Ribble valley/Yorkshire Dales ride, Sat 22nd June, 2019

[Oldfentiger]

This isn't what I was going to post ...

I will update the GPX file later to show the ride starting from the back of Clitheroe station and finishing at the front, since there is no bridge to cross the lines!

While I am at it, @Oldfentiger - Phil, this is a local ride that you might be interested in dipping into? Oh, and since @oldfatfool also popped up while I was tagging Phil - Andrew, do you fancy joining us again this year? (Hopefully being able to stay with us for longer this time!)

Thanks Colin.
I’m still afflicted with this damned cramping problem
I can’t do that distance with the climbing involved I’m afraid.

 

[ColinJ]

Thanks Colin.
I’m still afflicted with this damned cramping problem
I can’t do that distance with the climbing involved I’m afraid.

Aaargh - I was hoping that you had finally sorted that out!

I'm sure that we will be out in the Ribble Valley again later in the year. Let's try to get together for one of those rides instead.

 

[ColinJ]

I know that many of you who would like to do this ride with us are hanging on for a change in the weather ...

Well, we are trying hard to arrange that for you! We aim for 20 degrees, no rain, sunny skies, and just a gentle breeze to keep us comfortable.

If you like the sound of that, add your name below. (You can always wimp out at the last minute if the weather lets us down! )

 

[ColinJ]

Well, looking ahead it seems that the weather is likely to improve next week...

I'm still hoping to ride over to Clitheroe to extend the day to the 161+ kms that I (desperately!) need for my Lunacy Challenge.

I can't remember what I was going to post a few days back...

PS My friend Carrie says that she might be able to join us, but is currently only 50-50.

 

[Sea of vapours]

The forecast right now looks positively *good*. It's a week away of course, but still ... encouraging.

PS My friend Carrie says that she might be able to join us, but is currently only 50-50.

As to Carrie: good thing there are no level crossings or fords in there (at least not to my knowledge).

 

[ColinJ]

As to Carrie: good thing there are no level crossings or fords in there (at least not to my knowledge).

She can always improvise other ways to fall off ...

 

[ColinJ]

I just checked... there are at least 3 cattle grids! There are also several annoying (but necessary) speed bumps on the fast descent into Earby.

 

[Sea of vapours]

Oh there are many more cattle grids than that! There are three on just the 2km up Langcliffe Scar. Then there are several more, perhaps 4-5, on the way to Arncliffe. I'm sure there must be more beyond there. They're all in fairly good condition though, so quite a challenge to fall off on. Her best bet is the speed bumps I feel.

It's Kevin who's the gravel-off specialist, isn't it?

 

[ColinJ]

Oh there are many more cattle grids than that! There are three on just the 2km up Langcliffe Scar. Then there are several more, perhaps 4-5, on the way to Arncliffe. I'm sure there must be more beyond there. They're all in fairly good condition though, so quite a challenge to fall off on. Her best bet is the speed bumps I feel.

As long as the grids are not wet ...

It's Kevin who's the gravel-off specialist, isn't it?

Ah yes, it was on the Dales ride last year where he came off on gravel!

I'll tell Carrie to let Kevin know about the ride.

 

[Sea of vapours]

This is looking like a remarkably fortunate choice of day for the ride, in weather terms. This is Settle on the 22nd.

Perhaps a few degrees warmer would be even better, but this is very promising indeed for a fine day of moderately hilly trundling. Given what the temperature, wind and rain have been like recently, it's excellent :-)

Any more takers for this, now that good cycling conditons look almost certain?

 

[ColinJ]

I am slightly baffled as to why there is so little interest in what is a scenic route which is not a complete climb-fest, unlike some of the past editions...

Well, WE will enjoy it, anyway!

 

[Sea of vapours]

..... is not a complete climb-fest......

It's verging on unethically flat really, in comparison at least

 

[Domus]

Sorry chaps, off to Portmerion for the weekend in the Seven................I am not a number...........I am a free man !

 

[Littgull]

I'll be participating and really looking forward to it.

 

[ColinJ]

Sorry chaps, off to Portmerion for the weekend in the Seven................I am not a number...........I am a free man !

It is down there somewhere... Can't give you more precise information but I'm sure that you will manage to find it!

The picture was taken on a ride south on Lôn Las Cymru before dropping down into Harlech. That local stretch is well worth riding if you have low enough gears for the steep climbs.

Have fun!