Short routes from Leeds

lgcbiking

Hi,

I just bought my first road bike. As I live close to the canal, I figured it would be nice to just wander off when I don't have much to do. Anyway, looking into it, it appears that the canal path on a road bike might not be feasible.. Can people confirm this? I was thinking mainly of the route Leeds-Saltaire/shipley.

If that's not possible, can people suggest good shortish routes (at least pretty from the start, I can always turn back whenever I get tired) starting from Leeds? I'm thinking mainly for during the week, when I might only go off for 1-2 hours. On weekends I can use the train to get to proper cycle lanes, or the dales, where I guess there's plenty to do, so less of an issue..

cheers!

ricklilley

The canal path into leeds is mostly rough gravel. you might get away with it on a road bike if you fitted bigger hybrid style tyres. But I don't think i'd recommend it on narrow road tyres.

I've meant to cycle from Skipton to Leeds along the canal, but never got around to it. I would only do it on my MTB though. The canal paths towards the Skipton end are terrible, uneven, muddy, tree roots etc.

I'm preety sure you can find some decent routes in and around Leeds though, as it only takes a few miles to get out into the sticks. And the trains down the Airdale and Wharfedale lines are good for taking bikes on (although try and avoid busy commuter times).

Dufton1987

I tend to find that any route I do from the centre of Leeds involves riding on the busier roads at least for a few k, then you can get to quieter places. With 2 hours you can easily head to Otley and back which is quite a good ride out, or the new A63 offers quiet cycling on great tarmac which can take you out to Kippax and Fairburn. Riding during the middle of the day keeps it all fairly quiet, which is good, just avoid rush hour and it's fine.

When I first got a road bike in April, I found getting the train out of the centre useful, if you want flat then head east out towards Selby for some good quiet riding or head west for more hilly fun.

If you give me an idea where you're starting from I can suggest a couple of routes out of the centre if you like.

Enjoy the new bike.

lgcbiking

Hi,

thanks for the replies! I live on burley road, quite close to where it crosses cardigan road. The thing with the train is that it will eat time (for weekday rides), that's why I was looking for something from leeds, although after work riding has the issue of traffic.. I'll check out the two routes you suggested.. by the way, when you say go to otley, would this be just going down the A660, or are there better routes? Any good routes out of the centre with cycle lanes?

Incidentally, I did try going down the canal path a bit. As warned, after the first few minutes on tarmac, the gravelly part wasn't a problem in terms of grip, but very uncomfortable, especially for my arms, so will probably give that a miss!

Thanks again.

leedsmjh

A660 isn't too bad for cycling but there are more pleasant roads. From where you are if you head out on the A660 and peel off right at Weetwood Lane then onto Adel Lane/Eccup Lane you can get out into the countryside pretty quickly and without too much traffic to deal with, and you get to cross the ring road at traffic lights. Most of the B and unclassified roads out that way are good for cycling, and the A659 is ok, though narrow in places.

lgcbiking

That sounds good. I'd actually just found a route I was planning as my first ride that follows that exact route to eccup reservoir (returning a different way). If anybody is interested: http://www.cycle-route.com/routes/Eccup ... -7109.html

This sounds like what I was after, hopefully it's not too busy at 7pmish when I'd probably be heading out on weekdays.. Have a deadline next week that has kept me busy, but hopefully will be able to try it out soon.

A bit of an aside, do you know the best route to cycle from Leeds to Saltaire? Need to visit somebody, thought cycling there would be nicer than the train...