Dalby/Robin Hoods Bay and back

tubaonwheels

Hi, me and a few mates are doing ride from Hole of horcum layby on Saturday. Over to RHB and back via a bit of red route. My mate has done route before and is leading, trouble is he is a notoriously bad navigator.
Is there a standard/recognised route?
I've checked map and it looks fairly straight forward getting there via Lilla cross, RHB bay road (track), but having trouble plotting return route - any pointers appreciated.
Steve.

altern_8

Now then Steve,not sure if you know,but its pay and display at Hole of Horcum lay-by now mate......when we are up on that part of the moors we start HERE.

Also found this ROUTE,not to sure if its any good for you getting back from RHB tho.

If it wasnt for footie team being at home on saturday,would of looked at joining you.

tubaonwheels

Thanks for that Stu, we were going to park there to avoid charges at visitor centre (I'm happy to pay at VC as there's 2 of us sharing) so defeats the object now. What are they charging at Horcum?
How would you go back to Eller beck from Dalby?
Thanks for links mate.
Early start 7.30 so may get back in time for footy? Have to say we won't be hanging about though as my mate also needs to be back so pace will be a bit sharp and not too many stops apart from nosh at RHB. Lets just hope we don't get lost :oops:

altern_8

Not sure how much they charge at Horcum mate,as we always park at Eller Beck.

As for getting back from Dalby to Eller Beck,there is a route you can take,ill sort out a route map for you in next few hours.

And thanks for the heads up about the early start time,but dont think id keep up with you all anyway,as only been out once in last 3 weeks :oops:......theres always next time



Edit: HEREis the route from back end of Dalbys red route to Eller beck.....when you get to Fylingdales after the 5mile marker to the 6 mile marker there are tall wooden posts(painted white at the top) to follow,as its a Permissible bridleway.

tubaonwheels

Cheers Stu, I think I may have talked em into parking at Dalby though. I'm off in camper and would feel safer with it parked there. Sorry to mess you about mate.

altern_8

No worries Steve mate

keith1200rs

I cannot see altern_8's routes, but the track(s) from just north of Lilla Cross can be a real PITA depending on weather. I haven't ridden it for a while but it isn't where the map says it is and it can be like riding through clay. Of the two routes, the most westerly one is better, I think. It is probably best to pick what looks best when you are there rather than trying to pick from the map. Maybe head to the 206m mark on the B1416 and then across the road to the short stretch of bridleway to get to the Robin Hoods Bay road without riding on the A171.

Allow plenty of time - even if it isn't wet, riding through the heather can be hard work.

An alternative is to go through the forest to May Beck. Not as interesting and plenty of adders - gravel tracks.

Or, head east from Lilla Cross to Burn Howe and on to Jugger Howe and keep going to the Ravenscar aerial. Then go down Stoope Brow and pick up the old railway line. It might be a bit busy in the old railway though.

You can get from Lilla Cross to Eller Beck. I am not sure if the maps have been updated but the Lyke Wake Walk path has been changed to a bridleway there.

Parking at Saltergate Brow is £2 over 2 hours, I believe.

Keith.

tubaonwheels

Thanks Keith, yes I'm familiar with the Lyke wake route so that could be an option. I know how hard it can be in the heather so I for one will be voting for the easiest route!
I think the weather could be dry for a few days no (famous last words) so fingers crossed.

keith1200rs

The May Beck route is probably a good one to use for the way back - gravels paths but easier when you are tired. Don't be fooled by the dry weather, I have just got back from a Lilla Cross/Hole of Horcum/Dalby ride and managed to end up in mud over my axles and knees on the bridleway north from Malo Cross. I think I picked the wrong line!

Keith.

keith1200rs

I forgot to mention the flies. Those large black ones with the long dangley legs. It was ok for the most part but I was planning to have my lunch at Lilla Cross but you couldn't see the view for the buggers and they were after my sandwiches so I had to retreat to an alternative spot. Cycle with your mouth closed.

Keith.

tubaonwheels

Ooooo I like black ones with long dangly legs
What way would you come out of RHB? Up the road or is it worth going up railway a bit to High Hawsker and cutting back on quiet roads to May Beck?

I know theres a BW from Fylingthorpe but that takes you to A171 which would be nice to avoid.

keith1200rs

I must admit I rarely ride to Robin Hoods Bay nowadays. High Hawsker seems a long way round. If you head out of Robin Hoods Bay on the road to Fylingthorpe you pop out on the A171 where there is a bridleway directly opposite so you can avoid actually riding on the A171. I don't know what the bridleway is like to ride though. Looking on Google Earth it looks like there is a well worn track so it may be ok. My sister used to live at Ramsdale which is marked on the OS map just below there.

Keith.

tubaonwheels

I have ridden that little stretch of BW this year, it was a bit indistinct and moist in places but very ridable, at least that will get us a nice little climb in out of RHB.

Giggsmaster

Now then Steve, I'm heading up that way on Sunday for a little jaunt. The other half is dropping me off at Hole of Horcum then meeting me at RHB. If the weather holds off, it should be a nice scenic ride.

keith1200rs wrote:

Or, head east from Lilla Cross to Burn Howe and on to Jugger Howe and keep going to the Ravenscar aerial. Then go down Stoope Brow and pick up the old railway line. It might be a bit busy in the old railway though.Keith.

