“The old main road out of Dent to Kirkby Stephen and was regularly traversed by pack-horse trains going to that market; it also served the extensive pits of the Garsdale Colliery. In fact in its long rise out of Dentdale it is called Coal Road in old deeds and manuscripts.”  Arthur Raistrick

28th Feb 2010. Bull Beck Picnic Site, CATON. Nr Lancaster A683 3 miles Jnc 34 M6

The road between Garsdale Head and Dent was once the main route between these two Dales centres. It was also the road connecting the two high railway stations serving these isolated Dales communities. In severe winters the valleys were cut off for weeks and the high roads blocked for much of this period. Even with modern technology available the heavy snow of this winter has wrapped the high dales in a timeless white blanket. Once a life threatening challenge it is now, largely, an inconvenience. The Dent Coal Road has been blocked for weeks and an inspection last Friday proved it was closed for Sunday’s Lune Racing Cycling Club Reliability Ride.

The organiser had prepared for such an event and an alternative section was inserted into the route directions. This diversion, down Garsdale to Sedbergh and back into Dentdale before rejoining the normal way, added 4 miles to the journey whilst still maintain the testing quality of the ride.

Leaving the Bull Beck car park, near Caton, the 75 riders, in 3 graded groups, with one or two interlopers, set off through Wray to High Bentham. Here they turned to cross the A65 at Ingleton and started the climb towards White Scar Cave and Ribble Head. As expected the groups split and in handful numbers the cyclists continued to climb up to Newby Head before swooping down to Hawes. The next section to Garsdale Head was also testing and when the riders reached the halfway control, by the railway viaduct, they were all ready for a quick break, a complimentary energy bar and a chance to refill depleted drinks bottles.

With the climb above Garsdale Station off the agenda the riders were faced with a fast drop to Sedbergh before tackling the lumpy road into Dentdale. Once close to Dent village the route led over the short but steep climb from Gawthrop to Barbondale and the more familiar roads to Casterton and Kirkby Lonsdale.

The final section was via Whittington, Arkholme and down to cross the River Lune at Gressingham. The last few miles were on the busy road through Hornby to finish at the Bull Beck car park where between four and five hours earlier the adventure had started. As the riders relaxed they exchanged stories of the more testing moments of the ride and agreed that the new route was still very challenging. But, warned organiser Brian Greenwood, ‘Next year it’s back over the Coal Road.’

  Sponsors of the Coal Road Challenge 2010