Cyclist Touring Club ride to Kettlewell 27th June

Lancaster CTC members extended their usual range by visiting Littondale and Wharfedale last Sunday, starting at Clapham. Nine riders started the ride, with eight continuing after morning coffee. Perfect cycling conditions prevailed all day, mainly overcast but with clear views from the fell tops, and frequent sunny spells to light up the newly-mown meadows in the valleys . Riders had to be alert, as the route mirrored that of a huge sportif , with participants hurtling down the long hills as we ascended.

Due to the limited number of options, a coffee break was taken early,at Little Stainforth campsite café after a short ride through Austwick, Wharfe, Swarth Moor and Stackhouse Lane.

Prising ourselves away from the views down Ribblesdale from the café terrace, and convivial chat with fit guys from ‘Foulridge Postal’ road club, we crossed the medieval bridge over Stainforth Force , flirted briefly with the edge of the village, and braced ourselves for the long climb over Pen-y Ghent Fell. Dozens of  freewheeling Sportif riders shouted encouragement  as we tackled the hills and then down into Littondale at Halton Gill. Sticking to the north side of the Skirfare, we  passed  through Hawkswick before joining the main road which undulated into Kettlewell. A quiet corner by the maypole was found to enjoy our sandwiches.

Reverting to the narrow by-ways on the east side of Wharfedale, progress was made through Conistone, Grassington, Linton and Cracoe, where a visit to the farm shop café was thought advisable before tackling the next big climb. This was reached via Hetton and Airton and took us up the long drag over Scosthrop Moor, encountering the Sportif riders again. The route passed Scaleber Force waterfall, where some sightseeing was indulged in by two of the party, and ended with the scary near-vertical descent into Settle.

Giggleswick and Eldroth quickly passed as the legs had now worn in, and the cars were reached at 5.30. A reasonably hilly 53 miles ,with 4,800 feet of climbing. Alternatively, about 95 miles for one of our party who eschewed the car-assist.

We welcome new members, including those on electrics, and our varied programme of rides can be found on www.ctclancaster.org.uk.

Len Howard, Hon. Sec.