The only criticisms of this route – levelled by one of the group of cyclists who rode with me one day way back in 2012 – concerns the same road: the route over Langton Wold to and from Malton. It’s a fast descent but, unsurprisingly, a correspondingly slow ascent, which isn’t a problem with the other, quieter uphill stretches on this ride. It’s just that this can be a busy road and, for me at least, there is a greater sense of vulnerability as I puff and pant uphill with motor vehicles whizzing past. The other objection on the day was Langton Wold is effectively and ‘out-and-back’; a circular route is generally preferred by the majority of my ride buddies. Still, the same climb forms part of the Pock Pedal, following refreshments in a community centre or similar in Malton/Norton. Perhaps it’s an age thing.

Once over Langton Wold from the start in Malton there is a descent towards Birdsall and pretty views to be had through the estate of Birdsall House, one of an increasing number of Yorkshire country houses now offering its services as a film set.

Birdsall Brow

Maybe one day I will set a good time on the ascent of Birdsall Brow. I’ve never beaten my ride buddies up it, and I find it somehow tougher than similar climbs but, as with this ride, I’m almost always thinking about the freefall in to Thixendale through Water Dale to take my mind off the toil. Water Dale is not so steep as to be tough to climb, or too dangerous to descend and it has understandably featured in many Yorkshire Wolds cycle events. After entering the village – the hall opens only on a Sunday for refreshments – the route points towards Burdale, passing the Three Trees near Thixendale before a left turn and what can be a stiff little climb for the unprepared rider. Here’s what John Woodcock, for the Yorkshire Post, wrote about this part of the ‘Thixendale from Malton or Norton on Derwent’ Big Skies Bike Ride:

A couple of miles on you start pedalling back to Malton. That is you would if you were of Tour de France standard. At this point most average cyclists will have to dismount and push the bike up to the plateau above the remains of the medieval village of Wharram Percy.

That makes it sound tougher than it probably is, but the pleasant view of Fairy Dale affords a distraction from any exertions – just watch out for gravel on the way up. I’ve yet to visit the deserted medieval village at Wharram Percy – from memory the bridleway looks a bit choppy for a road bike – but for those not in a hurry it’s always an option. (Looking at the map I wonder if it is possible to get down the hill to the village from the road then rejoin the route later at the switchback near the ford along the bridleway – just don’t quote me on that.)

Point 7 on the map and the turn-off for the bridleway

There is a part of this route along a bridleway that the excellent map suggests should be taken. I’ve done it once and it was fine. The alternative is to take the main road. I’ve never had a problem – there is soon a 30mph warning sign after the road is reached – and a left turn at the crossroads in Wharram le Street brings us back on course. A lovely, typically quiet, road drops to a ford (I’ve yet to see any water in it) and a short sharp climb before the right turn towards Grimston Brow. I should point out a couple of things, not wanting to put you off or anything, the first being that this is fairly remote now – from memory it’s a struggle to get a phone signal – and the descent of Grimston Brow is through a rarely gated cow field. The road surface is much improved since I caused something of a mini-stampede one time. Other riders have reported trying to shoo away uncooperative bovines before taking Luddith Road as an ascent. Still, on this Big Skies Bike Ride we’re going downhill, so it will all be over that bit quicker.

Luddith Road/Grimston Brow. Arguably best done as a descent, and maybe keep an eye on the weather forecast

Safely over the second and final cattle grid on Luddith Road and it’s a usually quiet road towards Langton Wold and a gentle climb before the pacy drop back down to Malton. I used to like the full English breakfast at the Yorkshire Tea Rooms in the self-styled food capital of North Yorkshire, but it’s been a while…

The PDF maps for the Big Skies Bike Rides are not stored on this web site, but can be downloaded from this page.

Technically, I don’t have this route as a Garmin Connect activity or Strava segment, but for what it’s worth here is the Thixendale from Malton or Norton on Derwent Big Skies Bike Ride on Garmin Connect as part of a longer ride.

Straight over the crossroads on towards Helperthorpe. This is a stretch of the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route, but once in Helperthorpe you’ll be looking out for a left turn signposted “E Heslerton Wold” – there’s also a brown Byways sign on the post – that will take you off the long distance route and on to a road with a heavily shrouded tree-lined summit. It’s almost a relief that you’re not on this road for long – the way ahead at first appears ominously steep – before turning left and passing Haverdale House along a very broken road surface that makes for a quiet route – unless you’re on bike that rattles. This road will find any lurking noise.

The road out of Helperthorpe. If you have time there is a longer ride straight ahead, but on the Sledmere Big Skies Bike Ride it’s a left turn at the bottom of this hill

Along with the ride from Pocklington this a short loop that I first enjoyed when I had lost my cycling mojo somewhat and needed a sort of cycling pick-me-up. (There was a lovely serving of tea and scones back then, which always lifts the mood.)

Although this route is well worth the effort of seeking out in its own right it offers a glimpse of Snainton and Settrington routes which also have much to commend them. On the way back from Haverdale there is a drop in to West Lutton before taking the main road out west through the village and – on a rising bend – taking the right turn signposted ‘High Mowthorpe, Settrington’. Don’t miss it. This is a generally quiet road, but it does seem to have a fair bit of agricultural vehicles with those trailers pulled behind them. On another day you might wish to take in the descent in to Settrington, but a left turn, where the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route is picked up once more for the remainder of the ride – followed by even quieter roads takes you through Duggleby. I should find out more about Duggleby Howe and its nationally important round barrows – the largest in Britain.

