Cycling the Lanes of North Yorkshire
Barry and Margaret Williamson
Summer 2021
CYCLING THE LANES OF NORTH YORKSHIRE
With Touring Cycles
Barry and Margaret Williamson
Spring, Summer and Autumn 2021
Here are nineteen cycle rides we have enjoyed recently on quiet lanes in the northeast of Yorkshire. The area includes the Howardian Hills (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty); the northwest corner of the Yorkshire Wolds stretching from North Grimston and Birdsall past Leavening and Acklam to Bugthorpe; and the southern valleys of the North York Moors National Park from Black Hambleton across Bilsdale, Bransdale, Farndale, Rosedale and Newtondale to Troutsdale and Langdale End. What great country for the cyclist!
These are all circular rides that can be started and therefore ended at any of the places mentioned in the account. They are not long rides, varying from 18 to 59 km, but they are hilly and should be savoured by riding slowly, stopping on a whim to enjoy the scenery and chat, perhaps over coffee, with fellow cyclists, as well as walkers and the friendly Yorkshire folk who are privileged to live in such places.,
Summer 2021
CYCLING THE LANES OF NORTH YORKSHIRE
With Touring Cycles
Barry and Margaret Williamson
Spring, Summer and Autumn 2021
Here are nineteen cycle rides we have enjoyed recently on quiet lanes in the northeast of Yorkshire. The area includes the Howardian Hills (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty); the northwest corner of the Yorkshire Wolds stretching from North Grimston and Birdsall past Leavening and Acklam to Bugthorpe; and the southern valleys of the North York Moors National Park from Black Hambleton across Bilsdale, Bransdale, Farndale, Rosedale and Newtondale to Troutsdale and Langdale End. What great country for the cyclist!
These are all circular rides that can be started and therefore ended at any of the places mentioned in the account. They are not long rides, varying from 18 to 59 km, but they are hilly and should be savoured by riding slowly, stopping on a whim to enjoy the scenery and chat, perhaps over coffee, with fellow cyclists, as well as walkers and the friendly Yorkshire folk who are privileged to live in such places.,
Amotherby – Coneysthorpe - Castle Howard – Welburn - Kirkham Priory – Westow - Howsham – Crambe – Castle Howard - Coneysthorpe - Amotherby (44 km)
Rode via Coneysthorpe to Castle Howard (stop for coffee and snack), through Welburn (with café and pub) and Whitwell on the Hill, along short stretch of cycle path alongside A64 and then across it to descend to Kirkham Priory (Augustinian ruins by River Derwent, entry fee: English Heritage). Uphill to Westow (ancestral home of our Australian friend Rebecca, with a pub linked to her grandfather!) On to Howsham Bridge, turning right signposted Crambe, then over a railway crossing, picnic in Crambe, back round via Castle Howard and Coneysthorpe to Amotherby.
Snainton – Dalby Forest – Thornton le Dale – Snainton (49 km)
Parked outside pub/camp where B 1253 meets A170. Rode north on narrow lane up Nettle Dale, past Troutsdale Mill, picnic lunch and on to Hackness. The track from there had disappeared, so turned west to Langdale End. Stiff climb to the Dalby Forest Drive entrance (no charge for bikes). Ice creams from van in car park, on through Staindale and High Dalby to Low Dalby (café, WC, bike hire). Rough track south to Ellerburn, then minor road into Thornton le Dale. Cycled narrow pavement east to next village, Wilton, then back lanes round to Snainton.
Hutton le Hole – Circuit of Farndale – Hutton le Hole (36 km)
Parking behind The Crown pub/camping, (£3 All Day, coins only. Change from pub or adjacent Ryedale Folk Museum). Rode to the far end of the road on the west side of Farndale, before crossing over through Churchhouses to do the same on the eastern side. A pot of tea at the Feversham Arms in Churchhouses village, with the sound of 8 guns disturbing the peace in the woods. Returning to Hutton le Hole, the convoy 14 vehicles carrying the partridge killers and their dogs pushed past us, only to stop half a mile down the road and let the hounds run across in front of us. Otherwise, a brilliant ride with plenty of climbing.
