Category: cycling

My year of Cycling – now two (part 4)

New 2022 highway code in regards to cycling in UK.

The month of October 2022 brings my cycling journey to two years and I’m still loving it and managing to get out and about every week.

New Highway Code

In practise the code is a joke as far as cyclists are concerned. A high percentage of drivers are either unaware of it or choose to ignore it. Its really only about having respect for all road users but you’ll find drivers who just can’t wait even a few seconds to get past you. White van drivers (or actually any colour van man driver) are definitely the worst. I think its really important that all road users are aware of what its actually like to ride a bike on a road. If the new code is implemented by all it would make a big difference .

The updated code clarifies that:

  • when people are crossing or waiting to cross at a junction, other traffic should give way
  • if people have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, the people crossing have priority and the traffic should give way
  • people driving, riding a motorcycle or cycling must give way to people on a zebra crossing and people walking and cycling on a parallel crossing

A parallel crossing is similar to a zebra crossing, but includes a cycle route alongside the black and white stripes.

There is new guidance in the code about routes and spaces which are shared by people walking, cycling and riding horses.

People cycling, riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle should respect the safety of people walking in these spaces, but people walking should also take care not to obstruct or endanger them.

People cycling are asked to:

  • not pass people walking, riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle closely or at high speed, particularly from behind
  • slow down when necessary and let people walking know they are there (for example, by ringing their bell)
  • remember that people walking may be deaf, blind or partially sighted
  • not pass a horse on the horse’s left

There is updated guidance for people cycling about positioning themselves which includes:

  • riding in the centre of their lane on quiet roads, in slower-moving traffic and at the approach to junctions or road narrowings
  • keeping at least 0.5 metres (just over 1.5 feet) away from the kerb edge (and further where it is safer) when riding on busy roads with vehicles moving faster than them

People cycling in groups

The updated code explains that people cycling in groups:

  • should be considerate of the needs of other road users when riding in groups
  • can ride 2 abreast – and it can be safer to do so, particularly in larger groups or when accompanying children or less experienced riders

People cycling are asked to be aware of people driving behind them and allow them to overtake (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when it’s safe to do so.

People cycling passing parked vehicles

The updated code explains that people cycling should:

  • take care when passing parked vehicles, leaving enough room (a door’s width or 1 metre) to avoid being hit if a car door is opened
  • watch out for people walking into their path

Positioning in the road when cycling

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There is updated guidance for people cycling about positioning themselves which includes:

  • riding in the centre of their lane on quiet roads, in slower-moving traffic and at the approach to junctions or road narrowings
  • keeping at least 0.5 metres (just over 1.5 feet) away from the kerb edge (and further where it is safer) when riding on busy roads with vehicles moving faster than them

People cycling in groups

The updated code explains that people cycling in groups:

  • should be considerate of the needs of other road users when riding in groups
  • can ride 2 abreast – and it can be safer to do so, particularly in larger groups or when accompanying children or less experienced riders

People cycling are asked to be aware of people driving behind them and allow them to overtake (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when it’s safe to do so.

People cycling passing parked vehicles

The updated code explains that people cycling should:

  • take care when passing parked vehicles, leaving enough room (a door’s width or 1 metre) to avoid being hit if a car door is opened
  • watch out for people walking into their path

Overtaking when driving or cycling

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You may cross a double-white line if necessary (provided the road is clear) to overtake someone cycling or riding a horse if they are travelling at 10 mph or less (Rule 129).

There is updated guidance on safe passing distances and speeds for people driving or riding a motorcycle when overtaking vulnerable road users, including:

  • leaving at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) when overtaking people cycling at speeds of up to 30mph, and giving them more space when overtaking at higher speeds
  • passing people riding horses or driving horse-drawn vehicles at speeds under 10 mph and allowing at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) of space
  • allowing at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) of space and keeping to a low speed when passing people walking in the road (for example, where there’s no pavement)

Wait behind them and do not overtake if it’s unsafe or not possible to meet these clearances.

People cycling passing slower-moving or stationary traffic

The updated code confirms that people cycling may pass slower-moving or stationary traffic on their right or left.

They should proceed with caution as people driving may not be able to see them. This is particularly important:

  • on the approach to junctions
  • when deciding whether it is safe to pass lorries or other large vehicles

People cycling at junctions

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The code has been updated to clarify that when turning into or out of a side road, people cycling should give way to people walking who are crossing or waiting to cross.

There is new advice about new special cycle facilities at some junctions.

Some junctions now include small cycle traffic lights at eye-level height, which may allow cyclists to move separately from or before other traffic. People cycling are encouraged to use these facilities where they make their journey safer and easier.

There is also new guidance for people cycling at junctions with no separate facilities.

