Preston to Skipton

[Mooster]

I'm planning a ride from Preston to Skipton this coming weekend, and I'm wondering about the best approach in to Skipton itself - trying to avoid the A59 / A65. One option is the canal towpath. Does anyone know what it's like from Gargrave in to the town?

 

[Cathryn]

Rough. Really rough. We did the whole of the L-L canal last year and it was bottom-challenging The write up is on a journal on the link below (A very dirty weekend) if that helps. I'd also try to avoid the A65 as well as it's nasty!!!

 

[punkypossum]

How are you doing the rest of the trip mooster? A59? I keep thinking about cycling to Settle...well Horton-in-Ribblesdale to be exact, but the A59 really puts me off...

 

[ColinJ]

How are you doing the rest of the trip mooster? A59? I keep thinking about cycling to Settle...well Horton-in-Ribblesdale to be exact, but the A59 really puts me off...

I wouldn't choose to ride the A59 either (it's bad enough just crossing it!) but there are plenty of quieter roads that you could use. I'll work out an alternative route for you. (Time passes... slowly).

Okay, how about:

• (B6243)
• Grimsargh
• Longridge
• Knowle Green
• Hurst Green
• Mitton Green
• (Unclassified roads)
• Bashall Town
• Waddington
• West Bradford
• Grindleton
• Sawley
• Holden
• Forest Becks
• Mere Syke
• Wigglesworth
• Rathmel
• Giggleswick
• Stackhouse
• Little Stainforth
• (B6479)
• Helwith Bridge
• Horton-in-Ribblesdale

The only A-road you'd encounter would be a few yards of the A65 as you cross it just before Giggleswick/Settle.

Here's a rough map:

 

[ColinJ]

Oh, and to answer the OP... If you are dead set against the A65 (and I don't blame you) why not ride from Gargrave to Rylstone on the unclassified road through Flasby and Hetton, and then go to Skipton on the B6265? It's 14 km rather than 6.5 km but it's a nice area so what would the extra distance matter ?

 

[piedwagtail91]

How are you doing the rest of the trip mooster? A59? I keep thinking about cycling to Settle...well Horton-in-Ribblesdale to be exact, but the A59 really puts me off...

theres an excellent and cheap cafe at blind beck near to the railway bridge to the north of the village. colin j has given you the route we always take.it's usally very low on traffic.

 

[Mooster]

Thanks for this everyone.
Punkypossum - My route to Skipton will follow ColinJ's description, for most of the way. Another option if your heading further north is to go
- Longridge
- Chipping
- Slaidburn
- Tosside
- Wigglesworth (and then ColinJ's route)
I've done that before and its very scenic.

ColinJ - thanks for that suggestion, could be a good option

 

[piedwagtail91]

slaidburn -tosside is a very hilly road, a lot harder than waddington, grindleton.though it is as you say very scenic with good views over stocks res. and bowland knotts.
theres a good cafe in waddington as well!

 

[punkypossum]

I wouldn't choose to ride the A59 either (it's bad enough just crossing it!) but there are plenty of quieter roads that you could use. I'll work out an alternative route for you. (Time passes... slowly).

Okay, how about:

• (B6243)
• Grimsargh
• Longridge
• Knowle Green
• Hurst Green
• Mitton Green
• (Unclassified roads)
• Bashall Town
• Waddington
• West Bradford
• Grindleton
• Sawley
• Holden
• Forest Becks
• Mere Syke
• Wigglesworth
• Rathmel
• Giggleswick
• Stackhouse
• Little Stainforth
• (B6479)
• Helwith Bridge
• Horton-in-Ribblesdale

The only A-road you'd encounter would be a few yards of the A65 as you cross it just before Giggleswick/Settle.

Here's a rough map:

Thanks Colin, that's ace (although it gives me a lot more options to get lost )!!!! Any idea what the overall mileage following that route would be?

 

[punkypossum]

theres an excellent and cheap cafe at blind beck near to the railway bridge to the north of the village. colin j has given you the route we always take.it's usally very low on traffic.

I know, been there and tried it!!! The bacon butties are very nice!

 

[ColinJ]

Thanks Colin, that's ace (although it gives me a lot more options to get lost )!!!! Any idea what the overall mileage following that route would be?

From where the B6243 crosses the motorway on the fringes of Preston, to the pub in Horton-in-Ribblesdale is 61 km (38 miles).

Here's a profile for you:

As piedwagtail91 mentioned, the route via Slaidburn would be much hillier. As you can see this way isn't too bad.

 

[punkypossum]

Cool...shorter and far less hilly than I expected!!! Will see if I can talk puddleglum into it!!!!