Exploring Yorkshire by bike? Or want to hone your skills on a bike riding skills course? There are a number of fantastic places to base yourself. All right in the heart of great MTB and cycling country. Here's just a few.
Above & Below based in Ingleton in the Yorkshire Dales, an ideal location for either full or half day mountain biking, with routes to suit both beginners and well as the more expert riders. All their staff hold at least Technical Mountain Bike Leader Qualification.
Big Bear Bikes run one of the best bike shops around, you'll find loads of info there on things like their huge range of demo bikes and custom builds. You can check out the weather and there's info on shop events and shop rides. Their guided rides let you get straight to the best trails for an amazing day's riding and they also run skills sessions for all levels.
Cycle Yorkshire, York, organises all inclusive, relaxing cycle tours around the city and surrounding countryside. With direct rail links from London, Newcastle and Edinburgh, they also offer packages with inclusive train travel and can arrange direct rail travel from London with their partners Grand Central. They also offer a fully supported five day tour of the Way of the Roses challenge route. Start and finish in York with free transfers to Morecambe and return from Bridlington.
Nestled in the Yorkshire Dales, in Fremington village, Dales Bike Centre is an ideal base. The accommodation, café (with legendary cakes), bike shop and workshop were built by cyclists for cyclists and provide the perfect setting for all abilities.
Discovery Travel, York, arrange self-guided cycling packages that include booking the accommodation, provision of maps and guidebooks and daily luggage transfer.
Dalesbridge may just be one of the best short break mountain bike locations in the country, nestled in the Forest of Bowland at the point where it meets the Yorkshire Dales National Park, with some of the finest cross-country mountain biking as well as the purpose built Trails Centre at Gisburn Forest only a short distance away.
Gone Mountain Biking in Pickering, is run by bike nuts and specialises in mountain biking holidays, with guided rides and skills instruction based around their four star B&B near Dalby Forest. They also offer free pick ups from the nearest train station.
Hit the Hills run mountain bike weekends in the Dales with a difference. With a trained chef, access to locally sourced ingredients and menus that evolve with the seasons, your weekend is more than just a place to bike and sleep; it's a place to hang out with your mates with a good feed at the end of the day. You get a bed (in a bunkhouse), all your meals and you'll be based right next to the best trails.
Live For Today in Harrogate offer a variety of courses - if you're a beginner wanting to get into the sport or at a more advanced level and don't know how to tackle them harder trails, give them a go.
MTB Cycle Yorkshire, Bradford, specialises in mountain bike skills courses, guided rides and bike hire around West Yorkshire. They also organise weekends away; stay in a camping pod and enjoy the best singletrack around.
It's downhill all the way on one of Off the Rails (Settle) unique rail and bike rides. Take the train to the high points of the Settle-Carlisle Railway and then enjoy the breathtaking ride back down to Settle. They do the tough stuff too... join one of their 'Learn to Mountain Bike' weekends or bring your own bike for a fun packed half or full day ride. Check out 3 Peaks Cycles in Settle too - as well as the opportunity to pick up the latest bike parts and accessories or even a new bike. They also have a comprehensive servicing department and every week, come rain or shine, 3 Peaks Cycles organises a ride somewhere in the local area.
Rock Steady Adventure run taster sessions, half or full day rides, as well as guided rides for the competent mountain biker exploring forest, fell, moorland and mountain routes, using either your own or our fleet of bikes. With courses available across Yorkshire and covering every skill, experience and adrenalin requirement level, Rock Steady Adventure can provide the ideal course and even combine mountain biking with other outdoor experiences.
Scoot Cycling Holidays, based in York, organises holidays across Yorkshire. With great bikes, luggage transferred and good Yorkshire hospitality awaiting you, this is a great active way to enjoy Yorkshire!
Wheelfriendly, Sowerby Bridge, provide guided and non-guided themed mountain bike tours, such as exploring Yorkshire's battlefields.
Want to buy some shiny new gear before you get here? Then try Muddybums online retail store.
