Introduction
A half day ride around the forested hills and dales to the north of Pickering in the Newtondale forest. Much of the route is technically easy, although there are some short sections requiring greater skill. In general the route avoids open moorland, and runs through fields and forestry plantations and woods, which can be very pretty during autumn when the leave change colour. There's a fairly large amount of climbing involved, so a good level of fitness is required.
Conditions
Most of the route is on farm and forest tracks, which can be muddy in places. Most of the route is not technically demanding, although there is however, one section which will challenge even skilled riders. As the section is short, this should not deter less skilled riders from having a go.
Alternatives
The route can be shortened in several places, with an obvious shortcut west at Stoney Moor which would shorten the route by 6 miles. Riders seeking a bigger challenge can easily combine in parts of the Levisham loop to Goathland for additional mileage. If you are in a hurry, the last bit of offroad can be missed out, and you can follow a minor road from Cawthorne to Pickering.
Hazards
There are no particular hazards, even if some sections may present difficulties to less skilled riders, especially when conditions are muddy. The very last section briefly follows a busy A road to return to Pickering.
The route
Park in on the steet in Pickering or at one of the many car parks. Head towards the railway station, and then head north along the road which passes to the right of the station. Cross the railway at a gated level crossing, and immediately turn right onto the small tarmaced road. Carry on up this road past several houses, until just after a gate, where the tarmac gives out, you'll see a bridleway heading left, and up into the woods. Follow the bridleway to the top of the short hill, before following it along the left-hand side of a field, and thence onto a rough gravel track.
Follow the obvious and well marked BW past several farms, until shortly after High Blansby, the track fades a little as you head towards a wood. Past through the wood and keep un heading north. The road will improve for a while, before returning to a stony and sometimes muddy surface. Eventually you'll arrive at the north end of the pretty village of Newton-on-Rawcliffe. At the junction with the road, look for a BW immediately to your right. Follow the track north as it starts to descend into the trees. There's a nice descent under some massive old oaks. Beware the steps, they are quite hard to see, and become progressively bigger as you head further downhill. Follow the path downhill, and round to the left as the slope eases, until you reach a small gate by a stream.
Cross the small beck after the gate, and head uphill to the north west. You'll pass through a mixture of low trees and open glades, but you'll probably be paying more attention to trying to stay on the bike, as the rocky outcrops on this area will have all but the most elite striking pedals on rocks and falling to clear some tricky problems. You'll then find yourself with a track and a cottage in front of you. Turn right and head down the wide lane until just after Lower Farm, the wide track ends and the path narrows. Keep heading east until you reach the edge of the woods. Pass through the gate and head down into the woods. The descent is very steep at first, and quite tricky in the narrow 'slot' like path. Then, carry on descending on the obvious path. The going can be a little muddy at times, although you can pass to the left of the worst of the mud. In winter conditions this can be a tricky descent which wheel grabbing ruts which can throw the unprepared into the mud. Carry on downhill until you reach the tarmac road at the very bottom.
At the road turn left, and head north. There's some traffic here to watch out for. After 200 yard into the first real climb, at SE 815 929 turn right to follow the BW though the woods (if you are in a hurry just stay on the road). You'll come back on to the road just above the Kale Pot cottages. Stay on the road until after a steep climb you come to an isolated cottage at SE 824 938. Turn right onto the BW which heads into the forest. The top section can be overgrown in summer. Follow the BW downhill to eventually arrive at a gravel track at the valley bottom. After 0.4 of a mile along this track look for a BW to the left, which heads steeply uphill. Follow this uphill, over rocks and roots. After a few hundred yards the slope eases and the surface improves, and you may be able to stop pushing the bike and ride. You will eventually arrive at the top of the hill, by a bend in a well surfaced gravel track. Head due west (i.e. straight on from where you came out of the wood), and after several miles easy riding you'll come to a tarmac road at SE 795 943 by the moorland stone cross.
Turn left onto this road and head downhill. Cross the stream at the ford (which is often dry) and and right towards 'Stape'. Then take the next right which heads uphill from the road. Follow the small tarmac road towards the woods. Stay on this road and head south, with the forest to your right. The road gradually starts to become more and more rough, and turns into a rough farm track. Carry on straight on (i.e. south) at the junction at SE 785 920, where the track reverts to a muddy woodland track. After 0.4 of a mile you will pass through a gate where a tarmac drive crosses the path. Go through the gate on the other side of the drive and head across a field to the gate on the other side of the field. Pass through the gate and head down into the woods.
Descend the wonderfully narrow and root infested singletrack through the woods until you cross a small stream at a footbridge, and then climb before reaching the edge of the woods. Follow the edge of the woods until you emerge onto a tarmac road. Turn left and head up a fairly brutal climb. Shortly after you reach the top you will come to a junction with a larger road. Turn left onto this road and east for a 1/4 of a mile, until you see a gate to the right (if you are pushed for time you can carry on for a further half mile and turn right onto a road which takes you directly to Pickering). Pass through the gate, and head due south over fields to reach a further gate. Go through the gate, and carry on south along a rough farm track.
At SE 784 884 take care to carry on the BW which heads due south rather than the BW which heads SE. Follow the track along the edge of the narrow wood. At the junction at SE 777 867, turn left, and after 50 yards, right, to pick up a rough track along the edge of a field. Carry on downhill to the south until you reach the A170 at Aislaby. Turn left and head along the A170 towards Middleton. Follow the A170 until, just after a petrol station, you will see a turn to the left, follow this road into Pickering, which will take you back to the railway station and the start.