Route
1. (From Rosedale stopover) Now to head to the coast, taking in some great forestry riding at Dalby on route. But first we have some more of the best singletrack in the UK on offer. Climb Rosedale Bank to the hotel. You may need to walk up this! It’s England’s steepest road! Take the bridleway off to the left, passing Bank Farm and a cattle grid en route to the bridleway junction at Hollins Farm. Take the singletrack that skirts the edge of the moor undulating along divine moorland riding until it eventually gives way to a track which leads to tarmac at Lower Askew.
2. Follow the road down to Cropton, then turning left at the village green and following the narrow lane signed for ‘Sutherland’ and ‘Newton’. Approximately 2.2 miles along this lane, the road turns sharp left, with a cul-de sac directly ahead. Stay ‘straight ahead’ following the rough track of the cul de sac for a further 0.7 miles.
3. A short distance further on a ‘T junction’ track is reached – turn down right and follow this track until it joins the main road by Yatts Farm. Turn left and immediately right, into Ruddings Road, a hedgerow lined flat lane that will speed you along towards Dalby.
A crossroads of tracks is reached next. Go straight on, following this track as it crosses the North Yorks Moors Heritage Railway, turning right almost immediately once across the tracks, skirting left as a copse of trees is reached, following the BW with the trees now to your right, then across to meadow towards Crossdale Road (track). A reassuring sight will be Farfields Farm bed and breakfast to your left. Turn left at the main road where you will see the Fox and Rabbit Inn (possible halt nearer Dalby). Having turned left, take the next right and follow the track down into Dalby Forest, to the visitor centre and start your fun on the red route.
We haven’t described the red route directions, as you simply have to follow the well signed route and end up again at the visitor centre for a break before heading to the coast!
To the coast!
4. From the Dalby Forest visitor centre head along the road towards the ‘Go Ape’ climbing area, turning into the track next right after this. Head up and out of the forest via Givendale Head Farm, turning right after the farm onto the lane, then turning left into the wide lane/ track a few hundred metres further along (Oxmoor Dikes on OS map). Stay on this for 2.3 miles, crossing over a lane along the way and keeping the woodland to your left.
5. The track meets a tarmac lane (Cockmoor Road) in among Wykeham Nursery. Turn right and immediately left on the further rough track and descend to the road by Troutsdale Lodge, then turning right. Stay on this lane for just under 1.5 miles, then turning into the lane on the left which will lead you to Langdale End.
6. Enter Broxta Forest and ride through for 2.5 miles to the viewpoint and car park near Reasty Hill (OS Maps). At the road turn left and cycle along until this narrow road joins with the A171 trunk Road close to Ravenscar!
7. Turn left onto the A171 and cycle for 1 mile, then turning onto the bridleway on the right, following this across moorland scrub until it exits you by Ravenscar. Cycle into this small coastal village and wander down to the sea to dip your feet into the sea – well done! This path is only a footpath and not designed for bikes.
8. The path to the sea is purely a footpath. If you want to dip your wheel into it, we suggest a short ride to nearby Boggle Hole and the Youth Hostel, where you can dip your wheel and your feet in safety, and grab a brew.
Unlike Wainwright, we won’t be offering you a pint… buy your own!