From Gretna to Liverpool via the
Yorkshire Dales and the Trans Pennine Canal

Our ride descriptions give an account of the ride that we completed. As part of the description we also provide links to Wikiloc or Google maps and elevation profiles based on mapping data available through the internet. The ride profiles are smoothed to give what in our opinion is a more beneficial view of the profile. We use paper maps, GPS and on line data to plan and conduct our rides. We are happy for you to use our descriptions, but be aware that we do not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided as situations surrounding any ride change over time.

• Distance           31km
  
• Max Elevation    180m

Gretna to Liverpool - Dalston to Penrith Ride Profile

Today we would start the first of two England legs. We had a relatively quite night although the wind did get up a little. 

By morning it was still warm and dry, but the wind was starting to build.

By the time we were on our way, the rain had started and it proceeded to get worse as the day wore on. For the first part of our Gretna to Liverpool ride we had planned to cycle to Appleby in Westmorland, a distance of some 55-60km. However, we battled continuously into a head wind and rain. The thought of having to pitch the tent in a gale made us decide to cut the ride short at Penrith and try to find a bunk barn or similar.

About 4 mile out of Penrith we stopped for lunch, dried out and checked our email.

• Distance           83km
  
• Max Elevation    380m

Gretna to Liverpool - Penrith to Sedbergh Ride Profile

Today was a good day. The sun shone. We were well rested in soft beds with fresh cotton sheets and feather duvets. We breakfasted on porridge with cream and strawberries. It didn't take long to pack as there was not tent to worry about so by 9-30 we were ready to leave and went to say good bye to Alisdair and Jackie. 

They told us they had a present for us. We were full of excited anticipation. What could it be? A bottle of Whiskey perhaps, something for the journey, what? They proceeded to produce a large plastic bag and some pegs and told us how to use it to do our washing. grateful, but deflated we packed it into our panniers. 

We started our Gretna to Liverpool ride on the C71 from Penrith, but only for a short while as we had planned our own, more direct route to Kirkby Stephen rather than via Appleby. 

Shortly, just outside of Penrith, we came across Brougham Castle.

It was a lovely ride with gentle gradients along beautiful country lanes with views over the Pennines to the north and the Dales to the south. We stopped to brew tea and chatted to another cyclist who had pedaled up the hill towards us. After that we made good progress generally down hill to Kirkby Stephen. We decided to have lunch by the river, made ourselves comfortable on a seat, got out the stove to brew up and....Catastrophe! 

A vital piece of the stove was missing. We realised that it had fallen out when we had stopped, earlier during the morning, about 10 miles back. Unable to contemplate the thought of cycling back to collect it, we found a taxi in the market square and Steve set off to go back for it. He was almost crying as he watched the taxi clock rack up the pounds. He arrived at the right place by which time the clock had reached £30! He was almost distraught. Having collected the lost item, the driver turned around and re set the clock. Arriving back by a slightly shorter route the clock read £22-00. The kind lady taxi driver gave us the whole journey for £20! The ability of people to be generous never ceases to amaze us.

• Distance           53km
  
• Max Elevation    410m

Gretna to Liverpool - Sedbergh to Settle Ride Profile

In contrast to yesterday, we awoke lethargically as we both ached from the previous days ride. We had a bit of a false start just out of Sedbergh. Our Gretna to Liverpool route originally followed route 68, but after climbing a very steep hill, it appeared to go off up a rough bridle track, so we turned around and went up the easier road to Dentdale. The ride was enjoyable and we were joined for some time by a solo road cyclist who dropped his pace to ride with us. He was curious about our bikes and equipment and never stopped asking questions all the time we rode with him. It was a pleasure.

Further up the dale we found a seat and feasted on Cornish pasties and Blue Wensleydale cheese as we looked over an idyllic country scene across the dale.

At Cowgill we left the C68 route to follow the C10 which took us up and underneath the railway track on an extremely steep hill of about 15% . 

We stopped at least five times, but eventually made it to the top of Gayle Moore with spectacular views to stunning peaks of Pen-y-Ghent and Ingleborough. 

We turned towards Ingleton, flying down the road at 25 miles per hour, stopping to take photos of the impressive Ribble Head Viaduct.

On our Gretna to Liverpool route we turned off towards Settle down the Ribble Valley. The route had great views but was hilly and their were a lot of motor cyclists. As we approached Settle, they were joined by a lot of large lorries traveling to and from the local quarry. As we struggled up a particularly steep and narrow section, one of them nearly wiped Steve off the road as he overtook on a blind summit. 

Steve's swearing and gesticulating did little other than to make him feel better.

Arrived in Settle where their Tourist Information office helped us to find a nice camp site at Stainforth, just up the valley. It turned out to be a great find. It was the right price £8 per night and we got Internet access for the whole four days for only £4.

We had arranged to camp there with our old friends John and Mary for the weekend. 

It was the weekend of the Mini car rally.

There were some wonderful historic Mini cars.

We also enjoyed the cricket in Settle on the Saturday afternoon.

• Distance            32km
  
• Max Elevation     200m

Gretna to Liverpool - Settle to Clitheroe Ride Profile

• Distance             39km
  
• Max Elevation      220m

Gretna to Liverpool - Clitheroe to Wheelton Ride Profile

Unfortunately we didn't stay to watch the Tour of Britain cycle race (wish we had). We did see lots of cyclists making their way to watch the race and they were all very friendly. Our Gretna to Liverpool route took the C90 from Clitheroe and followed it through Whalley before turning onto the C91 which was a very long, but steady climb up to the village of York (yes there really is York in Lancashire).

We were heading for Dave Carr's place at Wheelton, but before we went there, we had to go into Bamber Bridge to Ribble Valley Cycles, to get Karen some new cycling glasses. She had knelt on them about a week earlier and Steve had been taping them up each day until we could get a new pair. 

From there we got back on track using Dave's directions, but were distracted by a pint of Theakston's' at the Lord Nelson pub. A fatal mistake, particularly as there followed a very steep climb up Johnson's Hillock to the Top Loch on the Leeds and Liverpool canal, and then up even further to reach Dave's place.

We had a great evening with Dave, Pat and their lovely daughter Jenny, reminiscing about our old university days.

• Distance           80km
  
• Max Elevation    120m

Gretna to Liverpool - Wheelton to Liverpool Ride Profile

As we came into the outer extremities of Liverpool the Gretna to Liverpool route took us off the railway track and onto the tow path of the Leeds / Liverpool canal, which we followed until suddenly an arrow took us to the left up a steep set of steps onto the road above. They were so steep that we had to demount all our panniers and hand carry them individually up the steps to the road. (What a pain!)