Ride Guide & Coaching

CONSIDERING A GUIDE RIDE?

Are you on holiday in North Yorkshire and are a little unsure of the areas roads and trails? Would you value having an experienced riding partner to cycle with and someone to plan your route and lead you or your group of riders? Vern is a qualified coach and experienced cyclist who knows the very best local routes and the premier café stops in what is the best area to ride your bike in the UK. Give Vern a call or email now – the financial costs in a guided ride may be much less than you think.

ROAD OR TRAIL?

We have some of the countries premier cycling roads and trails. That was clearly evident during the recent Cycling World Road Championships and why the area was chosen to host the opening stages of the Tour de France back in 2014. We also have some beautiful off-road routes where you can enjoy some great mountain-biking.

CALL OR EMAIL VO CYCLES TO BOOK AN ACCOMPANIED RIDE.

PERSONAL COACHING

Are you entered in a forthcoming cycling event? Are you looking to improve your cycling strength, speed and endurance, or learn new technical skills? Riding with an experienced cycle partner and coach can enhance your all-round cycle skills and make you fitter and more able to achieve your optimum performance. Vern is a mountain-bike instructor, road cycling leader, triathlon coach and bike mechanic who is patient and well-versed in passing on his cycling knowledge and experience. Give Vern a call or email today and discuss whether personal coaching may be of benefit to you.

GIVE VERN A CALL OR EMAIL TODAY AND DISCUSS WHETHER PERSONAL COACHING MAY BE OF BENEFIT TO YOU.

ENQUIRY REGARDING A COACHING SESSION OR GUIDED RIDE

Call, email VO Cycling or fill in the form below and discuss a guided ride or the benefits of a coaching session.

First Name

Last Name

Telephone

Date From

Start Time

Number In Group

Message / Additional Notes

Overall Rating

5.0

Based on 132 Reviews

James Taylor

Contacted Vern a few days before a planned trip to see friends in Otley hoping to get a ride in whilst visiting. He responded really quickly, was easy to communicate with and provided a great bike and all required kit for a days riding. Highly recommended.

James T

Great bikes and service

Dan Pezim

Awesome service! I rented a gravel bike for the day, good quality bike and Vern couldn’t have been more accommodating. Excellent location to start a tour from, many quiet country roads to enjoy.

Hans Bergman

I needed an e-bike for a long week-end and Vern very efficiently replied to my messages and then delivered a good ebike in perfect condition to the hotel, even before I arrived, and also picked it up after. Very good service. Of course I had to pay for the delivery, but that's normal.

Longwen X

Professional bike workshop

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

Sue H

Excellent cycle hire

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.

MothyTim

E-bike hire at its best!

Vern was friendly and helpful and very communicative, we hired 2 electric mountain bikes and they were superb and very well setup! He recommended a couple of different routes and the one we chose was great, we chose to cut it a bit shorter as it was such a hot day but still had a really nice ride! Highly recommended and a fantastic add on to our holiday in the Dales! Tim & Carole

IrishLemon

Exceptional Customer Service!

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!

Mark Woolford

Found Vern online and organised a bike hire from overseas. It was easily organised and once on holiday collected the bike with no issues. The bike was low spec but in good condition and well maintained. Vern was helpful and knowledgeable and I strongly recommend his services.

Kevin B

Luckily Ilkley

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.

Ellen B

Cycling in Ilkley

Great service with delivery of bikes right to our accommodation.
Bikes - Trek and Specialized like new and geared for the local terrain.

6thSister

Great Bike and Wonderful Support

Rosemary G

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!

rileyd100

Perfect bike hire.

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.

David R

Weekend bike hire - all good.

We hired 2 x bikes for a weekend of cycling around Harrogate. The bikes were delivered to/collected from our hotel. Friendly service, good, well-maintained bikes. Perfect.

Candice L

Yorkshire Dales MTB

Great service from Vern! He was very accommodating with our last minute reservation and he also arranged for the bikes to be dropped off and picked up at Loft House for us (as we didn’t have bike racks). The bikes were perfect for the Dales terrain (we did the Nidderdale classic route)!

Morten Thybo

Perfect experience renting a road bike from Vern, I can give my best recommendations for him

Morten T

Perfect experience renting road bike from Vern

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.

Melora Purell

We rented two e-bikes from Vern for a circular route of about 45 miles. It was a glorious ride! The bikes were perfect for the up and down of this countryside. Vern got us all geared up and was available by phone for when we returned. A perfect day on excellent bikes!!

