The dramatic landscape of the Dales has been attracting visitors for many years and the heart of the area has been designated as a National Park and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is no surprise that this area formed the central part of stage one of the Tour de France in 2014. The success of the Tour de France stage resulted in the Tour de Yorkshire which was founded in 2015 and now forms part of the UCI ProSeries. Many top riders train in the area with its quiet roads and fantastic variety of scenery.

WHY CYCLE IN THE DALES?

The Yorkshire Dales is one of the finest landscapes in the country, with marvellous limestone formations contrasting with the heather clad moorlands and valley bottoms full of meadows, dry stone walls and scattered with field barns. There are many lovely villages and towns to explore along the way, where you get the chance to have a break and discover some of the fascinating history of the area.

Cycling is a lovely way to explore the area either as part of a visit or a touring holiday. You get to see more and feel more in touch with the countryside around you, and you can be fully justified in stopping for a slab of cake or a pint of locally brewed beer. What’s more you will be helping to protect this wonderful area by moving around in a sustainable way.

The whole area provides fabulous cycling opportunities from gentle routes in the valleys to some challenging climbs over the moorland that separates them. From the wild and remote northern dales to the rolling farmland in the east cycling is always memorable for the fantastic scenery and beautiful villages.