of bike?
The answer to this question is simple: use a bike that you are comfortable riding and with which you are familiar. Exactly what type of bike is less important. Don’t be tempted to borrow a friend’s bike that doesn’t fit you and hasn’t been serviced. Likewise, a bike that has stood unused for years in the shed is unlikely to be reliable. For a successful long-distance ride, worry less about the type of bike and more about whether it is in good condition.
If there are limits to your mechanical expertise, then it is well worth taking your bike to the local shop for a pre-Roses service. Against the cost – which might only be £20 if everything is in order – weigh up the inconvenience of having to do any major running repairs en route or having to quit the ride. Make sure that the bike is set up correctly for you – you will be on it for long consecutive stretches. Incorrectly positioned saddles, handlebars and shifters can all make life far more difficult. Again, take your bike to your local cycle shop if it doubt.
Road bikes
Many would-be Roses riders are worried by the mention of off-road sections on the route and wonder whether they will cope on a road bike. Rest assured, the Way of the Roses is designed so that it can be done on a road bike, and the vast majority of people do just that. Even the bumpiest short section (on a dirt track near Stamford Bridge) is in no way beyond the capabilities of any serviceable road bike. The sections on narrow cycle paths will slow you down, but if your only reason for doing the Way of the Roses is to get a fast time, then perhaps the ride is not for you. The dropped handlebars of road bikes enable cyclists to vary their position and be more aerodynamic on flat and downhill stretches.
For years, road bikes had 23mm or even skinnier tyres, but the most popular choice now seems to be 25mm. This is suitable for riding the Roses route where there are many less-than-perfect road surfaces and some gravel tracks. The 25mm tyres give a good balance between comfort, likelihood of getting punctures and speed. Some aerodynamics experts believe that slightly wider tyres used on road bikes could actually be faster than skinny ones. There are also 28mm tyres that are becoming more common for road bikes too.
There is not room in this book to open up the can of worms that constitutes the technicalities of gearing. A debate about the precise number of cogs on your bike’s cassette and whether a double or triple chainring is optimal is best left to cycling magazines. If you have been riding your bike to get saddle fit for the Way of the Roses, then you know what sort of gradient you feel comfortable tackling. There is always a more expensive, higher spec bike out there but this ride should not be beyond the scope of a reasonably fit person on any good-quality entry-level bike. I have ridden the Way on a 16-speed road bike and still managed to stay in the saddle on all the hills.
Endurance road bikes such as those aimed at sportive riders and adventure models such as gravel bikes are gaining popularity at the time of writing and are undoubtedly suitable for riding the Way of the Roses if money is no object. Adventure bikes are a variation on the traditional touring bike: basically a sturdy road bike that may be set up for use with panniers, mudguards and wider tyres.
Crossing the Lune Viaduct on a hybrid bike, with the Crook o’ Lune beyond (Day 1)
Hybrid bikes
These are also a good choice for this route. I have ridden the Way of the Roses on both a road bike with 25mm tyres and a hybrid and have come across groups of cyclists with members on both kinds of bikes. A hybrid was slower overall, but the hills were easier and the ride fractionally more comfortable. It is a matter of personal choice. Despite the vast numbers of lycra-clad road bikers around, sales of hybrid bikes are still very high because these bikes are good all-rounders – the sturdy frames and wider tyres are great for tackling canal towpaths and gritty road surfaces.
Tandems
Tandems are a relatively common sight on the Way of the Roses. Although some tandems deviate from the main route to avoid the steeper climbs and descents, experienced tandemists should be able to stay in the saddle with one or two exceptions. Bear in mind that the unsurfaced section near Stamford Bridge may be tricky on a heavily loaded tandem. There are very few narrow traffic stopper posts and gates that have to be negotiated. Tandemists will be dismayed to learn that Northern Rail (which operates services to both Morecambe and Bridlington) do not currently include tandems in their definition of ‘bikes’ which can be carried on their trains.
Roses tandemists on the Overton path into York (Day 2)
Other options
As long as your bike is in decent condition, there is nothing to stop you from doing the Way of the Roses. There seem to be plenty of electric bikes making the trip across the country, and probably many other weird and wonderful contraptions.
It is possible, if unadvisable, to do the Way of the Roses on a mountain bike. The resistance caused by wide knobbly tyres would massively increase the amount of effort needed. If you only own a mountain bike, consider investing in some smooth tyres to make your life easier on the tarmac, or hire a bike to do the ride.
Riding solo
Although the most popular option seems to be to ride the Way of the Roses in a group, doing the ride solo allows you to set your own pace and make stops whenever the fancy takes you. Some people are nervous of cycling in packs (maybe those who have grown up watching massive peloton pile-ups in the Tour de France), and others enjoy the freedom of cycling solo. However, cycling solo means you do not gain the slipstream benefits from taking turns at the front and have less support in the case of a breakdown. Make sure you have all the necessary kit and know how to make basic running repairs on your bike if you choose to go it alone.
Equipment
Carrying your gear
In cycling, travelling light is a top priority. There is a baffling variety of ways to carry your gear, and how much you take and how you carry it depends on several factors: the number of days you are riding, the amount of support you have en route and to what extent you can manage without non-essential extras. It is a matter of personal choice.
Panniers are a long-standing good choice for cycle tourers and would probably suit those riding the Way of the Roses in four or five days, allowing for carrying picnics and some non-essentials. One obvious downside is that you will need to fit a frame to your bike. There are back- and front-mounted models – a rear-mounted model with two 20-litre bags is most typical. Cyclists wishing to carry oodles of camping equipment might add front panniers. Some people feel that panniers adversely affect the handling of their bike, cause excessive wind resistance and are cumbersome. If your bike already has a pannier rack, but two panniers seem excessive, a happy medium might be a 12-litre trunk bag, which mounts on the top of the rack and doesn’t affect the bike’s performance as much. If you must, it’s possible to cycle with just one pannier, which should be mounted on the side of the bike away from traffic.
Panniers are a popular choice. Between Wharfe and Stainforth with Pen-y-ghent providing the backdrop (Day 1)
A small daysack with decent chest and waist straps is a simple and cheap option, with a good capacity for cyclists travelling light. Another advantage is that there is no faff when making stops as your valuables are on your back. A daysack also gives cyclists the option of using a hydration bladder. The downside is that – although many groups of Roses riders do use this method – many find a small rucksack uncomfortable, sweaty or unbalancing.
