Going to organise a weekend of road riding for my Dad as a 70th bday present.
Looking for quiet riding, some good climbs, decent pubs, quality B&B and a couple of 40-50 mile loops.
I'd be happy with any of the three listed, but looking for inspiration.
What would your preference be and why?
I don't know how fit your dad is but many of the climbs in the NYM are pretty viscious especially when you get off the main roads.
Some good loops in the Dales with plenty of cafes that are cyclist friendly. Base yourself in the Settle area and do one loop over to Wharfedale and back, second loop could go westwards but also include stuff on the south side of the A65 around Gisburn Forest area.
Not done any road riding in the Peak.
I'd recommend Kettlewell in the Dales. Nice B&Bs and the pie of the day in the Blue Bell is always amazing.
For rides I'd have a day exploring round Grassington, Malham and Halton Gill and another day to the north, taking in Fleet Moss, Aysgarth and Coverdale.
Lovely!
Yeah Kettlewell is a good shout, you don't have to go up Park Rash, but you could if you're that kind of crazy.
I love the dales because if you throw in a few climbs you can go Wharf/Nidder/Wensley/Swaledale and do all sorts of routes with little to no traffic on.
And for the most part, the drivers aren't complete dicks when they encounter you on a bike, particularly if you wave them past if you can see it's safe for them to do so since you're generally a bit higher than them.
Last weekend though, the conditions were damp, and there was little to no grip on some of the climbs, due to them being covered by a fine layer of mud/shite/leaves, but still lovely.
Was massively sketchy going down park rash, having come up the other side.... and would not fancy going down Greenhow into pateley bridge.
My favourite place to ride, I guess.
Blimey, in 9 years and 6 months this will be my son posting and identical question. I just hope the tight wad doesn't forget his wallet like he always does when we go out cycling. Can't wait for him to turn 18 and buy me a pint.
What about the Yorkshire dales cycleway route. Lots of nice pubs and hills there. Can be trimmed to 90 miles if you start at malham and leave out the last dale/Skipton start
Lovely quite roads too
If the weather looks crap (and if it's dodgy elsewhere it will be wet in the Dales) you could do the Sustrans The Bay Cycle Way, park at Lancaster and take the train to Barrow then take two days to ride back with the prevailing wind. You could pre-dump kit at a B&B in Cartmel, which would be a great place to break for a night having plenty of great pubs and cafes.
Read my account of my trip with my son here: http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/the-bay-cycle-way-in-a-day.184850/
Don't depend on it globalti, mines 35 and has only just started reaching for his wallet on bike expeditions!
Did park rash, fleet moss, then arncliffe over to malham all from Gargrave with my dad a couple of weeks ago, fantastic ride, good going for a pensioner. You could easily split it into 2 loops over 2 days as it was 80 miles for us
and would not fancy going down Greenhow into pateley bridge.
I did that in heavy wind/rain. Brown pants moment.
Stopped for tea and cake to gather myself, then stomped my way up Old Church Lane and across Nidderdale to Masham. Such a nice area.
The drop down Greenhow into Pateley Br is one of the local blackspots, usually someone on The Roses Way who doesn't know it.
YDCW? We did it over three days in March, coming over Park Rash I ended up screaming obscenities at the wind. I've never liked Coverdale since.
Or base yourself in Swaledale.
olddairylowrow.wordpress.com
The Tan Hill loop is a classic, also options into Wensleydale and back over Butter Tubs.
Paul
P.S. Hope the mods are OK with the link as it is a direct and relevant response to the OP.
The Dales for me, and that's coming from someone who rides regularly in the Peak District. Why? Quiet roads and superb views. Granted not all roads are quiet but you're more likely to get away from the cars in some of the quieter Dales than the Peak. I've not done as much riding in the North Yorks Moors to be fair, but I don't find it lifts my soul as much as the Dales.
If you do decide to do the Peak, I can strongly recommend the Staffordshire Moorlands, which tends to be a bit quieter and less intimidating on the roads than some of the honey pots further north.