I test rode the route for the North York Moors National Park ahead of its opening 12 years ago and wrote about it for The Financial Times. My main recollection is that the route is pretty hard work with lots of hills. You're best on developing your own circular route on part of the Moor to Sea rather than doing the whole thing. Here are some extracts from my notes about the various legs of the route:
PICKERING-DALBY: A fairly gentle introduction to the landscape which takes you from Pickering, a gateway to the Moors, through Thornton-le-Dale, one its prettiest villages, and deep into the Dalby Forest. On-road cycling throughout with only one steep hill by Low Dalby village.
DALBY TO SCARBOROUGH: The leg of the Moor to Sea route with perhaps the greatest variety: fine views, a beautiful valley and enchanting wood not to mention all the attractions of Scarborough at the end. The forest roads are broad, smooth and easy to ride. The only section of the route that requires care is the farm track east of Givendale Head Farm which is rutted and can get muddy. But if you have to push it’s not far!
SCARBOROUGH-RAVENSCAR: The Rail Trail – which links Scarborough to Ravenscar (and Whitby) – is one of the foremost cycle routes in the UK. There are some great sea views and you won’t miss any of them scrutinising maps as the navigation is very simple. Among the many highlights are the beach at Hayburn Wyke and Ravenscar dubbed “the town that never was”. In addition, there is a first-rate selection of places to eat and drink right on the track which makes it further suited to leisurely family cycling.
RAVENSCAR-ROBIN HOOD’S BAY: A short bike ride – but a classic. The panoramic view of the ocean is permanent –stretching from the dramatic headland of Ravenscar to the picturesque village of Robin Hood’s Bay which trickles all the way down to the shore. You can always see where you’ve come from and where you’re going which makes progress easy to monitor. The route follows the Rail Trail but crosses roads in places so take some caution is needed.
ROBIN HOOD’S BAY-STAINSACRE-WHITBY: A ride of contrasts. At one end you’re in a bustling seaside town and cycling through a wood and at the other you’re on the cliff tops with fine views over the bay. You cycle over the Esk river high up on a viaduct which seems far too grand for a cycle path – but, of course, like the rest of the route, it was designed for the railway.
STAINSACRE TO LANGDALE END: This challenging section takes you across some of the most remote and least visited areas of the North Yorkshire Moors. It is exposed in parts – particulary at Stony Leas, the route’s highest point at 299m – but the three large forests on the route provide shelter. The road through Newton House Plantation is stony and steep in places (if travelling south). Between May Beck and Langdale End you won’t see a car – or any eating places so remember to pack sandwiches!
LANGDALE END TO DALBY: A hilly ride with the hard work going up rewarded by some fantastic freewheels coming down. Nearly all of it is forested so this is a good sheltered route to chose for a windy day.
LANGDALE END TO RAVENSCAR: The description “Moor to Sea” could hardly sum up this leg of the route any better if travelling eastwards. Your first, long awaited glimpse of the sea comes shortly after The Falcon Inn. The ride is along a variety of surfaces and includes some steep hills. The best views are over Harwood Dale and from the Ravenscar headland.
More N Yorkshire rides on my new blog:
http://www.greatbritishbikerides.netPaul.