Cycling in Yorkshire

10. THE EASTERN FOOTHILLS OF THE DALES - KNARESBOROUGH, KIRKBY MALZEARD AND RIPON

A circular ride through Nidderdale area of Outstanding Natural Beauty along the back lanes of the Pennine foothills, crossing the quiet valleys on the eastern fringe of the Yorkshire Dales. The route passes by magnificent monuments such as Fountains Abbey and Ripon Cathedral and the long medieval village of Kirkby Malzeard. Once in Ripon, the route runs on the edge of the Vale of York passing great estates set in fine parkland before rising gently through the rich farmland back to Knaresborough.

Start and Finish Point : Knaresborough Railway Station. Half-hourly rail service from Leeds, Harrogate and York Monday to Saturday. Sundays: Two hourly or hourly. Car parking in town centre.

Distance: 53 km (33 miles). Maps: Ordnance Survey Landranger 99 Northallerton & Ripon; also Ordnance Survey Landranger 104 Leeds & Bradford (just for Knaresborough)

Terrain: Hilly in parts between Ripley and Kirkby Malzeard, downhill to Ripon, flat in the Ripon area, undulating near Knaresborough

Traffic conditions : The first 7 km (4½ miles) along the B6165 is fairly busy. The rest is quiet.

Facilities:

Cafes/Tea rooms: Knaresborough, Ripley, Fountains Abbey, Kirkby Malzeard, Ripon

Pubs: Knaresborough, Ripley, Winksley, Kirkby Malzeard

Shops: Knaresborough, Ripley, Kirkby Malzeard, Ripon

WCs: Knaresborough, Ripley, Ripon

Points of Interest

Knaresborough (see Route 8)

Fountains Abbey One of the finest Cistercian Ruins in Europe, Fountains Abbey dates from the 12th century when a small bands of Monks, escaping from what they saw as the dissolute life in their parent Abbey in York were given land by the little River Skell. By the 16^th century, it was, because of the wool trade, one of the richest and most powerful monastic settlements in England, and after the Dissolution eventually came into the hands of John Aislabie, Chancellor of the Exchequer who when he was retired after the South Sea Bubble Scandal, landscaped the estate with extensive water gardens and a deer park, creating what is now a World Heritage Site owned and managed by the National Trust. It is open daily - tea rooms at the main entrances.

Kirkby Malzeard Once an important medieval market town, Kirkby Malzeard lies on a network of roads from Coverdale and Nidderdale which literally led to the market. Though this long attractive village is now longer such an important centre, it hosts the Fountains Dairy cheese factory, renowned for its high quality local Dales cheeses.

Ripon One of England’s smallest cities, Ripon owes its origins to monks from Melrose Abbey who around 673 established a small church by the confluence of the Rivers Ure and Skell; only part of the Saxon crypt survives today, most the fine cathedral above it being built between 1154 and 1530 in a variety of Gothic styles. The town that grew around it has a charter which goes back to the time of King Alfred in 886AD, and it later years Ripon flourished as a market town and small manufacturing centre. The Wakeman or Watchman of Ripon, still blows his horn at 9pm every night by sounding his horn - the town’s symbol - at each corner of the fine cobbled market place. The half timbered 14th century Wakeman’s House is now a small museum.

Route:

From Knaresborough railway station start at the York-bound side of the station; from the level crossing head towards the path marked by a large metal gate and a gap. Take this path past the church entrance and turn right, crossing the church gardens join a short street which ends at traffic lights. Cross straight ahead.

The next section is on the B6165, which can be busy, although gradients are easy and cycling is not unpleasant. After 6 km cross the roundabout (busy traffic on the A61) to go into Ripley village

From Ripley continue along the second roundabout and turn L to take the B6165. After about 1 km turn R, the road signed as the route for Fountains Abbey. The road climbs steadily before levelling out.

Continue for about 3 km, passing a cross-roads and at the second junction turn right down Watergate Road (signed for Fountains Village). The road descends down a short steep slope before rising again by a hilltop ruined tower: it is protected by the National Trust and is accessible by foot from the road. The lane dips again to Fountains Abbey, keep on the lane descending to pass the Abbey's old entrance.

With tight, hairpin bends the lane runs over the River Skell and climbs up past the new official entrance to Fountains Abbey. Continue straight ahead passing Aldfield until the lane reaches the B6265. Turn L and then immediate R onto a very narrow lane marked with a 6’6" restriction. The lane descends and meets another lane: turn R. A further descent leads down to the River Laver, followed by a short stiff climb up to Winksley. Go straight through Winksley (though beware on any oncoming traffic on this narrow lane). The lane meets a wider back road, which leads to Kirkby Malzeard this section is well signed for Kirkby Malzeard.

From Ripon Cathedral either:-

Turn R to go down the slope and turn L onto B6265. Continue until just before roundabout and cross over road to take canal towpath under the roundabout junction.

OR (for a pleasant back lane route out): Turn L onto the brick road round the cathedral, then after the bend turn R down Residence Lane. At the end of the lane turn R then fork left at the triangle junction, bending right to take the road marked by a warning sign for a ford. Cross over the footbridge and continue right. Cross the B6265, go right and go up the shallow embankment to join the canal path, turn L. Follow this path under the main roundabout junction.

Cross over the canal by means of the bridge and turn L onto Littlethorpe Road. Continue for about 1½ km then turn L onto the lane signed for Bishop Monkton. From here then lanes are signed for Knaresborough, but make sure you turn R just after the village sign for Copgrove.

After Copgrove, the road dips and ends after a sharp bend, turn R. With a gradual climb the road ends at a crossroads on the hilltop; take the one way route signed for Knaresborough straight ahead. This narrow lane soon descends quite steeply and ends at a 'T' junction, L from here and after 1 km follow the A6055 for the last stretch into Knaresborough.

At the main junction in Knaresborough it is easier to turn L and go up the slope before turning down Station Lane (which is just before the pelican crossing) to the railway station.