Moors the merrier

“This used to be my regular training ride when I was in college. Come rain or shine, I’d be round it every Wednesday afternoon. There’s also a pub called The Lion Inn on this route, which I rode to last Christmas Eve with some mates. It’s a great loop in either direction, but usually I go anti-clockwise. The valley road on the way out has two climbs of 7-8 per cent, which are perfect for warming up. It’s a nice road with barely any cars, but in the summer it can be like a MotoGP circuit.

“I’ve been caught out on the big climb to Blakey Ridge a few times in the snow. I once needed a lift in the back of a van and remember waiting at the pub at the top, eating chips by the fire. It can be bleak over winter with a westerly wind, which can be soul destroying.

“Helmsley has some good bakeries to stop at. Out of Kirkbymoorside, it’s basically all uphill to The Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge. Then it’s downhill – I’ve had over 80kph winds on the descent before and you have to dodge some sheep sometimes. But when the weather is nice, there’s nothing better than the views to the coastline, seeing places like Saltburn and Redcar, after the final climb out of Castleton.

“If I have a cafe stop, it’s normally in Great Ayton, where I live, at places like Stamps, Fletcher’s Farm Coffee Shop or Suggitt’s Ices. Suggitt’s is a really old, traditional sweet shop. It’s like the 1970s in there – the decor is the same now as it was when my dad fitted it all out as an apprentice joiner. But, decor aside, they have the best homemade ice cream.”

LOCATION:

North York Moors

DETAILS:

104km, 1370m of climbing

TYPE:

Road

RECOMMENDED BY:

Harry Tanfield, pro cyclist for AG2R La Mondiale and 2018 Commonwealth Games time-trial silver medallist

ROUTE:

komoot.com/ tour/171515913