7th August 2014 - Clapham for some of the Pennine Way

4 of us met up in Clapham, Charlie, grant, George and CT, plenty of road side parking available. Head north out of village, past a children's play area, then take a right turn up a hill, you will know it's the right way when you have to go under 2 large bridges, the second one makes it quite dark, then you find there are some large gullies to navigate over and it seems 26" wheels are worse off, especially when going up hill. George came a cropper, fell off and broke his rear light:( All OK so keep going up and up, steady away, through some woods and into open fields, this is now the Pennine bridleway, PBW, keep straight on, but you past the bridleway on your left where we shall return to later on homeward leg.

We will ride round this

The first section of PBW

Onward and keep going until you get to the road, this can be very fast, just watch out for other bike riders and a horse rider, very nearly spooked! Keep on the road go past Wharfe, then look for a right turn bridleway heading for Feizor, watch out for the Bull in field with the cows :0), Fiezer is a nice little place, go through past the closes tea room, then tee of right at a farm and get onto some singlet track which has some speed/drainage bumps which are great to jump if you get your timing right! Keep going and head back to Wharfe.

Navigation required

Which way?

Shall we walk over...?

No says George and rides over the stone bridge

It looked like this....and was OK

Now through Wharfe, where there were some great cottages, one looking French (with 2 bicyles propped up outside, sorry no pics), and off onto the Dales High Way to climb up onto Long Scar, up top to enjoy the setting sun, it was a great weather window and flapjack was enjoyed by the cairn. Now for the descent down to Trow Gill and beyond, heading back along Clpham Beck, some parts were rocky and technical others fast, the final bit was very fast just before a bend and a steep climb! Then back on the homeward leg back under the tunnels, watch out George:) and back to the cars before 9pm, over 12 miles and a very nice ride.

Is that a sunset, nearly

and a moon as well, just

Yes a sunset:)

Next ride TBA as a few of us are away, more news by emails. Thursday 21st from Pelter Bridge, Rydal