Hopefully we will be going up to Bainbridge to stay for the October half term.
Planning on doing the High Harker route from here.
https://www.dalesbikecentre.co.uk/pages/mtb-swaledale
We are staying in Bainbridge itself so can anyone recommend some routes that are an hour or so on either the road or MTB? I will be taking both with me unless the route above is doable on a gravel bike with knobbly tyres? In which case I will take that and just use one bike.
I will likely get time for an hour most days so plenty of opportunity to explore.
Not sure about an hour ride but Cam High road is worth a look. I think you could go to Butersett(?) and climb then drop back down to Bainbridge.
That High Harker route is gravel-friendly. Mainly wide tracks. There are better MTB routes on the north side of the valley if you are that way inclined.
Other gravel options are to take the steep road climb out of Askrigg and pick up the BWs that run east all the way to Castle Bolton, then return via the road. That should be about an hour.
Over to Hawes, Fleet Moss climb then descend off road via Cam Fell is 'about' an hour from the door, I'm guessing.
We sometimes camp on the lakeshore at Semerwater so I've had a ride or two from there and I would choose your gravel bike.
Another option is to climb up towards the Stake Allotments via Carpley Green, then, when you join the main byway, turn right and head for Stalling Busk, past Semer Water and over towards Burtersett, then down the final bit of the Cam High Road to BB.
High-Harker is to do with my Dad. He wont be looking for anything to extreme so if it is gravel friendly sounds like a good option!
Sounds like the gravel bike should be fine then and saves taking two bikes!
Thanks for the recommendations. I will try and look up some of the routes later.
Couple of tough climbs in it, but nothing too extreme going down.
Didn't realise how close to Buttertubs I am as well. Looks like a nice(!) loop out from Bainbridge. Which way is the best direction to go? Along to Hawes and up from that side or go from Thwaite side?
I'd personally go up from Hawes, puts you on the inside of the road on the narrow section with a drop to the right, plus the road is more scenic on that side, you can enjoy the descent without blowing out of your arse.
I'd come back via Redmires and take the long BW above Carperby back to Askrigg.
