Meandering to Ilkley via Otley

We leave Hirst Wood and head towards Baildon Station before crossing Otley Road and going through Esholt and up Old Hollings Hill. Regaining our breath at the top we go past Guiseley School to the White Cross Roundabout (former location of Harry Ramsden's) before heading past Menston towards Otley where we avoid main roads by going past the golf course and under the main road. Going through the park we reach the bridge over the Wharfe before turning into Weston Lane for our quiet route into Ilkley. Just past the Lido we cross the river once again before going through Ilkley and to our café stop. Suitably refreshed we go along quiet roads to join the main A65 at Ben Rhydding. We turn off the main road at Burley-in-Wharfedale before briefly re-joining it and going up Menston Old Lane. We climb past Hawksworth Village and into Baildon before dropping down into Saltaire via Shipley Glen Tramway and then back to Hirst Wood.

A ride starting in the Aire Valley before crossing into the Wharfe Valley and along the Wharfe before returning via moorland roads.

The whole route, apart from a very brief path through a park in Otley, is on road, predominantly quiet roads with minimal main roads. Some of the roads are narrow and twisting and so confidence in traffic is desirable.

We will stop at Booths Supermarket Café in Ilkley where there is bike parking in sight of the café. It has a varied menu with vegetarian options. Booths has a loyalty card that applies in the café though it can take up to 21 days to get one if you do not already have one.

Please wear helmets and suitable clothing for what awaits us. Make sure you have a good bike lock and spare inner tube. Please also ensure that contact and emergency details are up to date on the website. My mobile is 07717 223141 for last minute issues.

We never leave anyone behind