Any thoughts on this Coast to Coast Route

[puffin]

Can anyone cast their eyes over this route, hopefully using local knowledge / experience to check its not dumb? Any advice gratefully received

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43713863

[Paulatic]

I’ve not looked at every detail but basically the shape of the route looks similar to https://cycle.travel/route/way_of_the_roses yet you’ve managed to shave some miles off. Presumably in some sections as well as changing the end/turn point?

Looks as if you’re starting outside Morecambe station say hello to my son No 1 in the ticket office

[puffin]

Will do, if for no other reason than to complain about the Peebles to Edinburgh road.

[keyboardmonkey]

Can anyone cast their eyes over this route, hopefully using local knowledge / experience to check its not dumb? Any advice gratefully received

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43713863

The towns and villages to the west of Stamford Bridge are familiar, but I'm not sufficiently au fait with routes on that side to offer an opinion. Instead my suggestion is for the stretch between Lowthorpe and Stamford Bridge.

I'm assuming from the title of the Ride With GPS route that you're returning from the east coast after completing the Way of the Roses west to east. Since you don't need to be constrained by faithfulness to the route I would avoid Driffield, Hutton Cranswick and Pocklington, unless you need provisions in any of those places.

Here's my suggested route...

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43903894

... and the text I added to it:

"Part of a return leg for the Way of the Roses avoiding Driffield, Hutton Cranswick, Pocklington and busier roads. A diversion through Givendale and Bishop Wilton offers a chance to stock up and eat/drink at the Community Shop there (as well as avoiding riding any of the B road out of Pockington other than crossing at the slightly staggered junction at Fangfoss). The route retraces the Way of the Roses between Tibthorpe and Huggate. From late summer 2023 there may well be a cyclist-friendly cafe open at Field House farm campsite, but I expect this might be closed 'out of season'. Not sure about that."

The only time I have deliberately cycled in to Driffield is when I have been doing the Way of the Roses, Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route or going to or from Cowlam along Spellowgate. And I would counsel against riding along the A614 from Driffield, instead crossing that busy main road only, at or around Kirkburn as with the Way of the Roses regular route.

EDIT: Oops, I've just noticed that this near-300-mile route is actually an out and back take on the Way of the Roses, rather than just an alternative return leg heading west after completing the official Way of the Roses route as I first assumed from the RideWithGPS title 'Way of the Roses Coast to Coast return'. I suppose my reasoning still stands, especially about the A614 if you intend riding it twice.

[geocycle]

Looks good to me. Two big hills, the one out of Settle is shortish but a real @*^%, then Greenhow which a slog with luggage.

You could simplify the start by following the cycle path out of Lancaster beyond Caton, then a short stretch of main road through Claughton and a right turn on a B road to Wray. Your route is more scenic, quieter and hillier to Wray but very pleasant as well.

You seem to be going down a path after Eldroth. I don't know it and always just follow the road round to the same point. I thought it was just a farm track.

[gom]

For what it's worth, I recently did the following, using the Way of the Roses and part of Walney to Weir. Loved it.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35159306
Did various diversions for campsites & a bike shop, but mostly followed it.

Looks like Aldwark Bridge is still closed https://www.aldwarkbridge.com/aldwark-bridge-closure/
I detoured to avoid it, so can't say if it useable by bike.

[puffin]

Can anyone cast their eyes over this route, hopefully using local knowledge / experience to check its not dumb? Any advice gratefully received

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43713863

The towns and villages to the west of Stamford Bridge are familiar, but I'm not sufficiently au fait with routes on that side to offer an opinion. Instead my suggestion is for the stretch between Lowthorpe and Stamford Bridge.

I'm assuming from the title of the Ride With GPS route that you're returning from the east coast after completing the Way of the Roses west to east. Since you don't need to be constrained by faithfulness to the route I would avoid Driffield, Hutton Cranswick and Pocklington, unless you need provisions in any of those places.

Here's my suggested route...

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43903894

... and the text I added to it:

"Part of a return leg for the Way of the Roses avoiding Driffield, Hutton Cranswick, Pocklington and busier roads. A diversion through Givendale and Bishop Wilton offers a chance to stock up and eat/drink at the Community Shop there (as well as avoiding riding any of the B road out of Pockington other than crossing at the slightly staggered junction at Fangfoss). The route retraces the Way of the Roses between Tibthorpe and Huggate. From late summer 2023 there may well be a cyclist-friendly cafe open at Field House farm campsite, but I expect this might be closed 'out of season'. Not sure about that."

The only time I have deliberately cycled in to Driffield is when I have been doing the Way of the Roses, Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route or going to or from Cowlam along Spellowgate. And I would counsel against riding along the A614 from Driffield, instead crossing that busy main road only, at or around Kirkburn as with the Way of the Roses regular route.

EDIT: Oops, I've just noticed that this near-300-mile route is actually an out and back take on the Way of the Roses, rather than just an alternative return leg heading west after completing the official Way of the Roses route as I first assumed from the RideWithGPS title 'Way of the Roses Coast to Coast return'. I suppose my reasoning still stands, especially about the A614 if you intend riding it twice.

This is brilliant, huge thanks for your help.

[puffin]

Looks good to me. Two big hills, the one out of Settle is shortish but a real @*^%, then Greenhow which a slog with luggage.

You could simplify the start by following the cycle path out of Lancaster beyond Caton, then a short stretch of main road through Claughton and a right turn on a B road to Wray. Your route is more scenic, quieter and hillier to Wray but very pleasant as well.

You seem to be going down a path after Eldroth. I don't know it and always just follow the road round to the same point. I thought it was just a farm track.

Thanks, good spots there!

