Introduction
Fancy riding all weekend? Think that a 20 mile loop just isn't enough? Then here's a route you. The route takes you from York, across to the Howardian Hills, into Ryedale, and then over the Moors to Whitby and finally along the coast to Scarborough. You'll ride everything from quiet country roads, to rocky moorland singletrack to a cycle path built along an old railway. You'll probably want to take two days to ride this route, with an overnight stop in the pretty moorland village of Rosedale Abbey, although the superfit could do it in one very long day. Or, if you fancy taking your time you could split it into three days with overnight stops in Hovingham and Whitby.
Conditions
A route this long and varied has everything from roads to rocky and technical riding, with mud in winter. Many of the muddy sections can be bypassed to save time, so the route could be ridden at any time of the year, although if you indend to stay off-road as much as possible, dry summer conditions are recomended.
Alternatives
As mention previously, many of the muddy sections in Ryedale can be bypassed by staying on the road. If time or fitness allow, you can add in some extra interest by using some of the routes in Harwood Dale instead of the coastal cycle path.
Hazards
A route this long requires good fitness and a reliable bike, as you'll be a long way from the start.
The route
Note. To keep the description short, we've not included 'turn by turn' directions. You'll probably want to mark the route on the map carefully before setting out.
The best way to return to the start on this route is by train from Scarborough to York, so you'll probably be starting from near York station. From York city centre head to Heworth via Monkbar. Then go to Stockton on the Forest via Bad Bargain lane. From Stockton go to Flaxton via Sand Hutton and several short stretches of bridleway.
From Flaxton head to High Sittingham via minor roads. From there use an overgrown bridleway to get to Ganthorpe. From there pass over the main ridge of the Howardian Hills to Wath. Then onto a bridleway (which can be bypassed on the road) to South Holme and then over a bridge to Salton. From Salton go to Marton via bridleways (or stay on the road). From there head to Sinnington.
From Sinnington head towards Cropton on some wooded bridleways, where you will meet a road just below Cropton. Take a road to the west side of the river, and follow the rocky, technical bridleway to near Rosedale Abbey. There are shops and places to eat and stay to Rosedale.
Take the road from Rosedale Abbey to Castleton. At the top of the climb pickup a stone slab surfaced bridleway which eventually leads you to Glaisdale Rigg. Use the gravel track on Glaisdale Rigg to descend to Glaisdale. From there pass through East Arncliffe wood and onto a minor road. Head to Grosmont on a gravel track, and then follow a series of bridleways to Sleights. From Sleight head to Ruswarp on the road. Cross the river to the south side and carry on towards Whitby until you pass under an old railway viaduct.
Climb onto the cycle track which ends at the viaduct and follow the sign posts pointing to Scarborough. Follow the cycle track to Robin Hoods Bay, and then up the hill to Ravenscar. Then descend gently to Burniston. From Burniston follow the cycle track through the outskirts of Scarborough until you arrive at Sainsburys car park. The station is then a short distance away, and you can get a train back to York.