The code recommends that people cycling should proceed as if they were driving a vehicle where there are no separate cyclist facilities. This includes positioning themselves in the centre of their chosen lane, where they feel able to do this safely. This is to:

  • make them as visible as possible
  • avoid being overtaken where this would be dangerous

People cycling turning right

The code now includes advice for people cycling using junctions where signs and markings tell them to turn right in 2 stages. These are:

  • stage 1 – when the traffic lights turn green, go straight ahead to the location marked by a cycle symbol and turn arrow on the road, and then stop and wait
  • stage 2 – when the traffic lights on the far side of the junction (now facing the people cycling) turn green, complete the manoeuvre

People cycling have priority when going straight ahead at junctions

The code clarifies that when people cycling are going straight ahead at a junction, they have priority over traffic waiting to turn into or out of a side road, unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise.

People cycling are asked to watch out for people driving intending to turn across their path, as people driving ahead may not be able to see them.

People cycling, riding a horse and driving horse-drawn vehicles on roundabouts

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The code has been updated to clarify that people driving or riding a motorcycle should give priority to people cycling on roundabouts. The new guidance will say people driving and or riding a motorcycle should:

  • not attempt to overtake people cycling within that person’s lane
  • allow people cycling to move across their path as they travel around the roundabout

The code already explained that people cycling, riding a horse and driving a horse-drawn vehicle may stay in the left-hand lane of a roundabout when they intend to continue across or around the roundabout.

Guidance has been added to explain that people driving should take extra care when entering a roundabout to make sure they do not cut across people cycling, riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle who are continuing around the roundabout in the left-hand lane.

My Year of cycling(electric)Part 3 The Machine.

So now we get to the bike. I researched electric bikes for months and visited many bike shops to get advice and info. I eventually plumped for the Cube Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 625. The link provides a good review of it. I went to Wheelbase in Ilkley and tried both the step through and the trapeze versions. The step through is not a “womans” bike, it is what it says it is – easy entry. I liked the look of the trapeze version more and it seemed a little more robust.

The first one is my actual bike the second a media image of the step through.

A quick word about bike shops. As with motor bike shops, you will find staff are generally very friendly and eager to talk about bikes and riding. They will all be cyclists of one sort or another and are more than happy to advise and extol the virtues of cycling. And of course sell you a bike! But they know what they are talking about. I found Wheelbase of Ilkley to be great and nothing was too much trouble. They have helped me out with issues that I have had with no charge, when I’ve just popped in with the bike. Big Bear Bikes in Pickering is another great shop although they don’t deal with Cube. More local is Life Cycles in Stanningley and the Edinburgh Bicycle Co Operative in Chapple Allerton get great reviews.

I absolutely love my Kathmandu and have ridden far and wide around West Yorkshire and into North Yorkshire, further than I ever would ride on a non electric. It’s given me confidence and great exercise. Believe me, you still have to exert a lot of energy peddling, particularly if, like me, you use the battery only when necessary. There is absolutely no drag when peddling without the battery and plenty of power on turbo to get you up those long steep hills. The Bosch motor seems to be the king of motors according to experts and mid motors are better than hub motors. The 625 refers to the battery size – it is the biggest so far, although I did hear that there’s a 700 that some company is now doing. Think it might be Specialized? The battery is the heaviest part of the bike (the downside to electric bikes is the weight – mine is 25kg) and the most expensive. But most important! I have got 60miles out of mine, but it all depends how you ride and use it. It’s important to keep it charged up and worth keeping it in your house, rather than at cold temperatures in the garage. Personally I’d always go for the larger battery.

There are many different types of bikes that you can buy for different types of activities. The Kathmandu Pro is a hybrid. A hybrid bike is just what it says it is……….it uses a mix of elements from different styles of bikes. The Kathmandu is a cross between a hardtail mountain bike and an urban road bike. So it has front suspension and fat tyres that you might get on a mountain bike and a luggage rack that you might find on an urban road bike.

In the gallery above are all the various bits of my bike that I think are important to comfort and usability . You can click on the images to get a larger view. From the top, left to right…….

The Handlebars.

Heres your control centre! You can get various sizes and shapes of handlebars but these suit me just fine. I prefer a slightly wider one.

The second photo shows my little spy mirror. I find it really useful to be able to see what is approaching from behind and this is an unobtrusive one. You can get larger one that sticks out. I really don’t recommend wearing headphones whilst riding, although you will see many riders doing this. I hear vehicles approaching quite often long before I see them in the mirror.

The third photo shows the Bosch computer. There are five different Bosch computers, this one is the Intuvia, the second in the range. There are four power modes on the computer, that are easily found by clicking the controller on the next photo. Eco Tour Sport Turbo. The power is switched on and off here too. The computer functions:

  1. A  Activate Walk Assist Press Walk assist and hold
  2. B  Reset display options
  3. C  Shift recommendation
  4. D  Current speed
  5. E  Battery charge level
  6. F Current riding mode
  7.  G Information button:(toggle between the various display options (trip distance, trip time, average, range)
  8. H Switch lights on/off (Bosch bike computers)

The third photo also shows a phone mount. This is the Quad lock phone mount and its brilliant. I use my phone for navigation and it has always stayed on the mount even when Ive crashed! So I thoroughly recommend.

