. Groping our way down through a
fog of tiredness we wondered why on
earth we were doing this? I felt only
just capable of riding, relying on my
bodies’ reflexes to keep me upright.
At each stop it was good to see the
other hurting, finding some comfort in
shared suffering.
The long climb up Gunnerside Gill
gave us time to wake up. A quick once
over and we realised most parts ached
or hurt in someway and it was getting quite painful to sit on our saddles. Even so, we felt confident of
keeping a steady pace. We swapped greetings with a couple of walkers on the way up. Respect came from
both sides for being out in the rain, experiencing the hills, no issue of boots or bikes.
keeping a steady pace. We swapped greetings with a couple of walkers on the way up. Respect came from
both sides for being out in the rain, experiencing the hills, no issue of boots or bikes.
A fast descent through the old quarry
works soon had us in Reeth on the hunt
for food. The owner of the Overton Café
didn’t bat an eyelid at two drenched,
muddy mountain bikers. She invited us
inside, not worried about the mess. Taking
a look at the leather stools and hardwood
floor we couldn’t do it to her. While eating
our food outside we enjoyed a break in the
rain, even two minutes of sun. It was
probably the right decision, sat warm
inside it would have been a lot harder to
get going again.
| Me enjoying not pedalling for the first time on the descent from the Tanhill |
Mark riding from Swinner Gill
| Riding all I could at the top of Gunnerside Gill |
| Enjoying tea and soup outside in the rain. Overton House Cafe, Reeth. |
