The Yorkshire Dales and particularly Swaledale offer bountiful rewards for mountain bikers. An intricate network of bridleways and rideable trails criss cross the Dale (Yorkshire term for valley) giving endless options.
Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales is a stunning place to mountain bike but adventure here is earned. Home of the ArdRock Enduro, the trail network is almost endless however, navigation is a key part of mountain biking here. We've route maps available in our bikeshop and .gpx file downloads further down this page.
Parking?
We have a modest size car park, there's no gate to lock you in our out. You are welcome to park and ride, there's no charge for parking but we think it's reasonable for you to spend a few pounds in the cafe/bike shop to help keep us all in work. Our opening times are 9 - 5pm, you'll probably find us floating around before and after, quite possibly heading out on a ride!
Ground Nesting Birds info...
Here at DBC we’ve been asked to politely remind riders of the importance of protecting ground nesting birds. The moorlands are an amazing habitat for wild birds not just red grouse but lapwing, curlew, snipe, merlin, buzzards etc..
Late April- June is especially important to protect these ground nesting birds.
It's easy, if we can:
-Keep to bridleways and rights of way (ideally good tracks)
-Watch out for small chicks moving around
-Keep out of the heather
-Keep dogs on a lead
AND!
Open your eyes, enjoy the wildlife around us.
You must have spotted we have that too!
Accommodation designed specifically with mountain bikers and road cyclists in mind. We've a very good bike wash, bike storage, drying room, laundry and 24hour cake access!
14 bed bunk accommodation is clean and very cosy, your comfy bunk is made up with fresh linen, 2 pillows and quilt, includes breakfast
Check out our Bunk Rooms page
Navigation is the key, Swaledale is a great place to ride but there ain't a waymarker arrow every 100metres to keep you on track. Your time is precious we can ensure your group get the absolute most out of their trip, weekend or day of riding. Our professional qualified team of mountain bike guides have many years of mountain biking experience and we know the Yorkshire Dales like no one else. Check out our Guided MTB'ing page
Pinseat & Apedale 38km
A ride of two halves, tackle it all or ride just the Great Pinseat upper loop as a ride on it's own.
School Master & The Edge 34km
With a bit of westerly wind this is a great route. Hang on tight for the final descent!
Edge, Hurst & Gill 41km
A classic Swaledale loop, it's a shocker of a start but well worth the effort. The riding is only out done by the spectacular views across Gunnerside Gill
Swaledale MTB Challenge Route: 30km
A gentle warm up before a lung buster climb, stunning views of Swaledale leading to great descent. Grab another climb & awesome descent before riding back via Swale Trail and a cheeky little finish!
Be cool and stick to legal rights of Way when MTBing Swaledale.
What bike?
Another question we get asked a lot! There's a lot of climbing in Swaledale and a lot of fast steep descents but not so many big jumps and drops. We ride 'trail bikes' tending to ride either hardtails with 130-140mm forks or full-suspension with 130mm-160mm travel.
What we ride
Stu (the Boss) rides an Orange FIVE Factory, 150mm Fox 36 with Sram Eagle 12sp.
Ian (mechanic & 'Stay' organiser) rides a Trek Domane, Cotic Escapade & Cotic Soul.
Bren (the cake fairy and number cruncher) rides a Trek Powerfly FS & Cotic Soul 130mm travel fork.
Ben (Bikeshop assistant manager/mechanic) Giant full suspension, Merida road bike.. He's new!
What tyres?
The tyre question.... forget your mud tyres, the trails around here are predominatley rock based. We tend to ride around a 2.35-2.5 up front, tyres like a Maxxis DHFII 2.5/2.6 EXO+ 3c compound or High Roller II 2.4. For the rear something not quite so wide and a bit faster rolling like a Minion DHRII or Maxxis Aggressor (Stu's favourite). As you may tell we like Maxxis that's why we sell them in the bike shop. Call in for trail and tyre advice and pick up a set of top drawer treads for your bike too.
Dales Bike Centre
Fremington
Near Reeth
North Yorkshire
DL11 6AW
Open 7 days 9am - 5pm
Tel: 01748 884908