You may have caught some of the Tour De Yorkshire on TV in recent years so it will come as no surprise that there are some amazing cycle routes in the North York Moors.
There are 100s of miles of quiet country roads, bridleways and forest tracks to discover, all within easy reach of Helmsley.
The NYMs flagship route is the ‘Moor To Sea’ cycle network – around 150 miles taking you through the heart of the National Park. You can do different parts of the route in bite-sized chunks or take on the challenge of the whole route. As the name suggests, this stunning route takes in moorland countryside and coastal paths showcasing the very best of North York Moors scenery.
The North York Moors National Park website provides you with a full map of the whole route, both clockwise and anticlockwise, and you can also download routes for smaller sections of the ride here too: Moor To Sea
There are 3 dedicated cycling centres here in the North York Moors:
Sutton Bank
Set on the edge of Sutton Bank and affording what some say is the best view in Yorkshire, Sutton Bank cycling centre is the perfect choice for families, younger riders and those new to cycling.
The 4 off road cycle routes here are a mixture of natural and man made mountain bike trails with something for every level of experience. The 3-mile Cliff route is particularly family friendly with its mostly level terrain following the famous cliff edge. For something a little more challenging try the 17.5 mile ‘red’ trail Paradise taking in some of the most breath-taking scenery in the North York Moors.
There are also 2 purpose built all-weather cycling tracks and you can hire bikes for all ages at the centre. Find out more on the Sutton Bank Bikes website.
Dalby Forest
This enchanting 8,000 acre woodland is set in the North York Moors just north of the picture-postcard town of Thornton-le-Dale. It’s perfect for families and younger riders but also offers graded trails with more challenging mountain bike routes for experienced bikers.
The toughest such trail is the world-renowned UCI World Cup trail, which was part of the 2010/11 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. It was also the first stage of Tour de Yorkshire 2015. It has everything from berms, zigzags, switchbacks and very rapid descents!
You can take a look at the trails in more detail here: Dalby Forest Cycle Routes
There is a comprehensive bike hire centre on site with bikes available for all ages and experience, including a good range of e-bikes: Dalby Forest Cycle Hire
Yorkshire Cycle Hub
This dedicated cycling centre is in Great Fryup Dale in the heart of the North York Moors National Park. It’s a true cyclists paradise and aimed at more experienced riders.
There’s a cafe and bunkhouse accommodation on site, as well as an expert Bike Shop which is a treasure trove of bicycles and cycling equipment. You can of course hire bikes from here (full or half days) and have your own bike repaired too if needed.
Throughout the year the Hub also has social cycling events where you can join other riders taking in some of the stunning cycle routes across the North York Moors.
Find out more here: Yorkshire Cycle Hub
For lots more information on all of the amazing cycle routes in the North York Moors National Park take a look at the National Park’s website.
The Velveteen Bath House in Helmsley is the perfect base from which to explore all of these cycle routes. We’re just on the cusp of the North York Moors National Park and all 3 cycle centres are within easy reach of the house – Sutton Bank is just 10 minutes drive.
So for your next cycling holiday to Yorkshire, come stay with us!