LCAG

Christmas Ride – 19th December

This was our last ride for 2010  with a turnout of 14 despite very cold and icy weather. We gathered at 10am at Moortown and a discussion of the road conditions prompted a change of route. Lunch was booked for 12.30pm so we set off at a leisurely pace towards Otley via Alwoodley Lane, King Lane and then through Bramhope and down the main road. The descent to Otley was very cold and we were glad to have a light breakfast at Dunnies cafe . Those who had not been before were stunned at the very reasonable prices. Andy then suggested we take a look at the The Navvies Monument which honours the construction workers who died building theBramhope Railway Tunnel.

We then went up the west side of the Chevin by a route many of us had not used before – again suggested by Andy. The stiff climb soon warmed us up and we were rewarded with good views from the top. We arrived at The Royalty Pub in good time for lunch – a delicious carvery plus good veggie options – where we were joined by two more ‘car assisted’ riders and another cyclist. After lunch we soon split into smaller groups as we  headed home by the most direct route.

A good turnout for the LCAG Christmas lunch

This has been a good year for LCAG social rides, many thanks to the riders and navigators for turning out. If you haven’t joined us on a ride recently you can see our new list of rides for 2011 here.

The Guy Fawkes Ride – 7th November

15 people turned out for this historical ride – historical in the sense of visiting sites of historic interest that is. The good weather – sunny if chilly – played it’s part in gathering a good sized group no doubt. We set off from Oakwood Clock and almost immediately the group got split at traffic lights. We regrouped but soon split up again as we made our way out of Leeds. However we regrouped as we approached Bramham stayed together along the pleasant lanes to Tadcaster.

Our arrival at Tykes Tearooms was not greeted with unbridled enthusiasm but the lone waitress did a magnificent job of taking and serving orders in pretty quick time all things considered. Nonetheless we didn’t leave till nearly 12 there being so many of us.

We then set off towards the A64 where a cycle lane soon took us on to very quiet lanes apart from other large groups of cyclists. As we crossed the York ring road Andy said he thought there was a cycle track that would take us almost into York.

Tricky cycle barriers

We did indeed find it and it was a good track apart from some of the strangest cycle barriers we had ever seen. However Steve J managed to cycle straight through them, we were duly impressed.

Parking 15 bikes

We stopped at sites linked to Guy Fawkes including the bridge on the Ouse where Margaret Clitherow was pressed to death with her own front door for refusing to give up the Catholic faith. The religious theme continued as we lunched in a former church at Spurriergate but we were treated to welcome to the church talk from one of the staff. Some quietly offered up prayers for a homebound tailwind. Parking the bikes proved difficult but we reckoned there was safety in numbers.

After lunch 2 of the party decided to head back to Leeds as they had a 6pm engagement. The rest of us walked to Fawkes’s birthplace (now a pub) and the church where he was baptised. History now behind us [isn't it always? Ed.] thoughts turned to home and we took the river cycle path out of York. This proved very oozy as the Ouse had obviously been very high and left particularly stickymud behind. As we joined the road towards Accomb we stopped to clean up. At this point 3 more left choosing to return by train.

After a stretch of B road we returned to quiet lanes and though still sunny the chill was increasing. We briefly lost one of our party but soon found him again and then we cracked onto Wetherby. At this point we split into groups determined by our tiredness, some speeding off, others needing more time to tackle the hills into North Leeds.

A lovely day and thanks to all the riders who turned out.

Oxenhope – 24th October

There was some confusion over the start time for the ride which meant some arrived at Pudsey before 9 o’clock and others didn’t arrive until after 9:30. A plan to ride to the breakfast stop in two groups was quickly dismissed with the warm sunshine being a factor in the decision. So, shortly after 9:30, 9 of us set off to Thornbury. From there we went straight towards Shipley, passing Bradford Industrial Museum on a surprisingly pleasant route. Salt’s Mill, next to our breakfast stop, looked impressive from a couple of miles away, on the hill above Shipley. We dropped down and reached Saltaire along canal.

The refreshment was needed because we started climbing immediately on leaving Saltaire. Approaching Wilsden, a crank became detached and we searched a length of road for the missing bolt. Fortunately a pair of eagle eyes spotted it a few feet away. At Wilsden, the navigation went slightly wrong, drawing happy reminiscences of cycling through an industrial estate due to a previous mistake by the same navigator. An adjustment was made and Cullingworth viaduct crossed. We then headed south west before dropping into Oxenhope.

