Yorkshire Dales
Discussion
I'm heading up to Yorkshire in a few weeks for a short break with the OH. Sadly going in the daily driver and won't be able to make any significant progress, but I might be able to find an excuss for incorporating some decent roads into the trip. Any you can recommend? We're going to be staying in Richmond, but expect we'll be out and about quite a bit.
Chris
Chris
Don said:
The circuit I posted in the places to stay thread is a must. The Buttertubs pass is really, properly scenic. Also the drive down through the heart of the Dales to Skipton is a must, too.
Don't worry, it's noted. 
I took a copy of the map, but didn't realise the Buttertubs pass was part of that route.
Try this route http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a... . A few of us done it earlier this year. Tan Hill is the highest pub in England. On the return run towards Nateby, it opens up across the moors and has a few hairpins and undulates a lot. Kirkby Stephen is a great market town to visit. Also, the road ftrom Grassington to Ripon is great http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a... and so is Grassington to Aysgarth waterfalls http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...
Have fun
Have fun
Some earlier thoughts on the matter.
I can vouch for the B6255 from Hawes to Ingleton: 17 fabulously well-sighted miles covering a variety of different radii plus lots of dips and crests to keep you on your toes - all packaged within jaw-dropping vistas.
If you are venturing further north, try the B6278 from Barnard Castle and then the B6306 from Edmundbyers to Hexham.
I can vouch for the B6255 from Hawes to Ingleton: 17 fabulously well-sighted miles covering a variety of different radii plus lots of dips and crests to keep you on your toes - all packaged within jaw-dropping vistas.
If you are venturing further north, try the B6278 from Barnard Castle and then the B6306 from Edmundbyers to Hexham.
I remember getting lost on the way east from Barnard Castle area to the hotel one night and just happened to come across a road that seemed to be about 2 miles of whumps spread out evenly about 400 yards apart on a straight piece of what I assume was a B-road (but it was quite wide and well surfaced, so maybe an A road).
It was so much fun that I did it 4 times, getting faster each time - although I'd think anything over 140mph would be scary as the car would hit the next whump before it was settled from the last
It was so much fun that I did it 4 times, getting faster each time - although I'd think anything over 140mph would be scary as the car would hit the next whump before it was settled from the last
Edited by mmm-five on Thursday 6th August 10:57
Clarkson doing the Buttertubs pass http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLebmoXOukc
Thought I'd get round to following this up! Had a great trip last weekend, although it was by no means a flat-out hoon. We headed over from the Leyburn side following the sat nav which took us over a rather spectacular single track road, crossing a millitary range. Not for the last time it wasn't really a road you could drive at any speed - thanks to crests, blind corners, errant sheep and the sheer lack of width - but it was breathtaking, like you'd suddenly arrived in the Dales.
It turned out that the hotel was far from being in Richmond and was in fact in a beautiful hamlet called Low Row. The following day we headed from there out to the lakes across and the road we took (I think it was the B6270) was like the previous night's only more so. The scenery was increasingly desolate, and the views ever more savage, as we entered Cumbria. The Lake District itself was predictably congested and we stuck to the main roads for ease, but on the way back we stumbled across a real gem and the best driving road of the trip: the A684. Sometime after Kendal the road narrows and starts to twist up and over the hills, but it's still wide enough, smooth enough and sufficiently well sighted to be seriously fun (well, perhaps in something more suitable at least). The quota of villages, blind corners and bumbling tourists shot up as the road headed into the heart of the dales, so the pace went back to being leisurely.
Soon afterwards, however, we turned off onto the famous Buttertubs Pass. Heading north the first bit is classic moorland road - quite straight, reasonable visibility, not too demanding. This gives way to the famous vertigo inducing section with the flimsy rope barriers seperating you from the drop.
The final descent into Thwaite is something else though. Once again it's a bit narrow, a bit steep and crucially the visibility is a bit mixed, but I still managed to cook the brakes for the first time on a road car! I think it would have been more fun in the opposite direction though and you could probably have been a bit more enthusiastic (safely) on the steep section if you were heading uphill, rather than down. So, north to south is the recommendation.
(I know the photo is a bit pretentious for a 1.6 Focus, but I like it!)
What we did do in the opposite direction is the Akrigg Common road that runs paralell to the Buttertubs a little further east. It was a familiar story, requiring even more care than the other roads in most places, but it was spectacular and well worth a visit. Unfortunately when we did it there was a cycle race on making things even trickier - we had no choice but too pootle along, which is far more than could be said for the competitors who were freewheeling down the 1 in 4 hill towards us at 30+mph.
Afterwards we headed down the B6255 on Plenty's recommendation and had it not been swarming with peak-season tourists it would have been a highlight, with a great mixture of longish straights and twisty sections. It seemed to be very popular with bikers, but just be warned the local constabulary were also there in a rather tasty looking Mitsubishi Evo pursuit car!
On the final day - after another pass over Askrigg Common - we headed back along the eastern stretch of the A684. Initially it wound its way through a lot villages but, as before, it opened up on the periphery into a really credible driving road. It's just a pity the final destination was the A1 back to London.
It turned out that the hotel was far from being in Richmond and was in fact in a beautiful hamlet called Low Row. The following day we headed from there out to the lakes across and the road we took (I think it was the B6270) was like the previous night's only more so. The scenery was increasingly desolate, and the views ever more savage, as we entered Cumbria. The Lake District itself was predictably congested and we stuck to the main roads for ease, but on the way back we stumbled across a real gem and the best driving road of the trip: the A684. Sometime after Kendal the road narrows and starts to twist up and over the hills, but it's still wide enough, smooth enough and sufficiently well sighted to be seriously fun (well, perhaps in something more suitable at least). The quota of villages, blind corners and bumbling tourists shot up as the road headed into the heart of the dales, so the pace went back to being leisurely.
