Swaledale Outdoor Club Cycling Section

Swaledale Outdoor Club Cycling Section Swaledale Outdoor Club's Cycling Section - Join us for regular weekend and Wednesday rides and social events in Swaledale and beyond!

Saturday was the 45th SOC Marathon & therefore a lot of cyclists were involved helping run the event & a smaller number ...
15/06/2026

Saturday was the 45th SOC Marathon & therefore a lot of cyclists were involved helping run the event & a smaller number actually did the marathon.

As a helper on Saturday I looked at the weather forecast & thought that Sunday would be a good day for a ride so I sent out a route.

10am Sunday morning & 6 cyclists rolled out of Barton bound for Middleham via Brompton on Swale where we picked up a 7th. After Tunstall we picked up our 8th rider who had left late from home & intercepted us en-route.

You may not be surprised to know we all helped at the marathon on Saturday & unsurprisingly non of us did the marathon this year 😂

We made our way in sunshine with clouds but little wind to Constable Burton round an oncoming tractor on the way to Cover Bridge & on to Middlham for lunch at the excellent Castle Keep Tea Rooms which despite being busy got us served quickly.

Lunch had we climbed out of Middleham & past Coverham. On the climb to Agglethorpe a busy farmer got his tractor & silage trailer in the one place we could pass him & waited patiently for us all to get past, many thanks 👍. We followed this by heading over Middleham High Moor before going through West Witton & on to West Burton.

Well except the 3 who failed to study the route properly ‼️😂. Those on route climbed again through Thorlby before descending past Aysgarth Falls & back uphill into Carperby where the full team reunited.

Climbing wise there only remained the little matter of Greets Moss 😱 where we were photographed by a couple of members not out today who happened to be going over in their car.

After Greets Moss tea was taken at Dales Bike Centre before the final 20 miles back to Barton which was the easiest section of the ride

61 miles & 4,900 feet of ascent

AJS

The weather forecast was poor so I changed the route instead of Thirsk to the Howardian Hills I switched to Richmond to ...
10/06/2026

The weather forecast was poor so I changed the route instead of Thirsk to the Howardian Hills I switched to Richmond to Simply Dutch.

I didn't need to be concerned because the forecasters got it completely wrong and the only rain we had was from home to The Station. The rest of the day was dry and even warm in the afternoon.

10 of us cycled 31 miles through Hipswell, Tunstall, Hackforth and Bedale. Simply Dutch were friendly and efficient. Our return route was through Catterick Village and Brompton.

An enjoyable ride with no punctures or mechanical problems.
Thank you
James

It was an unprepossessing forecast & the morning dawned in-line with the forecast. The thought of a wet ride into Teesda...
06/06/2026

It was an unprepossessing forecast & the morning dawned in-line with the forecast.

The thought of a wet ride into Teesdale & on to Weardale & a return into a strengthening south easterly breeze did not appeal that much.

Anyway undeterred (it's Britain you can't wait for the weather) 3 of us left Barton & were soon joined by a 4th on the ride to Barnard Castle & Cafe Number 3. Here over a 2nd breakfast as arranged the other ride joined us with another 5 riders.

By this time it was raining as we left Barney we waived goodbye to one of the team who was time limited. The remaining 8 headed to Middleton in Teesdale in the rain. On reaching Middleton we held a committee meeting on the side of the road. One of the team who was carrying an injury decided that heading back to Barny was best for them & so we were 7.

The perceived wisdom was that heading to Weardale was not the best in the conditions but thanks to the 2 locals in the team a ride up to Newbiggin, followed by two loops on the north side of the valley (one very steep) would allow us to tickle the edge of Teesdale on Middleton Common. The second loop proved the wisdom of not going into Weardale.

Above Middleton the 2 locals peeled off to head directly home & the remaining 5 headed for the Samuel James Deli Cafe in Middleton for a late lunch. I asked how many of us were left as we spied a table & was told "being one of your rides we have gained & dropped people all day!" Which is fair enough I do have form 😂.

Back into the rain & the ride back to Eggleston & the climb up to the road to Staindrop then followed. By which time in more easterly climes the sun ☀️ came out.

