Daffodils medium

At 72 miles and nearly 5,000ft of climbing the Daffodils medium route is designed for the regular Sportive Rider who hasn’t quite got to their full-season fitness yet or the progressing rider looking for something achievable to start his season. The ride is long enough to test the fitness but is without any horrible lung-busting climbs. It stays away from the exposed Blakey Ridge, just in case Spring isn’t quite in full flow yet!

From Thirsk we head out on quiet country roads, cresting the bottom of White Horse Bank, the main feature in a later Velo29 Event. We pass the two Abbeys of Byland and Ampleforth before heading across the Vale of Pickering to Farndale. Still riding with the long route we chance upon the amazing and famous “Surprise View”, opening in front of our eyes as we leave Gillamoor. This was a favourite rest stop of mine on this very route.

We then descend into Farndale and hope for some Daffodils! As we ride the bumpy but rolling roads, most riders will be amazed they don’t spend more time here on these beautiful sheltered lanes. Before long we’ll reach the feed at the BRAND NEW for 2020, Farndale Village Hall. After the feed, we start to ascend Blakey Bank but only halfway as the medium splits here from the long.

The medium route rolls quickly towards Hutton-le-Hole, a short sharp climb out the village and then it’s a dash back across to Kilburn, with a wonderful feed station in Hovingham on the way home.

You’ll know you’ve ridden 77 miles but you’ll head home feeling you’ve put some quality miles in the legs early season on some amazing roads. You will have deserved your complimentary medal, beer, sausage bun and massage before heading home for a well-deserved rest.