Rideout to Hartside via Kirkstone

I led a rideout today up to Hartside Cafe via Kirkstone Pass, taking the following route: Bowness, Kirkstone Pass, Hartside Pass, Alston, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Buttertubs Pass, Hawes, Settle, Sawley, Clitheroe.


We did 253 miles in total, I set out at 8:30am and got back at about 4:30pm. The roads were mostly dry and we had nice weather all day. On tree lined parts we had standing water and leaves and we also went through a couple of flooded roads, but the bike never so much as twitched.

Had a really good blast and managed to keep up a decent progressive pace all day. No incidents to report although I did lose the back on some leaves setting off from a T junction, but it wasn't a major issue, although Helen said it didn't look good.


Helen intended to come out with us all day as I planned the ride for her to get her used to heights for the Pyrenees next year. But she suffered with a sore stomach all night and only managed to meet us at Hawes for the last part of the ride.

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Chilly Ride to Ribblehead Viaduct

Myself and Helen went out this afternoon for a rideout in the cold. Travelled up through Clitheroe and Sawley to Settle. Stopped in Settle at the Singin Kettle for lunch and came across Toto and Gazzapilk off NUKB.


After lunch we set out in the rain for the blue sky, got to Ribblehead Viaduct and turned left as the rain looked very thick over Hawes. Turned left at Ingleton and then headed over the tops past Stocks reservoir. Stopped in Slaidburn to use the toilets then headed home over Sabden to wash the bikes just before it went dark.

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