Helmsley – Wombleton – Fadmoor – Bransdale – Helmsley (44 km)
Parking in Helmsley long stay car park (£5 for up to 6 hours, coins only, card slots sealed off. Change refused at adjacent Castle ticket office, so walk into town to shop: a whole hour to get a Pay & Display ticket!) Rode via Wombleton to Fadmoor, picnic on village green. Up east side of Bransdale to the little church of St Nicholas at 29 km, open and welcoming as ever with tea/coffee/hot chocolate (donation in box) and a seat with a view of Bransdale where sheep may safely graze. Another 16 km back along the west side to Helmsley, up hill and down dale.
Sutton Bank – Old Byland – Hawnby – Cleveland Way – Sutton Bank (38 km)
Parking at Sutton Bank Visitor Centre, WC/cafe (£4.80 all day, card payment). Rode past Cold Kirby to Old Byland. Steeply down narrow lane to long deep ford by Caydale Mill, then stiff climb (impeded by two white vans) to meet road into Hawnby. Welcome coffee (with overpriced leaden scones) in Hawnby store/tearoom garden, talking to an interesting fellow cyclist from Glasgow on holiday at Ampleforth. Then up and up, down and down, on moorland roads to ‘The Square’ just short of Osmotherley. Turned south on six miles of the Cleveland Way long distance footpath, along the edge of Black Hambleton with stunning views over the Vale of York to the Yorkshire Dales beyond. This was a difficult stony track, steeply uphill in places, meeting tarmac at Sneck Yate, and so back to Sutton Bank. Along the track we talked to a walker whose lovely retriever could carry its own food and water in little panniers when they went camping! Further on we met a small group of women and 4 dogs walking Helmsley to Scarborough to raise money for a Support Dog charity.
Castle Howard – Kirkham Priory – Westow - Leavening Brow – Thixendale – Birdsall - Burythorpe – Westow - Castle Howard (53 km)
Parking at Castle Howard (free all day). Rode via Kirkham Priory and Westow to Leavening. Picnic on a seat by Leavening church which has a WC inside. Up Leavening Brow and the long run down Water Dale to Thixendale where tea and cakes awaited us at the village hall (Sundays till end October). We talked to fellow cyclist Nigel out from York, who spoke of his wireless operator training at Fleetwood Nautical College and life in the merchant navy. Return via Birdsall, Burythorpe and Westow.
Pickering – Newton le Dale – Stape - Levisham Station – Levisham – Lockton - Thornton le Dale – Pickering (49 km)
Big Bear Bikes opposite Lidl allows car parking at £5 all day (free for customers of the cycle shop) and motorhomes can stay overnight for £12. There are also two Pay & Display car parks in the town. Rode uphill to Newton, on past Boonhill, then a steep descent towards Stape. Turned off onto a warren of unpaved and unsigned forest tracks, the hilly surface sometimes broken up by logging trucks. Once a scenic Forest Drive, it is now closed to general traffic. After missing a turn and asking directions at a holiday cottage along a private road, we made it down to Levisham Station in Newton Dale on the North York Moors Railway line (WC open, tearoom closed). Ate our picnic as the 2.20 pm steam trains went through – one in each direction, to Pickering or Grosmont. A stiff climb up to Levisham village (pub open), then steeply down and steeply up yet again to Lockton and onto a short stretch along the busy A69. Turned off at Fox & Rabbit pub for a long descent, past Dalby Forest Drive entrance and into Thornton le Dale. Return to Pickering partly on back roads and partly along cycle path beside main road.
Pickering – Cropton – Newton le Dale – Pickering (33 km)
We joined a friend to ride quiet lanes from Pickering up to Cropton for lunch with his family, returning via Newton le Dale and a descent past the North York Moors railway station back into Pickering.
Rides from SLINGSBY where there is good off-road parking on the left just after you turn off the main road (B1257)
Slingsby – Hovingham – Nunnington – West and East Ness - Slingsby (25 km)
At the far end of the village, near the C&C Club campsite and across from the Station Bakery (fruit loaves recommended!), a bridleway runs along the track of the former railway line to Hovingham. Halfway along it became a narrow and overgrown pathway with grass and nettles in places. A dog walking couple objected to the bicycles, while we politely squeezed into the hedge to let them pass! The Hovingham bakery/café was closed Monday and Tuesday but we got takeaway coffee at the village store. Return up 1-in-6 climb, then down through Nunnington past its Hall, then back to Slingsby via West and East Ness.