Lunch was in a railway carriage at the station which is on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. There was also a beer festival at the station but the entrance fee discouraged us. The return was through Haworth, Harden and Bingley. There was then a long climb to Eldwick and on to Baildon Moor. At Guiseley, the ride split in 2, one group taking the direct route along the A65 and the others returning via Carlton and Cookridge.

Ride Report – Denby Dale – The Pie Ride, 10th October

The started well, the promise of bright sunshine had dragged 10 eager riders from their beds for a ride to the South – to Denby! Getting out of Leeds City Centre can be a bit tricky but a combination of quiet roads and cycle track got us out quickly and safely. We passed through several villages including one or two with pit wheels on display but no longer active. After 10 miles we passed a cafe but Barry had other plans for the breakfast stop and we pedalled on to the Redbeck Motel outside Crofton. There was a quick double take at the sign – were we in the deep south? But no it was Redbeck not neck! The breakfast options were good and having done a third of the day some were tempted by the full English. After breakfast one rider headed home pleading other commitments.

From there the remaining 9 of us headed further south into some lovely rolling country before coming to the village of Woolley. After this the terrain started to steepen with several climbs. By now the sun was shining brightly and the day was warm. We lunched at the Chestnut Tree pub in High Hoyland (thanks for the recommendation Harry) and it was so warm we ate outside, the views were good though rather hazy. At this point we decided to take a new photo for the website – the current one being 7 years old.

There was some debate about whether to miss out Denby but when one of our party told us there was a sculpture of a pie we knew we had to go. As well as the sculpture we saw several pie dishes large enough to use as planters but we didn’t tarry long and headed uphill out of Denby. After more climbing we came to Emley Moor with wonderful views in all directions. At this point I realised that my legs were not as willing as in the morning and started to plan my shortcut. We were heading to the Spen Valley Greenway so I stayed with the group for a glorious downhill towards Dewsbury where I took the train. The others continued to Spen Valley and then home without incident. I sat in the wonderful bar of the West Riding Licensed Refreshment Rooms waiting for my train and taking a break from the sun before returning home, weary but very happy. A grand day out at this time of year always feels like a bonus.

JF

To see the route on a map – click here

Kirkby Malzeard – 26th September

Ten riders started from Moortown on a cool but otherwise reasonable day. Our route out was Eastwards to Slaid Hill and passing the golf course to Scarcroft. Taking some very minor lanes towards Collingham then towards Boston Spa but joining the cycleway alongside the A1 feeder road to Wetherby. Breakfast was at Morrisons. Leaving North out of Wetherby by the cycle track on the A168. There was a steady Northerly breeze holding us back slightly although had a positive effect of holding the peleton together. We entered Boroughbridge via Marton cum Grafton and Aldborough. Lunch was at the friendly Tasty Snacks Cafe which we all but filled. Returning home nicely assisted with a back wind via Minskip and Knaresborough, no one was ready for another stop in the afternoon so we pressed on home via Kirkby Overblow and Weardley Bank. Total 53 miles. AG

Ride report for Malham 12th September

Maybe it was because it was the third visit to Malham this year, but only three turned up. On the first half of the ride we faced a steady head wind and generally were gaining height, the second half was the opposite and the two were divided by the big hill going west from Arncliffe. We went by the tried and tested route to Bolton Abbey grounds for breakfast but the special “breakfast” menu was not what I expected with only two items on it and not an egg or a piece of toast in sight. To save ourselves for the big hill we went at a gentle pace and took the B roads to Grassington avoiding any unnecessary hilly detours. S J had double the weight of his bike by bringing camping equipment but he had been keeping the pace without difficulty. He decided to stay the night in Appletreewick so left us here, eschewing the delights of the big hill. We ascended the big hill at a steady pace feeling fit and enjoying the wildness of the surroundings
away from the tourist hotspots but one mile before Malham there was a loud ping and a spoke of NC’s back wheel broke and wrapped itself round the opposite axle. The wheel was very wobbly and as there was no spoke key, no cycle shop and no train nearby, so over lunch in Malham, thoughts of helicopter or spouse rescue were discussed. However the wheel turned out to be not that bad and so we progressed gingerly south eastwards until my left crank started to come off. This was quickly resolved as NC had a suitable allen key and we went with the wind to catch the train at Keighley.

