Cycling Yorkshire Dales

By on July 9, 2008 in cycling, cycling photos, training

burnsall

Looking towards Burnsall

I spent a few days In Yorkshire. Fortunately, first day was fine. I cycle 95 miles from Menston to Burnsall, Buckden, Fleet Moss,  Hawes, Asygarth and back down through the Wharfe Valley. I averaged 18.5mph and really enjoyed it. The first 60 miles I did as training; but, then after a tea stop in Kettlewell, I took it easy on the way back. It’s good to just enjoy the scenary for a change!

wharfedale

View from Kettlewell looking towards Grassington

Fleet Moss Climb from Hubberholme to Hawes

fleet-moss

View from the top of Fleet Moss, the highest road in Yorkshire. This is another cyclist I overtook on the long and hard 17% climb. It was a great descent down the other side into Hawes (20% and straight). I got a maximum of 53mph.

Park Rash Hill Climb Kettlewell towards Coverdale

coverdale

The sign says gradient 1 in 4 and it feels like it. The sign should also say ‘unsuitable for unfit cyclist’ :)

Park Rash is one of the steepest hill climbs in the UK. The ascent is 25% around a couple of hairpins and you can really feel the steepness. It was used as the National Hill climb championship in 1991 and was won by Chris Boardman.

coverdale

Park Rash Climb Half way up.

I cycled up the hill just to take some photos. My 39*23 was rather inadequate for the climb; I would like to come back and race up here some time. The steepness is exhilarating!

The next 4 days seemed to rain solidly (they refer to it as the European monsoon season). I was mostly doing a few intervals up East Chevin hill and some other local hills.

Maps for Cycling in Yorkshire Dales

Book Cover


11 Responses to Cycling Yorkshire Dales

  1. jim June 16, 2010 at 10:48 pm #

    why not try the Chimney Stack at Rosedale, it is 1 in 2.5, so a bit more of a challenge. James Herriot (Fred White) went up and down loads of times………. Jim

    Reply
  2. andrew July 16, 2008 at 11:10 am #

    wow What lovely scenery (sorry in advance for the spelling).
    I would love to know if james herriot drove down some of them climbs.
    How many times did you do the rash climb? good practise for the national?

    Reply
  3. andrew July 16, 2008 at 11:09 am #

    i dont know if wot i just posted worked?

    Reply
  4. Andy July 9, 2008 at 7:23 pm #

    Best cycling contry in the world – to me at least. The climbs are fabulous – my fave is Fleet Moss coming in from Hawes towards Kettlewell.

    Reply

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