🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 The Yorkshire Dales Cycleway

I took some time off work to ride the Yorkshire Dales Cycleway, it's a tour of the quiet roads around the six dales that make up the national park. I planned my route from Ilkley, booked some nights in hostels in prime locations, and set off wondering how I'd cope with being alone with my own thoughts for a few days... I've not done a lot of riding on my own, but this was fun, more enjoyable than expected. I found myself rounding a corner, or cresting a climb - and being taken back by how beautiful the scenery was or how mad the next descent looks. I've ridden the dales a lot on my mountain bike, and have spent many a sunny day walking and holidaying there. I thought I knew it well but this surprised me, riding these quiet country lanes helped me fill in so many missing puzzle pieces and discover a few more gems. It's also interesting that what makes Swaledale so good on a mountain bike (steeeeep), makes it hard work on the road. The south of the dales seemed to a bit more popular with the roadies, with gentler climbs and rewarding descents.𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘆The climbs were tough, the advice for this route is pack light as the climbs are frequent and often step, I ignored this and packed three coats (a waterproof, a puffy, and a light breathable one - a terrible system even in our climate), it didn't rain once in three days so only the breathable one was needed. Along with climbs, the descents are mostly rewarding glorious winding country lanes, with great views of the valleys. The other descents are steep, blink-and-you-miss-it type steep. Where the only evidence of the descent; is the cramp present in your hands from braking so hard. You're left confused, wondering why you climbed for so long only to be cruelly dumped on the valley floor, with a headwind and your GPS reminding you that the next climb is round the corner. Check the elevation on the descents into Swaledale and Dent for an idea.𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀I'm left with the feeling I could have done it in two days but I liked finishing the rides in the afternoon, allowing time to relax, shower and plan some food and downtime in the evening. I was on holiday after all. Plus this allows some contingency in case of mechanical issues or if you want to stay in one place to have a look around, so three days was perfect for me.𝗗𝗼 𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳• Official route and more info here: cyclethedales.org.uk/route/yorkshire_dales_cycleway• Full route from 𝙄𝙡𝙠𝙡𝙚𝙮:
komoot.com/tour/1331190442• Full route from 𝙎𝙠𝙞𝙥𝙩𝙤𝙣:
komoot.com/tour/1331227752... and here's a little taster
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆There are YHA hostels in Malham, Hawes and Grinton. There are former YHA hostels in Ingleton and Kettlewell.
All provide bike storage, a comfy bed for the night, and often evening meals and breakfast at a reasonable price.