Get on your bike and explore routes for all abilities across Yorkshire

Whether you’re still at the stabilisers stage or a serious Lycra devotee, North Yorkshire has a route to suit every stage of your cycling journey – here’s The Stray Ferret’s pick of some unmissable highlights.

For the thrill seekers

(Image: Pixabay)

Location: Dalby Forest.

Terrain: Varied, woodland, hilly, with some off-road routes.

Length: There are a number of trails throughout the forest for a mixture of different abilities from family-friendly routes to serious mountain biking challenges.

About the route: The lush backdrop of woodland – over 3,500 hectares in size – provides a perfect playground for casual and serious cyclists alike.

The grading system is meant to help bikers out, which starts at green (easy) and ends at black (extreme) so you know what you’ve let yourself in for. Trail maps are available from the visitor centre.

Parking: There are several Forestry Commission car parks throughout Dalby Forest. Payment to enter the forest is £10 all day for vehicle access.

Bike hire: Bikes are available from Dalby Forest Cycle Hub. Prices for a full days’ hire of a mountain bike start at £40 for an adult, and £25 for a child.

Don’t miss: For those who aren’t sure what their technical level is, the cycle skills area is a great place to warm up and decide before tackling the longer routes.

For a child-friendly option

Spofforth Castle

Location: Wetherby Railway Path, Spofforth to Wetherby or Thorp Arch.

Terrain: Flat, paved cycle path with one small section on-road.

Length: 6.3 miles one way to Thorp Arch, or 2.7 miles one way to Wetherby.

About the route: Starting at the ruins of Spofforth Castle, the route follows a National Cycle Network trail through the countryside, passing through Weatherby, and ending at Thorp Park Retail Park.

You don’t have to complete the full route either – the old railway path is the perfect place to take younger children to test out their cycling skills, turning back when they start getting tired.

Parking: Free, roadside parking in Spofforth village.

Bike hire:  There are no available cycle hire services in the local area, so it’s advised you take your own bike.

Don’t miss: The historic market town of Wetherby is well worth a look around and has a plethora of cafes that can help to break up the journey. Kofi&Co, Bakeri Baltzersen and The Cottage Coffee Shop are amongst the stand-out options.

For landscape lovers

Sutton Bank views

Location: Sutton Bank.

Terrain: Steep in parts, some off-road cycling, some paved cycle paths.

Length: Cycle routes range from a steady 3 miles, all the way up to a challenging 17.5 miles.

About the route: Don’t be put off by the drive up, while the routes do undulate, you don’t have to tackle the climb up Sutton Bank – unless you’re up for the challenge of course.

While there are five different routes on offer, all offer the chance to take in the spectacular scenery across the escarpment, with a view of Lake Gormire below.

Parking: There is metered parking available at Sutton Bank National Park Centre. Just to note, the machines are card payment only.

Bike hire: Bikes are available from Sutton Bank Bikes. Prices for a full days’ hire of a mountain bike start at £40 for an adult, and £29 for a child.

Don’t miss: If you’re undertaking one of the longer routes, make sure to rest your legs at the High Paradise Farm Tea Room, which offers refreshments with a view.

For the seasoned cyclists

Greenhow Hill

Location: Greenhow Hill from Pateley Bridge.

Terrain: Very steep, on-road with traffic.

Length: Just over 2.5 miles, with an ascent of 268 metres total ascent.

About the route: Starting in Pateley Bridge, the route to Greenhow Hill is well-known in the area for offering a challenging climb, best suited to seasoned road cyclists.

The ascent really begins in earnest past the Royal Oak pub in the town, with four distinct sections of tough climbing throughout, finishing just beyond the quarry, at the Greenhow village sign.

Parking: There are five car parks in Pateley Bridge, with short-stay and long-stay options.

Bike hire: This route is suited for experienced cyclists with specialised road bikes, and as such, it is recommended you take your own bike. 

Don’t miss: Greenhow Hill is one of the highest villages in Yorkshire, at 1300 feet above sea level. It also boasts ‘the biggest and highest artwork’ installations, The Coldstones Cut, which overlooks the quarry and is open to the public to explore. 

For those who like it flat

The Nidderdale Greenway, which could be extended.

The Nidderdale Greenway

Location: Nidderdale Greenway, from Ripley to Harrogate.

Terrain: Generally flat, paved cycle route.

Length: 4.2 miles one way.

About the route: A gentle, traffic-free route that connects Ripley with Knaresborough, Bilton and Harrogate along a disused railway line, the Nidderdale Greenway is a popular option for families and casual cyclists.

Parking: Parking starts at £1 for one hour at the village’s main car park, which needs to be redeemed at either The Boar’s Head, The Tearoom, Grindhus, Ripley Castle, Ripley Store, Harrogate Tipple, Just Makers, or Fizzy Fox.

Bike hire options: Nidderdale Cycles offer a service where they drop off and pick up hired bikes at the main car park in Ripley.

