YOUR NEXT GREAT RIDE

THE NORTH YORK MOORS

54.335184, -0.694653

THE NORTH YORK Moors is one of our favourite places to ride. This hairpin is on Saltergate Bank on the A169, by the Hole of Horcum – a vast 400ft-deep depression that legend says was created by a giant scooping out the earth to throw at his wife (geologists have a different explanation). Regardless of how the landscape was really formed, it’s a large part of the attraction of riding up here. It’s wild, windswept and, on a sunny day, utterly beautiful.

The Moors are bordered by the A171 and A170 to the north and south, with the sea to the east and the A19 and A172 to the west. Within those boundaries lies a riding paradise. This A169 is the largest road running north-south – and while it’s the one where you’re most likely to meet any traffic, it’s still quieter than any road south of the Thames. For a true taste of isolation, get on to the smaller roads – from the legendary B1257 between Helmsley and Stokesley (the so-called “North York TT”) or the back roads through Rosedale Abbey, Castleton and Kildale.

Better still, there’s a great motorcycle culture in the Moors. From the weekly meets at the Whistlestop Café in Whitby to the road racing at Oliver’s Mount in Scarborough, this is a corner of the country with biking in its blood. There are plenty of bike-friendly pubs, B&BS and campsites – all within easy reach of some of Britain’s best biking roads. HOW TO GET THERE: If you can get to the A1, you can get to the A19 – and from Thirsk, the Moors at a short hop away. WHEN TO GO: Spring is glorious, summer is spectacular and autumn is amazing. Winter’s likely to be cold and wet, though. WHERE TO EAT: The Moors Coffee Shop in Goathland (where TV cop show Heartbeat was filmed) is a great, quirky stop. Helmsley has plenty of cafes and sandwich shops (we like Hunters on the market square). And for fish and chips... you can’t go wrong in Whitby. WHERE TO RIDE: Check a map to decide how narrow a road you want to ride. Our favourite mix of smaller roads, and bigger ones, is on the routes page at www.ride.co.uk