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.

Burdale is one of those short, punchy climbs you face as the East Riding of Yorkshire gives way to North Yorkshire and one that the producers asked eighty-five-year-old Brian to take on for their TV advertisement. It was also the toughest hill among those encountered on the Big Skies Bike Rides – until Stamford Bridge was given its own ‘ Western Wolds Bike Ride ‘.

Here’s what John Woodcock, for the Yorkshire Post, wrote about this part of ‘Thixendale from Malton or Norton on Derwent’:

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.

I could have sworn that my fastest ascent would have been the time we were chased up the hill by an enormous tractor – its ballooning tyres never far behind the last-placed rider – me – as we made our way to coffee and cake in Sledmere. No, my ‘PR’ for ‘burdale climb’ currently places me at 1167/2447 which I recorded on the way to scrape a ‘Silver’ time on the 150km Big G Cyclosportive back in 2016. (Needless to say the effort meant I blew up on Birdsall Brow when just about everyone overtook me again.)

https://www.strava.com/segments/18272851

It may not be the most testing of climbs, but the views from around Wharram are a delightful reward for getting over the top of this gravelly, twisting ascent. And as you take the big right bend near the top spare a moment to check out where you’ve come from. Such a lovely, unspoilt view.

Francis takes on Burdale during his first 100 mile ride

If, having conquered Burdale, you would prefer to avoid the occasionally busy B1248 there is an off-road route starting at a bend and not long before the main road to which it runs parallel. It is literally sign-posted by a Yorkshire Wolds Way marker (see photograph below). I’ve ridden it once. From memory it’s a bit stony and I would imagine it would be rather squelchy in parts after a downpour, but it’s there as an option. Just keep an eye out for the end of the track and the point at which you will pop out of a hedge and on to the minor road that takes you towards Grimston.

A loop of around 30 miles from Sledmere that includes Burdale:

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.