Tour North Yorkshire's Great Road Cycling Routes

Here we are showcasing some of the road classics, they can be taken on as long-distance day rides or multi-day trips, depending on your legs!

Feeling brave? Cycle in the bike tracks of the pros as you take on the Tour de France in the Dales route - a 125km circular. Ride towards Wharfedale from Grassington passing Kilnsey Crag to Kidstones Pass to cycle the first climb. If you still have the stamina, carry on to complete the second and third climbs on the route which takes you over Buttertubs Pass and Grinton Moor.

The Rosedale Chimney cycle route is a challenging climb located in the North York Moors. You can attempt the climb as part of ‘The Classic Rosedale & Blakey Ridge Loop’ – an 18.5 mile challenge up Chimney Bank and over moorland roads and past historic iron kilns. Be warned, it’s considered one of the hardest climbs in the UK with very steep gradients!

Way of the Roses is a 170-mile coast-to-coast route from Morecambe to Bridlington, passing through Settle, Pateley Bridge, Ripon, and York. As is tradition, dip your back wheel in the Irish Sea at Morecombe and finish by dipping your front wheel in the North Sea at Bridlington.

The Yorkshire Dales Cycleway is a challenging but rewarding 130-mile circular route. Designed to start and finish in Skipton, it winds its way through classic Dales towns and villages like Malham, Hawes, and Reeth.

If you’re in need of a bike hire, have a mechanical issue, or just want to refuel, knowing where the best cycling facilities are located can really help you out. Here are some of the best spots to pin on your map:

• Sutton Bank National Park Centre, near Helmsley, offers bike hire, pump tracks, bike wash station, free water refill points, and a café.
• Danby Lodge National Park Centre, near Whitby, is a great place to stop for a bite to eat and drink. Located in Danby, near Whitby it has cyclist-friendly facilities including bike repair stands for basic bike check-ups, including pump and allen keys.
• Dalby Forest Visitor Centre, near Pickering, has fantastic bike hire facilities, trail centres, and a courtyard café. It also has bike wash bays and bike pumps.
• Dales Bike Centre, near Reeth, has bike hire availability, workshop and repairs options, café area, and cyclist amenities including bike wash bays, drying rooms and secure bike storage.