Sunny Sheepwash.

Mountain Bike Ride

The Ginger One.

25th February 2016

This is turning into a superlative ten day break, sunny, dry and cold, with plenty of riding to while away the days. Today was no different. Me and The Ginger One found ourselves in Sheepwash car park awaiting the imminent arrival of The Trainee, who eventually phoned his apologies with some story which was widely considered a mendacious pretext for his Velcro bedsheets problem. Just for a change we began by hauling the bikes up the steep, slabby downhill we usually ride down in a faltering manner. This saved us half a mile in distance from the usual start along the reservoir and up through the woods and gave us some more carrying practice for the forthcoming Lakes’ epics.

We continued along High Lane to join the road before passing Chequers and continuing to Square Corner. Somewhat controversially, we then turned off road onto the track which leads to Swainby Shooting House, a track we used for many years unhindered despite originally having signs banning cycles. Some years ago the signs were removed and the network of tracks across Whorlton Moor became a regular route between Square Corner and Arnesgill Ridge, never the most exciting track but scenic ‘big sky’ riding with excellent views down the Scugdale valley; selfish actions by mountain bikers over in Clain Wood, part of the same estate, resulted in many square miles of moor reverting to out of bounds to cyclists. We thought we would have a look and see how the situation is progressing, the track to the shooting house was criss-crossed with tyre tracks, regardless of the signage. So we pressed on to the shooting house for the first time in many months, mentally expecting shotgun toting gamekeepers to be accosting us every pedal turn, buckshot-free, we continued across Whorlton Moor to Arnesgill Ridge enjoying the aforementioned big skies and views of Scugdale.

Arnesgill Ridge segued into Barker’s Ridge and the track went in the downhill direction, a few icy patches were easily avoided and it was a whole lot more fun the Tuesday’s ascent of the same track. Soon after we were at the top of Scugdale contemplating the ride to the bottom of the valley, this route being a B.O.A.T. is well rutted by motorbikes and 4x4’s giving a variety of lines, today it was pretty dry, a spirited descent followed, more enthusiasm than skill. A large stretch of ice almost caught The Ginger One unawares but some judicious swearing kept him on course and we reached the bottom virtually unscathed.

Being pensionerless, a mid-ride cafe stop was permissible and we enjoyed sandwiches and local gossip in the shop/cafe in Swainby, best value for money sandwiches in North Yorkshire fuelling us up for the remainder of the ride.  Especially the drag up the steps in Clain Woods. We ended the ride with the usual ‘extra loop’ finish - up the bridleway on Scarth Wood Moor and down the front to finish back at Sheepwash. Another splendid ride over, even feeling a bit of warmth from the sun - not bad for February.