| 1. This is an excellent, moderate, road route, on a mix of A and B roads and country lanes, that rises and falls across the scenic Yorkshire Dales.
Park in free car park behind Dalesman's Cafe in Gargrave. Cross A65 and go over bridge opposite cafe and turn right 100 metres further. Follow quiet road through Bank Newton and Little Stainton and turn right at grid ref 854528. Turn right onto the A682 and follow this until the turn-off left onto Flat Lane, just short of Long Preston. Turn left onto the B6478 towards Wigglesworth. Turn right at Wigglesworth, onto Jack Lane, and continue through Rathmell to the A65. Turn left onto the A65, and almost immediately turn off right onto Raines Road, towards Settle. At Settle, turn left onto the B6479, and follow this to the turn off for Stainforth. Turn off right into Main Road, Stainforth, then right onto Goat Lane, heading up to Penyghent. This is the main climb of the day, and it comes in two stages. It is initially steep (14%), then it's flat and finally it kick to 10% at the end. The result of this hard work is a lovely down hill run to Halton Gill. Turn right along Littondale (25mph all the way!) to Arncliffe. Take left fork just where road bends sharp right into Arncliffe. Continue on left side of river through Hawkswick to the B6160. Turn left onto the B6160 and follow this to Kettlewell. Turn left into Kettlewell for a break (Cafe stop at 21 miles into ride).
Turn right out of Kettlewell and take small road on east bank or river Wharfe to Grassington. Turn right at T junction, onto B6265, go down hill and turn left, off the B6265, immediately after the bridge over the river. Head for Linton, turning right at the T junction and joining the B6265 at the crossroads. Go through Linton to T Junction and turn left towards Cracoe. After Cracoe take dodgy right turn, off the B6265 towards Hetton. Continue all the way back to Gargrave. Have a cake in Dalesman Cafe to celebrate lovely ride! |