Meandering over hill and moor

We leave Hirst Wood and cross both the canal and the river before heading up Shipley Glen Tramway and into Baildon. We go down into Hawksworth before joining the moors road to Ilkley and the steep descent from the Cow & Calf. Avoiding most of the centre we join the A65 for a brief stretch until turning up to Addingham Moorside. We then head down to Cringles and a short climb up to the moor roads leading to Bradley before turning back towards Farnhill and Kildwick en route to Silsden for our lunch stop. We will take the quiet road out of Silsden to cross the canal before climbing up to the moors road across to East Morton. I rode this recently at a similar time and it was quiet. Coming down from East Morton we will cross the canal at Crossflatts and make our way through Bingley before joining the canal at Dowley Gap for a short section back to Hirst Wood.

Small group ride taking in the Cow & Calf, Addingham Moorside, Bradley Moor, Kildwick Moor and Morton Moor coming back down to canal level. There is 3,000ft of climbing and confidence on moors roads is essential in order to enjoy the outstanding scenery and breath-taking views

Apart from a short section from Dowley Gap back to Hirst Wood and out of Silsden towards the canal, all the route is on road. Most of the roads are hilly and narrow hence only wanting a small group in order to minimize inconvenience and keep safe. There are shortish bits on A65 out of Ilkley, on Cringles above Silsden and on the "old" main road through Bingley.

We will stop at Crumbs in Silsden and recharge prior to climbing out of Silsden over the moors to East Morton.

Helmets required and a bike in good order with plenty of brake pad left. As usual bring a spare inner tube and clothing/sun screen as the weather dictates.

We never leave anyone behind