Mills n Moors - May event
For this event we have joined up with 3 Peaks Cycle Cafe, the hub of cycling and outdoor activities in Settle, and have two routes that will take you out on some of the finest ‘off-road’ trails in the Yorkshire Dales as we take a circular route around the ‘hill of the winds’.
The 3 Peaks Cafe is located in the center of the town with a large cobbled area at the front of the shop where we will gather and register.
Every rider will receive a £5 voucher as part of their signing on 'package' which they can spend on tea/coffee and a cake in the shops excellent cafe between 8.30am - 10am.
Collect your embroidered cloth ‘Mills n Moors’ badge when you register. (Image below)
Maps of the Pen y Ghent route
red route
1. 'Red' grade route - 42km / 770 meters
From the shop we head up Constitution Hill and onto Langcliffe and take a steady climb for 2km on the minor road then sharp left to take the bridleway down Goat Scar Lane to arrive in Stainforth. The second long climb of the day is on Silverdale Road where we make the most of the smooth tarmac to pass in front of Pen Y Ghent and then take a quality excellent bridleway that crosses the north slope of Fountains Fell with stunning views along the Dale. We pass through Litton and along the beautiful River Skirfare to the village of Halton Gill (pub alert) and a little further on we arrive at the hamlet of Foxup.
The center piece of the route lies ahead as we take a long green lane (bridleway) that passes the north face of Pen y Ghent. There is a short and step section of rough track that every rider will have to push but its soon done with and it takes us onto one of the best upland fells in the north of England. Ahead of you is 8km of proper 'rough stuff' riding. No cars. No pollution. Just grand views in all directions views.
We're soon back at Horton in Ribblesdale where most riders will stop awhile and enjoy the cafes and pubs. Not for too long however as there’s 10km of minor lanes to ride via Little Stainforth with fine views of the River Ribble before arriving back at the 3 Peaks Cycles cafe.
black route
NB: NOT techy just more distance and climbing
'Black' grade route - 56km / 1,000 meters
From the shop its the same trail as route 1 but once you arrive in Horton its north towards High Birkwith along the sort of gravel track every hill and Dale in England should have. We soon take a sharp left and swoop down the fell to take the Pennine Bridleway wooden bridge over the River Ribble and head up n over to Sulber Gate and the superb limestone scenery. You’ve earnt a downhill blast on a gravel track to Austwick and then a series of flowing green lanes to Feizor before an easy ride back into Settle and the 3 Peaks Cycles cafe.
FAQ’s
What does it cost to enter?
Each event costs £15 per event and for this you get;
(1) ‘field tested’ gpx files for all routes emailed to you
(2) tea / coffee etc at the start line plus
(3) there is a group social ride departs at 10.10am. If you aren’t 100% confident about following a gpx route file or reading an OS map or just want to ride with a bunch of other folk on a bike then join us. We will be stopping and admiring the scenery and taking turns opening the gates! We will be on the ‘red’ route on the Settle Event (42km).
Is this a race?
The Mills n Moors Series is a personal challenge. It is not a race. There is no ‘mass start’. Your time out in the trail is not recorded.
What type of bike can I enter with?
You can enter with the following bike types: Gravel bike / Cyclocross bike / Mountain bike / E-bike. The terrain is not suitable for road bikes. Your gravel bike should have a minimum of 40mm tyres.
Are the routes signposted?
There are no route signs for these rides out on the moors and valleys so you must be able to follow a ‘Ride with GPS’ gpx on your own Garmin or other navigation device. The gpx file for each ride will be sent to your email a week before the event.
What are the trails like?
The trail surfaces include cobbles, grass, gravel that is compact, gravel that is loose, gravel that is smooth, gravel full of potholes, concrete track ways, stone slabs and tarmac. We use public rights of way to ride along the valley floor, up through the wooded valley slopes and out across the wide open spaces of the Pennine moors. Whilst 90% of the trail are in good condition there will be mud, puddles, steep sections of trail where you might have to push your bike (‘hike-a-bike’), stream crossings and of course ruts / rocks as it's the north of England.
What happens if I break down on a remote moor and I can’t fix my bike?
We know riders will bring their ‘best bike’ to the event and will have given it a proper check over in the weeks running up to the event but the event is self-supported which means there is NO breakdown vehicle or mechanic. You have to get yourself back to the start line
What Health and safety should i be aware of?
The groups social ride is NOT lead by a qualified mountain bike leader. If a rider does not have the route on a gpx device or their phone then they should make the guide aware of this. It is the riders responsibility to follow info given about meeting points and branching points (where the route splits). There is NO insurance for physical injury or damage to bikes. Every rider takes responsibility for themselves, they must ensure their bike is in full working order and they must carry suitable tools and bike parts needed to fix basic repairs eg, a puncture and a snapped chain. Your phone should be fully charged and you should have a back up plan in case of a need for emergency retrieval from the moors!!! Minimum age of 18 years of age on the group ride.
.
Can I get a refund if I sign on and don’t ride?
The entry fee is non-refundable. You would have received the gpx file and so can ride the trail at a time convenient to you..
what kit should i carry:
Wear a helmet that complies with the latest EN1078, ANSI Z90/4 or SNELL standards.
Waterproof clothes including full length trousers and jacket.
Warm layers for changing into stored in a dry bag.
Snacks and water.
Front and rear lights.
Puncture repair kits, spare inner tubes and trail side tools such as tyre levers.
Calder Valley 30km ‘red’ grade route
Gaddings Dam / hebden bridge
blake dean / hebden bridge
Malham Tarn / settle
MORE FAQ’s
Why do I have to sign an indemnity form?
The indemnity form will request that you accept that as the rider you are fully and solely responsible for your own actions and safety at all times whilst on the route. The event organisers (Yorkshire Divide) carry no liability and has no responsibility for any incidents that occur during or as a result of your ride – you are solely responsible.
The indemnity form states that a rider acknowledges that their participation in the Mills n Moors Series is voluntary. They understand that the activities may be hazardous, that their participation is solely at their own risk and that they assume full responsibility for any resulting injuries and damages that may occur. Minimum age of 18 years old to participate in the ride.
What happens if the route changes?
The organisers reserve the right to adjust the routes ahead of the day to account for unforeseen conditions (e.g., flooding, landslips, angry farmers) but if it does it will notify all participants who have signed up by that point of the changes.
Can I ride on another day?
Yes of course. Not everyone who wants to ride these routes will be able to make four Sundays at the end of each month. So when you sign on and receive the gpx route file feel free to ride the route at any time. Of course riding on a specific date does help focus the mind and those trail side chats with other riders can make all the difference to a how a ride feels, so its better if folk can make the dates set out above. But just getting outside especially early in the year is a joy in itself so if you can’t join us but would like to complete one or all four routes then sign up and have a go when you can. Better still do one ride in the morning and then have a go at another in the afternoon. After all its just another 25 miles or so!
