HARROGATE & THE DALES

Classy Harrogate, a Victorian sparesort favourite on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, offers challenging climbs that featured in the 2014 Tour de France Grand Départ, as well as family-friendly car-free trails to neighbouring Knaresborough. On the train? Start near the station from Valley Gardens. If you’re driving, start at Ripley village, a fourmile railtrail away with free parking.

ROUTE ONE

Dales day 75 miles Full-on hill challenge A tough but exhilarating day with stunning Dales views. Back lanes avoid the horrible A59 and lift you over moors to 1300ft Greenhow Hill. Vertiginous Park Rash (1600ft) teleports you from Wharfedale to Coverdale, then from Masham it’s pleasant lanes back via the picturesque village of Ripley. Get the route tinyurl.com/cplus-dales

ROUTE TWO

Rock on 57 miles Climbs, crags and cake This ‘Route 1 Lite’ – though still with 4200ft of climbing – takes you to Brimham Rocks’ natural ‘sculpture park’, then characterful Pateley Bridge and off-radar Nidderdale. Remote, quiet moorland roads lead to Masham and cream tea at Ripley Castle. Go on, you’ve earned it. Get the route tinyurl.com/cplus-crags

ROUTE THREE

Gorge yourself 24 miles Cafes and caves Family-friendly, all-day jaunt on some town roads (kids use the pavement) and many excellent alltarmac paths. Over the Stray to the Showground (coffee), then explore Knaresborough (lunch) with its gorge, riverside paths and caves. Hampsthwaite is optional, but an ice cream in Ripley is a definite. Get the route tinyurl.com/cplus-gorge