Slingsby – Nunnington - Slingsby (18 km)
A circular route, calling at Nunnington Hall to check car parking there (only for paying visitors or NT members). A couple of hills, one steep enough to walk. No TV on our return: the Bilsdale mast has caught fire!
Slingsby – Castle Howard – Welburn – Castle Howard - Slingsby (27 km)
Rode south on a seriously rolling road through the Howardian Hills to Castle Howard. Plenty of traffic, giving us a wide berth, perhaps due to Barry’s new helmet camera on its first outing. Tickets needed to visit the stately home but car park, take-away café, farm shop and garden centre all freely open, so sat in the sunshine with two coffees. It was ‘card payments only’ and we hadn’t brought one, but the gentleman gatekeeper lent us his bank card in exchange for the cash. ‘Only in Yorkshire’ said Barry. On through the two low narrow arches that put fear into the hearts of motorhome drivers, up and down, to meet the main York to Malton road. Luckily a separate cycle path shadows this stretch of the A64, taking us NE past Whitwell on the Hill to a left turn for Welburn (café and pub). Through the village to rejoin the rolling road north to Castle Howard. On past the lake and Coneysthorpe estate village to return to Slingsby. Checked out the castle ruins (‘Keep Out’) and the church dating from Domesday (locked).
Slingsby – Wombleton – Harome - Helmsley – Harome – Nunnington – Slingsby (40 km)
Rode via Wombleton and Harome to Helmsley on quiet roads seeing the odd tractor, daffodils and new lambs. Picnic in the marketplace with take-away coffee while chatting to local octogenarian Eric, shopping with his bicycle. Lots of questions about electric bikes, helmet cameras and our life story. The town was unusually quiet, Co-op closed and only two motorhomes on the long stay car park (free overnight 6 pm-9 am, pay & display at other times). Returned via Harome and Nunnington.
Slingsby – Coneysthorpe – Malton – Norton - Burythorpe - Leavening Brow – Westow - Kirkham Priory – Whitwell on the Hill - Welburn – Castle Howard – Slingsby (50 km)
Rode south towards Castle Howard, turning off to Coneysthorpe and into Malton. Town centre traffic a nightmare. At 14 km at Morrisons paused for a takeaway breakfast deal (coffee + bacon or sausage bap for £3 per person: same price as just a takeaway coffee in Helmsley! Better coffee too and use of the WC.) On across the river and the railway line into Norton on Derwent, then south on quiet narrow lanes through the steep hills of the Yorkshire Wolds to Burythorpe and down Leavening Brow. West towards Howsham and north through Westow to Kirkham Priory. The English Heritage abbey ruins were busy (prebooked tickets only). Over the River Derwent and the railway again, stiff climb to cross the A64 and back to Welburn via Whitwell on the Hill and the bike path alongside the main road. Return to Slingsby past Castle Howard. A strenuous ride, over 30 miles in 3 hours climbing many hills.
Slingsby – Butterwick – Brawby – Pickering - Marton – Gt Edstone – Slingsby (49 km)
Rode east for a mile on B1257 to Barton le Street, then very quiet back roads to Pickering via Butterwick and Brawby. At 22 km had a picnic seated on the Green in Pickering with takeaway coffee, talking once more to a cyclist who tried (in vain) to interest his non-cycling wife in an electric bike! Return by a slightly longer route via Marton and Great Edstone, where a villager stopped us to ask about our bikes. It’s always good to pause!
Rides from SHERIFF HUTTON where there is good parking at the Village Hall on the right when entering the village from the south
Sheriff Hutton – Bulmer Bank – Welburn – Foston – Thornton le Clay – Sheriff Hutton (30 km)
On a fine Sunday afternoon for Barry’s birthday ride, we scaled the challenging Bulmer Bank (a 1 in 6 climb), then through Welburn with a coffee stop at the bakery. Bike path alongside A64, turning off through Foston and Thornton le Clay to return to Sheriff Hutton on fairly quiet lanes.
