Bronte Cobbled Classic

The pros start their season with cobbled classics, so it’s only right and proper that we do likewise! Our expert on this region, Mel Hartley, devised this unique ride featuring three of Cycling Weekly’s top 14 UK cobbled climbs. Although not long in distance (and it is no disgrace to walk the steepest sections) the combination of cobbles and gradient provide a real challenge. 

All the toughest climbs come in the first half of the ride as the route takes you out around Ilkley Moor, then onto Thwaites Brow in Keighley. From there the cobbled fun continues as you head towards Halifax and then over Withens Moor (the inspiration for ‘Wuthering Heights’) before descending into Haworth ready for the iconic climb of Main Street. The final part of the ride crosses the Aire Valley and after the sharp Priest Bank, made famous by the Tour de Yorkshire, you soon glimpse Beamley Beacon standing proud over Whafedale before descending back to Ilkley.

55 miles, 1,800m ascent

Key Climbs: Cocking Lane, Thwaites Brow, Shibden Wall, Gibb Lane, Haworth Main Street, Priest Bank

About YVT Challenge Rides

Put simply, one Saturday each month from May to September we are hosting a fully supported classic day ride. The routes are incredibly varied with each one having its own very distinct character to show off the wide variety of terrain and scenery in the Yorkshire Dales and South Pennines. 

The rides are an exclusive individual guided and supported experience similar to ‘sportive’ ride in that there is a set route, but are not timed. What you get over and above a typical sportive is a pre-ride bike check, a support vehicle and team mechanic, the benefit of riding in a small group with your own dedicated ride leader and a top café stop. The rides are a great way of exploring new territory in safe hands of YVT and will be of interest to local riders as well as visitors to the area. We guarantee to give you an epic day out that will last long in your memory! If you are concerned about running out of energy on the ride, there are up to 5 spaces available in the support vehicle, so you can hop on board if necessary.