Info re the Rudland Rigg to Lion trail etc

[Geoff Crowther]

Hi to you all you Tykes from an expat Yorkshireman, now living in the Peak District.
Planning a camping weekend with a mate in a couple of weeks.
So far, thinking of camping in Boroughbridge then, on Saturday having a bimble round the NY Moors. Sunday will be a scenic route home.
Having searched your bit of the site I found references to this route up Rudland Rigg, from the south, coming out near the Lion (which I know from walking bits of the Coast to Coast).
We both ride 12GSAs; still shiney and not off-roaded. I've done BM's level 1 basic on a 12GS, my mate's done nothing. I DON'T want to bend the bike. Having said that, I dropped it for the first time last weekend and was amazed by how little damage it did (miniscule marks on protection bars and slight scuff on plastic corner of pannier - well dome BMW).
So, a few questions:
Is the route as easy for novices as it sounds?
Am I right in thinking that, to avoid a steep, rocky descent, you turn right at Bloworth Crossing and follow this to get to the Lion?
Is the ford that I've seen in pics on here on tarmac? And, where, exactly, is it?
Is the Dalby Forest Drive worth a go?
Any other easy-peasy off-road suggestions?
I must emphasise that my pal's an off-road virgin, and I'm the kind of saddo who polishes his bike, but is tempted by an easy route.
Please take pity on a homesick Yorkshire lad, born and bred in Leeds. Most of my childhood holidays were on the east coast so I always relish a trip over the moors to Whitby and the like. The thought of Magpie fish'n'chips has my mouth watering already.
Felicitations to all of you in God's county!
Cheers
Geoff

 

[Farmboy]

the Rigg would be an easy trip for you and yes you turn right at Bloworth crossing down the stepp gravel bank which may prove a little daunting to your mate at first but aslong as he keeps moving and doesnt use the front brake he will be fine
once you reach the bottom gate turn right then first left and follow the road upto the Lion Pub.

Then turn left and go through Castleton and out towards the Commondale Junction, at the Crossroads turn right and head over towards Danby, this track is easy again apart from one deepish water trough which can be easily skirted around to your left if you dont fancy it ( if i remember right there is one large stone on the right of centre but this may have changed over time )

Anyway once you negotiate that track, turn right then first left towards Danby Beacon for the quick straight blat along the gravel track, At the end of that road turn right and head right through the village of Lealholm over the bridge and up the other side, keep going over the crossroads and up the hill until you get to the flat part, there are two tracks to your left, dont take the first one, take the second one which appears to go back on itself ( there is an unsutiable for vehicle sign in blue ) , this will take you along the lovely Glaisdale Rigg which is a great little stony track.

Keep going until you get to the gate then once in the village head for whitby along the backroads for fish and chips.

I have done all those tracks regularly fully loaded ( 280kg ) recently ( over the Winter ) in preparation for a recent Morocco trip so you will have no problems at all.

They are in total a good 3 hours of bimbling about the moors, you can do it in 1 hour if you need to ( but why )

HTH

Chris

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Cheers for that Chris.
Any other thoughts/opinions boys and girls?

 

[Andy_E]

This road route would link in from the Lion if you've had enough off-road and takes in some rather interesting roads and allegedly the steepest road in the UK. You'd come onto the route south of point C.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Thanks Andy; that looks great.
I'm already getting the jitters about the "steep gravel bank" that Chris referred to.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

I'm flattered that you think I WON'T have a problem with that steep bank Chris. Will I be ok given that I've never ridden the Adventure off-road before?

 

[Wrinkly]

Hi Geoff,
Great route suggested by Andy,you should also try to incorparate Hutton le to Rosedale or the otherway round which is Britains steepest road known as Rosedale chimney bank.
Lion Inn on Blakey is a great place to stop for lunch fab homemade chips.

Have fun Steve.

 

[Farmboy]

Well I have only fallen off going up it , and believe it or not that was once i reached the flat bit at the top in my defence though it was middle of winter and the little puddle turned out to be about 3 feet straight down.

But the gravel is only really the top half, the rest is tarmacish with a light dusting of gravel and the hardest part is stopping at the gates without falling off. The first part of the Rudland you will be doing can be fairly sandy in a few spots but I have seen one bloke and his missus on the back doing it.

My Mate has taken his girl on the back on the Glaisdale section so its all really straight forward but fun to do. I was fully kitted out with road tyres on my Africa Twin in the Winter when I did it and I am certainly no riding god so thats how easy it is

If I am off I will meet up and show you the route - and some harder ones if your up to it. The beauty is you can call it a day and head off on the roads At any point, the longest section is only about 1 1/2 miles.

Anyway if my next post doesnt convince you nothing will

 

[Andy_E]

Thought I'd linked to a route with Chimney Bank in it. Try Try this one instead - you'll come out from Rudland Rigg somewhere between A and B.

 

[Farmboy]

Rudland Rigg

Danby Beacon

The Odd Crater

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Cheers Andy; will definitely fit in at least some of your routes.
Chris, thanks for the reassuring comments. Really curious to see what your "next post" will be. Also, thanks for the offer to show us the route; will bear it in mind.
Keep the posts coming folks. Any contributions welcomed.
Cheers all
Geoff

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Great photos, Chris.
So, is the first one, going UP the rocky bank that you initially referred to?
If so, doesn't look too bad.

 

[Farmboy]

that bank is not the gravel one Geoff sorry

You will be coming down the gravel bank and its honestly not that bad aslong as you dont come down it at 50mph then slam your front brake on you will be fine

those pics are in January so in the Summer its much easier.

 

[Richie3264]

Hi Geoff,
Did Ruddland Rigg for the first time on a1150GS with no off road experience about 18 month ago and no problems.
A great place with great views. We did it with -2 degrees temp and horizontal blizzards had a great time

we did some other trails but i dont know where we were but they were fine and do-able on a big GS.

Have a good trip and take penty of pics

Richie