there you go potsy & colin, a target to aim for and plenty of time to get fit enough, are you up for the challenge?
I'm busy working out the logistics of getting there and back, plus looking at the route Fiona suggested with possible variations. A quick plot on Memory map indicates that it would be well over 200 km if Ripon and Pateley Bridge were included but I'd be wanting to bring it in as close to 200 kms as possible!
It couldn't be a Sunday if people were going to travel by train. They just don't run early and late enough to give time for an unhurried 200. There's also a limit on how many bikes can officially be carried per train, and I wouldn't fancy just turning up and hoping they'd let me on so I'd want to book. A return ticket from Hebden Bridge is £35! It is possible to save a bit by buying multiple single tickets in advance, but the cheapest combination I could find was about £27. Still a bit steep for me in my current impecunious state!
I think realistically, it would involve driving there and back so I wouldn't be able to do it unless perhaps Kevin offered me a lift.
I like the idea of Oxenholme, Sedbergh, Dentdale, Hawes ... (then numerous possible variations) ... and then Settle, (avoid the A65 so maybe?) Keasden, Wray, Gressingham, then the B6254 via Kirkby Lonsdale to Oxenholme?
Fiona - is the B6254 ok?
I can see lots of possible variations for the middle section from Hawes (assuming we
don't go the Swaledale route over Butter Tubs) ...
- Hawes, ... Ripon, Pateley Bridge, Grassington, Hetton, Airton, Settle?
- Hawes, Abbey Hill, Leighton, Lofthouse, Nidderdale, Pateley Bridge, Grassington, Hetton, Airton, Settle?
- Hawes, Fleet Moss, Langstrothdale, Wharfedale, Littondale, Arncliffe, Malham Tarn, Settle?
- Hawes, Fleet Moss, Langstrothdale, Wharfedale, Threshfield, Hetton, Airton, Settle?
- Hawes, Aysgarth, Bishopdale, Wharfedale, Littondale, Arncliffe, Malham Tarn, Settle?
- Hawes, Aysgarth, Bishopdale, Wharfedale, Threshfield, Hetton, Airton, Settle?
- Hawes, Wensley, Carlton, Coverdale, a very careful descent of Park Rash!!!, Wharfedale, Littondale, arncliffe, Malham Tarn, Settle?
- Hawes, Wensley, Carlton, Coverdale, a very careful descent of Park Rash!!!, Wharfedale, Threshfield, Hetton, Airton, Settle?
I don't mind plotting these variations and seeing what they come out at in terms of distance and ascent if you like?
Could we agree on the ride out to Hawes and the ride back from Settle, then discuss the various options?