Tour de Pen Y Ghent - mountain bike

Today was the first outing of the summit monkeys (http://summitmonkeys.org.uk/)!

One of the classic mountain bike routes in the area is the 'tour d'Ingleborough' , you've guessed it a circuit around Ingleborough, one of the Yorkshire 3 peaks. Its quite long (45 + km), so I thought that an easier route that I've not done before would be the 'tour de Pen Y Ghent'.

So the masses (4, plus Benji the dog) assembled at Horton in Ribblesdale for today's "easy" ride. The weather was fantastic as we set off, sunny and cold - perfect.

Its strange how your mind changes details, softens pain over time! I had informed Abi and Rachel that the first climb to the shoulder of pen y ghent wasn't too bad - wrong! It was very long.

Still a long climb to pen y ghent! Keep going Abi and Rachel!

Nearly there - the bulk of pen y ghent looming ahead

Going around the far side of the mountain we dropped down into a beautiful Dales valley. It was really warm and sheltered - great.

Finally the first big climb over - enjoy the descent with pen y ghent behind Steve

So half of the ride completed we did the final road section and all felt quite fresh before having to do the second big climb to complete the route. I thought this was going to an easy high crossing back to the start - erm, wrong again!

Foxup! Just about to leave civilisation again to start the crossing back to Horton

We faced lots of snow drifts, and although quite small they were impossible to ride through, so it was cycle 10m, walk 5m, cycle 10m walk 5m for about 4 miles. Then we missed a turn and had to 'hike a bike' to get back on track. Not ideal when we were all getting pretty tired. Thank goodness for the emergency snickers.

Abi enjoying the snow (grrr)

Oops, need to carry the bikes for a bit! Abi got a tick from here we think!

Finally we hit the stone track near the Hull Pot (a big hole in the ground - google it if interested!), and we were all very pleased as we glided (or was that shaken to bits Abi?) back to the cars after 5 hours on the trails.

Finally all the way around the mountain (behind!). Quick photo of the happy team before the final descent!

It was a great day out, completing what felt like a big and satisfying ride! I need a rest before the next one though......