'Scratching an Itch'

Wednesday 13 July 2016

As Rob Newton has been often heard to say 'it's got to be done’ so that’s how I felt about a bridleway across the southern flank of Fountains Fell. So with this object in mind four of us set off from the centre of Settle on a cool and windy day. Most eastward departures from Settle involve a long steep climb and our route was no exception as we rode north-east up the bridle path that joins the even steeper tarmac road that comes up from Langcliffe. Our efforts weren't helped by me turning uphill too early on a false trail. I have to confess my 'cheating' e-bike was a great help on the initial climb but a hinderance when we went off route and it became too steep to ride.

When we hit the tarmac we carried on up it until we reached a T-junction that marked the start of the bridleway that was our objective. The first problem was lifting our bikes through the small gate that marked the start. A sign said that it was only two miles to the road that came over from Arncliffe, but what a two miles it was! The start was a long steep climb up very rough pasture. It was followed by a very muddy narrow traversing track that was largely unrideable and liberally interspersed with deep muddy ditches. However we eventually emerged onto better ground when the surface rock changed from gritstone to limestone. When we eventually got to the top of the climb a wonderful view of Malham Tarn opened in front of us. The descent was fine although it contained a few muddy man and bike traps at first that needed care.

I think we were all relieved to have reached some firmer ground when we got to the road that comes up from Arncliffe. From here we took the bridle path round the top of Malham Tarn before descending to Malham for a well-earned lunch where we rejoined Jane who had wisely decided not to do the Fountains Fell bridle path.

The original plan was to go back to Settle via Gorebeck Road but the thought of the steep climb out of Malham and the deteriorating weather persuaded us to wimp out and go back on the tarmac to Settle via Kirkby Malham.

It was a terrific day out and I'd like to thank Dave and Peter for helping me scratch that itch but I won't be scratching that one again in a hurry.

Neville Cohen