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This ride is 38 to 40 miles long, and initially climbs out of Kendal to give superb views towards Barbon and the Howgills. On a clear day you also get to see the Yorkshire Dales peaks.
Leave Kendal on the Oxenholme road, to go past the railway station at Oxenholme. Keep on the main road past the Station Inn. You now have a further 6 miles of climbing, through Old Hutton, with the views making it all worthwhile.
Once you have reached the top, you can let gravity take over for a few miles (apart from one more climb), as you swoop down into Old Town, a picturesque village in the middle of nowhere!
Carry on through Old Town to eventually reach Kirkby Lonsdale. This attractive, if somewhat tourist ridden town, is worth a short stop. A few hundred meters beyond the church is Ruskins View, overlooking the Lune Valley. Also worth a visit is Devils Bridge. If you arrive on a Sunday, the area around Devils Bridge is a meeting place for hundreds of (Motor) Bikers.
Carry on past the Town Square, until you meet the main A65. Turn left on the A65 for a short way, cross the river and turn left again onto the A683, signed Casterton.
There are now several variations to the route, but the intention is to get across to Barbondale. You can carry on the A683, and stop for a while in Barbon.
Alternatively, you can turn right at Casterton and wend your wayacross to the road running below Barbon Low Fell.
Eventually, however, you should end up on the road running between Barbon Low Fell and Barbon Park, heading towards Barbondale and Dent. You are now on the best part of the ride, 4 miles riding along Barbondale. On a good day the views along the valley and up to the fell tops are excellent, with a sense of grandeur being given by the steep fellside to the North East.
After climbing gently for four miles, there is a steep, exilarating downhill section. At the T Junction (yes - you will have to stop!) turn right, towards Dent, followed shortly by another T junction. Again turn right towards Dent.
A mile or so further on you will arrive at Dent - an excellent place to stop for tea and cakes - or something stronger!.
While taking a well earned break, it is wothwhile studying your map, and planning other days out. There is plenty of good riding around here.
To get back to Kendal leave Dent the way you came in, and head towards Sedbergh. Again - check you map as you can either follow the road directly into Sedbergh, or detour and take minor roads tha run parallel to the main road.
Whichever way you go, you eventually end up in Sedbergh. From here follow the signs to Kendal.
The main road can get busy in summer, so if you are feeling fit, head back by going north out of the town on the minor road to Howgill. Before getting to Howgill, take a left turn, and head over to Beck Foot, then work your way over to the A685. Turn left and head back down into Kendal.
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