The leaves are starting to fall, and where there were barren, dusty ruts in the trails, there are now puddles to ride through and splashes of mud adorning our shins. And while I’ve had the luxury of opportunities to ride in some incredible places this year, like Riva del Garda in Italy, and Andalucia in Spain to name a few, there’s something special about the North Yorkshire Moors – and in that sense, any local riding that’s part of many of our day-to-day experiences in the UK. 

Sure, Guisborough forest isn’t exactly akin to Whistler or Morzine, but there’s something beautiful about taking stock of your local trails and watching them change throughout the seasons. The North Yorkshire Moors (NY Moors) burst into a purple blossom in late summer thanks to the heather adorning the tops of the hill sides. That is, when they’re not on fire…

NY Moors 9
NY Moors 9 (Image Credit: Rebecca Bland)

And moving into autumn, the purple may fade away, and the paths become slightly darker with mud and puddles, but in my opinion, that just adds to the intrigue. Tracks don’t run the same all year round, and this can help to improve your adaptability as a rider. 

I’m saying this as someone who has fallen foul of errant rock placements that weren’t there the day before, or having a mid-ride lie down on a once safe line that’s now become eroded because of rain and footfall. 

NY Moors 3
NY Moors 3 (Image Credit: Rebecca Bland)

But therein lies the beauty of the ‘local’. Mine is the North Yorkshire Moors, and they’re rideable from my door, which I constantly feel grateful for. A loop in the summer looks completely different in winter, with each passing season presenting new challenges as well as new things to notice and take in on your rides. 

For me, I get to hear the squawks of the ground-nesting birds, and say hello to the curious lambs that are now fully grown sheep with scraggly coats of their own. Even the local alpaca farm (farm for fun, not for meat, I should add) intrigues me as I see when they go from fully clothed to shaven with a bobbly head, and still as friendly as ever. 

NY Moors 2
NY Moors 2 (Image Credit: Rebecca Bland)

Tyre and gear choices become more thoughtful, too, depending on the time of year. I don’t have a particular favourite season, as each comes with its own irritants – in the summer, there are ticks and sun cream applications and hydration fears to worry about. In the winter, it’s more of ‘how am I going to get through the house without painting the walls brown?’ 

But each offers its own beauty. And the NY Moors for me helps to bring it home that we are quite lucky to have such nice landscapes on our doorsteps. Whether I’m out for a quick blast along the top of the moors, waving to the seaside through the clouds of smog of Hartlepool and the like, or lapping Guisborough and testing myself on the well-built trails, I love that the area has access to all different kinds of riding. 

NY Moors 6
NY Moors 6 (Image Credit: Rebecca Bland)

And it’s not just mountain biking, either. Gravel riding is plentiful around here. Not just crunchy, bone-shaking, ‘oh my god, why am I not on a mountain bike’ style tracks, but actual champagne gravel where I’m forced to concede that gravel bikes might actually have a place in the world after all. 

For me personally, there’s something special about heading out on a local ride. Sure, big days out in fun locations are great, and definitely serve their place. But sometimes I just want an hour of peace to myself, away from the dogs pining for cheese every time I open the fridge, and the emails and messages on the laptop reminding me of reality. 

NY Moors 1
NY Moors 1 (Image Credit: Rebecca Bland)

And it’s such a simple thing to enjoy, simply pedalling from the door. Within minutes (alright, maybe more if I’m not on an e-bike), I’m up a height and admiring the view of where I live and far beyond. And yet, I can feel completely alone in the vastness of the moors, with nothing but rolls of heather-laden hills dotted with the white dots of sheep surrounding me. And that’s exactly why I love the escape. 

It’s a mini-adventure, and then I can ride a few miles down some tracks I know like the back of my hand (and yet usually present some surprises) and be back in sight of civilisation, ready to paint the walls of the house brown with mud and to feed the dogs some well-deserved cheese for allowing me the space to decompress and enjoy riding my bike. 

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