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Header picture The Ribblehead Viaduct and Pen-y-Ghent summit
John Wilkinson's Rose's Border Loop
John Wilkinson's Rose's Border Loop
This run was sent to us by John Wilkinson from Nelson. John's profession is a Chimney Sweep, but for relaxation there is nothing better than hitting the roads of Lancashire and Yorkshire on one of his bikes. He's been a biker since a youngster and has lost count of the number of bikes he's owned. I said one of his bikes? He currently has a number to choose from including a Yamaha MT07. But today he's agreed to bring out his classic naked 1988 Honda CB1. A rare bike and a real good looker.
A circular route through the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB) and some of the fine roads of the western area of The Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Approximately 98 miles (158km) with a mix of A, B and some unclassified roads, covering some wonderful scenery.
We will start this tour from Barley Car Park. A popular village for walkers who are about to climb the summit of Pendle (1,834 feet). But given it is a loop you can start the run from any convenient point. This area is synonymous with the largest trial of witches in Britain. The Pendle Witch Trial of 1612. The trial centred upon the accusation that 12 so-called 'witches' from the rural Pendle Hill area of Lancashire, were involved in the murders of 10 people. 11 went to trial, and of those, 10 were found guilty, and sentenced to execution by hanging.
We head west crossing the busy A59 to Slaidburn. Here the Riverside café is biker friendly and the village has public loos.
The route next takes us through The Trough of Bowland, a valley and high pass in the Forest of Bowland ANOB. On a clear day you'll have a superb views. There is a car park opposite Jubilee Tower. Cross the road to climb the tower. To the south the view down the Fylde coast, where Blackpool can easily be spotted. In front of you the huge expanse of Morecambe Bay and to the north the southern Lakeland fells.
Devil's Bridge Kirkby Lonsdale
We'll now head north east towards the Yorkshire Dales National Park. But not before the briefest of visits into Cumbria. At Kirkby Lonsdale there is the magnificent 14th century "Devil's Bridge" which crosses the River Lune. Here there is a snack bar and car park, but it is a huge magnet for bikers who ride the flowing A65 from Lancashire and West Yorkshire.
Tight street? This is Dent High Street!
Leaving Kirky Lonsdale on the A683 heading towards Sedburgh. But we'll be taking a right turn to towards Dent at a signpost for Barbon. Some scenic but narrow roads lead us to the village of Dent. Now officially Cumbria but historically most definitely Yorkshire. Dent Music and Beer Festival at the end of June, but whenever you go the village has a superb micro brewery, pubs and cafes.
Dent railway station on the Settle and Carlisle Railway is the highest mainline station in England at 1150 feet above sea level. However the station had to built four miles outside the village in Cowgill.
HOWL pictured at the Ribblehead Viaduct May 2022
Leaving Dent and heading towards the spectacular Ribblehead Viaduct. There are plenty of places to pull up and admire its 24 massive arches.
Hundreds of railway builders (“navvies”) lost their lives building the line, from a combination of accidents, fights, and smallpox outbreaks. Such loss of life that the railway paid for an expansion of the local graveyard.
Head down towads Settle, via Horton in Ribblesdale before completing the loop.
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