The remaining 2 who started from Barny peeled off, 36 miles & over 3,000 feet of ascent for them.

The original 3 returned to Barton via Staindrop, Ingleton & Piecebridge, 64 miles & over 4,000 feet of ascent for us

AJS

Sadly, Jill's shoulder injury meant she couldn't lead her well planned tour of Westmorland. I'd already booked a £1.50 r...
04/06/2026

Sadly, Jill's shoulder injury meant she couldn't lead her well planned tour of Westmorland.
I'd already booked a £1.50 rail ticket on the Settle-Carlisle line, plus connections, so stepped in. Alex had booked the day off, and with a very wet weather forecast deterring the usual followers, it was only 2 committed hardy riders (yet again).
Fortunately, the rain was light and intermittent and the wind dried us off.
We enjoyed great views of the Howgills, particularly from the meandering and lumpy LDL (Lakes and Dales Loop) cycle route on the western side close to the M6.
Views of the eastern fell tops and Cauldron Spout were hazy.
The gypsies and travellers on their way to Appleby didn't cause any problems, although it was noticeable few places were open back in KS.
We had two decent cafe stops at Sedbergh and Orton.
My train journey proved a long day out, leaving home at 06.15 and not returning until 20.40. Just glad all the connections worked and there were bike spaces available.

Graham

Yesterday's ride from Swainby to Rievaulx Abbey, notable for the following:• Just 2 of us at the start 😪 ... or as Marcu...
31/05/2026

Yesterday's ride from Swainby to Rievaulx Abbey, notable for the following:

• Just 2 of us at the start 😪 ... or as Marcus put it, "good to be rid of the all the riff raff!" 🤣
• Happily a 3rd, Paul Smith, emerged from the parting clouds at the top of Scarth Nick! 🚴‍♂️🚴+🚴‍♂️
• Warmth, bright sunshine, blue skies and the sights and sounds of nature 🌞🐏🐂🕊 - and Paul spotting a Kite!
• Traffic-free roads and the stunning hill scenery on route to Hawnby and beyond ⛰️
• The arduous climbs: Scarth Nick, Osmotherley, Murton Bank, Caydale Mill, Rievaulx, to name but a few (knees still complaining!)
• The picturesque setting of the 12th century All Saints Church, Hawnby
• Drooling in anticipation of that mid morning coffee at Hawnby Village Tearooms ☕️ 😋
• Gutted the cafe was closed! 😭 (family emergency)
• Navigating all the horse riders
🏇🏇 🏇🏇
• A restful lunch at Rievaulx Abbey 🍲☕️
• The climb, on a full stomach, from valley floor to B1257 🥵
• The long descent and then rapid valley floor return through Bilsdale to Chop Gate 🚴‍♂️ 🚴 💨
• Raisdale and the reward of ☕️ and 🍰 at Lordstones. It was open! 😃
• The hairy descent of Carlton Bank -both brakes working!

A hard, but thoroughly enjoyable day out in the saddle. Thanks to my 2 companions.

Mike P

23rd May: Well who would have thought that after all of the recent ride cancellations due to poor weather we would be tr...
24/05/2026

23rd May: Well who would have thought that after all of the recent ride cancellations due to poor weather we would be treated to a sunny, warm and thankfully dry Bank Holiday weekend?

To make the best use of it 15 section members and a potential new member joined me for an enjoyable and what became an eventful ride from Barton to Raby Castle Cafe for lunch. Well that was the plan.

Due to the number of riders we split into 2 groups, the second group being led by Bernie, on her electric bike which will now always be known as ‘The Tug’ after yesterday's heroics. But more of that later.

The ride was straightforward and enjoyable until the first group reached Raby Castle and were informed that we needed to pay £5 each to access the grounds, as it was a Bank Holiday, before we could use the cafe!! Lot of 'dyed in the wool’ Yorkshire folk on this ride, so cue reverse gear and we made our way to The Country Teashop at Staindrop, where Sue and here team made us welcome.

