CYCLING TOUR PRESTON TO PRESTON VIA W2W
Having cycled the C2C & Reivers routes as a round trip last year we decided to have a go at the W2W this year using the Whitby end option. After reviewing transport to and from the route however we decided to incorporate it into a circular route from our home near Preston but, due to time constraints, omit the Walney to Kendal section.
The route was planned to take 5 days using pre-booked B&B to minimise luggage. Unfortunately we had left booking a bit late and had to shop around for B&Bs within a reasonable distance of the route. The only real problem we had was on the section around Yarm where there is acknowledged to be a shortage of suitable accommodation and we eventually had to modify our route slightly and detour toYarm.
Saturday we used NCN route 6 from Preston to Natland near Kendal where we picked up the W2W and followed it to Soulby where we were made very welcome at our first nights B&B at Hall Close. There were many fine views en-route and particularly liked the idyllic stone bridge over Birk Beck at Scout Green. Hall Close is highly recommended and we suggest you take their offer of an evening meal, as it is excellent quality and value.
Sunday we continued by savouring the delights of Tan Hill (the pub, not the climb of course but we didn’t find the climb as bad as we had been led to expect). At Bowes we had a cultural excursion around the ruins of the castle. Arriving at Barnard castle we were spoilt with the choice of refreshments available and eventually selected the Parish church hall – very good. We left Barnard Castle via the always-impressive Bowes Museum. After several more miles of pleasant country lanes we arrived at Field View B&B at Yarm. Incidentally we can recommend the Layfield Arms for evening meal if you also end up in this area.
Monday we had a shorter and enjoyable ride into Whitby arriving early afternoon to allow us time for some sightseeing out of the saddle. We particularly enjoyed the final section of the route over the disused railway bridge with good views. Being a Bank Holiday weekend Whitby was very crowded but atmospheric. We stayed overnight at Esklet B&B and yet again were well looked after.
Tuesday with the W2W part of our ride completed we had to get home with only the North Yorkshire Moors and Pennines in the way! We retraced our path to Sleights and then deviated via Grosmont and Egton Bridge before taking the ‘Pedal and Puff’ route over the moors to Kirkbymoorside and joining the A170 for a short while. We continued via Ampleforth, Byland Abbey and Boroughbridge before arriving at Lyndale B&B in Pateley Bridge for a well-earned rest.
Wednesday was a shorter day taking in many charming villages including Grassington, Airton, and Hellifield before meandering through the Ribble Valley lanes back home.
Our overall impression was a very enjoyable ride but thought the statistics didn’t tell the whole story as we found it a little harder than the C2C & Reivers routes.
For those interested in statistics:
Having cycled the C2C & Reivers routes as a round trip last year we decided to have a go at the W2W this year using the Whitby end option. After reviewing transport to and from the route however we decided to incorporate it into a circular route from our home near Preston but, due to time constraints, omit the Walney to Kendal section.
The route was planned to take 5 days using pre-booked B&B to minimise luggage. Unfortunately we had left booking a bit late and had to shop around for B&Bs within a reasonable distance of the route. The only real problem we had was on the section around Yarm where there is acknowledged to be a shortage of suitable accommodation and we eventually had to modify our route slightly and detour toYarm.
Saturday we used NCN route 6 from Preston to Natland near Kendal where we picked up the W2W and followed it to Soulby where we were made very welcome at our first nights B&B at Hall Close. There were many fine views en-route and particularly liked the idyllic stone bridge over Birk Beck at Scout Green. Hall Close is highly recommended and we suggest you take their offer of an evening meal, as it is excellent quality and value.Sunday we continued by savouring the delights of Tan Hill (the pub, not the climb of course but we didn’t find the climb as bad as we had been led to expect). At Bowes we had a cultural excursion around the ruins of the castle. Arriving at Barnard castle we were spoilt with the choice of refreshments available and eventually selected the Parish church hall – very good. We left Barnard Castle via the always-impressive Bowes Museum. After several more miles of pleasant country lanes we arrived at Field View B&B at Yarm. Incidentally we can recommend the Layfield Arms for evening meal if you also end up in this area.
Monday we had a shorter and enjoyable ride into Whitby arriving early afternoon to allow us time for some sightseeing out of the saddle. We particularly enjoyed the final section of the route over the disused railway bridge with good views. Being a Bank Holiday weekend Whitby was very crowded but atmospheric. We stayed overnight at Esklet B&B and yet again were well looked after.Tuesday with the W2W part of our ride completed we had to get home with only the North Yorkshire Moors and Pennines in the way! We retraced our path to Sleights and then deviated via Grosmont and Egton Bridge before taking the ‘Pedal and Puff’ route over the moors to Kirkbymoorside and joining the A170 for a short while. We continued via Ampleforth, Byland Abbey and Boroughbridge before arriving at Lyndale B&B in Pateley Bridge for a well-earned rest.
Wednesday was a shorter day taking in many charming villages including Grassington, Airton, and Hellifield before meandering through the Ribble Valley lanes back home.
Our overall impression was a very enjoyable ride but thought the statistics didn’t tell the whole story as we found it a little harder than the C2C & Reivers routes.
For those interested in statistics:
|
Miles |
Ascent ft) |
Sun |
75 |
5,900 |
Sun |
64 |
4,100 |
Mon |
38 |
3,500 |
Tue |
80 |
6,100 |
Wed |
52 |
4,200 |
Total |
309 |
23,800 |
