Some occasional musings on mountain bike rides and walks in North Yorkshire, with odd bit of discussion on mapping technology thrown in for good measure
Got out for a ride today up in the Hambleton Hills. Starting from up on the Cleveland Way, near Kepwick, I tried a track I hadn't tried before in Boltby Forest. I actually ended up going the wrong way, and having to ride a few miles to get to were I wanted, but it was worth all the extra effort, as I found a lovely bit of moorland singletrack.. Starting with a fast descent through the forest, before running across wooded heathlands, on some sinulous singletrack, it was perfect. Just enough downhill to keep the speed up, and lovely dry (nearly all dry anyway), twisty, rocky singletrack, that just kept on going. Pure pleasure!
After a hideous uphill into the wind, I got to try my favourite trail which runs from the base of Black Hambleton, down into the valley above Hawnby. That trail was in great form too. I eneded up going up near the huge mast at Bilsdale. I failed to find the bridleway I wanted to ride, and was running a bit short of time. I got a bit lost trying to follow it, and ended up riding some random gravel track. The random track turned out to be a good one. What I did get was several miles of fast, technical descent that was fantastic. Taking a full suspension bike was worth it, to soak up the bumps and rocks, which at the end of a long ride can be painful.
As I rode up the hill from Arden Hall to Kepwick my chain broke. I was quite happy about that, as it saved my having to ride the whole hill, which is fiendishly steep. Once at the top, I fixed the chain. I couldn't risk riding hard uphill on a chain that has just bust could I? That's my excuse anyway.
Anyway. I'll write it up properly, and stick it on sharemyroutes. As some of the ride is a bit dull, I don't think the ride as a whole is good enough to go on this site, as I like to only publish well packaged routes.
If you haven't got your bike out, and gone for your first spring ride, what are you waiting for? It's damn near perfect out there. Dry, fast and none of the undergrowth and stinging nettles that curse summer riding.
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