After an excellent lunch we set off on the homeward leg of our journey, again in 2 groups. The afternoon ride was a contrast where we enjoyed country lanes rather than the sometimes busy and shocking road surfaces of the morning's B roads. Being such a lovely warm afternoon the front group decided to wait at Caldwell for the rest of the riders so we could ride the last 7 or 8 miles back to Barton together. Well that was the plan. However, the group became naturally strung out as we made our way up the long hill from Forcett to the Melsonby turn-off. The first group of 4 got there and waited for the others. And they waited, and waited but no sign of them - perhaps they had somehow gone a different route?

We got back to Barton and there was still no sign of them. Eventually they arrived - Greg having a pedal and its crank in his hand. Apparently, he had a major mechanical part way up the hill with his recently purchased, used but lovingly cherished and maintained, shiny Pinerello. Result: Bernie and ‘The Tug’ having to tow him up the hill and back to the start!

Thanks to Bernie for her heroics and for leading the second group. Welcome to Colin who is now our latest member.

TT

16th May: I decided to change the route today because of health issues (just recovered from a cold) and unpredictable we...
17/05/2026

16th May: I decided to change the route today because of health issues (just recovered from a cold) and unpredictable weather.

So instead of cycling over the highest pass in the UK we went on a flattish ride to Canada Fields. There were 7 of us gathered at The Station (Yvonne, Glenys, Peter, Chris, Richard G, Barbara and I), some having a pre-ride drink.

The railway path was reasonably dry and then past the sewage works (yes I know how to live) up Longwood Bank to Hipswell and then Tunstall. From Tunstall we took the bridle way to Hornby Castle (a first for some) with great views over the surrounding countryside.

Hackforth, Kirkby Fleetham, Great Langton and Thrintoft and on to the Maple Leaf cafe 🍁 at Canada Fields. The service was excellent, the food good and reasonably priced and a good bike parking area. What's not to like?

We were joined for lunch by Judith. A return journey via Streetlam, North Cowton, Moulton, Middleton Tyas and Skeeby saw us cycle 38 miles in total in decent weather.

James

13/05/2026

Today would certainly not have been a good one for going to Tan Hill (as original plan) but I thought that a less hilly, shortish low level ride out to Kiplin would be a reasonable alternative.

I set out from Ravensworth and negotiated the hills to Richmond then onwards to Brompton on Swale and Scorton where I met up with Glenys and Jenny.

The café at Kiplin Hall seemed to consist of tables of women of a certain age apart from one man and our Glenys who has yet to reach a certain age. The cheese scones were warm and delicious and mine also had leeks in.

After our early lunch Jenny departed towards Kirby Fleetham whilst Glenys and I took the quiet back roads through to Scorton, Moulton and Scotch Corner. Glenys then headed home to Catterick and I went back to Ravensworth via Sedbury Lane and Gilling West.

30 miles in distance. I was able to miss all the showers by sheltering under the motorway bridge in Brompton, choosing a book for Glenys in the bus stop at Moulton and popping in to Scotch Corner services for a paper.

Well worth going out.

Thank you Glenys and Jenny
Yvonne

10th May: Six of us met at Northallerton Sports Village on Sunday for a ride to the 100th Cotswold Cycling Service. We p...
11/05/2026

10th May: Six of us met at Northallerton Sports Village on Sunday for a ride to the 100th Cotswold Cycling Service. We picked two other cyclists up on Sandy Bank and the 8 of us continued through pleasant rolling countryside through Knayton, Felixkirk and Kilburn with just one mechanical when Greg needed to tighten his pedal. Arriving in Cotswold we joined many other cyclists at the village hall for a wonderful spread of sandwiches, quiches and cakes. Suitably fed we joined other cyclists - and the Archbishop of York - in St Michaels Church for the annual service.

This annual service was started in 1927 to remember those cyclists who had fought in the First World War - many who had not returned. Following the service the Archbishop unveiled a plaque commemorating this achievement. Despite many such services taking place initially, there are only two which remain in England.

We then set off downhill through Sowerby to Thirsk - where a toilet stop was needed but Keith cycled on - he found his way home and was back at the car park before us. A pleasant 40 mile cycle ride in pleasant weather and company.

Judith

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