The Yorkshire Dales Day 3
After yesterdays slower than expected progress then I insisted on earlier pedals down today with no pre ridefaffing. Yesterday the faffometer suggested a good 90 minutes had been wasted by either cycling guests not cycling up hills fast enough or general none cycling activities. I didn’t want today’s bonus loop put at risk so planned to run a tight ship. (Ha)
Big George also had a plan as he had no intention of doing the bonus loop so he would ride with us to first cafe stop. After which he would take a more leisurely approach stopping off to look at things on the way. This would have sent the faffometer off the scale so I was glad he was keen that me and Andrew could push on without the need to look at things too.
Dent stores B and B had been an excellent stopover but my cycling guests were enjoying an over leisurely breakfast (which included porridge for once). Andrew(who is notoriously hard to please) managed 5 cups of tea and two political rants as the first meal of the day dragged on. Eventually everyone was good to go with pedals down at a remarkably respectable 9:10.
Except they weren’t as Andrew had forgotten how to get his bag attached to his bike and it was another 20 mins before luggage was loaded by which time Big George had already set off to get a head start.
Again the ride was straight into the first of today’s 10 climbs albeit shorter in distance and lower in meters than yesterday’s 10. I was hoping my cycling guests fitness would have picked up but the faffometer was soon in action.
Unfortunately the weather was duller and colder than yesterday’s meaning the views were down a notch.
My tight ship strategy for the ride was soon in tatters as I kindly opening a gate for Andrew. But before I knew it he had shot off in the wrong direction and needed a phone call to retrieve him and another 5 mins lost
Then the 5 cups of breakfast tea kicked in as, when combined with an old blokes bladder, there are inevitable consequences.
Just as I thought we were about to get into our rhythm it started to rain which was a double wamy. First Andrew had to retrieve his coat from deep inside his luggage then the wet roads made descending more dangerous and much slower.
But suddenly it was all worth it as we came to a fantastic stretch of dales route. On our side was a lovely winding path along the side of the valley whilst on the other side was the M62. It was quite a contrast but I knew which side I would rather be.
But where was Big George I hear you ask. Surely he wasn’t going to make it all the way to the cafe stop without being caught. Well it took 14 miles but we found him in the end. Which led to further faffing as they both encouraged each other to remove and repack their rain jackets.
With more hills between here and the cafe we quickly lost Big George again but found the Orton Scar Cafe at the far end of Orton village.
It was a good stop with nice cakes, friendly staff, good setting and excellent tea. The only issue was the hot chocolate was Cadbury’s again so I didn’t bother. However I would put it on a par with my normally cycling cafes making the score 3-1 in their favour. I thought my experiment was now going well.
As planned Big George stayed a bit longer at the cafe before going to find things to look at. I marched Andrew back to his bike worried what a further two cups of tea would do to his internal plumbing.
We had already done over half the climbs but were well behind the clock. However things soon changed as after one more climb we came to a long flat section, including a brilliant bit through the deserted moors. This enabled us to make up lost time.
There was only one big climb today but it was a good one as again there was hardly anyone about as the moors stretched out in all directions. We decide to have our takeaway sandwich lunch at the top. Andrew had only one of his cheese and pickle sandwiches, I only mention this as it’s an important plot point.
After another flat bit there was a second long climb which went past the Tan Hill inn which is apparently the highest pub in England. It was horrible as the car park was rammed with tourists and music was blaring out across the Dales. Unbelievably they were playing Rolf Harris singing about his didgery doo. I thought playing Rolf was now illegal but apparently not above 1700 feet. (And no one misses his two little boys more than me).
Next we reached the highest point of the trip before a long descent into Reeth which meant we had incredibly arrived early enough for a cafe stop before the bonus loop.
We opted for Ivy House and it wasn’t good. Things started well with stunning views but cake selection was a fruit scone (not even sure if one thing can be a selection) and not a particularly good one. I was assured the Hot Chocolate was not Cadbury’s so I risked it and then regretted it. So definitely not up to my usual cycle cafe standard. So it was now 4-1.
Andrew now dropped a bombshell. Apparently his cheese and pickle half sandwich had not agreed with him and he wasn’t feeling very well so won’t be joining me. However on the plus side he offered me the other half which I eagerly accepted and popped in my back pocket.
The first few miles of the bonus loop were standard fair until I turned a corner and was greeted by this.
There followed the two steepest and hardest climbs of the week. I struggled to keep going on the really steep bits but I promised myself that if I got to the top without stopping I’d have a picnic. And this spurred me on.
After over 4 miles of steep climbing I reached the top and it was picnic time. Fortunately I still had the half of Andrew’s cheese and pickle sandwich, and it tasted great.
The rest of the ride was all descent so I was back relatively early.
Tomorrow we complete the loop back to Skipton to pick up the car and return to Norwich. The plan is to stick together and get there as soon as we can as it’s a long drive back. Once again I plan to crack the whip although I suspect I know what the result will be.
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Day 3 route   Stats
Cafe Ratings
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