Way of the Roses-Cycle route.

[squiddley]

Hi
Has any body done this route?
Just wondering as the start of it is not far from where i live.

 

[Brandane]

Yes; and thoroughly enjoyed it. Took 3 days doing it east to west with overnight stops in York and Grassington.

 

[neil_merseyside]

Did it about a month ago and other than nasty climb out of Settle it was OK (well not the 4m up Greenhow hill in the snow!) Well waymarked and good surfaces on the bits we rode, we missed York to Pocklington bit as our accommodation was further South and I've heard that bit might be a rough bit.

 

[squiddley]

thanks for your words of advice....

 

[Pjays666]

Was reading up on this yesterday and put a post in the beginners section. I have just finished the leeds liverpool canal and am looking at doing this next. From what I have read it looks like a good ride.

 

[gma]

There was a write up of various coast to coast routes in the last Cycle magazine (from the CTC). They put them up online a few months after they publish them; it's not up yet, but keep an eye out.

http://www.ctc.org.uk/publications?field_publication_type_value_many_to_one=0

 

[Paul_L]

I've done it twice, once over 2 days in 2011 and last year i did it in 1 day (16 hours)

If you're a pretty fit cyclist a 2 day trip is perfectly doable. When i did it over 2 days i split the route in half and stayed in Boroughbridge. All the tough climbs are in the first 70 miles, with most of the remaining 100miles pan flat with just a couple of minor climbs after Pocklington and Burton Agnes.

Good route, mostly on very quiet roads. Well signed with plenty of pubs and cafes on the way.

I assume you're thinking west to east to take advantage of the prevailing westerly winds.

 

[squiddley]

I think so,ask my wife to drop me off,and meet me at the other end.

 

[PaulSB]

I really enjoyed it, a great route. My two pieces of advice would be this. If you plan to overnight in Bridlington during the summer months book accommodation in advance. I didn't and ended up riding to Scarborough for the night. Secondly I found Bridlington a very, very depressing place - not because there was nowhere to stay - don't stay there unless you have to!! It's not very nice.

 

[Paul_L]

I really enjoyed it, a great route. My two pieces of advice would be this. If you plan to overnight in Bridlington during the summer months book accommodation in advance. I didn't and ended up riding to Scarborough for the night. Secondly I found Bridlington a very, very depressing place - not because there was nowhere to stay - don't stay there unless you have to!! It's not very nice.

Ha ha, it's all about opinions isn't it!

I thought Brid was OK, and we had a decent night out there. Quite a lively town and if you want to avoid the stag and hen dos you can. Agree with you on difficulty in finding accommodation on a weekend, that took some doing. Many B&Bs want 2 nights minimum booking. The ones on the WoTR website will accept single nights booking though.

Morecambe on the other hand I thought was a right dump.

 

[P.H]

I did it over the Bank Holiday weekend with friends, staying at Malham and York YHAs. I thought it was a lovely route, not as hilly as I was expecting, very well signposted, plenty of refreshment stops, all geared up for and chasing the cyclists custom. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a few days pleasant cycling. I didn't stay in Bridlington, I enjoyed some fish and chips then headed home. I did spend the night before in Morecame, it had the run down look of many UK seaside resorts. At least Brid looked lively

 

[Danny]

Did it about a month ago and other than nasty climb out of Settle it was OK (well not the 4m up Greenhow hill in the snow!) Well waymarked and good surfaces on the bits we rode, we missed York to Pocklington bit as our accommodation was further South and I've heard that bit might be a rough bit.

Agree - except I would describe the climb out of Settle as more than just 'nasty'. I found the first part of the climb impossible to cycle up with a lightly loaded bike, but maybe I am just a wimp.

 

[neil_merseyside]

Agree - except I would describe the climb out of Settle as more than just 'nasty'. I found the first part of the climb impossible to cycle up with a lightly loaded bike, but maybe I am just a wimp.

I was in lowest gear (26x32) and I had to zig zag! I just avoided having to walk - might have been quicker too

 

[DCLane]

I was hoping to do this last year, before a sore knee put paid to the trip. Bits were done in the summer of 2011 though - including the steep climb out of Settle.

Hopefully I'll be doing this in 2014 - over a day / 2 days.