Leisurely Scarborough ride

bompington

So Mrs Bomp and I will be in Scarborough for a few days this summer.

We're looking for one or two mellow summer rides: preferably around 30-50 miles total distance, at least one serious cake stop compulsory. Mild off-road considered.

Not a part of the world I know very well, so anyone got any suggestions?

OnTheRopes

Its quite hilly, i don't know the area extensively but did work and stay near Scarborough quite a bit over the last 12 months so did a few rides.
My riding started after work and so in rush hour but extended beyond this when it got quieter.
The Forge Valley is very nice and leafy and very pretty area to cycle. Also Harwood Dale from Burniston is very quiet and good road surfaces. I found it quite difficult to get a circuit route that avoided A roads but you could put a route together that traverses both Forge Valley and Harwood Dale and returns via Stainton and Cloughton.
Cafe's I can't help you with but there is prossibly something at East Ayton at the south end of the Forge Valley and you could drop down to the Hayburn Wyke Inn.

davep1

I live down south but have family near Helsmley which is on the way to Scarborough from the motorway network. Others will be along with more knowledge then I, no doubt!
You are on the edge of the N Yorks moors which are beautiful, but not exactly suitable for leisurely rides. North of the A170 is where the moors are, you could drive to any of the towns or villages on the A170 and then head on to the moors, but you will be starting with a long climb. From Kirkby Moorside to the Lion Inn on top of the Moors is about 20 km and took me about an hour. Not massively steep, but just pretty much up all the way. If there's a wind from the north...I was trying to find Rosedale Chimney which is a famous tough climb near there, but just when I got to the Lion Inn I glanced at my crankset and realised it was literally coming apart. It was a long gentle ride back to base praying it wouldn't unglue completely!
I think south of the A170 looks easier riding, but I don't know the area. Whilst you are there, you should go up the coast to Robin Hoods bay and Whitby, definitely worth a visit. The A170 is a major road but is wide and I didn't find the traffic to un-bike friendly along there. Sutton Bank is the major hill on the A170 just after Thirsk, but it is such a tough climb I wouldn't ride a bike there when there is a lot of traffic about.
You might be better riding around Thirsk and Ripon, but again I'll let the locals advise on that.

webboo

You could drive to Humanby, find somewhere to park. Then head East towards Wold Newton, Foxholes, Weaverthorpe( cafe/ farm shop) to Duggleby. Then back through Sledmere, coffee shop at times at Sledmere house through Langtoft, Kilham, Burton Fleming.
South of the A170 is flatter but there isn’t much of it. South East is the Wolds which tends to be shortish 17% hills to the South West is the Howardian hills which are again short 17% hills but feel steeper than the Wolds.

bompington

Thanks people.

Should specify that we don't mind hills (Rosedale Chimney is well enough known that I'd go for it but, Mrs Bomp might not be so keen) as long as we can go up them slowly...


EDIT: unfortunately Rosedale is over 40k from Scarborough so sadly I don't think we'll go that way :oops:

webboo

bompington wrote:

Thanks people.

Should specify that we don't mind hills (Rosedale Chimney is well enough known that I'd go for it but, Mrs Bomp might not be so keen) as long as we can go up them slowly...

I think there is no option but to ride Chimney bank slowly.
There is nice circuit starting in either Kirkbymoorside or Helmsley depending on which way round you go.
From Helmsley on the A170 turn left on the edge of town to Carlton in to Bransdale tennis just follow the road back to Gillamore, down to Kirkbymoorside( couple of cafes 4 pubs) right along the A170 for a mile or so left to Welburn right to towards Nunnington/ Wombleton. Left to Nunnington but turn right towards Harome before you get to Nunnington( there is a cafe in Nunnington) from Harome follow to the road to Helmsley.
You can add bits on to this if you look at the map.

ADSmith

http://www.hedgehogcycling.co.uk/scarbo ... track.html

OnTheRopes

There is also an old railway track, now cycle path etc that runs along the coast to Ravenscar, maybe worth checking out though I have not been on it myself

webboo

OnTheRopes wrote:

There is also an old railway track, now cycle path etc that runs along the coast to Ravenscar, maybe worth checking out though I have not been on it myself

The above is the old railway track.

OnTheRopes

Webboo wrote:

OnTheRopes wrote:

There is also an old railway track, now cycle path etc that runs along the coast to Ravenscar, maybe worth checking out though I have not been on it myself

The above is the old railway track.

Okay

bompington

... thanks for the tip, it looks a bit rough - when I said mild off-road I meant really mild.

Maybe we'll stick to the Chimney

Ben6899

FWIW, I like Webboo's routes. Lovely roads, you're in for a treat.

davep1

If you're near Helmsley, Rieveaux Abbey is nearby and the scenery there is lovely. Tiny roads though, and a couple of short sharp climbs in the area though.

lakesluddite

bompington wrote:

... thanks for the tip, it looks a bit rough - when I said mild off-road I meant really mild.

Maybe we'll stick to the Chimney

It is a bit rough. I did Whitby to Scarborough and back on a hired old hardtail a few years ago, caned it a bit and then could hardly walk for two days afterwards!