The last climb was nothing like the
previous ordeal and it led to the
final descent. The descent was
fun but only some of us had the
energy to enjoy it fully. That said,
it was a great end to the ride. We
rolled back into the YHA 7hrs after
leaving and sat outside with
coffee and food to reflect on a
great day. The coffee soon
became beer, then it was off to
Grinton and a great night of food,
drink at the Bridge Inn.
previous ordeal and it led to the
final descent. The descent was
fun but only some of us had the
energy to enjoy it fully. That said,
it was a great end to the ride. We
rolled back into the YHA 7hrs after
leaving and sat outside with
coffee and food to reflect on a
great day. The coffee soon
became beer, then it was off to
Grinton and a great night of food,
drink at the Bridge Inn.
| |||||||||
Paul, Sabine and myself arrived at Grinton Lodge YHA to find Shane’s car already
parked up. Shane, and Ken who’d blagged a lift, were nowhere to be seen. With
time getting on we decided to unpack before hunting them down. Luckily it wasn't
long till they returned from the pub and the extra hands soon had the cars emptied.
With an hour or so until closing time it didn’t take much persuading for them to head
back down with us for another round.
parked up. Shane, and Ken who’d blagged a lift, were nowhere to be seen. With
time getting on we decided to unpack before hunting them down. Luckily it wasn't
long till they returned from the pub and the extra hands soon had the cars emptied.
With an hour or so until closing time it didn’t take much persuading for them to head
back down with us for another round.
| Grinton Lodge YHA |
The next morning’s Full English turned out to be only
scrambled eggs and bacon. As it was self-service the
lack of variety was balanced by the quantity. Ken got his
money’s worth in coffee alone.
We set off under blue skies across the mist covered
flanks of Swaledale to begin the ride with some fantastic
singletrack. It was a great warm up and coincided with
the mist starting to lift. A mixture of trail and road got us
| Setting off from the Hostel |
| Riding across mist covered moors |
to Gunnerside and with the sun now fully exposed it
was time to shed some layers for the long climb up
Gunnerside Gill.
was time to shed some layers for the long climb up
Gunnerside Gill.
| Shane tackling a stream crossing |
Sabine on grassy
singletrack (above)
before testing skills on
the rocks, Paul (left)
singletrack (above)
before testing skills on
the rocks, Paul (left)
| On the road to Gunnerside |
| Swaledale doubletrack |
The cool breeze disappeared as we kept pace with the
tailwind and we started to sweat. But there was no
need to rush, so we took it easy and enjoyed the views.
The climb ended with a descent into the valley. It was a
welcome break from the heat and great fun for all except
tailwind and we started to sweat. But there was no
need to rush, so we took it easy and enjoyed the views.
The climb ended with a descent into the valley. It was a
welcome break from the heat and great fun for all except
the grouse that flew into my spokes. It lived but must have been half
naked given the amount of feathers on the trail.
Only the second of the two stream crossings at the bottom of the
decent had a bridge. The first one was rideable but wasn’t easy. I’d
practiced it before so dropped straight in and cleaned it, making it look
easier than it was. Paul also had previous experience but was
hampered by a borrowed bike and took a few attempts to cross. It was
Ken and Shanes first time however. They tried valiantly but it ended
with Shane bent double, sucking air, after squashing his man bits.
naked given the amount of feathers on the trail.
Only the second of the two stream crossings at the bottom of the
decent had a bridge. The first one was rideable but wasn’t easy. I’d
practiced it before so dropped straight in and cleaned it, making it look
easier than it was. Paul also had previous experience but was
hampered by a borrowed bike and took a few attempts to cross. It was
Ken and Shanes first time however. They tried valiantly but it ended
with Shane bent double, sucking air, after squashing his man bits.
| Starting the Gunnerside Gill climb |
missed the best. I was putting the camera away when
Ken went over the bars. Thankfully there weren’t any
injuries. We continued climbing and descending along
the valley, eventually being spat out on a fast grassy
track. Still high above Swaledale there were beautiful
views in every direction. This beauty may have been lost
on Sabine who was grumbling. Each stop had her starting
Ken went over the bars. Thankfully there weren’t any
injuries. We continued climbing and descending along
the valley, eventually being spat out on a fast grassy
track. Still high above Swaledale there were beautiful
views in every direction. This beauty may have been lost
on Sabine who was grumbling. Each stop had her starting
| Paul at the top of the climb |
| Ken on the descent to the old mine |
| Sabine riding the rocks after the mine |
Ken (above) attempts the
stream crossing.
Shane (left) recovering
stream crossing.
