CONTENTS
Map key
Overview map and profile
Route summary tables
Introduction
Why do the Way of the Roses?
How tough is it?
Logistics – getting there and back
How many days?
Cycling the route east to west
Where to stay
What kind of bike?
Equipment
What to wear
Maps and apps
Signage
Cycling dos and don’ts
What’s in a name?
Cycling in Roses country
Using this guide
The Way of the Roses
The three-day ride
Day 1 Morecambe to Burnsall
Day 2 Burnsall to York
Day 3 York to Bridlington
Day rides
Route 1 Arnside and Silverdale tour
Route 2 The Way of the Dales
Route 3 Brontë country and the dark satanic hills
Route 4 Otley and Knaresborough round
Route 5 Around the Wolds in a day
Route 6 Bridlington to Scarborough extension
Appendices
Appendix A Accommodation
Appendix B Useful contacts
A challenge within the reach of cyclists of all abilities and a satisfying traverse across country
Cycling the Way of the Roses is the guidebook to this 170-mile coast-to-coast cycle route across Lancashire and Yorkshire. The three-day journey (alternative two, four and five day itineraries are also outlined) begins in Morecambe and finishes in Bridlington, linking scenic country lanes, minor roads and traffic-free cycle paths. Six excellent day rides, located in the vicinity of the main route, are also described.
Clear and concise route description is accompanied by 1:100K mapping and gradient profiles, guaranteeing problemfree navigating. Also included is handy advice on practicalities such as preparation, equipment, accommodation and travel logistics to and from the start and finish of the route.
A challenge within the reach of cyclists of all abilities and a satisfying traverse across country, the route takes in idyllic villages, castles, cathedrals, abbeys and prehistoric sites, along with stunning natural features such as the Three Peaks, Brimham Rocks and Flamborough Head.
The Bradford Bugle
a three day extravaganza
i have no statistical evidence to confirm my contention that the majority of bike rides seem to go up and down, rather than across. lands end to john o'groats, london to paris, manchester to london, london to brighton, londonderry to cork; i think you know what i mean. i'm sure i will now receive a deluge of e-mails pointing out the fallacy of my statement, but i have never been afraid of misapprehension, so we'll live with it for the time being. however, at the risk of stating the glaringly obvious, sometimes cycle routes run east to west or west to east, depending on how eager you are to catch the prevailing wind.
having said that, with the rise and rise of yorkshire in the velocipedinal firmament, fitting that particular county into any forthcoming bike ride, before it becomes a mere footnote in the uci's policy of mondialisation, strikes me as a particularly smart idea. which is why the arrival of rachel crolla's 'way of the roses', is remarkably timely, even for those who have no summer holiday leave left for 2018. adhering to the local mantra that winter starts the day after the islay annual show, held on the second thursday of august each year, by this weekend, we'll all be clad in winter tights, thermal jackets and overshoes before next monday happens along.
this is the ideal time to plan next summer's cycling excursions, prior to the world road race championships paying a visit to yorkshire at the end of september 2019 (22-29). however, planting all your eggs in one basket (if you'll excuse the mangled metaphor) would be to create favouritism amongst the northern english counties. therefore, it seems only right and proper that this particular coast-to-coast either begin or end in the neighbouring principality of lancashire. 'spread the love' so to speak.
the author, who admits that her conversion to road cycling inhabits the 'slow and steady' approach, has devised a 170 mile route that, assuming, fitness, tenacity and sleek carbon fibre, could be undertaken in a single day. however, even those possessed of all of the above, could ease up for a few days and spread their eagerness over two, three, or five days, or chill out completely over six. in her introduction to the finely illustrated pages that follow, crolla asks the question "why do the way of the roses?". the answer, she replies, is that it's "...more road-bike friendly, has fewer sections on busy roads and more consistent signage.", than any other comparable uk coast to coast route.
in this particular cicerone guide, the cycle route begins on the west coast seaside town of morecambe, ending 170 miles (247km) later at bridlington, having passed through ripon and york en-route. it transpires that three of the one-day routes that come as an added extra, depart from the above route, taking the avid cyclist through the surrounds of skipton and otley. with approximately 2500 metres of climbing along the way, the author contends that, based on experience, splitting the way of the roses into a three day extravaganza is the option likely to offer the most favourable of rewards. however, as always, you pays your £11.95 and you takes your choice.
naturally enough, honed athletes that we are, splitting 247 kilometres into three portions, equals around 80(ish) per day. mere bagatelle for anyone who can watch an entire stage of the tour de france in a single sitting. however averaging about 25kph, would leave several hours per day in which to appreciate the many delights the region has to offer. who amongst us would forgo the opportunity to mimic the eric morecambe statue prior to departure, or to admire morecambe's seafront art deco midland hotel? to briefly return to a subject discussed but a few days ago, there's the cathedral at ripon to be visited along with the rather impressive priory at bridlington when the day is done (so to speak).
