Distance 22.9 miles.
Climbing 2357 ft
Weather Fine & Sunny
Difficulty Moderate to Hard
Company Mal
I think this was probably the best ride of the year so far, the weather was pleasantly warm with only a light breeze which was not enough to hamper us but enough to help cool us down on the hilly sections. The first few miles took us along Aislabyside to Egton and descended the long steep hill to Egton Bridge, where, after passing under the railway bridge and as I approached the junction with Broom House Lane, a car pulled out in front of me. fortunately he (or she) saw me in time and managed to keep out of my way so no harm done.
Next came the climb up to Murk Mire Moor, I have not been able to ride up this hill since I was a teenager, the 550 ft in 1.5 miles has been too much for me but on this occasion with the help of the lower gearing on my new bike I was successful. A little further along the road after crossing West Beck we came upon two young ladies on horses who kindly reined in to let us past and we returned the complement by opening the gate by the cattle grid a little further on to allow them through without having to dismount. Goathland looked quite busy but we did notice several properties for sale so perhaps the boom in tourism from the Heartbeat series is starting to slow down now. When we left Goathland we we faced with another long climb, this time 500 ft up Cow Wath Bank which was followed shortly after with a glorious 2 mile thrash downhill to Eskdaleside. From there we made our way home via Sleights and Ruswarp.
Next came the climb up to Murk Mire Moor, I have not been able to ride up this hill since I was a teenager, the 550 ft in 1.5 miles has been too much for me but on this occasion with the help of the lower gearing on my new bike I was successful. A little further along the road after crossing West Beck we came upon two young ladies on horses who kindly reined in to let us past and we returned the complement by opening the gate by the cattle grid a little further on to allow them through without having to dismount. Goathland looked quite busy but we did notice several properties for sale so perhaps the boom in tourism from the Heartbeat series is starting to slow down now. When we left Goathland we we faced with another long climb, this time 500 ft up Cow Wath Bank which was followed shortly after with a glorious 2 mile thrash downhill to Eskdaleside. From there we made our way home via Sleights and Ruswarp.