2nd August 2007 - Sedburgh for Dent

9 riders turned out for the Dent special, because it was sunny and involves a pub stop half way round! We parked at the free carpark to the south end of town. Chris still managed to find us (there are 2 car parks apparently) then we set off south on the Millthrop road, go over the river Rawthey and take the 1st left, then right in the hamlet to take a lane up onto the fell. This is the first bit of off-road and a little tester, once over the first rocky section it is plain sailing, except Grant took a off going up hill on a grassy slope and he blamed George who was ahead of him! At the first gate time for a breather and take a look at the view back over the Howgills and which route we could take in the future....?
Carry on over the fell, through the trees, past the farm, down the track, once onto the road, take the first right after 20 yards, heading down to the ford crossing, Chris stopped just short of the ford to survey the scene, others took this to mean that we were riding the ford, it was fairly low considering this summers weather! Jamie went first (on his hardtail, forgetting he was not on his 29ers, so he got his feet wet!) then John and Chris had a go, the rest of us took the bridge!!! Cross up onto the road which is the Dales Way and head for Gawthrop, wait for a herd of cows heading home and then attack the first climb up Barbondale road (it's only 1km of hill, really) test those legs, get to South Lord's land take the first bridleway on the left and have a rest, jelly babies all round. Ian even stripped off his shorts, luckily he had some others underneath, else it may have been a storey for the local herald. Head along Green lane to meet up with the bridleway at the top, turn left and enjoy the descent into Dent, where we negociated some portions of chips and some beer. Once the refreshments had been consumed and the midges came out, we headed off, some asking which direction; were we to head for Frostrow Fells or head back the way we had come, in the end we headed back down the road heading for Sedburgh, but we stopped at Gate Manor and retraced our steps; although a few voiced concern for there was some uphill, in the end the whole group teamed up for an enjoyable finish to the ride, back on the road a few (CM & GA tried to sprint to the finish, but CT still had some legs left!) All those who headed out at the start made it back in one piece. Next time it's meet at Hartsop 6.15pm for Ullswater round.