In message <[email hidden]>, Trevor Barton
<[email hidden]> writes
Quoted message said:andy w said:I live in Skipton and work in Leeds - it's too far (27 miles) for me to cycle al the way, but I'm
looking to possibly drive to the outskirts of Leeds and bike in. I know there's a big park and
ride thing on King Lane in Alwoodley(ish) but I wondered whether anyone had any other
recommendations for somewhere 5-8miles out of town I could leave a car in safety, that's near
some reasonable routes into town. I work just off Meanwood Rd near the inner ring road, so I
don't have to go right into town.
You could also I guess use the Sainsbury's carpark,
They have signs up now saying only 3 hours free parking - presumably because of this sort of thing -
it's on a handy bus route into town - Dunno how much it's applied but I've seen people going round
the car park appearing to check..
Dunno if the ASDA at Holt park
Quoted message said:but it's only half a mile further in than the Alwoodley park and ride. Alternatively, if you don't
want to train it as others have suggested, you could park on the Leeds-Liverpool canal just south
of Horsforth underneath the outer ring road and bike it from there, although that's be a pain to
get to if you come in through Otley.
Indeed - spend 10-15 minutes getting across Horsforth roundabout in car in the
morning................
Quoted message said:There's also a train station in
Horsforth that might have some parking.
It does have parking, but it's a small car park that always seems full in the daytime when
I go there.
Quoted message said:I don't really know the area on the other side of Sainsbury's. You could also park at Golden Acre
Park either the front entrance on the A6(5?)
A660 - the A65 goes out through Kirkstall.
This actually sounds like the best suggestion so far, Easy access and parking - pretty safe I
reckon, though they have the usual countryside signs saying 'thieves operate in this carpark etc.'
but I've never heard of any great problems there (though I guess in winter it's unlit), it's
probably about 8 miles into town on reasonable routes. (though it's a bit of tedious uphill all the
way ride on the way home)
Alternatively - it's probably easy and safe enough leaving the car parked on street if you pick the
right area - Lawnswood, Adel etc.
Others have suggested the canal path, this is fine and pleasant cycling
- but it is slow compared to riding on the road - both because of the surface/width and also because
of the wigglyness of the route. I've cycled various bit so it, but I remember once riding from the
outer ring road near Rodley/Horsforth to the Leisure place on Kirkstall road - it seemed to take
for ever - at least twice as long as the road I reckon
--
Chris French, Leeds
