BIKEPACKING THE YORKSHIRE DALES 300

Welcome to the Yorkshire Dales 300, brain child of local rider and cycle mechanic Stuart Rider. The official route is ridden annually as a participation event from Stuart’s workshop in Skipton, Riders Cycle Centre - but is also available to ride year round for cycle tourers or racers fancying a challenge with a timed Individual Time Trial (ITT).
If you’re looking for a straight-forward A to B route then this is not for you. But if the idea of a wiggling trail taking in all the most hidden off road gems, toughest climbs, most exposed moorland estate roads and testing singletrack is more your cup of Yorkshire Tea, then you’re in the right place. A total of 186 miles (300km) doesn’t sound like much, but don’t be fooled: this is one challenging route. You should consider your fitness level before attempting the Yorkshire Dales 300 as there are many testing climbs, even spread over five days.
The official route passes by many of the quaint towns of the Yorkshire Dales, so don’t be afraid to go ‘off route’ a little to visit these and sample their delightful tearooms and pubs! By splitting the route into five days here, there should be ample time for exploring the local sights, especially in the summer months with more daylight hours.
The best bike for this challenge is probably a hardtail mountain bike or similar. It certainly can be attempted on a gravel bike although some parts of the trails are quite technical so be prepared to walk a little! Remember that wild camping is not legal in this part of the UK so if you’d like to camp you’ll need to seek out campsites. Thankfully there are plenty to choose from in the Yorkshire Dales. It’s important to take a survival bag and other emergency equipment with you whether you’ll be camping or not, as some of the areas you reach are very remote which means emergency help could take some time to reach you.
Perhaps the best time to visit the Dales is late summer or early autumn - September and October. Here it will be less busy as the school holidays will be finished and the purple heather should be blooming - marvellous! Be aware that severe weather can strike year-round so make sure you’re prepared with good quality waterproofs and plenty of spare layers.
If you enjoy the channel and would like to show your support you can find me on: buymeacoffee.c... - Thank you!
- Camping Stuff -
Inertia X Frame Sleeping Pag - amzn.to/3fYIWex
Inflatable Sleeping Mat with Pillow - amzn.to/3rKqlWj
Naturehike Mongar 2 Person Tent - amzn.to/3ColHBZ
Vango Microlite 300 Sleeping Bag - amzn.to/3VgKtwC
Sea to Summit Reactor Plus Compact Themolite Mummy Liner - amzn.to/3SUMUDk
AeroPress Go Portable Coffee Press - amzn.to/3rIUB3P
Mini HOT Water Bottles - amzn.to/3enDnG1
Collapsible Non-stick pan - amzn.to/3rIVbyx
Sea to Summit Collapsible Bowl - amzn.to/3yy7Sjh
Pack of 2 LED Rechargeable Head Torch - amzn.to/3CpGW6z
Camping Windshield - amzn.to/3Cq8F75
- Cycling Stuff -
INBIKE Hooded Waterproof Rain Jacket for Autumn/Winter/Daily commutes: www.inbike.cc/.... ( USE Discount Code: RL15 - And Save 15%)
RockBros Top Tube bag : amzn.to/3tzvGzo
RavPower 26800mah Power Bank: amzn.to/2KzUdSF
Tri/Handlebar GoPro Mount 1/2 - amzn.to/3i8zAtL
Tri/Handlebar GoPro-Cateye 2/2 - amzn.to/2XF6cSc
6 pack of GT85 Spray Lube - amzn.to/3EyUAa1
- Video / Audio Stuff -
GoPro Hero 6 Black - amzn.to/3fYYgrF
GoPro Hero 5 Black for Helmet cam - amzn.to/3STD8BH
ProStandard Grill Mount (mouth mount)
Amazon Basic Lightweight Tripod with bag - amzn.to/3rIUB3P
Ulanzi GoPro Magnet Quick Release mount: amzn.to/2V4x0Kg
Camera Windshield Housing : amzn.to/2KBy6vb
WebCam: amzn.to/3m4m77e
Neewer LED Dimmable Light Panel: amzn.to/33iZ4OR
Lavalier Lapel Microphone - amzn.to/3ytW8yk
Please subscribe for regular vlogs and cycling videos.
// Homepage: bikepackingadv...
// Strava: / strava
// Instagram: / rikki.lake
// BuyMeACoffee: buymeacoffee.c...
// SoundCloud: / richard-lake-5
#bikepacking #wildcamping #ultracycling
Contact me: [e-mail]

[@martinhutchinson9265]

'Lucky for me I had a stanley knife'. That gave me pause for thought for a second there.

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Without rewatching I am thinking maybe I was meaning swiss army knife 😂

[@paulmckearney4945]

Yeah, totally rideable, by the mtb world champion. I love Josh and his KSA but I know from when he has been in areas I'm familiar with that he tends to only film and present to the world, in an idealised way, the off-road bits. I think your real world depiction of the ride is fantastic.

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Thanks Paul. Humans love to see people struggling and failing - it's more relatable. Didn't put me off wanting to do it again - it was one of my most memorable rides this year!

[@Robutube1]

In my back yard! I rarely leave the blacktop on my bike though... fair play Richard, that looked 'character building'😂. Glad the Sawyer worked and thanks for the shout out.

[@shaunwilliamson9193]

Yeah I agree keep smiling adventures is really good, Josh really put the time in on his journeys. Your current tour is incredible beautiful as well

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Thanks Shaun. I always look forward to see where he is heading next, and of course your watching to find out whether or not who bought himself a Ginsters.

