bikesandpies

3 Dales Challenge

Buckden Yorkshire

Sunday 16th March 2003

Dave having a rest !

Gary Wade, Gary Davies, Simon Retford, Hayden Roberts and two new guests Carolyn and Dave made their way to Buckden in Yorkshire for the latest ride.Simon had bought a new GPS system for his car, but wouldent use it for fear of a ribbing if it got him lost, so i navigated there. The weather forecast said it was going to be a cracking day, but the closer we got to Yorkshire the more misty and gloomy it became. We rolled into the car park about 0900 ,Carolyn and Dave were already there waiting. Introductions over, i could see we were all weighing each other up. Is she a racing snake?, wonder if she will keep up, Is Dave going to show us the way. Its the same on any ride when there are new people joining you. After a few miles of road riding along side a dried up river bed and a chat between everybody it became apparent that we were all just happy to ride the route at a steady pace, and take in the scenery.

The sun finally came out and we came to the first off road proper. Carolyn had ridden the route before so Simons expert map reading skills became redundant, he scowled at us and grudgingly shoved the map in his pocket. Im sure i heard him whisper "Hope she gets lost, dont want her coming again". It seemed like no time at all before we were up above Horton in Ribblesdale and about to descend into the village. With a female on the ride the usually simple act of having a wee became much more of a tactical operation. I spied my chance after Carolyn rode off in front after i opened a gate. Simon spied his chance and stopped aswell. I saw a perfect spot down a big hole, i was just about to start, when Simon shouted "not down there its a cave youll P8ss on somebody, i looked down and sure enough there were a group of cavers a few yards away!

When we reached Horton we spied a pub for lunch. i went in to make sure it was open, the barman told me we were very welcome and he could provide me with a range of sandwiches for lunch. I went back outside, told the others that beer and sandwiches were available. Just as the gastric juices had started to flow the barman stuck his head out of the window and said "We are shut till 12 sorry".That was that, we had to make do with a mars bar and some vimto.

Undeterred we set off for what we knew was going to be a good climb, as we stood at the bottom of a long stony track Carolyn said "I dont know this way now" Simon immediatley sprang to the rescue "Ive got the map, ill guide us " As he passed im sure i heard him say " Not so clever now are we" and a smug smile grew across his face.

We got to the top of the hill and had a well deserved rest and a drink, as i lay back on the soft moorland grass taking in the sun, i took in the smells of the country air. Simon said " your lying in a lump of Sheep Shit . I got up and saw i had broken the skin on a freshly laid Sheep Turd which was all over my top and watch.Everyone found it highly amusing.I told Carolyn and Dave about the clubs other events, even tried to convince them that the Real Ale Wobble Event was a celebration of everything cycling, and that the real ale and weekends live entertainment was only an incidental part of the proceedings. She seemed convinced and promised to tell her husband about the event. When we got to the top of the climb we passed under the peak of Pen-Y-Ghent and had a good run downhill to Spittle Croft. The sun had broken through the clouds and it was warming up nicely. Another road stretch to limber up before a hell of a climb to Halton Gill.

We all stood at the bottom telling ourselves it was not as steep as it looked, one by one we mounted up and started to ride the mega steep rocky climb. I got off and blamed it on the gates. Dave said " It would be rideable if there werent so many rocks. Loads of other excuses were banded about, but it was just to steeeeep.Never mind, the downhill on the other side would be worth it.The views from the summitt along the dale were fantastic, and we stopped to get our breath back.

As we looked down towards the final descent our hearts sank, it was very steep and very rocky. The top third was rideable, the middle section was a carry, and the bottom was do- able by some. A bit of a dissapointment overall, after all the effort. A final grassy rutted descent back onto the road finished off a cracking route. We stopped at the first pub, Carolyn and Dave had to get back, so we said tara, and went to the beer garden at the back, looking forward to a pint and some food. The cheery barmaid looked up and said "The bars closed" and gave us a big smile.

Deflated we carried on back to Buckden, and luckily found the Buck Inn, which provided us with a pint and a sandwich, eaten outside in the sun. (Dave, Carolyn you missed a mean cheese sandwich and scone and cream, paid for by Haydn !!!)An excellent ride overall except for the final descent. It made a welcome change to have some new riders, hope to see them both soon.