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Routes north of Otley
Setting off today for a few days in N Yorkshire, staying just outside Otley. But haven't had much time to look at where to ride, so can anyone suggest places to go, riding 40-90 km either from Otley or with a drive of an hour or so to a start point?
Looking for interesting places / good views / well-known climbs.
Thanks to anyone who can rescue me from my lack of planning!
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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12 comments
Home now, having done Norwood Edge, then a loop based on iandusud's list of roads and villages via Kirby Overblow. After that I had a bit of trouble with my Achilles, but got persuaded to have a go at Buttertubs and then back to Hawes by Oxnop Scar after a day off. Buttertubs was hard but Oxnop is just mental.
You're all right, it's a wonderful area to ride (with the right gearing) and I hope to be back soon. Thank you to everyone for the tips etc, much appreciated.
Pleased you had a good week. Well done on doing Buttertubs and Oxnop! I once went over Buttertubs from Hawes and thought "that wasn't so bad" so I turned round and went back over only to discover that it's much harder from the Swaledale side! If you're over that way again I would highly recommend Swaledale taking in a loop stoping at the Tan Hill Inn for a pint and back via Kirkby Stephen.
You could go upto Blubberhouses, or across to Ilkley, over to Keighley, back via Bingley. There are plenty of hills some stonkers, cowpasture road for one in Ilkley.
Otley has a few monsters too, just go to Old pool bank Pool in Wharfedale, back into Otley and up East Chevin road.
Just head North. There isn't a bad road anywhere near there. Having said that, Cow and Calf is worth it for a beer!
I enjoyed this loop clockwise on a crisp February day a few years ago. The climb up Lofthouse is a challenge, but great views across the moors when you get to the top. You probably would drive to a start point somewhere along the loop rather than go into Harrogate - maybe Brimham Rocks, as that's worth a walk around on it's own (charges to park if not NT member).
https://hedgehogcycling.co.uk/harrogate-pateley-bridge-lofthouse-leighto...
https://www.yorkshire.com/view/attractions/harrogate/brimham-rocks-125144
You're not short of choice. West along the north side of the Wharfe through Weston, Askwith, Ilkley and Nesfield to Beamsley, turn right over Langbar (a good climb) and back over the tops to Middleton, Carters Lane and left along the river again. (Bolton Abbey is just a little further up the Wharfe valley and worth a visit/cafe stop if you feel the Duke of Devonshire needs your cash.)
North up Newall Carr Rd to Blubberhouses, over the A59 to Greenhow Hill, then either left to Hebden (care at the bridge!) and Grassington, back via Linton, Burnsall (Cafe stop) and Bolton Abbey; or right to Pateley Bridge (Care on the descent!) and home via Nought Bank Rd. (a serious climb) and Padside, Fewston and Farnley.
North via Farnley to Norwood Edge (a long climb) Dacre banks, Hartwith Bank (a steep climb) and on to Brimham Rocks (worth a visit, cafe stop). Back via Burnt Yates, Clint, Birstwith and Menwith Hill.
East to Pool, Castley, Weeton, North Rigton and Almscliff Crags, back via Beckwithshaw, Stainburn Moor and left to go down Norwood edge.
For a short warm up and a great view, up the West Chevin Road, Yorkgate to the Surprise View at the top of the car park opposite the Royalty pub. Plenty of options to go west through Menston over Ilkley Moor to Ilkley, or east to Bramhope, Eccup and all points east to Wetherby/Tadcaster from here.
Or just do repeats up the East chevin road!
Enjoy!
Nothing to add here - plenty of good riding to the north and east, especially around Bolton Abbey. Don't go near Leeds or Bradford or Keighley.
Having said that, as well as Norwood Edge, there are some good climbs in the warfe valley (cow and calf, going south from Ilkley) and even aire valley (if you can find it, want to brave Keighley, and want to slog up some rough and steep cobbles, then Thwaites Brow is a local icon).
Thwaites Brow! I think Billder's on holiday, not atoning for past sins in a former life! (Mind you, I did suggest Nought Bank & Hartwith Bank...)
Thanks both. An atonement holiday sounds quite useful, burning off cakes past, soon to be replaced... I will look at all of these and get planning!
there is no sin so great that warrants atonement by visiting Keighley. In the words of John Cooper Clarke
"I've told you once, I've told you briefly. I don't want to go to Keighley"
Turns out we are 300 metres from Norwood Edge so that was used for the first little sortie. Blimey, I'll be a better climber by the end of the week!
If you're going up Norwwod Edge there's a right turn halfway up that will take you through a gated road which will take you on a nice ride over to Almscliffe Crag then onto North Rigton. From there you can head over Burn Bridge, Kirby Overblow, and come back via Dunkerswick and Castley. Others have suggested Beamsley via Langbar and from there I think a ride up upper Warfedale to Appletreewick via Storiths is a must. There's a great cafe at Storiths but you can easily miss it. It's on your left on the way out. You can come back via Syreholme, Greenhow, West End, Blubberhouses, Fewston and back over Norwood Edge. We're spoilt up here. Have a great few days.