There is less than a mile of mostly downhill road to Kirby Grindalythe and its Norman church. Before the long descent in to Sledmere there is the not inconsiderable bump in the road as the route passes over the OS map’s single chevron pointing towards the possibly wearying cyclist. On this and longer rides there is always the temptation of refreshments in Sledmere, and the good news is that the Coach House Café in the grounds of Sledmere House (this side of the turnstiles) has been newly renovated and looks to be rather well done.

I like this ride for the varying scenery and largely quiet, undulating roads. If the stats on Strava are anything to go by it’s not a route that has been ridden a great deal in comparison to some of the other Big Skies Bike Rides. Why not give it a try?

View this ride as a Garmin Connect activity or a Strava segment.

Download the PDF map for Sledmere Country from Sledmere

Related routes in Garmin Connect:

Snainton from Sledmere (30 miles)
Snainton from Hull (100 miles)

The B1246 east out of Pocklington is not the most pleasant way to start a bike ride, but the sightlines are good until the bend just before the turn off to Kilnwick Percy. (I’ll get this bit out of the way now: there is only one downside to this ride – but don’t let it put you off – as the road surface later between Burnby and Pocklington – at the time of writing – is not great.) [edit: the road surface between Burnby and Pocklington was resurfaced summer 2023] With the KP golf course to your left and the Kilnwick Percy Hall meditation centre to your right there is a steady incline before dropping down and then climbing gently to the pretty village of Millington. In normal times the Gait Inn and Ramblers’ Rest are recommended stops, and shared with the Western Wolds from Stamford Bridge Big Skies Bike Ride, a later addition to the series of rides, at this overlapping point.

As the view of the dale opens up after a tree-lined descent there is the satisfying ‘S’ bend to negotiate before reaching the valley floor (you may have seen this and the roads around Thixendale in ITV4′s brilliant Tour de Yorkshire video). I tend to hold out for a tailwind through Millington Dale, described back in 2010 by Cycling Plus as a ‘hidden gem – an intimate valley-floor shimmy through luscious micro-Alps’. The highly photogenic Highland cows only ever seem to come out to play when I have a tailwind. With a headwind I might stop for a rest and take a snap.

On my last ride I heard for the first time the distinctive call made by a pair of Red Kites wheeling about over the valley. Watch out for them – as well as for the on-road walkers who seem to have increased in number just lately. Just as all good things must come to an end the six miles from Kilnwick Percy and the final push through Millington Pastures finishes by ramping up a fair bit and can catch out those who haven’t left anything in reserve. At the ‘T’ junction a left turn and a few more uphill pedal strokes soon lead to a downhill stretch on to Huggate. (Do take care to scrub off your speed as you enter the village. On a ride to Whitby recently my ride buddies and I were delayed whilst waiting for the ambulance to pick up a chap who had come a cropper on the gravelly, right hand band.)

Millington Dale heading west

If you’re not in a rush the Wolds Inn has much to commend it – in these COVID times it currently offers a takeaway service by arrangement – but the route proper doesn’t go quite as far before taking a right turn to the long descent over Warter Wold. I’ve only ever ridden this road once uphill. It was teeming down as torrents of rainwater rushed by my front wheel as I lugged myself upwards. Perhaps that’s why I can’t bear the thought of going up that way again. Interestingly, the Pocklington Cycle Map suggests precisely that; its blue route (Ride 5: Challenging) does the Pocklington Big Skies Bike Ride in reverse. Maybe I’m just a bit set in my ways…

In Warter – watch out for the abrupt end to the road at the junction with the B1246 – it’s a right turn then uphill for a hundred yards or so before bearing left at the memorial and on to Back Lane (there’s also a car park which is suggested in the Millington Dale and Warter from Pocklington guide as an alternative start point).

Back Lane from Warter is a beautiful, undulating, twisting route but it’s fairly narrow so watch out – the school bus passes along it – which ends after a sudden drop at the base of Totterdown (Nunburnholme) Hill. Thankfully, we turn right here rather than going left and upwards as we make our way to Burnby. One day I’ll find out if the impressive two bells in the church tower still work.

This is a lovely ride I first did a decade ago when I picked up the excellent Big Skies Bike Rides guide. Millington Dale is a highlight of both the Way of the Roses and Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route and is well worth the effort of seeking out.

Millington Dale looking east

See also a Strava segment for this route.

Related post:

A wonderful 50-mile loop from Pocklington >>>

For me a significant attraction of this climb – apart from the pleasantly distracting views over to the left – is the superb descent in to Thixendale that usually follows. Maybe that’s what keeps me motivated as I pedal ‘in squares’ towards that slice of lemon drizzle cake at the village hall.

All smiles as one of the lads makes it to the top of Leavening Bank on our way home from Osmotherley. The Yorkshire Moors are in the background; a cuppa and cake at Rachel’s Walnut Cottage Tea Room in front.