Sheriff Hutton – Thornton le Clay – Foston – Kirkham Priory – Westow - Howsham – Crambe – Welburn – Whitwell on the Hill – Foston – Thornton le Clay – Sheriff Hutton (44 km)
Avoided Bulmer Bank by riding east through Thornton le Clay and Foston. Across the A64 dual carriageway and down to the Augustinian ruins of Kirkham Priory by the River Derwent. Then turned south to Westow and west to Howsham. At Howsham bridge we took a short detour on a path beside the Derwent to Howsham Mill, where we ate our sandwiches. Continued north over a level crossing with a jocular gatekeeper to Crambe, then cycle path alongside A64, turning off to Welburn for a break in the bakery café. Returned via Whitwell on the Hill, Foston and Thornton le Clay.
Sheriff Hutton - Terrington – Castle Howard - Slingsby – Ness – Nunnington – Hovingham – Coulton - Brandsby – Farlington – Sheriff Hutton (52 km)
Rode north from Sheriff Hutton village on minor road to Terrington, then east to join the road past Castle Howard to Slingsby, rising and falling over a series of blind summits. No café in Slingsby but the station bakery next to the C&C Club campsite sells lovely fruit loaves! Continued north to Ness, west to Nunnington and south to Hovingham. Lunch at the Rolling Pin Bakery/Café here (closed Tuesdays; coffee also available at village shop). Returned on rolling country lanes via Coulton, Brandsby and Farlington.
Sheriff Hutton - Thornton le Clay – Foston – Kirkham Priory – Westow – Leavening Brow – Thixendale – Kirby Underdale – Westow – Kirkham Priory – Foston – Thornton le Clay -Sheriff Hutton (59 km)
Again avoided Bulmer Bank by riding east through Thornton le Clay and Foston. Across the A64 dual carriageway and down to the medieval ruins of Kirkham Priory by the River Derwent. Up to Westow and a coffee stop at the Blacksmith’s Arms, then on to Leavening (church with outdoor seat and indoor WC). Climbed Leavening Brow before dropping into Thixendale, a village on the Wolds Way long distance path. The village hall in the old school does Sunday teas through the summer, but today is Thursday! Picnic here along with ice creams from the tiny village shop/post office, about to close as the owner is retiring. The cyclists’ café of fond memory is also long gone. Talked to a couple of cyclists who used to run a B&B in Thixendale 20 years ago. Another climb out of Thixendale (signed Painsthorpe) and almost to Kirby Underdale before reaching Leavening. Retraced the outward route, with a coffee break at the busy Stone Trough Inn between Westow and Kirkham Priory.
Sheriff Hutton – Farlington – Stearsby – Brandsby – Yearsley – Coxwold – Byland Abbey – Wass – Ampleforth – Yearsley - Sheriff Hutton (54 km)
Rode NW from Sheriff Hutton through hills, woods and farmland via Farlington, Stearsby, Brandsby and Yearsley to Coxwold with several cafes. Lunch in the busy tea gardens, then visited St Michael’s Church (built 1420 on site of an earlier church), home to the annual CTC cyclists’ service. An amusing notice: ‘There is no lead on the church roof, it’s already been stolen’! Back via Byland Abbey (Cistercian Monastery ruins), Wass and Ampleforth to rejoin outward route at Yearsley. The ride ended in a front tyre puncture for Barry – just as we cycled into Sheriff Hutton. Later, he found a tiny metal tack in the wall of the impregnable(?) Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour tyre and replaced the inner tube. What luck it didn’t happen out on the road.
Rode via Coneysthorpe to Castle Howard (stop for coffee and snack), through Welburn (with café and pub) and Whitwell on the Hill, along short stretch of cycle path alongside A64 and then across it to descend to Kirkham Priory (Augustinian ruins by River Derwent, entry fee: English Heritage). Uphill to Westow (ancestral home of our Australian friend Rebecca, with a pub linked to her grandfather!) On to Howsham Bridge, turning right signposted Crambe, then over a railway crossing, picnic in Crambe, back round via Castle Howard and Coneysthorpe to Amotherby.
Snainton – Dalby Forest – Thornton le Dale – Snainton (49 km)
Parked outside pub/camp where B 1253 meets A170. Rode north on narrow lane up Nettle Dale, past Troutsdale Mill, picnic lunch and on to Hackness. The track from there had disappeared, so turned west to Langdale End. Stiff climb to the Dalby Forest Drive entrance (no charge for bikes). Ice creams from van in car park, on through Staindale and High Dalby to Low Dalby (café, WC, bike hire). Rough track south to Ellerburn, then minor road into Thornton le Dale. Cycled narrow pavement east to next village, Wilton, then back lanes round to Snainton.
