Road · United Kingdom
Great Habton – Helmsley
A hilly 55 km road cycling loop from Great Habton, England through Kirkbymoorside, Nawton and Helmsley, with 516 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 55.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 516 m
- Riding time
- 2–3 hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Great Habton
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 516 m
- 55 km
Route description
- Great Habton
- Kirkbymoorside
- Nawton
- Helmsley
- Ampleforth
- Gilling
- Coulton
- Nunnington
- Welburn
- Great Habton
This loop ride starts at Great Habton near The Nab and passes through Kirkbymoorside, Nawton, Beadlam, and Helmsley by 15.1 km. The road surface is mostly paved (97%), with minor gravel sections (2%) and a small amount unmapped (1%). The route mainly follows minor roads (63%), including 6.6 km on main roads and 8.8 km on major roads. There are 15.5 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 27.2 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. The longest named roads covered are Linkfoot Lane for 8.3 km and Green Hill for 3.3 km.
The ride features four climbs: a 1.6 km climb at 3% average gradient starting at Helmsley (15.1 km), followed by a 2.8 km climb at 4.5% average starting at 17.9 km reaching 199 m. A shorter climb of 1.4 km averaging 4.3% starts at 37.2 km, and a last climb of 2.8 km at 2.8% begins at 50.1 km. The route drops from a high point of 199 m at 20.7 km to a low of 29 m at 40.4 km, with the longest descent lasting 3.1 km from 23.4 km.
Food and drink options are available along the way except from 21.8 km to 35.2 km where there is a 13.4 km stretch without café, shop or water. Cafés, pubs and shops are located in key villages such as Helmsley and Ampleforth. Toilets are available at the start and at Helmsley. Bike shops and repair facilities are present near Great Habton and around 35 km. Petrol stations appear roughly mid-route and near the end. No bail-out points are indicated.
Highlights
- Climb to 199 m near Helmsley
- Pass through Helmsley at 15.1 km
- Longest stretch without café 13.4 km
- Named road Linkfoot Lane for 8.3 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 15.1 km | 1.6 km · 46 m · 3 % · max 4.9 % | 103 m |
| Unnamed climb | 17.9 km | 2.8 km · 124 m · 4.5 % · max 7.2 % | 199 m |
| Unnamed climb | 37.2 km | 1.4 km · 60 m · 4.3 % · max 9.2 % | 91 m |
| Unnamed climb | 50.1 km | 2.8 km · 79 m · 2.8 % · max 4.1 % | 123 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (15.5 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 63% minor road · 16% major road · 12% main road · 4% path · 5% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 15.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 27.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Linkfoot Lane (8 km), Green Hill (3 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 22% climbing · 23% descending · 55% flat
- Steep sections
- 2 km over 5% · 0.4 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 7.9% at 38.5 km
- Longest descent
- 3.1 km from 23.4 km, dropping 83 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 38 cafés and restaurants, 11 shops, 2 water points, 2 petrol stations, 4 public toilets and 2 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmThe Old School House Deli · café · on the route
- 0 kmToilets · 100 m off route
- 0.1 kmShop on the Green · convenience store · on the route
- 0.1 kmMoorland Cycles · bike shop · 60 m off route
- 5.6 kmThe Corner Cafe · café · 30 m off route
- 5.6 kmMoorside Store · greengrocer · 70 m off route
- 10.6 kmRose and Crown · pub · on the route
- 14.7 kmBATA · petrol station · on the route
- 14.8 kmHelmsley Pharmacy · pharmacy · 160 m off route
- 15.1 kmCrema Coffee House · café · 30 m off route
- 15.1 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · on the route
- 15.1 kmToilets · on the route
- 35.2 kmWater tap · 50 m off route
- 35.3 kmRepair stand · 70 m off route
- 35.4 kmHovingham Stores · convenience store · on the route
- 35.8 kmThe Hovingham Bakery · bakery · on the route
- 48.5 kmRyedale Service Station · petrol station · 30 m off route
- 48.6 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 60 m off route
Worth a stop
- 12.9 km — Beadlam Roman villa (archaeological site)
- 35.6 km — Hovingham Hall (castle)
- 39.8 km — Nunnington Hall (attraction)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Bikes and repair
- Moorland Cycles (140 m)
- Food and coffee
- The Old School House Deli (20 m), The Barn Tea Rooms (130 m), The Crown (70 m)
- Shops
- Shop on the Green (110 m)
Know before you go
- 15.5 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 27.2 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
- 13.4 km longest stretch without café, shop or water from 21.8 to 35.2 km
- Short steep section max 9.2% gradient at 38.5 km