- Morecambe to Scarborough coast to coast bike ride. Guide.
This is brief, to enable quick download and convenience of carriage. Get used to the format. The route is broken up into sections, each section given a paragraph the top line of which contains:-
Total distance travelled * Distance of section * Start of Section * Directions to take at start of and along section * Finish of section * Quality of section expressed as a mark out of ten (see http://cycle.stormloader.com.)
The text beneath the top line of section paragraphs indicate extra directions (LOF), information (C) and places of interest (V)
Distances are in kilometers unless stated
These abbreviations are used k= kilometers, m = meters, L = Left, S = Straight on, R = Right
LOF = Look out for, C = Comments, V = Visit recommended
- Go to the seaside first
(about 300m from the station)
0 * 13k * Morecambe station * East * A 638, near Caton * 8/10
LOF: Crossings (first 2k), and hang left after the millennium bridge in Lancaster (5). Near Caton, shimmy on to the right hand track when faced with a choice after a farm crossing.(10). Follow to fence.
C: Best cycle route in England. If not for a couple of hiccups this would score a perfect 10. Great Start
V: The Beach, Morecambe (0), Lancaster (5)
13 * 5k * A 638 near Caton * L * B 6480 * 7/10
LOF: Cars. Follow the A 638 East until you get to the Wray (B 6480) turnoff at the top of a rise
C: One of the worst sections, traffic - wise. Just get it over with.
18 * 6k * A 638 * R * Wennington * 7/10
LOF: Follow the B 6450, through Wennington.1k from the village look for the L turn to "Ingleton 5 miles"
C: The first portion is still a bit busy, but the views of Ingleborough and the picturesque surroundings compensate
24 * 5k * Near Wennington * L * Fourlands Hill * 7/10
LOF: Second Crossroads (Ingleton signposted again)
C: The first big hill comes almost immediately. Once breasted it's a Roller Coaster ride, fairly straight, pretty and exhilarating.
29 * 4k * Fourlands Hill * L, 400m R * Ingleton A 65 * 7/10
LOF: The road forking almost immediately. Take the R to Ingleton and follow your nose
C: Some steep sections, but no monsters
33 * 1k * Ingleton A 65 * R, 200m L, 200m L * Ingleton River Greta * 5/10
LOF: Head toward village, but just. You need to start from the valley bottom
C: Stock up and enjoy!. For the Youth Hostel don't turn down to the valley bottom, but continue just through the center and turn L (Signposted)
V: Ingleton, The Waterfalls, Chip Shop. Etc
33 * 7k * Ingleton River Greta * R * Chapel le dale * 7/10
LOF: Cattle Grids (6)
C: The steepest part of the trip is the first 2k. Walk. An alternative route is along the main B6255. Less cattle grids, loads more traffic.
40 * 19k * Chapel le dale * L, 16k L, 2k L * Past Appersett * 7/10
LOF: The L turn to Appersett after 16 k and left on to the A 684 at the end of the run. Cross two bridges to the Hardraw turnoff.
C: In nice weather it's a peach of a ride, well graded, with views of the three peaks, Ribblehead viaduct and Widdale. You can go Via Hawes (see map) but this involves climbing and a diversion for Hardraw Force
V: Ribblehead, the pub, stop at the highest point on the route at Widdale head, and the pools on Widdale beck near the end of the section beneath the old railway arches
59 * 11k * Near Appersett * L * Askrigg * 7/10
LOF: Naked ladies. Unlikely that you'll spot any, but you never know.
C: Beautiful ride.
V: Hardraw Force, "The highest waterfall in England" You can pay at the pub.(2k)
70 * 17k * Askrigg * R * Wensley * 7/10
LOF: Follow signs to Leyburn, until you get to Wensley and the A 684
C: No finer way to visit Wensleydale
V: Aysgarth Falls (signposted R after 6 k.) Short, steep diversion
From here to Scarborough there are many routes, all of them valid. This is fairly direct and reasonably quiet.
87 * 7k * Wensley * R, 250m L, 2.5 k R, 2 k L * Ulshaw * 5/10
LOF: Follow signs to Middleham, turn left at the village cross. Cross river near Pub.
