LCAG

Report of ride to Knaresborough, Sun 6 January 2008

Well, what a turn out – 10 riders!…maybe those new years’ resolutions are really making a difference, at least into early January. A lovely ride to Wetherby for breakfast via the usual “back” route through Linton etc. Due to the large numbers it was thought sensible to feast at Morrisons (shame) rather than a local cafe. Following this stop, a Frank-sponsored major diversion (to the viaduct over the Nidd that Sustrans are going to fix-up with their newly-acquired cash) came to nought when we realised that the last part of our intended route was not a bridleway. Be re-assured that we are such good and responsible bike-citizens. However, only on an LCAG ride could a journey to Knaresborough (arriving at 1ish) take several hours. Lunch was brilliant, at a well-known CTC haunt, a church hall, only open on the first Sunday of the month. Very well worth it…full mainly of cyclists and older people, in fact many customers slotted nicely into both groups. The tea, cake and sarnies were wonderful value and it was great to see such community spirit alive and well. The quick dash back to Leeds (Follifoot and Kirkby Overblow) was interrupted by possibly the slowest puncture repair ever. Still, home for 3.30pm, having had another great day with cycling comrades.

Report of ride to National Coal Mining Museum, Sun 20 January 2008

We waited a good 15 mins after the start time but still there were only the two of us. We set off southwards under the station and negotiated the rebuilt junction where the grossly high Bridgewater Place office block towers above. The previously illegal right turn is now legal but only by joining the pedestrians on the toucan crossing! With energy being used to combat the head wind and with the high temperature for the time of year we soon had to divest some of our winter clothing. Rain was forecast but remained elusive until just before the destination. Through Holbeck, Beeston and Middleton we went. With only a couple of map checks we arrived in Ossett, noting for future reference that the cafe was still in business opening from 9 to 2.30 on a Sunday. Then by the usual wrong B road route (instead of the yellow road to the West) down to Horbury and over the railway and then over the River Calder. To avoid the A road we climbed up through Overton before descending to the National Coal Mining museum.

Our underground guide was very enthusiastic making the tour an hour 45 mins instead of the usual hour with horrific stories of mining disasters and children of 6 years working underground for 14 hours a day. The most telling moment was when we all turned off our lamps and experienced the total blackness.

The route home was helped by the following wind and a tea stop at AC’s in Dewsbury. Arrived home at 5pm.

BH

Report of ride to York, Sun 17 February 2008

Four set off from Oakwood on a particularly sunny but cold morning. We moved swiftly through Thorner, onto the quiet roads to Collingham. At Wetherby, we had a long breakfast even by our own leisurely standards.

Three pressed on to York, all layers of clothing still being retained despite the midday sun. At Walton we came across a mountain biker with a broken chain. We offered our assistance but she’d already sent for motorised help. After correcting the obligatory wrong turn at Askham Richard, we reached York. As at Knaresbororugh last month, we deferred choice of cafe to the former CTC rides person in our ranks and were again rewarded (Castle Tea Rooms).

We decided we were too mean to pay for entry to the Yorkshire Farming Museum, so decided to go to a cycle shop – Cycle Heaven – instead. It had a good selection, including the Dutch style bikes discussed by Dan Joyce at the LCAG Open Evening in September.

We returned via Appleton Roebuck and one rider turned off at Tadcaster. By now, the day had warmed enough to remove the outer layer of clothing for the final section through Thorner.

SH

Report of ride to Burnsall, Sun 2 March 2008

March lived up to its windy reputation, and on the way to the meeting point I had to take care to avoid fallen and falling branches. It was not surprising that only two others turned up for the ride. Apart from the wind it was a fine sunny & warmish day, so we set off in hope. However at Five Lane Ends we all agreed that continuing was a bit foollhardy due to a) sidewinds making control difficult; b) headwind forcing us to pedal downhill; c) danger of hitting fallen branches & broken umbrellas; inability to hear approaching trafffic over the wind noise. So we cut the ride short and nipped in to Golden Acre Park tearoom for breakfast, then headed home by the main Otley Rd.

FM

Report of ride to Goose Eye, Sun 16 March 2008

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.

FM

Report of ride to York, Sun 30 March 2008

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.

FM

Report of ride to Pocklington, Sun 27 April 2008

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.

PK

Report of ride to almost Pateley Bridge, Sun 11 May 2008

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?

