One-day Ride: Middlesbrough

It’s a big city but one surrounded by brilliant riding

NORMALLY WE TRY TO avoid staying in big cities, but there’s no doubting there are some benefits for biking trips. Plenty of choice for accommodation, lots of pubs and restaurants for the evening – and if the surrounding countryside is stuffed with so many of our favourite roads…

Of course, the trade-off is that there may be a bit of messing about on bigger roads to blast clear of the suburbs at the start of the ride, but that’s a small price to pay. Our ride around Middlesbrough uses so many quiet roads you’ll almost wonder where the people have gone as you’re enjoying it.

STAGE ONE Middlesbrough to Stanhope 45 miles

Leave Middlesbrough on the A19 north towards Newcastle and Durham, crossing the River Tees and taking the third exit for the A1027 to Norton. Turn left at the top of the slip-road and then right at the next roundabout on the B1274 to Carlton. Go straight over the next roundabout, then take the first right to Carlton and Redmarshall. Stay on the road for five-and-a-half miles, then turn right at the T-junction to Newton Aycliffe. At the A689 turn left to Bishop Auckland and stay on the road all the way through Bishop Auckland following signs for the A689 to Crook. In Howden-le-wear, go straight at the mini-roundabout towards Witton-le-wear. In Fir Tree turn right on the A68 to Corbridge, then left at the roundabout to Wolsingham on the A689.

Morning coffee Stanhope We’d go for the Everyday Café (opposite the market square, where there’s good parking). Nice breakfasts, if you didn’t eat before setting off…

STAGE TWO Stanhope to Reeth 55 miles

Continue along the A689 through Stanhope and turn left on the B6278 to Eggleston and the Community Hospital. After eight miles, out on the moors, turn right on the road signed to Alston and High Force. In Middleton-in-teesdale pick up the B6276 to Brough (right off the high street, then right again when the road forks). In Brough, turn left by the clock tower, towards Kendal (A685). At the traffic lights in Kirkby Stephen, turn left on B6259 to Nateby. In Nateby, turn left on the B6270 to Swaledale and stay on the road all the way to Reeth.

Lunch Reeth Reeth has a couple of pubs and cafés: we’d stop at Overton House, facing the village green — you can get takeaway sandwiches to eat, sitting on the grass in the sunshine.

STAGE THREE Reeth to Helmsley 50 miles

Continue along the B6270 from Reeth and after crossing the bridge in Grinton (by the pub) turn right on to the minor road to Leyburn.

In Leyburn pick up the A6108 to Middleham and The Forbidden Corner. Leaving Masham, turn left on the B6267 to Bedale. Go under the A1(M) and at the A61 turn left to Thirsk. Cross Thirsk town