Terrific Ten Yorkshire Reliability Rides

After some long winter base miles, the Yorkshire Reliability Rides are a great way to build on your fitness heading into the spring.

There's 10 consecutive rides every Sunday starting from 14th January 2024 (all dates, start locations and routes below for each week).  The Reli Ride series welcomes all riders of all abilities.

Scroll down for a full list of Reliability Ride dates, routes and sign up links...

What is a Reliability Ride?

The Yorkshire Reliability Rides (Reli Rides) are a long-established highlight to the counties cycling calendar. Originally set up as Ron's Reliable Five, the series has expanded to ten events. 

A Reliability Ride is not exclusive to Yorkshire. Nationwide, a Reli Ride is a long-standing winter tradition. It's known as a test of a cyclist’s reliability and that of their bike coming out of the winter period. The emphasis is on fitness, self-reliance and navigational skills. Reliability Rides were traditionally used by competitive cyclists for training ahead of the racing season. However, there are now groups for all abilities and everyone is welcome. Many of the rides now also include a short route option. 

What happens on a Reliability Ride?

Reliability Rides are for all abilities. Some Reliability Rides will set riders off in groups of average speed varying from 20mph to 12mph with the fastest riders leaving first. Others have no organised start, with riders setting off when they choose and riding with whomever they choose.

Traditionally the route is not signposted but a basic route map or description may be provided. Nowadays GPS files are available and you'll find all the Yorkshire series routes below. 

Riders then enjoy bike-riding banter over coffee and cake at the finish point. A Reliability Ride is a great way to meet and ride with new cyclists from different groups and clubs or to test your fitness against old rivals. 

2024 Yorkshire Reliability Ride Dates & Routes:

All rides require you to pay a small entry fee to cover the organising club's insurance levy. Some clubs may offer entry online. Entries on the day are still possible but riders are encouraged to bring exact change (£5). No entry, no ride!

RIDE 1: STRUGGLE RELIABILITY RIDE

Date: 14th January 2024
Start Time: 09.30am. Sign on from 9am.
Start Place: Prologue, Cold Bath Road, Harrogate, HG2 0NA
Finish Place: Prologue, Cold Bath Road, Harrogate, HG2 0NA
Route (85km):
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38270529
Route (55km):
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31716750
Organiser: Struggle Events 
hq@ridethestruggle.com

RIDE 2: HARROGATE NOVA CC

Date: 21st January 2024
Start Time: 09.30am
Start Place: Prologue, Cold Bath Road, Harrogate, HG2 0NA
Finish Place: Prologue, Cold Bath Road, Harrogate, HG2 0NA
Route (100km):
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41603091 
Route (65km):
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41603105
Organiser: Mark Morris, 07545741491, Harrogate Nova, www.harrogatenova.cc

RIDE 3: SEACROFT WHEELERS *New Route Avoiding Tadcaster Bridge*

Date: 28th January 2024
Start Time: 08.30am – 09.30am
Start Place: Squires Café Bar  5 miles west of Sherburn-in -Elmet on B1222. Car park, refreshments and toilets available.
Finish Place: Squires Café Bar
Long Route (82km): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45416041
Short Route (53km): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45151088
Organiser: Ian Hirst, Seacroft Wheelers, 07980 407134 www.seacroftwheelers.co.uk

RIDE 4: THE OTLEY ONE 

Date: 4th February 2024
Start Time: Long route starts 09.30am. Short route starts 09.45am. Sign on from 08:45am
Start Place: Buttercross (Market Place), Otley
Finish Place: Otley CC Clubroom
Long Route (90km): 
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18123386
Short Route (50km):
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18123623
Organiser: Trevor Howe, Otley CC, 07739519021

RIDE 5: AIREDALE OLYMPIC 

Date: 11th February 2024
Start Time: 09.30am
Start Place: B6161 Lay-by (Near Leathley Bridge – approx. ½ mile from A658 junction).
Finish Place: Holy Trinity Church Hall, Knaresborough
Long Route (75km): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17780091
Short Route (60km): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29059121
Organiser: Hamish Robertshaw, Airedale Olympic, 
www.airedaleolympic.co.uk 

Further event details provided by the organiser: https://airedaleolympic.co.uk/category/Reliability_Ride_2024/

RIDE 6: THE ALEX WARBURTON MEMORIAL RIDE – ALBA ROSA

Date: 18th February 2024
Start Time: 09.30am
Start Place: Lawnswood Arms, Otley Road, Adel, Leeds, LS16 7PH
Finish Place: Lawnswood Arms, Otley Road, Adel, Leeds, LS16 7PH
Long Route (90km):
https://www.strava.com/routes/3048305186029442020
Short Route (53km):
https://www.strava.com/routes/3048305537469952996 
Organiser: Matthew Grimshaw 
hello@albarosacc.com, www.albarosacc.com

RIDE 7: TADCASTER CC 

Date: 25th February 2024
Start Time: 09.30am
Start Place: Tadcaster Sports & Social Club
Finish Place: Tadcaster Sports & Social Club
Long Route (110km): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38115131
Short Route (80km): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38115109
Organiser: Michael Harrison, 07539681622,
hello@tadcaster.cc

RIDE 8: PROLOGUE CAFÉ BASH

Date: 3rd March 2024
Start Time: 09.30am
Start Place: Prologue Café, Harrogate
Finish Place: Prologue Café, Harrogate
Route (90 km): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18936098
Organiser: John Reid, 01423503000,
prologuecycling.co.uk

RIDE 9: MOONGLU

Date: 10th March 2024
Start Time: 09.30am
Start Place: The Storehouse Ripon, opposite Moonglu Shop
Finish Place: The Storehouse Ripon, opposite Moonglu Shop
Route (80 km): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32047685
Organiser: Roger Clarke,
www.moonglucc.club

RIDE 10: LEEDS MERCURY 

Date: 17th March 2024
Start Time: 09.30am
Start Place: Buttercross (Market Place), Otley
Finish Place: Otley CC Clubroom
Route (90 km):
 https://www.strava.com/routes/1331818
Organiser: Kevin Stuart, 07958760750, 
leedsmercurycc.blogspot.co.uk

Important info 

The event is not a race. It is run on public open roads without marshals or signposts and riders must abide by the Highway Code. There are no feed stations, timing chips or souvenir t-shirts etc. Riders are responsible for their own safety and must ride in a manner that is safe for themselves, other riders and road users. 

Under 16/18: Under 16s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All under 18s must provide a consent form completed by their parent or guardian. Download the consent form here.