York to Hull 2026

Ride leader: Andrew

This year’s ride starts from the Western side of York Minster on High Petergate at Midnight as usual.

We’re soon out into the dark lanes in the Vale of York and from there, it’s very flat to Drax (that’s our money it’s burning) and Goole. 

We will make a quick toilet and coffee (Costa machine) stop at the services at Airmyn before we cross onto the Island of Axeholme which, IMO, is the most attractive part of the ride. 

It’s very, very flat (spot the theme ?) and we’ll follow the River Ouse before it becomes The Humber. At times the river will be above us behind large dykes.

The meal break will be at the McDonald’s on the west of Scunthorpe. It’s a McD’s so the food is awful, the coffee is OK and the toilets are (usually) clean. Crucially, it’ll be open. FWIW, I’ll be bringing a sandwich to eat but I’ll be getting a coffee

When we leave the McD’s we’ll be heading through the outskirts of Scunthorpe before we head towards the Humber again.

This is where it gets a little bit hilly but we’ll climb at our own pace and regroup at the top.

AFAIK, Horkstow Bridge is still closed so we’ll be taking the road route (another hill) unfortunately before we hit the third and last hill, the climb over the Humber Bridge.

From there it’s a schlep through the outskirts of Hull into Hull itself, often on bike lanes both painted and segregated.

Breakfast will be at the Admiral of the Humber, a Wetherspoons pub just around the corner from Hull Paragon Station where most people will be getting trains back to home.

Travel:

Most “out of towners” will need to get trains to York station. This is on the East Coast mainline. Coming from London, LNER are probably the best bet. You will need to book your bike on unless it’s a folder. From Manchester, there are direct trains to York with TPE (bike reservation needed again unless it’s a folder).

Return from Hull Paragon is roughly the same except that, I think, Hull trains are the best option for those heading South. TPE run direct trains to Manchester. Another option is to get the direct Northern service back to York (no bike reservations, it depends on the “goodwill” of the conductor/guard/train manager*) and go back to home from there.

DO NOT, under any circumstances, drive home unless you’ve had at least 5 hours sleep.

Total distance is about 120km/74.5miles with 339m of ascent.

I’ll also post this on yACF and CycleChat and, as ever, I’m happy to answer any questions.

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