Now just look at this beautiful bell! Yes a bell is really important. There are lots of cycleways, bridle paths and tow paths where you will find many other users, who need to be warned when you are coming up behind them. Most bikes come with really cheap, pathetic bells and the pinger either breaks or gets so bent that it won’t ring the bell!! So my husband bought me this beauty for Christmas. It looks great and the ping is loud. You’ll still find people who are deaf to any kind of warning though! Lion Bell Works

Next photo – I changed the pedals because I found that when off road my feet sometimes slipped off, so I bought these smashers and they’re red lol! Burgtec Pedals They are great and your feet stick to them like glue.

Ive talked about the saddle in a pervious post so we’ll leave that. Next are photos of the wheels. You might notice that the tyres are not so fat; that is because I changed the fat Big Ben tyres for slightly thinner, more knobbly ones, that seem to work well in wet, muddy, rocky terrain. The front wheel has a quick release mechanism, which means the wheel can easily be taken off for transportation.

Talking about transportation…………………………if you intend to transport your bike to a destination you will more than likely need a bike carrier. Because electric bike are so heavy you will need a tow bar one. My husband and i sometimes go out together and need to transport two electric bikes, which combined weigh approximately 50kg. We take the batteries out, which cuts the weight down a bit, but you still wont get away with any other carrier – imagine trying to get them up onto a roof one!! We researched carriers and Thrule came out on top every time. There are youtube videos that show you how to use them. We got the Velo Compact from Halfords which holds two bikes and is as compact as you will get. It folds down and when the bikes are on it you can still access the boot.

So to end this section just a word about the many other types of electric bikes that you can buy and UK law.

In the UK your steed is an “electrically assisted pedal cycle” (or EAPC, or ebike, or Pedelec) if: the bike has pedals that propel it; the electric motor won’t assist you when you’re travelling more than 25 km/h (15.5mph); and the power doesn’t exceed 250 watts.

The cycles that meet these requirements (which affect two-wheeled bikes but also tandems and tricycles) can be ridden on any cycle paths and anywhere else that bikes are normally allowed.

In the UK you must be over 14 years old to ride an electric bike but you don’t need a licence, nor do you need to register it or pay vehicle tax.

You may find off-road bikes that can go faster than 15.5 mph by flicking a switch, but for UK law these are not compliant with EAPC regulations for on-road use.

As for the different types theres your city/commuter, road, mountain, gravel, folding, hybrid, cargo and probably some somewhere that I haven’t mentioned. If you decide you want to buy one go to a decent bike shop and get advice and try some out. It will all depend on what adventures you want to go on.

GO FOR IT!

Ripley/Hampsthwaite Circular. (from Holt Park Leeds)

Lovely ride – 37miles. Adel-Weardly-Harewood estate-Harewood bridge-Harrogate Rd-Kirby Overblow-Pannal-Burn Bridge-off road section to Harrogate-join Nidderdale Cycleway to Ripley-Hampsthwaite-Beckwithshaw-North Rigton-Pool-Arthington-Bramhope and back.

Tour is available on Komoot. If you would like to follow me on komoot send me a message. Click here for info on The Nidderdale Greenway. Ripley Castle is worth a visit and the cafe is a must. The butchers at Ripley do lovely pies.

My Year of Cycling (electric) Part 2. (Things I’ve learnt).

THE BODY

Ok you can cycle in whatever you like, its up to you and as Ive said before lycra is not my option at all. You will see all the racers on their drop handle machines, bum in the air, kitted out in the stuff but Im not into that. I class myself as a leisure rider, a tourer if you like, and I want to ride in what I’m comfortable in. That doesn’t mean to say lycra doesn’t have its place. My lycra undershorts help to hold me in and stop bits wobbling. lol. There are however , some handy bits of cycle wear that are worth buying.

  1. Cycle Jersey

Theres so many designs to choose from that help you stand out from the crowd if you want to. They are normally polyester and extremely light. They won’t keep you warm, although some say they are windproof. The best bit about them are the pockets in the back. In these you can slip your phone, your keys, some chocolate.

All the above I just had to have……..Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon-their best album in my humble opinion and one that featured heavily in my teenage years (and beyond). Then the musical instruments one was a no brainer too AND then I found the last one – a homage to the Beatles! As you can see the first two have three pockets in the back. The 8 days a week one is useless for storage as no pockets. Its called a lightweight wind jacket. Ive only ever worn it in the summer. The company selling these is great with some cool designs. Cycology.

