Dear All,
Summer is here with its long warm days, beautiful sunshine, good company and the enjoyment of riding our Velocettes. How do you fancy joining us for a few fine days riding in the Yorkshire Dales? Our plan is to repeat the format of what happened in 2023 and 2022 when Lancashire Members and friends took part in very enjoyable visits to the North Yorkshire Moors. It will be at the same time of year to avoid major Velocette Owners Club events. An account of the 2023 trip can be found in Fishtail 494.
Here below are a few details and a tentative itinerary for this year's trip based at Ingleton.
Yorkshire Dales Monday July 15th to Thursday July 18th, 2024
Visiting and motorcycling in the Yorkshire Dales National Park is to experience some of the most dramatic roads in the country. The Dales can be wild and windswept or tranquil, with valleys full of hay meadows, barns and drystone walls, and is famous for its waterfalls and spectacular cave systems. We will explore the area from our base in the market town of Ingleton, which is well positioned on the western edge of the National Park.
People coming on the trip should book their own accommodation. Ingleton has a choice of small bed and breakfast guest houses, airbnb's, historic pubs, and country hotels with a range of prices for double rooms, twin rooms, single occupancy rooms etc. Some have car parks or secure storage for bikes. There are several campsites near Ingleton catering for tents and mobile homes.
In the evenings, the group will meet at one of the cafes/bistros/restaurants in and around Ingleton for an evening meal and to discuss the next day’s activities.
The two riding days will have a led group, but route instructions will be available for those wishing a shorter, more relaxed day.
Non-riders, car drivers, wives, partners and girlfriends are all welcome.
Ingleton is a small but fascinating town with interesting shops, a historic church and is famous for the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail and the nearby White Scar Caves. There are good bus services to Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancaster, Settle and Skipton, so there is plenty for non-riders to do. Don’t forget your bus pass.
A suggested itinerary is as follows:-
Riding Itinerary
Monday July 15th.
Travel to Ingleton.
Ingleton is approximately sixty miles from Manchester by motorway and fast dual carriageway, or more leisurely, along pleasant A roads.
7.30pm, evening meal together, (say the "Masons" for traditional Pub Food).
Tuesday July 16 th
After breakfast, we meet at the Asda Ingleton Express Petrol on A65 to fill up with petrol before we set off on our ride proper, say 10.15 am.
Following attached Route 1, we climb over the moors behind Whernside before descending into Dentdale, passing through the picturesque village of Dent, and arriving in Sedburgh for morning coffee at "The Waffle Cone", say 11.00am to 11.45 am.
We continue across the moors, stopping to inspect Tan Hill, the highest pub in the UK, before descending to Reeth for lunch at "The Buck", say 1.15pm to 2.15pm.
After lunch, we ride through beautiful Swaledale, ascend the Buttertubs and stop to view Hardraw Force, England's largest single drop waterfall, a reputed 100 ft drop (Adults £4, Concession £3), say 3.00 pm to 4.00 pm.
Finally on to Hawes for afternoon tea at the "Laburnum Tea Room", say 4.15 pm to 5.00 pm before a "fast" exhilarating ride past Ribblehead Viaduct returning to Ingleton for say 5.30pm.
Total distance 97 miles.
7.30 pm, evening meal together at a restaurant in Ingleton ( Say La Tavernetta - Italian!)
Wednesday July 17th
After breakfast, we meet at the Asda Ingleton Express Petrol on A65 to fill up with petrol before we set off on our ride proper, say 10.15 am.
Following attached Route 2, we have an exhilarating return ride to Hawes for morning coffee at the "Laburnum Tearoom", say 10.45 to 11.45 am.
We climb across high moors before descending into the very beautiful Wharfedale to Kettlewell for lunch at the "Bluebell Inn", say 12.30pm to 1.30pm.
After lunch, we pass Malham Tarn and stop to view the spectacular Malham Cove, a 230 ft high limestone cliff, say 2.15 pm to 3.15 pm.
Finally, on to Settle for afternoon tea at "The Folly Coffee House", say 3.45 pm to 4.45 pm. before returning to Ingleton for say 5.15pm.
Total distance 66 miles.
7.30 pm, evening meal together at a restaurant in Ingleton ( say The Weatsheaf Inn for traditional Pub Food)
Thursday, 18th July,
Set off for home after breakfast (Petrol available at Asda Ingleton Express Petrol on A65)
or:-
Thursday may be an opportunity to explore the four and a half mile Ingleton Waterfalls Trail before heading home. The trail boasts some of the most spectacular waterfall and oak woodland scenery in the UK, truly encapsulating nature at its best, including Thornton Force that falls 46 ft over a limestone cliff.
With rare and interesting plants and wildlife and its importance as a geological site, much of the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail has been designated as a "Site of Special Scientific Interest" by Natural England.
You should allow between two and a half and four hours to complete, depending on your fitness levels and whether you are walking or strolling. The trail opens at 9.00am and last entry is 7.00 pm. The entrance fee is £10 including parking.
Riding Routes
Tuesday July 16th
Here is a link for those with a TomTom, Garmin or Smart Phone
Wednesday July 17th
Here is a link for those with a TomTom, Garmin or Smart Phone
Photographs of places to be visited or passed en route
What to do next
If you are interested in coming, please contact John Booth, mobile 07827 796609, email janetandjohnbooth@btinternet.com.
As navigating the routes may be a little tricky and some of the stops for morning coffee and afternoon tea are quaint and not very big, plus the fact this will only be the third time Lancashire Centre has organised anything like this, we are a bit nervous of having a very large group, so before booking any accommodation, please contact John.
Next book your accommodation. As we plan to have two evening meals in Ingleton itself, having accommodation within walking distance of the town centre is good.
Finally, please fill in the Entry Form below. The main purpose of the Form is to give us contact details if we need to speak to your family for any reason.