RSF - The Off Road Cycling Club

We're located firmly in Yorkshire for this ride starting as it does at Ribblehead. Do-able at almost any time of year as the going is virtually all on hardpacked trail surfaces. It is we warn you something of a climbfest as the first high point is reached after seven miles of ascent. There follows however a flatish mile across the high pasture before plunging down to the road at Newby Head, a distance of 1.25 miles. As you whizz down do you see the lump that is Wold Fell across the valley? That is our next destination and the climbing while shorter does ramp up to 18+% in sections, enough to punish already tired legs.

Once you've made it to the crossroads leave the Pennine bridleway and descend Arton Gill, good technique needed over the drainage channels here. You'll ride under a smaller but no less picturesque version of the Ribblehead viaduct before dropping to the fabulous little hamlet of Cowgill. Take a rest and admire the ancient stone barns and houses because we now face a climb back up of 600 feet, it is on road so a little easier than what has gone before.

Just before reaching the track you ascended to Wold Fell take the bridleway on the right which is rough but firm for the most part. It starts to descend bending to the left and just as you come to a sharp right hander bear left into the fields. This goes around the farm and leads down to the main road which you now follow back to Ribblehead.

The ride is 22 miles long and climbs 2,750 feet. If you believe Strava  there are three category 4 climbs and one category 3. The photo shows part of the Arton Gill descent.