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Page updated - 21st January 2012
At the moment members of the Leeds Group ride mostly with the Leeds Cycling Action Group, which offers social rides ranging from short rides for those new to cycling, or recovering fitness, through to long Sunday rides in the summer months. CTC West Yorkshire would be very keen to help any group in the Leeds area which wanted to organise events etc., and can offer support, advice
and some financial support to get things going. Contact the Secretary (details
in 'Cycle' magazine) or through local contacts on the 'contacts' page.
Meanwhile here is a selection of of coming events which may be of interest to
local riders. It's not intended to be exhaustive, and represents rides in which
members of the former Leeds Section are likely to take part. In the panel on
the left you can find links to some of the rides lists for local activities organised
by local clubs and organisations, including CTC West Yorkshire's own programme.
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Rides
The Leeds Cycling Action Group have a ride on alternate Sundays, starting from a selection of points around the city. See the separate page about their rides, or visit their website for details of rides, as well as the rest of their programme and ride reports.
The next LCAG Sunday social ride will be on Sunday, 22nd January, meeting at City Square at 9:30am, for a ride to Dewsbury, about 35 miles. The proposed route is under the dark arches and along the canal towpath (including newish tarmacced section) to Newlay. Then climb up to Bramley and on to Tong, Birkenshaw and Cleckheaton to join the Spen Valley Greenway. A short bit of the Calder Valley Greenway then gets us to The Old Stables Coffee House on Savile Town Wharf in Dewsbury for lunch. (21 miles)
Then a short hop home using the Gawthorpe to Kirkhamgate cycle route - weather pemitting - maximum 1 mile bridleway - and via East Ardsley and Middleton back into the centre of Leeds.
For a shorter outing, you could return by train from Dewsbury.
Otley Cycle Club have a regular programme of Sunday rides starting from the Buttercross
in Otley, together with other activities.
Maybe you're relatively new to cycling, or returning after a long break, or simply don't want more than a pleasant social potter? Well, here are two new initiatives for people who want a shorter, perhaps slower ride.
Leeds Cycling Action Group are organising a weekly ride on Saturdays. Meet at Roundhay Park car park (the old Tram Terminus), at the junction of Lidgett Park Road and Prince's Avenue, at 10:15 for a 10:30 start. The rides will be no more than 15 miles, at the p[ace of the slowest rider. If you need more detail, contact Allan on 0113 262 2328 (evenings and weekends).
Otley CC also have a Leisure Group catering for those wanting a less strenuous ride. They meet at the Buttercross in the centre of the town every Sunday at 9:00am for a 9:15 start. The group will usually return to Otley by 13:00. For more details contact Hannah Bottomley (07950 660668, lancome707@hotmail.com).
CTC Cycle Champions have a number of great cycling events in West Yorkshire and links to many different clubs both road and off road to ride with. If you are interested in getting involved with the project and would like to know more, then please contact Ginny Leonard directly on 07801 552303 or ginny.leonard@ctc.org.uk.
Other events and information
Deputation to Council
On Wednesday 16th November a deputation consisting of members of Leeds Cycling Action Group, the Leeds University Bicycle Users Group and CTC made a statement to the assembled Councillors calling for better consideration for cycling in Council policies. Pointing out that cycling brings benefits to health, the environment and traffic congestion, the statement lamented the slow progress on cycling facilities in Leeds, the lack of adherence to DfT guidelines on facilities, and the failure of the Council to effectively publicise the facilities and training opportunities which do exist.
You can read a copy of the statement here. Council asked that the matter be referred to the executive, who have in turn approved a report. This justifies the Council's actions, and disappointingly provides little immediate hope for a more positive attitude. The one positive is that the Chief Officer for Highways and Transportatiuon, Gary Bartlett, has been asked to address the Cycling Consultation Forum.
Leeds Cycling Consultation Forum
The last meeting was be on Wednesday 11th January 2012, at 18:15. You can view a short, unofficial report here; formal minutes will be produced later by the Council. The meetings are open to any cyclist in Leeds, and while it does not replace formal consultation procedures, it's a useful way of hearing about and commenting on developments, as well as finding out what's concerning other cyclists in the area.
Leeds group is registered as an informal CTC group under the aegis
of CTC West Yorkshire District Association (hence the title above).
Details of CTC West Yorkshire officials can be found in 'Cycle'
magazine.
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