Ride Reports
Saturday 6th April 2019
A Ride Tan Hill and Cote de Buttertubs - Steve Kelly
Tan Hill and Cote de Buttertubs
Four went forth or fourth went four or something like that. We fourgathered in sunny Sedbergh just in time for the English National Fell Race Championship starting in the field next to the usual parking spot. They were intending to do the same 2000 odd metres as us, except over 12 miles instead of our 76. We weren’t tempted.
We employed a controlled rolling start along the feet of the Howgills stopping often to admire the view in the bright sunshine. We managed to safely traverse the new cattle grid and downhill left hander where Vincent George came a cropper a few years ago. Luckily dry this time. A mile or so on the main road saw us into Tebay and on to the old road paralleling the A685 to Kirkby Stephen. We looped round to KS via Soulby on quiet roads before heading for Tan Hill. A few steep ramps got us up on to the rolling plateau, still in calm sunny weather where we saw miles and miles of....not very much. You’ve got to love open moorland. Which got us to the highest pub in GB for lunch at 37 miles. We just beat the Grand National mini bus crowd who were slightly off course for Aintree.
Evidential photographs were taken before setting off downhill to Reeth. Downhill but with a few uphills on the way.
A stop at the bakery in Reeth for flapjacks and scones at least half an hour after lunch seemed necessary. The lads were pre loading for the climb to come. The rolling road took us on to Muker and a catching of breath at the turn for Buttertubs. It’s a grind, what can I tell you. You look up and wonder if this is a good idea. Bit of a respite past the aforementioned Tubs on the way up but with a steep sting in the tail. Then a lovely flowing descent towards Hawes although a couple of us had cheek grippers on loose gravel on corners in Simonstone. More rolling roads to Garsdale Head where we took a breather before the chainy back to Sedbergh. Kudos to the ex Chairman who found renewed energy at the end of the day to pull us along. And to Michael Birchall and Keith Oglesby who also took their turn on the front. As RC I felt it appropriate to monitor the gang from the rear.
Thanks lads, I really enjoyed it.
Four went forth or fourth went four or something like that. We fourgathered in sunny Sedbergh just in time for the English National Fell Race Championship starting in the field next to the usual parking spot. They were intending to do the same 2000 odd metres as us, except over 12 miles instead of our 76. We weren’t tempted.
We employed a controlled rolling start along the feet of the Howgills stopping often to admire the view in the bright sunshine. We managed to safely traverse the new cattle grid and downhill left hander where Vincent George came a cropper a few years ago. Luckily dry this time. A mile or so on the main road saw us into Tebay and on to the old road paralleling the A685 to Kirkby Stephen. We looped round to KS via Soulby on quiet roads before heading for Tan Hill. A few steep ramps got us up on to the rolling plateau, still in calm sunny weather where we saw miles and miles of....not very much. You’ve got to love open moorland. Which got us to the highest pub in GB for lunch at 37 miles. We just beat the Grand National mini bus crowd who were slightly off course for Aintree.
Evidential photographs were taken before setting off downhill to Reeth. Downhill but with a few uphills on the way.
A stop at the bakery in Reeth for flapjacks and scones at least half an hour after lunch seemed necessary. The lads were pre loading for the climb to come. The rolling road took us on to Muker and a catching of breath at the turn for Buttertubs. It’s a grind, what can I tell you. You look up and wonder if this is a good idea. Bit of a respite past the aforementioned Tubs on the way up but with a steep sting in the tail. Then a lovely flowing descent towards Hawes although a couple of us had cheek grippers on loose gravel on corners in Simonstone. More rolling roads to Garsdale Head where we took a breather before the chainy back to Sedbergh. Kudos to the ex Chairman who found renewed energy at the end of the day to pull us along. And to Michael Birchall and Keith Oglesby who also took their turn on the front. As RC I felt it appropriate to monitor the gang from the rear.
Thanks lads, I really enjoyed it.
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