Swaledale Mixed MTB

Swaledale Mixed Family Ride

Route Information

Stats: 10 miles on easy BWs and country lanes. Minimal climbing and descending

OS Map:

Refreshments

We’ve based this ride at the Dales Cycle Centre, Fremington near Reeth. Stu and Brenda have created something really special here, with a shop & workshop, cycle hire, cafe and top quality bunkhouse. It has absolutely everything you require.

Character

We wanted to throw in an easy opportunity for the younger kids to ride a section of the Tour de France and also enjoy some of Swaledale’s great tracks. This way they can make a choice in terms of where they think their cycling lies.

An easy BW alongside the river rolls along before climbing up to the narrow lane below moorland. Sweeping through the valley with some gently falling hills you’ll join another BW alongside the river before exiting at Crackpot, crossing the bridge and heading back to Reeth on the route of the 2014 Tour de France.

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Route

1. Head out of the Dales Cycle Centre turning right towards Grinton Bank. Cross the junction by the sharp left hand bend with care, and cycle along Grinton Bank for 100 yards before turning right into the narrow lane above the river.

2. As this lane turns steeply up to the left a BW ahead in the wall leads down to the river on a good rocky track. Rising and falling alongside the river, this excellent BW provides a safe and scenic ride, eventually crossing a wide meadow before climbing on a grassed track up to the road.

3. At the road turn right and enjoy the twisting and rolling ride, passing the bridge near Low Whita before re-joining a wide BW off to the right. This excellent rocky track is protected by walls and hedges, skirts the river before tarmac is reached once more, leading you onto the road junction and bridge on the opposite side to Low Row. Cross the bridge and turn right at Low Row.

4. Now simply follow this road – the route of the 2014 Grand Depart – all the way to Reeth, before dropping steeply and twisting along to Fremington and the Dales Cycle Centre – Easy. Now it’s time for some cake.