Devon TRF Group Forum

As a Devonian, exiled in Yorkshire - I'll show you my backyard - the Yorkshire Dales, all within 10-20 miles of home

Today dawned cold, frosty but beautifully sunny and so after the temps had risen a little by 10am, i was off - kitted up in readiness for the chilly weather

Roads were dry-ish, but there was still ice on the smaller roads, in the shadows............winter riding, oh yeah I remember it well

First lane was a new one and only just up the road, brilliant green lane for about 1.5 miles and never been ridden before, judging by the virgin grass

Still some flooding around the villages (see the ice too)

Another little used lane, overlooking a RSPB wetlands wildfowl hide and pond

Some more lanes, led me to the village of Snape, so here's a quick pic of the Castle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snape,_North_Yorkshire

Brrr, the temps are hovering around 2c despite the sun - so a fuelstop for the bike and a tea stop for me in Masham

Something profound for me to ponder, whilst supping tea

I got chatting to an old Gamekeeper who had also stopped for a cuppa, he was interested in my hobby and I enquired on how the 'season' was going, not good he said, too wet and he was looking forward to retirement in 11 days time

Another 'hidden' lane and a quick pee stop - glorious weather

Next it was high up on the Grouse moors up in Colsterdale - what a view

Dropping back down into Wensleydale, I paused to admire the view spread out in front of me, like a carpet

The high level unclassified roads were treacherous, with water run-off that had frozen into sheet ice !!

So much so, that it was easier/safer to ride down the grass verges and road edges and on a big bike this would have been difficult  - but no problem on my trusty steed

Lunch stop was a Pasty in Leyburn, because I wanted to be home before 3, when the sun would drop and the temps would fall close to freezing and a risk of black ice on these backroads

Another favourite lane of mine and after recent rains this would have been better suited to a Trials bike, the rocks and rock steps were that big

I did a couple more lanes and did a bit of research on a 3rd in the West Witton area, before returning past Castle Bolton (sorry about the pic) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolton_Castle

Last lane before home, is another 'forgotten' bygone highway, that runs atop the river Ure with great views of the river

Another grand day out, cracking weather and just chilly enough for a proper winter ride