Ride Report -Malham 1st Aug

Eight started from Moortown in good weather. Our route, through Bramhope and then around the Otley bypass to Ilkley to ensure we were making reasonable initial progress for the fairly long run. At Ben Ridding we crossed the river at the green bridge and headed up Wharfedale on the back lane route to Bolton Bridge where we stopped for breakfast. After breakfast we headed through Embsay, Rylstone and on the hilly back lanes to Airton and Malham. The back lanes are usually very quiet around here, however we encountered an MG sports car club run on the same route although they were all very considerate. We also lost one of our number going back for sunglasses after breakfast and missing the turn off. Lunch was in the cafe in Malham. One other stayed behind in Malham deciding to overnight in Kettlewell. From Malham climbing on a road to the East side of the cove which attracts less traffic than the Western route we had our only spell of rain. It didn’t last too long and a little rain at least keeps you refreshed when climbing the side of Malham Cove. The route then rewarded us a good view of Malham Tarn as we past to the West side of it to take a right turn at our most Westerly point of the day. This road heads for Arncliffe via spectacular grand Yorkshire scenery this of course comes with the odd hill but very well worth it. The pub in Arncliffe has the reputation of having a grumpy landlord so we thought it might be worth a visit for quick half. He wouldn’t serve us as it was a couple of minutes past 3pm. Onward to Grassington via Conistone where we stopped for afternoon tea. Returning home through Appletreewick, Cavendish pavilion and the back lane to Ilkley and Otley. distance 85 miles
Andy

Report of Ride to Masham, 18 July 2010.

Was it the weather forecast, the ride length, or the holidays? For whatever reason, there were only 3 riders at Moortown, probably the poorest attendance this year. Undaunted, we set off for Wetherby, arriving at Morrisons in time to hear them count down ’5, 4, 3, 2, 1, let the customers in!’. Setting off again up the old A1, an attempted shortcut to Arkendale ended in a dungheap, forcing a retreat back to proper tarmac.  Arkendale found, we then followed delightful roads that had never felt our tyres before, to south of Fountains Abbey, where the trio became a duo, with the solo heading back towards Harrogate for a train home.  The duo pressed on in a westerly direction, over the hills to the north of Pateley Bridge, where we experienced strong wind, sunshine, rain, a steep downhill and a gorgeous view all at once.  Despite the earlier cooked breakfast, I was feeling quite hungry now, so we pulled in to the inn at Wath to look at the menu. Soup at £5.50 scared us off, but the next pub (at Ramsgill) was even worse at £6.50. We could have guessed from the Maserati parked in front.  The pub at Lofthouse would have been more reasonable, but at 2.30pm had stopped serving food, so we had to go the extra mile to the cafe at Stean Gorge.  Suitably refreshed by canneloni and coffee, we then attacked the long steep hill out of Lofthouse.  Helped by a following wind, it was not so bad as expected, and the long fast downhill to Masham was thrilling.

Ride Report – 4th July – Sculpture Ride – 52 miles

They say that you have to suffer for your art and so it was to prove for the group of intrepid art lovers gathered at City Square at 8.15am.  Our Grand Tour of the panopticons (an area where everything is visible) of Lancashire was to be train assisted so 7 of us gathered on the platform with our bikes. However these plus 4 more were easily stowed on board thanks to a very helpful guard. Two of our number were youngsters who struggled up the first  hill out of Keighley and here they decided to leave the ride and return to the station. Having waved them farewell the rest of us set off to our first sculpture – the Atom.

By the time we arrived a headwind was gathering and we were glad of the shelter afforded by the sculpture which has a magnificent setting. We then descended to the delightful (and sheltered) village of Wycoller where we had breakfast at the excellent tea rooms. We had a long leg now to the next sculpture on the edge of Burnley. Encouraged by some long rolling descents and avoiding the perils of Widdup Moor we pushed on through Burnley and up the long drag of  Bacup Road. At this point the wind strengthened, a drizzly rain began and our group stretched out. We battled along the top road to find the sculpture amidst the howling wind and rain. With such strong winds the sculpture was singing loudly being made of carefully positioned and tuned tubes.

After some route clarification we set off to Bacup – pronounced “Bake up” and not “Back up” our local rider informed us. This proved to be another long leg though largely downhill. Having arrived at the valley bottom we were thinking of lunch but not finding anywhere suitable we pressed on to our final sculpture of the day – Halo. Tired, cold and battered we mustered less enthusiasm for this one, though perhaps it looks better at night when the LED lights cast an eerie glow. We returned the way we came and headed to an enormous ASDA where we ate a very late lunch.