Part way up Leavening Bank you can take a right turn towards Garrowby Hill; by then the hardest effort is behind you. But you will have missed out on the view back over your shoulder that you would have enjoyed had you continued to the junction above Thixendale and the peerless descent of Water Dale.

Leavening Bank as a Strava segment

A ride out to the Howardian Hills and Castle Howard from Hull – home via Leavening Bank. View the ride in Garmin Connect or Strava, but note that on this day I turned right before Thixendale and went over Garrowby Hill

Here I take a left turn and a mercifully short few hundred metres of the A614 towards Driffield, but quickly turn left again and head north towards Garton on the Wolds. This generally quiet road (marred only by the presence of a scrap metal merchants to your right – try not to look) leads all the way to Garton and then, just as briefly, another main road – the A166. So a left turn here and a speed limit of 30mph through the village is followed by a careful right turn on to the B1252 – Garton Hill and the shallow ascent on to Sledmere.

It is maybe worth a snack stop/photo op at the Sir Tatton Sykes memorial tower

In Sledmere if you a fancy stop there is the popular Coach House Cafe in the grounds of Sledmere House, (from spring 2023) the Tin Roof Takeaway across the road, or the well-regarded Triton Inn. In any case the turn off for this route is sign-posted ‘The Luttons, Weaverthorpe’ – opposite the pub – and is a mainly downhill breeze to a left turn at the crossroads where a lumpy road leads to a left turn at the T junction. Through West Lutton and then don’t miss the right turn on the bend sign-posted ‘High Mowthorpe’ and ‘Settrington’.

You’re now on a section of the Pock Pedal sportive and a gradual uphill road before the fall away in to Settrington affords very satisfying views in either direction. Do take particular care on this twisting and sometimes gravelly descent, especially in poor weather conditions. At the T junction on the outskirts of Settrington turn left and continue to bear left (signposted Grimston).

At the next T junction with the B1248 you have a choice, perhaps depending on the time of year and your feelings about bulls (stay with me). On the day I last rode this route I turned left towards North Grimston, popped over the little bridge with its 25mph sign, and at the junction on the right left hand bend took the only unsigned road (you can just make out a brick utilities building and cottages further along the road). This road takes you up to Grimston Brow (Luddith Road) – and is easily missed. (If you get to the Middleton Arms you’ve gone too far.)

Approaching Grimston Brow (Luddith Road)

Now, to get the top of this deceptively testing little climb you will pass over two cattle grids. There is a warning that cattle may be in the – only partially fenced – fields. So bear that in mind, eh? With a few miles in the legs this is a surprisingly stiff little climb made easier since being resurfaced quite recently. Just watch out for cow pats. And the bull.

Anyway, once beyond that last cattle grid the road is much improved having also been resurfaced in the past few years. Follow it round to the T junction and turn right – and bear right at the fork – along the rewarding descent towards Birdsall.

(The alternative to the Grimston Brow climb is to turn right at that first junction at the B1248 as though heading towards Malton, and soon after left to Birdsall.)

A Velo Club Beverley cyclist climbs Birdsall Brow

Whenever I pass through Birdsall I seem to slow considerably perhaps subconsciously reserving my energy for the climb that is to follow. Birdsall Brow is one of those hills that defeats me before I’ve even got going. It has featured on the Heart of the Wolds sportive and the longest of the Big G Cyclosportive rides, always preceding, as with our ride described here, the glorious descent in to Thixendale along the Water Dale road. The Village Hall and former Youth Hostel in Thixendale serves refreshments on Sundays.

Water Dale descent in to Thixendale

Climb out of Thixendale along what has come to be known as the ‘Fuller Road’; as you leave the village turn right (follow the brown tourist sign) and stay on this road until you reach Roman Road where you should take a left turn south towards the A166 crossing at Garrowby Hill and the highest point of the Yorkshire Wolds.

I strongly recommend crossing over on to the cycle path which is followed to a right turn at the side road in the direction of Givendale. At the end of the road you will have turned on to is a T junction. A Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route sign points to the left, but a right turn takes you south on to Givendale Hill for payback and big ring fun after all the climbing done as you follow the signs back to Pocklington to complete this rewarding 50-mile Yorkshire Wolds loop – one of my favourites – at a canter.

View this anti-clockwise loop from Pocklington in Garmin Connect (and since this Garmin Activity doesn’t always display correctly I have made the ride a Strava segment so that anyone without a Strava account can still view it).

Some of this route forms part of the ‘Thixendale from Malton or Newton on Derwent Big Skies Bike Ride, which until the Stamford Bridge loop was easily the toughest of the series. However, it seems that the people behind these short day rides no longer promote them on their official web site. I wonder if this is in part due to safety concerns on Grimston Brow, which they suggested should be ridden downhill. I don’t know, but it is worth pointing out that the route is a little bit out of the way. I sent riders up this hill in an event I organised a few years ago. Some of them gleefully reported that they had sent the biggest rider on his own first so that he could flap his arms up and down to wave away the cattle. You have been warned!

[Text amended May 2023 to remove outdated references to COVID-19.]

It’s also a useful route to avoid travelling along busier roads in the direction of Market Weighton. It is, however, worth repeating my warning made elsewhere that this particular crossing of the A1079 is not made legitimate, for want of a better phrase, by the ‘Cyclists Crossing’ signs of the sort either side of the Arras Hill crossroads further west along this main road between Beverley and York.

