The RIDE UK Season opener 2020 Spine of England From Ashbourne to Alstone
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Nick Carthew - (MRA Master)
Last edit: 13-09-2022
Route Summary Peak District National Park
Yorkshire Dales National Park
North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Following the Pennines from South to North or North to South - whichever suits you best, this route takes in some truly amazing scenery and fantastic biking roads.
The roads and scenery alone make this a 5***** route.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
7h 37m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
308.27 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review As with ALL MyRoute-app RouteXpert routes, this route can be viewed, shared and downloaded as a .gpx 1.1 file ready to load into your navigation device, FREE of Charge. The route has been made equal for TomTom, Garmin, Google and OpenStreetMap. This means that a group of riders using different brands of GPS devices will all follow the same route.
The basic membership of MyRoute-app (MRA) is completely free to join and enables you to make great multi-point routes to use.
The route points have been carefully placed to avoid one-way streets and dual carriageways meaning that this route can be reversed. MRA members with a Gold account can do this with one click. The coloured route points (RP) used in MRA are a unique way of quickly assigning a visual guide to what that RP represents. A key for these colours can be found below this review. Each coloured RP has a note attached to it with information, these notes can be read by touching the coloured RP as appears on your phone screen if you are using MRA Navigation (a stand alone navigation app) or, when you register for a basic free account you can download and print a .pdf file with a complete list of the RPs and associated notes and turn by turn directions, very handy for your tank bag.
The route was designed by Andrew Cavell from The RIDE uk and I have tweaked it in a few places and adjusted it to go over the Digsley Reservoir Dam. Here is some text from the RIDE uk blog:
Season Opener 2020 - Spine of England
As if a season opener would be anything but EPIC!!! The 29th March - start of British summer time!!
The North England season opener will take you along the spine of England, through 3 - Yes THREE of the best motorcycling areas the UK has to offer:
Peak District National Park
Yorkshire Dales National Park
North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Following the Pennines from South to North or North to South - whichever suits you best, this route takes in some truly amazing scenery and fantastic biking roads. Not only have we taken the time to put together 200 miles (well just short, but who's counting) of awesome motorcycle riding, we have also considered your hunger and provided a food/drink stop at a very well known roadside bikers cafe Lady Bower Cafe. Here you can grab a brew and a hot sandwich standing alongside the Ladybower Reservoir where the famous bouncing bomb testing was carried out, admiring the great views of the hills on all sides from the valley bottom. The next food stop we have specifically included into the route is the Tan Hill Inn, here you will be able to grab a bite to eat and a drink of your choice in the highest Inn in England.
Stand Out Points.
The route takes you on some amazing roads and through various places; but in everything there are stand-out points that are worth noting. We have taken this opportunity to make these three our stand-out parts of the ride.
Strines Pass.
Often overlooked as it is less travelled than the very popular Snake Pass. Strines Pass has recently had a new surface which makes a brilliant stretch of road EVEN BETTER!!. It is quick (if you like) but it is also technical in places due to the steep gradients and hairpin bend sections.
It is fun to ride but worth noting the gravel that can get washed down the declines towards the hairpins. You will not be disappointed with this little gem!
Holme Moss.
The ascent and descent to Holme Moss is spectacular in either direction. It is winding and steep in parts but not so winding that you can't have a play and twist the throttle a little.
The viewpoint car park at the summit near the imposing Holme Moss tower provides northbound views for miles on clear days, looking out over the neighbouring Huddersfield and it's Yorkshire countryside spread out in panoramic glory for you to enjoy. This is a must if you have never visited this spot before, chill out and a few photos of your bike in front of the scenery and it is back on your way!
Buttertubs Pass.
As described by Jeremy Clarkson "England's only truly spectacular road" (I'd like to say that I personally think there are multiple spectacular sections of road in England for the record). This is a great riding road with a steep drop off to one side and steep incline to the other as you traverse the side of this brilliant limestone valley cutting through the Yorkshire Dales countryside.
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Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Nearby routes 
Yorkshire and the Humber
About this region
Yorkshire and the Humber is one of nine official regions of England at the first level of ITL for statistical purposes. The population in 2011 was 5,284,000 with its largest settlements being Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Hull, and York.
It is subdivided into East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire (excluding areas in Tees Valley of North East England), South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. The committees for the region ceased to exist after the 12 April 2010; regional ministers were not reappointed by the incoming Coalition Government with associated the Government Offices abolished in 2011.
Read more on Wikipedia
It is subdivided into East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire (excluding areas in Tees Valley of North East England), South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. The committees for the region ceased to exist after the 12 April 2010; regional ministers were not reappointed by the incoming Coalition Government with associated the Government Offices abolished in 2011.
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Statistics 
18Amount of RX reviews (Yorkshire and the Humber)
20025Amount of visitors (Yorkshire and the Humber)
2118Amount of downloads (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Route Collections in this region The Ultimate 10 Day (North) UK Tour
Starting from and returning to Harwich ferry port, this tour follows the east coast of England up to the Highlands of Scotland and returns via the Lake District. It visits 6 of the UK's national parks and explores 2 islands and visits 2 James Bond 007 film locations.