By now some of us were thinking of the train options for the return and there was talk of returning from Halifax. However Steve’s warning about the long drag out of Bacup proved accurate and despite an exhilarating descent we decided Hebden Bridge would be far enough for the day and split into 2 groups for the train ride home. 52 miles instead of the anticipated 80 but with hills and headwind we all agreed it had been a long day.

JF

You can see the route of our ride and some photos at

http://www.a-trip.com/tracks/view/55988

There is also some video at the links below, thanks to Ian for these. In most of them you can barely hear us talking due to the wind!

http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/433250/1/Panopticons?h=bc52df

And videos
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/433250/Panopticons/CIMG1726.AVI
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/433250/Panopticons/CIMG1740.AVI
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/433250/Panopticons/CIMG1736.AVI
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/433250/Panopticons/CIMG1738.AVI
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/433250/Panopticons/CIMG1735.AVI
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/433250/Panopticons/CIMG1737.AVI
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/433250/Panopticons/CIMG1730.AVI

Ride Report – 17th June  to Harewood – 15 miles

Subtitled the “Red Kite spotters ride”, 7 of us met at Oakwood on a very pleasant evening. We set off to Shadwell and the short hill warmed us up further before we made our way to Harewood via Leeds Grammar School. This quiet road has been blocked off to cars and it was amazing to see how quickly nature was reclaiming the tarmac. After the slightly hairy crossing of the A61 we headed to the reservoir and started looking for kites. One of our party kept making regular sightings which somehow the rest of us managed to miss. After a discussion about off road options we chose to go down Weardley Hill and take the more gentle bridle way that takes you to Harewood Village. More kite spottings were claimed but we all saw the deer! We then went along the A61 – quieter by now – when the cry went up  ”Kite!” – this time we all managed to see it as it circled very close above us. We then headed to Wyke before taking in another hill and returning to Shadwell. Here our party split up to make our way home. A lovely evening ride – we should do more of these.
JF

Ride Report – Local Heroes Ride – 13th June

6 of us gathered for our shortest ride of the year (8 miles) on one of thelongest days of the year. Starting from City Square we pootled South of the city centre to see sites of historical and scientific interest including Matthew Murray’s iron gravestone, a mill styled as an Egyptian temple and two chimneys masquerading as Italian towers. On reaching Thwaite Mills we found it closed but the gate open – it was a temptation we couldn’t resist! However we were soon rumbled so we made our way back to the Armouries and then to Leeds Bridge – where some of the world’s first moving images were recorded on film. Many thanks to Ian who added many interesting bits of information on the ride to complement that of the navigator. A few of us then repaired to a cafe for an excellent (if undeserved) breakfast.
JF

The Rain Ride -  6th June

Eight of us (one being a first timer) set out having agreed to a radical change of route going clockwise instead of anticlockwise round the advertised route thus doing the hilly half first but waiting till Pateley for breakfast, 22 miles away. It was gently raining.  We had a snack stop after the hill out of Otley and then two left to make their way home.  It wes still raining.  Then just before Pateley we had a blow out caused by the heat to the rim braking down Yorke’s Folly,and the inner tube was beyond repair.  Then it was a direct route to Kirkby Malzeard but the the road out of Pateley, which was new to me, was much steeper and longer than I anticipated.  The easing of the rain as we came out of the cafe at Pateley was shortlived and we were getting very soggy so we forsook the pub in Kirkby and headed with much more speed with the wind behind us to a ‘new to us’ cafe in Markington.  It stopped raining while we were inside but of course was raining when we left.  Then a navigational error meant there was an unplanned change of route and we went Knaresborough way instead of Burnt Yates but it did bring a nice tarmacced bridleway/track south of Stainley and going out of Knaresborough, part of the Beryl Burton Way and we did have a dry period for a short while.  At least it was only Summer rain.  All home by 5.30 I think
BH

Report of Ride to Wheldrake – 23rd May

Click here to see an interactive map of the ride

As the start time passed there was only one person waiting at Moortown Coop. There were another 14 at the meeting point at Oakwood Clock. A quick phone call hatched a plan to meet the aberrant rider en route.

On a warm and sunny day, what little wind there was was in our favour.
This was just as well as the breakfast stop was at Selby. Progress was brisk with occasional stops to regroup. A regroup turned into a slightly longer stop at Sherburn in Elmet as one or two tweaks were applied to machines.

