The Tour de France 2014 – Grassington

Cathy Parry — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 10:23:03 +0000

Cycling around Grassington in The Yorkshire Dales

What a fantastic base or stopping point as part of a touring holiday. Exploring The Yorkshire Dales by bicycle gives you the opportunity to either use the network of minor roads or for the more adventurous the ‘green lanes’, byways and bridleways -there are over 800 km (500 miles) with some testing climbs and challenging descents.

This is the ideal way to discover the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales as well as having the opportunity to visit the array of local tea rooms and public houses to savour well-earned homemade cakes and perhaps a pint of locally brewed beer. This is the place for all abilities with the option of riding on the valley bottoms perhaps as a family group or for the more experienced rider that extra challenge of the Yorkshire Dales Cycle Way 210km (130miles). (The National Parks Authority along with North Yorkshire County Council is undertaking the re-signing of the route showing their commitment to encouraging cycling).

The Tour de France 2014

What an exciting time to enjoy cycling at whatever pace you choose, including being a spectator. The first two stages of the world’s awe inspiring road cycling race, the Tour de France, will be visiting the Yorkshire Dales National Park in July 2014. The sponsor vans travel the route ahead of the cyclists handing out a wide variety of freebies and offering miles of entertainment in anticipation of the ‘main event’. The crowds will be buzzing and the atmosphere electric. This will be something very special and an opportunity you don’t want to miss. Securing this event has taken a lot of hard work and commitment by a team of dedicated people led by Welcome to Yorkshire. Showcasing this wonderful part of the country to the rest of the world the Tour goes through Threshfield literally minutes from Grassington village. Consequently, there couldn’t be a better time or place to visit.

By Cathy Parry

Cathy Parry is the owner of two holiday cottages set alongside the picturesque River Wharfe. You can view them on her website www.riversidegrassington.co.uk and connect via Facebook www.facebook.com/RiversideGrassington.

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Fishing on the River Wharfe in Grassington.

Cathy Parry — Thu, 30 May 2013 08:39:38 +0000

The River Wharfe is a wonderful sight whatever the weather. The name Wharfe is Celtic and means ‘twisting, winding’. It rises near Beckermonds, in Langstrothdale, at the head of Wharfedale and flows some 60 miles through the the wonderful scenery of the Yorkshire Dales to meet the Yorkshire Ouse at Cawood. For much of its length it forms the county boundary between West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire.

The stretch through Grassington is beautiful and varied as it winds its way down under the bridge, which carries the B6265 over the River Wharfe between Grassington and Threshfield. The bridge itself has an interesting history with one of its most notable claims to fame being it was the place where the murderer Tom Lee was hanged in the 19th century.

As well as enjoying the river’s beauty and power, fishing is proving ever popular, particularly fly fishing. Generally the preferred methods on the Wharfe are upstream dry fly fishing as well as upstream and downstream wet fly and nymph fishing. Fishing permits can be purchased from Grassington Post Office for £20 per day and £3.85 per day (£10 for 8 days) for a Rod Licence. There are said to be large stocks of wild brown trout in the Wharfe and it would be hard to find a better river in the country for fly fishing. Apparently a 4lb+ Brownie is caught nearly every year on fly with the best being 10lb+!!. But The Yorkshire Dales River Trust is not complacent and plans to make substantial enhancements to the river over the next few years. These include pollution control and easing erosion.