Report of ride to Wensleydale, Sun 15 June 2008

Once a year, usually around the summer solstice, LCAG have a longer than usual ride, to test the legs, lungs and mettle of the participants. This year, the long ride was somewhat shorter than usual, but still over 100 miles. It was a pleasant enough day, perhaps a little on the cool side, but the rain mostly held off, and we were just caught by the occasional light shower.

Via Ilkley to Burnsall for breakfast – excellent beans on toast in the café overlooking the village green.

Via Kettlewell and up a 1 in 5 then down secluded Coverdale for lunch – possibly the worst pub food I’ve ever had. Glutinous soup and what appeared to be a half thawed bread roll. It would have been cruel to feed it to a starving dog. Having said that, we were hungry and so we ate it.

Via Masham to the Spa Gardens in Ripon for afternoon tea. Very pleasant tea and cakes, listening to a brass quintet playing in the nearby bandstand.

Via Knaresborough and back home by 6.40 pm.

All in all, a good 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.

Report of ride to Worsthorne, Sun 29 June 2008

I was heartened that our rides provide a useful service to the cycling community as we had two newcomers, one of whom rode all the way and thoroughly enjoyed it. That made four of us in total

Map reading was hardly required up to the lunch stop at Worsthorne as I remembered the route from the same ride that was abandoned last year. It was also not needed in the second half with the use of AG’s satnav which certainly did save time on map reading stops. We also had the benefit of AG’s route knowledge, avoiding Laneshaw Bridge on the way back by going off road on a picturesque route through Wycoller Country Park where the track was stony rather than muddy despite the recent rain. And further on we avoided the main road between Bingley and Thackley going on a parallel route to the North.

The weather was magical, firstly sun beckoned us from the breakfast stop at Piece Hall in Halifax, then some light ineffectual rain was very refreshing going downhill into the wind towards Worsthorne. The worst of the rain came down while we were lunching and towards the end we had the hot sun on our backs as well as a following wind!

Getting to the destination and without train assistance it was a good ride.

BH

Report of ride to Hawes, Sun 27 July 2008

It was a ride of comings and goings and many cafe stops. Six of us set off from Moortown at 8.40 to an early breakfast stop at the Otley cafe. It was very busy but the cook was producing meals at a furious pace and we were away after only 50 mins. He even made my meal twice, as we found out when the perplexed waitress vainly called out my number the second time. Pity I didn’t have time to eat another meal! Then we started to get text messages from DS who had thought the ride started at 9.30. He energetically caught us up by the time we got to Grassington. The lunch stop was at the delightful West Winds Traditional Tea Rooms in Buckden where everything is Fair Trade, organic and environmentally friendly. However the service was more leisurely and we spent over an hour there. SH, having done his shopping in Otley dashed off before the rest of us to ascend Fleet Moss and catch the train at Garsdale for 3 o’clock. AG and CB calculated that if they rode the whole way to Hawes and back to Leeds it would be far too late in the evening and decided to turn back. The 4 of us continued up an easy gradient past the delights of the upstream River Wharfe in Langstrothdale. Then came the gruelling ascent of Fleet Moss, which was not for the faint hearted. Did anyone enjoy it?? (Yes – Ed). But thankfully the cloud cover spared us from the worst of the heat. The 3rd tea stop was in Hawes, thronging with lots of motorised two wheelers. I had forgotten the amount of climbing after Hawes and was thankful for the descent to Ribblehead and an ice cream cone from the caravan there. We continued to Settle where myself (exhausted) and AB caught the 6.18 train home. FM continued to catch the train at Skipton but DS cycled all the way back (120 miles) to Leeds arriving after nightfall.

BH

Report of ride to Lothersdale, Sun 10 August 2008

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.

FM

Report of ride to Thirsk, Sun 31 August 2008

0840 at Moortown and only two arrived, then a phone call from SJ with all the others at Oakwood. Yes I had put the wrong start point in my email! Anyway, no harm done thanks to mobile phones, and all six of us met up at Morrisons in Wetherby for breakfast. The ride there was through thick scotch mist, which dampened our clothes but not our spirits. Thankfully the mist thinned out after Wetherby, and at one point in the day it was even possible to see where the sun was. The route to Thirsk used a short bridleway from Fawdington to Crakehill, which was quite rideable but involved three gates. On the return (after a good lunch in Thirsk) we considered a bridleway here, but rejected it on the grounds that it had no grounds, just thick grass. But just 4 km due south we took the bridleway past New Mills farm, which was not only easily rideable but gate-free. A sharp shower before Boroughbridge prompted waterproofs being donned, but they were soon removed when the rain stopped, as the humidity was making us wetter inside than out. Furtther rain was dodged by having a tea-stop in Knaresborough. An enjoyable run despite the weather. Total distance 82 miles, and home just before 6pm.

