LCAG

Report of Ride to Selby – 14th March

The full ride report for this ride will be posted shortly but if you would like to see a map of the ride along with profile, height climbed and even calories burned click here!
(Thanks to Jane who sent this link).

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