What have the Romans ever done for us mountain bikers? It goes without saying they built the roads, but the roads are for roadies. So, what did they do for mountain bikers? Well, they organised and expanded the lead mining activities in the Yorkshire Dales and introduced brewing of wine, mead and beer. But what has that got to do with mountain biking? Well, when you take your bike off road around Swaledale and Arkengarthdale you will find the many bridle paths and grouse roads are closely associated with the old lead mining industry that has dominated the area for centuries. So I suppose we can thank the Romans for miles of off road paths that take us high into the hills around Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, not forgetting the wine and beer, because without it there would be no pubs on route.

It was probably during the Industrial Revolution that the mines and the network of service roads and paths as we see them today really came to fruition. Now the industry is redundant we are left with a legacy of broken paths and random clusters of disused, derelict buildings encircled by a mine spoiled rakes of moorland that resembles a post apocalyptic scene from a sci-fi movie. In a strange way the mishmash of mine spoils with green and heather moorland spotted with stone arched buildings gives the area a unique beauty of its own, along with a variety of biking routes.

Because the mine paths, now grouse roads are easier to traverse, many of the old bridleways that were probably used by horses to carry lead from the mines have virtually faded into oblivion. Numerous bridleways clearly marked on Ordinance Survey maps are now virtually impossible to find or follow, making planning route a lot more complicated than you’d anticipate. So don't get your mtb shorts in a twist, let’s look at a few routes that can be done, they are mainly off road circular routes taking you back to where you parked and can be easily adapted or used as a template to plan your own route around.

Healaugh circular MTB route via Grinton and Langthwaite.

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This 22km route starts at Healaugh with a leisurely warm up along the banks of the River Swale before an unforgiving climb up to Fremington Edge. After a short downhill track to the hamlet of Hurst there is a gentle climb to the north of end of Fremington Edge prior to some serious downhill on the trail to Langthwaite. At this point you may be ready for little light refreshment at the Red Lion. From Langthwaite your take the Reeth road to Arkle Town and the Bridleway to Fore Gil l Gate then it’s a U-turn and the bridle path back downhill to Healaugh.

Healaugh Round route for Mountain Bike via Gunnerside Gill and Great Pinseat

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This 26 km trail starts at Healaugh and follows a combination of easy to cycle tracks and minor roads along south bank of the River Swale to the New Bridge at Gunnerside. On arriving at Gunnerside you have the option of cycling up the west or harder east side of Gunnerside Gill. Both options take you to Harkerside Moor then onto a path you won’t find on the maps over Friarfield Rake to Flintcher Gill. A short climb up Forefield Rake will take you to the mine spoils of Great Pinseat, and then it is virtually all downhill back to Healaugh.

Richmond via Gilling West and Kirby Hill

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This 29.5km mountain bike route starts at Richmond which can save travelling into the heart of Dales but still gives a challenging workout. Most of the climbs are on tarmac roads and the downhill sections mainly off road bridleways and tracks. The route starts at the Round Howe car park just outside of Richmond, there are toilets if you want somewhere to change into your cycling clothing. The route takes you up in the hills north of Richmond to High Moor, through Gilling Woods and down into Gilling West, returning to Richmond via Kirby Hill and Aske Moor. The route is very easy to vary or shorten and there are a few pubs you may not want to pass.

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