2. Body Layers

During the winter I have continued to cycle with temperatures down to 4C. If theres no wind and theres some sun, I’ll still go out. On these days it’s so clear you can see for miles, but you’ll need to layer on those undergarments. At first I layered up way too much and ended up sweating like mad and then getting cold. After a few attempts I think Ive more or less sorted it. I bought a Berghaus Voyager Tech long sleeved shirt that is really light and has good wicking properties. So thats my first layer, then I got a long sleeved merino wool top that goes on next. Its lovely and soft and thin.  Each fibre naturally helps regulate body temperature, transports sweat away as a vapor, and cancels out odours.  Then comes the piece de resistance a thermal jacket. The Endura MT500 Freezing Point Jacket. Not cheap at just over £100, but worth every penny. It may not look much but believe me it is a thing of beauty! I spent, literally, months researching winter jackets, trawling through reviews and cycling clothing websites before deciding on this and I couldn’t be happier with it. Its really lightweight, got ripstop body panels, with Primaloft GOLD insulation (whatever that is, its good). Stretch soft-shell panels on back and sides and massive zipped vents under the arms. Couple of front pockets and a tiny hidden one inside. There’s reflective trims and its got a water repellent finish. The hood fits over a cycle helmet when the rain sets in. Ive only worn it once and its just what I wanted.

3. Legs

I wear shorts and trousers over some undershorts. I have bought specific cycling shorts but not trousers. These are the Nukeproof Nirvana shorts. They’re really lightweight, have an adjustable waistband, ventilation holes and a handy little bag clipped into the pocket for sunglasses or whatever you want to pop in it. I have purple pair too.

My go to trousers most of the time are a pair of really light Technicals with a soft waistband and roll up to three quarter legs if I want.

Ive also got walking trousers that I use for cycling. These are Nordwand Trousers Women Wine Red from Revolution Race.

They are so comfortable and really good value. They are not waterproof though. So I bought some winter waterproof trousers. They are fantastic quality and really comfortable but so warm Ive only worn them once.

Northbound Gear Adventure Water Resistant Pants

4. Head.

I can remember being quite resistant to wearing a helmet in my youth, but never go out without one now. I’ve had a few falls, where my head had hit the ground and Im glad I had a helmet on. Theres so many cool helmets out there now, in many different styles. I opted fo one from Giro, with a MIPs safety feature. The Mips® safety system features a low-friction layer inside the helmet that allows multi-directional movement of 10-15mm on certain angled impacts, intended to help reduce rotational force to the head. It has been shown to lessen the rotational force to the head.

Its a lovely light airy helmet and at a reasonable price. I like the style and the removable visor. The wheel at the back helps to adjust the fit.

I always wear glasses when cycling. Theres nothing worse than your eyes streaming with the wind or getting flies, dirt, or any other flying debris in them.

Then theres the fabulous “Buff” for around your neck. These tubes of material are great. You can do all sorts with them. You can have them just around your neck to help soak up the sweat, pull them up at the back and over your head under the helmet or use it as I have below, which keeps your nose warm and flies out of your mouth!

5. Feet

I always wear a thick pair of socks (any old socks) and a pair of Adidas 51o mountain bike shoes, which although stick to the pedals like glue, which is why I bought them, I don’t find them very comfortable. Its probably just me, because they come highly recommended, but I get numbness in the balls of my feet after a while! I have worn trainers and don’t get it then as they have more cushioning.

So there we have it, for what its worth that is Part 2! Part three will be about the bike.

My Year of Cycling (electric) Part 1. (Things I’ve learnt).

I bought this Cube Kathmandu Pro 625 hybrid electric bike a year ago and have not looked back. I love it. It has opened up my life, taken me to loads of places in Yorkshire, without a hitch (more or less!!). It’s given me a new hobby and made me fitter. Its taken me back to my youth, when most of my free time was spent on my bike. From a lovely red tricycle with a boot that banged up and down as I careered along the pavements. I filled it with newspapers for some reason. Something like the one below.

I remember learning to ride a two wheeler. Not sure if it was Dad or my brother who let go and I was off. Right through my teenage years and on to college in Liverpool, where I borrowed a bike to ride to see my Grandmother in Birkenhead. Even after I was married I had a couple of mountain bikes and used to fancy I could ride the mtb trails! Then came my daughter and bikes were sold and cycling forgotten.

Now I try to get out on my bike as often as I can and Ive cycled further than I ever thought possible. Don’t let anyone ever tell you that theres no effort involved with an electric bike or that its cheating! For a start the proper name for them is “pedal assisted bikes” or pedalecs – you still have to pedal and how much effort you use is up to you. As for cheating? I’m not in competition with anybody except myself. Certainly not with the lycra clad racing brigade. I’m more of a tourer, going places I haven’t been before, enjoying the scenery, stopping for a drink or cake ( which my brother informs me are obligatory), taking a photo and breathing in the fresh air.

