LCAG Social Rides

Social rides take place on alternate Sundays, usually from City Square,
Oakwood Clock, Pudsey Cenotaph or Moortown Co-op

Rides usually start between 8.30am in summer and 9.30am in winter. Send an email to Frank Montgomery at fmontgom_@_its.leeds.ac.uk (remove underscores) for more information or for fortnightly e-mail updates. These rides are of a social nature. We don't ride very fast and there is always a cafe or pub for lunch.

Most rides are 50 miles plus, although some shorter rides are organised occasionally.

Sunday Rides

Date	Start time	From	Destination	Navigator	Dist (m)	Possible short cut/Notes
2 March 2008	9.30	Moortown	Burnsall	Frank	60	Train from Ilkley
16 March	9.30	Moortown	Goose Eye nr Keighley	TBA	45	Train from Keighley
30 March	9.30	Oakwood Clock	York	Frank	60	Train from York
13 April	9.00	Moortown	Pateley Bridge	Matt	50	Train from Harrogate
27 April	9.00	Oakwood Clock	Pocklington	Peter	80	Train from York
11 May	9.30	Marsden	Another Metro rail station	Matt	50	8.40 Train from Leeds arr Marsden 9.19 - Buy a Day Rover
1 June	8.30	City Square	Dunford Bridge	Steve	65	Train from Huddersfield
15 June	8.30	Moortown	Middleham via Kettlewell	Peter	100+
18 June	18.30	Oakwood Clock	TBA	Matt	15	Bike Week evening ride
29 June	8.30	Pudsey	Worsthorne	Barry	75	Train from Hebden Bridge
13 July	8.30	City Square	Langsett	Andy	65	Train from Penistone
27 July	8.30	Moortown	Hawes	Barry	100	Train from Ribblehead, Settle etc
10 August	8.30	Moortown	Lothersdale	Steve	60	Train from Steeton
31 August	8.30	Oakwood Clock	Thirsk	Frank	80	Train from Thirsk
14 September	9.00	City Square	Slaithwaite	Steve	60	Train from Huddersfield
28 September	9.00	Moortown	Grassington	Barry	65	Train from Skipton
12 October	9.00	Oakwood Clock	York	Matt	60	Train from York
26 October	9.00	Moortown	Ripon	Steve	70	Train from Knaresbrough
9 November	9.30	Moortown	Darley Mills	Peter	45
23 November	9.30	Pudsey	Halifax	Barry	42	Train from Halifax
7 December	9.30	Moortown	Tockwith	Andy	50	Train from Cattal
14/21 December	10.00	Moortown	Xmas ride to Kirkby Overblow	Frank	25
11 January 2009	9.30	Oakwood Clock	Selby	Peter	45	Train from Selby
25 January	9.30	Moortown	Keighley Cliffs Castle	Andy	45	Train from Keighley
8 February	9.30	City Square	Castleford	Frank	30	Train from Castleford
22 February	9.30	Moortown	Burnsall	Steve	60	Train from Ilkley
8 March	9.30	Moortown	Boroughbridge	Frank	45	Train from Cittal
22 March	9.30	Pudsey	Halifax	Barry	30	Train from Halifax
5 April	9.00	Moortown	Buckden	Peter	80	Train from Skipton, Ilkley
19 April	9.00	City Square	Askern	Andy	55	Train from Pontefract
10 May	8.30	Moortown	Pateley Bridge	Matt	50

Where did we go?

Report of ride to Darley Mill

For various reasons it had been a while since I had been on a Sunday ride with the faithful few, so it was with a sense of anticipation and delight that I waited for my cycling companions at Moortown Corner on a chilly morning beneath grey skies. By the 9.30 start time, six of us had gathered, and we set off into the freshening wind for Otley, where we met a seventh colleague in the eternally wonderful Dunnies. We squeezed around a formica table and warmed ourselves with mugs of six shilling tea. Three colleagues then left us to return to Leeds, muttering darkly about possible showers ahead and various shopping related commitments.

I myself thought that a shower was unlikely, not least as I could see a patch of blue sky ahead of us which would have patched the trousers of several sailors. We pedalled happily on to Darley, pausing only briefly at Thruscross Reservoir to watch the darkly foaming water tumulting over the gritstone overflow. Arriving at Darley in good time we ate our dinner in a leisurely manner like country gentlefolk. Leaving the restaurant, it became obvious that it had started to rain enthusiastically. Roads turned into rivers, rivers burst their banks, which then closed. Puddle became pools, pools became lakes, and we got wet, then wetter, then wetter again. The unremitting misery was not even lifted by some Jehovah’s Witnesses who attempted to accost one of our bedraggled party in Birstwith. Another of our party grew webbed feet, a mutation that I had previously thought was limited to those who lived on the East Coast.

Still, we cycled gamely on, combining the riding of our bikes with some rather nifty front crawl to help us through the more waterlogged sections. The final hills slowed us down and we were overtaken by a shoal of herring. All was not lost however, and as we approached the ring road, stopping only briefly to wring out some of our sodden clothing, the rain stopped, allowing us to complete the final two miles, if not dry, then at least not dripping.