FM

Report of ride to Slaithwaite, Sun 14 September 2008

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.

SH

Report of ride to Grassington, Sun 28 September 2008

Five of us set off from Moortown, to the usual stop at the Wharfe View cafe in Otley for breakfast to be met by our sixth rider.

Some were appreciative of the big hill out of Otley, as it went up in stages, although more stages than I remembered from previous ascents. Having enyoyed the hill, MH left us to take the road back via Asquith. From Blubberhouses to Greenhow we were adding to our “height bank” and fighting the wind as well. After a brief ice cream stop at Stump Cross Caverns we descended into Grassington for a cafe meal.

On the way to Burnsall KW was forced off her bike as a right turning car invaded her road space but luckily she was unhurt. Drawing from our “height bank” and with the wind in a favourable direction, the sunshine made a very pleasant return via Appletreewick, Barden Bridge and Bolton Abbey. A puncture at Bolton Abbey provided a photo opportunity.

Two went on past Ilkley while three of us had a tea stop there. SJ decided to take the train from Ilkley leaving just two and we split up at Otley going different ways up the Chevin.

BH

Report of ride to York, Sun 12 October 2008

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 Ripon, Sun 26 October 2008

A first time rider, a student new to Leeds, joined 5 regulars to set off with a favourable wind through Weardley and Kirkby Overblow to breakfast at Knaresborough. Afterwards, we kept up the good progress through Boroughbridge where we turned towards Ripon and more of a headwind. With some difficulty we found an indoor table for lunch, the attempt to brave the elements having been rained off. Then, as an addition to the advertised route, we headed through Studley Park to be watched by the local deer. Given the headwind, we then took a direct route back. We had a short puncture break at Pool where we split up with 4 heading to Arthington before the ride finally splintered at Adel and Headingley.

Dusk was early, the clocks having gone back the night before but by then we were home.

SH

Report of ride to Darley Mill, Sun 9 November 2008

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.

PK

Report of ride to Halifax, Sun 23 November 2008

Just two of us braved the weather forecast to set off from Pudsey Cenotaph. The small bit of off-road to Tyersall was walked and cycled, then on through suburbs of Bradford and eventually into the countryside. Trying to find an entry point nearer Bradford to the Spen Valley Greenway was akin to finding the source of the Nile. At the point on my OS map where it started, we could see a cyclist on the tarmac path from the bridge above, but no signs and no obvious way to get onto the path. After some more off-road, we did join it ,at least before the usual entry point near Oakenshaw.

This was the idyllic flat stage, traffic free smooth tarmac,little wind, sunshine and a just perceptible downhill gradient. Then on to the A road to Mirfield to breakfast at the Cafe on the Vale which was, I believe, for the first time on an LCAG ride. I would highly recommend it, but not as a lunch stop as it closes at 12.:30. Then came the more testing mountain stages with a cold headwind starting up. We picked our way up through the streets of Mirfield to Hartshead and down into Brighouse. There is only one chevron shown for the route up to Southowram but it did not do the hill justice, as we careered skywards for longer than expected.

The train from Halifax provided us with an early finish and a chance meeting with another LCAGer, Andy Brown, and his friend on their way home from Blackburn. A short but enjoyable ride.

BH

Report of ride to Tockwith Sun 7 December 2008

Seven turned out in total with no more than five at one time. It was a cold but clear and bright morning. We passed through Scarcroft and then onto Crompton Top with spectacular views towards the West afforded by the clear weather. Some stretches of the lanes required careful negotiation due to frost and ice. We stopped for morning break in Wetherby where we gained three and said goodbye to two who returned home. On to Tockwith via Thorpe Arch travelling along the cycle track. The underpass is now reopened after completion of the roadworks. Patches of frozen snow forced us onto foot occasionally. Arrived in Tockwith for lunch which was a little rushed before enjoying the 21st carol service at Tockwith. Two went on to York and two returned to Leeds via Sicklinghall and Weardley Bank arriving back at dusk. Next Year’s cycling service will be 13th December 2009.

AG

Report of Christmas ride to Kirkby Overblow Sun 21 December 2008

A great turnout of 14 for the annual LCAG Christmas lunch at the Shoulder of Mutton – although ‘man-flu’ meant that 5 were not cycling-fit, and came by car!