Wakefield Rectangle

NB: There is a Sunday event! A £1.00 attendance fee is payable at the start. This goes towards the group's administration fees so please come prepared - thanks.

First, we make our way below Sandal Castle and along the river to Stanley Ferry on the Wonders of Wakefield trail (WoW). The ride then follows the Wakefield Wheel route from Stanley up through the former Lofthouse Colliery site, then Kirkhamegate, Gawthorpe, Ossett and down to Horbury Bridge.

We say goodbye to the Wheel there and climb up to Bretton for some great views, following the WYCR (West Yorkshire Cycle Route) for a while before a fun ride down through Seckar Woods and into Newmillerdam Woods. From there it's only a short ride back to Asda.

Food: There is no café stop on this ride so you will need your own food. Sandwiches etc. are available from Asda before the start, or from the Co-Op in Horbury about two-thirds of the way round.

Lights: If you are riding to and from the start point rather than going by car, then you are advised to have lights on your bike as sunrise and sunset will be at around 7:50am and 4:45pm respectively. In fact, it's a good idea to have them anyway at this time of year!

Meet: By the recycling bins at Asda superstore, Asdale Road, Wakefield, WF2 7EQ.

What3Words location: https://what3words.com/outer.peach.proved

Time: 09:45 for a 10:00 start.

Distance: 28 miles.

Estimated duration: 5-5½ hours (including stops)

Type of ride: Mixture of trails, bridleways and quiet roads.

Technical difficulty: BLUE (Moderate). Mostly good trails with nothing particularly technical beyond maybe some mud.

Physical difficulty: RED (Difficult), mainly because of the climbing. Total (aggregate) ascent is about 1,900ft over the entire route, so a good level of fitness is required.

Suitable for: Mountain bikes (ideally), or Grave bikes with treaded tyres.

Recommendations: Spare Tube, Tools, Food, Snacks, Water.

Safety: No Helmet = No Ride!