Day of arrival

There will always be things to see and do in the towns and cities we chose to start and end our tours and often the hotels will often have leisure and spa facilities. This gives time to relax and recover from any travel or jetlag because guests arrive at various times with some arriving earlier than others, so, nothing can be formally planned.

If you are hiring a bike through us we shall arrange to either have it delivered to the hotel or take you to the collection point. There you can check over your machine and ensure all is to your satisfaction. You can take a brief ride to familiarise yourself with the machine.

Helmsley, Saltburn, Whitby circuit (120 miles circa 4 hours riding)

This 120 mile circuit way not be long but it traverses many twisty single-track roads and so progress will be slow with the first 17 miles between pretty villages of Helmsley and Osmotherley likely to take 45 minutes as we meander to the North West across the Yorkshire Moors. Next, we head North to Hutton Rudby where we take a refreshment break before passing through the tiny hamlet of Sexhow (home of the Cornshed Music Festival) as we sweep in and around the Northern end of the National Park before making our way east through Guisburgh and on to Saltburn-by-the-Sea where we shall take the cliff tramway down to the beach. After a short break at the beach we hog the costal route passing Staithes and onwards to Whitby. All in this is about 3 hours riding and allowing for stops along the route for photographs it will be time for lunch probably fresh fish at a harbour side fish and chip shop!

The return leg heads back inland to the Moors to Goathland as used in the TV series Heart Beat as Aidensfield and a stop on the North York Moors Historical Railway so steam train enthusiasts are bound to be pleased. We then twist back to the North passing Beck Hole, Egton then West to Glaisdale on our way to Danby before turning South again making our next stop at Hutton-le-Hole before completing the journey at Helmsley.

Helmsley, Castle Howard, Harrogate, Rievaulx circuit (150 miles circa 5 hours riding)

Today we shall visit some historic buildings. Departing Helmsley we head a few miles west past Rievaulx Abbey (we will not be entering but can stop briefly for photographs) before twisting our way south and East to the charming village of Hovingham where we cross a ford beside the bakery (alternative routes are available if the brook is high or riders simply don’t want to ride through water), We make our first stop at Castle Howard, one of England’s finest country homes, which we shall partially tour. Those interested in a more detailed inspection of the property and grounds are advised to return without riding gear so that they can take a more relaxed tour.

As we cross the country towards Harrogate we reach Mother Shipton's Cave, England's oldest visitor attraction, then onwards to Harrogate to the famous Bettys tea room before turning North towards the Dales and a visit to Birnham Rocks and then East from Lofthouse to complete the journey at Helmsley.

Helmsley, Bolton Abbey, Malham, Ingleton, Kendal (130 miles 4 1/2 hours riding)

Today we move to another hotel. We depart Helmsley heading west through Thirsk and onwards to Masham then we meander through the Yorkshire Dales to Bolton Abbey a 12th century Augustinian Priory after a short sightseeing and tea break we get back on the road and make our way to Malam where we break for luch then take a hike to Malham Cove a famous curved limestone cliff remnant from the last ice age. This involves a climbing but is well worth it as is nearby Gordale Scar which we can also visit whilst in the area.

Our route continues past Malham Tarn a small lake. Later as we approach Chapel-le-Dale we shall see the Ribblehead Viaduct a famous landmark on the Settle to Carlisle railway, then White Scar Cave and the Ingleton Waterfalls before breaking for afternoon tea.

The final leg of this route takes us through Kirkby Lonsdale then north to Sedbergh before ending in Kendal

Lake District Loop (180 miles circa 6 hours riding)

Heading west from Kendal we reach Lake Windemere and turn south down the eastern shore of the lake to Lakeside where we change direction again heading north to Hawkeshead and from there west to Coniston where we take a refreshment break.

Turning south along the west side of Coniston Water we then snake over Hardknott Pass before we reach Lowick then turn west to Broughton-in-Furness and from there we make our way to the west coast turning north to Gosforth and onwards to Whitehaven where we break for lunch.

The return leg heads northrly to Cockermouth then east to cross Honister Pass and onwards to Keswick where we pass Derwent Water then south to Thirlmere and onwards to Ambleside where we take another refershment break.

We complete the circuit returning to our hotel in Kendal.

Kendal, Ullswater, Kirkby Stephen, Ripon Helmsley (150 miles circa 5 hours riding)

We depart Kendal heading North to Ullswater and at Pooley Bridge we deviate to the South East taking a refreshment berak at Shap. As we enter the Yorkshire Dales we twist and turn to traverse some great biker roads with little tourist traffic as we make our way to Kirkby Stephen and onward to our lunch stop at Simonstone Hall.

We have choises for the afternoon leg that could take us via Pateley Bridge to Rippon or we can take a more direct but no less scenic along the A6108 to Ripon where we take an afternoon refreshment break.

The final leg takes us through Thirsk and onward to Helmsley where we end the day.

Helmsley, York, Bridlington, Robinhoods Bay, Pickering (155 miles circa 5 hours siding)

We depart Helmsley through the Howardian Hills to make a visit to York where you will see the Minster, back streets including the Shambles and the City Wall. We shall then head to Bridlington for lunch before going up the coast to Robin Hoods Bay where we take another refreshment break. The return leg brings us through the North York Moors to Pickering and onwards to Marton before turning north again past Wombleton and back to base at Helmesley.

Day of departure

Homeward bound or onward travel. After breakfast you will checkout of the hotel and be transported to the airport or station for onward travel. Those who have come on their own bikes will ride off.