Malham, Yorkshire May 2006

Nine of us met at Malham Youth Hostel on Friday night, in glorious sunshine, ready for four days of exercise, cycling and walking, Martin having been the encouragement for everyone to turn up. The good weather wasn't to last, Saturday greeted us with a 10° temperature drop to around 5° and drizzly rain. Undeterred the majority of us set off towards Malham Tarn, up the hill, of course, just there to wake us up! First pause, Halton Gill where John showed off his sheep rounding-up skills on some runaway sheep and where my buddies preferred to keep to the road, so we continued away from the planned route and instead rode to Kettlewell where we had some excellent bacon sandwiches.

arrival Alan, John, Bryan and Martin Halton Gill

After Kettlewell we tootled off to Buckden and the Langstrothdale where we veered to the right and found the most terrifying climb! UUUP literally into the clouds where it was freezing cold and wet, Derek announced he was going to Hawes for a quick ride back to the hostel but we dissuaded him and suggested it might be easier if he came with us onto the Pennine Way to Ribblehead. He may have been better off going to Hawes as we reached the off-road bit (which according to the map was a white road, should have been rideable). Nah. Piccys below, the road had been churned up by four wheel drives and the surface was ruined. The "ride" to Ribblehead became a struggle, fortunately downhill and was rather difficult. The happy band soon became the brass(ed off) band, only Andy and me rode the whole way, I fell off once, Alan fell off at the start and carried his bike for 3 miles to the end and folks were trying to smile and look as though they were enjoying it but the strain was telling. I thought it was good fun but was in the minority.

Pennine Way (Ribblehead Viaduct behind.)

Anyway at the end we regrouped and pedalled to Horton in Ribblesdale where we chanced upon Bryan who had gone for a walk in the morning and ridden out to Horton in the afternoon and stopped at a tearoom that was from the 50's.

Sunday was no better weatherwise, we planned a route through Grassington to Bolton Abbey, somewhat easier than Saturdays ride but just as picturesque. Below is the view over Burnsall. Down the valley past The Stridd to Bolton Abbey and then to Skipton for a cuppa and a ride home.

Monday was a little warmer but started off with a drizzle that had turned torrential by 1pm. From Malham, through Settle, picked up some pleasant lanes to Ingleton, stopped at The Copper Kettle Tearooms, highly recommended and then over Kingsdale which was stunning valley we overlooked then a very sharp descent with some conveniently placed gates right at the foot of the hills to Dentdale. Wonderful scenery, under one of the splendid local viaducts and to the 1950's tea stop at Horton. All that remained was the most horrendous series of climbs back to Malham, all in the freezing cold and rain.

Ministry of Silly Walks...

Kingsdale Ribblehead, almost Dangers...

By Tuesday, our clothes and bikes hadn't managed to dry out so we took a walk except for Daz and Andy who continued on their bikes. The remaining five (Linda went home after Mondays ride) took an easy walk to wind down the holiday to Janets Fosse and Gordale Scar.

Daz, Andy, Alan and John Gordale Scar

Malham Cove from the top

The Youth Hostel

They have come a long way since I last stayed. Gone are the duties and primitive conditions, now there are comfortable, carpeted rooms, clean and well kept, toilet facilities are good, the meals represented very good value, they even sold alcohol!

Altogether a fantastic long weekend, good scenery, good company, good accommodation, could have been better weather but you can't have everything.