Chris’s Dales Run 21st May 2022
A dry but overcast morning greeted the riders at the Auction Eats Cafe where 12 riders assembled. Many other bikers were there and as our departure time approached a guy on an Aerial Arrow pulled in. How small the bike looked in comparison to all the others. After a chat with the guy we set off. Unbeknown to the leader one rider had not turned his petrol tap on and 5 riders immediately got left behind while he restarted the bike. All was not lost as another rider knew where we were headed and lead the stragglers to the Bull Beck picnic site where we planned to meet Chris and Peter.
When another rider arrived at Bull Beck he found he had lost the top part of his kick starter so from here on his bike was bump started by one of the fitter riders!
At 11:30, the now 14, riders set off towards Hornby and turned off to go through Wray on to Keasdon and the junction with the A65. We turned left here and then immediately right to Austwick. From here we rode very quiet lanes to cross the Ribble at Helwith Bridge which was absolutely crowded with campers and walkers and cars parked all along the road and in the fields. From here we turned North and headed for Horton in Ribblesdale, again very busy in the town.
Travelling North again through Selside, with Pen y Ghent to our right, the area was awash with walkers and as we approached Ribblehead viaduct someone saw a sign that included “3 Peaks Walk” so perhaps there was a walking event taking place. At the burger and ice cream van at Ribblehead we stopped for a refreshment break but we didn’t stay long as the temperature was very low and a stiff breeze was blowing.
Chris led us up over the moor and turned off at Newby Head to follow the river Dee to Cowgill and on to Dent. Thankfully this winding and hilly road was very quiet and when we arrived in the town we parked in the entrance to the car park to have our lunch. At this point there were a few spots of rain in the air and many donned their waterproofs just in case!
After a rest we set off up the hill and branched left to Gawthrop and left again towards Barbon. The run down the Barbondale Valley was uneventful and gladly only a few spots of rain were encountered. We came to the A683 just north of Casterton and turned left down to Kirkby Lonsdale to turn right onto the A65 at Devils Bridge. Next left was the turn to Carnforth which we took and rode to Whittington where we turned right towards Dalton and then on to Borwick where we joined the A6 just north of Carnforth. At the roundabout we turned left towards Carnforth and immediately right to Warton. When we stopped at Warton a car driver told us that one of our riders had fallen off at the roundabout so we quickly made our way back to the roundabout to find that a rider had toppled off while stopping at the kerb on the entrance to the roundabout. After a quick inspection of the bike it was declared OK to continue and after bump starting and testing it we returned to our planned route to the Woodlands Hotel at Silverdale. A mix up occurred at the Woodlands as one entrance had been closed and a few riders missed the second entrance turning and ended up in Arnside but realising there had been a mistake came back and joined us 10 minutes later.
The Woodlands was, as ever a hospitable place, and we sat inside and outside eating and drinking for a good while before heading homeward. The majority followed Richard back to Carnforth and through Nether Kellet to get to Halton where we crossed the Lune via the old bridge at Halton and joined the A683 back to Caton to take the Quernmore Road and Bay Horse Road to get to Oakenclough and then to Brock.
The day was a very good ride out organised by Chris with many miles covered. My speedo drive box quit just after leaving, but from the reports of others, the route from The Auction Eats Cafe back to Brock was probably around 135 miles.
Thanks to Chris for the planning and leading.