Dales, Descents and Cheese & Pickle Butties

A mild first day of November was all the encouragement we needed to get the bikes out for a roll around the Yorkshire Dales.

Saul had put together a cracking route: 36 miles off-road with 4,600 feet of climbing, taking us through Wensleydale, Cotterdale, Dentdale and Widdale. We knew we’d have to work for the views, and those long climbs certainly made us earn our descents.

There was nothing particularly gnarly on the way down, but the descents were long, fast and rewarding—the kind that make you forget the effort it took to reach the top. Almost.

Refreshment stops were few and far between, so spotting the Cake Shed at The Moorcock was a welcome bonus. Its well-stocked cake box gave us a chance to refuel, although I was glad I’d packed my trusty cheese and pickle butties. Always good to have a backup when cake supplies are uncertain.

Coffee in Hawes set us up nicely for the final climb up Cam High Road—one last test for the legs before rounding off a cracking day in the Dales. Great trails, rewarding descents and excellent company. A pretty good way to welcome November.