For this route, will a HT be up for the job or should I take the FS...?

keith1200rs

The drop down to Jugger Howe Beck is pretty steep so I would suggest FS (and body armour ) although I have only ridden it in the opposite direction, and then chickened out on part of it.

Keith

tubaonwheels

I'll be on my hardtail Giggsy (and will be carrying it down Jugger Howe beck by sound of it ). Will report back on here after ride on Saturday about the route.
All the other guys will be on FS's.

keith1200rs

Another option is head south-east from Lilla Cross towards Riverhead Farm. Before you reach the farm there is a bridleway on the left which takes you to Chapel Farm. Head north on the road a short way then dive into Harwood Dale forest on the right, wiggling round to pop up near the Falcon. If you get it right then there is another bridleway directly opposite across the A171 which takes you through woods and a bit of moorland to Ravenscar aerial. Probably a more interesting route than Jugger Howe.

Keith.

tubaonwheels

I had thought about that Keith, I think thats on the MBR link that Altern8 gave. Trouble is my (old) map does'nt show paths/BWs through forest to the Falcon. Tempted to try it and follow me nose...and 'wriggle around' a bit.

keith1200rs

You can ride where you like through Harwood Dale Forest as far as I know. Some of the Moor to Sea route goes through it. From memory:

Take the first right in to the forest - just after the steep dip in the road by Scar Wood footpath (on the left). It is after Castlebeck Farm.

At the top of the straight, gentle run up the hill there is a T junction marked on the map - turn left. I am not sure it quiet such a distinct path on the right and seems more like a bend to the left when you are there. Follow that to the next T junction turn right. If you are on the right track it should now be a steep uphill with a barrier part way up.

Go up that hill & descend the other side. Don't take the left at the top of the hill. Take the next left which should be shortly before another barrier (may be open).

Follow that to the A171 and cross over to the bridleway on the other side.

All tracks are gravel & wide enough for a car.

Keith.

tubaonwheels

Cheers for all your help Keith, I think you ought to come out and ride it with us...
Normally If I was gonna lead a ride like this I would get out and recce it, but this has been dumped on me a bit last minute. I think it's starting to come together though with you good peoples help.
Steve.

keith1200rs

I am a weekday rider and ride alone (mainly because I am a weekday rider!). Weekends are spent doing other things with the trouble & strife who doesn't ride.

If you go through Harwood Dale Forest you will pass the site of my crash in April - that is how I remember it well. I had a slow 7 mile ride back home with one arm and one leg not working properly. I then cleaned up the damage as best I could and got my wife to take me to A&E when she got home. I have to say I was impressed by the Endura MT500 shorts I was wearing at the time - they didn't rip & stopped the gravel getting in my skin. Not so luck with my shirt, jacket and prescription glasses. I am still waiting for my broken finger to regain full movement so I can play the guitar as badly as I did before the crash.

One of the risks of riding alone I guess.

I would be interested in how you find the different parts of the route. What is good one month can be totally different the next either due to weather or forestry work chewing up the countryside.

Keith.

tubaonwheels

Well ride done, weather was fantastic, there were a few little navigational probs which was only to be expected but all in all a cracking ride.

We started from Dixons Hollow doing bit of red route before heading out to Newgate brow, Malo cross (think I found your muddy line Keith), Lilla cross. Then took your route down towards River Head farm, what a great descent! found BW's to wooden bridge with only a little bit of fannying about. Harwood dale forest was where our problems started, we went through ford into field and up to gate to find a very deeply rutted wet track which we followed slowly (mainly unridable) for quite a while, after a bit it narrowed to more like a single track and did get more ridable, realised by now it was not the route you meant but we were'nt going back! Got to the Falcon ok though and the natives were not too restless
Straightforward ride to Aerial and down stoupe brow, made mistake of coming off slightly early but still picked up rly ok.

RHB was very busy but we still rode down to beach to dunk pedals in the sea. Bacon butties and slog back up. Took road to May beck but as road bends to right took BW to John cross and picked up RHB road/path to Lilla cross and retraced tracks to Dalby forest and fire roads back to C park.
44 miles, out about 6-1/2 hours all told, all nice and tired but twas a great ride.

keith1200rs

You turned too soon in to Harwood Dale forest and ended up on one of the tracks chewed up by illegal 4WDs. You should have turned after the farm.

What was the track like from John Cross to Lilla Cross? I can be hard work sometimes - wet clay.

Keith

tubaonwheels

It was hard work, particularly as into quite a stiff headwind. Just the odd really claggy bits though so not too bad, felt hard as fatigue was setting in a bit.
Can see where I went wrong now after re-reading your instructions. It was good character building stuff though!

Steve.

Giggsmaster

Had a good ride today from hole of horcum to RHB. Nice hot weather, with great tailwind....

Enjoyed the trail from Lilla Cross to Jugger Howe Beck, some good singletrack then a few rocky sections thrown in, with only a couple of dodgy boggy parts. Stopped in my tracks though as soon as I saw the descent into Jugger Howe Beck, bit too much for me...

Plenty of flies out today, a case of holding my breath and hoping for the best. I'll try and get the trail across to Jugger Howe into another ride, that's my cup of tea.

tubaonwheels

Aye, forgot about the flies (big black and dangly legs as Keith said), Never seen as many and they seemed to cling to you like limpets.
You certainly did it in the right direction Giggsy