RIDE CLUB — YORKSHIRE
The Tour of Yorkshire starts today and we continue our series of favourite rides with an appropriate treat courtesy of Rob Walker (@rdwa on instagram). Rob is originally from Newcastle, now living in Yorkshire and has been riding mountain, road and cross bikes since his Mum bought him a third-hand Raleigh burner in 1990.
The Tour de France Grand Départ in 2014 displayed the beauty of Yorkshire’s scenery and the roads which take you through them. Now approaching its third iteration, the Tour de Yorkshire is a three-day UCI-sanctioned road race, which continues the legacy of Le Tour, and draws the world’s finest cyclists to the region.
This year is no exception, and although I can’t count myself as being in such blessed fraternity, I am a cyclist who recently moved to the region following a spell living in London. As there is no finer way to explore the countryside than by bicycle, I’ve been out exploring during my six months here and wanted to share just one route as an introduction.
A Yorkshire-bred friend visited from London shortly after I moved and showed me these roads, so credit where credit is due, thanks PK. Nevertheless, I hope to give you an overview of a 100km loop beginning in Ilkley which is my ‘go-to’ route for visitors. Starting from the rugby club you skirt the notorious Langbar climb and head west to Bolton Abbey. A favourite stop off for many Yorkshire pros and not-so-pros, you might bump into Lizzie Deignan or the Brownlee brothers on a mid-ride break at the Abbey’s Cavendish Pavilion; but I’d recommend cracking on, there’s a lot to see.
Towards Embsay you skirt the Leeds and Liverpool canal before turning North into the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. You’ll pass through small and beautiful hamlets and villages, including Hetton; see if Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon have made a return to The Angel pub on your right hand side. It’s a great stop for lunch if you started late.
Otherwise, carry on towards Malham which provides your first glimpse of some of the area’s incredible geology as well as another option for a good scone or a sandwich. Don’t eat too much – the climb out will have you in your biggest cog in no time, regretting that extra dollop of cream. Out of Malham the climb is smooth in tarmac but not so in gradient (the .gpx provided takes a left hand route, however you can take a right turn out of town for an alternative climb and meet the same road). The parallel road out of town on the right is steeper and a not as smooth, but will be over quickly, as well as providing a spin past Malham Tarn. Both provide some incredible photo opportunities.
The climb is worth it –the peaks around you might be dusted by snow, while the landscape still bears the scars of a millennia-old flirtation with the glaciers. Along this stunning stretch of smooth road you’ll find yourself in awe of the ice age processes, hopefully remembering your sixth form geography fondly. You’ll be further surprised to find you’re only sharing the view with some Dalesbred sheep, and if you’re lucky some curlews and lapwings will cheer you on. It’ll provide the truest pleasure, one of the finest roads I’ve experienced, it appears little-known to boot.
Descending down into Arncliffe, you ride the sloping valley through Grassington where I recently encountered a reincarnated Churchill, complete with bowler and cigar on the back of a Willys jeep as part of a WWII re-enactment in the village. Through Burnsall, you’ll recover enough and retrace your tracks to arrive at the foot of Lanshaw Bank. A little kick in the tail, this climb will give you a view over Ilkley and Rombald’s Moor to the South, before dropping down to your start point. If you’ve so far declined to stop, you’ve more than justified a visit to The Commute cycle café in town, or stop for some Fat Rascals from Betty’s Tea Room. Don’t worry if you don’t have time; after this ride, I promise you’ll be back to Yorkshire for more.
