Park Rash and Fleet Moss

[asterix]

Anyone climbed these 2 beauties from the Hawes direction? I'd be interested in any comments especially if you can give a comparison with say, White Horse Bank, Rosedale Chimney Bank, Carlton Bank, Boltby Bank, Winnats and the like.

Advice on the descents also appreciated.

 

[ColinJ]

I have done them both but can't offer comparisons with the others because I haven't done them.

Fleet Moss from the Hawes side played with my head a little because I could see the climb stretching out in front of me and it gets harder and harder towards the top. I seem to remember that it hits 25% where the dry stone wall starts. Tough! I was catching up with another rider and he got off his bike just as I drew level with him. He wished me luck. I have very low gears and needed them. I think I was on 30/26 that day.

When I got to the top, I took a rest and was looking down the other side towards Wharfedale and was amazed to see a group of cyclists on hand-cranked recumbents winching their way up towards me. It's not quite as steep from that side, but it still hits about 20%!

I descended towards Hawes once and nearly met my maker! It starts off steep that way so you pick up speed very rapidly but then the road just abruptly drops away to the 25% section. I got big air! I was all over the road when I landed, but managed to stay upright. Others have not been so lucky ...

The descent to the south is not as dodgy as that towards Hawes but you still need to pay attention! Don't go crazy.

Park Rash is a very tough climb. I normally stay in the saddle but one look at the first ramp and tight bend above it had me in my bottom gear and straight to my feet. That was very tough indeed but it continues up a long way at 15+%. I got a round of applause from families in the car park on the left as I climbed past them. After that, I felt that I had to complete the climb rather than walking it!

I can't recall much about the descent of Coverdale other than the fact that it was beautiful and there were a lot of sheep wandering about!

 

[JayP]

Both of these climbs, together with Greenhow, Malham Cove, Dent Station, Reeth Moor, Bellerby Ranges, Jordan Moss and one real no-name brute that starts before you've even done the first km, are in Sean Flynn's Dales Grimpeur which is on Sat 4th June and this may be last year.

 

[MichaelM]

I think it was Fleet Moss that I walked up with the Mrs back in 87(???) to watch the inaugural Kellogs Pro tour.

I convinced her it would be a good idea to drive out as there'd be no-one out on the top of a hill in countryside... I seem to recall there was a crowd estimated at 10000 that day!

Was it Stephan Rooks out front with Steve Bauer at around 30sec or the other way round? Peleton were a good couple of min down. Not sure whether or not they staid out until the end of the stage or not.

So yes, I've done that one - but not on a bike.

 

[Fiona N]

Both of these climbs, together with Greenhow, Malham Cove, Dent Station, Reeth Moor, Bellerby Ranges, Jordan Moss and one real no-name brute that starts before you've even done the first km, are in Sean Flynn's Dales Grimpeur which is on Sat 4th June and this may be last year.

Luckily I'm out of the country that weekend

 

[asterix]

Both of these climbs, together with Greenhow, Malham Cove, Dent Station, Reeth Moor, Bellerby Ranges, Jordan Moss and one real no-name brute that starts before you've even done the first km, are in Sean Flynn's Dales Grimpeur which is on Sat 4th June and this may be last year.

So it could be worse!

Thanks for the info ColinJ, I will have low gears and also be scared of the sheep.

 

[nickwill]

I rode them on the Richmond 5 Dales sportive the year before last. On the day there was a strong headwind going up Fleet Moss and it was a real battle. By contrast, everyone had said how hard Park Rash was, and perhaps because of this, it didn't seem so bad. It is extremely steep, but relatively short, and thus vulnerable to an all out attack. Both great hills though!

 

[asterix]

The f'cast is pretty much westerly, 17mph for Saturday which on paper looks better for Park Rash than Fleet Moss. Whichever, I am looking forward to it! No really, I am..

 

[Garz]

So it could be worse!

Thanks for the info ColinJ, I will have low gears and also be scared of the sheep.

The sheep can remember Colin and will run..

 

[ColinJ]

The sheep can remember Colin and will run..

It was 2006 (when I was fit enough to tackle such beasts - the steep hills that is, not the sheep!) so they have probably ended up in someone's kebab long before now!

 

[Garz]

Ha ha very true, although it's not too late to relive some of them fitter days Colin!

 

[ColinJ]

Ha ha very true, although it's not too late to relive some of them fitter days Colin!

Yes, I need to stop making excuses and ride more often!

 

[Garz]

I don't think one iota they are excuses colin, lifestyle and other commitments are bound to impede any progress at some point. Being able to organise these CC rides are a skill in itself and being a commendable leader a ten week block of regular rides will soon get you back on track.

Roll on the dry and calm days, the wind and rain is getting boring now!

 

[Garz]

Oh and if it make you feel any better I am enjoying a large glass of Angels Bay - cabernet sauvignon posting here rather enjoying oneself! (doh those calories)

 

[ColinJ]

I don't think one iota they are excuses colin, lifestyle and other commitments are bound to impede any progress at some point. Being able to organise these CC rides are a skill in itself and being a commendable leader a ten week block of regular rides will soon get you back on track.

Roll on the dry and calm days, the wind and rain is getting boring now!

I was just thinking the other day how quickly I used to gain fitness on my Spanish Spring training camps. From just 50 easy miles in 12 weeks, straight to 700 hard miles over 2 weeks.

The first 5 or 6 days would half kill me and then I'd take an easy recovery day, just meandering up the nearest mountain with my camera.

I'd work hard the second week. By the time I went home I'd be knackered and would usually get ill, but after recovering from whatever bug it was, my legs would be strong and I'd be ready to get stuck in on the local hills!

The secret was that I usually had 2 weeks with nothing much else to do other than ride with 30-odd other cyclists under blue skies in temperatures of 15-25 °C. As you posted above - the wind and rain, and worst of all - the leaden skies - boring!