20th May 2007 ride to Foxup Moor (Page two)
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Ride report by Mike Nott
Barrie, Charlie, James, Mike, Peter and Simeon gathered at Clapham for the ride to the Foxup area. One father and son, who shall remain nameless, tried to join this ride on Saturday but they had better success on Sunday!
After refreshments at a local cafe our ride started through the long, dark, slippery tunnel under the Farrer Estate in Clapham (this tunnel, constructed by the Farrers around 1833, was intended to hide servants and garishly clad mountain bikers from their view).
Climbing steadily above Clapdale via the Thwaite Lane and Long Lane tracks, we then climbed the grassy pastures over Long Scar to Sulber Gate. Here we paused to admire the views over Thieves Moss and the extensive limestone pavements and cliffs of Moughton Scars above Crummack Dale. Crossing Sulber Nick we descended near Borrins to the main road and down to Horton in Ribblesdale.
Through Horton, turning left up Horton Scar Lane, we had fine views to Penyghent. Climbing up this rough lane on the flanks of Penyghent alongside a deeply fissured limestone dry valley, we arrived at Hull Pot where we stopped for lunch. Hull Pot is an open, sheer sided chasm 300ft long, 60ft wide and 60ft deep, from which real potholers can descend a further 200ft, we just looked over the edge!
After lunch we climbed over Horton Moor to Swarth Gill Gate at around 1600 feet. James, Barrie’s young son impressed us with his strong, skilful riding and his enthusiasm for opening many of the gates for us. Joining the old Foxup Road track on Foxup Moor we contoured the hill high above the hamlets of Foxup and Halton Gill.
Regaining tarmac at Hesleden Bergh we admired the views into Littondale and Penyghent Gill.
We then climbed over the Silverdale Road with a fast descent into Stainforth. This descent was quite hazardous as we met hundreds of tired, sometimes erratic cyclists nearing the end of their 175km Etape du Dales cycling event.
From Stainforth we crossed the ancient pack-horse bridge to Little Stainforth, then climbed north on the flanks of Smearsett Scar to a panoramic view of the many quarries on the sides of Moughton Fell.
Turning west past the tiny hamlet of Wharf, we took the Thwaite Lane track (part of the old Lancaster to Richmond pack-horse route) for our return back to Clapham.
Descending into Clapham it was quite a shock riding down into the dark tunnel again. After the bright sunlight our eyes took a while to adjust to the near blackout, but we all managed to stay upright!
We ended our day back at the cafe in Clapham and eventually went our separate ways after a great day in the hills with fine weather.
Thanks to Simeon for organising a most enjoyable ride.
You can click here to see photos of 26th May around the Lower Kent Valley
After refreshments at a local cafe our ride started through the long, dark, slippery tunnel under the Farrer Estate in Clapham (this tunnel, constructed by the Farrers around 1833, was intended to hide servants and garishly clad mountain bikers from their view).
Climbing steadily above Clapdale via the Thwaite Lane and Long Lane tracks, we then climbed the grassy pastures over Long Scar to Sulber Gate. Here we paused to admire the views over Thieves Moss and the extensive limestone pavements and cliffs of Moughton Scars above Crummack Dale. Crossing Sulber Nick we descended near Borrins to the main road and down to Horton in Ribblesdale.
Through Horton, turning left up Horton Scar Lane, we had fine views to Penyghent. Climbing up this rough lane on the flanks of Penyghent alongside a deeply fissured limestone dry valley, we arrived at Hull Pot where we stopped for lunch. Hull Pot is an open, sheer sided chasm 300ft long, 60ft wide and 60ft deep, from which real potholers can descend a further 200ft, we just looked over the edge!
After lunch we climbed over Horton Moor to Swarth Gill Gate at around 1600 feet. James, Barrie’s young son impressed us with his strong, skilful riding and his enthusiasm for opening many of the gates for us. Joining the old Foxup Road track on Foxup Moor we contoured the hill high above the hamlets of Foxup and Halton Gill.
Regaining tarmac at Hesleden Bergh we admired the views into Littondale and Penyghent Gill.
We then climbed over the Silverdale Road with a fast descent into Stainforth. This descent was quite hazardous as we met hundreds of tired, sometimes erratic cyclists nearing the end of their 175km Etape du Dales cycling event.
From Stainforth we crossed the ancient pack-horse bridge to Little Stainforth, then climbed north on the flanks of Smearsett Scar to a panoramic view of the many quarries on the sides of Moughton Fell.
Turning west past the tiny hamlet of Wharf, we took the Thwaite Lane track (part of the old Lancaster to Richmond pack-horse route) for our return back to Clapham.
Descending into Clapham it was quite a shock riding down into the dark tunnel again. After the bright sunlight our eyes took a while to adjust to the near blackout, but we all managed to stay upright!
We ended our day back at the cafe in Clapham and eventually went our separate ways after a great day in the hills with fine weather.
Thanks to Simeon for organising a most enjoyable ride.
You can click here to see photos of 26th May around the Lower Kent Valley
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