Classic Ride 143 – Scar House Loop, Nidderdale

Classic RideSingletrack Magazine

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A truly Classic day out with big views, plenty of miles, and legendary Scotch eggs. Words & Photography Barney Marsh The Yorkshire Dales have been, of course, extensively covered in the Singletrack Worlds of yore, but Nidderdale has largely been left off the list. Sure, there are mentions here and there, but, for the most part, dropping Nidderdale into the deep black pool of Singletrackian knowledge yields only the barest ripple – followed perhaps by…

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Author Profile Picture

Barney Marsh takes the word ‘career’ literally, veering wildly across the road of his life, as thoroughly in control as a goldfish on the dashboard of a motorhome. He’s been, with varying degrees of success, a scientist, teacher, shop assistant, binman and, for one memorable day, a hospital laundry worker. These days, he’s a dad, husband, guitarist, and writer, also with varying degrees of success. He sometimes takes photographs. Some of them are acceptable. Occasionally he rides bikes to cast the rest of his life into sharp relief. Or just to ride through puddles. Sometimes he writes about them. Bikes, not puddles. He is a writer of rongs, a stealer of souls and a polisher of turds. He isn’t nearly as clever or as funny as he thinks he is.

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Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
  • Classic Ride 143 – Scar House Loop, Nidderdale
  • Jordan
    Full Member

    Practicaly on my doorstep but never ridden there to my shame. Always planned to do a route over the hill from Coverdale but never got round to it.

    Posted 2 years ago
    dangeourbrain
    Free Member

    If you do Jordan, do the bit by the caravan park, lead mines and through to Greenhow Hill the other way round.

    Posted 2 years ago
    whatyadoinsucka
    Free Member

    rode it a few years ago, the descent to scarhouse was fun, but alot was just rubble track, nothing exciting,
    popped over to horsehouse, which was meant to be a good sidetrip, it had been sanitised.

    Posted 2 years ago
    euan
    Full Member

    Did this main loop yesterday afternoon after 2 days of heavy rain, missed the last quarry bit as ran out of time .

    A good route for all year riding definitely, as all rideable and not too soggy, even the bit mentioned on NE of Gouthwaite Reservoir. Not too techy, descent to Scar House the best bit from that respect, but a great loop on mainly bridleway / track with some fabulous views. Off the roads saw the grand total of 0 other MTBers, 4 walkers and 2 Farmers in 4×4’s – so the lack of excitement probably a good thing given was out on my own. Used a 130 full suss which was ideal, could be done on a hardtail I guess but you’d need a harder ass than mine !!

    Thanks for publishing and putting on Komoot 👍

    Posted 10 months ago
    euan
    Full Member

    PS – the Butchers is as good as mentioned – Pork and Stilton Pie saved for Scar House was amazing !

    Posted 10 months ago
    saj91
    Full Member

    I’ve done this ride several times in all weathers, its simply a great ride with fantastic views, even when the rain is horizontal and the temperature is barely above freezing!

    Posted 8 months ago
    blackhat
    Free Member

    Special to me as it was my second ever MTB ride, on a borrowed hard tail, 100mm of travel forks and v brakes.

    Posted 8 months ago
    martinhutch
    Full Member

    It’s a good ride for the amount of rainfall we’ve been having. Very little stuff which can get boggy.

    Posted 8 months ago
Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

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