Don’t miss: One of the highlights of the route is the spectacular Grade II listed, Nidd Gorge Viaduct, from which views across the woodland and the valley can be enjoyed.

For those who want a challenge

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Location: Yorkshire Dales Cycleway.

Terrain: Varied, on-road, with steep ascents and descents.

Length: 130 miles.

About the route: For a truly unique way to experience the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, the challenge of completing the Yorkshire Dales Cycleway awaits.

Starting and ending at Skipton, the circular route winds through Coverdale, Swaledale, Wensleydale, Dentdale and Kingsdale. Typically, those who undertake it split it into six stages of 20-25 miles per day.

Parking: There are numerous pay-and-display car parks in the centre of Skipton, but it is recommended that the maximum length of stay is checked before visiting.

Bike hire options: As this is a multi-day challenge, it is advised that you take your own bike and equipment with you.

Don’t miss: There’s so much to see along the route that you’ll be spoilt for choice, with scenery that includes the famous limestone landscape of Malham Cove and Tarn.

There are also plenty of handy blogs – including the Yorkshire Dales’ National Park sister site Cycle the Dales– that give handy hints and tips so you can make the most of the experience.

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(Lead image: Pixabay)

North Yorkshire Police pledge bank holiday blitz on motorbikes

Motorcyclists in North Yorkshire will be targeted this bank holiday weekend as part of a police operation.

North Yorkshire Police will use a H2 Kawasaki Ninja unmarked motorbike equipped with cameras to gather evidence for prosecutions.

It will also deploy several marked and unmarked police bikes and cars and speed camera vans on key routes across the county.

The force said the “engagement and enforcement” was part of a National Police Chiefs’ Council operation on motorcycle safety this weekend.

It said the main priority was to reduce the number of road casualties.

Motorcyclists represent almost a quarter of fatal or serious injury collisions in the UK, despite making up three per cent of vehicles on the roads.

Many bikers take to the county’s vast road network for days out over the bank holiday.

Superintendent Alex Butterfield said:

“Everyone has the right to travel on the road safely. We believe that no one should be killed or seriously injured as a consequence of using our road network and we will continue to work together to prevent harm and make our communities safer.”

North Yorkshire released this video about the weekend campaign.

The Harrogate charity that resurrects old bikes

In an era when back street bike shops are being replaced by high performance showrooms, a Harrogate charity keeps cycling affordable.

Resurrection Bikes was set up nine years ago by John Rowe, a cycling enthusiast who still leads the venture.

The basic idea remains the same: people donate bikes, which are resurrected back to life and sold in good condition for about half the price of a similar new model.

For people who enjoy cycling and don’t want to spend vast sums, Resurrection Bikes has been a godsend, particularly since the demise of Ace Cycles on King’s Road, which was one of the last old school bike shops.

Ace Cycles owner Tony — a legend in local bike repair circles — helped set up the organisation.

About 1,500 bikes are saved from the scrapyard and donated each year. Thirty volunteers restore and sell half at the charity’s workshop and the other half are given to the Margaret Carey Foundation, which runs bike maintenance workshops for young people at risk of crime.

Resurrection Bikes

The charity’s Harlow Terrace home

Mr Rowe started the venture almost by chance. His daughter needed to raise £7,000 for a charity gap year so he started fixing cycles to generate funds and “the bikes wouldn’t stop coming”.

He carried on to raise money for charity, supporting Harrogate charity Artizan International and local legend John Shackleton, who buys old ambulances, stocks them with aid and drives them to countries in need. Last year £53,000 was raised.

Overheads are minimal as Resurrection Bikes is based on Harlow Terrace, just off Cold Bath Road, on land donated by the adjoining Kairos Network Church.

Resurrection Bikes

The bikes for sale

People used to be able to turn up and browse the bikes but since covid viewings are arranged by appointment only. All bikes are listed on the charity’s website.

Many basic bikes cost between £50 and £150 but there are some higher end models too. Recent offers include a Cannondale Synapse full carbon road bike, worth about £3,000 new, offered for £1,500 and a never-used Brompton fold-up bike up for grabs at £1,000.

Mr Rowe isn’t aware of anywhere in North Yorkshire, besides one operation in York, that provides a similar service. Customers travel from as far as Manchester to buy bikes they’ve seen online.

Resurrection Bikes

Besides helping people cycle and raising money for charity, Resurrection Bikes also helps volunteers learn about bikes. Mr Rowe says:

“We are a kind of men’s shed. People join us for all the reasons they join a men’s shed. We are welcoming and fun.”

Few organisations have done more to promote cycling and the good news is Mr Rowe, a retired project manager, has no plans to stop. He says:

“I love it. We have fun in a workshop and I love playing with bikes. What could be better?”

Read more:

 

Police warning over spate of moped thefts in Harrogate district

Police have issued a warning today over a recent spate of moped and motorcycle thefts in the Harrogate district.

