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I came across this pocket of woodland just outside Helmsley whilst searching Google maps. There looks to be some runs on trailforks but I wondered if it's worth a trip (it's about an hours drive each way). There's a carpark which I was hoping somebody could tell me if it's gated or if a cheeky overnight camp could be had. Any info appreciated.
Yearsley is banger. Also got Kilburn nearby if you fancy silly steep?
You could get away with stating overnight in the carpark, you might be joined by some canine enthusiasts though.
Cheers, sounds like it's worth a trip then. Might risk the camping but will avoid flashing the headlights.
plenty of places to park, albeit you will be conspicuous if you leave your car overnight.
THere's good riding all around the woods, and you can easily link up with track to Coxwold and over to Kilburn / White Horse bank (trail centre).
There are lots of dog walkers out early though, so if wild camping you'd have to be prepared for an early strike/ pack up.
I'd suggest parking at Park House barns or Gilling. No barriers.
There are barriers at Windygates (Yearsley end of the woods), but they have only ever been shut in the early stages of Covid lockdown. Not apart from then in the 20 odd years I've lived here.
Given its only an hour each way is it worth the cricked neck of sleeping there?
There's some fun stuff in the woods and certainly enough to justify the trip over, there's not so much there though as to justify not going home to a warm bed and a shower at the end of your ride though.
Some great info which is much appreciated. I've not visited the area for years, used to holiday in Cawton. Definitely sounds like it's worth a trip.
The thought on the cheeky camp was that I'd carry on heading north but I'll probably just make it a day trip or use an official site like the golden square.
Quite looking to it.
Keep an eye on the weather - probably worth avoiding if its really wet. The stuff over towards the viewpoint above the ponds seems to ride better when it is a bit damp. The stuff over towards Pirate Radio, less so especially towards the bottom of the runs.
Worth a trip though. New stuff popping up each time I go...
We've ridden past it several times on the road bike, as its near my parents. Does anyone have a suggested route round it, or is it just a case of follow your nose?
It's very much an up and down sort of place rather than a ride a route one. Happy to doodle a line on a map (I'd offer to show you round but (a) I'm a mincer and (b) spoken for until about 2032 I think) but in honesty Trailforks is your friend.
As above, have a look on trailforks. There's two kinda distinct areas where the main clusters of trails are with the odd one inbetween mostly. Definitely a winch and plummet type place... often find yourself riding the same fire-road up a few times to ride different descents.
Cool - thanks. Sounds a bit like riding round Thrunton in the NE. Will check out Trailforks.
Just been watching some guys on YouTube riding at Yearsley earlier this week and it looked surprisingly dry for the time of year so I was thinking I might give it a go in the next few weeks. I’ve parked there a few times when doing some gravel rides but I’ve never taken the mtb. I’ve got Trailforks so I guess it’s just a case of cracking on and see where we get to. How busy does it get on a weekend any idea? Might have a day off and go midweek if it gets busy. Tia
I've been riding near there this morning. Not those woods, but very similar and only a few miles away. Trails are running absolutely mega prime. Dry enough, extremely grippy. No overgrowth. Do it!
Cheers, need to get myself there!
It doesn’t exist 😉
Yearsley’s great! I used to work 20 mins away and we used to go straight from work and go shred trails…. Would always start at the top and then hit pirate radio a few times then head down.
When you get to the bottom there’s a climb to get upto the top and then there’s some brilliant trails there…. Not been in so long! The sort of place a fairly fit biker would thrive or an ebike as there’s some “keep you honest” hills to get back to the top. I remember hitting Covid19 trail around pandemic time and just loving it!
As said too if you head over to kilburn and get to the top you’ll be met with minutes of downhill and there are some wild trails there! If dry’ish should be great as in the summer there tends to be loads of midges/flies and you’re almost guaranteed to get bit by a horsefly if in shorts! 😆
Also hit sutton bank and you’ll find a brand newly built big pumptrack!
As said too if you head over to kilburn and get to the top you’ll be met with minutes of downhill and there are some wild trails there!