Soon afterwards, however, we turned off onto the famous Buttertubs Pass. Heading north the first bit is classic moorland road - quite straight, reasonable visibility, not too demanding. This gives way to the famous vertigo inducing section with the flimsy rope barriers seperating you from the drop.
The final descent into Thwaite is something else though. Once again it's a bit narrow, a bit steep and crucially the visibility is a bit mixed, but I still managed to cook the brakes for the first time on a road car! I think it would have been more fun in the opposite direction though and you could probably have been a bit more enthusiastic (safely) on the steep section if you were heading uphill, rather than down. So, north to south is the recommendation.
(I know the photo is a bit pretentious for a 1.6 Focus, but I like it!)
What we did do in the opposite direction is the Akrigg Common road that runs paralell to the Buttertubs a little further east. It was a familiar story, requiring even more care than the other roads in most places, but it was spectacular and well worth a visit. Unfortunately when we did it there was a cycle race on making things even trickier - we had no choice but too pootle along, which is far more than could be said for the competitors who were freewheeling down the 1 in 4 hill towards us at 30+mph.
Afterwards we headed down the B6255 on Plenty's recommendation and had it not been swarming with peak-season tourists it would have been a highlight, with a great mixture of longish straights and twisty sections. It seemed to be very popular with bikers, but just be warned the local constabulary were also there in a rather tasty looking Mitsubishi Evo pursuit car!
On the final day - after another pass over Askrigg Common - we headed back along the eastern stretch of the A684. Initially it wound its way through a lot villages but, as before, it opened up on the periphery into a really credible driving road. It's just a pity the final destination was the A1 back to London.
Nice details. We've just done a dawn run over the buttertubs, awesome. Met up at Ferrybride services, through Ripon, Masham, Leyburn, on to Hawes over the Buttertubs and back to Hawes for a breakfast at the Pennygarth Cafe. Back via Grassington, Pateley Bridge, Knaresborough, across the A1 and down through Naburn , Sherburn and home. Mint 
mmm-five said:
I remember getting lost on the way east from Barnard Castle area to the hotel one night and just happened to come across a road that seemed to be about 2 miles of whumps spread out evenly about 400 yards apart on a straight piece of what I assume was a B-road (but it was quite wide and well surfaced, so maybe an A road).
It was so much fun that I did it 4 times, getting faster each time - although I'd think anything over 140mph would be scary as the car would hit the next whump before it was settled from the last
How long ago was that?It was so much fun that I did it 4 times, getting faster each time - although I'd think anything over 140mph would be scary as the car would hit the next whump before it was settled from the last
ewenm said:
Chris71 said:
Sadly I've yet to even coax the OH into it, plus a week's worth of holiday gear and some random detritus from her mum's would have struggled to fit into the Seven. To be fair, on the ludicrously stiff racing suspension and with the complete absence of a hood (not to mention 5,000rpm and no radio for 200 miles on the A1 on the way up) I think my resolve might have been tested too.
...but, I have a Soft Bits For Sevens hood and a set of road springs and dampers sat in the garage now. So all I need to do is fit those, sort out the bloody starter motor (for peace of mind) and rust-proof the chassis and I'll be away. If nothing else I have a road trip down to the Westcountry pencilled in for November to coincide with Exeter Kit Car Show.
Just to add salt to the wound I was exploring the equally fine roads of Exmoor last weekend, also in the Focus (this time with a load of camping gear). Doh.
Edited by Chris71 on Friday 4th September 10:10
Chris71 said:
ewenm said:
Chris71 said:
Sadly I've yet to even coax the OH into it, plus a week's worth of holiday gear and some random detritus from her mum's would have struggled to fit into the Seven. To be fair, on the ludicrously stiff racing suspension and with the complete absence of a hood (not to mention 5,000rpm and no radio for 200 miles on the A1 on the way up) I think my resolve might have been tested too.
...but, I have a Soft Bits For Sevens hood and a set of road springs and dampers sat in the garage now. So all I need to do is fit those, sort out the bloody starter motor (for peace of mind) and rust-proof the chassis and I'll be away. If nothing else I have a road trip down to the Westcountry pencilled in for November to coincide with Exeter Kit Car Show.
Just to add salt to the wound I was exploring the equally fine roads of Exmoor last weekend, also in the Focus (this time with a load of camping gear). Doh.
Edited by Chris71 on Friday 4th September 10:10
As for packing loads of stuff in, take a look at some of the pics on Angus and Tessa's site www.mycaterham.com - you'll be amazed how much they can carry! For example:
ewenm said:
Let me know if you're passing Bath on your way to Exeter
As for packing loads of stuff in, take a look at some of the pics on Angus and Tessa's site www.mycaterham.com - you'll be amazed how much they can carry! For example:
Not directly, but can probably be arranged! I could do with returning to Exmoor in something a bit more suitable.As for packing loads of stuff in, take a look at some of the pics on Angus and Tessa's site www.mycaterham.com - you'll be amazed how much they can carry! For example:
That one looks just like mine! I suspect it's rather smarter than mine close up though. Will check out the link.
LooseCannon said:
mmm-five said:
I remember getting lost on the way east from Barnard Castle area to the hotel one night and just happened to come across a road that seemed to be about 2 miles of whumps spread out evenly about 400 yards apart on a straight piece of what I assume was a B-road (but it was quite wide and well surfaced, so maybe an A road).
It was so much fun that I did it 4 times, getting faster each time - although I'd think anything over 140mph would be scary as the car would hit the next whump before it was settled from the last
How long ago was that?It was so much fun that I did it 4 times, getting faster each time - although I'd think anything over 140mph would be scary as the car would hit the next whump before it was settled from the last
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