A Yorkshire Dales adventure

It might be the Yorkie Dales, but this ride takes in another couple of counties, too

- Dave Owen

Living in the Midlands gives me easy access to North Wales, the Peak District and South Yorkshire but, as I ride those locations a lot, I decided on a change of scenery and to ride some unknown roads. As a result after a quick blast up the M6 I arrived at Devil’s Bridge, Kirby Lonsdale, which I knew to be a bike meeting place and a good place to start my day’s ride. My rather vague plan was to ride the Buttertubs Pass, visit England’s highest pub (the Tan Hill Inn) and the Penny Garth café in Hawes, all of which I have heard of over many years but never visited.

After a burger and brew I headed for Skipton and took the left-hand turning for Dent. I knew I was in for a good time as I quickly encountered the first of many cattle grids which are always a sign of good roads and big views. After some twisties and moorland I found myself turning right at Gawthrop and then another right which led me into Dent, a pretty, cobblestoned village worthy of five minutes admiring the old feel of the place. I recommend careful riding through there in wet weather, as narrow, cobbled roads could cause you to slip and ‘dent’ something!

Leaving Dent and passing through Cowgill, I rode more open moorland with lots of twisties and which was almost deserted, until riding through Newby Head Pass. The fantastic vistas I was riding through made me feel Iike I was riding with a new(by) head!