Mountain Bike Routes in Ryedale

We have put together eight maps previously published as single sheet route maps in the Ryedale Mountain Bike Route series. We hope the information in this section will appeal both to the cyclist who has come to North Yorkshire on holiday and to those who live more locally but who ride regularly in the area.

All the routes are contained wholly within North Yorkshire and thus they show what a great variety of scenery the area has to offer. Although many off-road cyclists associate mountain biking solely with moorland and forest, there are within the North Yorkshire large areas of open countryside which are well served by tracks and bridleways and which provide a wonderful day's ride to both the seasoned mountain biker and the rather less ambitious family group. Whilst those who relish a wonderful ride over a desolate moor are well served by some of the rides in this section, so too are those whose idea of a good day out is a more gentle ride with a good pub lunch in a pretty village half way round.

With the exception of Route 5, which is served feeder routes from Malton, Kirkbymoorside, Helmsley and Pickering, all the routes are circular and start from either Malton (Route 3), Pickering (Route 2) or Helmsley (Route 2). These start points have beat chosen for their convenience as easily identifiable  focal points which have a number of amenites and good car parking facilities. However, the fact that all the routes are circular means that they can be started at any point along the route.

For those who are staying somewhere along a route, or who can transport their bikes on cars, the use of alternative start points may not only shortern the route but can also increase the ratio of off-road to on-road cycling.

Although the route maps have beat designed insufficient detail for each route to be followed using only the route map it can be helpful and more enjoyable to use them in conjunction with an Ordnance Survey map, either from the 1 :50,000 Landranger series or the 1 :25,000 Outdoor Leisure series.

Finally, whoever you are and whatever pleasures you seek from these routes, it is hoped that you find that they are easy to follow and that they add to your enjoyment of cycling in North Yorkshire.