Cyclists can now enjoy exploring the stunning landscape of the North York moors and coast on two wheels thanks to the opening of the final section of the W2W (Walney to Wear and Whitby) cycle route, from Barnard Castle to Whitby. And to make pedalling around the region even easier sustainable transport charity Sustrans has published a new map, ‘Yorkshire Moors and Coast', plotting the cycle routes across the area, including suggested day rides and longer-distance routes.

Local volunteer Rangers, who help the charity look after the cycle routes in the area, got on their bikes last weekend to check route signs were in place on the new path, after they completed the colossal task of signing the 43-mile stretch of Regional Route 52 between Barnard Castle and Whitby in just 10 days.

The new route gives cyclists the option of riding coast-to-coast from Walney Island, on the Irish Sea coast, to the seaside town of Whitby. The route splits at Barnard Castle with Regional Route 20 guiding cyclists via Durham to the modern city of Sunderland, on the mouth of the River Wear, and the new section of Regional Route 52 taking riders to the picturesque seaside town of Whitby.

The new ‘Yorkshire Moors and Coast' map is perfect for planning a day ride or a longer touring trip across the heather-clad moors, rolling dales and rugged coastline of North Yorkshire. Centring on the North York Moors National Park, the map offers two-wheeled travellers the opportunity to discover stone-built villages, historic abbeys and bustling seaside towns from Hunmanby to Hartlepool and Northallerton to Scarborough. Routes featured on the map include the new section of the W2W route from Barnard Castle to Whitby, as well as part of the popular White Rose route between Middlesbrough and Easingwold, the North Sea Cycle Route, and the Moor-to-Sea Cycle Route.

Dave Stevens, Sustrans Assistant Regional Manager for Yorkshire, said: “It's great to have the Barnard Castle to Whitby section of the W2W cycle route open, signed and ready for people to enjoy using. And it's thanks to the tireless work of local Ranger Brian Chandler and his group to sign the new route that people can find their way along this beautiful path, I'm not sure even the Rangers themselves realise what a great job they've done! With the new map showing cycle routes across the region there's no excuse not to get out on two wheels this summer and explore the lush dales and cliff-edged coastline which characterise this stunning part of Yorkshire.”

For intrepid cyclists planning to pedal the coast-to-coast to route to Whitby, the Walney to Wear Cycle Route Map, also available from Sustrans, is essential to guide riders as far as Barnard Castle where the new map picks up the final leg of the route to Whitby.

The maps are available from Sustrans online shop at www.sustrans.org.uk or by calling 0845 113 0065, selected bookshops, independent bike shops and branches of Halfords. Both maps are printed in full-colour and on water resistant paper. The ‘Yorkshire Moors and Coast' map costs £6.99 plus p&p, the ‘Walney to Wear' map costs £4.95 plus p&p.

The Yorkshire Moors and Coast Cycle Route Map is funded by North York Moors National Park Authority, North Yorkshire County Council and North Sea Cycle Route Cycle Route project (INTERREG).

Source of news story: Sustrans.
Posted: 20 July 2007.