Sam Challenor

Vern rented us 25 bikes and was unbelievable throughout! He sorted a route, adapted plans, found an electric bike for one person. He also coordinated to pick some people up early who found the cycle challenging. Thank you so much, Vern. You and Dave were amazing. We look forward to renting from you again!

David Newcombe

My girlfriend and I hired two hardtail mountain bikes from Vern, to explore Nidderdale. Vern was fantastic - flexible with pick up and drop off, provided us with a map and was really friendly. We rode out from the pick up point and past Gouthwaite reservoir and Scar House Reservoir. The bikes dealt with terrain effortlessly and we had a lovely day out, despite rain and wind. I would recommend getting the bikes dropped at a starting point, so as to minimize the time spent on roads. Cheers, Dave

Rachel T

Birthday cycle

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!

Michael Ball

recommends

Vern was very helpful and did a wheel swap to enable me to complete my 96 mile cycle spotive for Prostate Cancer. Highly recommend this genuine guy.

Mark

Great Bikes & Service

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.

AndyTShonaL

Bike Hire

We booked a cycling break in Harrogate. Vern provided the bikes which were excellent. He delivered the bikes to our hotel and collected them at the end. All arrangements made went like clockwork. A very good experience. Would highly recommend.

Will8868

Great day mountain biking

We hired 4 mountain bikes - all in great condition, which were delivered to our door in the morning and picked up in the evening. Vern was friendly and knowledgable. I’d highly recommend it to anyone hiring bikes for the day

Susie7761

Ebike riding in Nidderdale

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!

Ian Fraser

Extremely friendly and helpful service, great assistance at short notice and excellent bike, can't go wrong! (Mountain bike hire)

Charlie Chappatte

Brilliant time renting 2 mountain bikes, great service and excellent hard tail mountain bikes, would highly recommend!

Charlie C

Rachel Gooch

Such great service. We couldn't find a local hire shop with what we needed, but Vern delivered two perfect MTBs to us in Hellifield. He was very flexible and went out of his way to make sure we had what we needed. Very reasonable charge and we had a fantastic week, though my legs are properly tired now! Highly recommended.

Paul Sullivan

We rented 4 bikes from Vern for a couple of days. The bikes and delivery/collection service were excellent. Vern was also really flexible with timings and was very willing to share his local knowledge to advise us of appropriate MTB routes. Highly recommended.

Marcus Harrington

My Explorer Group hired 9 Mountain bikes to take out for the day, It was a really affordable hire. We were given brand new Mountain Bikes that the Explorers loved, Vern was very knowledgeable and suggested routes based on our riders experience. Great place of hire, would use again and recommend to anyone visiting harrogate and the local area.

James Silson

Massive thanks to Vern for servicing my bike. Excellent customer service and the bike feels like new. Would highly recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Libby A

Amazing Bikes and Fantastic Service

Vern and his wife were incredibly helpful all weekend, dropping the bikes off at our accommodation, and even poping back to help us with the right tools to get our bikes set up perfectly.

The bikes themselves were fantastic, we highly recommend electric bikes for exploring the dales, as they allowed us to see so much of the countryside without exhausting us by the end of the day! The batteries lasted really well and Vern supplied chargers so they could be ready to go every morning.

If we're ever back in the neighbourhood we will definitely be booking bikes with Vern again!

Gerard Mulhair

Vern has a great selection of bikes and was very helpful upon arrival. Easy access from Harrogate. Would definitely recommend

Mark Langley

Road Bike Hire Yorkshire Dales

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

Christopher Finnigan

Fantastic experience. Rented a brand new trek for 3 days. Really great service and affordable.

Henry Erdozain

A really great Bike Service done by Vern Overton this week, just been out on the bike, it is working like a dream and feels like new again. Great service, good value, Vern is a pleasure to deal with and I would highly recommend.

Harry Henderson

Quick, honest and high quality repair!

Stu Mitchell

My bike needed a service as it'd been some time since it had one, and the gears had started to seize up somewhat. I took it to Vern after seeing his reviews on here. After he'd finished, I was delighted that the bike ran as good as new. Very flexible on drop off and pick up times. Superb service and result - would highly recommend.

Charles Aulsebrook

We used Vern’s bike hire in October 2020 (sorry for such a belated review, Vern!) and the service was fantastic. Flexible pickup/drop-off times, great price and invaluable route advice. He even came into Harrogate to help us work the gears after we’d picked up the bikes and headed off!

C Aul700

celiza87

great road bike hire

Vern was really helpful, he gave me some great cycle routes to explore the local area and the bike I hired from him was great. I would definitely recommend !!!

