Way of the Roses

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Way of the Roses
Way-of-the-roses-sign-route-688.jpg
A typical Way of the Roses sign showing the red and white roses, a direction arrow and route number
Established2010
Length170 mi (270 km)
LocationLancashire & Yorkshire, United Kingdom
DesignationNCN routes
TrailheadsMorecambe (west)
54°04′16″N 2°52′34″W / 54.0710°N 2.8760°W / 54.0710; -2.8760 (The Way of the Roses (Morecambe terminus))
Bridlington (east)
54°05′33″N 0°10′38″W / 54.0924°N 0.1772°W / 54.0924; -0.1772 (The Way of the Roses (Bridlington terminus))
Usecycling
pedestrians
Elevation
Highest pointGreenhow, 1,325[1] ft (404 m)
Cycling details
WaymarkNational Cycle Route Way of the Roses waymark.svg
SurfaceVaries from on-road, to traffic-free tarmac, compacted surface and cinder track
WebsiteGuide to the Way of the Roses
Trail map
Way of the Roses Route.png
Map of the Way of the Roses cycle route
  • v
  • t
Route Map
Legend
 mi
Route 69 continues N
 0
Start at
Route 6 crosses.
 4
River Lune
River Lune
26
27
End of Route 69 as
Route 68 joins from N
 35
Route 68 leaves to S as
44
Route 688 starts
62
Junction with Route 67 to S
77
87
97
End of Route 688 as
Joined by Route 65 from N
Route 65 leaves to S as
108
Route 658 starts
 108
110
End of Route 658 as
joined by Route 66 from S
119
127
Route 66 leaves to S at
126
Start of Route 164
133
Junction with Route 167 from N
143
End of Route 164 as
Route 1 joins from S
 146
151
170
End
Route 1 continues N

The Way of the Roses is the newest of Great Britain's coast-to-coast, long-distance cycle routes and is based on minor roads, disused railway lines and specially constructed cycle paths. It lies entirely within the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire, crossing the Yorkshire Dales and the Yorkshire Wolds in the north of England, passing through the historic cities of Lancaster and York and scenic towns and villages including Settle, Pateley Bridge and Ripon.

At 170 miles (270 km) long,[2] the route is designed for the whole range of cyclists, from families to cycling club riders. Although a challenge with some hard climbs—the highest point being over 1,312 feet (400 m)—the route is steadily increasing in popularity.[when?] The route is fully open and signed.

The route is named after the Wars of the Roses, a 15th-century war between the English dynastic families Lancaster and York.[3]

History[]

The route was developed by Sustrans and part of the National Cycle Network (NCN Route 69) in partnership with various Local Authorities, Lancaster City Council, Cyclists Touring Club, and Welcome to Yorkshire amongst others. The route was opened in 2010 running from Morecambe on the west coast of Lancashire to the east coast at Bridlington.[4] A second diversion between Pateley Bridge and York that goes via Harrogate and Knaresborough was opened in 2011.[5] Additionally, there is a section that links Kingston upon Hull to the cycle route that joins/leaves near Pocklington rather than going to/from Bridlington.[6]

Art[]

A number of public artworks have been commissioned for the route. is currently developing a series of linked artworks at various points along the route. This work has not yet been completed.[7]

Route[]

The route is well signposted with signs carrying the name of the route or marked with the red and white heraldic roses from which the name of the route is derived.

The route starts in the resort town of Morecambe, Lancashire loosely following the River Lune and the River Wenning into the Pennines at Settle and entering the Yorkshire Dales National Park.[8] From there it makes its steepest climb (eastwards) across the edge of Rye Loaf Hill before descending to Airton. Thence it heads northeast to Grassington before following the River Wharfe for several miles and then turning towards the high point of the route at Greenhow and descending to Pateley Bridge on the River Nidd. Beyond Pateley Bridge the hills are significantly lower and after Ripon (with a short exception of the Yorkshire Wolds) the route is more or less flat, passing through York before finally reaching Bridlington and the North Sea. The route is made up primarily of:

  • minor roads – quiet, country roads (90%)
  • main roads – mainly short sections through urban areas (5%)
  • cyclepaths/off road – disused railway lines, etc. (5%)

The Way Of The Roses is best ridden from west to east to take advantage of the prevailing winds from the West[9] and the more favourable gradients. Tradition dictates that you start the ride by dipping your back wheel in the Irish Sea and only ends when your front wheel gets a dip in the North Sea at the finish. It is typically completed in 3–5 days.[10]

Related NCN Routes[]

Way of the Roses signs at Winterburn, the junction between routes 68 and 688.