Riders new to this climb might be surprised to see a stretch of briefly glimpsed horizon disappear momentarily as they sink in to the little dip part way up Stoneknowle Hill – perhaps needing to drop in to a lower gear for a few pedal strokes. On Strava I find myself just outside the top third for this hill’s segment. I’m not too fussed as the views over the shoulder to the right are a pleasant distraction from any huffing and puffing.

For those determined to follow the official off-road section of the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route that veers off to the west on Stoneknowle Hill there are ample signs as you approach the shallow summit of the climb to point you in the right direction.

If you’re on a twitchy road bike – or indeed your pennyfarthing – you might prefer to carry on and negotiate the staggered crossroads when you meet the A1079. Just proceed with caution.

So if you are simply looking for a short, manageable climb to include in a ride around the southern Wolds – and especially if you are a big fan of wind turbines – then Stoneknowle Hill offers something for you.

The topmost loop from North Newbald, shown below, crosses the A1079 at two points to take in Stoneknowle Hill (northwards) and Kiplingcotes Lane (southwards) in an anti-clockwise direction. The circuitous route was ridden to also take in both Trundlegate and Brantingham Dale.

Follow the route on Garmin Connect (no need to log in) or view the segment ‘Stoneknowle Hill’ on Strava.

The category ‘ Cycling Climbs ‘ is prompted by the excellent article ‘Hill Climbs on the Yorkshire Wolds’ written by Roger England and first published in the Winter 2010/2011 edition of the ‘Woldsman’ magazine. Five of the climbs that will be detailed are also contained in Simon Warren’s ‘Cycling Climbs of Yorkshire: A Road Cyclist’s Guide‘, which is highly recommended.

This loop is less than 30 miles and is best done clockwise. Do park at the sizeable public car park down the hill from the Fiddle Drill, and past the pub – also recommended – so as not to clog up the car park at the café.

Once out of Goodmanhman the loop follows the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route on its slightly lumpy way through Londesborough, Burnby and Pocklington, Kilnwick Percy, Millington – and the beautiful Millington Dale – on to Huggate. From this point the loop deviates from the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route, instead carrying on through the village and taking a right turn on the long and satisfying descent to North Dalton. Years ago there was a tea room in the old school house in North Dalton, but the pub is still there, reflected in its picturesque way in the pond you pass on the way to Middleton-on-the-Wolds.

Once past the school in Middleton don’t take the right turn to Warter, instead the next right turn goes through a small housing estate and brings you out on to the A614. A right turn here and soon after the second left towards Holme-on-the-Wolds and South Dalton. Keep on this road, however, and on a swooping uphill right-hand bend at a junction you will follow the road to drop down back to Goodmanham. I recommend the runny yoke Scotch egg breakfast at the Fiddle Drill, but only if you feel you have deserved it.

Check out this ride on Garmin Connect or Strava.

The spiritual start of the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route: Beverley Minster

I knew we would be deviating slightly from the prescribed course, north of Newbald, because on Stoneknowle Hill riders are pointed in the direction of a stretch of lumpy bridleway (more on that later). I wanted to otherwise follow the route as faithfully as possible, so naturally I strayed off the official course within about twenty yards of starting. It would appear that the short stretch of road running perpendicular to where we had started from – just outside the minster – was the same road I’d already travelled that morning. I thought it was further on when I plotted the route online and couldn’t make out the fuzzy yellow highlighting on the official map. Ahem. Maybe next time…

Beverley to Huggate

There is a cycle path from Beverley Westwood to and through part of Walkington, but at such an early hour on a Saturday we took the highway and were soon on the quiet Littlewood Road that gradually makes its way to the highest point of the southern Yorkshire Wolds, before dropping sharply in to South Newbald along Trundlegate and its exhilarating descent.

Past the two pubs in North Newbald and on to Stoneknowle Hill. This is only a short, not very steep little loosener of a climb, but already I realised I would not find climbing on this day to be as comfortable as Paul would.

Now then. Both the proposed and finalised routes point to a left turn whilst on this road. It would have taken us on to the Yorkshire Wolds Way long distance walking route between Hessle and Filey. Back in 2011 the provisional map stated that this part of the YWCR was “to be upgraded”. I’m not sure whether that meant in status from footpath to bridleway, or that the surface was to be improved, but the last time I travelled that way over the rutted mud and chalkstone it took me an age and I had to walk much of it.

The Yorkshire Wolds Way bridleway. Not always easily passable (photograph taken earlier in 2018)

So our first – okay, second – diversion from the route was at Gardham and Etton after crossing the A1079. A word of caution. For three years I organised a series of challenge rides that went over the A1079 here. For this crossing point I borrowed ‘Cycle Event’ signs and placed them either side of the junction. I understand that there has been at least one fatal collision here – the sight lines towards Market Weighton are made trickier by a dip in the road – and we gave way to a lorry and procession of cars before slipping over this staggered crossroads. Something to think about.

More fun descending in to Gardham, skirting Etton and towards the glorious sight of St Mary’s church in South Dalton – you may have seen images from the Tour de Yorkshire of riders jockeying up the short ramp outside Etton with the remarkable spire visible above the treeline in front of them.

