Cycling Tour of North Yorkshire

My former coworker and long time bike partner and I recently completed the Way of The Roses on bikes supplied by Vern Overton Cycling. Quite simply, I can't say enough good things about our experience with Vern. First, the equipment is top notch (high quality Trek hybrids), beautifully maintained.

But where the experience really rose to amazing levels was in Vern's attitude and willingness to go the extra mile (or twenty) to support and encourage us. For months before the trip, I exchanged emails with Vern about the trip, equipment, attractions, lodging, and on and on -- truly endless details. He never failed to respond promptly and helpfully.

You must understand we are retired men in our 70s and only fair weather bikers. Once we arrived and met Vern, I'm sure he realized (as we soon did) that we did not know what we were undertaking. Vern followed our progress and supported and encouraged us with texts and emails full of helpful suggestions and cheering congratulations on our progress.

Once when we had a damage problem with one of the bikes, Vern drove miles to attempt repair, then substituted another bike, drove us to the next planned stop and stayed with us when we had trouble locating a room!

Well, I could go on and on to the same effect. Suffice it to say, you could not wish for better service or a better person to deal with than Vern Overton Cycling. If I am ever back in his area I would not even think of going to any other service.

Thanks, Vern.

John Watson (New Haven, CT, USA)

Can't say enough the positive experience dealing with Vern. I contacted numerous bike rental agencies in the area looking for a small 47cm carbon road bike to no avail. Vern didn't have one either but he actually purchased a 47cm frame and built it for me. Unbelievable, what service! ! He also provided us some routes and was very responsive when we had an issue. The riding is amazing and challenging in the Dales with lots of punchy 18-25% climbs. Highly, highly recommend Vern Overton Cycling!

We contacted Vern Saturday to rent bikes Sunday. He was very responsive and helpful, even brought the bikes to the train station for us. Three of us used road bikes and one used an e-bike, he helped size us and provided locks and helmets. Knowing we wanted to ride from Harrogate to Fountains Abbey, he mapped out a good route and showed us where to start. We could not have asked for better bikes or better service, it made our day so perfect. Highly recommend exploring this gorgeous area on 2 wheels and having VOC set you up and equip you. Many thanks from the four Yanks you helped Vern!

vern was a very helpsom and nice. he responsd fast on thelephone and mail. when we met him and his wife, they were extremly kind and flexible 😁😁. we will recomand him to everyone who want to rent god bikes

Vern was very friendly and accomodating. The bike I hired was brilliant and in bar and new condition. Great service, great bike and great location to get around on 2 wheels. MUST see Vern for a brilliant bike hire adventure.

Friendly service from the word go. I explained the type of cycling we planned and our heights and 2 appropriate (hybrid) bikes were selected for us dropped off at our hotel. All perfect.

Vern was very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. The mountain bikes we hired were high quality and really well maintained. We look forward to hiring again when next in the area.

Had a great 5 days of cycling around the Yorkshire Dales on one of Vern's hired road bikes. Some of the best cycling I've done in the UK with endless quality roads and some great hill climbing and descents. The Trek I hired didn't skip a beat and was ideal. Light and well maintained with a good gear set-up for some of the steeper gradients. Would thoroughly recommend as it really is a great value service that's relaxed and accommodating, I doubt if you could get better, thanks Vern!

I would thoroughly recommend Vernon Overton Cycles for bike hire if you are in the Harrogate area. He not only delivers the bikes to your door and picks them up, he offers great advice on what type of bike, where to go and what to do. The bikes are great quality too and he and his wife are really nice people. Enjoy your trip 😊

Hired an ebike for two days. I had never ridden one before and Vern gave a great explanation of how to get the best use from it. I was able to overtake my husband on his road bike on several climbs which was very satisfying! We did an average of 25 miles each day and I only used half the battery on each day. We could have covered 40 miles easily each day. It is hilly in Nidderdale and an ebike transforms the experience of riding for a non-regular cyclist. On the first day we cycled to Ripley on back roads and picked up the Nidderdale Greenway which took us to Harrogate, mostly off-road. The next day we did a brilliant run: Pateley Bridge, Lofthouse to Scar House reservoir and back as recommended by Vern. We gained 1000 feet in height but I hardly noticed it! Back was all downhill. Lovely quiet road. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience: worth every penny!

