Following our Yorkshire Cycling Sportives article earlier this year I finally did one. Not one of the 12 listed but the RideIt, King of the Pennines, organised by Evans Cycles.
We started in Skipton on a chilly Sunday morning, where the organisers had laid on breakfast. We set off northbound, into the Yorkshire Dales, towards Hetton. With a few short climbs and the sun coming out we quickly warmed up for our first major ascent on the route… Malham Cove! The steep, windy road was helped slightly by the stunning views of the Cove’s 260 foot, limestone cliff face. And at the top the views out across the Dales landscape below were enhanced by knowing how much effort it took to get there.
After a good ride along the top, past Malham Tarn, there was another cheeky climb before a nervous decent down to Arncliffe. The road levelled out there for a nice fast pull along to the fork where the crazy people doing the 100 mile course turned off. As we were only doing the ‘gentle’ 45 miler we turned south, along part of next year’s Tour de Yorkshire route, before stopping for some delicious flapjack and a quick refuel (no cup of good old Yorkshire tea unfortunately).
After a brief stop it was tough getting the legs warmed up again but we motored on through the picturesque village of Grassington. The last climb of the day, even though not as steep as Malham Cove, was a bit of a slog. Again, the views from the top seemed to make it all worth it. And a nice fast decent down to Embsay before heading back into the busy market town of Skipton finished off a good morning ride. Well worth the punishment.
Next week we take on the infamous Honister Pass, where the Tour of Britain has just been over, as part of the Lake District 100 sportive.