So on to things Ive learnt

BUMS

  1. SADDLE – the first thing I changed. Your bum is one of the most important things to look after when on a bike. I did a lot of research about saddles and getting the right fit for the right bum. Quite obvious really, what is fit for one rider is not for another, its very personal. So I learnt about “sit bones”, which are the hard boney bits in your bum where your behind will be sitting on the saddle and it is a good idea to get the measurement between them in order for you to get a saddle that is right for you. I went to Big Bear Bikes in Pickering and had my sit bone distance measured and got a saddle for my personal bum.
Botranger Boulevard Fluid

Ive found it suits me well but its a very personal choice.

2. SPONGE BOB SQUARE PANTS

Also under the bums section is several pairs of padded shorts. Again its a very personal choice. I think its plainly obvious that female and male parts down there are very different, so make sure you get gender specific one and if you’re not sure get one of each!! lol. Ive got some lycra undershorts as I wouldn’t be seen in lycra and you wouldn’t want to see me in lycra !

3. CHAMOIS BUTTER/CREAM

The padding in shorts in the early days was leather chamois as in the leather you may have used for finishing off a car wash and chamois butter is stuff you put on the padding of cycle shorts or directly on your nether regions to stop saddle soreness. I suffered a bit of soreness at first and on a few occasions but honestly not very often. However i did invest in some specifically for women and have found it great on rare occasions when I felt the need. Ive used this one.

4. RELIEF WHEN RIDING.

When you’ve been sat in the saddle for a long time whilst riding its nice to get a bit of relief from the pressure. I find sitting up straight and leaning very slightly back onto my sit bones, gives the soft bits a bit of a break. Also standing up on the pedals is great – I love this elevated position its a great feeling.

Ripley to Ripon Circular via Fountains Abbey

Fantastic bike ride today with mike. 24 miles in beautiful sunshine and beautiful Yorkshire countryside. A great break at Fountains Abbey for lunch. it really looked like summer had arrived.

We rode through Studley Royal park and took the road to Ripon stopping at the cathedral. Ive been to Ripon and walked around the cathedral many times but never been inside, so took the opportunity to do so today.

Children at the local school have made origami angels, with have been hung above the nave. They looked pretty good. The cathedral is pretty impressive and in amazing condition for something so old.

The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Wilfrid, commonly known as Ripon Cathedral, and until 1836 known as Ripon Minster, is a cathedral in the North Yorkshire city of Ripon. Founded as a monastery by Scottish monks in the 660s, it was refounded as a Benedictine monastery by St Wilfrid in 672. The church became collegiate in the tenth century, and acted as a mother church within the large Diocese of York for the remainder of the Middle Ages.[2] The present church is the fourth, and was built between the 13th and 16th centuries. In 1836 the church became the cathedral for the Diocese of Ripon.[3] In 2014 the Diocese was incorporated into the new Diocese of Leeds, and the church became one of three co-equal cathedrals of the Bishop of Leeds.

The cathedral is notable architecturally for its gothic west front in the Early English style, considered one of the best of its type, as well as the Geometric east window.[3] The seventh-century crypt of Wilfrid’s church is a significant example of early Christian architecture in England.[3] The cathedral has Grade I listed building status.

Aberford Circular with some interesting history at Barwick in Elmet

This was a very pleasant 34 mile circular ride via Alwoodley, Scarcroft, Thorner, Bramham, Aberford, Barwick in Elmet, Scholes, Thorner, Shadwell and Eccup.

I stopped in Barwick in Elmet to have a look around and found this.

Wendel Hill and Hall Tower Earthworks. An Iron Age hill fort with earthworks and a Norman Motte and Bailey castle. In modern times the Royal Observer Corp used it for observation during World War 2.

The name Barwick comes from the Old English words bere (‘barley’) and wīc (‘settlement, specialised farm’), thus meaning ‘a barley farm’ or ‘an outlying grange or part on an estate reserved for the lord’s use, producing barley‘. The name is first attested in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Bereuuith and Bereuuit.[1][2] The appellation ‘in Elmet’ serves to distinguish the settlement from the various others of the same name. The first attested appellation of this kind for Barwick-in-Elmet is in fact the Latin Berewyke juxta Abberford (‘Barwick-by-Aberford’) from 1301. The combination Berewyke in Elmet is first attested in 1329.[3]

One of the most notable village landmarks is the wooden maypole 86 feet (26 m) high that stands at the junction of Main Street and the Cross, this means that the maypole in Barwick is the second tallest in the UK. The triennialmaypole festival (held on Spring Bank Holiday) typically brings large crowds to the area. Every three years, the maypole is lowered, inspected, maintained and re-erected. The festival celebrations include a procession (involving floats decorated by local organisations), children’s maypole dancing, morris dancing, a street craft market, the raising of the maypole ceremony and the maypole queen. Traditionally the maypole was lowered and raised manually using an intricate system of ropes and ladders. Although methods have changed in recent years, the maypole is still carried by hand from Hall Tower Hill to the heart of the village. During the raising ceremony, it is tradition for a local villager to climb halfway up the pole to disconnect the guide ropes. The climber is then spurred on by a large crowd to climb all the way to the top of the pole, to spin ‘the fox’ weather vane (a custom thought to bring good luck to the village). The festival takes place every 3 years, the most recent one being 29 May 2017. The date of the next rise was going to be the 25 May 2020 but had to be postponed until 31 May 2021 because of the coronavirus.[citation needed]

Beside the maypole is what appears to be an old village cross, which is actually a memorial to the dead of the First World War, carved in the old fashioned style.