We couldn't be happier with how well we were treated when hiring bikes from Vern. We were able to book bikes on the same day, and he delivered and collected them for us at our desired location. He was really patient and kind, gave us lots of advice for nice routes we could take and made us feel safe and welcomed. We'll definitely use him again when we're next in the area :)

I hired a road bike from Vern Overton to do the 2021 Struggle Dales sportive as I was concerned my road bike was not geared low enough for the 6 climbs on this event. Vern provided an immaculate (Trek Emonda with Shimano 105) bike that rode all day on some stunning terrain without the hint of a glitch. Easy to organise. Thank you

Very kind and professional, me and my friends had a puncture and shifting problems on our way riding c to c, fixed for us easily for half an hour, definitely a place to recommend

I rented a road bike from Vern during a stay in Harrogate in April 2022.
I can only give Vern my very best recommendations, he was friendly and forthcoming in the booking process and we found a really good bike for me to hire, and I enjoyed cycling on for the 4 days I had it.
Prices are good and he even delivered and collected the bike from me.

Vern was very helpful in providing us with good quality full suspension mountain bikes for our trip to Snowdonia. Very pleasant and flexible!

Me and my partner hired 2 electric bikes to go out and explore the area for my birthday and pedal over to Brimham Rocks. Vern was very friendly and there was no hassle, we signed the forms, got shown how to use the bikes and off we went.
Will definitely be using VOC again the next time we’re here
Thank you!

We stopped by Vern Overton cycles on our way to Pateley Bridge. I was having a problem with my tyres ,which the owner sorted free of charge,very grateful thank you so much. He was on his way out but this was no trouble to him

Hired a road bike of Vern for a week, everything worked out well and I would recommend him to others

In the initial exchanges Vern had been very helpful, bike was ordered and paid for straight away.
On the day of the pick up there was a slight mix up, which was my fault but all sorted out. Vern said I was actually hiring his old bike, it was a very nice model.
Great day out, didn’t cycle too far but that was my legs if I had been able to I could have cycled all day.
Thanks again for the great service Vern! 👍🏻

We rented high-spec 3 road bikes from Vern for a week of cycling in the Dales. The bikes were well maintained, loaned at a very affordable price, and Vern went out of his way to help us out. Cheers Vern, I have no doubt that we will be back!

Vern was incredibly helpful and gave us some fantastic guidance for a day cycle. Definitely reccomend his services.

Thanks Vern for being so accommodating. The bikes and prices were great! We were able to ride directly from Verns bike hire onto the best cycling routes in the country.
Vern, you have the perfect bike hire / rental location for 2019 cycling world champs next September!
Thanks for everything! - Geoff and the lads.

Great, friendly service. Fixed my bike on the same day as it was booked in for. Overall 10/10, will be using again and recommending to friends & family.

Hired two bikes off Vern for the day and had a lovely time cycling around the Yorkshire dales. We collected the bikes around 11am and had a full day of cycling in the nearby countryside. The scenery was magnificent, especially in this gorgeous weather we've been having lately.

Vern was very helpful, providing us a map of the area as we had never been before and we were able to return the bikes later that day at a time that suited us. All in all a fantastic day out, highly recommended!

Vern serviced my 3 bikes earlier this year. Excellent service, great advice, nothing too much trouble. Vern picked up all 3 bikes and returned them - fully serviced - promptly. I will be booking him for next year, without hesitation. Brilliant to have this facility in our lovely dale.

Vern has a great selection of high quality road bikes and along with it provided customer service.
Vern even helped us with finding some cycling routes in the Dales.

Staying in Aysgarth, Vern arranged for me to hire a bike and came out and cycled with me one morning. Superb personalized service from Vern. Resolved any issue I had and was fabulous company as we scaled Butter tubs together. I think the dales are the most spectacular backdrop for cycling of all abilities and Vern really provides an excellent service with top quality bikes and support. I will be back !

Hired bikes for the afternoon for 5 mates. Bikes were nearly new and exactly what we needed. Great route recommendations and general services. Highly recommended.

I rent a bike for the day.
The bike was super bike and as good as new. A pump and repair kit is supplied with the bike.
Vern was very nice and helpful.
The place is easy to find and ideally situated to have a ride in the Dales.
I spent definitely a very good day.
Benoit Barre

See you Vern

I contacted Vern from the United States and he responded immediately with road bike availability. Given measurements from our bikes at home, he set the hired bikes up perfectly! Should you need a helmet or a lock, just ask and Vern may be able to accommodate you. Each bike worked well and was fully kitted with pump and spare tube. If you are from an area with less hilly terrain or are not an especially strong climber, let Vern know and I am sure he will dial in your bike accordingly. He installed our pedals and provided excellent advice for a route into Harrogate as well as an amazing ride into the Yorkshire Dales. We rode about 18 hours that week with long, steady rides, shorter hard rides and race watching with some inclement weather and had no issues with the bikes. There is no better way to see that amazing part of the UK than by bike. Vern is an encyclopedia of riding knowledge in and with his expertise setting up bikes, I cannot imagine that one could do better hiring bikes in that area of Yorkshire.

Great bikes - Trek and Specialized set up for us with right gears for the terrain.
Convenient drop off and pick at our doorstep!
Call Vern for all your cycling needs.