Saturday 1st Feb. dawned cold and clear after an overnight frost. While the others headed off caving I headed up from Pateley Bridge to Ramsgill to cycle round the head of the Nidderdale valley. This route is recommended in MBR as one of the best rides in the country with over 40 km of track in total. Cunningly, by starting at Ramsgill, I had cut out the section on the road and reduced the route to around 23 km.

I decided to ride the route clockwise - leaving a long (=fast?) descent to the end of the day and keeping the cold wind on my back round the head of the valley.

The weather was cold, bright and sunny with a brisk westerly wind as I headed North up the track from Ramsgill to the West of the River Nidd.

After an hour and a half or so I was on top of In Moor, near the 453m Rain Stag summit, savouring the views across the tops and grappling with a puncture in the finger-numbing wind.

Then it was on down to Scar House Reservoir via some steep ice filled tracks (some walking here...) and then on up the rutted and bouldery tracks, round the head of the valley on the edge of North Moor past the Grouse shoots.

Once on top of the valley the tracks became frozen again. Frozen trackes require some challenging and masterful riding techniques. I had to choose between either biking on the narrow bouldery ridge in the middle of the track or the nice(?!) and smooth ice filled ruts. The latter was certainly easier!

Dave's handy hints for cycling on ice:

1. don't use the brakes
2. don't fall off
3. use a highish gear for going up hill (reduces wheel spin)
4. be aware that nice and solid thick ice can suddenly become very thin... leaving bike and rider standing still in axle (and knee) deep ice water!
5. wear warm, very warm, waterproof footwear

The Nidderdale Way then headed South. Once above Lofthouse, rather than descend the steep and bouldery track straight to the valley floor, I extended the ride on some better quality tracks further South (as suggested by Simon - thanks). The route continued with some long sweeping fast descents, past the old quarry then down another track into Bouthwaite. I got back into Ramsgill with about 15 mins of daylight left - just right.

Then it was back to "Strawberry Barn" for a welcome hot shower and on to the pub for a few a Black Sheep or two and some great pub food.

Fixing a puncture

Last Updated: 13 Oct 2005	© Slough Mountaineering Group	contact us