Route Ref:  NYM09

Back to North Yorkshire Moors Routes

This page is not a route as such, but a brief introduction to Dalby Forest. Dalby was the first area to open to the public during the foot & mouth epidemic. Surprisingly, this was my first visit to Dalby. May bank holiday weekend 2001, offered a couple of days of sunshine which was just as well considering the conditions of the forest tracks. Two marked routes in the forest were opened. The "red" technical route and the "blue" intermediate route. We did the technical route first. If you enjoy being axle deep in peat bog or constantly cleaning "claggy" mud off your brakes, then this is for you. The route is being constantly changed due to the heavy use it is getting. Although we were told that it would be nine miles, I clocked almost thirteen. There are some good single track sections, particularly the last three miles.There is also a good steep downhill section. All you need do is sit on your bike, pull the brakes and just slide to the bottom! However, the majority was hard, tiring work, trying to ride (or dragging the bikes) through the mud.

<

The intermediate route was much easier. Only about a mile and half was on single track mud, the rest on hard forest tracks. This route was also a lot shorter, almost eight miles. If you want a longer ride you need to combine the two, or go around again! Dalby, obviously has a lot more to offer and I will be going back when the current restrictions have been relaxed. Hopefully the terrain will have had chance to dry out and recover.

15 Miles, 24.14 Kms, 1500 Feet, 492 Metres, N/A Gates, 90% Off Road