Get Off My Land

I’ve been looking forward to the Autumn Polaris because it’s back up in the Yorkshire Dales and although they don’t really tell you where it is precisely until about a week before hand, the rumor on the forum is that its going to start from a place just down the road from Richmond in a village called Grinton. Now this is very handy because I’ve done quite a bit of riding in that area.

The last time I was down that neck of the woods I was reviewing a route for a friend that was writing some guide books, during the ride I came across an electric fence, which I almost had a had a pee on (just saw the sign in the nick of time) but more frightening was this! You do not want to be wondering onto the farmers land that owns this.

Dodd Fell

Sunday, September 24, 2006 Dodd Fell Had an opportunity to get out on the bike today so decided to take a trip down to Hawes and remind myself of a route I last did about 9 years ago, Dodd Fell. The reason for this is that Polaris mentioned it in their last update so I thought I might as well see what the terrain looked like.


Woke up at about 7 this morning and it was pissing down, great! Rain had stopped by the time I got to Hawes but that didn't last, after about 30 minutes it was pouring down again, misty and just generally Yorkshire weather at it's best.
During the climb to the top of Dodd Fell came across a few fellow Polaris people, doing the same as me, quick chat and on I went, in the down pour to the top of the fell. By this time the rain had gone and the sun looked like it was going to get out, which it did but by this time I was wet through.


I'd done about half the route by this time so I stopped for a quick snack. After that it was pretty much all down hill. Had to push over one section, which was totally un-ridable and I remembered this bit from years ago. After that it was a fast downhill back into Hawes, which was very busy with bikers (motor type), Americans and just general people.

I raised a few eye brows as I was covered from head to foot in mud. Still great day and once the sun got out some great views across the valley. Looking forward to the actual Polaris.