North Yorkshire Police said the area had seen a “spike” in thefts, particularly of mopeds.

The force added mopeds had often been taken without keys, with secure locks being cut off.

In a statement, police said:

“Our area has seen a recent spike in the theft of motorcycles, predominantly mopeds.

“Often these are being taken without keys, with secure locks cut off before being driven around then discarded.

“Please take extra care when securing motorcycles, and preferably keep them out of sight. If you have any information about the thefts, please call us on 101, or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously.”

Read more:

North Yorkshire Police also issued an appeal today over a spate of bike thefts in Harrogate.

The force continues to investigate the thefts, which happened on Saturday, April 8.

Police released a 50-year-old man on conditional bail in connection with the incident.

Teen denies stealing bikes from Harrogate school

A teenager is set to stand trial after being charged with stealing multiple bikes in Harrogate, including from St Aidan’s Church of England High School.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before youth court held at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday on a string of charges.

He denied stealing two bikes from a secure bicycle unit at St Aidan’s on Oatlands Drive on October 8.

He also pleaded not guilty to stealing a bike from The Matrix on Hornbeam Park on October 4 and another bike from Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre on October 16.

The teenager denied a charge that he dishonestly undertook or assisted in the retention, removal, disposal or realisation of stolen goods in relation to the bike stolen from The Matrix.

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A trial date for the charges was set for January 19, 2023.

Meanwhile, the teenager also denied using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards another boy in McDonalds, Boroughbridge Road, in York on November 3.

He is set to stand trial on January 30, 2023, in relation to the charge.

However, the teenager admitted to failing to comply with a youth rehabilitation order imposed by the court on September 5 in relation to a separate charge.

The teenager had failed to attend statutory appointments, returned home late for curfew twice and on two occasions failed to connect a GPS enabled device to electricity supply as required by the court.

The court adjourned the matter until December 9 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Campaign to promote cycling arrives in Harrogate this month

A campaign for anyone wishing to rediscover or start cycling is arriving in Harrogate this month.

Ten free workshops for adults will take place in Harrogate in August and September as part of the Big Bike Revival 2022; aiming to break down barriers to cycling, improve bike confidence and help people cycle more safely on the roads.

Free bikes and helmets can also be pre-booked in advance and locations include Cardale Park, Hornbeam Park, OneWellness Clubs, on Mowbray Square, St Marks Church and the Great Yorkshire Showground.

Places are filling fast, according to organisers Cycling UK, so anyone inspired to get more active by the Lionesses, Tour De France or Commonwealth Games is advised to book early.

Read more:

Workshops will be delivered by accredited British Cycling coach, Kate Auld, from The Personal Cyclist, which is based in Harrogate.

She said:

“These sessions are about encouraging and supporting everyone to try cycling again. I wanted to get behind this important campaign to help everyone rediscover the joys of cycling in daily life; from getting fitter to saving money on fuel.”

According to latest research by Cycling UK, leisure cycling increased from 35% to 55% during 2020 and 42% of people in England own or have access to a bike. In 2020 this rose to 47%.

To book contact Kate on 07779 152750 or email: thepersonalcyclist@gmail.com.

The full programme:

BIKE CONFIDENCE SESSIONS:

SOCIAL CYCLE DATES:

Ripon man jailed for stealing two bikes in Harrogate

A Ripon man has been jailed for 26 weeks for stealing two bikes in Harrogate.

Dwain Carl Layton, 31, of King Edward Road, appeared before York Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with stealing the bikes from a garage on Kingsley Road on June 28.

The bikes were estimated to be worth £1,000.

Layton pleaded guilty to the charge and was jailed.

The magistrates said the sentence was handed down after Layton had failed to comply with requirements of post custodial sentence supervision.

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It added that the offence was aggravated by “the defendant’s record of previous offending”.

Layton was also ordered to pay compensation of £100 and a victim surcharge of £154.

Harrogate town centre to be ‘lit up with literature’

A pair of bicycles are to ride around Harrogate town centre projecting images and handing out free books to promote the forthcoming Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival.

The bikes will set off at around twilight on Friday, October 15 as part of the build-up to the festival, which takes place from October 21 to 24.

The three-wheeled cargo bikes are attached to projectors and stereo systems. Riders will hand out a selection of novels by inviting people they pass to ‘stop me and book one’.

Harrogate International Festivals chief executive Sharon Canavar said:

“Last year, we lit up the Raworths office on Station Parade. This year, we are taking our message to the streets.

“Two special bikes will be riding around the town projecting animations onto buildings and pavements. And for those who stop them, they will not be presented with ices or lollies, but free books.

“These mini mobile cinemas are great fun and a terrific excuse for families to bring out their torches, head into Harrogate, and be part of an entertaining and illuminating experience.”

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This year’s festival speakers include Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, comedian and broadcaster Robin Ince, ‘Dogfather’ Graeme Hall, 2020 Costa Book of the Year winner Monique Roffey and former chief prosecutor, Nazir Afzal