CYCLING fever has swept Yorkshire in recent years, thanks to the spectacular Grand Depart of the Tour de France and the Tour de Yorkshire.

For the past few years, our expert Brian Beadle has been getting on his bike and seeking out enjoyable new routes through the stunning countryside around the region. Here are 45 of his best routes....

York Press: Jevaulx Abbey

1 - Jervaulx Abbey: 20 miles, along narrow quiet roads.

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York Press: Looking down on a wintry scene of Hackness Village and Hall.

2 - Around Hackness Hall: 17 miles, suitable for mountain bikes or strong road bikes.

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York Press: Byland Abbey where the monks lived in the 12th century. Pictures: Brian Beadle

3 - Byland Abbey and Rievaulx: 22 miles, country roads with one steep ascent

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York Press: Kilham Church which had a history of unruly parishoners in Elizabethan times

4 - Ruston Parva in the Wolds: 15 miles, mainly country roads, few hills

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York Press: This quaint church is along the way at Whenby and welcomes visitors. The half-castellated church has many interesting features and once belonged to the Nuns at Moxby Priory

5 - Sheriff Hutton: 18 miles, flat and quiet roads

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York Press: The village of Brompton which was at the centre of the linen-making industry

6 - Brompton near Northallerton: 20 miles, quiet country roads

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York Press: The breathtaking Burton Constable Hall

7 - Burton Constable Hall: 20 miles, mainly flat and quiet roads

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York Press: The gate of Kirkham Priory, which is adjacent to the bridge where the bird fair took place.

8 - Kirkham Priory: 25 miles, easy terrain

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York Press: Ashberry Farm is along the way to Caydale Mill

9 - Helmsley to Caydale Mill: 25 miles, very hilly with some steep ascents and descents

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York Press: Bielby Church, the walls of which reveal many secrets, including a skeleton

10 - Pocklington: 19 miles, flat and easy

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York Press: Whitby Harbour and the River Esk with the Golden Grove in the distance.

11 - Whitby: 14 miles, serious hills and narrow roads - but spectacular views in return!

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York Press: Pateley Bridge nestles in the hillside

12 - Pately Bridge: 22 miles, very hilly but rewarding views

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York Press: Newburgh Priory has a fabulous water garden walk to enjoy

13 - Hovingham to Newburgh Priory: 25 miles, some hills and twists but mostly quiet

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York Press: The view across Farndale to the moors where Jenny Bradley probably roamed

14 - Near Pickering Castle: 14 miles, easy terrain

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York Press: Danby church

15 - On the North York Moors: 28 miles, very hilly

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York Press: Hornsea Mere from where the cycle ride starts

16 - Hornsea Mere: 15 miles, flat with narrow roads

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York Press: Boltby village lies nestled in the hillside, and right, Felixkirk church

17 - Near Sutton Bank: 20 miles, very steep and narrow, twisty roads

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York Press: Beautiful Sleightholme Dale emerging from winter,

18 - Sleightholme Dale: 14 miles, most suited to mountain bikes

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York Press: The interior of the church boasts incredible old wall paintings

19 - Around The Wolds, including Garton church: 27 miles, easy

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York Press: The start of the ride is from Runswick Bay with its impossible clutter of houses.

20 - Runswick Bay and Staithes: 13 miles, narrow roads, some very steep

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York Press: The church at Sinnington

21 - Sinnington: 16 miles, hilly at times but nothing too strenuous

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York Press: The approach to Settle takes you through grand fells which tower above the town

22 - Settle, in the Dales: 21 miles, rough and narrow roads, some steep

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York Press: The village of Lealholm

23 - Lealholm: 20 miles, very steep but outstanding views 

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York Press: One of the Sykes churches at Helperthorpe which is almost hidden from sight from the road

24 - The Sykes' Churches in the Wolds: 22 miles, steep at times

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York Press: The lake at the Arboretum at Castle Howard is teeming with wildlife

25 - Castle Howard Arboretum: 28 miles, easy

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York Press: The pretty village of Bishop Wilton

26 - Stamford Bridge: 24 miles, some narrow and steep, testing roads

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York Press: Cycle ride from Driffield to Watton Abbey

27 - Driffield to Watton Abbey: 23 miles, easy

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York Press: Church Houses nestled on the dales

28 - Hutton-le-Hole: 21 miles, always hilly

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York Press: The facts Distance – 28miles/45km Terrain – Undulating roads Best map – OS Landranger 101 & 106 Start/grid ref – Driffield, grid ref: 025580 Refreshments – Pubs along the way, café at Sledmere, lots of choice in Driffield Public toilets – Dri

29 - Sledmere: 28 miles, undulating roads

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York Press: There are many reservoirs in the Pennines, none more stimulating than the Ponden Reservoir

30 - Haworth: 10 miles, severe hills

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York Press: A walker enjoys the view from Cowhouse Bank across Bransdale

31 - Helmsley to Bransdale: 25 miles, serious ride

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York Press: Wressle Castle, left, was once a magnificent castle but this facade is all that remains

32 - Skipwith: 20 miles, mostly flat with narrow, bumpy roads

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York Press: The outstanding view across Robin Hood’s Bay which you can enjoy on this cycle ride

33 - Robin Hood's Bay to Grosmont: 25 miles, seriously hilly

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York Press: The road to Malton, once an inland port

34 - From Malton: 22 miles, one steep ascent

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York Press: Bridlington Priory in all its glory

35 - Bridlington: 24 miles, easy

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York Press: Broxa village, in the distance, where demons fly. Pictures: Brian Beadle

36 - Reasty: 17 miles, hilly with a rough forest road

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York Press: The Leech House is situated alongside Bedale Beck

37 - Bedale: 20 miles, easy - mainly flat, country roads

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York Press: Across the graveyard to Rudston church

38 - From Hunmanby: 29 miles, easy - apart from potholes!

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York Press: This memorial is a sculpture in metal of seven figures in silhouette representing bomber crews of 158 Squadron

39 - Skipsea: 23 miles, flat and easy

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York Press: The ruins of Kirkham Priory rest on the bank of the River Derwent

40 - From Norton: 26 miles, narrow roads with some ascents and one steep descent

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York Press: The church at North Newbald is full of character

41 - From Market Weighton: 25 miles, sweeping hills and narrow lanes

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York Press: (9254339)

42 - Around Swaledale: 27.5 miles, hard work in places - but worth the effort!

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York Press: The historic bridge at Stamford Bridge is the start of the ridePicture: Brian Beadle

43 - Stamford Bridge and Thixendale: 23 miles, Mainly flat but some steep stages

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York Press:

44 - Across the Wolds: 27 miles, easy in parts but tougher elsewhere

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York Press: A grand view of the Howardian Hills

45 - Howardian Hills: 30 miles, undulating with a couple of steep hills

  • Brian has been succeeded by new cycling columnist Robert Murphy. For his routes and reccomendations, visit our cycling section.