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Police are urging cyclists to take care on Britain's new Way of the Roses coast-to-coast cycle route. Three riders have been injured in accidents with cars since the start of the year on a 1.2km stretch near Pateley Bridge in North Yorkshire.

Officers say the B6265 at Greenhow Hill – which slopes steeply downhill through a series of winding bends – is particularly precarious when wet. Two riders have been taken to hospital by air ambulance, with the latest incident occurring on Saturday (8 October).

On that occasion, a 31-year-old from Cheshire collided head-on with a Volkswagen car and suffered "substantial" injuries to his shoulder, back, neck and leg. Police describe his condition as "serious but not life-threatening".

Acting Inspector Robert Thorpe, of North Yorkshire Police, said all three accidents were believed to have been caused by the cyclists, not the motorists. He said he'd been in touch with Sustrans and they'd agreed to add a warning to their map of the route. "It's a fantastic route but people need to take care on this descent," he said.

One of the' largest annual charity events in the Dales - the Great Milk Stout Ride - has opened its registration for this year's event and organisers are hoping for a record number of participants to mark the bike ride's 20th year and to take funds raised for Macmillan Cancer Support to over half a million pounds.

Since its inception in 1993, the Great Milk Stout Ride has raised almost £450,000 for Macmillan, attracting cyclists and fundraisers from across the North of England to take part. The charity cycle ride will start from the showground in Pateley Bridge on Sunday 9 September this year, with a wide variety of family entertainment taking place in the showground throughout the day.

This year, participants will be able to choose from three different routes according to fitness, or determination. The X-treme 25 will see riders tackle some of Nidderdale's most punishing hill climbs, while the Full Monty offers a 20-mile ride along a route that takes in spectacular beauty spots including Brimham Rocks. For younger - or less intrepid - cyclists, the Half Litre ride provides a scaled-down, ten-mile alternative with its fair share of hills and plenty of fantastic scenery.  For more information click here >>