St Mary’s Church South Dalton (photograph taken on a different ride in June 2018)

We were now in the lovely Kiplingcotes valley, scattering rabbits, spotting Yellowhammers and wondering whether the long-eared animals grazing in the field to our right were sheep or calves. It was still early, remember.

If I were to do this ride as a multi-day tour I might be tempted to give Market Weighton a swerve and pop in to the former pop-up café in nearby Goodmanham. The now firmly established Fiddle Drill offers excellent food and drink for those on a leisurely ride through these parts. As it happens I had only a tenner on me, so I used a cashpoint in the town long bypassed by the A1079. To be fair, I gather a few cafés have now opened up in Market Weighton.

On towards Londesborough – watch out for deer – and Burnby along a rather broken road surface to Pocklington. This Wolds edge town is an excellent base for day rides (see the Pocklington Cycle Map).

It had started to rain at Londesborough, but by Kilnwick Percy we were taking off our jackets and welcoming the cool air as we passed through the truly beautiful Millington Dale, described in Cycling Plus as a ‘hidden gem – an intimate valley-floor shimmy through luscious micro-Alps’.

No time for setting up for a photo today, just a glimpse over the shoulder with my iPhone as we enjoy the views in Millington Pastures

After the testing little ramp at the end of Millington Dale I was ready to freewheel in to Huggate and meet Jason and Rob, the latter with his promised supply of bananas and bottled water.

A quick chat outside the Wolds Inn, Huggate – supposedly the Yorkshire Wolds’ highest – too early to enjoy ‘the best pub chips in Yorkshire’ – Guardian

Huggate to Sledmere

I can’t be absolutely certain that a later junction was properly signed as we made our way to Garrowby Hill – the highest point on the Yorkshire Wolds – via a distinctly indirect meander. Once across the A166 – take especial care crossing here – we weren’t on roman road for long before taking the “Fuller Gallery” road in to Thixendale. This is a much more enjoyable descent since being resurfaced quite recently. Back in 2011 it was sketchy in parts.

Thixendale is a picture postcard village, well served by roads that radiate from this fairly isolated part of the Wolds; I believe it was one of the last places in Yorkshire to be able to receive television. (There is a shop in the former post office and on Sundays the Village Hall – a former Youth Hostel – opens for refreshments.)

If you’ve seen photographs of riders on the Yorkshire Wolds chances are they will have been riding up or down Water Dale at Thixendale. Apart from Brian, of course, the star of this trailer from the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire was the network of roads around Thixendale, as well as Millington Dale. Water Dale can be enjoyed in equal measure in either direction (some hills in these parts are too short and steep to fully enjoy going downhill). Again I struggled to keep up with the others as they distanced me whilst chatting away. Still, the wonderful scenery provided a distraction from my discomfort.

Water Dale out of Thixendale. Just about every sportive in the Yorkshire Wolds goes along this road

Over the next crossroads and a vision loomed that I have never been able to do justice to – the view over to Malton and the North York Moors. Don’t focus too much on the scenery, however, as there is a hair-raising descent to come. Paul said he had to make a phone call home. We gave him a funny look and dropped in to Leavening. This downhill stretch is steep, twisting and at times gravel is washed from the banked roadside on to the tarmac below. (I heard a story of a one poor soul who hit the house at the bottom of the hill and had to be taken away by ambulance.)

A right turn at the edge of the village towards Burythorpe. I caught the briefest of glances of the striking church I first saw riding the Western Wolds from Stamford Bridge Big Skies Bike Ride and then through delightful narrow tree-lined lanes new to me on to Westow, and then Kirkham. A sharp right, uphill turn took us towards Menenthorpe and the charming Lzysike Wood (glimpsing between trees the River Derwent over to our left). We followed the route through Norton missing out Malton altogether – I recommend the Yorkshire Tea Rooms if you do need refreshments in Malton – and headed east along the B1248 where we saw dayglow-clad marshals at the turn to Settrington.

(At Settrington a combination of my muddled thought processes, inaccurately plotted route and age-related dithering meant that we didn’t follow the prescribed route further in to the village. We should have taken the road bridge and soon after crossed back over the river via a footbridge or – had we been brave enough – the little ford.)

Settrington Bank appears as a listing by local CTC legend Roger England in his excellent “Hill Climbs of the Yorkshire Wolds”. On this day – and apparently every third Saturday after the Spring Bank Holiday – the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride takes in this cheeky climb on the way to the coast. Two or three cyclists with numbers ziptied to their handlebars overtook us – I would later console myself with the thought that they might have been overnighting in Filey and so on a shorter ride to our own. Thankfully, Jason dropped back for me on this lovely – if testing – climb and although I did not stop I did suffer the indignity of my Garmin auto-pausing as I made “steady” progress uphill. I smiled for the photographer stationed beyond the top of the bank as his rather professional looking set up popped a flash as we passed.

On the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route riders are steered away from the full, magnificent descent of this breathtaking ridge that leads to West Lutton, instead there is a right turn to Duggleby in order to set up the descent to Sledmere, cut off the corner of a slightly busy road, and to view Duggleby Howe, which is important for being one the largest round barrows in Britain.

