Brian Beadle takes us on stage three of the the 100 Mile Challenge... Glaisdale to Bloworth Crossing

Start in Glaisdale village and head off west towards Lealholme.

At the edge of the village opposite High Leas Farm go left onto a wide track signed as a bridleway.

Go through the gate and keep straight ahead, climbing uphill on to the moor.

When you meet a wide track go right then in 50 yards turn left on to the moor.

As the track falls it meets a wider tack, turn on to it and climb up on to the moor again.

At the top left, where the track splits, go right climbing up to the standing stone on the horizon at the road. Go straight across the road signed to Fryup, take care down the very steep hill with its severe corner.

Look carefully for an unmarked road on your right - don't miss it - and turn into it then shortly go left signed to Danby.

At the next junction go left again signed to Danby then at the next junction bear right for Danby again.

Carry on past Fairy Cross Plain to a junction of three roads. In front of you is a sign Bridleway To Ainthorpe, take this track which climbs on to Danby Rigg and eventually meets the road. Bear left to Ainthorpe passing the Fox and Hounds on the way.

At the junction turn left and continue along to Castleton.

As you leave Castleton village at the speed limit sign take the first turn right signed to Westerdale and Commondale.

In about a mile just after the cattlegrid go left signed to Kildale then in almost two miles left at the T-junction signed to Westerdale.

Follow the road downhill, over a ford then uphill. Near to the top of hill turn right on to an unmarked road then look out for a bridleway sign on your right in a few hundred yards. The real ride starts here.

You will find it quite rocky and rough in places as you climb on to Great Hograh Moor to a technical descent to Great Hograh Beck. Cross the beck and turn right on to a track then in 100 yards turn sharp left back on yourself to climb uphill on to a wide track.

Continue uphill passing a large stone on the right then downhill, at a fork keep right then descend to pass through a hole in the wall continue to the tree line. Go left now following a narrow undefined track parallel to the trees.

The bridleway should climb off to the in a few hundred yards but is completely undefined so you will have to guess the route and head off left through the heather to join a wide track. This is the same wide track you met earlier.

Soon you come to some shooting butts, at the third one (number nine) go sharp right onto an undefined track which becomes defined and soon joins up with the wide track once again.

Keep on this track which eventually falls to Armouth Wath, keep right and head for the buildings. Pass over the small stone bridges then climb up again. In about 400 yards the track forks, turn left, then continue to ascend to Rudland Rigg.

Left here and enjoy a good, short one mile blast downhill to a moorland crossroads. Bloworth crossing. (Identified by a gate on the left and another a few yards up the track on the right).

Final stage next month

FACT FILE

Click here for map

Distance: 19 miles (30k) approx.

Grading: Tough Off road: 50 per cent

Start/grid ref: Glaisdale GR 775055.

Map: OS Landranger OS Outdoor Leisure North York Moors Nos 27 and 28. Alternative OS Landranger 93, 94 and 100.

Refreshments: Glaisdale butcher is famous for his meat pies. Pubs at Ainthorpe and Castleton.

Reference book: Beadle's Bash - 100 Mile Challenge Route For Mountain Bikers by J Brian Beadle, published by Trailblazer, £1.80 from book shops, cafes, cycle shops, Dalby Forest Visitors' Centre and Tourist Information Centre.

PICTURE:Bloworth Crossing and Rudland Rigg