York is our chosen rendezvous point for the Way of the Roses self-guided ride. It has excellent rail connections. For those arriving by car, we can provide info on parking if required.

The historic walled city of York is home to an impressive 13th-century Gothic cathedral that dominates the city. The cathedral was begun in 1220 and took 250 years to build and is now widely considered to be one of Europe’s finest medieval buildings. The city of York is like stepping back into the middle ages, the overhanging timber-framed houses and traditional shopfronts of The Shambles makes it one of the UK’s most historic (and picturesque) streets.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 640 Metres Approx.

After an early breakfast you are met by a Skedaddle representative and transferred to Morecambe (approx 2.5 hours) to the start of the Way of the Roses. You soon leave the sweep of Morecambe seafront and its promenade and begin your way eastwards on traffic-free cycleways.

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

The day’s first big challenge is at Far End, where you tackle the climb onto Swarth Moor, the highest point of the day at around 265 metres. From here you are rewarded with a downhill descent alongside the River Ribble to Settle, your final destination for today. 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 your second evening.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 830 Metres Approx.

A shorter day than yesterday, but today you 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 your 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, you can see Rye Loaf Hill (547metres) to your left. Your reward for the effort is a speedy downhill of around two miles to the village of Airton.

Continuing along on an undulating route you 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. Your destination for this evening is Pateley Bridge just a couple of miles away and you’ll arrive there courtesy of a steep downhill (take care!) that deposits you in this Yorkshire village.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 545 Metres Approx.

Although today’s mileage is the longest of the trip, the steep hills of the Dales are now behind you and with your cycling legs geared up for another day in the saddle you’ll soon be eating up the miles. It wouldn’t however be a Skedaddle trip without a little morning climb, so first thing you’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 you’ll pass Fountains Abbey, then down to Ripon. From here quiet country lanes take you through the numerous small villages of the flat Vale of York as you follow the River Ouse to York and your finish point for the day.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 410 Metres Approx.

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

After Pocklington, there is a climb up to Huggate (200 meters), through the pretty Millington Dale. From here on in, you’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 route to your accommodation in Bainton, near Driffield.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 265 Metres Approx.

A relaxed start today on your final day of the trip. The last 30 miles to go on a lovely meandering route through the pretty villages of this part of East Yorkshire. At the mid-point of the cycling why not stop at Burton Agnes for a short break at which point you’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. You will then be transferred back to your car in York or York train station.