Horcum Loop - Grade Blue - 25-01-10

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Full ride detail available in North Yorkshire Moors Mountain Biking by Tony Harker, available at all good bike and book shops.

Me and Hobbo decided to go for a ride, initial idea was to go to Dalby but due to it still being shut it was time to consult Tony Harkers book on “North Yorkshire Moors Mountain Biking”. I suggested the Horcum loop as it was a decent distance and not too strenuous as Hobbo is only just into his mountain biking and not wanting to damage any more his 2 week old Specialized.
We arrived at the car park at Saltergate and the car was reading the outside temperature as 2 degrees Celsius, it looked cold the clouds were low and neither of us was making much effort to get out. We did and got sorted consulting the book for directions and set off.
The first mile was very wet and decisions on where to place the bike became paramount, some of these puddles were axle deep and the snow tough. We made it to the first descent and saw hard packed snow some 6 inches deep, we had to ride on the edge of the bank to stay out of the snow but the penalty for failure would be large if we lost our footing.
Just before heading across Hazelhead Moor we decided to take it in turns and push our bikes up the steep ascent behind us at Whinny Nab, this was a steep 40 meter drop, and ride it down this was a good bit of fun but the push up hurt. We then headed off across Hazelhead Moor towards Fylingdales, it was not long before we took our first wrong turn. Some trees had been felled and we had to follow the edge of the forest we did but forgot that a mile or so of forest had been cleared. Once we got back on the path we made good progress. Snow that had turned to 6 inch ice was causing lots of problems as were epically deep puddles. We past Fylingdales and didn't go unnoticed by the local police but a wave seemed to suffice that we were no threat.

We carried on pushing along watching for bug puddles and eventually made it to the entrance of Langdale Forest, again more frozen forest roads to deal with and it was not long until Hobbo hit the deck. Eventually the snow cleared and we roared down the 8kn descent on fire roads.
We made it through the woods and onto tarmac for our first real ascent of the day towards Bickley Gate and Dalby Forest, this had us both off the bikes, there is nothing worse than these horrible little lanes that are epically steep.
We made it into Dalby Forest and were met with signs saying the road ahead was shut, we passed several sections of Red route that had diversions, a good decision not to come here today and thanks to there facebook group for letting us know conditions day by day.
We continued on fire roads keeping to the top of the hill as the light was just beginning to fade, once out of the forest we were met with more snow and heavy going. By this point Hobbo was suffering from cramp and due to the earlier falling in deep puddles my feet felt like they had frost bite. We continued along the Crosscliff Bridleway all the way back to the main road arriving very cold back at the car and in complete darkness, luckily for us Hobbo had brought his lights. A good ride but not very taxing can only class this as a blue route and suitable for families with decent fitness, bikes and map reading skills. Will we do it again, probably but not until summer and more than likely in half the time it took us today, another red dot added to the map though is positive.

Words: Simon Richmond
Pictures: Simon Richmond