Ripley Circular.(41mls)

Click on the map to enlarge it so you can see the route.

Started off from home past Adel St Johns church, up Eccup lane, past the New Inn, down to Weardly, right onto Arthington Lane, left onto Harrogate Road, over the bridge and next right up to Kirby Overblow. Bear right at the pub down Barrowby Lane, keep left onto Kirkby Lane, keep left again takes you to Clapgate. Sound nice doesn’t it? It used to be a pub but is now housing. Keep going and you get to Sicklinghall – a beautiful, expensive village. The Scott Arms used to be one of our favourite haunts. Its more of an up market gastro pub now, but still nice. Follow through on the Wetherby Road which becomes Sicklinghall Road into the outskirts of Wetherby and keep a lookout on the left for the old Wetherby Station (Harland Way).

The Harland Way is a fantastic off road route along a disused railway track, click on the link above to see an information leaflet on it. It finishes at Spofforth. Turn right onto the high street and at the right hand bend go straight on to the castle. There’s quite a few walkers, but no problem as far as I was concerned, just a polite “excuse me” and a thank you and everyone happy. It was really muddy, which was fun. Through the mud or round the mud? That is the question. Well depends on the path. I prefer going straight through, keep the bike upright, no chance of skidding. Might get a dirty bike and splashed legs but I prefer that to ending up sat in it!

Spofforth was the main seat of the Percy family – one of the most important and influential families in northern England – until the late 14th century. William de Percy, a favourite of William the Conqueror, built a manor house here in the 11th century, and it was reputedly here that rebel barons drew up Magna Carta in 1215. The surviving remains are those of a fortified manor house, dating mainly from the 14th and 15th centuries.

Past the castle on your left – good place to stop for a bit of sustenance. Carry on along Castle Street, down Follifoot Lane, eventually reaching the village of Follifoot. Another lovely, expensive village with a couple of pubs, one of which is the Radcliffe Arms, another of our old haunts – haven’t been in years.

So far, so good, a lovely ride.

As you leave the village go straight on down the no through road, as theres a little cycle path at the end that will take you underneath the John Metcalf Way. At the top of the slope turn right and then left past the Rudding Park Estate.

The south gatehouse of the Rudding Park Estate stands at the top of the village of Follifoot. The estate was bought by Lord Loughborough in 1788, and he engaged the landscape designer Humphry Repton to improve the grounds and surrounding landscape.

The estate was purchased by the Hon William Gordon in 1805 and he was responsible for the construction of the present house. By the time the estate was purchased by Sir Joseph Radcliffe 19 years later the house was still unfinished. In 1972 the house and 2000-acre estate was acquired by the Mackaness family.

Today the estate compromises a hotel, caravan and camp site, a restaurant and golf course. The main part of the estate is now separated from the village by the A658 Harrogate bypass.

We are now travelling along Rudding Lane, which will take you all around the estate, then watch out for Crimple Lane and turn left into it. This is a small lane, past an interesting little pub called the Travellers Rest. (Looks like one to try if it survives the Covid lockdowns.) You will see a gate through to the Harrogate Showground, where there is a permissive cycle path. Follow the path to the gate at the end where we turn left through another gate down the slope past a couple of viaduct on your left. But before you turn down here, if you go right, you’ll see Fodder Food, where you can buy lovely Yorkshire Produce, there’s a nice cafe and there is an outside van where you can get hot drinks, hot and cold food.

The Viaducts when passing through the Showground.

So we’ve gone down the slope, up the slope, straight over Hookstone Drive, you will pass a couple of schools after which follow the cycle path left down the side of the school across the Stray, turn right down Stray Rein. At the end, follow the cycle route, straight across into South Park Rd, at the roundabout go straight across, same at next roundabout, and next, bear left on Dragon Rd, then watch out for a cycle path on left , it looks like you’re going into a car park but you’ll see on your right a path by the side of the railway track-follow this. You’ll cross over the railway bridge and follow the Nidderdale Greenway.