98petej

Road Bike Hire

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!

Rob

Vern's No.1 ranking is well deserved!

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!

Daniel B

Day cycling in the Dales

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

Steve T

Cycling around Harrogate

We have just completed a 3 day mini cycle tour of Harrogate and the surrounding area with fabulous bikes hired from Vern Overton Cycling. The bikes were in great condition and Vern was even kind enough to offer a suggested route (Scar House Reservoir) which we took him up on. Hiring the bikes was a simple process with delivery and collection arranged to / from our B&B. Thoroughly recommended.

Julian Appleby

Great place to get your bike sorted! Vern is a good bloke and he knows his stuff.

May 29, 2023

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February 5, 2023

December 30, 2022

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September 1, 2022

June 25, 2022

June 23, 2022

June 10, 2022

Jenifer Wallis

July 26, 2019

Incredible customer service, knowledgable, attentive and so helpful. Bike service handled professionally, diligently and speedily. Bike now runs super smooth and I'm super happy. Very highly recommended.

Paal Jakobsen

April 2, 2019

Pål from norway

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

May 2, 2022

Victoria Whitmey

December 12, 2016

You will be in expert hands when you rent a bike from Vern. He will think of things you don't. A brilliant company.

August 5, 2020

March 1, 2021

RizShaz

August 18, 2019

A wonderful ride in the most beautiful backdrop with fabulous service from Vern

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 !

Romanciko Bueno

July 10, 2020

Would highly recommend Vern's services. Really profeciinal and friendly. Did a great job.

August 29, 2021

Julie

September 29, 2019

Hire bikes for world championships

Vern provides great customer service during our visit for the world championships. We hired hybrid bikes with helmets and had a great time exploring the countryside.
Vern made himself available when we needed to both pick up and drop off the bikes.

June 8, 2021

John B

January 13, 2020

Brilliant e-bike Hire Yorkshire Dales

Vern could not have been more helpful in advising me all about the hire of e-bikes for a weeks cycling holiday in the Yorkshire Dales .Verns helpful commitment to service made sure that the plans that my cousin from New Zealand had made for our trip was a breeze.

David Koomans

May 24, 2016

Rented a bike for the Etape du Dales sportive, and the service from Vern was excellent. Rode a great carbon Trek Emonda. Would definitely recommend cycling in the area, if you like steep climbs ;), and renting from Vern.

March 20, 2022

May 8, 2021

Declan M

March 24, 2019

Fantastic Service

I needed a bike at the last minute and none of the local bike shops could help me out. I called Vern and he couldn't have been more accommodating. He was good enough to drop the bike at my mates house as i was at work. When it was time to leave the back Vern offered to collect the bike as he was coming into town. I hired a Trek road bike and it was brilliant. Id highly recommend Vern and wouldn't hesitate to use again.

July 30, 2020

NickStrasburg

June 18, 2018

Hired a mountain bike

Vern has a good selection of Trek bikes and good local knowledge, he's an engaging character and was happy to go beyond the call of duty and help me sort out one of my own bikes.

September 10, 2021

November 3, 2020

Nick Rowe

July 2, 2015

Karl C

July 1, 2018

Great bike hire, stunning scenery!

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!

May 30, 2022

Jenny Playford

August 28, 2016

We hired 2 Mountain Bikes and Vern himself for 2 hours. He took us & 2 boys on a fabulous 30km ride around the area including a mountain bike course! Great way to see the sites, fantastic knowledge & support! Definitely recommend Vern, his stock of bikes etc was amazing!!

July 24, 2020

Gilbert Harrap (Gilbert)

December 29, 2019

Brilliant service, fantastic bikes, can't recommend enough!

September 1, 2021

April 14, 2022

ge0rgemallet

June 5, 2018

Amazing cycle across the Yorkshire dales!

Vern helped us with a 15 mile cycle from Skipton to Appletreewick via Grassington. Vern was extremely helpful and met us at the station with 10 top quality bikes all ready to go. We plotted the route in advance and he collected the bikes at a pub at the end so we could get some well earned drinks in. It was the most stunning cycle and enjoyed by all! I cannot recommend Vern and the trip in general enough,

Nick D

June 14, 2020

Used road bike sale

I purchased a used road bike which has been amazing for me. Great condition for its age, fits me perfectly and the customer service received could not be faulted. The price was very reasonable too. All in all I would recommend this shop to anyone for advice, hire or sales.

