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I'm thinking of putting together a guided ride to tell the history about mining in Swaledale. Anyone riding around Swaledale must have seen all the ruins and spoil heaps all over the place, but how many knows about the mechanics of it all, what went on underground and what life would have been like for the miners? Going inside a mine would be optional but encouraged. (Before you ask, no I haven't found a suitable mine to ride inside of!)
Timewise, I recon 4-4.5 hours, distance 10-12 miles. Terrain: All off-road on medium difficulty singletrack mixed with gravel tracks.
I'd aim for a group of 6-8, optional donation for charity at the end.
Would there be any interest for a thing like this?
I'd be keen - I'm in Garsdale so just over the hill. Also a caver, so the underground bit sounds good.
I often ride up Gunnerside Gill, Hard Level Gill etc but have never actually been in Sir Francis Level (or any other Swaledale Mines except Devis).
I do find the history interesting so would be up for it.
I’d be interested, family commitments permitting - I ride a lot in Swaledale as it’s the part of the dales closest to where I live (Durham).
Me!
Live in Barney, so almost on the doorstep.
I'll put a few dates out come next year and hopefully we can get a group together.
Sounds really interesting.
Could be the basis of a STW article / classic ride?
I'd be interested. Live in Leeds so a bit of a trek, but other than this year's Ardrock, have never ridden in the area.
I'd be up for this too. I spent a week there earlier this year and loved it. I'm in South Wales so the logistics will be a bit of a pain but I'm keen.
Think that’s a really good idea. I’d love to do that. Am a bit far away sadly.
Could be the basis of a STW article / classic ride?
Been done, kinda - a journal of a trip from Rochdale to Allendale linking up industrial relics including above Swaledale.
Off up to that general area tomorrow for a few days.
I'd be interested. Loads of history up there.
Not your area or even about cycling, but I thought that this might interest you - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-67088675
Definitely sounds interesting, I’d be up for it. Near Leeds so not so far and beautiful scenery and some history too. Win win
What a great idea.
I hope it goes well OP.
I would be keen, as would my non STW riding buddy. We live in Co. Durham / Teesside so easy for us to get to
I'd be keen too.
Sounds interesting but 10 -12 miles in 4+ hours is bloody slow.
Sounds interesting but 10 -12 miles in 4+ hours is bloody slow.
Yes, it is slow because there is a lot to see and a lot to talk about in addition to two substantial climbs. The emphasis would be very much on the mining history but the travel between the mines would be fun with the odd technical section thrown in.
Sounds interesting but 10 -12 miles in 4+ hours is bloody slow.
Worst 'humble-brag' ever 😉😂
Some of us (me) are old, unfit and slow, but mostly unfit and slow. And I fully resemble that comment 😁
I'm so happy that there seems to be interest in this. I know quite a lot about the mines in the area already but will spend a bit more time talking to some of the old mine experts. I'm keen to try and make sure that thieir knowledge is retained and passed on. Putting this ride together will be an excellent motivator to get it done sooner rather than later.
I'll post again when I have dates ready and people can 'book' themselves on!
Sounds great.
Love the area, love old mines.
We'll be there.
Would possibly be able to put something similar together regarding
some of the North Wales slate mines, military sites and areas of older technological/scientific interest, including reasonably priced bunkhouse accommodation if this proves popular. Would be mixed on/off road and involve a ridiculous amount of gravel type climbing.
But definitely possible.
Following to see what dates set, suffering from a dodgey knee at the moment but like the idea of this. Keep meaning to visit Pateley Lead mines on the bike but haven't managed it yet.
Cracking riding in that area - a return visit is long over due.
Do you know the history of the "pile of stones" on top of Fremington Edge?😉
https://www.streetmap.co.uk/map/idld?x=403322&y=501859&z=115&sv=403322,501859&st=4&ar=Y,y&mapp=map [FS]idld&searchp=ids&dn=595&ax=403322&ay=501859&lm=0
Will see what gets arranged and whether we can make it, I love stuff like this. Would be interested in North Wales too @RustySpanner
Watching the new All Creatures Great And Small recently, we saw the lone chimney in one scene and recalled visiting that area on the STW tandem weekender with @chipps, Beate, @tjagain et al and being fascinated by that kind of stuff
I’d be up for a trip to Swaledale, but distance is an issue as I’m also based in S. Wales. Please keep us posted.
Someone could probably do a similar trip to Coed-y-Brenin. There are at least 2 historic gold mines nearby. The place is dripping with gold and the area of the trail centre is a low grade copper deposit.
This sound fantastic, very keen if I can make the trip North!
Will keep an eye when you've some dates. Would also be on a cross bike..
Sounds great, I’d love to tag on to something like this. Not a million miles from our caravan so I’d plan to be up there if you did it in a weekend.
Love a bit of industrial heritage plus biking is the icing on the cake.