Bilton to Ripley Cycle Ride
We discover loads of great places on our GoGet Active outings. We like to share here at GoGet, so we’d love to tell you a bit about one of the cycle rides we enjoy with our GoGet Active clients.
Written by Katy - January 2021
We always get a little bit excited when we discover a new cycle ride, but this one is an old favourite. Unfortunately, it’s also one that is off the list for us for the time being, until the restrictions around staying local slacken off a bit, (we’re sure you don’t need us to remind you as well!) but that doesn’t mean we can’t look forward to getting back there in the hopefully not too distant future.
The Bilton to Ripley cycle route ticks a lot of boxes for us. It’s a comfortable 4.5km each way, so long enough for you to feel like you’ve had a good run out, without being so long that your legs punish you for it later. It’s also virtually traffic free; for the most part you are on a well maintained cycle track, and with the exception of a teeny tiny section on a quiet access road and a single road to cross just before you come into Ripley, you’ll be well away from cars and vehicles for most of the way. The route passes over the Nidd Gorge viaduct and at one section runs parallel to the River Nidd, offering excellent paddling spots for those summer outings (or spring outings, or autumn, or winter, we don’t judge). As you arrive in Ripley there are public toilets available, including a disabled toilet accessed by a radar key. And most importantly, there is the prospect of the world famous Ripley ice cream to look forward to. Really, we should have put that point first.
Parking is available in a very small car park on Bilton Lane, opposite the start of the cycle. Failing this, there is roadside parking too, although some sections are double yellow lines so make sure you double check if you go for the roadside option. The start of the ride is easy to find as there is a large board with a map, welcoming you to Nidd Gorge. The gate onto the cycle track is just next to it.
Off road parking is available on Bilton Lane.
You can download a map of the route here.
Just a little word of warning at this point. The cycle gate itself is reasonably sized and we’ve had no trouble getting most of our adapted bikes through. Trikes seem to fit pretty easily and of course with a standard bike you’ll have no problems. However, on the occasions that we’ve taken the side-by-side tandem on this ride, we’ve found it too wide to fit through. There is a low horse crossing on the other side of the billboard which we’ve used instead. It requires us to lift the bike about twelve inches off the ground to carry it over (why are adapted bikes never lightweight?!) and it is manageable, but it’s something to bear in mind if you are heading there with someone with additional needs. If you do decide to take an adapted bike for a spin on this route and are worried about access, feel free to drop us a note in the comments. We can’t make any promises, but if you can tell us a little about your bike, we can always give you our best guess as to whether you’ll fit!
Once you’re on the cycle track, it’s just a case of following it until it ends, which is always a plus from my perspective because it makes getting lost pretty impossible! This is a great ride for spring and summer (think ice cream and paddling) but the colours in autumn are gorgeous and it has some fairly sheltered sections so winter works too. The route can get busy when the weather’s especially nice, and it’s popular with dog walkers too, but if you have the flexibility to go midweek or are willing to brave the elements a little bit, it’s not too difficult to catch it at a quiet point if that’s important to you. But if you’re comfortable with having a few more people about, there’s never a bad time to tackle this ride!
The Bilton to Ripley route is a beautiful cycle ride. My favourite bit by far comes quite early on as the cycle path crosses the Nidd Gorge Viaduct. (Be warned, there are more gates when you reach the bridge that you might find challenging with an adapted bike. Again, we’ve been fine with trikes but anything particularly wide might require a little bit of lifting. Mobility scooters and some wheelchairs may struggle here too.) The view from the viaduct is wonderful. The bridge is lovely and wide so there’s no reason at all not to stop and enjoy it. It is quite open here, so it can get a little gusty on a windy day, but at GoGet we always feel that adds to the sensory fun!
Once you’re over the bridge, the cycle path winds across open fields and woodland. There are a few gentle slopes but nothing too taxing. For the most part this is a nice gentle ride and great for all abilities. Towards the end of the cycle track you’ll find yourself next to the River Nidd. There are some great paddling spots here, and plenty of space to put the bikes aside for a second to enjoy the water before carrying on. Never miss an opportunity to paddle!
The cycle track ends shortly after this, and you’ll find yourself coming out onto a quiet access road. Turn right at the road and follow it a very short distance up to the A61, where you’ll find a pegasus crossing which makes it nice and easy to get across. While crossing is made safe and easy, there is often fairly heavy traffic on this road, so it’s one to be aware of for anyone who struggles with noise sensitivity. You are very near the end of the ride now though, so if you are concerned about the road, there’s no shame in turning around at this point and enjoying the cycle track back the way you came.
Once you’re across the road, you’re back on the cycle track and on the home stretch into Ripley. The track ends at a car park, so keep an eye out for moving vehicles. In the car park you’ll find the public toilets mentioned at the start, and there are plenty of fences and railings suitable to lock your bikes up so that you can enjoy a stroll around the beautiful Ripley.
Ripley Castle and grounds is always worth a look if you have time to spare here, although if you are going specifically for the castle make sure you check their website before setting off as they do close seasonally. The real highlight, of course, is the World Famous Ripley Ice Cream, which is a must visit. We cannot stress that enough. Go there. Go straight there if you possibly can. We are passionate about many things at GoGet, but ice cream really deserves to be at the top of everybody’s list. It’s something I personally feel very strongly about. Everybody needs a cause.
The ride back is just a matter of retracing your steps, so take some time to catch your breath and enjoy what Ripley has to offer (did I mention the ice cream?) before heading back the way you came. This ride is a firm favourite at GoGet and we hope you enjoy it too! Take care, have fun and let us know how you get on!