BOWES ( nr.Barnard Castle ) Saturday 4th February 2023.

[The Hodge]

Great memories of this ride on a gloriously hot summers day a good few years back ..of course it could be a completely different kettle of fish in the middle of winter ..and we do pass by Nova Scotia en route ..
Strong( background ) interest from a few riders already ..so if you would like to join us you would be more than welcome ..
I will post details of the route this evening ..( working at the moment.. )

 

[Tonybro]

Sorry, eye test Saturday... (needed, you've seen how I ride! )

 

[The Hodge]

Apologies ..route details tomorrow now

 

[Doomanic]

Sorry, eye test Saturday...

Came here to post this...

 

[The Hodge]

10.00am start OK for everyone ..?
As for where to park ..basically wherever you can ..its not a massive place and I'm sure we will find each other ..
The route starts by heading north out of the village on a very minor road passing Nova Scotia then taking the next track on the left to pass Battle Hill Farm..
Next b/way on the right to the outcrop that is Goldsborough ( for a scramble around the rocks)..on towards the road .
* I havent ridden this next bit*..
Turn right onto the
road towards Willoughby Hall taking the b/way To cross the Hury resevoir dam wall and following this b/way above Blackton resevoir to link up with the Pennine Way b/way ( picking up the trail I have ridden before) to ride over Cotherstone Moor to Race Yate / Ravock Castle / Pasture End ..passing underneath the busy A66 to God's Bridge / Trough Heads and on to Sleightholme Farm .
A quiet road section follows through the Greta Valley until we meet the b/ way on the left to drop us down to Lady Myers/ West Gates and a wiggle back to the finish ..OR..depending on battery range / fitness..we could add on another loop which again I've not ridden to carry on along the road to where it becomes a track ..then a b/ way crossing over Scargill Low Moor towards Stang Foot .
Turn left on the road which involves a steepish climb & drop to Rutherford Farm then cross back over on The Rigg b/way back through Gilmonby and into Bowes to where we started ...however that last loop would add another 7-8 miles to the ride so careful thinking needed regarding range ( in winter conditions)...on a ride which I've estimated at roughly 17.5 miles ( without the additional loop)
Looking forward to seeing everyone ..let's hope the weather plays ball..

 

[The Hodge]

You can hopefully pick out the route from these pics

 

[The Hodge]

It's looking like a good turnout for Saturday..
So far ..
Wayne
Steve & Lou
Richy
Drew
Possible ..
Jaco ( probable)
Alan ..
Me ..( definite )
I'm also riding tomorrow in The Cheviots with Ian Bell( prop. of The Bike Place Kielder & Rob Aubrook..both of them on those old fashioned mtb's without the e ...even though Ian has a fleet of them which he hires out !
Nutter

 

[Tonybro]

Shame I can't make it. Gutted...

 

[The Hodge]

But you are going to be some rider once you can see where you are going ..
Next time mate ..

 

[The EMF]

Shame I can't make it. Gutted...

We’ll definitely do a ride in your neck of the woods once the daylight hours are longer

 

[Tonybro]

It's not where it is, just I'd booked an appointment a few days before Hodge called it out! I don't mind travelling!

 

[The EMF]

It's not where it is, just I'd booked an appointment a few days before Hodge called it out! I don't mind travelling!

Neither do we !

 

[The Hodge]

Good to meet up with what are becoming familiar faces today ..
Tough ride with ground conditions being wet & spongy which led to everyone having a bit of range anxiety not helped by the fact that an additional four miles were added due to yours truly missing the b/way turnoff for Goldsborough meaning we had to turn back ...oops !
Would love to revisit once again in summer ( dry) conditions ..
A few pics ..

Cheers all ..see ya soon