Summer of Cycling - Hills to Burley and Back

This is a hilly ride to test your gears and your legs - nothing out of the ordinary here in West Yorkshire! We'll go at the pace of the slowest rider and walking up the steeper sections is always an option.

We'll be riding on roads, mainly back-roads but there are some short stretches of A road. There is one short traffic-free section as we enter Burley (avoiding the roundabout)

IS THIS RIDE SUITABLE FOR YOU? We live in a hilly area here in Bradford and this is a hilly ride (total ascent 1,880 ft.). We are intending this to be a slow-paced ride with regular (brief) stops, as necessary, and plenty of encouragement. We won't leave anyone behind. BUT ... to do this ride you do need to have some basics in place, in addition to having a roadworthy bike:
- you need to be used to cycling
- you need to be confident of cycling the distance
- you need to know how to use your gears (we can give you tips on using them more efficiently and effectively, but you must know how to operate them and how to get into a low gear.

Route details

Leaving John Street we'll head for Robert's Park in Saltaire. From the park we begin to climb out of the Aire Valley. We'll head up Thompson Lane and Green Lane towards Baildon, then down past Baildon Station to cross the Otley Road and go through Esholt village. From Esholt we go through the back streets of Guiseley to the Chevin then down West Chevin Road (carefully!) From Otley we head out through Weston and Askwith in the direction of Ilkley. We'll cross the River Wharfe at the old iron bridge then turn towards Burley-in-Wharfedale, following the A65 for two miles (our longest section of busy road). We'll have a refreshment stop in Burley (please bring a mask and some form of payment, preferably contactless.) We'll leave Burley village on the A65, but only for a half-mile stretch this time, soon turning off to follow the back streets to Menston village. From Menston we'll go through High Royds - site of the old hospital and now a village; then it's along Thorpe Lane to Hawksworth, where we turn towards Baildon. We'll cross Baildon Moor to come down Shipley Glen and the Glen tramway, arriving back in Saltaire (and possibly an end of ride refreshment stop at Dandelion Cafe.)

There will be a cafe stop at Burley - 16 miles into the ride. Please bring a drink and a snack to keep yourself hydrated and fuelled along the way, also some money for refreshments when we stop. Bring a roadworthy bike and wear clothing that you will be comfortable cycling in. Dress appropriately for the weather too: several thin layers are best and a rain jacket could come in handy. Wearing a helmet is advisable.

We welcome newcomers on Breeze rides and no-one will get left behind.

Please do contact me if you're not sure about your ability to do the ride or if you have any questions at all.

My number on the day is 07725 743305. I look forward to meeting you

We never leave anyone behind