Daily highlights.
Day 1, Harwich to Wells Next the Sea:
Southwold lighthouse, Cromer Crab lunch and sleeping on a Dutch barge.
Day 2, Wells Next the Sea to Middlesbrough:
Royal Sandringham Estate, Humber Bridge, a lap of Oliver's Mount, North York Moors National Park, Whitby Abbey the inspiration for Dracula.
Day 3, Middlesbrough to Dundee:
Tees Transporter Bridge, Angel of the North, Bamburgh Castle, Holy Island of Lindisfarne.
Day 4, Dundee to Inverness:
Cairngorms National Park, Balmoral Castle, Whisky Distilleries.
Day 5, Inverness to Ullapool:
Exceptional Landscapes, Falls of Shin, Loch Drumbeg Viewpoint, Kylesku Bridge.
Day 6, Ullapool to Dornie:
Kinlochewe viewpoint, Applecross Pass, Isle of Skye.
Day 7, Dornie to Keswick:
Eilean Donan Castle (007), Glencoe Pass, Glen Etive (007), Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
Day 8, Keswick to Kendal:
A tour of the Lake District National Park visiting 6 of the best passes including Wrynose Pass and Hardknott Pass and 7 of the great lakes including Ullswater and Windermere.
Day 9, Kendal to Matlock:
Yorkshire Dales National Park, Ribblehead Viaduct, Peak District National Park, Snake Pass, Matlock Bath (motorcycle Mecca).
Day 10, Matlock to Harwich:
Heckington Windmill, Moulton Windmill, Dutch Quarter in Colchester.
By starting from Harwich, this tour avoids the traffic congestion of the south east and London making it perfect for European visitors wanting to see some of the best landscapes and sights that the north of the UK has to offer.
The cost of the ferry from Hoek Van Holland to Harwich return for motorcycle and rider costs £139.00 (163.51 Euro) (in 2019) which includes a cabin on the outward leg.
Where possible, motorways have been avoided and scenic routes are used every day.
Enjoy.
Daily highlights.
Day 1, Harwich to Wells Next the Sea:
Southwold lighthouse, Cromer Crab lunch and sleeping on a Dutch barge.
Day 2, Wells Next the Sea to Middlesbrough:
Royal Sandringham Estate, Humber Bridge, a lap of Oliver's Mount, North York Moors National Park, Whitby Abbey the inspiration for Dracula.
Day 3, Middlesbrough to Dundee:
Tees Transporter Bridge, Angel of the North, Bamburgh Castle, Holy Island of Lindisfarne.
Day 4, Dundee to Inverness:
Cairngorms National Park, Balmoral Castle, Whisky Distilleries.
Day 5, Inverness to Ullapool:
Exceptional Landscapes, Falls of Shin, Loch Drumbeg Viewpoint, Kylesku Bridge.
Day 6, Ullapool to Dornie:
Kinlochewe viewpoint, Applecross Pass, Isle of Skye.
Day 7, Dornie to Keswick:
Eilean Donan Castle (007), Glencoe Pass, Glen Etive (007), Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
Day 8, Keswick to Kendal:
A tour of the Lake District National Park visiting 6 of the best passes including Wrynose Pass and Hardknott Pass and 7 of the great lakes including Ullswater and Windermere.
Day 9, Kendal to Matlock:
Yorkshire Dales National Park, Ribblehead Viaduct, Peak District National Park, Snake Pass, Matlock Bath (motorcycle Mecca).
Day 10, Matlock to Harwich:
Heckington Windmill, Moulton Windmill, Dutch Quarter in Colchester.
By starting from Harwich, this tour avoids the traffic congestion of the south east and London making it perfect for European visitors wanting to see some of the best landscapes and sights that the north of the UK has to offer.
The cost of the ferry from Hoek Van Holland to Harwich return for motorcycle and rider costs £139.00 (163.51 Euro) (in 2019) which includes a cabin on the outward leg.
Where possible, motorways have been avoided and scenic routes are used every day.
Enjoy.
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Top 10 Downloaded UK routes by RouteXpert Nick Carthew
Hello and welcome to this collection of the Top 10 MyRoute app downloaded routes in the UK.
There will be a great new event to be announced soon, where all these routes can be ridden.
Download them all now and place them in a new "Top 10" folder, so that you always have them at hand.
If you are going to drive one of these routes in the meantime, track them with the MRA Mobile App or with MRA Navigation. Take some photos (moments) along the way as these will come in handy.
Create a travelstory of your Top 10 driven routes and add the recorded track to it.
There will also be some great prizes on offer, so keep an eye on the MRA-RouteXperts page and your email.
There will be a great new event to be announced soon, where all these routes can be ridden.
Download them all now and place them in a new "Top 10" folder, so that you always have them at hand.
If you are going to drive one of these routes in the meantime, track them with the MRA Mobile App or with MRA Navigation. Take some photos (moments) along the way as these will come in handy.
Create a travelstory of your Top 10 driven routes and add the recorded track to it.
There will also be some great prizes on offer, so keep an eye on the MRA-RouteXperts page and your email.
View Route Collection