Hutton le Hole – Circuit of Farndale – Hutton le Hole (36 km)
Parking behind The Crown pub/camping, (£3 All Day, coins only. Change from pub or adjacent Ryedale Folk Museum). Rode to the far end of the road on the west side of Farndale, before crossing over through Churchhouses to do the same on the eastern side. A pot of tea at the Feversham Arms in Churchhouses village, with the sound of 8 guns disturbing the peace in the woods. Returning to Hutton le Hole, the convoy 14 vehicles carrying the partridge killers and their dogs pushed past us, only to stop half a mile down the road and let the hounds run across in front of us. Otherwise, a brilliant ride with plenty of climbing.
Helmsley – Wombleton – Fadmoor – Bransdale – Helmsley (44 km)
Parking in Helmsley long stay car park (£5 for up to 6 hours, coins only, card slots sealed off. Change refused at adjacent Castle ticket office, so walk into town to shop: a whole hour to get a Pay & Display ticket!) Rode via Wombleton to Fadmoor, picnic on village green. Up east side of Bransdale to the little church of St Nicholas at 29 km, open and welcoming as ever with tea/coffee/hot chocolate (donation in box) and a seat with a view of Bransdale where sheep may safely graze. Another 16 km back along the west side to Helmsley, up hill and down dale.
Sutton Bank – Old Byland – Hawnby – Cleveland Way – Sutton Bank (38 km)
Parking at Sutton Bank Visitor Centre, WC/cafe (£4.80 all day, card payment). Rode past Cold Kirby to Old Byland. Steeply down narrow lane to long deep ford by Caydale Mill, then stiff climb (impeded by two white vans) to meet road into Hawnby. Welcome coffee (with overpriced leaden scones) in Hawnby store/tearoom garden, talking to an interesting fellow cyclist from Glasgow on holiday at Ampleforth. Then up and up, down and down, on moorland roads to ‘The Square’ just short of Osmotherley. Turned south on six miles of the Cleveland Way long distance footpath, along the edge of Black Hambleton with stunning views over the Vale of York to the Yorkshire Dales beyond. This was a difficult stony track, steeply uphill in places, meeting tarmac at Sneck Yate, and so back to Sutton Bank. Along the track we talked to a walker whose lovely retriever could carry its own food and water in little panniers when they went camping! Further on we met a small group of women and 4 dogs walking Helmsley to Scarborough to raise money for a Support Dog charity.
Castle Howard – Kirkham Priory – Westow - Leavening Brow – Thixendale – Birdsall - Burythorpe – Westow - Castle Howard (53 km)
Parking at Castle Howard (free all day). Rode via Kirkham Priory and Westow to Leavening. Picnic on a seat by Leavening church which has a WC inside. Up Leavening Brow and the long run down Water Dale to Thixendale where tea and cakes awaited us at the village hall (Sundays till end October). We talked to fellow cyclist Nigel out from York, who spoke of his wireless operator training at Fleetwood Nautical College and life in the merchant navy. Return via Birdsall, Burythorpe and Westow.
Pickering – Newton le Dale – Stape - Levisham Station – Levisham – Lockton - Thornton le Dale – Pickering (49 km)
Big Bear Bikes opposite Lidl allows car parking at £5 all day (free for customers of the cycle shop) and motorhomes can stay overnight for £12. There are also two Pay & Display car parks in the town. Rode uphill to Newton, on past Boonhill, then a steep descent towards Stape. Turned off onto a warren of unpaved and unsigned forest tracks, the hilly surface sometimes broken up by logging trucks. Once a scenic Forest Drive, it is now closed to general traffic. After missing a turn and asking directions at a holiday cottage along a private road, we made it down to Levisham Station in Newton Dale on the North York Moors Railway line (WC open, tearoom closed). Ate our picnic as the 2.20 pm steam trains went through – one in each direction, to Pickering or Grosmont. A stiff climb up to Levisham village (pub open), then steeply down and steeply up yet again to Lockton and onto a short stretch along the busy A69. Turned off at Fox & Rabbit pub for a long descent, past Dalby Forest Drive entrance and into Thornton le Dale. Return to Pickering partly on back roads and partly along cycle path beside main road.
