3
Dales Challenge
Buckden
Yorkshire
Sunday
16th March 2003
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For Images.

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.