a short exception of the Yorkshire Wolds) the route is more or less flat, passing through York before finally reaching Bridlington and the North Sea. The route is made up primarily of: minor roads – quiet, country roads (90%) main roads – mainly short sections through urban areas (5%) cyclepaths/off road – disused railway lines, etc. (5%) The Way Of The Roses is best ridden from west to east to take advantage of the prevailing winds from the West and the more favourable gradients. Tradition dictates that you start the ride by dipping your back wheel in the Irish Sea and only ends when your front wheel gets a dip in the North Sea at the finish. It is typically completed in 3–5 days. Related NCN Routes The Way of the Roses makes use of 8 National Cycle Network routes. Starting in Morecambe on Route 69. It transfers to Route 68 at Clapham on to Route 688 at Winterburn and Route 65 at Linton-on-Ouse Through central York it follows the short Route 658 before joining Route 66 At Pockington it takes Route 164 over the Yorkshire Wolds before picking up Route 1 near Hutton Cranswick which it then uses to the finish in Bridlington. The route links to other parts of the NCN so can be used as part of a longer cycle tour. In addition to the above listed routes the way of the Roses has junctions with Route 700 at Morecambe Route 6 at Lancaster Route 67 near Fountains Abbey and Route 167 at Huggate in the Yorkshire Wolds Route maps for The Way of the Roses and detailed route guides from other publishers are available from Sustrans. References External links Official online guide to the Way of the Roses Review at the Guardian Sustrans. The Way Of The Roses. Tourist attractions in Lancashire Tourist attractions in Yorkshire Cycleways in England Sustainable transport 2010 establishments in England Cycling in Yorkshire nl:Coast to Coast