The former Nidd Valley Railway closed completely in 1964 and Leeds-Thirsk railway line was closed in 1969.[2][3] The Nidderdale Greenway makes use of both of these former railways to provide a traffic-free walking and cycle zone that extends from Bilton (in north eastern Harrogate) to the village of Ripley, which is 4 miles (6.4 km) further north.[4] The Greenway was first proposed in the 1990s and after land purchases, public inquiries and a lottery grant, was officially opened in May 2013.[5] The route is very popular and is used by pedestrians, cyclists, runners and horse-riders.[6]

Starting at Bilton (which is on the southern link of the Way of the Roses cycle route), the route heads north-westerly on the former Leeds-Thirsk railway line. At Bilton Beck Wood, it crosses the River Nidd[7] on a grade II listed seven-arch viaduct which is known as either Nidd or Bilton Viaduct.[8][9] The viaduct is at the western end of the Nidd Gorge, where the waters of the River Nidd are funneled into a steep ravine.[10] Just west of the village of Nidd, the route diverges onto the former Nidd valley Railway line until it reaches the A61 road at Killinghall Bridge. It then crosses the A61 by means of a Pegasus crossing and runs parallel to the road into Ripley on its own path.[11] The last section into Ripley was donated by the owners of Ripley castle to allow safe passage into the village without cyclists having to resort to using the A61.[12]

The greenway is part of the National Cycle Route 67[13] which runs from Long Eaton to Northallerton, although parts of it are as yet to be completed. At both ends, the path links into other paths and long distance cycles routes to Brimham Rocks, Fountains Abbey, Knaresborough, and Starbeck.[14] The route is maintained by Sustrans Rangers and in May 2017, a redundant Millennium Milepost was installed on the Greenway carrying information about the route on it.[15] Harrogate Borough Council are working on extending the path from Bilton by a further 0.62 miles (1 km) to the south-west which will connect that part of the route with Harrogate railway station.[4]This view is looking south from the former Nidd Junction on the Leeds & Thirsk Railway, now used as the Nidderdale Greenway.

A bike sculpture made of stones was unveiled just south of Ripley alongside the greenway to celebrate the 2014 Tour de France which passed by Ripley. There is also a portrait bench at the Bilton end of the Greenway which depicts local cycling heroes.[16] The bench is part of a national scheme operated by Sustrans to promote local cycling heroes on the National Cycle Routes.[17]

The route may be under threat by a proposal to build a bypass for the A61 which would go from the east side of Harrogate and re-join the existing A61 east of Ripley.[18] This would avoid the road going through Killinghall, but as yet, the plans have not been published.[19] The greenway is also under threat of a possible resurgent railway between Harrogate and Ripon, as Bilton Viaduct would need to be utilized in any re-opened railway line.

An extension to the greenway was added in 2014. This allows users at the north end to go further on than Ripley towards the village of Clint.[20] A further extension on the trackbed of the Nidd Valley railway to Pateley Bridge has been proposed to avoid the necessity for cyclists using the narrow and winding B6165.[19]

From the end of the Greenway turn right and at T junction turn left onto the Ripon Road up the hill take a right signposted Otley. At the roundabout, cross the A59 and go past the Army Foundation College.

The two maps above give you an idea of the climbs if you check out the contours.

The Royal Signals Apprentices School was established in Harrogate to provide military and vocational training for the Royal Corps of Signals, Royal Artillery (RA) and Royal Engineers (RE) in 1947.[2] It was renamed the Army Apprentices College in 1961 when the RA and RE were relocated, providing Royal Signals training until it closed in 1998.[2] In September 1998, the site reopened as the Army Foundation College to provide initial military training to the army’s youngest enlisted trainees, aged between 16 years and 17 years, 5 months, for a range of combat arms and services.[1][3] It was rebuilt by Jarvis under a private finance initiative contract worth £526.6 million between 2000 and 2002.[4]

Tom Moore was appointed as the first honorary colonel of the college on his 100th birthday, in recognition of his fundraising success during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.[5][6] When acting in that capacity, he was addressed as “Colonel Tom”.[7]

After this is a downhill to Oak Beck and then a massive u bend up a massive hill, which I was really proud to have conquered. I have to say although the scenery is rather nice, it was the least enjoyable bit of the ride. Go straight on to Beckwithshaw. Stay on this road. Turn down Pill White Lane to Lindley. The reason I did this was because the road was closed at Pool. I wish I hadn’t because I tanked on the hill after you cross the River Washburn. I’ve done this without a problem twice before so guess my legs had had enough after the longer ride. Keep left at the the T junction and right at the next towards Otley. All downhill and I gave up at Riverside gardens by Otley Bridge – sat, rang Mike to get me and watched the ducks whilst I waited.

this is just one of the many long hills one has to navigate from Killinghall onwards.

Thorner Circular Ride

Lovely 25 mile ride today. Sunny but with a nippy wind.

