SWALEDALE, YORKSHIRE DALES

With the change of season from winter to spring having gone on some sort of extended strike, many of the UK’s trails are in a sorry state. So we’ve decided to head north today – bizarrely, some may think – to the Yorkshire Dales, and Swaledale. This area has been battered by storms in recent months, but the hills drain well, which is why we find ourselves sitting in the Dales Bike Centre with Stu and Brenda. They’ve been kept rather busy so far this year, having to get the flood gates out three times already. On today’s menu is the arrival of some fresh snow on the hills, making them look beautiful, if a bit daunting.

I want moor, give me moor

IT’S STILL VERY FLOODED FROM THE RECENT STORMS, SO WE STICK TO THE TARMAC, RIDDING OUR TYRES OF ANY STUBBORN MUD AS WE GO

After dispatching a breakfast with great efficiency, we finish a second coffee while hearing about the plans for the Dales Bike Centre. This £1.25 million