The Best Motorcycle Rides In Yorkshire

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of getting out on the open roads, and there are few better places in the UK to take to the tarmac than Yorkshire. This vast county is a veritable adventure playground for motorcyclists with all kinds of terrain on offer and some of the most spectacular scenery you could ever hope to see. If you’re thinking about taking a trip out on the Yorkshire roads in the coming weeks, here are some of the best rides out there.

Our list of the Best Motorcycle Rides In Yorkshire:

The Dales Diamond

This short stretch will take you around 50 minutes to complete. Set in the stunning heartland of the Yorkshire Dales, your journey will take you from Horton to Hawes with nothing but rolling hills, trickling streams and winding paths for company. Take in the views, enjoy the tranquillity and embrace the thrills and spills of the undulating tracks and tight corners.

Hawes to Ingleton

Once you arrive in Hawes, continue your voyage of discovery in Yorkshire with a route known affectionately as the Hawes Hell-Raiser. This ride is ideal for those who fancy a challenge. The 17-mile stretch will take you on a rollercoaster ride as you ascend steep paths and then let loose on the descent.

Otley to Blubberhouses

If you find yourself near the quaint town of Otley, near Leeds, it’s well worth taking on this short but tricky ride. Before you leave, take the opportunity to pop into Airvest UK and check out the range of protective vests and clothing. A rider from a ladies biker group in South Yorkshire described her experience at Airvest as “a really good last stop on a great days riding” and said that the group will be “spreading the word about your high quality safety jackets and vests.” Once you’re kitted out, and you’re ready and raring to go, head out on the Blubberhouses road where you’ll encounter sharp bends and twists in the road, as well as plenty of steep drops. This is a great option for thrill-seekers who are on short on time.

Pickering to Whitby

If you fancy combining a ride across the rugged moors with a coastal journey, this is the ride for you. Start the day in Pickering in the beautiful North York Moors before navigating your way to Whitby, a charming seaside town on the East Coast famed for its fish and chips. After the gruelling challenges presented by craggy tracks and steep climbs, you’ll have earned that freshly-caught fishy feast.

The Yorkshire Loop

If you’ve got plenty of time, this 98-mile ride is hard to beat. Showcasing some of Yorkshire’s most incredible scenery, the loop will take you on a fast and furious voyage through the Dales and enable you to stop off at some biker-friendly spots to enjoy the local delicacies and embrace the traditional trend of taking Yorkshire tea accompanied by baked goods. Your route will take you from Ripon through East Witton, Hawes, Ribblesdale and Threshfield. You can spend as long as you like exploring the sights along the way and you’ll find a pleasant combination of open, flat roads and more challenging ascents. This area is blissful for bikers, as there’s usually very little traffic on the roads. It’s also geared up for those on two wheels, so you won’t find it hard to find places to grab a drink or a bite to eat along the way.

Stokesley to Helmsley

This gem of a ride will treat you to endless vistas of the North York Moors as you travel from Stokesley to Helmsley. Enjoy the views of vast expanses of unspoiled moorland as you take the turns, negotiate corners and get your speed up on the flat. Helmsley is regarded as one of the prettiest towns in North Yorkshire, so it’s well worth parking up and taking an hour or so to have a look around and recharge your batteries in a country pub.

If you’re a biker, you’ll struggle to find an area of the country that is better equipped for rides on the open roads than Yorkshire. This expansive county has something for everyone, and it’ll keep you entertained whether you’re looking for a sedate ride in the countryside or a gruelling trek in the mountains or moors. Expect sharp corners, undulating paths and tricky terrain as standard, as well as some of the best views you could ever wish to enjoy on two wheels. Yorkshire is a great place to be a biker, not solely because it offers such great rides, but also because there are biker-friendly facilities everywhere.