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Arriving in Keld on Friday night it had been an interesting drive down – from boring motorways which gave me an opportunity to dig up some dirt from Malcy’s friend Steve, and then the final bit which became a bit more interesting when Malcy managed to get his map upside down in Kirkby Stephen followed by some fairly serious single track roads… But we were there. The boys were all going out on a crazy 80 mile cycle the next day – I wouldn’t be able to join them thanks to my never-ending injury but I had a plan….
Saturday 11th May 2019 - Pen Y Ghent10.38km
492m ascent
2 hours 30 mins
The boys headed off on their bikes and I jumped in the car and decided that it was a smart idea to drive Malcy’s car for the first time on mental single-track roads in the Yorkshire Dales
It was a lovely drive (very exciting to see Wensleydale!) and I arrived at Horton in Ribblesdale and spent about 20 minutes trying to park – it turned out it was charity three peaks weekend
Finally parked up, I was off – it was really warm and I was directed a different route as I wasn’t part of the charity weekend. It was fine – definitely quieter this way!
Looking back down – big yellow helicopter there just in case
Looking to Ingleborough – a possible target for later!
Meeting the locals
Ahead to Pen Y Ghent
It was busy, but in between the groups I was able to get some space to myself
I was trying to walk slowly to avoid aggravating my injury but it was so difficult and as soon as I started thinking about something else I’d speed up again
I was surprisingly impressed by this hill – I hadn’t realised how striking it would be
Impressive
A bit less impossible looking now!
There were some hilarious moments when people who were woefully unprepared were standing at the bottom of a few rocky steps and refusing to go up….I suggested a route and went up, leaving them to their arguments
Even more amusing were the two guys who thought they were at the top and were raging when there was still another 200m to go
Looking back
Once up the rocky steps it was an easier path
It was an easy stroll to the top where the sun chose to disappear and was replaced by a cold wind and hunners of people
Pen Y Ghent trig point
Looking down the glen towards Settle
Pen Y Ghent summit
It was seriously busy so decided to head off – thought I’d make it circular by dropping off the side and following the Pennine Way
The long and winding road towards Ingleborough
Looking back up the Pen Y Ghent – impressive cliffs at the side
It was a steep initially and the people heading up were puffing and blowing….I cheerfully told them that it was less steep than the other side; not sure they were very impressed
Now out of the wind the sun was back out and it was getting seriously warm
I turned off down the track towards Horton in Ribblesdale when I was overtaken by a couple of cyclists – “that’s cheating!” I said!
Looking back
Back at the car in Horton in Ribblesdale I got in touch with the boys and it seemed we were on course for lunch!
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In-betweeny cycles25.32km
266m ascent
1 hour 25 mins
Deciding that having paid £3 to park I was going to take full advantage of it, I left the car and cycled down to the Helwith Bridge Inn. The rain arrived 5 minutes before 10 very hungry cyclists.
When in Yorkshire….
After lunch I decided that I’d cycle back up the road with them, and then my plan grew wings and I thought I’d cycle all the way to Ribblehead and pop up Whernside from there! I’d thought the cycle was largely flat but there were an alarming number of hills
The boys continued on their cycle and I locked up the bike and headed off
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Whernside10.10km
440m ascent
2 hours
The impressive Ribblehead Viaduct
Looking back towards Ingleborough – a hill for another time
The viaduct looked great from this angle too
Past Gunnerfleet Farm I could see ahead to Whernside with some lovely evening light on it
Ahead to Whernside
Not a main path, but there was a helpful wee stone step over the wall and I was onto the path which gained me height quickly with great views back to the viaduct
Ribblehead and Ingleborough
Choo choo here comes the train!
Most of the path was good but there were some awkward and boggy sections which my trainers weren’t hugely impressed by…
The final climb was ridiculously steep and I was very pleased to be finally on the summit ridge
I could see over to some impressive looking hills which turned out to be the Howgills – looked worth exploring another time!
Morecombe Bay (I think)
Lake District
Being my usual idiotic self….
Despite being quite late there were still a lot of folk around
But I remembered I still had to cycle all the way back to Horton in Ribblesdale so headed back down, pretty much directly over the edge and straight-lined it back to the path up; didn’t seem worth diverting
Approaching the viaduct again
Passing the bunkhouse near the farm I was able to boot back a wayward football towards a group of lads playing on a field. Without falling over
Back at the viaduct I realised how big it was
Looking back…
It was an easy cycle back down the road – seemed it was downhill on average and I was back at the car in no time. It was a gorgeous drive back and arrived in time to get a shower and make dinner for the guys (that’s one way to make friends anyway
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Sunday 12th May 2019 - Kirby Stephen loop
52km
516m ascent
2 hours 50 mins
The next morning we all drove over to Kirkby Stephen and I reckoned I’d be able to join in on their “easy” route for the day. It was a stunning day and taking it slowly I managed to get around
Lake District in the background
Great Dun Fell with the dome on top – some of the guys cycled up there.
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We didn’t, which is why we look so happy
We gathered for lunch – it was Sunday so a perfect excuse for a roast!
And a group shot….
It was an easy cycle back to Kirby Stephen and time for a hot beverage before heading off our separate ways….we were very happy to be back in Scotland, but I’d be very pleasantly surprised by Yorkshire and definitely plan to return
