Thirsk is our chosen rendezvous point for the scheduled transfer to Settle where we spend our first evening. Thirsk has good rail connections, and we will arrange to pick you up from the station if you choose to travel by train (collection time approx. 4pm). Alternatively, you can choose to head straight to Settle by train and meet the rest of the group later in the afternoon. For those arriving by car, we will provide directions to the meeting point where you can leave your car for the duration of the trip.

We aim to leave Thirsk no later than 4:30pm today, for the 1h 30 transfer to Settle where we will spend the night. Home of the famous Settle – Carlisle Steam Railway, Settle is a bustling market town boasting a wealth of interesting shops, welcoming cafes and historic buildings and a great place to spend our first two evenings.

Tonight we’ll be on hand to answer any particular questions that you may have and provide a general overview of the next few days of cycling.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 640 Metres Approx.

After breakfast we make our way by minibus to Morecambe (approx 1 hour) to the start of the Way of the Roses. We soon leave the sweep of Morecambe seafront and its promenade and begin our way eastwards on traffic-free cycleways.

As you would expect, the first few miles are quite flat as we make our way to the vibrant city of Lancaster, a place with a rich industrial and cultural history. Following the valley of the River Lune we soon leave Lancaster via the Crook O’Lune viewpoint and head towards the Dales. We’ll now be following quiet country lanes as we traverse the Forest of Bowland. The cycling gets a bit more challenging now as we start to tackle the hills of the Dales, with stunning views of Ingleborough, Pen-y-Ghent and Whernside, the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks.

With regular refreshment stops and a buffet style picnic lunch provided, we’ll be suitably refuelled for the day’s big challenge at Far End, where we tackle the climb onto Swarth Moor, the highest point of the day at around 265 metres. From here we are rewarded with a downhill alongside the River Ribble back to Settle, where we will spend another night.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 830 Metres Approx.

A shorter day than yesterday, but today we are in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales and yes – you’ve guessed it; a few more ‘cheeky climbs’ to negotiate along the way. With our hearty full Yorkshire breakfast no doubt weighing a little heavy, our start to the day is a corker of a climb out of Settle and in fact the toughest of the entire route and even has a cobbled section at the start for good measure! Upon reaching the top at the appropriately named High Side, we can see Rye Loaf Hill (547metres) to your left. Our reward for the effort is a speedy downhill of around two miles to the village of Airton.

Continuing along on an undulating route we cycle to Cracoe and then Burnsall. The route then follows the River Wharfe before tackling the climb onto the Nidderdale Moorland (National Landscape), passing the famous Stump Cross Caverns and on to the highest point of the entire route at Greenhow (402 metres) on Bewerley Moor.

Our destination for this evening Pateley Bridge is just a couple of miles away and we’ll arrive there courtesy of a steep downhill (take care!) that deposits you in this Yorkshire village. Our evening meal will be taken in Pateley Bridge, no doubt accompanied by a pint of the local tasty ales.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 545 Metres Approx.

Although today’s mileage is the longest of the trip, the steep hills of the Dales are now behind us and with our cycling legs geared up for another day in the saddle we’ll soon be eating up the miles. It wouldn’t however be a Skedaddle trip without a little morning climb, so first thing we’ll head up to the famous Brimham Rocks, known for their weird and wonderful formations that are scattered over a wide area, and are apparently associated with the druids, Mother Shipton and even the Devil!

After Brimham the gradients ease off all the way to York. On the way we’ll pass Fountains Abbey, then down to Ripon. From here quiet country lanes take us through the numerous small villages of the flat Vale of York as we follow the River Ouse to York and our finish point for the day.

Arriving at our accommodation in York we’ll be able to explore a little further this walled city famous for its impressive Minster, ghosts, tea rooms and welcoming pubs and inns.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 370 Metres Approx.

A fairly easy day of cycling with just one hilly section as we climb into the Yorkshire Wolds and head to our destination for today, the market town of Driffield. After winding our way out of York we leave the city behind and head out into the farmland, making our way towards Pocklington.

After Pocklington, there is a climb up to Huggate (200 meters), through the pretty Millington Dale. From here on in, we’ll be in the Yorkshire Wolds, threading through pretty little valleys and across the wide rolling expanses of the Wolds. This section of the route is an undulating, easy paced 15 miles to near Hutton Cranswick, where we stay for the night. Our evening meal will also be taken here, a private dining experience at a cookery school.

Tomorrow the cycling is relatively flat with the odd short cheeky climb, so it may be the night to sample one more local ale or an extra glass of wine or fizz to celebrate your cycling achievement so far!

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 265 Metres Approx.

A relaxed start today on our final day of the trip. Just 30 miles to ride on a lovely meandering route through the pretty villages of this part of East Yorkshire. At the mid-point of the cycling we’ll be stopping at Burton Agnes for a short break at which point we’ll be able to see the impressive Burton Agnes Hall and Manor House. Burton Agnes is also famous for its annual Scarecrow Festival. From here, the route rises up a little onto the Woodgate Roman Road, with its impressive views of the North Sea.

The ride then descends through Bridlington’s Old Town for a final spin along the promenade. With its views of Flamborough Head, famous for its stunning white cliffs further to the east this is a fitting end to your Way of the Roses cycling journey with Skedaddle. Handshakes and slaps on the back accepted and photos dutifully taken its time for a well deserved lunch and ice cream.

Time now to load the bikes on the trailer and hop aboard our support vehicle(s) for the return journey to Thirsk (approx. 1.5hrs). Once back in Thirsk, we’ll reunite those travelling by car with their vehicles or drop those departing by train at the station. If travelling by train please book trains departing no earlier than 6pm.