Pickering – Cropton – Newton le Dale – Pickering (33 km)
We joined a friend to ride quiet lanes from Pickering up to Cropton for lunch with his family, returning via Newton le Dale and a descent past the North York Moors railway station back into Pickering.
Rides from SLINGSBY where there is good off-road parking on the left just after you turn off the main road (B1257)
Slingsby – Hovingham – Nunnington – West and East Ness - Slingsby (25 km)
At the far end of the village, near the C&C Club campsite and across from the Station Bakery (fruit loaves recommended!), a bridleway runs along the track of the former railway line to Hovingham. Halfway along it became a narrow and overgrown pathway with grass and nettles in places. A dog walking couple objected to the bicycles, while we politely squeezed into the hedge to let them pass! The Hovingham bakery/café was closed Monday and Tuesday but we got takeaway coffee at the village store. Return up 1-in-6 climb, then down through Nunnington past its Hall, then back to Slingsby via West and East Ness.
Slingsby – Nunnington - Slingsby (18 km)
A circular route, calling at Nunnington Hall to check car parking there (only for paying visitors or NT members). A couple of hills, one steep enough to walk. No TV on our return: the Bilsdale mast has caught fire!
Slingsby – Castle Howard – Welburn – Castle Howard - Slingsby (27 km)
Rode south on a seriously rolling road through the Howardian Hills to Castle Howard. Plenty of traffic, giving us a wide berth, perhaps due to Barry’s new helmet camera on its first outing. Tickets needed to visit the stately home but car park, take-away café, farm shop and garden centre all freely open, so sat in the sunshine with two coffees. It was ‘card payments only’ and we hadn’t brought one, but the gentleman gatekeeper lent us his bank card in exchange for the cash. ‘Only in Yorkshire’ said Barry. On through the two low narrow arches that put fear into the hearts of motorhome drivers, up and down, to meet the main York to Malton road. Luckily a separate cycle path shadows this stretch of the A64, taking us NE past Whitwell on the Hill to a left turn for Welburn (café and pub). Through the village to rejoin the rolling road north to Castle Howard. On past the lake and Coneysthorpe estate village to return to Slingsby. Checked out the castle ruins (‘Keep Out’) and the church dating from Domesday (locked).
Slingsby – Wombleton – Harome - Helmsley – Harome – Nunnington – Slingsby (40 km)
Rode via Wombleton and Harome to Helmsley on quiet roads seeing the odd tractor, daffodils and new lambs. Picnic in the marketplace with take-away coffee while chatting to local octogenarian Eric, shopping with his bicycle. Lots of questions about electric bikes, helmet cameras and our life story. The town was unusually quiet, Co-op closed and only two motorhomes on the long stay car park (free overnight 6 pm-9 am, pay & display at other times). Returned via Harome and Nunnington.
Slingsby – Coneysthorpe – Malton – Norton - Burythorpe - Leavening Brow – Westow - Kirkham Priory – Whitwell on the Hill - Welburn – Castle Howard – Slingsby (50 km)
Rode south towards Castle Howard, turning off to Coneysthorpe and into Malton. Town centre traffic a nightmare. At 14 km at Morrisons paused for a takeaway breakfast deal (coffee + bacon or sausage bap for £3 per person: same price as just a takeaway coffee in Helmsley! Better coffee too and use of the WC.) On across the river and the railway line into Norton on Derwent, then south on quiet narrow lanes through the steep hills of the Yorkshire Wolds to Burythorpe and down Leavening Brow. West towards Howsham and north through Westow to Kirkham Priory. The English Heritage abbey ruins were busy (prebooked tickets only). Over the River Derwent and the railway again, stiff climb to cross the A64 and back to Welburn via Whitwell on the Hill and the bike path alongside the main road. Return to Slingsby past Castle Howard. A strenuous ride, over 30 miles in 3 hours climbing many hills.
Slingsby – Butterwick – Brawby – Pickering - Marton – Gt Edstone – Slingsby (49 km)
Rode east for a mile on B1257 to Barton le Street, then very quiet back roads to Pickering via Butterwick and Brawby. At 22 km had a picnic seated on the Green in Pickering with takeaway coffee, talking once more to a cyclist who tried (in vain) to interest his non-cycling wife in an electric bike! Return by a slightly longer route via Marton and Great Edstone, where a villager stopped us to ask about our bikes. It’s always good to pause!
