Our Detour Photo shoot: A North Yorkshire Bike Trip

Yorkshire is famous for a lot of good things: stunning scenery, proper warm welcomes, and, yes, a cracking Yorkshire pudding! 

Out of all the awesome things this county has to offer, Yorkshire’s iconic biker routes have to be our favourites. Those long winding stretches, dramatic views, and historic little towns, make every ride feel like an adventure. 

Many of our men’s styles have been influenced by our unforgettable experiences on those legendary roads.

That’s why, in honour of our latest menswear collection, we headed out on a proper North Yorkshire biking trip with three southern creatives who were ready for a taste of life up north. .

Grab a brew and join us on our journey through historic market towns and untamed moorlands. We’ll even share a few style tips for what to wear on your own bike trip

We kicked things off bright and early at Crab Manor hotel in Thirsk. 

A quiet market town, situated between the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, Thirsk is the gateway to all the best northern biking trails. 

From there, we were on our way. The route quickly switched from motorways to winding country roads, and the view just got better at every turn.

After about half an hour in, after plenty of riding and content shooting, we rolled into Helmsley. 

Helmsley is a bit of a favourite for bikers, offering a mix of steep drops, scenic views, and a centre full of cafes, pubs, and shops, and some seriously good roads leading in and out. Not to mention, the car park is lined with some of the greatest machines out there.

It was the ultimate place for a pit stop.

If you’re planning to do this Yorkshire bike route yourself, we recommend stopping in Helmsley for a quick bite.

We grabbed some coffee, had a bite to eat, and stretched our legs for five, before heading back out onto the open road.

This is where things stepped up a gear.

The ride from Helmsley into the Moors is absolutely unreal. The terrain was a mix of woodland and deep valleys, carrying us around sharp corners and sweeping bends.

If you’re a Northern biker yourself, you might’ve heard of the famous B1275. A 19 mile stretch of twists, dips, and crests, it’s safe to say this trail has earned its name as ‘The Yorkshire TT’, and the views out over the moors were second to none. 

It was challenging in all the best ways. Even the experienced won’t stop grinning the whole way through. 

Flying through the winding roads around Pickering eventually brought us to one of the most jaw-dropping landmarks in North Yorkshire: The Hole of Horcum. 

It's known by locals as ‘The Devil’s Punchbowl’, and when you see it, you'll understand why. The Hole of Horcum is a 400 foot deep natural amphitheater, carved into the landscape over thousands of years. It's scattered with heather during the summer, creating an incredible sight. 

But it wasn’t just the view that was impressive. 

When we set off once more we were treated to some proper adrenaline moments. Sharp turns, steep downhill bends, and enough twists to keep every rider smiling. They even threw in a steam train for the full effect!

Goathland was our second stop of the day.

Nestled amidst the North York Moors, this tiny village has some iconic claims to fame. Not only was it the filming location of ITV’s Heartbeat, but it’s also featured in the Harry Potter films as Hogsmeade Station.

With steam trains, tea rooms, and sheep wandering freely about the streets, riding into Goathland felt like travelling back in time. We slowed things down here for a bit, browsing the gift shops, and fueling up on coffee. It's one of those places you instantly want to stay longer in.

But Whitby was calling.

It was time to rev up our engines and begin the last leg of our trip.

The journey from Goathland to Whitby is a short, 20 minute ride through moorland lanes. There were some tight hairpin bends, but it was an easy-going road and we got to slow down and enjoy the view.

We finally reached the famously steep Blue Bank road, where we finally caught sight of the coastline. After a full day of riding through the moors, seeing the sea appear in the distance felt pretty special.

We arrived in Whitby at about 4:30pm and did the only sensible thing after a day on the bikes... grabbed fish and chips by the harbour.

You can’t beat a good leather jacket. 

A timeless style that's built to last, it’s the piece that instantly pulls a biker look together. We love genuine leather styles with classic biker details like  asymmetric zips, worn-in finishes, and vintage-inspired touches.

Knowing how to style a leather jacket is essential to pulling off the look. So, make sure to check out our guide!

Though jeans might be a cornerstone of the stereotypical ‘biker look’, they might not be the best choice for a bike trip (especially in the north!). Anyone who has been caught in the rain wearing denim knows that wet jeans are no joke.

That's why cargo trousers are such a solid option for bike trips. They're comfortable, breathable, and they'll keep you dry. Plus, they've got that rugged feel that works perfectly with biker style.

No biker wardrobe’s complete without a few easy graphic tees and Henleys tops thrown into the mix.

They're comfortable, versatile, and brilliant for layering under jackets. 

If you’re planning a trip to remember, you don’t want to settle for any old top. Our favourite graphic t-shirts feature vintage-inspired biker graphics, classic washed finishes, and tees that look like they’ve already been part of a few adventures.