Encouraged by last week’s ride over Hardstiles the “Marske loop” last weekend was designed as a route over The Fleak. It’s a steady unrelenting ascent, rewarded by a slow free-wheeling descent along the south side of Swaledale.
We were battered by strong winds along the tank road towards Redmire, and decided to seek respite over coffee at the reliable Wheatsheaf in Carperby before tackling The Fleak. On the way there we had been overtaken by a rather battered Foster's coach, which alas has arrived at the Wheatsheaf ahead of us to disgorge a stag party to their second pub of the morning. We ordered our coffees quickly from the now noisy bar, and escaped to the contrasting snug replete with deeply-cushioned chairs and an air of cosiness.
Alas The Fleak was still waiting for us. We each battled the nasty ramp at the junction above Newbiggin, and met again at the top glad to have a view of Swaledale. After lunch we chose the “more miles” option and came back to Marske (or other destinations in some cases) via Whipperdale cross roads. We all got home well before the stag party’s planned last stop at 9pm that evening in Leyburn.
The route from Marske and back was 67 km and 1300m of ascent.
Stephen C