I'm this weather about 20 minutes 😂 Kilburn does not run well in any wet!
Yearsley was running remarkably well last weekend, imagine after another week with no rain it would be good this weekend, may even make it over there tomorrow.
Not sure when I’ll be back over there as live an hour away and with a newborn, MTB is on the back burner 😬. Enjoy!
Just made the one visit but plan to head back in the spring, really enjoyed my day there, had a pedal to Hovingham using bridleways for lunch.
Not surprised its running well at the minute - I was on the verge of going yesterday afternoon for a couple of hours but decided last minute to head to Dalby instead for a bit of red/black/old-black/off-piste but Dalby was bone dry... rain forecast next week so might try and hit Yearsley this coming weekend if the rain holds off until after the weekend.
Following this tpic - I also live not far from York, have heard about this place but never been.... If anyone fancies a meetup and show round one day maybe...?!
If anyone fancies a meetup and show round one day maybe…?!
Happy to, though I'm not likely to be the best guide as
A) I don't ride there that often - several of my group are much more familiar with the place. Turns out trails have names not just "this one, that one of and this one too". Who knew?!
B) I'm better up than down and I'm not great at up.
C) there's no pub/cafe in the forest which means no Obvious place to finish.
I'd be up for a meetup too. I live not far away (Malton), been walking there, saw some riders, asked them about trails and they were very vague about things as if they were doing something illegal.
Start / finish in Gilling - use the Fairfax pub.
It's pretty dry here - I live in Gilling and run in the woods daily.
Loads of choices for riding. Everything from gentle offroad to full on FS silliness.
Start / finish in Gilling – use the Fairfax pub.
It’s pretty dry here
Never actually been that far round, I usually head in from the a19 so stop near yearsley village.
Decent pub?
That used to be my neck of the woods, 30 years ago. Bet it's changed a bit.
Out across Strensall common then up past Castle Howard or Stillington/Crayke ish and out to Yearsley Bank and the stuff round White Horse and up as far as Boltby Bank. Don't think i'd fancy as long a day in the saddle as that now...
Well three of us went on Sunday and it was ace, we really enjoyed it. Did 14 miles with 2000ft of elevation.
My mate was trying out his new 29er XC bike, he’s old school and has only ever had 26” wheels, he went over the bars three times! Some of the trails were more techy than I was expecting but I really liked the fact it’s a nice and compact venue so you can go back to your vehicle after a couple of hours for a coffee and chill.
Bumped into a young lady who pointed us in the right direction and even though I have Trailforks there are lots of trails that aren’t on the app. Will definitely be going back soon.
Brilliant ride there this am - thanks for all the tips
Following this tpic – I also live not far from York, have heard about this place but never been…. If anyone fancies a meetup and show round one day maybe…?!
I'll show you around Si but we'll wait until its warmer so a) the trails will be bone dry and b) can enjoy a post ride pint in a beer garden
I’ll show you around Si but we’ll wait until its warmer so a) the trails will be bone dry
By warmer then I assume you mean mad max type catastrophic drought? Yearsley was still wet in places last summer at 40°+
Mostly it runs well unless it's horribly wet, it is very slidy though and claggy.
(though this week's forecast looks less than brilliant I must admit
Edit:tomorrow night could be cracking though, dry forecast all day and potentially below zero most of the day could see it lovely and crispy)
@daveyboywonder its pretty warm now...!
Just thinking about what riding ive got planned in and wondering about a trip up if Dave or anyone else would like to meet perhaps in next few weeks - perhaps 8th/9th?
@Mackem ?
I live about 10mins away, could give a bit of a tour if needed, it would need a reccy first as its now getting into the overgrown phase, we've had the 2 week window of dry but not overgrown for this year !
8th/9th would work Si I think. Could see if I could rope some mates in who live a little closer and who know the woods slightly better than I do as well.
Nice one, I'll check back!
Might be interested if I'm free. Be great to venture round with somebody who knows the area.
mark_rich
https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/trail-maintenance-tools/
I've just been and rescued a local trail from attack of the killer ferns today!