Part of the National Park’s Dark Skies festival, riders have the opportunity to explore a specially designed route that heads off into the twilight and to ride together under dark skies on the fantastic gravel roads, paths and tracks in the North York Moors.
Dark Skies’ one-of-a-kind loop winds through an area so famed for its lack of light pollution, it’s a total stargazer's paradise and one of only 24 designated International Dark Sky Reserves in the world. Riders will set out on the epic, 67km, route in daylight and ride into the dark on a mix of public bridleways and drover’s paths in woods and across open moorland.
Riding at night brings a whole new dimension to cycling and whether you’ve excited your senses riding with lights before or not, at Dark Skies, anyone can give it a go. Make no mistake though, the North York Moors is peppered with big views and bigger climbs, and the sheer distance will be a real challenge to complete in the dark.
Dark Skies' entry fee includes a fully signed route to guide the way and passes through some civilization (and a pub or two!) and a hot-soup feedstation. Other folk riding the loop with you, and event marshals sweeping the course and offering encouragement, will mean that Dark Skies' amazing novel experience is safer and more fun than riding solo.
Entry: Online: £40.00 + £1.00 Application fee, Postal: £40.00, On Day: £40.00