[@shaunwilliamson9193]

Yeah absolutely just in case I bonk out

[@bobwightman1054]

Not sure why you weren't expecting gates in the countryside 😉 I'm local and have done the ITT 3 times. I know it's "de rigueur" to be on a gravel bike but I wouldn't do it on anything less than a 29er hardtail. BTW Stuart is no longer at Skipton, he moved to Thirsk at the end of last year.

[@BikepackingAdventures]

I wasn't expecting so many. Will definitely be visiting again now that I've learnt a few trails out that way. I want to sleep in one of those bothes so will make a trip this Summer for sure. =)

[@englishcyclist]

Best video so far! 30+ min so grabbed a can of beer and some crisps and enjoyed watching. You've given me an idea about the bothies mmm, fantastic ride Richard keep em coming like this!

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Yes if u ever fancy a gravel ride up to that bothy with a flushing toilet just let me know!

[@BikepackingAdventures]

DON'T MISS OUT ON THE NEXT BIKEPACKING ADVENTURE > Subscribe ( kzbin.info/door/7Sn5BSyeebQdMJtQ4jVqsw ) Day 1 : ridewithgps.com/trips/119514782 Day 2.: ridewithgps.com/trips/119595595

[@cupidstunt1975]

OMG Richard, you tried taking a gravel bike up Fremington Edge 😂😂😂 I’m a local to the area. Kudos for trying that.

[@BikepackingAdventures]

The road bit was hard enough fully loaded - then when the tarmac ended it was a slow hike a bike to the top! I was pretty buzzing though from the bike centre after finally finding somewhere to eat. Two coffees two cakes pushed me up to the top!

[@onemorecyclist]

Enjoyed watching this, although you've triggered my post Pennine Bridleway traumatic gates disorder 😉. Subscribed!

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Sorry about that! Thanks for the sub I'll try and film less gates. 😅😉

[@dunkwilsable]

Great vid, enjoyed that will be watching your others… cheers

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed 😀

[@andypendred8973]

Great video - chapeau for attempting that on a drop bar bike - Hardtail all the way for me and my lack of bike handling skills ! :)

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Yeah next time I think I would bring a hard tail mtb!

[@dalj4362]

Haha, Josh always makes it look easy, doesnt he. If it was easy... it would be like piccaddily circus up there, so its a good thing its hard 😅

[@crazypedaller]

Definitely a video for those with a passion for gates. 😂

[@stewartriley254]

Were there gates? he didn't mention them?! 🙂

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Only 1,000,000 times =)

[@richardgate1571]

Stuart Rider has now moved to the North York Moors area. And guess what, there is now a NYM 300 to enjoy as well!

[@BikepackingAdventures]

I am definitely at some point going ahead back to the Yorkshire Dales and finish the 2nd half. NYM would be cool also - haven't seen so much of there at all.

[@richardgate1571]

Let us know when you do, might join you!

[@lordgonzo.]

Brilliant! Have you seen the routes that Velotastic does? Very good/hard/rewarding! I think on routes like that you need front suspension. How was the Attacus jersey?

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Yeah suspension would definitely help. Nope not seen their channel. The attacus, jersey is a good fit for me.

[@jonathantofts6444]

Hi Richard, I am looking into the bike packing adventure. I currently ride a full sus mountain bike for day out. I am looking at a purchasing a hard tail mountain bike as apposed to the gravel bike. Thoughts?

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Hi Jonathan. My personal view on this particular bikepacking route is that a gravel bike is fine during the Summer, but rest of the year a hardtail would be much more appropriate as there were some often technical and boggy/grassy sections in there.

[@owenjohn1192]

You tend to find riding through farmland there area lot of gates!

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Indeed! Still sucks.

[@jonathanbenn2241]

I ride in Vermont, USA. I get to build a lot of character....

[@teezo_2461]

What type of jacket were you wearing in the barn eating pork?

[@BikepackingAdventures]

It's just a lightweight summer jacket for quick showers rather than persistent rainfall, has done well up to know. Not really something you'd wear in Autumn/Winter. ( chapeau.cc/club-race-jacket-cc1632.html )

[@teezo_2461]

@@BikepackingAdventures ah okay cool, whats something you'd recommend for heavier downfalls? I'm uk based

[@BikepackingAdventures]

@@teezo_2461 I've recently gone with the downpour plus from Rab. I went up a size so could fit over my helmet and provide a little greater tail on the back. Website says it's already helmet compatible hood so might wanna stick with your regular size. I bought mine in-store so tried one on. So far in a very wet and miserable Wales a couple of weeks ago it kept me bone dry. Never underestimate the benefit of having a hood. Breathability is okay so far.

[@teezo_2461]

@@BikepackingAdventures thank you for replying, funny you mention wales as thats somewhere i have in mind after ive been down dartmoor.

[@paul0gb]

What is the rear mudguard you are using?

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Hi Paul, it's from Assavers, it's called the Win Win Wings. Proving to be very good!

[@RBean47]

What tyres are you using

[@BikepackingAdventures]

A pair of G-One Bite from Schwalbe, 45C. Don't have full confidence in them in the wet grassy stuff but more so on the gravel terrain. I put that more down to experience, or rather lack there of.

[@alexanderlawson1649]

More bikepacking bullshit. Its bike touring, its been around for a hundred fuckin years. Get some sensible bags, panniers on yer bike,stuff on top. Why get involved with this fad, when the reinvention of the wheel has been tried before. The future is the past, reinvented into somthing that does'nt work. Hey its fashion, lets forget that its all been done before but better..........................................