Over the weekend of 9-11th June 2023, one of our regular riders, Claire Hunter, single handedly, took on the Way of the Roses as a bike-packing challenge in aid of Derian House. As it was such a fantastic achievement, we asked for a short write up. Here is her story...
The decision to do this challenge all started whilst on holiday in Wales last year where I bumped into a cycle tourist, all loaded up touring Wales looking for his next campsite stay in Caernarvon. Following this, I joined Burnley and Pendle CTC, in order to help build up my miles. I’ve got to say, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, as the support I received for the challenge was fantastic, but I also made lots of great friendships in the process.
I decided to use the venture as an opportunity to raise some money for charity, and in conjunction with a fundraising effort at work I set up a JustGiving page to raise money for Derian House Children’s Hospice, in Chorley. This happened to be a charity that meant a lot to my family, who had received excellent care and respite for a very sick child.
Donations will still be open for a short time on my Just Giving page - Click Here
Day 1 – Morecambe to Appletreewick (54 miles)
Day 1 began with a car ride to Morecambe and the ride finally commenced about 9.30am on the Friday morning. The route took me from Morecambe to Lancaster initially following the National Cycleway 69 cyclepath.
From Lancaster I passed the Crook O’ Lune and then started to rise through the northern edge of the Forest of Bowland, passing through Gressingham and Wray, and on towards the southern Yorkshire Dales to Cracoe. The climb out of Settle up High Hill Lane (clue in the name!) is the toughest climb of the route! I hasten to add, it was necessary to push my bike up this incline.
From Settle I passed through Airton, Winterburn and Cracoe to conclude the day at my first campsite stop just outside Appletreewick.
Day 2 – Appletreewick to Pocklington (72 miles)
After a “reasonable” first night’s sleep in my little 1 man tent, I was faced with another steep climb out of Appletreewick, again a short section I had to walk up. This then steadily climbed to the summit of Greenhow Hill. Following an equally steep descent into Pateley Bridge, the route took me up again past Brimham Rocks and steadily flattened out for the rest of the route. A slight deviation north took me through the City of Ripon and then following the National Cycle Route 688 & 65 from Boroughbridge to York. Fortunately I bumped into a fellow cyclist completing the same challenge who had heard about the weak toll bridge at Aldwark that was closed to all vehicles and pedestrians whilst it underwent repair work. The suggested diversion would have added an extra 20 miles to the journey, but there was footpath temporarily being used that ran along the river at the side of the golf course that only added a couple of extra miles to the trip!
The route then took me along the River Ouse through York and to my 2nd night under canvas at a campsite just outside Pocklington.
Day 3 – Pocklington to Bridlington (62 miles)
The final day of the challenge meandered through the Yorkshire Wolds and was relatively flat compared to the previous 2 days.
When I finally reached Bridlington I had to walk my bike down the high street as they were having the Bridlington Vintage Festival, which entailed lots of 1940s dressing up, dancing and WW2 vehicles.
I finally reached the final destination at about 13.30 on the Sunday, had a brew on the front and then made my way back to Driffield, another 20 miles, for my final night’s stay before making my way home.
The best part of the journey, apart from the amazing scenery, was meeting others along the way doing the same challenge, hearing their stories and experiences. I’d definitely do something like this again.