4 dales epic - in the snow

Easter Saturday 2008 will be one I will remember for a long time to come. 5 riders set off at 7am - 2 heading for the Lakes, 2 heading for Wensleydale and 1 along for an unexpected long ride. A light sprinkling of snow was covering the ground in lower Wharfedale, temperature was a cool 1 degree, and threatening clouds were everywhere, but the (fool)hardy 5 set off anyway. There was a 25+mph northerly wind so we decided to go in a line and do strict 1 mile stints on the front. By Bolton Abbey we were in the first of the days blizzards, but at Burnsall the sun was shining brightly and Wharfedale was stunning. This pattern seemed to be set in for the day, as by the time we reached Kilnsey and my turn on the front came round again another blizzard was upon us. Even if I could have opened my eyes more than a tiny fraction I doubt whether I could have seen more than 5 metres in front of me! The snow passed down the valley as we headed north, and turning out of Wharfedale into Langstrothdale we were greeted by glorious sunshine again. Unfortunately the wind had not changed and we ploughed on to the bottom of the Fleet Moss climb.

There was no chance of the group sticking together on the climb, and I hit a bit of a sticky patch on the first steep part of the ascent dropping back, slipped on some ice half a mile further along, but managed to stay seated just needing a foot-out to steady myself. I could see Stefan and Gizzajob storming up the climb followed by El Cid and Cacohpony a short way behind. By the time I reached the cattle grid (half way) I was starting to get into a rhythm again, but as we ascended the snow and ice was spreading further onto the road. There was an interesting point just near the top where the ice was almost all the way across the road and I had to go on the far right to avoid it. Thankfully no cars came down at that point. Rounding the last very steep corner into an enormous headwind I was met by Stefan off back down and on his way home.

The snow was quite deep as you can see from the photos, but strangely the road was bone dry. Wensleydale looked amazing, snow covered with a bright blue sky, but now the promise of breakfast in Hawes was calling me. Only problem was the road on the descent was totally covered in snow and ice, so after what seemed like an age I finally trundled into the town to find the other three had already ordered, but only for themselves!

After our fill of sugary tea and saturated fat we split up, El Cid and Cacophony heading west up towards Garsdale Head and Gizzajob and myself off east along Wensleydale to Aysgarth. This was a very pleasant stretch with no stiff wind, no snow and only the odd short rise to test how much was left in my legs.

Here's Gizzajob at Aysgarth falls just before the nasty little 25% climb out of there. The snow is just beginning to come down again.

After climbing out of here we went over the top and down to Thoralby then along the bottom of Bishopdale and up to Kidstones Fell. The sun was shining again, until we reached the top and plunged into yet another blizzard as we dropped back back to Buckden and Wharfedale once more.

Of course by Kettlewell it was bright sunshine again. Once past Grassington and back onto "home" territory I was feeling quite elated. I was tired, but still going and managing the uphills without major soreness.

The final twist of the weather came as we rolled down to Ilkley on the back road by the golf course when the hail started. Nevermind, I didn't care, my computer was reading 83 miles and 6:10 riding time which considering the terrain and weather conditions I am really pleased with. Memory-Map tells me there was 2271 metres of ascent (7450 feet). So all in all a memorable ride.