Tour of Pen y Ghent tips please
- Thread starter Kerplunk
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I assume you mean this route: --> http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/outand ... -penyghent
I wasn't aware that this had been published as a 'classic' route when I did it a couple of years ago. I just laid out an OS map and worked out a loop from Stainforth while I was away on a short holiday.
Anyway, I remember that the section across Foxup Moor was very boggy and hard going, and this was during a relatively dry summer.
I followed the loop clockwise, as on the route map, and stayed on the BW and road to the north of Hesleden Beck. This was a dull climb across a grassy field, so perhaps the longer route on the road through Halton Gill which takes in the southern track would be a better option, especially as you're starting from Litton.
The track past Churn Milk Hole was okay and leads to a long straight downhill on a typically Dales walled track.
I believe the BWs and tracks to the north of Austwick are meant to be good although I've never had a chance to ride them.
I wasn't aware that this had been published as a 'classic' route when I did it a couple of years ago. I just laid out an OS map and worked out a loop from Stainforth while I was away on a short holiday.
Anyway, I remember that the section across Foxup Moor was very boggy and hard going, and this was during a relatively dry summer.
I followed the loop clockwise, as on the route map, and stayed on the BW and road to the north of Hesleden Beck. This was a dull climb across a grassy field, so perhaps the longer route on the road through Halton Gill which takes in the southern track would be a better option, especially as you're starting from Litton.
The track past Churn Milk Hole was okay and leads to a long straight downhill on a typically Dales walled track.
I believe the BWs and tracks to the north of Austwick are meant to be good although I've never had a chance to ride them.
Well that was fun! Everything was going well until we reached that boggy section. The path whilst obvious for the first 200m suddenly become less obvious. In fact, the path you're meant to take is only clear once you've gone back down it. It's really easy to miss...especially in the conditions we had. We had to call a halt because time was ticking on. Up until that point it had been a mixture of endurance, frustration and lot's of concentration.
The rocks with the rain (and first rain for a while) meant it was like cycling on marble. It was impossible to cycle out of Litton up the single track. After a while, once the rain had covered everything it was a case of ploughing through and gaining as much momentum as you could to keep steady and not slip off. That was a lot of fun and a really good stretch of the legs. You guys up north are very fortunate to have such excellent climbs; they really make my Kent / Surrey hills look like bumps.
Thankfully the Manomano kept it together and was a lot of fun to ride. Thank goodness 6foot had his chain link tool otherwise his chain-snapping moment would have resulted in a VERY long walk home.
COME ON 6FOOT!
Luckily we didn't drop off...
Averting the ride meant 10 miles of tarmac which in any other situation would be rubbish. Instead we got a lung busting climb and a fantastic 2-3 mile decent down the Dale back to Litton.
There's always next time...
The rocks with the rain (and first rain for a while) meant it was like cycling on marble. It was impossible to cycle out of Litton up the single track. After a while, once the rain had covered everything it was a case of ploughing through and gaining as much momentum as you could to keep steady and not slip off. That was a lot of fun and a really good stretch of the legs. You guys up north are very fortunate to have such excellent climbs; they really make my Kent / Surrey hills look like bumps.
Thankfully the Manomano kept it together and was a lot of fun to ride. Thank goodness 6foot had his chain link tool otherwise his chain-snapping moment would have resulted in a VERY long walk home.
COME ON 6FOOT!
Luckily we didn't drop off...
Averting the ride meant 10 miles of tarmac which in any other situation would be rubbish. Instead we got a lung busting climb and a fantastic 2-3 mile decent down the Dale back to Litton.
There's always next time...
Those photos make it look a lot brighter than I remember... We went about 2/3 the way round Pen y Ghent and I've still got no idea what the top of it actually looks like. On a nice dry day its probably a really nice ride, when its wet and you're struggling with a bad back it became a bit of a slog and I was bit of a dead weight for Al. Its all character building and Al learnt an important lesson about always taking a waterproof jacket just in case when you venture north of Watford Gap. Thank god for having a multi-tool with a decent chain tool on it.
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Good effort chaps! Weather looks pretty reasonable as far as I can see... 
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Looks like a normal day in the Dales to me.
Good effort to get out there. I did have better weather when I did the route so the limestone was dry. I forgot to mention that wet limestone is like ice.
Your photo of Hull Pot looks very dry. I guess we have had a good summer afterall.
Yeah, when my southern mates talk about conquering Ditchling Beacon on the London to Brighton ride as though they've climbed Everest I do chuckle.
They don't believe me when I tell them that the climb from the bottom of my road (where I live) to the top is about the same altitude gain.
Then you keep climbing for another 20 minutes before you reach the proper hills.
Good effort to get out there. I did have better weather when I did the route so the limestone was dry. I forgot to mention that wet limestone is like ice.
Your photo of Hull Pot looks very dry. I guess we have had a good summer afterall.
al-onestare":39jbph2t said:
Yeah, when my southern mates talk about conquering Ditchling Beacon on the London to Brighton ride as though they've climbed Everest I do chuckle.
They don't believe me when I tell them that the climb from the bottom of my road (where I live) to the top is about the same altitude gain.
Then you keep climbing for another 20 minutes before you reach the proper hills.
Kerplunk":j9649hnt said:
The thing is, I'm glad I didn't bring my jacket because I was boiling. It looks proper cold but it wasn't when we were moving. Plus by the time I got back to Litton I was dry...well the top half anyway! Don't be too hard on the dead weight bit...change your chainset and wheels and you'll be a rocket ;-)
drystonepaul":hvbhw718 said:
Totally agree. We've got nothing down these parts in comparison but it's still grim up north so I'll stay here ;-)