All in all, a good day out, with 48 miles covered.

Report of ride to York

Funny, there were no bankers or financiers turning up for the ride to York - must have been too busy thanking their lucky stars. Still, four people who actually contribute something to society (at least to some extent) met in Oakwood and set off under cloudy skies to the breakfast stop in Wetherby.

The route was via Bramham and the new road parallel to the A1M, some of which is cycle-laned (apologies for new verb). The weather began to brighten and warm up after our stop, and the most interesting part of the remainder of the route to York was the obligatory off-road section from Bilton to Healaugh via a bridle path - not too bad for mid-October in terms of mud, with some great views looking south as the sun came out. One of our number left us at this point to head to Tadcaster for lunch and beer at the Old Brewery (Sam Smiths), this being a fine model to all capitalists of how to run a proper business - great beer at wonderful prices.

The remaining three of us were in York just after noon, and one of us had backstreets local knowledge so we toured some of the pretty highways and byways of York, to find a great tucked-away cafe (Piglets Cafe in Swinegate Court) for more refreshment. Another of us dropped out at this stage to get the train back to Leeds, whilst the remaining pair cycled quickly out of York spurred on by the idea of a "quick one" in Taddy with our former comrade if time allowed.

Racing through Appleton Roebuck, we found plenty of time to manage a pint in the beautiful courtyard of the aforementioned pub, overlooking the dray horses who always seem so content. Thirsts slaked, we overcame the urge for more beer and headed for home, back in Leeds for 4pm in fabulous sunshine. Another triumphant ride with the credit-crunch and the world's troubles temporarily forgotten as the fields and villages rolled by. MH

Report of ride to Slaithwaite

Five of us met at City Square. We passed the experimental road surface on Marshall Street on the way to Beeston and Middleton. We arrived in Dewsbury for breakfast but failed to find anywhere at the canal boatyard and so headed into the town centre. On continuing, it was noted that the cobbled streets had a smoother surface than the road surface on Marshall Street.

We now followed a couple of new Sustrans routes to Huddersfield. On crossing the 15 arch Bradley Viaduct, we found a plaque listing FM as one of the contributors to the Sustrans work.

One rider turned for home at Huddersfield as the rest of us climbed to Blackmoorfoot Reservoir before dropping into Slaithwaite and lunch on a narrow barge.

The return home began with a climb to the north but the pace then quickened due to the favourable terrain through Elland, Brighouse and Hartshead. We were down to 3 as we climbed towards Morley and another cup of tea.

A five-star ride

A five-star ride, said BH, despite the rain showers, and falling short of the destination.

As you well know, we are still waiting for summer to arrive, nevertheless the weather on LCAG Sunday rides has been generally better than average. Having cycled via Cookridge and Horsforth, four of us met up with DS (the originator of these rides) at the cafe by the canal in Apperley Bridge, and had an excellent value cooked breakfast sitting outside in the sun. As the sun went in, we set off along the towpath to Saltaire. A sharp shower led to rainproofs being donned, but then removed again after a few minutes as it was too warm.

DS left us at Saltaire, while the rest of us struggled up the hill to Noon Nick - but it was worth the effort for the views up the Aire valley. Before Denholme another shower forced a repeat of the on-off routine, but that was the end of the rain for the day. At Oxenhope it was already lunchtime, so we decided to forego the climb over the moors to Lothersdale via Laneshaw Bridge, and instead have lunch at Oxenhope station (terminus of the KWVR line).

The station was bustling with railway enthusiasts and quite a few cyclists, and lunch was had in a former railway buffet car. The return journey included a walk (!) though the park in Haworth and a lovely track through a wooded park in Bingley. After Esholt sewage works we lay on the grass eating bananas and soaking up the sun. Back home by 4pm, having covered exactly 50 miles. Shorter than planned, but five stars nonetheless.

It was such a perfect day, I wish you’d spent it with us…

Ah, the glories of cycling on a balmy spring day. Those in the know gathered at Moortown Corner. We set off under a sun that shone all day. It was a day when there were no leg tiring uphills, only glorious downhills, with an eternal tail wind of support, pushing us onwards, ever onwards.

The colour yellow – fields of rape seed, roadside dandelions, gorse bushes in flower, daffodils. The smell of spring in the air. Milky blue skies

Breakfast - bacon, egg and tomato butties at Darley Mill. Lunch - Buffers Café in Storiths, mixing it with the walkers and their ice creams. Refreshing pots of hot tea on a warm day.

And then later…we go home.

A sublime 65 miles, and where were you?

What do you think of cyclists? You think they're saints? Hah! They're foxy beasts!

It was a damp Sunday morning, it was a rainy Sunday morning. But that did not deter the six of us who gathered at nine o’clock by the Oakwood clock. As we passed through Sherburn-in-Elmet, we picked up two more colleagues. So eight of us sat, in good spirits despite the pervading moistness, in the café by the bus station in the middle of Selby. We ate breakfast, we visited the automated toilet with its fifteen minute time limit (which would have delighted absent friends). Farewells were made as three returned to Leeds, leaving five to cycle onwards towards the east.