my only advice, not mentioned in the book, would be to arrange any prospective trip prior to the latter part of september 2019. rumour has it that peter sagan sprints for every speed sign along the way and that's bound to get tired real quick.
washingmachinepost
tuesday 14 august 2018
"Extremely useful"
Having cycled the C2C with my friend Bob last year we found the Cicerone guide extremely useful. With the Way of the Roses planned for 2019 I bought the guidebook all in advance of starting to plan the trip. We were not disappointed, it was even more useful as it focussed on a three day trip unlike the C2C book which had up to 5 stages. Extensive advanced study of the guide in conjunction with the Sustrans and OS maps resulted in a relatively trouble free three day ride. If only we had studied the route through Ripon City Centre in more detail we and two other parties would not have done the circuit twice. As a longtime user of Cicerone Scrambling and Walking guides I can recommend the cycling guides too.
Jonathan, by email
This is another very good guide that does all it should, with the added benefit of six additional day rides
The Way of the Roses is a Sea to Sea route, which, unlike some of the others, is, as Rachel Crolla points out, almost entirely suitable for road bikes. Mind you with so much to see over its 170 mile course, speed is unlikely to be on the riders mind - unless, like Rachel’s partner, you ride it as an all-in-one-go challenge.
For those familiar with Cicerone guides, this follows their standard format. For newcomers, the usual format comprises of an introduction, followed by lots of useful information. This includes logistics, suggested itineraries, suitable bikes, maps, apps, signs, accommodation, equipment, etc.
Then comes the route; detailed description and snippets of interesting info to sharpen the focus and get the touring juices flowing. In this volume, as with other Cicerone guides to relatively short routes, some day rides. In this case there are six; exploring round the route in five cases, with the sixth being an extension from Bridlington to Scarborough.
As ever, the detail of useful contacts, and various lists, brings up the rear - in the appendices.
With its termini at Morecambe and Bridlington, the Way of the Roses sets out along the river Lune, skirts the Forest of Bowland, traverses the Yorkshire Dales, crosses the Vale of York via the historic city itself, before crossing the Yorkshire Wolds to the sea-side. Those unfamiliar with Yorkshire may find the Wolds a particularly charming surprise. For the rest, the scenery is amongst the best in England, spectacular at times, bucolically rural at others. It is signed as part of the National Cycle Network.
As with most guides, experienced cyclists will find some advice to debate. However, a lot of cycling is a matter of opinion and preference and, in any case, this is a guide, not a rule book. Rachel is a keen roadie - actually she is very much an outdoor all-rounder - and the text reflects this. Some of the phrasing and information seems to have a distinct roadie flavour, but there’s plenty in the guide for those who go slower or want be out for longer. Three and five day itineraries are suggested, though two days would suit some, and it has, as we know, been done in a single blast. The choice is yours: spend a day or a week - the guide will still help you.
All in all this is another very good guide that does all it should, with the added benefit of those six additional rides along the way. It will fit easily in a cycling jersey pocket. I even managed to squeeze it under the cover of my favourite bar-bag. My preference is to have the maps for finding the way and using the guide for planning, and for consulting where things are not quite as straightforward as they should be. But, once again, that is a personal thing. Many will opt to download .gpx files from the webpage. You’ll also find updates there, too.
Overall, another relevant and very helpful guide in the Cicerone canon.
Reviewed by Steve Dyster for Seven Day Cyclist
A joyful celebration of all that’s great about cycling in the British countryside.
The Way of the Roses is a 170-mile coast to coast route across northern England which traverses both Lancashire and Yorkshire. Rachel Crolla’s Cycling The Way of the Roses is a companion guide to the trip with six bonus day circuits to tackle while you’re in the area – or if it whets your appetite to return.
The Roses is wonderful. The vast majority of it crosses beautiful countryside and multiple places of interest. Ignore for a moment the down-at-heel elements of Morecambe and Bridlington, both former seaside hotspots that have seen better days, and it is a joyful celebration of all that’s great about cycling in the British countryside. There are hills, flatlands and country lanes aplenty, and Crolla does a marvellous job of capturing the spirit of the journey in an inspirational guide.
I’d ridden the route a number of years ago, not long after it opened in 2010, but reading the guide made me want to grab my bike and do it all again – but differently.
Crolla does a marvellous job of capturing the spirit of the journey in an inspirational guide.
Living on the route in Settle, it’s fair to say that I’m very familiar with the first 50 miles from Morecambe to Appletreewick, but for the rest of it there’s plenty I would want to include in another Roses ride.
The author points out where there are interesting places and sites to visit either on or within a short detour from the route. Her descriptions made me want to check out the unfamiliar ones for myself. The guide plots the course in detail over a suggested three-day itinerary, but there’s lots of useful information for planning a Roses traverse over any number of days, down to contact details for accommodation, café recommendations and suggested detours.
The book includes map snippets which would be useful en route along with essential general info, so it would find its way into my pannier, although a re-read ahead of setting off would be highly recommended. I would also use it alongside the official map of the route. Now all I have to do is pedal.
Julia Murfin for Freewheeling France.
