Route 48

Burton Leonard and South Stainley (25 miles)

This ride uses generally very quiet roads and takes in South Stainley, a village not often visited by Wheel Easy. Take route to pick up the GreenWay to Bilton Lane. Turn R at Bilton Lane and pick up the Beryl Burton cycleway all the way to High Bridge, Knaresborough. Straight up through Bond End, follow Boroughbridge Road for short distance turning L into Scriven and on through Lingerfield, turning R for Farnham continuing through the village and up to the crossroads. Turn L and L again after a mile for Copgrove where another L will take you to Burton Leonard. Just short of the village turn L along a narrow road that drops down past a YWT nature reserve, taking care on the loose gravel surface, to a ford at the bottom. Cross by the footbridge and push the bike for 30 yards to a concrete road, straight up to a narrow tarmac road (Mountgarret Estate), turning R for a mile to a T junction. Another R here takes a gated road over a small bridge into South Stainley where the The Inn may be open for refreshment. Returning by the gated road, turn R just before the steep hill through open countryside, past a farm/cottages on the R and rejoin public roads, turning L to another T junction then R towards Nidd. In the village, turn R over the old railway and on for about a mile to join the A61 near Ripley. Best to cross over the main road and use the footpath on the far side for 1/2 mile finally crossing the B6165 to reach Ripley. Follow the Greenway back to Harrogate.