York, Selby, Holmfirth, Bolton, Yorkshire, Lancashire.

York, Selby, Holmfirth, Bolton, Yorkshire, Lancashire.
(3 day bike-pack)
Sat 24 Jun - Mon 26 Jun 2023

Sun 25 Jun 2023

1. Sat 24 Jun 2023
2. Sun 25 Jun 2023
3. Mon 26 Jun 2023

I knew I had a tough day ahead so set off early and was away just after 6am. The sun was up and it soon warmed up. At Burn Lane I had a distant view of the Drax Power Station. For a while it was very pleasant riding along the flat deserted road between wheat fields and no hedges. That stopped at the A19 when I had to endure busy traffic. I joined the minor road for a while through Eggborough then back to the A19 to thankfully leave towards Womersley.

Leaving the airfield.

Drax Power Station.

Through Kirk Smeaton and on to Wentbridge I overshot my turning and had to retrace my route. Riding through Hemsworth I stopped at the Convenience Store to get some chocolate biscuits and ate half of them. Next door was the ‘Snack in a Box’ cafe but the two lady proprietors sat outside smoking cigarettes so I made a speedy exit. Heading west I missed my turn into Robin Lane but continuing and a right turn brought my back on track at South Hiendley. The quiet flat roads of early morning had now gone and the roads were busy and getting more hilly. Through Darton I climbed up over the M1 motorway and continued a steep climb over to High Hoyland.
Wheatfields.

Fortunately there

St Peter's
Denby Dale milestone.

My original plan was to try and reach Saddleworth Moor but my legs were getting tired after the tough hills and heat. I continued to Clayton West and reached the Barnsley Road. Just before the junction an old man was sat outside his house. I stopped and asked if he could top up my water bottle. He said he was blind so I handed the bottle without cap and he filled it for me. I reached Denby Dale and realised I would have to stop and camp soon as my legs were getting cramp.

Camp 2 near Cumberworth.

In Upper Cumberworth I saw a reasonable camp spot in a field but there was nowhere to get water. I continued up the hill and stopped by a house where a couple just returned in their car. I asked the woman if I could get some water and she invited me in for a cup of tea while her husband filled my water bottles. With plenty of water I returned to the field and found some shelter from the sun for my tent. It was a pleasant afternoon. The forecast thunderstorms didn’t arrive.
Camp 02 evening meal.