Top Rides in Yorkshire

1 August 2017

Now then! Yorkshire people are proud of their county and at CityConnect we couldn’t be prouder of the fantastic Yorkshire cycle routes that are right on our doorstep. So here’s some of our all-time favourite rides across the Leeds City Region in honour of Yorkshire Day.

1. Hebden Bridge Great Descents

Ey up! This route showcases everything that a great mountain bike route should be, great trails, great views, testing climbs followed by fab descents and, of course, a great closing pub. Find out more about Hebden’s Great Descents.

2. Harewood House Loop

Just 4 miles out of Leeds City Centre, take the beautiful loop around Eccup Reservoir, Harewood Estate, the Emmerdale set and an old quarry, you may even see some Yorkshire celebrity faces, what more could you want? Take a look at the trail before you ride.

3. The Mary Townley Loop

Pack your pork pies, this challenging 47 mile circular route climbs up and down the steep-sided valleys of the South Pennines that provide the border between Yorkshire and Lancashire. The route is part of the Pennine Bridleway, a 205 mile national trail that runs from Derbyshire through to Cumbria, if you’ve got the time (and the legs!), why not ride it all? Check the route if you think your legs are up to it.

4. Pudsey, Calverley and Tong Mountain Bike Route

Weaving in and around the suburbs of Pudsey and Calverley, mixing road, singletrack, cobbles and woodland, this route shows off how quickly you can leave the hustle and bustle of central Leeds to explore the fantastic countryside that so closely surrounds the city. To be reyt, check the route first.

5. Dales Classic

The Yorkshire Dales competes for one of the best places to ride a bike in the world, so there’s no way it could be left off this list. This route, starting from Grassington (but could easily be started from Skipton) whets the appetite as much as it will sap the legs. It’s only got a portion of what the Dales has to offer but has four significant climbs, including Buttertubs Pass, made famous by the Tour de France’s visit in 2014. Expect beautiful views, steep gradients and a fast and flowing final stretch down Wharfdale to finish! Ee By Gum, read the route before you ride lads and lasses!

6. Ronde Van Calderdale

Make sure you’ve had plenty of Yorkshire Puddings, because this one’s not to be done on an empty stomach! Taking its name from the biggest bike race in Belgium, the annual Ronde Van Calderdale or ‘RVC’ hasn’t been going that long but has gained a loyal following, with clubs from around the country visiting every year. What brings them to Calderdale? 13 steep, cobbled climbs over 75 miles, some of the most fearsome sections of road in the country, including the appropriately named ‘Shibden Wall’, part of the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire and finishing up on Halifax’s own Trooper Lane, with gradients of over 25% on momentum-sapping cobbles. The RVC is considered one of the toughest bike rides in the country, and it’s right on West Yorkshire’s doorstep – maybe a reason why Yorkshire has produced so many cycling greats over the years?

7. CityConnect Cycle Superhighway

No list on cycling routes in the Leeds City Region would be complete without mentioning the Leeds-Bradford cycle superhighway. While not the longest route on this list, coming in at only 9 miles, the route is the first scheme to link two cities with a segregated on-highway route in the UK. Bringing Dutch-style infrastructure to West Yorkshire, the CityConnect route allows locals to use their bikes for transport as well as recreation, linking the suburbs with the city centre without having to travel on the road!

8. The Aire Valley Towpath – Leeds to Five Rise Locks

Explore West Yorkshire’s suburban green space along the lovely Aire Valley Towpath. Seventeen meandering traffic-free miles take you from the commercial centre of bustling Leeds all the way to the one of the region’s most famous pieces of industrial heritage, Bingley’s Five Rise Locks. There are several cafés en route for a lovely cup of Yorkshire team, and there’s also the World Heritage Site of Saltaire. If you don’t fancy the ride back you can simply hop on the train back to Leeds. A great family ride!

9. The ride from your front door

There’s no wonder they say God’s own country when talking about Yorkshire, it truly is a great place to ride a bike. There’s something for everyone, from complete novice to seasoned club rider. But it’s really easy to forget just how much fun cycling out of your front door is, how much you see, and how liberating it can be, so grab a map, dust off your bike, and rediscover your local area …on wheels!