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Dales Run
Howe
Stean Gorge, Jervaulx Abbey, Kettlewell, Hawes, Dentdale, Ribblehead and
Pen-y-gent are just some of the names most evocative of the Yorkshire Dales and
those who came on the Dales Run crank down drove by all of these places and
more.
The
12th of October, the first day of a two day run, dawned bright and
clear and developed into one of the loveliest days of the summer
evidenced by all of the Jeeps running with their tops and windscreens
down. From the start line, just outside Harrogate, the convoy of 10
Jeeps, three Landi’s and two Matchless outriders plunged straight
into the beautiful Dales village of Hampsthwaite with its pretty stone
cottages and an idyllic village green it typified the countless
similar villages along the route. Passing close to Brimham Rocks and
through Pateley Bridge the group soon reached the first stop, for
morning coffee, at Howe Stean Gorge.
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diversion to Middlesmoor that followed was deliberate to gain the
magnificent views down Nidderdale but the group couldn’t have
expected the chaos this caused turning around in the tiny village in
the midst of a Mothers Union convention; hard luck on Brian and Tom
for having a trailer. |
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| Regaining
the route the convoy took to the moor route between Lofthouse and
Ellingsting. Just past Leighton reservoir we took a second diversion
to the Leeds Pals monument at Breary Banks, suggested by Mick and
Colin, our two intrepid outriders. Many of us had not known that this
impressive monument existed and stands at the place on the moors where
the Leeds Pals trained before leaving for France and oblivion.
The
monument stands on a dead-end road and rather than turning all the
vehicles around Simon scouted ahead and agreed with a friendly farmer
that we could take an excursion through the fields to reach the
parallel road at the other side of the valley. It was a short but
enjoyable length of off-roading that ended in a spectacular ford and a
link back to our main route.
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after we roared into the car park at Jervaulx Abbey for lunch; it was
perhaps a shame that none of us ventured to visit the romantic ruins
of the Abbey as they are easily reached via an ‘honesty box’.
After a mile of so, on the main road heading for Leyburn, we took a
left into the village of East Witten to reach the tiny Dales lane on
the south side of Coverdale. If you know where to go in the Dales few
cars will be encountered and so it was as we toured between the hedge
rows and fields. |
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out of Coverdale we were heading for the high moors again to reach the
watershed between Wensleydale and Wharfedale. Here we paused for
another group photo and to admire the magnificent views to the south.
A steep decent followed, testing to the limit 60 year old breaking
systems, to the village of Kettlewell and our camp site for the night
ahead.
The campsite
was simple but adequate; we pitched tents at the end of the ample
field, and were blessed with a fine view of the limestone crags rising
above us on all sides. A short walk took Denis, Hugo and others to
sample the local brews whilst those remaining erected Brian’s dining
shelter and readied the barbeque.
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We
were soon all gathered around a blazing fire, contained in an old
washing machine (!) marvelling at a wonderful first day and relishing
the prospect of the journey still to come.
Sunday dawned
fine but clouded over and whilst warm we didn’t see the sun again
that day. The revellery must have worked as we were a little behind
schedule setting off (it certainly did for Denise who had to duck out
with a bad head); however we were soon heading up the valley and into
Langstrothdale before climbing for a third time to the moors. Just
before the high point and the Roman road at Barkdale Head the convoy
stopped on a steep hill, much to Hugo’s consternation as he was
straining with the Jeeps gear box, to take in the views looking back
towards Ingleborough. At this moment some 50 Mazda MX5 spotscars sped
past; they would have been well teed off to have caught us up on the
open road.
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decent took us into Hawes and at the edge of the village a second ford
over some very slippery limestone that almost put Nick Storey in a
spin. After a toilet break in Hawes we descended on an unsuspecting
hostelry at Gardsdale Head for lunch and despite our numbers, being
the size of a modest coach party, they soon served us in readiness for
our last leg. |
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From
Garsdale we ascended to the moors for a forth time via a small back
lane to our highest point of the trip, 1,750 feet, above the place
where the Settle to Carlisle railway races north through the Wry Gill
tunnel. After more stunning views towards Sedbergh and the Lake
District we trundled down into Dent Dale and via another narrow lane
headed up again to the open moor road that runs along the back of
Whernside to Ingleton. We had already encountered some gates but this
lane had more than its fair share and guiding a convoy of 13 vehicles
through each one and remembering to shut the gate was only made
possible by the sterling work of Dave Reap, our tail end Charlie.
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afternoon was wearing on after we traversed Ingleton and at White Scar
Caves Tony and Nev left the formation for a quicker route home. With
the Land Rovers all out of the way the Jeeps could really rattle along
and picking up their skirts they soon passed Ribblehead Viaduct and
sped down to Horton, At Stainforth is was back to the high ground and
over to Arncliffe, the inspiration for the original Emmerdale.
Careering down Littondale along the final narrow lane of the trip we
gathered for a final group photo’ just before Kilnsey Crags.
So ended an
epic run in through our fantastic Dales scenery, with some saying
it’s the best trip the Yorkshire MVT has ever had. Therefore, if you
would prefer to use your vehicle, instead of letting it fester
standing on a cold wet show ground, then book your place on next years
convoy. You’ll easily spot next years run; the competition to name
the convoy was won by Paul and Val with the clever name of a “Ridge
too Far” a title that’s bound to stick.
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