Select a Tour:1. Yorkshire Dales Cycleway | 2. Dales and the Moors
3. Weekend in Wensleydale
4. Challenge Rides | 5. Bespoke options

Arrival

Arrive in Ilkley, check to the hotel with the opportunity to enjoy an evening in the town. Overnight stay in Ilkley.

Ilkley to Hawes

Meet and greet: We will meet you and provide a briefing on the tour, supply a hard copy map and answer any questions you have

We collect your luggage and transport it to the hotel in Hawes for your overnight stop

Route description: The key feature of the ride is the iconic Fleet Moss climb and the stunning approach to it through Yockenthwaite. We recommend your route to the climb would follow much of Ilkley Cycling Club’s famous ‘White Rose Classic’ route taking in Norwood Edge and over to Greenhow near Pateley Bridge. You will experience a real variety of scenery on this day and the final descent to Hawes in Wensleydale provides the just reward for your day’s efforts.

Enjoy an evening in the small town of Hawes with a nice choice of eating and drinking.

Hawes to Thirsk

Today is a journey east towards the Moors, but first you get the chance to experience Buttertubs Pass as featured in the 2014 Tour de France. After descending into Swaledale, you have the choice of climbing again to the highest pub in England, Tan Hill Inn, or taking the valley road to Reeth. After some more climbing you descend onto the Vale of York for some relatively flat miles towards your overnight stay in the town of Thirsk, home of James Herriot!

Thirsk to Helmsley

As you set off from Thirsk you’ll see the imposing sight of the North Yorkshire Moors ahead of you. There’s no easy way up onto the Moors, but there is a choice of climbs, all stunning. White Horse Bank or Boltby Bank will lead you upwards.

A clockwise loop then follows with as much climbing as you can take. The gradients are generally more severe than the Dales and come thick and fast. Gone are the dry stoned walls, replaced by baron moors of heather, which in bloom create a vast purple carpet across the landscape.

Your overnight stay will be in the Helmsley area and near the end of the day you cycle through Rosedale and the brave will tackle the legendary Rosedale Chimney climb with short section of 30% gradient.

Helmsley to Ilkley

Today takes you back west towards your start point. Firstly enjoy a steady descent from the Moors through idyllic villages before hitting the Vale of York for some flat roads before the rolling hills start. You return to Ilkley via Ripon and then a choice of route featuring further classic climbs if you want them, including Hartwith Bank and Nought Bank road.

Arrive back in Ilkley late afternoon for departure, or add another night’s stay if you wish to relax in the town and celebrate your achievement!