Going for a weekend away with friends later on this year to Great Asby.
Might try and sneak a ride.
Anything good around these parts.
Could drive somewhere but would prefer to ride from door.

Morning bump……

Depends how far you’re prepared to ride from the door…

You’re ‘reasonably’ close to the Howgills to the south, where you could pick up the Bowderdale Classic for a big day out.

http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/outandabout/gettingactive/cycling/mtb/mtb-findaroute/mtb-route-bowderdale/mtb-bowderdale_classic.pdf

You could also use the Carlisle Settle line to return after hitting the Pennine Bridleway south from Kirby Stephen.

might be worth a look – could incorporate at least some of it into a route…

The real ‘classic’ bit is the singletrack descent down Bowderdale itself.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfamsZ9V-rU[/video]

You could get someone to drop you in Sedbergh and ride back home from there.

Another half dayer is out and back to High Cup from Appleby or Dufton.

If you want to ride from Great Asby there are a number of bridleways to the south of the village you could link together crossing and recrossing Great Asby Scar or once across the scar going east onto Crosby Garret Fell – a suggestion would be

Sayle lane out of Great Asby for about 2k – take the lane climbing the moor across Great Asby Scar – once over the top turn R onto a BW which drops to Knott Lane. When you reach the tarmac turn L take first R and left at T junction after 200m take the rough track on L over Barugh Bridge and follow this to a road – turn R then L at the junction – 3kish of tarmac then L up Ashley Bank – keeping on the road until you’re out on the moor then turn R on a BW with a wall on the left – follow this trail round – the map shows the BW over Crosby Garret Fell turning off before you get above Bents Farm but I think the farmer has made a better one so stay on the main track until you can see Bents then start looking for a trail on the left climbing steeply up the fell – as long as its going up with Bents behind you you’re about right – cross the fell and join Newclose Lane for a fast descent to the road – turn L and follow the road back to Great Asby.

OS map OL19

From Crosby Garret Fell you can drop down to Smardale Bridge via Bents Farm (beware large barking dog on the prowl) then a cheeky old train track up Smardale is well worth the ride. The locals all bike on it even though its not a BW.
The old viaduct is a thing of beauty as is the valley is spans
Dismount as Smardale Hall to avoid the 12′ drop in to the farm yard.

Thanks for the suggestions chaps…I’ll get my maps out……..