Highlight • Pub
Muker Village
Road cycling
4.7
(31)
Hiking
5.0
(2)
This Highlight is in a protected area
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Tips
September 1, 2020
Road cycling
Muker Village Stores & Tea Shop and Farmers Arms pub close by.
Clean public toilets, 20p charge.
Defibrillator located outside toilets.
March 4, 2021
Road cycling
May 14, 2023
Road cycling
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Nearby routes
Best routes near Muker Village
4.7
(7)
259
riders
57.8km
03:17
1,150m
1,150m
Embark on a challenging road cycling adventure with the Wensleydale & Swaledale loop from Bainbridge. This difficult route covers 35.9 miles (57.8 km) and features a significant elevation gain of 3762 feet (1147 metres), typically taking around 3 hours and 16 minutes to complete. You will experience varied terrain, from well-paved roads to potentially unpaved segments, as you cycle through windswept hills, expansive moors, and deep glacial valleys, passing charming villages and stone barns. The landscape transforms from drystone walls and wildflower meadows to wild, remote moorland as you move between the distinct dales.
To make the most of your ride, consider planning your visit for late spring, specifically May to June, or early autumn, from September to October. During these periods, you can expect milder weather conditions and fewer crowds on the roads. The route starts from Bainbridge, a good base for exploring the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Be prepared for a hard road ride that requires very good fitness due to the challenging climbs and descents throughout the loop.
This loop is one of the most popular road cycling routes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, an area well-known for its excellent cycling opportunities. The region's challenging climbs have even hosted parts of the prestigious Tour de France route, highlighting the quality of the terrain. As you ride, you will witness the natural beauty of both Wensleydale and Swaledale, characterized by prominent limestone features and quiet roads where sheep often outnumber cars, offering a peaceful and immersive experience.
4.3
(3)
134
riders
84.8km
04:14
1,170m
1,170m
Embark on a difficult road cycling adventure with the Richmond loop to Buttertubs Pass, a challenging route through the Yorkshire Dales National Park. This 52.7 miles (84.8 km) loop features a significant elevation gain of 3841 feet (1171 metres) and takes around 4 hours and 14 minutes to complete. You will encounter demanding climbs, including sections of Buttertubs Pass with gradients up to 20%, alongside picturesque views of dry stone walls, rolling hills, and open moorland. The charming market town of Richmond, with its Norman castle and cobbled marketplace, serves as your starting point. You will also see the distinctive 20-meter-deep limestone potholes that give Buttertubs Pass its name. The route offers stunning panoramas over Swaledale and Wensleydale, making it a truly rewarding ride for those with very good fitness.
When planning your visit, be prepared for exposed conditions on the upper slopes of the climb, where you might encounter wandering sheep. The road surfaces are generally well-paved, but the steepness of the climbs and sharp descents with tight hairpins require careful handling. Starting from Richmond provides easy access to this loop. This route is best enjoyed when the weather is clear, allowing you to fully appreciate the expansive views and tackle the challenging ascents safely. Always check local weather conditions before heading out, as the Dales can be unpredictable.
Buttertubs Pass is an iconic climb in the cycling world, recognized in the "100 Greatest Cycling Climbs" list. Its fame grew significantly when it was featured as the second and highest categorized climb in Stage One of the 2014 Tour de France. The pass was also intended to be part of the 2019 UCI Road World Championships. The unique name comes from a historical practice where farmers would cool their butter in the deep limestone potholes while resting on their way to market. This route offers a chance to ride a piece of cycling history while experiencing the achingly beautiful surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales.
4.0
(2)
81
riders
91.9km
04:40
1,500m
1,500m
Prepare for a truly demanding road cycling experience on the Yorkshire 2019 UCI World Champs hill climbs loop, a difficult route spanning 57.1 miles (91.9 km) with a significant 4907 feet (1496 metres) of elevation gain. This challenging ride, which typically takes around 4 hours and 40 minutes, plunges you into the heart of the picturesque Yorkshire Dales National Park. You will navigate relentlessly undulating roads, often featuring short, sharp, and steep gradients that demand constant effort. The terrain is characterized by its "lumpy" nature and "very rough and grippy" surfaces, with many roads lined by iconic dry stone walls. As you cycle, you'll witness marvellous limestone formations set against heather-clad moorlands and valley bottoms dotted with meadows and field barns, offering a dramatic and captivating backdrop.
When planning your visit, be aware that the roads in the Yorkshire Dales are notoriously challenging, with very few flat sections. The local saying that Yorkshire people "just go straight up hills!" without many bends or hairpins accurately reflects the steepness of many ascents. The 2019 championships faced severe flooding, leading to last-minute course alterations, which highlights the unpredictable nature of the Yorkshire climate. Be prepared for potentially wet and windy conditions, as these can make an already hard ride even more brutal.
This route traces parts of the course used for the 2019 UCI Road World Championships, marking the first time the UK had hosted the event since 1982. The championships were renowned for the immense enthusiasm of the local crowds, whose passionate support for cycling events rivals that of the Tour de France. Yorkshire's rich cycling heritage has shaped many world-class riders, making this a fitting location for such a prestigious event and a memorable ride for you.
Details
Informations
Elevation 250 m
Weather
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Tuesday 16 June
16°C
11°C
73 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 25.0 km/h
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