Shane (left) recovering
A track strewn with boulders took us down
the other side of the valley. It was a great
place for some photos but, as usual, I
the other side of the valley. It was a great
place for some photos but, as usual, I
again on cold legs. That had happened quite a few times with our playing and practicing. As well as
agreeing to keep to her pace I was confident the following descent would get her smiling again.
It definitely did the trick. Speed, slippery grass and loose rocks were a great combination as we dropped
back into Gunnerside. No one fell off but there were a few sketchy moments, especially for Sabine and
Ken who were pushing each other on. With everyone buzzing it was time to hit the Ghyllfoot Tearoom for a
lunch of coffee, tea and cake.
agreeing to keep to her pace I was confident the following descent would get her smiling again.
It definitely did the trick. Speed, slippery grass and loose rocks were a great combination as we dropped
back into Gunnerside. No one fell off but there were a few sketchy moments, especially for Sabine and
Ken who were pushing each other on. With everyone buzzing it was time to hit the Ghyllfoot Tearoom for a
lunch of coffee, tea and cake.
Paul and Shane
(above), Sabine and
Ken (left) on the climb
out of Gunnerside Gill
(above), Sabine and
Ken (left) on the climb
out of Gunnerside Gill
Sabine, Paul (above)
and Shane (right) on
the fast Winterings
Edge descent
and Shane (right) on
the fast Winterings
Edge descent
| A well earned cake stop |
| Shane and Ken near Barf End |
| Ken finds the trail again, Barf End |
| Paul on the lumpy limestone trail above Swaledale |
| Shane on the fantastic descent into Gunnerside |
3/4hr later it was decided to start the second half of the ride. The lanes to Crackpot allowed for a warm up
before the evil climb from Summer Lodge. The first third was gravely and very steep, forcing us all to push
at some point. We slowed where the trail flattened in the middle to regain some strength. Sabine tried
thumbing a lift from a passing 4WD for the final steep section but for once her female charms failed her.
The only help she got was an energy gel off Paul.
before the evil climb from Summer Lodge. The first third was gravely and very steep, forcing us all to push
at some point. We slowed where the trail flattened in the middle to regain some strength. Sabine tried
thumbing a lift from a passing 4WD for the final steep section but for once her female charms failed her.
The only help she got was an energy gel off Paul.
| Shane on the steep climb from Summer Lodge |
| Paul and Sabine on the long rocky climb up Whitaside Moor |
| The bleak mine workings at the top of the Whitaside Moor climb |
On the fast road blast from the top Shane got some adrenaline pumping with a recorded 45mph. It would
have helped on the next climb but had drained away by the time Paul and Ken reached us after a rear mech
glitch. On the loose and rocky climb tiredness really started to show so at just over halfway we waited for
Paul and Sabine to catch up. Whereas Paul rode by Sabine dropped her bike and collapsed face down on
the grass. After lying motionless for a while she remounted her bike without a word, steely determination
on her face.
I took her wheel as she climbed, offering no words of encouragement, just moral support. There’s nothing
worse when you’re suffering than a rider with spare breath to talk. We stopped again for a breather. Paul
wasn’t too far ahead, also stationary, with his head on his bars. Riding again we passed him. I was
impressed, the lines were good, all the tricky sections were cleaned and, although we did stop a few more
times, Sabine never walked. We reached the top still in the lead.
have helped on the next climb but had drained away by the time Paul and Ken reached us after a rear mech
glitch. On the loose and rocky climb tiredness really started to show so at just over halfway we waited for
Paul and Sabine to catch up. Whereas Paul rode by Sabine dropped her bike and collapsed face down on
the grass. After lying motionless for a while she remounted her bike without a word, steely determination
on her face.
I took her wheel as she climbed, offering no words of encouragement, just moral support. There’s nothing
worse when you’re suffering than a rider with spare breath to talk. We stopped again for a breather. Paul
wasn’t too far ahead, also stationary, with his head on his bars. Riding again we passed him. I was
impressed, the lines were good, all the tricky sections were cleaned and, although we did stop a few more
times, Sabine never walked. We reached the top still in the lead.
| Shane riding past Sabines big drop |
| Paul, Ken & Shane flying down Apedale |
After a few cautionary words we kicked off for the fast descent
into Apedale. I stopped for some photos and as Paul shot past
and all I could hear was ‘arrgghh, no steering!!’. The borrowed
bike had ancient elastomer forks and the front wheel was
bouncing rather than tracking the ground. Sabine also had
fun. She held it well through first bend but went wide on the
second and headed straight for a 2m drop. We both got a
good scare as she stopped with literally an inch to spare.
| Sabine on the last climb to the top of Greets Hill |
| Ken, Sabine and Paul starting the last descent |
| Ken, Grinton Gill ford |
Unwinding at the YHA
| A great night at the Bridge Inn |
