This summer is all about cycling. The Tour de France may have left Yorkshire, but there are still plenty of free bike rides around Calderdale, run by British Cycling in partnership with Calderdale Council.
If you fancy following in the tyre tracks of the Tour de France riders,(but at a much slower pace!), why not try the Breeze women only bike ride up Cragg Vale on Sunday 20 July?
Join the steady ride up England’s longest continuous incline, starting from Mytholmroyd at 10.30am. Take on the 6 mile climb at a steady pace with as many breaks as everyone needs, then it’s downhill all the way back.
This will be a leisurely road ride but will require a basic level of fitness to tackle Cragg Vale. The ride is suitable for road and mountain bikes. Bring a snack to eat by the reservoir at the top before free wheeling all the way back down.
If you’re looking for a challenge, on the same day there is the Up and Down Dale ride, starting from Ravenscliffe High School in Halifax at 10am. This ride is a must for anybody wanting to stretch their legs on the bike and really soak in the amazing views on offer around the Calder Valley.
The name of the ride gives you hint as to the nature of this route but then again, what ride in Yorkshire doesn’t take in a few hills!
There will be plenty of stops along the way to have a breather, grab some refreshments and most of all, to take in the views.
If you’re new to cycling, or not up for quite as much of a challenge, why not try an easy going ride around Centre Vale Park in Todmorden on Sunday 3 August, at 2pm.
This completely traffic free ride is perfect for families, new and lapsed cyclists to gain confidence and have fun on the bike. The 3 mile ride will take around 45 minutes, but there’s so much to do and see in the park why not bring a picnic and make a day of it!
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Steve Sweeney, said:
“It’s clear from the number of people I’ve seen cycling around Calderdale, that this really is the summer to get on your bike and explore the local area.
“Whether you’re looking to start cycling, find a new route, or challenge yourself, it’s a great idea to visit the goskyride.com(external link) website, where there’s something for everyone, right across Calderdale.”
For more information about any of these races, or to book a place visit www.goskyride.com(external link) and search for races in Calderdale.