Ingleborough Evening Ride Dust, Rocks, 2,500ft of Climbing HINE-R and new Brake Pad compound testing Testing
Sometimes the best rides are the ones where you head out with no expectations and end up completely emptied by the time you get back to the van.
Last night we headed out from Clapham for a big loop taking in Ingleborough, covering around 16 miles with roughly 2,500ft of climbing. I've included the GPX route below for anyone wanting to follow it themselves because it's a proper Yorkshire Dales classic.
With the weather finally, it felt more like summer than spring. We set off in just T-shirts and leggings, expecting a warm evening ride. What we didn't expect was just how hot it would get on the climb.
The Climb Up Ingleborough
The route starts off reasonably well but quickly turns into the kind of terrain that reminds you why the Yorkshire Dales can be both brilliant and brutal.
The lower sections feature natural rocky trails with endless baby-head rocks, ledges and loose stone. Some sections were rideable, others were a test of balance, fitness and determination. To be honest, I managed to clean far more of the climb than I expected, which was a nice surprise considering how technical some of the terrain was.
The higher you climb, the rougher it gets.
Eventually the trail reaches the point where riding becomes impossible and the inevitable hike-a-bike begins. Every rider who has been up Ingleborough knows the feeling. The bike gets heavier with every step and the summit never seems to get any closer.
Four Seasons in One Ride
One thing the Yorkshire Dales does better than almost anywhere else is remind you how quickly conditions can change.
At the bottom we were baking in the heat. By the time we reached the summit it was freezing, windy and felt like we'd climbed into a completely different season.
After a quick stop to take in the views, grab some photos and catch our breath, it was time for the descent.
The Descent
Dropping off the far side of Ingleborough was, for me at least, completely unrideable in places.
Steep, exposed and littered with large sharp rocks, it's one of those descents where a mistake would have serious consequences. There were sections where walking felt like the sensible option rather than trying to force the issue.
As the trail drops lower the gradient starts to ease and the famous stepped sections begin. From there the ride transforms into exactly what you'd hope for.
The dry conditions made a huge difference. Every line was visible, grip was excellent and the trails were running as well as I've seen them in a long time. After weeks of mixed weather, it was great to finally ride without constantly worrying about mud, standing water or slippery rock.
New Setup, New Feel
This ride was also one of my first longer outings since switching from SRAM brakes to Shimano XT.
The change definitely took some getting used to.
The initial bite and lever feel are very different to what I've been riding for years, but after a few rides I'm starting to appreciate the extra power and consistency. By the end of the ride they felt natural and confidence inspiring on the steep rocky descents.
I was also running the latest Gorilla Brakes Enduro Pro brake pads coming soon , which have quickly become my go-to choice for aggressive trail and enduro riding. With the amount of steep terrain, sharp braking zones and long descents on this route, they had plenty of opportunity to prove themselves.
Despite the dry, dusty conditions and constant braking on the rocky sections, performance remained consistent all ride.
Vanth Testing Continues
Lee was riding our new Priority Vanth Pinion gearbox demo bike throughout the ride.
The Vanth has quickly become our dedicated test platform for both brake pad development and the upcoming HINE-R brake system.
If you'd like to follow the development of the project, visit the HINE-R website:
The low-maintenance gearbox setup means more riding and less workshop time, making it ideal for long-term testing.
This ride gave us another chance to gather real-world feedback ahead of our Italy testing trip later this year, where both the latest Enduro Pro developments and HINE-R brake system will be pushed much harder on the long alpine descents of Finale Ligure.
Even after only a few weeks of ownership, the Vanth continues to impress with its balance, climbing ability and overall ride quality.
Final Thoughts
One of the best things about this loop is that it feels like a proper mountain adventure without taking up your entire day.
At around 16 miles and 2,500ft of climbing, it's definitely not an easy ride. The technical climbing, hike-a-bike sections and rough natural terrain make you work for every mile. If you've been doing strength training or have tired legs, you'll certainly know about it by the end.
That said, it's still a great option for an evening ride. We completed the loop in just under three hours at a steady pace, stopping for photos and taking in the views along the way. Push harder and it can be done quicker, but there's no real need to rush a ride like this.
The route packs a huge amount into a relatively short distance. You get challenging climbs, stunning Yorkshire Dales scenery, technical rocky sections, fast descents and a real sense of achievement when you reach the summit.
If you're looking for a quick ride after work that still feels like a proper mountain bike adventure, this is hard to beat. It's tough enough to leave you satisfied, short enough to fit into an evening
Find The Right Brake Pads For Your Bike
Whether you ride Shimano, SRAM, Hope, Magura, TRP, Hayes, Formula or Tektro brakes, choosing the correct brake pad compound can completely transform the feel of your bike.
All Gorilla Brakes compounds are developed and tested in real-world riding conditions across the UK, including steep natural descents like Ingleborough, BikePark Wales, the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.
Not sure which brake pads are right for your bike?
Use our Brake Pad Finder:
https://gorillabrakes.com/pages/brake-pad-finder
Or browse the complete Gorilla Brakes range:
Route GPX
Download or View the Ingleborough GPX Route
Want to ride the same loop? You can view the full route, distance, elevation and ride details on Strava using the button below.