Next up Kirkby Grindalythe and, before Sledmere, a little dink – there’s a single chevron on the OS map – to finish off the legs before refreshments at the Coach House Café. The café is in the open area within the grounds of Sledmere House – you don’t need to pay for admission to use it – and is an ideal and welcome staging post between Huggate and Bridlington. Beans on toast, soup of the day, cake, tea & coffee and we were away again, although we stopped for longer than planned at more than half an hour.

Sledmere to Bridlington

With a favourable tailwind urging us on and Jason as our lead out man we quickly reached Foxholes – having passed quite a few GYBR entrants sitting outside a number of enticing village pubs along the way. Just before Foxholes the Yorkshire Wolds sign had us cross the B1249, turn left, take another left turn then ride parallel to the main road, before meeting it perhaps a couple of hundred yards further on. I’m not sure it was worth the effort of trying to get back on track; it took us a while to find a gap in the traffic so that we could turn right at a ‘T’ junction. In hindsight I could see that it would make sense if riding in the opposite direction, and perhaps the sight lines aren’t great – and the speed limit still high – for traffic heading north in to Foxholes.

Anyway, turning left off the ‘B’ road we eventually headed north and I again struggled to keep up with the others as the sun made an appearance and the already long day started to take its toll when the road went steadily upwards. Rob dropped back to give me his wheel on this road heading towards Ganton and, fortunately, Jason and Paul didn’t hear my call so missed our right turn; I was able to catch up and feel the breeze at my back on the descent to Fordon. The Great Wolds Valley – home to Wold Top Brewery – is a very pleasant diversion before the brief, uphill stretches of the sometimes busy road on to Hunmanby.

Here we were distracted by the signs partially hidden in undergrowth, took a left turn and followed the GYBR cyclists. It turned out we were meant to carry on at the crossroads as this would have taken us by the shops and pubs in the village. Instead we emerged at a roundabout where more marshals shepherded us by chance in the direction of our blue ‘Yorkshire Wolds’ signs as we picked up the trail again.

Outside Hunmanby the route heads towards Reighton. Those signs took us away from a roundabout and we crossed the A165 further north where a motorcyclist heading south stopped the cars behind him for us or we would have had a longer wait to find a gap in the traffic. Speaking of gaps…

Mind the Gap. Hunmanby Gap is by all accounts a pleasant diversion. Just not today

… Jason followed the tracks off the roundabout and had to be called back when my Garmin eTrex highlighted that we were heading away from its breadcrumb trail. He had – it seems – followed the signs to Hunmanby Gap – an extra diversion similar to the one to Bempton Cliffs – that we needn’t follow on the day. (Francis’s group were caught out in the same way on their ride.)

Initially, I didn’t particularly care for the next bit to Reighton. It was nice to spot the cliffs over to our left but, as we turned south in to a headwind, I didn’t enjoy being on a road with double solid lines painted down the middle. However, we weren’t on the road long and, after a crossroads, found ourselves on a quiet single track as we moved towards Grindale, Buckton and Bempton.

This part of the Yorkshire Wolds is considerably different from the areas to the south and west. Here, in the northeast of the region, long stretches of roads are far from featureless, but the scenery is not as obviously striking as, say, Millington Dale or Thixendale. A characteristic shared for the most part, however, is their sheer tranquillity, which combined with the utter lushness of the place makes for such thoroughly enjoyable cycling. Apart from having to cross the occasional main road there is generally little motorised traffic to spoil the ride and we were able to cycle two abreast pretty much as often as we wanted.

At Sewerby I had intended to stop at the pub for a while, but the others didn’t want to hang about so I downed half a lemonade and a handful of nuts.

The lads show their heartfelt sympathy as Paul makes another phone call home

Bridlington to Beverley

The helpful staff did, however, fill our water bottles before we rode along the cliff tops in to Bridlington. Time was pressing, so no photographs at the headland and on through the (wrong again) streets to the A614 cycle path and Woldgate. Going up this picturesque, gradually rising road – made famous by David Hockney’s exhibition a few years ago – was a prospect I was ever so slightly dreading. I was certain that by this point I would struggle getting up Woldgate – we flew down in the opposite direction on the Way of the Roses ride two summers ago – but in the event I actually coped fairly well. I think it was at this point that I felt confident I could get round the full course.

From the top of Woldgate there is an enjoyable descent once past the essential but rather incongruous electricity substation or whatever – Hockney captured it in neither oils nor iPad – in to Burton Agnes, the house and gardens of which I really must visit some time.

I hadn’t looked forward to the next, admittedly expedient, part of the route – the necessarily numerous crossing of the railway line that runs trains between Scarborough and Hull. In the event we weren’t put off our stride at all, really – although I’m not sure about taking the tandem through that kissing gate at one crossing. It was actually nice just to pause a while and have a natter, then ride on roads that carried little or no traffic.

On track for getting home for teatime. My old ride buddy Jeffery would have lifted his front wheel off the ground so as not trigger a sensor and lower his average speed. Quite right too

At Nafferton railway station we said farewell to Paul who – after more than 120 miles on the day – took the train to Beverley to get back early and be with his family. Fair enough. Cheers for taking those turns on the front, sir. A little further down the road Rob and Jason – after crossing the railway tracks twice more – made their way back to Huggate and Shiptonthorpe – and a deluge of the forecast rain. Thanks for the tow, fellas.

