Stage 8: Clitheroe to Barnard Castle

Anyone for an eye test?

Distance: 67.25 miles

Climb: 6,329 feet      

More milestones as today sees us pass the halfway mark in terms of overall distance and the highest point! 

Stage 7 saw our biggest day of climbing so, after a well-earned rest day, the prospect of 5,500 feet shouldn't be too daunting as we leap from Lancashire across the Yorkshire dales and on into County Durham.

Say cheese!

Sidetracked by the thought of a tasting experience, we're planning a quick pop into the Wensleydale Creamery as we approach the day's midpoint. 

Fun fact: Barnard Castle came to national attention during COVID when it was paid a visit by a certain party political advisor. 

Post-ride Debrief

We have had to send the wow-o-meter (pat pending) off to be recalibrated after a truly wonderful day in the saddle.

Well-fed by Maddie’s pasta and secret sauce chicken, we departed Clitheroe in high spirits. Thanks to Sue and Frankie for their excellent hospitality,

The streets of Clitheroe soon gave way to the Lancashire dales. Ribbledale’s gently undulating contours allowed us a steady start to another +6,000 feet day.

Within an hour we were already grasping for fresh ways to describe the scenery all around us. Fells, streams, drystone walled fields, gambolling lambs and hares caught our early ride eyes.

To Settle, a pretty, cool and friendly town. Finishing another excellent double espresso, we spied the Three Peaks bike shop and café across the town square – too good to miss. Richard took the opportunity to replace some very noisy and worn front brake pads, while Paul looked longingly at the products as well as the wall-mounted bike stand.

Tearing ourselves away, we knew we had to make progress to our rendezvous with cheese (oh and the support crew).

Moving seamlessly into Yorkshire (Richmondshire anyone?), we climbed steadily into what became a pretty blowy easterly headwind. Paul cut through like a rapier through silk, whereas Richard ploughed on like a tablespoon through frozen butter.

Lots of cyclists out today including a couple doing a coast-to-coast ride over five days.

Wensleydale, famous for both its flavour as well as its association with Wallace and Gromit, was our destination. The Creamery is a cute factory in Hawes, so anyone nearby could have misinterpreted our cries of “18 miles to Hawes”, as sounding like a couple of pirates on shore leave!

Somewhat ironically egg rolls were consumed at the Wensleydale Creamery car park, but we did take the opportunity to do a full circuit of the cheese tasting room. Smashing cheese!

Fuelling sorted we set out to take on the slopes ahead. Calling something Buttertubs does not make it any less steep folks. 

After some time and more spectacular ascents, we arrived at the Tan Hill Inn – apparently the highest hostelry in Britain. Much-needed pints of orange juice and lemonade were taken on board. Feeling proud of ourselves we were momentarily deflated as Paul met a group walking LEJOG – they were six weeks in.

Now a word about National Cycle Route 70. At some point it may have been a road, but only archaeologists will be able to confirm this. It was the type of path that 11th-century monks would have walked barefoot whilst flagellating themselves with the hind leg of a sheep. If this is the route that Dominic Cummings took to Barnard Castle, then no wonder he needed an eye test! I believe Surrey and Hampshire highways departments are sending a fact-finding team.

So to Barnard Castle – there is a Specsavers, as well as a very attractive old town.

Tomorrow it’s on to Ashington, home of the Charlton brothers, preceded by a ride through the Toon.

If you are able, please sponsor our ride in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care. Click through to our JustGiving page.