Meandering across viaducts

This ride goes in an anti-clockwise direction and crosses the three viaducts at Hewenden, Cullingworth and Thornton as well as going past the blocked up Queensbury Tunnel. The ride is mainly on road but with significant off road/traffic free sections on the canal, around Beckfoot School, up Altar Lane on the periphery of St Ives,following the Great Northern Trail across the viaducts and up to Queensbury Tunnel.
Whilst not a long ride, 24 miles, it does have 2,400ft of climbs though we have an easy start from Hirst Wood to Bingley before climbing up Altar Lane, just past Ireland Bridge in Bingley, which goes round St Ives before dropping down into Harden.We follow the road to Cullingworth where we pick up the Great Northern Trail across Hewenden and Cullingworth viaducts. Back on the road we take the moors road around Wilsden to Keelham and then turn back towards Thornton and the dedicated cycle path across Thornton Viaduct where we have our lunch stop at Junction Lodge at just past the half way point. We continue on the cycle path and then climb up to Queensbury, looking at the closed tunnel if so minded, before dropping down through Clayton, crossing Thornton Road and climbing up to Allerton before making our way back to Hirst Wood via Sandy Lane, Moorhead and Saltaire to complete the loop.

We will stop at the Junction Lodge which is situated right on the cycle path in Thornton. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186408-d24959190-Reviews-The_Junction_Lodge-Bradford_West_Yorkshire_England.html

Helmets are a must as is some hi-vis outerwear. Make sure you have a spare inner tube at least and that your brakes, tyres etc are in good condition. Check that the British Cycling website has up to date personal and emergency contact details.

We never leave anyone behind