Rides from SHERIFF HUTTON where there is good parking at the Village Hall on the right when entering the village from the south
Sheriff Hutton – Bulmer Bank – Welburn – Foston – Thornton le Clay – Sheriff Hutton (30 km)
On a fine Sunday afternoon for Barry’s birthday ride, we scaled the challenging Bulmer Bank (a 1 in 6 climb), then through Welburn with a coffee stop at the bakery. Bike path alongside A64, turning off through Foston and Thornton le Clay to return to Sheriff Hutton on fairly quiet lanes.
Sheriff Hutton – Thornton le Clay – Foston – Kirkham Priory – Westow - Howsham – Crambe – Welburn – Whitwell on the Hill – Foston – Thornton le Clay – Sheriff Hutton (44 km)
Avoided Bulmer Bank by riding east through Thornton le Clay and Foston. Across the A64 dual carriageway and down to the Augustinian ruins of Kirkham Priory by the River Derwent. Then turned south to Westow and west to Howsham. At Howsham bridge we took a short detour on a path beside the Derwent to Howsham Mill, where we ate our sandwiches. Continued north over a level crossing with a jocular gatekeeper to Crambe, then cycle path alongside A64, turning off to Welburn for a break in the bakery café. Returned via Whitwell on the Hill, Foston and Thornton le Clay.
Sheriff Hutton - Terrington – Castle Howard - Slingsby – Ness – Nunnington – Hovingham – Coulton - Brandsby – Farlington – Sheriff Hutton (52 km)
Rode north from Sheriff Hutton village on minor road to Terrington, then east to join the road past Castle Howard to Slingsby, rising and falling over a series of blind summits. No café in Slingsby but the station bakery next to the C&C Club campsite sells lovely fruit loaves! Continued north to Ness, west to Nunnington and south to Hovingham. Lunch at the Rolling Pin Bakery/Café here (closed Tuesdays; coffee also available at village shop). Returned on rolling country lanes via Coulton, Brandsby and Farlington.
Sheriff Hutton - Thornton le Clay – Foston – Kirkham Priory – Westow – Leavening Brow – Thixendale – Kirby Underdale – Westow – Kirkham Priory – Foston – Thornton le Clay -Sheriff Hutton (59 km)
Again avoided Bulmer Bank by riding east through Thornton le Clay and Foston. Across the A64 dual carriageway and down to the medieval ruins of Kirkham Priory by the River Derwent. Up to Westow and a coffee stop at the Blacksmith’s Arms, then on to Leavening (church with outdoor seat and indoor WC). Climbed Leavening Brow before dropping into Thixendale, a village on the Wolds Way long distance path. The village hall in the old school does Sunday teas through the summer, but today is Thursday! Picnic here along with ice creams from the tiny village shop/post office, about to close as the owner is retiring. The cyclists’ café of fond memory is also long gone. Talked to a couple of cyclists who used to run a B&B in Thixendale 20 years ago. Another climb out of Thixendale (signed Painsthorpe) and almost to Kirby Underdale before reaching Leavening. Retraced the outward route, with a coffee break at the busy Stone Trough Inn between Westow and Kirkham Priory.
Sheriff Hutton – Farlington – Stearsby – Brandsby – Yearsley – Coxwold – Byland Abbey – Wass – Ampleforth – Yearsley - Sheriff Hutton (54 km)
Rode NW from Sheriff Hutton through hills, woods and farmland via Farlington, Stearsby, Brandsby and Yearsley to Coxwold with several cafes. Lunch in the busy tea gardens, then visited St Michael’s Church (built 1420 on site of an earlier church), home to the annual CTC cyclists’ service. An amusing notice: ‘There is no lead on the church roof, it’s already been stolen’! Back via Byland Abbey (Cistercian Monastery ruins), Wass and Ampleforth to rejoin outward route at Yearsley. The ride ended in a front tyre puncture for Barry – just as we cycled into Sheriff Hutton. Later, he found a tiny metal tack in the wall of the impregnable(?) Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour tyre and replaced the inner tube. What luck it didn’t happen out on the road.