Ride from Adel St. Johns Church up to five lane ends bear slight right onto lane to Eccup Resevoir. Carry on past the reservoir, when you reach the main Harrogate Road cross over and carry on up a cycleway (bit muddy) which take you past the back of the Leeds Grammar school, down Manor lane and wow are there some Manors there. You reach Wigton Lane and more millionaire houses. Turn left, eventually meeting a T junction by the Dextor pub. Turn left and take the first right onto Tarn Lane. These lanes are usually quite quiet. At the cross roads go straight on and at the next cross roads do the same. You go through Scarcroft village and meet the Wetherby road where you go straight over again into Thorner Lane. Eventually you meet a triangle in the road, bear right onto Milner Lane, which takes you to Thorner village where you take a left onto Bramham Road. At the t junction turn left onto Thorner Road. At the T-junction turn left onto Thorne Lane eventually bearing right onto Holme Farm Lane and keep left to take you to the A58. Go left for a few hundred yards and take a right to Bardsey. Carry on up Church Lane ( some very interesting history in Bardsey is on my list) look out for Spear Fir on the right and turn down here. At the end turn left onto Wike Lane. This road takes you back to the Dexter pub where you turn right and follow Wigton and Alwoodley Lane until you reach the junction with King Lane where you turn left and first right down Staircase Lane, past Adel Woods, up the hill and turn right past York Gate Gardens until you find yourself back at Adel church where you turn left.

South East Leeds Cycle Route

Down Stair Foot Lane Adel, past Adel Woods up the hill to T junction, left and almost immediately right onto Alwoodley Lane. Pass all the posh houses and golf clubs to traffic lights. Straight across onto Wigton Lane or Millionaires Row until you reach Shadwell. At the T junction turn right and left at the lights onto Shadwell Lane. Follow on to main St and at cross roads turn right onto Coal Rd for a short while on A58 then take a left continuing on Coal Rd. At the next cross roads take a left onto Shelton lane, at the end of which take a right onto Thorner Lane. You hit the A64 at the end where you turn left for a few hundred yards then turn right onto Scholes Lane. Carry on through Scholes – it becomes Main St. On the way to Barwick in Elmet now. When you hit Leeds road bear left and stay on Leeds Road until you reach a left hand bend Where the road becomes Main Street , turn right to Long Lane and first left onto Chapple lane. Stay on chapple Lane until you reach a T junction where you turn right onto Aberford Road. This become Cattle Lane and is a long stretch down to Main st at Aberford where you turn right. The becomes Bunkers Hill where you will see what used to be Aberford Alms houses. Bloody grand for that! https://www.parlington.co.uk/structures.lasso?process=3&subProcess=struct13

Follow the road which runs beside the A1, at the T junction turn right onto Aberford Road. Carry pn until you come to a roundabout going straight across over the M1. Down the A612 across another roundabout . After the primary school look for Bar Lane on the left. Turn down Bar Lane, over the railway and watch out for Derwent Ave on your right because just after this you will turn off right onto the Sustrans Route 697.

Garforth to Woodlesford (The Linesway)

This delightful traffic-free route travels from the small town of Garforth just outside Leeds through lovely countryside, passing a nature reserve and an RSPB site, along a river and canal ending at Woodlesford station.

To follow the route:

  • Exit Garforth station and follow the White Rose [WYCC] signs until you pick up signs to National Route 697 and The Linesway and join this lovely greenway.
  • You soon enter Townclose Hills Nature Reserve (or Billy Wood as it’s known locally) on the edge of Kippax. From the grassland plateau, there are beautiful near-panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
  • Continue along the route to Allerton Bywater, where there is a café if you want to take a break. Turn right at Owl Wood Cottage towards Woodend and continue until you pick up signs to National Route 67, part of the Transpennine Trail.
  • Pause for a short detour at Woodend to visit RSPB St Aidans on the banks of the River Aire. The reserve is teeming with wildlife and is home to thousands of birds, brown hares, roe deer and insects – all living in a stunning landscape of vast reedbeds, grassland, woodland, lakes, ponds and islands. This is a great spot for a picnic.
  • Continue along the route, cross the River Aire and follow the river, then the canal to Woodlesford, passing Woodlesford Locks.
  • From here you can hop on a train from Woodlesford station.

If you want to extend the route, you could continue onto the fantastic Rothwell Country Park.

When you reach the end of the Line, I planned to make my way along the river here but was not able to, so turn right and any the T junction turn right onto Leeds road – go along here until you see Queen St on the left and turn down here to St. Aidens RSPB reserve

I stopped here for a bite to eat and a drink. Its a great reserve. You can ride respectfully through the reserve which I did, making my way through across the river and onto the Sustrans 67 route. This follows the Woodlesford canal section.

When you can see the motorway ahead at Woodlesford you cross over the canal via a lock bridge and ride between the canal and river . This is where it all got a bit complicated and im not sure how I eventually got to Temple Newham. I then made my way home via main roads which wasn’t much fun but I’d had enough by then lol.

Some lovely off road bits.