V: Middleham, Pub, Fish & Chips, Castle.
94 * 9k * Ulshaw * R, 2 k R * Thirn X roads * 6/10
LOF: The turn is just after the river bridge . Follow signs to and through Thornton Steward and continue straight until before Thornton Watless (After Thirn).
103 * 4k * Thirn X roads * R, 1.5 k L, 2 k R * B 6267 * 6/10
LOF: Follow the B 6268 at the last turn (a lot of roads converge there)
107 * 5k * B6267 * L * near Thornborough * 7/10
LOF: Follow the road, but be careful not to turn off it prematurely. You need to leave it at a sharp LH bend after the 1st Thornborough turn off.
C: Big wide straight mainly downhill. Set up your record 5 k speed here.
112 * 4k * Near Thornborough * R, 150m L, 3.5 k L, 500m * Wath (church) * 6/10
LOF: Signposts to Wath and Melmerby. After church turn..
C: If petrol is such an expense for country folk how come they all drive 4 x 4 's?
116 * 3k * Wath (near church) * R, 1.5k R, 500m L * A1 * 6/10
LOF: After Melmerby village the sign says "No access to A1 South". Please be careful crossing the A1. This is the bit where you are most likely to die.
119 * 6k * A1 * S, 4.5km L * Topcliffe * 5/10
LOF: Cross A 61 and follow signs to Topcliffe
C: The food was pricey but marvellous
125 * 6k * Topcliffe * S, 1k R, 2K R * Little Hutton * 6/10
LOF: At Dalton Village turn RIGHT (Another misleading sign sends you left)
131 * 9k * Little Hutton * L, 1.5k R, * Husthwaite * 6/10
LOF: Big climb into Husthwaite. At the Junction take 'Malton Road'
140 * 15k * Husthwaite * L, 3k R, 3.5k L, 7k R, 7.5k L * Hovingham * 6/10
LOF: Only turn R then 1st L when going straight is not an option.
C: Great Views from the top of the Howardian Hills ((2 k)
V: Bed & Breakfast in Hovingham & Pub for a plate of Home made chips for 90p.
155 * 6k * Hovingham * R * Barton Le Street * 7/10
LOF: Follow B 1257 (Malton) road
C: A busy road. Gentle gradients and straight, by now it won't take you long
155 * 6k * Hovingham * R * Barton Le Street * 7/10
LOF: Follow B 1257 (Malton) road
C: A busy road. Gentle gradients and straight, by now it won't take you long
161 * 7.5k * Barton Le Street * L, 4k L, 4.5k R, 7k R * Great Barugh * 7/10
LOF: Don't go down the Butterwick Village only road (4k)
C: Lovely ride, quiet, flat, pastoral.
168.5 * 3.5k * Great Barugh * L, 100m R, 1.4 k R * Kirkby Misperton * 6/10
LOF: Signposts to Kirkby Misperton. Benson the Sea-Lion
V: Flamingo Land (3.2k)
172 * 6k * Kirkby Misperton * L, 2.5k R * A 169/Marishes * 5/10
LOF: Follow signs to Malton initially. Once on the main road A 169, its the Third left
178 * 10k * A 169/Marishes * L * Near Yeddingham * 9/10
188 * 4k * Near Yeddingham * S, 2k R * A 170 Snainton * 7/10
LOF: Follow signs to Snainton
192 * 9k * A 170 Snainton * R * A 170 East Ayton * 7/10
LOF: Follow A 170 'till you cross the river at Ayton.
201 * 8k * East Ayton * L, 3k R * A 171 Barrowcliffe * 6/10
LOF: Initial sign to Forge Valley and the turn to Throxenby at 3k.The Sea
C: This route to Scarborough cuts out 5k of busy road and 100m of climb
209 * 3.5k * A 171 Barrowcliffe * L, 700m R, 1.5k R, 1k L * Coast * 6/10
C: Well Done
V: The Waffle shop, Peasholme park, The Beach, Sea Life Centre
Turn right and ride 2.5k along the promenade and past the harbour. Turn right up the steep hill and through the precinct at the end of which you will find the station after another 1k. Total Distance 216 k. There is a quicker way to the station, but is there a quicker or better coast to coast route?
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