The Way of the Roses makes use of 8 National Cycle Network routes. Starting in Morecambe on Route 69. It transfers to Route 68 at Clapham (

 WikiMiniAtlas
54°07′02″N 2°23′30″W / 54.1173°N 2.3918°W / 54.1173; -2.3918), on to Route 688 at Winterburn (
 WikiMiniAtlas
54°01′21″N 2°06′09″W / 54.0226°N 2.1025°W / 54.0226; -2.1025), and Route 65 at Linton-on-Ouse (
 WikiMiniAtlas
54°02′19″N 1°14′06″W / 54.0387°N 1.2351°W / 54.0387; -1.2351). Through central York (
 WikiMiniAtlas
53°57′41″N 1°05′33″W / 53.9614°N 1.0924°W / 53.9614; -1.0924) it follows the short Route 658 before joining Route 66 (
 WikiMiniAtlas
53°57′35″N 1°03′04″W / 53.9597°N 1.0511°W / 53.9597; -1.0511). At Pockington (
 WikiMiniAtlas
53°55′51″N 0°46′33″W / 53.9309°N 0.7758°W / 53.9309; -0.7758) it takes Route 164 over the Yorkshire Wolds before picking up Route 1 near Hutton Cranswick (
 WikiMiniAtlas
53°57′14″N 0°29′53″W / 53.954°N 0.498°W / 53.954; -0.498), which it then uses to the finish in Bridlington.[11]

The route links to other parts of the NCN so can be used as part of a longer cycle tour. In addition to the above listed routes the way of the Roses has junctions with Route 700 at Morecambe (

 WikiMiniAtlas
54°04′16″N 2°52′34″W / 54.0710°N 2.8760°W / 54.0710; -2.8760), Route 6 at Lancaster (
 WikiMiniAtlas
54°03′08″N 2°48′09″W / 54.0522°N 2.8025°W / 54.0522; -2.8025), Route 67 near Fountains Abbey (
 WikiMiniAtlas
54°05′29″N 1°34′38″W / 54.0914°N 1.5771°W / 54.0914; -1.5771). and Route 167 at Huggate in the Yorkshire Wolds(
 WikiMiniAtlas
53°59′02″N 0°39′50″W / 53.984°N 0.6638°W / 53.984; -0.6638).

Route maps for The Way Of The Roses and detailed route guides from other publishers are available from Sustrans.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ "Way of the Roses – LDWA Long Distance Paths". www.ldwa.org.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  2. ^ "Way of the Roses". GPS Cycle and Walking Routes. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  3. ^ McFarland, Rob (8 November 2015). "Coast to coast England cycling trip: The Way of the Roses". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  4. ^ "BBC – 'Way of the Roses' coast-to-coast cycle route launched". BBC News. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  5. ^ "On your bike coast to coast". The Yorkshire Post. 6 August 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  6. ^ "Way of the Roses" (PDF). bridlingtonrenaissance.com. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  7. ^ "Way of the Roses — Public Art". wayoftheroses.info. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  8. ^ "The Way of the Roses coast to coast ride". The Guardian. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  9. ^ "The Way of the Roses, cycle from Lancashire to East Yorkshire". Countryfile.com. 5 January 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  10. ^ Wills, Dixe (23 July 2010). "Roller coaster: a cycle trip across northern England". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  11. ^ Way of the Roses Sustrans' Cycle Route Map. Sustrans. 2010. ISBN 978-1901389838.
  12. ^ "Way of the Roses – Map". Sustrans. Retrieved 1 September 2017.

External links[]

Map all coordinates using: OpenStreetMap 
Download coordinates as: KML

Coordinates: 54°05′47″N 1°28′49″W / 54.0964°N 1.4804°W / 54.0964; -1.4804

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