New guidebook aims to get Dales visitors on their bikes

The guide, by Ian Boydon, 34, of Lancaster, has taken 18 months to write and follows on from efforts by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to bring in a fresh wave of cyclists to the area from across the UK and abroad by revamping its dedicated websites to the sport.

Mr Boydon, a public relations consultant who has been riding in the area for almost 20 years, said: “The Yorkshire Dales has a subtle charm that seems to grow on you with every visit.

“It is a great place to explore with a mountain bike and I hope that readers will get just as much enjoyment out of riding this spectacular area’s wonderful trails as I have done.”

Attracting new bikers is seen as vital to help boost the tourism industry throughout the Yorkshire Dales.

In Richmondshire alone, tourism is worth £184.5m annually to the local economy, supporting more than 4,500 jobs in the peak season.

The guide book, called Mountain Biking In The Yorkshire Dales, which is published by Cumbria-based outdoors specialists Cicerone Press, contains 30 routes of varying length and is graded in difficulty for riders of all abilities from near beginners to expert bikers.

Routes visit all corners of the Dales, taking in places such as Sedbergh, Hawes, Grassington, Reeth and Settle.