Less than an hour from Leeds we set out pretty late at 9am, meaning I had a rare lie in on a Sunday morning.
Martin followed us to our start point in Pateley Bridge and the weather forecast looked promising, we scrimped for change for the parking meter and headed out.
There wasn't much scope for a warm up, as the dreaded tarmac rose steeply out of the village for about 3/4 of a kilometer. We soon turned off the B6265 and headed North West on a quiet road .
The road, soon turned to track, the track soon turned to gravel and we carried on climbing up to the quarry at the dike crossing.
Jumps and drops have been built by the locals and a few of them were sessioning their creations like proud parents. We still had a long ride ahead of us, so didn't stop for a play, as tempting as the gap jumps were.
We crossed the stream by the convenient bridge and doubled back on ourselves down the other side.
The track got faster and faster until we came to Ashfold Side campsite. This was our turning point north in to the Nidderdale valley.
We pushed up the bridleway over grassy fields and through a small farm,. The sun was shining making us forget it was supposed to be a cold day in February, but the short, fast tarmac descent soon reminded us of that fact.
Following the road North we gazed over the reservoir at our return track, until we veered off off-road once again at Ramsgill.
Climbing on farm tracks, we headed up, through the gates and mud, for the descent down to Lofthouse.
Our eyes refused to look up at the church, knowing we had a lung busting, leg cruncher of a climb to get there, like a huge dragon it perched high on the hillside above, watching our every pedal turn.
Heads down and arses up, we each ascended at our own pace and one by one popped out at the pub. It was hard to resist a pint in The Crown Hotel, after being refreshed one hot, summers day a couple of years earlier.
The gradient eased and we were away from the tarmac, climbing over the shoulder of In Moor.
We were soon dropping on the rocky track down to Scar House Reservoir. Passing a few walkers, we reined in the speed to avoid any stray rocks flying around.
At the bottom, we shoved some food in our face holes and crossed the dam for the next daunting climb.
Following the Nidderdale Way until we took the trail on top of the ridge. The valley opened up below us, and Great Whernside was covered in snow behind us, offering stunning views whichever way we looked.
On this side of the valley, the service tracks to the shooting huts, allowed us to cover the miles quickly, and in no time at all we crossed the road leading down to Lofthouse.
A short climb led us up to a quick, fast descent. The water gutters, or speed bumps, gave us some jump options as we regrouped after a our speedy cruise.
A little pedal, put us at the top of our final descent back down to Ramsgill. This was the highlight of the day, loose rocks, with some little drops lead us down, the only thing that slowed the flow was the three gates, but we were soon spat out at the bottom.
We had two, options, get on the road and get back to the van quick, or head along the other side of Gouthwaite Reservoir on the muddy farmers track. Being mountain bikers, it had to be the latter option, so we braved the mud and headed out on the track.
Stuart, showed off his Ninja Warrior skills, opening a waterlogged gate by keeping his feet dry. The let down was when he came to close it with a half hearted slam, not quite catching the latch. Martin volunteered to brave the pond and close the gate.
Once hitting the road, we cruised in to Pateley Bridge, just in time for a brew before the cafe closed.
