![\"robin-hoods-bay.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.edinburghbicycle.com\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/222\/2025\/04\/1516_1968_9684_robin-hoods-bay.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Whenever my husband and I manage a short break without our offspring, I always look forward to a relaxed bike ride.\u00a0 Much to my disappointment, our children never took to cycling with any enthusiasm and family bike rides often involved tears and tantrums. \u00a0(The children used to get upset as well).\u00a0 These days, however, it\u2019s a whole different ball game; \u00a0the \u201cchildren\u201d, now much older,\u00a0 stay at home,\u00a0 while I whisk my husband , Andy, \u00a0away for fun on wheels.<\/p>\n
Our latest escape was a trip to North Yorkshire\u2019s coast. \u00a0(The route I chose may therefore be of particular interest to customers of our Newcastle, Leeds and Sheffield stores.)\u00a0 It\u2019s often said that anticipation is half the pleasure and I certainly like to take my time researching and planning a ride.\u00a0 This time, I opted for straightforward, easy cycling.\u00a0 (My previous route had taken in a trail centre, where Andy performed an involuntary somersault and sustained scratches and bruises).\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019d heard mention of a cycle route, which is a disused railway line, running along the cliff top from Robin Hood\u2019s Bay to Whitby.\u00a0 The internet came up trumps with all the information I needed.<\/p>\n
![\"whitby-abbey.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.edinburghbicycle.com\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/222\/2025\/04\/4616_1968_9684_whitby-abbey.jpg\")
The route is called \u201cThe Cinder Track\u201d and it winds from Whitby to Scarborough, forming about 22 traffic-free miles of NCN route 1.\u00a0\u00a0 No trains have run along here since 1965, but you can still see remains of old sleepers, overgrown and long- abandoned station platforms, as well as plenty of the cinders that formed the track bed and now give the trail its name. \u00a0Incidentally, while mountain bikes, cross bikes and hybrids are fine on this surface, road bikes would certainly not be suitable.\u00a0 We were going to do a \u201creturn journey\u201d and I thought it wise to keep the mileage manageable, as my other half isn\u2019t a regular cyclist.\u00a0 Since the Scarborough end of the trail is described as passing through a housing estate and mundane surroundings, I decided to give it a miss and start at Whitby.The trail has an inconspicuous beginning with no car park or facilities (accessible via a ramp from Southend Gardens). \u00a0Worthy of mention, is the view of the Abbey, perhaps most famous for its mention in \u201cDracula,\u201d perched on the cliff top.\u00a0 Setting off along the track, we soon found ourselves on the 120 feet high, 13 arch Larpool Viaduct, which spans the meandering River Esk.<\/p>\n
Most recreational trails created from disused railway lines are more or less flat.\u00a0 This one isn\u2019t.\u00a0 The climb is very gradual here and was barely noticeable with our fresh legs.\u00a0 Our next port of call was the old railway station at Hawsker, now home to holiday accommodation and a cycle hire centre.\u00a0 If you\u2019re in need of a drink or light snack, you can pick up something here.\u00a0 We pressed onwards and upwards, destination Robin Hood\u2019s Bay. \u00a0After more gentle climbing, the track descends fairly steeply and you could sweep down it at speed, but it\u2019s worth taking your time and admiring the view out to sea across the fields.<\/p>\n
Having dipped, The Cinder Track now climbs again \u2013 but gently.\u00a0 Although the sea isn\u2019t always visible on this\u00a0 4\u00bd mile stretch to Ravenscar (the highest point),\u00a0 the scenery is certainly attractive.\u00a0 We cycled past farms, cottages and woodland, the North York Moors over to our right and frequent glimpses of the sea on our left, until panoramic coastal views opened up.\u00a0 We had to stop \u2013 not for a rest, but just to stand and look.\u00a0 By now, we were both feeling hungry and Ravenscar seemed a little further away than we would have liked.\u00a0 The finale to the long, gentle pull was a short, sharp, stony climb, which brought us to a National Trust shop and cafe.\u00a0 I was heading for the nearest table with a sense of purpose, when Andy noticed a sign to the Ravenscar tearooms further along the road.\u00a0 We pedalled along another 100 yards or so and located them.\u00a0 I wasted no time in securing a table and placing an order.<\/p>\n Ravenscar is billed as \u201cthe town that never was.\u201d\u00a0 A Victorian entrepreneur had plans to develop what was then the village of \u201cPeak\u201d into a resort to rival Scarborough.\u00a0 The railway had been built along the coast, seaside breaks were becoming popular and it was thought that easy access together with the stunning views would attract visitors aplenty.\u00a0 Detailed plans were drawn up, roads laid out and some plots sold.\u00a0 What had been overlooked, was the treacherously steep, 600 foot descent to a rocky beach, along with a location exposed to ferocious coastal winds.\u00a0 This was no place for a Victorian seaside holiday! The building company went bust in 1913 and Ravenscar remains pretty much as it was left.<\/p>\n \u201cHow far back is it?\u201d asked Andy, as he swung a now stiff leg over his Revolution Cross.<\/p>\n \u201cAbout 11 miles,\u201d I replied, \u201cBut don\u2019t forget we start with some downhill.\u201d And indeed, we did.\u00a0 The climb had seemed very gradual outward bound, but the gradient was certainly obvious on the return leg.\u00a0 We bounced along at great speed, now discovering just how rough the surface is here.\u00a0 We seemed to be back at Robin Hood\u2019s Bay in next to no time.\u00a0 I steeled myself for a difficult gravel grind back up the hill, but found it surprisingly easy going and shot up the track effortlessly.<\/p>\n Had it not been for the time restrictions of our car parking, we would have stopped off at Hawsker to visit\u00a0 Maw Wyke Hole, one of several quiet bays, which are accessible from The Cinder Track. Never mind, it leaves something to discover another time and we will certainly do this ride again.<\/p>\n![\"river-esk.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.edinburghbicycle.com\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/222\/2025\/04\/1216_1968_9682_river-esk.jpg\")
The Cinder Track drops down to the road here and cyclists need to look out for NCN1 signs, which direct you through a car park, past the old station (now workshops), across a road and back onto the track.\u00a0 It\u2019s possible to visit the village itself and the beach.\u00a0 If 6 \u00bd miles of riding have given you a thirst or appetite, there are pubs, cafes and very good fish and chips to be had here.\u00a0 However, a word of warning for those of you unfamiliar with Robin Hood\u2019s Bay \u2013 the road may be traffic free, but it\u2019s\u00a0 extremely <\/em> \u00a0steep. \u00a0\u00a0We continued.<\/p>\n![\"coast-and-countryside.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.edinburghbicycle.com\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/222\/2025\/04\/8016_1968_9683_coast-and-countryside.jpg\")
The tearooms, where we refuelled, are housed in the old station hotel.\u00a0 I can thoroughly recommend them.\u00a0 \u00a0My coffee hardly touched the sides of the cup and my baked spud didn\u2019t have time to go cold even though we ate al fresco on a breezy day.\u00a0\u00a0 The ladies toilet was remarkable in offering not only soap and hot water, but also deodorant, talcum powder and hair lacquer \u2013 firm hold (presumably to combat the fierce winds).\u00a0 Duly fed and watered, sweet smelling, soft-skinned and coiffeured, I returned to my saddle.<\/p>\n