Yorkshire Dales

suddaby22

Does anyone have any experience of riding around the Dales. A group of us are looking to find somewhere relatively close to York where we could drive to with our tent and have a weekend cycling. The only issue is there are a couple of people in the group who have not done much on hills. This may sound like a silly question but can hills be avoided? ie cycle round the valleys avoiding any demanding climbs?

maringirl

By nature it is hilly! There is a nice ride from Grassington up the little lanes via Conistone Cold, Kettlewell, buckden and then a loop round the head of the dale and back. Not too many hills! Nice cafe in Buckden. About 30 miles..

bianchimoon

yes hills can be avoided if you stay in the vale of york, ride from York towards boroughbridge, Ripon, fountains abbey area. Lots of nice quiet roads just North West of York and very flat - enjoy

jongooligan

I'm guessing that as you're from Pocklington that you would rather be right in the Dales than the Vale of York. So, camp at Mason's in Appletreewick. From there you can do as maringirl suggests and take the lanes up to Kettlewell and maybe Hubberholme. You can vary the way back by taking the 'main' road back to Conistone Dub and then swinging off on the North side of the river Skirfare. Cross any of the bridges to the South side of the river and cycle back to Conistone Dub and then back through Grassington to Apptrick.

That's about the longest valley route I can think of. You can also do a North/South valley route in Wensleydale but if you're at Mason's you would have to drive from Wharfedale to Wensleydale to avoid the big climb at the head of the valley.

Lots of good pubs in the area but not much flat cycling.