The cafe at Selby coped well with the sudden influx. We then headed through Osgodby and onto a track across Skipwith Common. At Skipwith, one rider left for home. The rest carried on through Thorganby to Wheldrake. where the group split for lunch. The majority enjoyed the beer garden of the pub in Wheldrake and the rest pressed on to the cafe at Naburn.

After meeting up again at Naburn, one left for the train. By Appleton Roebuck, the regrouping breaks were becoming longer as the hot sun took it’s toll. An attempt to take another drinks break near Bolton Percy failed due to slow service but during the wait, the keener riders made a break for home, leaving half a dozen to take a refreshment stop at Tadcaster. This was followed by another split, with 2 heading for Garforth and the remaining 4 heading through Bramham before splitting up on Shadwell Lane, still bathed in sunshine.

Report of Ride to Coxwold – 9th May

Report of Ride to Haworth – 25th April

Click here to see an interactive map of the ride

Six of us turned out for the ride to Haworth which started at Pudsey. Lacking local knowledge Steve (our navigator) had an interesting time finding his way around the backroads and indutrial estates of Bradford with at times equally interesting smells emanating from modern ‘dark satanic towers’. We discovered one estate curiously named ‘Olympic Park’ and a photo of the LCAG team for 2012 seemd in order. There was no sign of Chris Hoy however. Seemingly unharmed by our indutrial detour we finally hit country roads and the sun came out to cheer us. Although this didn’t last our spirits were up and we were in Pennine country at last. Haworth was packed with visitors but an attempt to buy a fridge magnet by one of our party was thwarted by the shop being closed. The return journey gave us more climbs and sweeping views. As we ended the day with a climb up the Chevin before heading home, I resolved that I would do this more often.
JF

Report of Ride to Appletreewick – 11th April

Click here to see an interactive map of the ride.

Report of Ride to Selby – 14th March

Another good turnout for the time of year, with 8 starting from City Square, including two new members, Tom and Jane. Thanks to Jane for forwarding this link http://connect.garmin.com/activity/26999690 showing the route that we followed, and for the extra information that we each burnt 2,365 calories!

Normally the routes for LCAG rides are worked out in advance, but on this occasion it was worked out in City Square. The plan was to head for breakfast at Squires (nr Sherburn) via the East Leeds Link Road (formerly Pontefract Lane). However just after Great Preston we saw a cafe that we hadn’t spotted before at the West end of Allerton Bywater. We decided to give it a try, and it must have passed muster as Andy later entered it into his GPS database of cafes in Europe! In Selby we had lunch at CJ’s Cafe Bar in the Market Cross shopping centre. It was a dry and partly sunny day, so some of us sat outside. The food was good, but in my case it confusingly arrived in reverse order (tea, then sandwich, then soup). Leaving Selby, Angela realised we would be passing her sister’s house, so we called in for a quick hello. At Church Fenton, Steve decided to catch a train home (but missed it and ended up cycling home anyway). We decided to stop for a coffee at Lotherton Hall, where Jane bumped into her brother, so it was getting to be quite a family outing!

At Scholes some went back to City Square, while others took the scenic route via Shadwell.

Calories consumed? with three food stops, probably 2000 at least.
FM

Report of ride to Wintersett – 28th February 2010

The BBC weather forecast on Saturday night was for heavy rain and strong NE winds on Sunday (the edge of the severe storms that affected France & Spain). In fact the storm passed further south than predicted (well done forecasters!) and it was dry all day, though cold. There was even a little sunshine in the morning. However the forecast probably put some folk off, as there were only 4 at the start (including a new member Jason), but we picked up another 2 at the breakfast stop in Crossgates.

It was a pleasant ride round the south of Colton (horses, open views). Brian had warned that the bridleway from Garforth was really muddy, after the snow & rain of recent days, but the canal towpath from the south end of Bullerthorpe Lane was not too bad – quite a few waterfilled potholes but most were avoidable.  After crossing the river at Methley Bridge, we attempted a shortcut via the Aire & Calder Navigation towpath, but after a promising start, it got narrow & muddy so we decided to leave it for a summer day. Craftily avoiding Europort, we discovered several hidden pubs round the back streets of Normanton.

