Reid's Nettle Ride 

22 June 2016 

With so many grumbles about travelling through places such as Bradford to reach the start of a ride Reid decided to find a starting point that is near a motorway junction and a station! So eleven of us met in the sunshine in Aberford, close to Junction 44 of the A1M and a short cycle ride from Garforth station.  

Within minutes of leaving the cars we were on a good bridleway heading west through the trees and through a dark tunnel. Across a minor road and then a golf course before we turned north to the village of Scholes. We then had a short distance on the A64 and we instructed to wait at The Red Bus Cafe. Malcolm said this had been there many years and it looked as though it had! Once Reid had found he gap in the trees we were once again on a bridleway this time part of the Leeds Country Way. We were soon in Thorner where we stopped to admire the old church.

We left Thorner on Carr Lane, taking a right turn up a short steep section of track before descending to cross the A58 and continue along lanes towards Wike. Reid warned us about this technical descent, fortunately everyone took note and there were no mishaps, apart from all the nettle stings! We were now getting close to Harewood and our lunch stop but first a circuit of the estate and a distant view of the house.

The Muddy Boots Cafe in Harewood village was most welcoming and gave us a table in a room to ourselves. If you sit outside you can watch the red kites but they might also steal your lunch! Suitably refreshed we headed outside to find that it was raining! There was a short stretch on the A61 before we turned left by the park gates and then joined the Leeds Country Way again briefly. More red kites were sighted here. Back on tarmac for the steepest climb of the day up to Bardsey and a main road stretch to Scarcroft. Here we turned left, crossed the line of an old railway before picking up another track to continue our journey east. This included a lovely woodland path before ascending steeply to the road. After a short ride on this quiet road, another broad track took us to the very busy A64 which we had to ride along and then cross. If a car hadn’t stopped to let us across we might still be there! This last bridleway took us back to Aberford just opposite the pub. What a good way to end an excellent day out, sitting in the sunshine talking with friends.

A flat(ish) ride of 32 miles with about 75% off road. 

Thanks to everyone for your company and particular thanks to Reid for devising and leading the ride. It was also good to have Kevin from Scarborough with us, he had seen the stand at the York Rally on the previous weekend.

Jane Gill