I’m dropping my wife off in Headingley on Thursday morning and have a day to kill on the road bike. Any suggestions for a decent route?

I don’t know Leeds at all so links to maps, gpx etc would be good.

Look at 40 miles-ish.

Thanks

Couple of times around the ring road?

from headingley ride north to otley, then follow the north side of the river to bolton abbey, for a brew and cake.

fantastic little route.
return the same way, cos it is just as good.

The Otley oroad is busy but might be ok in the middle of the day. Second the suggestion to go to Bolton Abbey. You should be able to go parallel to the main road for bits of it.

As suggested above

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=cviedmymwssrlcdt&referrer=trackList

Otley, Fewston, Patley bridge, Summer bridge, Dacre, Norwood, Otley and back to leeds its about 40ish miles few nice hills and lots to look at and plenty of cafes to choose from

What Ton said… Otley, Ilkey, Bolton Abbey.

Thanks for the suggestions. Bolton Abbey sounds good. I’ll have a think.

Portlyrider to the thread please as you’re navigating!

I’m here. I’ll get maps/gps routes ready

Portlyone is it now? When did you change?

make sure you go on the lanes north of the river.
through weston, askwith, ilkley golf course, nesfield and beamsley.

enjoy

Great route, regular club run for a lot of Leeds riders; if you fancy adding a good climb take the first right after you pass the iron bridge (on your left) as you enter Ilkley, keep bearing right and it will take you up over Langbaugh and back to the Bolton Abbey road. Enjoy

If you ride out Ton’s way, on the way back hang a left in Beamsley and ride up through Langbar! The road will take you back over into Ilkley 😀

edit: beaten slightly by BenHouldsworth

Oggles- your suggestion is much tougher but a great 3 mile downhill, rode it this morning, in wonderful sunshine (god bless the blackberry for making people think you’re actually working), 44mph freewheeling

Am up in Leeds (Bramhope) in a couple of weeks and will try that route – sounds lovely.

Philby- let me know when, if I’m free I’ll show you around, we take in the Cow and Calf climb as well, ben_houldsworth at yahoo.co.uk

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

This should help, great site:
http://www.bikeradar.com/routes/?srchkey=leeds&country=253&region=null&is=&isnot=&x=94&y=8&run=listpaths

Portlyone is it now? When did you change?

Always been a portly one 🙂