At Wintersett visitor centre we found the door to the cafe at the 3rd attempt, having previously entered the same (wrong) room by two different doors!  Sweet & sour chicken at £3.50 was very tasty.  The route back through Haw Park was a bit muddy but not too bad. However some time later, on a bridleway South of Stanley Ferry, we encountered some very big puddles. Following Nigel through one that was wider than the path I got my left foot well soaked, resulting in very cold toes by the time I got home. Nevertheless an enjoyable day all told.
FM

Report of ride to Halifax – 14th February 2010

THE DOWNHILL RIDE(!)

Eight of us set off from Pudsey in pleasant cycling weather downhill out of Pudsey, picking up Andy in Tong and then at East Brierley to turn south, downhill towards Cleckheaton and our first crossing of three across the M62. The easy navigation of the Spen Valley Greenway was forsaken due to the ongoing (years?) sewer laying there but it did mean we found new roads and another village called Scholes to match the one near Barwick in Elmet. Then it was a B road and another downhill ending in a stony track to get to the newly refurbished ‘Cafe on the Vale’ for breakfast in Mirfield.  Andy left us for a rugby match and we retraced our steps out of Mirfield getting to Brighouse where we safely navigated three busy roundabouts and then up to Southowram which was a rise and half! A sharp downhill into Halifax brought us to the cafe in the Piece Hall which for most of us meant just a soup and a roll.

Two were time limited and took the train from here but six of us rose out of the stone and tarmac of Halifax to view it from above. We worked our way round Queensbury and then came the raison d’etre of the ride,  the fabulous long downhill to Thornton.  We then split into two groups, one northwards to go through Shipley and two of us to get home more directly via Bradford (downhill of course!)
BH

Report of ride to Knaresborough – Sunday 31st January 2010

A beautiful sunny and cold day brought an excellent turn out, with 11 of us meeting in Oakwood for the start. The usual route to Wetherby , via Collingham and Linton, was uneventful but pleasant as our cores tended to warm up, but some extremities might have been a bit chilly by the time breakfast was due. We were pretty soon in Knaresborough too, with a minor delay for a slow puncture (properly repaired over lunch).

A bit of to-ing and fro-ing meant we were 10 on the way back and sorry to say we temporary lost a rider from the start of the return, but a rendezvous was successfully completed in Kirkby Overblow. All that remained was the climb up Weardley Hill and we split into 2 groups – Roundhay and (broadly) Headinglely – close to Eccup reservoir.

The day was completed for the former contingent with a quick couple of pints in the Deer Park, having given up on the Fox (too busy, despite the lovely warmth). In the pub for 330pm. We should do this more often!

MH

Report of ride to Storiths – Sunday 17th January 2010

Five started out from Moortown, picking up a couple more at Otley. As the ride wasn’t too long, a few extra bits were thrown in. There’s quite often a return through Arthington but today we passed through on the way out. We were rewarded with a headwind as we followed the river from Pool to Otley.

After breakfast, the full complement headed out through Weston. At Denton, we split up with 2 following the valley bottom to Beamsley and the others climbing towards Langbar. The headwind got stronger and the ice started to encroach on to the road but neither were a real problem. The top took longer than expected to reach, with a few false peaks. We then dropped down before climbing again to the lunch stop at Storiths where we regrouped.

Warned of a lengthy wait for soup, we settled for tea and cake before heading back to Ilkley with the wind now at our backs. One broke for home at Ilkley with the rest of us straggling out on the climb to the Cow and Calf. The main group dropped into Menston at the first opportunity, with the breakaway group taking in an additional chevron before meeting again in Menston.

After the wind assisted climb on to The Chevin, we split to take routes home via either Bramhope or Cookridge, arriving back around 3:30. Little of the promised sunshine but no rain.

SH

Report of ride to The Sun Inn, Sunday 3rd January 2010

Four departed Moortown with the snow coming down and conditions under wheel difficult apart from on the cleared main roads. The snow eased soon after we started and with care we negotiated Eccup dam ridng on packed snow making it risky especially on the downhills. The sun soon came out giving some great wintery views. The next section, down Weardley bank and the road to Pool and Leathley, were clear and of snow and easy going.

The next part of the route took us past the fish farm and over Lindley Bridge on a small country lane, the going was tricky. We decided that it was too risky to continue on these lanes to the Sun Inn and cut the day short going to the café in Otley for well deserved refreshments before returning on the main road to Leeds. Only 25 miles but worth going out for the views and the challenge of the ride.

AG