Leyburn Loop

One of my favourite longer loops, heading out of Ripon past the shop and onto the Kirkby Malzaerd road. A gradual climb all the way to Grewelthorpe is rewarded with stunning views across Wensleydale and a descent into Masham. Masham is a great place for a mid ride coffee stop with numerous cycle friendly cafe’s or if this is too early for a stop, continue onto the A6108 Leyburn road. There’s 2 more great stopping points at the side of this road, Brymor Ice Cream parlour and Jervaulx Abbey tea rooms. You’re also now on the route of the 2014 Tour de France albeit, in reverse, this road will be used as the run in of Stage 1 coming down Wensleydale from Leyburn, to Masham then Ripon and finally across to Harrogate. The road up the south side of the Ure valley also offers great views of the hill side town of Leyburn and the limestone outcrops that dominate the valley further up. Both Middleham, famous for it’s castle and race horses and Leyburn are great stop off points. The long gradual climb up the valley is now rewarded in full with a gradual descent down the north side all the way to Bedale. Straight through the small market town and it’s mainly flat, on quiet roads all the way back to Ripon.