3 Peaks Cycles Blog

The end of summer always creeps up on you. You’ll head out one morning in September in kit that felt right seven days ago, and by the time you’re home you’ll be trying to remember where you shoved the winter gear back in April.

Autumn’s one of the best times of the year to be out on a bike, once you’ve got the kit sorted. The Dales look great in the softer light you get from September onwards, and the roads and trails start to quieten down again once the summer crowds have gone. It does need more from the bike and yourself than July did, though, so here’s a run-through of what to think about before things really turn.

The August bank holiday is the last big weekend of the summer, and if the forecast plays ball, there’s every reason to make the most of it. Whether you’re heading out with the family, chasing a big day in the saddle, or eyeing up a gravel/MTB loop, here are three rides from the shop to think about.

A summer guide to loading up a bike and going somewhere new

Cycle touring’s one of those trips that’s more fun than it really should be. You load up the bike with what you need for a few nights, point yourself somewhere new, and go. That’s more or less it.

It’s caught on again over the last few years. The kit is better than it has ever been, plenty of us have gone off airports, and summer evenings in the UK are long enough to actually get somewhere on a Wednesday after work. If you’ve been thinking about giving it a go, this is roughly what we’d tell you over a coffee in the shop.

Ranked and rated, climbs you can tick off from the shop door

The Dales has more good climbs than it has any right to. Some are famous, some are local favourites, and a fair few will have you wondering why you ever took up cycling in the first place.

Below are our ten favourites, ranked from best to “still very much worth doing”. Difficulty is rated out of 10, where 1 is tough but manageable, and 10 is “find a lower gear or get off and walk”. Some are right on the shop’s doorstep, others a bit further, but still reachable on a day ride from Settle.

Strap in.

Planning, pacing and practical tips for a better day on the bike

A long ride in the Yorkshire Dales has a habit of becoming harder than expected. What starts as a steady spin out of Settle can quickly turn into hours of climbing, rough roads, changing weather and a headwind that seems determined to follow you home.

That is part of the appeal.

Whether you are planning your first longer ride of the year or heading out for a full day linking together lanes, climbs and gravel tracks, a bit of preparation goes a long way. Not because you need to overcomplicate it, but because small things become much more noticeable five hours into a ride than they do after the first café stop.

Whether a beginner or a seasoned rider, these suggestions are always worth remembering.

A proper day out on two wheels

If you’ve spent any time riding around Settle, you’ll know one thing straight away – this place was made for gravel bikes.

Quiet lanes that turn into rough tracks. Old drovers’ roads cutting across open moorland. Limestone paths that feel like they’ve been there forever. It’s not polished or perfect, and that’s exactly the point.

Gravel riding in the Dales is less about chasing numbers and more about getting out, exploring, and seeing where a track leads.

Spring has a way of getting cyclists excited again. The days are getting longer, the roads are drying out, and those rides you’ve been thinking about all winter suddenly feel very real.

Before you head out on the first big ride of the season, it’s worth giving your bike a quick once-over. Winter conditions can be tough on components, and catching small issues early can save you from bigger problems later.

Here are 10 simple things to check before the riding season properly gets underway.

Routes, Real-World Tips and Making the Most of the Season.

Winter riding in the Yorkshire Dales is a different beast. The roads are quieter, the trails are muddier, and the weather has a habit of changing its mind halfway through a ride. But get your approach right, and winter can be one of the most rewarding times to be on a bike.

This isn’t about chasing personal bests or big summer miles. It’s about riding smart, choosing the right routes, and embracing what winter riding in the Dales actually offers.

January doesn’t have to be dull, especially if you’re gearing up for winter riding or planning a few upgrades for the year ahead.

This month, we’re running a January Sale with a difference, where the more you spend, the more you save. It’s a simple way to pick up the kit you need while enjoying a bit of extra value.

A practical guide to staying warm, dry, and happy on the bike

Winter riding can be some of the best riding of the year. Quiet roads, crisp air, empty trails, and that unbeatable feeling of earning your post-ride coffee. The key to enjoying it all comes down to one thing: dressing properly.

Get it right, and winter riding feels brilliant. Get it wrong, and it becomes a short, miserable slog home with frozen fingers. Here’s how to layer up properly and stay comfortable through cold, wet, and windy conditions.

The 3 Peaks Cyclo-Cross Race is often described as Britain’s toughest and most iconic cycling challenge. It covers around 38 miles across the Yorkshire Dales, combining rough tracks, steep climbs, rocky descents, and classic Dales road sections. Riders tackle the summits of Ingleborough, Whernside, and Pen-y-Ghent, carrying their bikes for much of the uphill terrain and battling the unpredictable Dales weather along the way.

This year, Will Scholey took on the challenge for the first time. We caught up with him to talk about his training, race experience, and what it takes to conquer the 3 Peaks for the first time.

We get it — after a big day out on the trails, all you want to do is kick off your shoes and grab a brew. Here’s our simple, tried-and-tested guide to cleaning your mountain bike properly (and why it’s worth the effort).