The weather became kinder to us and we made good progress under slowly clearing skies. Just past Bubwith, we spotted a barn owl flying across a field. We reached Pocklington in good time for a pub lunch. As we set off on our return, we said goodbye to another two friends, who were heading for York. The sun came out, the miles passed by. Two more goodbyes and I pedalled the last few miles into Leeds on my own. The city roads were awash with water, and the spray from my front wheel hit my ankles. I climbed off the bike at 5.00pm, with 86 miles in my legs.

Sometimes, on a Sunday, a bike ride is the best thing that you can do.

One of those special days...

One of those special days when the weather was much better than the forecast – no gloves needed for the first time this year.

Five started from Oakwood including two new members (who have promised to return), plus another two who joined us at a new-found breakfast stop in Cross Gates (LB’s café in Austhorpe Road, and very good it was too).

So seven headed off to Barwick, where we paid a visit to its new bike shop, as advertised in the last ‘Chainletter’. On the way we noticed the famous maypole was missing – apparently due to be replaced on 26 May this year. See here for how this is done, or at least how it was done, as rumour has it that H&S have insisted ‘proper’ equipment is used this time.

A delightful ride with the wind behind us through Taddy to York, where in true LCAG tradition we baulked at the prices of the fashionable riverside cafes, and settled instead for a very wholesome lunch in a former church in Spurriergate.

The return was against the wind as usual, but it had dropped by now so good progress was made. At Thorpe Arch Trading Estate, Frank finally found the link from the new Sustrans path to the little road here, thus saving about 600m distance!

Total ride distance 59.9 miles (bang on the estimate for a change!) at average speed while moving of 12 mph. Home by 1710.

Ride to Goose Eye...

Seven riders on various parts of this ride, but max five at any one time, as we kept picking up and dropping as we went. Shows how flexible we can be!

Following a fine view from the Chevin, we were soon in Mick's Grill in Guiseley for breakfast. Then along the moorside to East Morton, where Frank took the steep downhill very gingerly, as his new rims and brakes were still bedding in. Through Keighley's back streets to the preserved village of Laycock, thence down an unfeasibly steep hill to Goose Eye, and traditional Sunday lunch by a real fire in a cosy pub. Eventually dragging ourselves away from this decadence, we were immediately faced with a steep hill out of the village, then wound our way through Oakworth and down another steep hill to a level crossing over the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, just as a steam train was moving off. Some more uphills and we were soon at Hewenden viaduct (the highest in England when built, and now a Sustrans cycle route) which nicely avoids a nasty steep narrow winding section of the B6144. The road to Saltaire via Noon Nick provided fine views over Airedale. After Shipley, we avoided the busy A657 by taking the old parallel road through Thackley, which had the added advantage of better views. After Apperley Bridge our route took us through the rather secluded area between Rawdon and the river. Very nice if you can afford it!

All in all a fascinating ride on a fine day which threatened to rain a couple of times but never did.

Ride to Harrogate...

Five gathered at Moortown on an overcast morning. The forecast was for light rain, but it stayed dry, if windy, all day.

After the Otley breakfast stop four of us headed north-east via Farnley then across Lindley bridge (undergoing repairs) on a lovely country road that was new to me despite almost 30 years in Leeds! Soon on the B6161 we hit 60 km/h on a long downhill helped by a following wind. At Killinghall three made a circuit of Crag Hill, with views over the Nidd to Ripley. Then it was downhill to cross the A61 and using Harrogate’s excellent cycle map we took an interesting (ie indirect!) route via Knox Mill Bridge and Bilton to our lunch stop near the main post office in Harrogate. Suitably fed, two of us set off by another of Harrogate’s cycle routes: across the Stray, through a wooded area, then suddenly a fine view of the 31 arches of Crimple Viaduct. Soon we were in Kirkby Overblow, from where back to Leeds by separate routes. Total ride length a bit more than advertised at 45m, but home by 15:20, and a very enjoyable day out.

Report of ride to (not quite) Dunford Bridge, Sun 1 June 2008

The rain was kind enough to hold off as we assembled but by the time we set off, the jackets were on. It'd been arranged for one rider to join the ride at Drighlington. The small advance party arrived for the meeting, while the main party was delayed by a puncture repair. We then moved on an unfamiliar but pleasant route to Heckmondwike.

The continuing light rain seemed to encourage us to eke out the length of the break until the staff of the Apollon Cafe were hinting we should brave the elements.

We skirted Huddersfield by an interesting route - crossing the River Holme and passing through Almondbury. In the mist, we passed Victoria Tower at Castle Hill, then descended to Honley. We then shadowed the main road to Holmfirth where we had lunch.

It was still damp, so we decided not to continue over Holme Moss and on to Dunford Bridge. While a couple headed for the train, the remaining 4 headed through New Mill and headed for Elmley Moor, fixing another puncture en route. We inadvertently split up in road works near the centre of Dewsbury but came back together for the return to Leeds. I expect summer to return in time for the next ride.

Social rides take place on alternate Sundays, usually from City Square, Oakwood Clock, Pudsey Cenotaph or Moortown Co-op