Perhaps it was the bottle of Lucozade from a newsagent in Nafferton that gave me a boost, but from there onwards I surprised myself by zipping along nicely in to a rather stiff headwind. Even after stopping briefly in Hutton Cranswick to put on my ‘race cape’ I made good progress until just before South Dalton. Here I came crashing down – not literally – with a sugar low, or something. I found a spot at the roadside where the trees sheltered me from the heavy rain, ate a flapjack, popped a gel – my fourth of the day – and took a swig of water. Before long I felt much better and turned the pedals towards South Dalton, Etton and Cherry Burton. By then I picked up the pace again and whizzed along the cycle path to Molescroft. Through the North Bar in to Beverley and ultimately back to the minster.

A very satisfying ride, much of it with mates who each clocked up well over a hundred miles on the day – mostly on the splendid tranquillity of the Yorkshire Wolds. Highly recommended.

View the day’s ride on the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route in Garmin Connect.

Let me get my excuses in early and point out that Settrington is more than thirty miles from my home and I’m typically tired already before dropping in to the lower gears at the foot of this drag up towards beautiful views of the North York Moors over to the north and – when not following the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route – the blissful descent to West Lutton at the end of the delightful ridge. So that’s why I’m struggling to knock on the door of the top 2000 (out of 4000).

I prefer a stiff climb followed by a long slow descent. Settrington is such an example and worth the effort for the descent that follows, especially if the reward is a nice pot of tea in the Coach House Café in Sledmere or refreshments in one of the pubs along the Gold Wold valley between West Lutton and Fordon.

https://www.strava.com/segments/1832371

A 20-mile clockwise loop from Sledmere that goes up Settrington Bank. Please beware that cattle roam across the roads on Luddith Road around two miles before North Grimston. A sign as you are about to cross the cattle grid as you leave the fields also warn of bulls being present!

Check out this ride on Garmin Connect or Strava.

The category ‘ Cycling Climbs ‘ is prompted by the excellent article ‘Hill Climbs on the Yorkshire Wolds’ written by Roger England and first published in the Winter 2010/2011 edition of the ‘Woldsman’ magazine. Five of the climbs that will be detailed are also contained in Simon Warren’s ‘Cycling Climbs of Yorkshire: A Road Cyclist’s Guide‘, which is highly recommended.

An early – and wet – start for the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route ride in aid of Hull Ionians

Once everybody arrived and stored bags in the support van we pedalled to Beverley Market Place for the official Grand Depart. A passing early morning pedestrian kindly volunteered to take a group photo. There were five riders (with one taking turns to drive the van).

It’s a shame that on a 146 mile road cycling route that there are two miles of off road section. Previous riders of the route had said that it was ‘passable’ if dry but still a real puncture hazard. It had been decided to ‘bomb’ it down the A1079 from Walkington and miss this section out. The early start meant there wasn’t a lot of traffic and the few cars on the road were difficult to see because of the fog!

A sharp right (missing sign) took us onto our first of many lanes that were perfect for cycling, virtually traffic free and a real ‘rustic’ feel.

Simon (the ride organizer) had arranged a number of stopping points to access food supplies and to swap over van drivers. The first of these was Pocklington RUFC. We arrived on schedule but there was no van. Tony Boynton (ex-racing cyclist with an impressive palmares) had positioned himself en route to take photos. Unfortunately he had chosen a spot that was missed out to avoid the off road section. Mobile phones now mean situations like this can be rescued (how did we manage without them?). When Tony arrived I had my first – but by no means the last – of Simon’s most excellent homemade banana loaf. Tony swapped his trainers for cycling shoes and Simon jumped into the driver’s seat. With no sign of the sun making an appearance I opted to keep my early morning leg warmers and neck buff on.

Towards Thixendale

The next section was where the hills came into play. Whilst not mountain TdF stages it was a chance to warm up a little as the sun was still not coming out to play. Josh is a fit mid-forties rugby player but whilst he can belt it out on the flat his conversation becomes limited when the road begins to incline. Tony showed his race class and was soon on the front tapping out a good average both on the flat and climbing.

In to Westow

We met up with the van in Westow. I’m not one for remembering places that I pass through but this village is absolutely stunning. Virtually every house would not look out of place on the cover of a property magazine. I commented that I would love to live there if only there was pub – then I saw the pub (I’m off). Bizarrely the only shop appeared to be a bespoke tailors. The owner was just opening. None of us felt the need for a new suit (despite an impressive number of cloth rolls) so we set off once more.

Sledmere House. Opportunity for another photograph, but no cafe

Our next scheduled stop was at Sledmere House where I was looking forward to eating something that was not from a plastic wrapper (banana loaf aside). Horror of horrors – café closed! I did consider marching up to Lord Sledmere’s front door and demanding Beans on Toast but calmed down as nobody else seemed too bothered. In fairness their food supplies were a lot better than mine. I looked longingly at Tony Waudby’s (Tony II) chicken and beetroot sandwich but his fingers were clamped tightly round it. He was kind enough to donate his van for the day but he had eyes that suggested ‘try it’ as regards the sandwich. I sent an update text to Chris he replied with a couple of café options a bit further down the road. Josh took the option to do the next stint of van driving and Simon gladly cleated up.

