The Settle Loop                         10 Miles approx              5th May 2007

Due to other commitments, Junior football (parent duties), being on call (Fire Brigade) & shopping (shopping???? whats all this about Rory?) there was only four of us this week. Mick was panicking because Paul and I were 10 minutes late, but at least it gave Ben time to eat his meat pie ( athletes food)The Settle Loop is the first section of the Pennine Bridalway to be opened in the Yorkshire Dales National Park which takes in stunning limestone scenery.  Leaving Settle towards Langcliffe we go straight into a two mile lungbursting climb rising from 500ft up to 1350ft on the side of the limesone impregnated fell for the first mile then onto a bridalway for the second mile, past Clay Pits plantation and onto Jubilee cave. A small drop now on gravel trackbefore more climbing, in fact the first six miles is nearly all climbing, up to 1700ft across Langcliffe Scar, Turning right at the signpost up to Grizedales caves. Now for the fun (care! beware of walkers) a steep descent of very rocky track down to Stockdale Lane, carrying on down the lane until we turned onto ? Lane near Scaleber Force heading towards Blacks plantation, this lane is also a very rocky track, from here back onto the road with a steep descent back into Settle. A quick change and onto the Maypole Inn at Long Preston to sample the Hellifield sausage and a much deserved pint.

Our view of this ride is although only 10 miles long it is quite a stiff 10 miles over some very spectacular countryside, the views are fantastic and it is a very worthwhile ride.

For more information about the Settle Loop, accommodation & how to get there contact www.nationaltrail.co.uk/penninebridleway