OnWheels

Cycling and Bike Hire

Yorkshire offers a huge range of landscapes - including three National Parks, two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and many other miles of delightful countryside. In Yorkshire you can ride along canal towpaths, seaside promenades, moorland trails, disused railways or simply take a ride around town. The choice is yours and there is something for all abilities so you can enjoy as much of the region as you fancy!

There are great opportunities to explore Yorkshire by bike, both on its network of minor roads and cycle paths, and for mountain bikers in the forests, and on the byways, bridleways and 'green lanes' that cross the area.

Cycling is a great way to discover the region - travelling larger distances and absorbing more of the landscapes and surroundings. Whether you live close by or are on a visit to sample the famous great North Yorkshire outdoors, getting on a bike is a safe and swift way of exploring.  After such exertion you can be fully justified in stopping for a slab of cake or a pint of locally brewed beer at any one of the many fine cafés or village pubs.

For more information see:

• Beginners cycle routes
• Cycle events
• Cycle touring
• Mountain biking

Or have a look at the Year of Adventure activities:

Dixons Hollow Skills Course On Wheels
5 Day Tour of the Dales - On Wheels
Scotton 100 Cycle Event - 12 Apr On Wheels
Etape du Dales Cyclosportive - 17 May On Wheels
Settle Loop Mnt Biking On Wheels
York to Selby Cycle Route On Wheels
Lancaster to York Cycle Ride - 2 Aug On Wheels
Ryedale Rumble Cyclosportive - 9 Aug On Wheels
Malham Trailquest - 22 Aug On Wheels
Moors to Sea Cycle Tour On Wheels
3 Peaks Cyclocross - 27 Sep On Wheels
Whitby to Scarborough Cycle Route On Wheels
Bike trials On Wheels
Mountian Biking at Dalby On Wheels
 
 
Beginners Cycle Routes

Yorkshire is a great place to learn how to cycle and offers quieter routes for children so they can cycle in safety whilst being surrounded by little birds and trees.  These out of the way routes range from forest trails, to disused railways and canal towpaths.

Pedal and Puff
A leaflet with three easy to follow routes using the North Yorkshire Moors steam railway and your bicycle to explore the Park.  Click here for more information.

Selby to York
This gentle 15 mile ride along one of the first traffic-free cycle paths built by Sustrans takes you from the walled city of York south to the historic abbey town of Selby. NCN route 65 initially runs alongside the River Ouse past the famous Millennium Bridge, before turning away past York Racecourse. From here you follow the railway path to the village of Riccall, taking in "the planets" (a scale-model of the solar system) en route. From here the path runs parallel with the A19 and rejoins the river just before Barlby, for the last on-road stretch to Selby. Click here for more information.

Whitby to Scarborough
Simply one of the most spectacular off-road trails in the North, this route runs alongside the Yorkshire Heritage Coast ensuring you enjoy the amazing scenery and really feel close to nature.  A mixture of good cinder tracks and some rockier sections make this a great route for more adventurous families, or if you feel like a challenge.  Although primarily along a former railway line, the route does have a number of climbs and descents. 18 miles (29km) one way. Click here for more information.

Leeds - Liverpool canal towpath
Much of the towpath of the historic Leeds - Liverpool canal has been upgraded to allow cycle use.  The journey out from cosmopolitan Leeds takes you along a wonderful green corridor, giving easy cycling, and linking some great attractions.  There are interesting sights in Leeds itself, Kirkstall Abbey, the Saltaire World Heritage Site, plus the lovely Riddlesden Hall run by the National Trust.  Leeds is a place for shopping, dining out and experiencing the bustling scene many of Yorkshire's cities boast. The distance out to Riddlesden (near Keighley) is 19 miles (30km), with the railway providing one way options with easy access to the stations at Saltaire, Bingley and Crossflats. Click here for more information.

Forest riding
Forest Enterprise managed woods often provide great sites for beginner cyclists through to advanced mountain bikers.  The best places for beginners are:

• Guiseborough Forest has a good short blue trail 4.5 miles.
• Dalby Forest has well developed facilities and has a number of circular family routes of 6 to 12 miles with interesting diversions on route.  There is cycle hire on site.
• Gisburn Forest in the Forest of Bowland has a number of waymarked trails from the car park near Tosside.

Click here for further information

Discover more cycling opportunities in Yorkshire

Cycle hire
There are a number of places where you can hire a bike for a half day through to a weeks' holiday.  Most of them can not only hire you a high quality mountain bike, but can also supply kiddie trailers, tag alongs and tandems.  Most are sited where there is great riding straight from the door, and some will even deliver the bikes to you.

Purple Mountain Bike Hire
Dalby Court Yard,3-5 Low Dalby, Pickering, North Yorkshire.  YO18 7LT
Tel: 01751 460011

Trailways Cycle Hire & Accommodation Centre
The Old Railway Station, Station Rd, Hawsker, Whitby, North Yorkshire YO22 4LB
Tel: 01947 820207

Off the Rails 
The Cycling Centre, Station Yard, The Sidings Industrial Estate, Settle, North Yorkshire BD24 9RP
Tel: 01729 824419

Dales Mountain Biking 
within Dales Biking Centre, Parks Barn, Fremington, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL11 6AW
Tel: 01748 884356

Kudu Bikes
1 Raynes Court, Charcoal Way, Upper Wensleydale Business Park, Hawes  DL7 3UW
01969 666088

Escape Mountain Biking
7 High Wheatley, Ben Rhydding, Ilkley, West Yorkshire.  LS29 8RX
Tel: 01943 600 459

^ BACK TO TOP