Thank you

adil qadeer

February 23, 2019

Great place

September 21, 2020

September 22, 2021

issam barhouch

October 4, 2018

Great service , very trustful and practical , Vern is one of a kind , ex army that decided to retire on two wheels

October 19, 2021

January 23, 2021

STEVEN E

August 14, 2019

First class service

Booked to ride a sportive in Thirsk, N. York’s but was without a bike after an accident & left with little prospect of hiring a road bike to be able to take part. Then we found Vern on a web search. Spoke to him briefly over the phone and then completed everything by e mail and txt. Nothing was too much trouble for Vern who delivered the bike to me, fitted my pedals and all was good to go. Completed my sportive the following day and the bike was great to ride. I phoned Vern to see if I could change the day of return for the bike which was no trouble at all and I received a refund which was unexpected. Vern contacted me after dropping off the bike to say I had left a piece of personal equipment on the bike and would post to me which I received the following day. Overall very impressive service from Vern who was a pleasure to talk to who provides an excellent service. If you are in the Yorkshire area and fancy hiring bikes look no further than Vern Overton Cycling.

TMSH

August 30, 2018

Great experience with excellent equipment, great advice and professional service

We cycled the Way of the Roses with our adult children and some friends. We had been struggling to put together bike rental, bike transport and baggage forwarding, but after contacting Vern, found he could do it all and at a better price than separate providers. He was always prompt in his responses when we were planning and had lots of very useful suggestions. His equipment, which included carbon fiber Trek road bikes, helmets, locks and repair kits was all first rate. He met us as planned the first morning, right on time, and dropped our bags before our arrival at our hotels along the way. He adjusted the bikes to fit us, offered our choice of pedal type and even did a tune up along the way. It was clear that he really cared about our experience and about the service he offers and his knowledge of cycling comes from personal experience. I would very highly recommend Vern for anyone considering a trip like ours across the UK.

john w

October 9, 2018

Best customer support on the planet

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)

September 5, 2021

Andrew Crabb

October 10, 2018

Thanks to Vern, I had a fantastic cycling holiday exploring the beautiful Yorkshire countryside for over a week without the effort, stress and carbon emissions of bringing my own bike to the UK. He set me up with a lovely road bike and couldn't have been more helpful. Communications were always prompt and friendly. There is so much cycling to be enjoyed in this area whether you stay local or venture far out into the Dales. Thoroughly recommended.

Great bikes and service

Professional bike workshop

Excellent cycle hire

E-bike hire at its best!

Exceptional Customer Service!

Luckily Ilkley

Cycling in Ilkley

Great Bike and Wonderful Support

Great Bike and Wonderful Support

Perfect bike hire.

Weekend bike hire - all good.

Yorkshire Dales MTB

Perfect experience renting road bike from Vern

Birthday cycle

Great Bikes & Service

Bike Hire

Great day mountain biking

Ebike riding in Nidderdale

Amazing Bikes and Fantastic Service

Road Bike Hire Yorkshire Dales

great road bike hire

Road Bike Hire

Vern's No.1 ranking is well deserved!

Day cycling in the Dales

Cycling around Harrogate

Ride Guide & Coaching

CONSIDERING A GUIDE RIDE?

ROAD OR TRAIL?

CALL OR EMAIL VO CYCLES TO BOOK AN ACCOMPANIED RIDE.

PERSONAL COACHING

GIVE VERN A CALL OR EMAIL TODAY AND DISCUSS WHETHER PERSONAL COACHING MAY BE OF BENEFIT TO YOU.

ENQUIRY REGARDING A COACHING SESSION OR GUIDED RIDE

Great bikes and service

Professional bike workshop

Excellent cycle hire

E-bike hire at its best!

Exceptional Customer Service!

Luckily Ilkley

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Pål from norway

Weekend bike hire - all good.

Day cycling in the Dales

A wonderful ride in the most beautiful backdrop with fabulous service from Vern

Hire bikes for world championships

Brilliant e-bike Hire Yorkshire Dales

Perfect bike hire.

Fantastic Service

Cycling around Harrogate

Hired a mountain bike

Bike Hire

great road bike hire

Great bike hire, stunning scenery!

Great Bike and Wonderful Support

Perfect experience renting road bike from Vern

Amazing cycle across the Yorkshire dales!

Used road bike sale

Exceptional Customer Service!

Cycling in Ilkley

Road Bike Hire

Birthday cycle

E-bike hire at its best!

First class service

Great experience with excellent equipment, great advice and professional service

Best customer support on the planet

Great day mountain biking

Luckily Ilkley