The café option we decided on was The Yorkshire Wolds Gallery near Staxton (80 miles in). A lovely barn type building housing the gallery and café. On a warmer day we might have sat outside but still no sun meant we piled inside. A limited menu is the kindest thing to say. Cream scones and flapjacks in a large display case were supplemented by a snooker table sized blackboard that boasted the choice of soup or a ham, cheese & pickle panini. There was no way I was going any further without a coffee so I opted for the panini. It was, I have to say, excellent supplemented by a huge amount of coleslaw and a few crisps. The food and the coffee brought me round from my ‘mini mood’. I also fancied a hit of sugar and was pleased that the waitress picked out a can of Coke emblazoned with ‘love’ – I think she was torn with that or the one that said ‘gorgeous’.

The caffeine really worked and as we set off again – all aches, pains and niggles hid themselves well. We were now heading towards the coast and the sun finally came out to play. There are a couple of ‘in and parts’ to the route which we had planned not to do – but by just following the signs we did end up at Humamby Gap car park. Still it was only a mile back to the main road.

A bit of a climb near Grindale

At Bempton we met up with the van in the car park of the brand new village hall. I did think the locals had arranged a welcome party but it was just two dozen balloons that had escaped from a recently finished kids’ party. I was still quite full after my panini but did manage another piece of banana loaf. Josh relinquished the driving duties but spent 10 minutes deciding on shorts or leggings. During the week I had ‘tweaked’ my knee whilst on a ride. I had largely ignored the little niggles that had been happening, but was worried as we had now done 100 miles it might get worse as my pedalling style might not be so fluid. So I treated myself to the Tramadol pill I had pinched from my wife’s medicine box. If they were good enough for Team Sky then they’re good enough for 50% of South Cave Road Club.

After getting through Bridlington it was onto roads I was bit more familiar with (especially as I had been camping at Rudston only a few weeks previously). It’s hard to describe but I felt a little bit disappointed to be on familiar tracks – a kind of ‘it’ll soon be over’ feeling. After a mad scramble over A614 in Burton Agnes, Simon discovered he had a puncture. Not really worth noting apart from the fact whilst changing the tyre he fell into a hedge of ‘sticky balls’ and came out looking like he had been machine gunned with them. As he was about to start the long arduous task of trying to reach 100psi with a mini pump I produced my CO2 trigger and did the job in two seconds. None of the other three had seen one before and if I had said it was solar powered they would have believed me.

Between Nafferton & Driffeld we rode as a quintet as Tony had parked the van up at Bell Mills and rode to meet us. When we arrived at Bell Mills it was déjà vu as the café was closed. The workers were trying to get the gate closed and go home. We were supposed to meet some other cyclists to accompany us on the final leg but they had gone and left word that there were now at the Blue Bell pub. Simon shot off in the van to collect them but returned empty handed (but I’m sure I smelt beer on his breath) as they had already gone. Simon caught up with them at Hutton Cranswick and we cycled the final leg eight strong. Any thought of coasting the final 20 miles quickly disappeared as they rode at a quicker pace. Whilst coming down Bracken, Josh said he was finding it tough going but didn’t want to be the one to ask for a slowing down, so by stealth I found my way to the front and then lowered the pace a little without anybody realising (I think I got away with it).

Only a couple of miles outside of Beverely we saw Simon at the side of the road. He had parked the van up and rode out to meet us so we could cycle in at full compliment. Despite a plea from somebody to ‘take the f***ing pavement’ we rode round Beverley’s one way system to arrive in the market place. Simon’s wife and children were there with a homemade flag (the banana loaf was better) and a shop bought bottle of Sherry. I think the concept of sherry drinking came from one of their previous rugby/cycling adventures. Mrs Simon did complain that she was told we would finish at 6pm and it was now 6.13. She was joking (I assume)! High on Croft Original/Tramadol and the joy of completing my longest day ever in the saddle I ‘ran’ to a nearby shop and bought a packet of Marlboro Lights to celebrate.

I had given little thought to getting home other than I might cadge a lift off somebody (one of the hardships of my current financial plight is having to sell my car and Mrs B had kids to ferry around to parties). ‘Luckily’ one of our last leg cyclists lived in South Cave and was riding home. In a perverse way I was glad to be doing a few extra miles. We didn’t leave straight away as everybody decided it would be rude not to have a pint to celebrate so we decamped to the Standard pub. The joyous feeling was heightened by seeing the end of Liverpool losing to Aston Villa.

I did have lights on my bike but only ‘be seen’ not ‘to see’ ones. The descent down Beverley Road into South Cave was interesting. The only time we could see the road was when cars came past – so it was a slower than normal descent. Arrived home at 8pm, fourteen and a half hours after leaving it.

Overall the day was superb. 149.7 miles cycled at an average pace of 15.0 mph – that in itself was enough to be happy with. The route was very well signposted with only a couple missing (I would advise to have a hard copy of the map with you). My only niggle is the pointless off road section. It was a change to ride with different people and not have the normal Wiggle vs LBS conversations. I understand that they raised around £3000 for the rugby club and I’m glad to have helped in my small way.

I spent most of the next day trying to find recipes for banana loaf.

All smiles at the finish of the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route one-day challenge

All images courtesy of Simon Cowling.