Once upon a time, the climbs of the North York Moors, in north-eastern Yorkshire, were the jewels in the crown of Britain’s biggest bike race. Just as the Tour de France sends its riders over the Col du Galibier or the Giro d'Italia forces its peloton over the snow-lined Stelvio, our Milk Race or Kellogg’s Tour challenged its competitors to take on the dreaded Rosedale Chimney. It is an utterly bonkers piece of road – and what better reason for including it. With its almost unrideable 30% slope, twisting bends and glorious views, fans loved it – riders, stuck with a standard bottom gear of 42x23, less so.
Our biggest remaining race, the Tour of Britain dodges the Chimney and its ilk, as did the now defunct Tour of Yorkshire (RIP). That’s why we’re rekindling the magic, with two routes that will take you on a wondrous, leg-shredding tour of the finest climbs in the Moors. Unlike the modern races, we are of the view that, on any trip to the Moors, riding Rosedale is an essential highlight.
