how steep that final stretch of
tarmac was. Sabines request for
a lift up in our car was met with a
flippant, ‘oh you’ll be alright just
save a bit of energy and take it
slow’. The request was repeated
with a serious look and a voice
that left me in no doubt she
wasn’t kidding, ‘I don’t think you
understand, I need you to get the
car’.
tarmac was. Sabines request for
a lift up in our car was met with a
flippant, ‘oh you’ll be alright just
save a bit of energy and take it
slow’. The request was repeated
with a serious look and a voice
that left me in no doubt she
wasn’t kidding, ‘I don’t think you
understand, I need you to get the
car’.
| |||||||||
| Shane and Paul in Reeth |
Rain had been forecast for the Sunday but
we were blessed with another morning of
sun and mist. Breakfast was a more
subdued affair after the previous days
ride. I couldn’t compete with Ken’s coffee
intake but did have one extra cup to help
start the day.
Flying down from the Hostel we headed on
the road towards Reeth for a warm up
before the first steep climb. On arriving in
the village it was already time to strip down
we were blessed with another morning of
sun and mist. Breakfast was a more
subdued affair after the previous days
ride. I couldn’t compete with Ken’s coffee
intake but did have one extra cup to help
start the day.
Flying down from the Hostel we headed on
the road towards Reeth for a warm up
before the first steep climb. On arriving in
the village it was already time to strip down
to short sleeves. We were in good company though as the square was full of
lycra clad bodies and bikes being assembled ready for a day in the hills.
When we arrived in Healaugh and it was time to get serious. A right turn
pointed us out of the valley up a very steep lane. Pride kept everyone riding
until I'd taken a photo but Sabine and Ken were walking soon after. To be fair
there was a long way to go on legs that hadn’t fully recovered.
lycra clad bodies and bikes being assembled ready for a day in the hills.
When we arrived in Healaugh and it was time to get serious. A right turn
pointed us out of the valley up a very steep lane. Pride kept everyone riding
until I'd taken a photo but Sabine and Ken were walking soon after. To be fair
there was a long way to go on legs that hadn’t fully recovered.
| The evil climb from Healaugh |
The steepness reduced but there was still a
long climb to complete. Sabine was back in
the saddle, although Ken was still walking
the more difficult sections. His plan to
conserve energy would prove its worth
later in the day.
A short rocky descent in the middle of the
climb gave everyone a boost before the
final grind to the top. On the climb Sabine
was at the back worried about a creaking
crank. It had fallen off recently when Paul
| Sabine, Paul and Ken on the climb of much less evilness |
| Shane on singletrack but still climbing |
had borrowed her bike but we couldn’t pin point
anything, probably just a dry weather creak.
anything, probably just a dry weather creak.
Eventually we made the top, ready for a
proper descent. The first few rocky
corners proved fun. After the previous
days experience Sabine rode gingerly
through the corners. Paul was still battling
with crap forks and no steering. Shane lost
the front end only to catch it and go into an
oversteer dismount. And Kens chain fell
off. Once we’d got that out of our systems
we enjoyed the rest of the descent,
incident free, as we dropped into
Arkengarthdale.
| Ken near the top of the long climb from Healaugh |
| Sabine, Cringley Hill descent |
(below - left to right) Sabine, Ken and Sabine (again) on the descent from Whaw Moor
The steep road climb out the other side of the valley brought home how tired some members of the group
were. Sabine had nothing in the tank but was riding and Ken was still practising tactical walking. The riding
became easier when we left the tarmac and this, along with double entandres about the shape of the route,
kept spirits up. After reaching the top at Low Moor the trail led to the long, fast descent of School Master
Pasture, which put smiles back on everyone’s faces.
were. Sabine had nothing in the tank but was riding and Ken was still practising tactical walking. The riding
became easier when we left the tarmac and this, along with double entandres about the shape of the route,
kept spirits up. After reaching the top at Low Moor the trail led to the long, fast descent of School Master
Pasture, which put smiles back on everyone’s faces.
| Shane on the steep climb out of Arkengarthdale |
| Ken leading the way through the bends to Low Moor |
| Descending through the mine works on Low Moor |
| Heading to School Master Pasture across Hurst Moor |
| Sabine enjoying some speed on the School Master Pasture descent |
| Ken in Hurst halfway up the climb to Fremington Edge |
With a bit of effort we made it up the final big climb to the top of Fremington Edge. It was worth it as we
had the best descent of the ride to look forward to. On the fast top section there were some shouts of
alarm as Sabine and Ken encountered the big ditch. They found out how well disk brakes can work and
made it, just. Dropping into the quarry the trail became quite rocky. We made it safely through the rock
steps and loose boulders before finally rattling through some toboggan style corners to finish.
had the best descent of the ride to look forward to. On the fast top section there were some shouts of
alarm as Sabine and Ken encountered the big ditch. They found out how well disk brakes can work and
made it, just. Dropping into the quarry the trail became quite rocky. We made it safely through the rock
steps and loose boulders before finally rattling through some toboggan style corners to finish.
| Me and Sabine climbing through the mine works above Hurst |
| Sabine and Ken on the fast grassy descent off Fell End Moor |
| Sabine in the quarry below Fell End Moor |
Pastures filled with Buttercups calmed
things back down for the ride below
Fremmington Edge, although a short sharp
climb soon broke the atmosphere. It did
bank some altitude for the traverse across
side of the valley, on some of the best
singletrack of the weekend. Concentration
was needed to stay on line as there were
juicy nettles to punish those who strayed,
as me and Shane found out. Also with the
traverse came a big drop on the right hand
side. I had given a warning but Ken
things back down for the ride below
Fremmington Edge, although a short sharp
climb soon broke the atmosphere. It did
bank some altitude for the traverse across
side of the valley, on some of the best
singletrack of the weekend. Concentration
was needed to stay on line as there were
juicy nettles to punish those who strayed,
as me and Shane found out. Also with the
traverse came a big drop on the right hand
side. I had given a warning but Ken
| Sabine heading out of the quarry |
| Ken and Sabine at the end of the descent near Storthwaite Hall |
obviously hadn’t listened. Fortunately he landed feet first and I quickly had him
untangled from his bike.
Undulating down the valley the trail soaked up energy, something Sabine no
longer had. Ken's walking wasn’t looking so silly now. With the YHA visible in
the distance there was only one climb between us and the finish. We all knew
untangled from his bike.
Undulating down the valley the trail soaked up energy, something Sabine no
longer had. Ken's walking wasn’t looking so silly now. With the YHA visible in
the distance there was only one climb between us and the finish. We all knew
Ken was happy to make the Hostel without pushing, his energy conservation having worked. Sabine made
it up too, very happy with the taxi service. Unfortunately this meant all that was left of the weekend was a
shower before heading home. All good things have to come to an end I’ve been told. Can’t wait till next
year.
Directions for this route can be found in my route guides.
it up too, very happy with the taxi service. Unfortunately this meant all that was left of the weekend was a
shower before heading home. All good things have to come to an end I’ve been told. Can’t wait till next
year.
Directions for this route can be found in my route guides.
| Sabine riding through the daisies |
| Shane & Ken below Fremington Edge |
| Ken and Shane trying to keep away from the nettles |
| Paul by the big drop which Ken fell down |
| Sabine summons up the energy to enjoy the last trail |
