Thursday 17/09/09.Minor roads out of Whitby heading west towards Dalby brought me to a bridle path loop that takes in the summit top of Beacon Hill, at this time of day this is exactly what I want, an off-road route over the moors with wide open places in which to pitch my tent. After a mile or two uphill, I came across a wonderful flat piece of springy turf in a sea of uncampable heather, and such are the good things in life! It was a bit early around seven pm but it was just too much of an inviting place and with no pre-knowledge of the way ahead, I wasted no time, this is the place for the night. And after the hassle of the day and the pushing the bike and anxiety of it all I got my head down, brewed up and I suppose it is possible that there was a happier man on earth, but if there was, he was very lucky indeed!
Woke to a fine dry morning, but with only about 40 miles max to do there was little incentive to rush, so I spent an extra hour, just oozing in the luxury of a great pitch, a comfortable pit and another brew, I realise at moments like this that I spend too much time trying to make the most of my time, (doing things) and maybe time needs you to do nothing at all.
Eventually, I stirred myself to the challenge of pulling up the last mile or so to the summit of Beacon Hill, with it's trig point, topo and beacon-holder (well what would you call it, look at the picture and let me know) and a grand view point it is, but as a vantage point to spot Napoleon's forces at the end of the seventeenth century requires a stretch of the imagination, it is a long way to the sea from here and only in perfect weather would it be possible to monitor shipping movements, it is a good day today and I can't see the sea! (I suppose "spyglasses" would have been helpful). From here a wonderful steepening downhill run to Danby, on a perfect tarmac track, so good and enjoyable after the stone littered bridle path of the ascent to Beacon Hill with all it's skittering about. I stopped for another cup of over milky coffee at the Moors Center (I never learn do I?)and then headed over the last miles home stopping briefly at Kildale for can of Coke and a Picnic Bar.
All in all a great ride and the network of routes forming the Moors to Sea Cycleway has many options yet to be tackled the Scarborough end has been completely omitted from this itinerary thus I have reasons and intention to return. This ride covered about 137 miles, with quite a hilly completment, but it's amazingly beautiful countryside and it's on my doorstep, so how can I not become addictied?
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