Cycling the Way of the Roses. Rachel Crolla

      Roses signage in Clapham (Day 1)

      The route is impressively well signed the whole way across. Some cyclists claim that they have barely needed to consult a map. The route is signed throughout with the small blue pointer signs of the National Cycle Network bearing two small red and white roses. Note that the network numbers of the Roses route change several times during its course, and cyclists should beware following route numbers rather than the rose markers. The Roses route is initially labelled the 69 but soon becomes the 68 at Clapham and subsequently the 688, 67, 65, 658, 66, 164 and finally the 1 on its way into Bridlington. It also shares parts of its distance with long cycle rides such as the Lancashire Cycleway, Yorkshire Dales Cycleway and Yorkshire Wolds Way, so there is often a proliferation of signs.

      As of 2017, having checked the route several times, there were signs at all the junctions going west to east (there are marginally fewer on the east-to-west route). Some signs take the form of blue stickers bearing the rose emblems on lampposts and road signposts, and others are easily obscured by foliage. Be eagle-eyed when approaching any junctions and scan the nearby road furniture for the tell-tale rose signs.

Cycling dos and don’ts