Cycling UK Forum

Hi am thinking of cycling from home (Leigh lancs) to the rally
Any route thoughts would be appreciated obviously avoiding Leeds, will try to follow a route on garmin 200
Will going on ice sprint thanks in advance
Gary

I've not ridden over the Pennines yet, but through Manchester and Leeds seems the obvious choice. You could avoid Leeds minimally (and make it slightly shorter) by heading for Otley from near Sowerby Bridge and then using small roads north of the Wharfe to Whetherby, then Tadcaster and York, but that's a lot of turns to navigate.

Simpler but longer is Route 68 over what I think is the Longdendale Trail, then WYCR, Route 67 and a short hop to pick up Route 66 east of Leeds and once again Tadcaster and York. Possibly quite a long stretch of rough stuff on Route 68.

Simpler and definitely longer is heading north on Route 55 to pick up Regional Route 91 at Chorley, past Blackburn, join Route 68 at Barnoldswick, Route 688 near Hetton, past Pateley Bridge, National Byway to avoid Ripon and enter York from the north along Route 65.

Thanks will check that out
Gary

If you are coming through Greater Manchester, I presume you are OK on main roads and it's mainly a lack of familiarity that makes you want to avoid Leeds. I've no idea what route you might choose at your end, but a relatively straightforward main road route from Gtr Manchester would be via the A635, A 636 towards Wakefield avoiding most of the West Yorkshire conurbation. Also, it's reasonably direct. Although they are main roads, I'd not describe them as bad for riding. Once you are near Wakefield, there are various possibilities for getting to York. If you wanted to avoid Leeds on the northern side, then it's very pleasant to the north of the River Wharfe and reasonably direct. Going that way, the B1224 between Wetherby and York has become a madhouse.

If you have any questions about any bits of routes I have a reasonably detailed knowledge of everything through West Yorks on to York.

BTW, I'd say the transpennine route to avoid is the A 628, which doesn't really go the right way for you anyway.

Thanks thirdcrank
Think I'm looking at going through Bolton.bury todmorden what road is best from wetherby
Thanks gary

I'd go via Walton, Wighill, Healaugh, Askham Richard, then to the A 64. That's a quasi-motorway but there is a shared-use path as far as the A 1036 which then goes past the northern entrance to the Knavesmire. If you cross the A64 into Copmanthorpe, you can go via Acaster Malbis to Bishopthorpe and then to the southern entrance of the Knavesmire. This is a tad further but much more pleasant than the A 64 / A 1036. IMO

I agree the route via Wighill etc to A64 is probably the best one, as the roads are fairly quiet. You can however continue on the shared use path straight into the Knavesmire without crossing the A64 - follow the shared use path adjacent to A64 as it turns into the A1036; at the Askham Bar Park and Ride take route 66 which takes you through a tunnel under the A1036 and onto the Knavesmire. This will save 2-3 miles. The path is good quality tarmac with just a few bumps from tree roots.

Thanks for guidance
Gary

thirdcrank wrote:I'd go via Walton, Wighill, Healaugh, Askham Richard, then to the A 64. ...

Is there a reason not to continue east from Askham Richard to Askham Byron, across A1237 (cycle travel and google earth shows some sort of cycle route but uncontrolled crossing) then down Moor Lane to A1036 and onward to Knavesmire?

I think you are describing in detail what I glossed over.

so how many here are going to it?

I shall be there but camping with friends from another forum. A nametag will be on my tent if anyone comes looking for me.