Meandering to Bramhope 2025

Familiar departure from Hirst Wood to Esholt past Baildon Railway Station before we climb up Old Hollins Hill, and a breather! We go through Guiseley and then past LBA before heading to Adel and the round the rear of Golden Acre Park before our lunch stop in Bramhope. Suitably refreshed we then head back to the bridleway in Cookridge before going past Leeds Trinity University and then down to Woodlands Drive, a resident access road that takes us to Apperley Bridge where we have a short main road section before going through Thackley back into Shipley and then along the canal to Hirst Wood.

Loop eastwards from Hirst Wood around LBA with minimal route duplication giving chance to pass through green areas and generally quiet suburban areas as well as stunning views. Hills as ever feature and the ride is just under 30 miles.

Most of the route is on road though there are traffic free/lite sections between Cookridge and Horsforth, along Woodlands Drive and finally along the canal from Shipley back to Hirst Wood. The Cookridge part is a bridleway that is generally well surface but with two short sections that dismounting is recommended. If there has been a lot of rain there is an on-road Plan B.

We will stop at the new café in Bramhope, Iron Tiger that has indoor/outdoor seating plus a loo.

Helmets to be worn with weather appropriate clothing that has some hi-vis element. Also, given that the sun is often low at this time of the year consider a peak to you helmet or something similar. A spare inner tube for those just in case situations.

We never leave anyone behind