I have got to drop the wife off in Darlo next week . She will want to be there from about 10 to 6 so was hoping to get a ride in. I know Swaledale reasonably well but don't know the area around Darlington at all. Any suggestions for a day ride? Don't really want to drive far.
Top end of the North York Moors is slightly quicker to get to, but Reeth is only 45 minutes away. The routes I've done in that part of the NYM have been a bit hit and miss, and IMO Swaledale is a safer better in terms of quality riding, especially as you know the area a bit and can get straight into it.
about half an hour away (east) is Guisborough. Nice woods. Or half an hour north - Hamsterley?
Hamsterley
If your want to trail center Hamsterley is closer and quicker to get to from darlo than Guisborough. And there is more to to ride at Hamsterley
If you want a day out in the hills then either swaledale or the north Yorkshire moors, carlton bank would probably be the closest starting point for the NYM.
There are plenty of bridleways around darlo and you can make a long ride, but they are more suited to cross/gravel bike than mtb.
Reeth and the Dales isn’t too far from Darlo too