[puffin]

For what it's worth, I recently did the following, using the Way of the Roses and part of Walney to Weir. Loved it.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35159306
Did various diversions for campsites & a bike shop, but mostly followed it.

Looks like Aldwark Bridge is still closed https://www.aldwarkbridge.com/aldwark-bridge-closure/
I detoured to avoid it, so can't say if it useable by bike.

Thanks for that Gom, especially the bridge closure. Can you say how you detoured???

[keyboardmonkey]

This is brilliant, huge thanks for your help.

You're welcome. Do get back to me if you have any more queries.

... Looks like Aldwark Bridge is still closed https://www.aldwarkbridge.com/aldwark-bridge-closure/
I detoured to avoid it, so can't say if it useable by bike.

Thanks for that Gom, especially the bridge closure. Can you say how you detoured???

Part of a post from another thread (on the second page dated 29th May 2023)...

Hi All,

Update following my TWOTR ride that I finished yesterday.

There is a suitable diversion using a footpath just before the bridge. Have a look at this link
https://wwyork.org/2020/06/16/aldwark-bridge-closure/ as seen in an earlier reply. It shows the OS map with the footpath and bridge.

Be aware this is a footpath and therefore we have no rights to cycle. most of the path is beside a golf course and used by buggies and would be easily rideable. There are a couple of gates that are easy to get through with a bike and the bridge at the far end is also used by buggies and therefore totally suitable for cyclists - the entry and exit to the bridge is a bit sttep and has gravel, therefore care is needed.
After the bridge we joined a road that run paralell to the river and back to the other side of the closed bridge.

We only saw 4 pedestrians who were friendly, we obviously haven't ticked the locals off yet . Therefore please be considerate of other path users, as I'm sure we all are, so that we do not make this un useable by other cyclists.

...

Paul

Here's the thread in full for context:

viewtopic.php?t=156151

[puffin]

This is brilliant, huge thanks for your help.

You're welcome. Do get back to me if you have any more queries.

... Looks like Aldwark Bridge is still closed https://www.aldwarkbridge.com/aldwark-bridge-closure/
I detoured to avoid it, so can't say if it useable by bike.

Thanks for that Gom, especially the bridge closure. Can you say how you detoured???

Part of a post from another thread (on the second page dated 29th May 2023)...

Hi All,

Update following my TWOTR ride that I finished yesterday.

There is a suitable diversion using a footpath just before the bridge. Have a look at this link
https://wwyork.org/2020/06/16/aldwark-bridge-closure/ as seen in an earlier reply. It shows the OS map with the footpath and bridge.

Be aware this is a footpath and therefore we have no rights to cycle. most of the path is beside a golf course and used by buggies and would be easily rideable. There are a couple of gates that are easy to get through with a bike and the bridge at the far end is also used by buggies and therefore totally suitable for cyclists - the entry and exit to the bridge is a bit sttep and has gravel, therefore care is needed.
After the bridge we joined a road that run paralell to the river and back to the other side of the closed bridge.

We only saw 4 pedestrians who were friendly, we obviously haven't ticked the locals off yet . Therefore please be considerate of other path users, as I'm sure we all are, so that we do not make this un useable by other cyclists.

...

Paul

Here's the thread in full for context:

viewtopic.php?t=156151

Huge thanks, I've assumed I may have to detour so have shortened this day going West (Stopping at Pateley Bridge not Burnsall) and consequently lengthening the last day. Thanks again.

[puffin]

Weird run up to the trip. First off, my missus' car driver's wing mirror got broken, I'm taking it up to Morecambe to start the trip tomorrow. No worries, ordered a replacement for next day delivery (arriving yesterday). Should have read the small print, its coming to day... should have read the DHL small print, its coming Monday. Too late. We've both got a stomach bug so feeling a bit icky.

My sat nav charger has just broken and my phone's charging point has stopped working. Got the old Edge 800 out...it works!..and a wireless charger for my phone...that works too! Coming back home yesterday in a horsebox, trying to diagnose a mystery engine issues, I scrunched the side of a neighbour's car (he was thoroughly decent about it), spent a lot of time organising the claim. I've used elastic bands to temporary fix the mirror. Going to the England Wales game now, back home late tonight, off early tomorrow morning. Staying at Settle, then York, then near Driffield, the Paterley Bridge, then back to Morecambe, driving straight back home on Thursday night.,

Deep breath, deep breath.

[pwa]

I had to have a van wing mirror replaced a few weeks ago, and because of supply chain problems there were no genuine (Peugeot/Fiat) replacements anywhere in the UK and might not be for an undefined period. So we had to go with a good copy. It still cost about £180 plus labour, and that was via a friend in the trade who gives us mates' rates. I considered having it converted to old fashioned non-electrc mirrors if it happens again because it seems stupid having very expensive kit stuck out of the side of the vehicle just to spare me the slight inconvenience of having to get out a couple of times when setting the mirrors up.

I hope the trip turns out more straightforward.

[puffin]

I had to have a van wing mirror replaced a few weeks ago, and because of supply chain problems there were no genuine (Peugeot/Fiat) replacements anywhere in the UK and might not be for an undefined period. So we had to go with a good copy. It still cost about £180 plus labour, and that was via a friend in the trade who gives us mates' rates. I considered having it converted to old fashioned non-electrc mirrors if it happens again because it seems stupid having very expensive kit stuck out of the side of the vehicle just to spare me the slight inconvenience of having to get out a couple of times when setting the mirrors up.

I hope the trip turns out more straightforward.

Ouch!

[puffin]

The ootpath option at the Aldwark bridge is definitely open and the bridge at the end displays a p7blic footpath sign. The footpath is actually the edge of a golf fairway delineated by small wooden pegs. I pushed my bike rather than rode it being very aware of both the rules and of not annoying anyone.