Red Kite and Wetherby Rail Trails

NB: A £1.00 attendance fee is payable at the start. This is to go towards the group's administration fees so please come prepared - thanks.

Date: Saturday 23rd November 2024

Meet: 10:00 for departure at 10:15.

Parking: Linton Road car park (free), Linton Road, Wetherby, LS22 6YR.

What3Words: https://what3words.com/terminal.riverboat.remaking

Ride Description:

This circular ride combines the Red Kite Trail and the whole length of the Wetherby Rail Trail. The Rail Trail is a well-established linear route between Thorp Arch and Spofforth, passing through Wetherby. The Red Kite Trail is a waymarked cycle route using existing bridleways and quiet lanes, including a large section of the Rail Trail. The scenery is varied and it is a very pleasant ride indeed. It is mostly off road, but with some quiet lanes through pretty villages, with just a few short sections on busier roads.

We start in the old station carpark off Linton Road in Wetherby, and have an easy level ride up to the north-western end of the Rail Trail at Spofforth. We then pick up the more hilly Red Kite Trail and head in an anti-clockwise loop though Sicklinghall, East Keswick and Bardsey, before eventually working our way round to south of Wetherby.

The Red Kite trail then simply parallels the motorway back into Wetherby, which would take 6-7 miles off the route if anyone wishes to get back sooner. However, the rest of us will continue eastwards through Clifford in order to pick up the south-eastern end of the Rail Trail, and cross over the river Wharfe near Thorp Arch. From there it is an easy level ride along the trail back to the car park in Wetherby.

Food: There is no café stop on the ride, so please bring your own food and drink.

Type of ride: Mixture of trails and quiet roads.

Technical difficulty: BLUE (Moderate), mostly good surfaces with nothing particularly technical. However, some bridleway sections can be hard work after wet weather due to the surface being trampled by horses. There are a couple of very short rocky descents but the bike can easily be walked down them if preferred.

Physical difficulty: RED (Difficult). Apart from the long Rail Trail sections at the beginning and end of the ride which are flat, this is quite hilly with some longish climbs both on and off road. Total (aggregate) ascent is about 1,500ft, so a good level of fitness is required.

Distance: 26 miles (or 19 if missing out the final loop).

Duration: 4½ hours estimated (including stops).

Suitable For: Mountain bikes (hardtail is fine).

Recommendations: Spare Tube, Tools, Pump, Lunch, Snacks, Water.

Safety: No Helmet = No Ride!