In 2010 a series of eight Big Skies Bike Rides was launched with the aim of encouraging cyclists to discover the varied and interesting terrain of the Yorkshire Wolds. ‘Western Wolds from Stamford Bridge’ is an at times challenging ride of around thirty miles from the historically significant village that straddles the River Derwent. This addition to the original eight Big Skies Bike Rides is unique among them in that the starting point is not passed through on the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route. Nevertheless, it does travel along Millington Dale and so overlaps with the Pocklington Big Skies Bike Ride.

I rode this ride eleven years ago to the day. The occasion was part of a local tourism body outdoors festival that has taken place in various forms over the years each September. I met Rupert Douglas, co-creator of the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route, Big Skies Bike Rides and Way of the Roses, to do this hilly loop from the free carpark in Stamford Bridge. This is an extract from a blog post I wrote back in 2013…

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