Bike Route: From the city to the countryside

One of the things I've always loved about Leeds is the fact that while it houses everything you could ever wish for in a city, you can be out in beautiful rolling countryside in no time at all. As such, I started this week's ride at the railway station and was soon tackling a really nice, varied loop skirting the West and North Yorkshire border.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th May 2017, 09:00 BST
Updated 4th Jun 2017, 21:40 BST

1I headed out to the north east of the city, passing the university and through Headingley on Otley Road before taking a right turn just before The Three Horseshoes pub. Riding in the city might not be everyone’s cup of tea but most of this section is either in bus or cycle lanes, and once you’ve made it on to Weetwood Lane you’re off the main thoroughfare. By the time you’ve crossed the ring road and headed up Long Causeway, you’ll have taken in a fair bit of climbing too before you reach the countryside proper by turning right at Headingley Golf Club.

2 One of the most enjoyable parts of this ride is the Weardley Bank descent which skirts the Harewood House estate and takes you down to the A659. It’s broadly split in two with fast and twisty segments coming either side of a flatter mid-section. When you reach the bottom, turn right and pick up the Harrogate Road. You’ll only be on this for a few more minutes though as once you’ve crossed the River Wharfe, take a right and head towards the fearsome Kearby Cliff. This ascent is only 650m long but it averages 10% and its steepest ramps are saved for last. I’m always gasping for breath as I creep over the summit but there’s plenty of time to recover on the flat section which follows.

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3With another fun descent in the bag at Sicklinghall it’s on to Wetherby. I pressed on to Aberford and the dead-straight roads which hug the A1 are perfect for getting some time trialling or zonal efforts in.

4Once you make it to Aberford, turn right on to Cattle Lane and you’ll be surrounded by farmer’s fields once again as you head towards Barwick-in-Elmet. When the giant maypole in that village comes in to view, follow the road to the left and two options back to city await you. If your legs are tired you could follow Leeds Road back to the centre, but I always opt to ride on to Garforth and then take the A642 towards Swillington. There’s another cheeky climb there which doesn’t look bad on a profile map, but I always find it challenging. You’ll be able to enjoy one last descent before you turn right onto Bullerthorpe Lane. Although the road starts climbing again here, you’ll only be on it for a few minutes before turning left onto Newsam Green Road.

5This road runs parallel to the M1 and pops you out onto a large roundabout where you will follow Pontefract Lane back into Leeds. If you don’t feel comfortable riding on a dual carriageway there is a good quality cycle path just to the right of the road. I took that for as long as I could before popping back on to the main road by the giant grass-sided Veolia building.

6As you approach the city proper, follow signs into the centre and then take the inner loop road which will take you all the way back to the station.

Related topics:LeedsNorth YorkshireHeadingleyHarrogate Road