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From Sculpture to Mining Map of the A637 This is a nice run from the J38 off the M1, taking in Bretton Country Park, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and The National Mining Museum. You could also take small detours to take in Emley Moor Mast (TV transmitter) or Kirklees Light Railway. With several local pubs, there are plenty of resting places. From the M1 J38 take the A637 (towards Huddersfield). This is good quality road, mainly through open country, with some small villages. There are still some 60mph sections, with winding roads and "S" bends. Care is needed through the villages - especially coming back through Flockton, where the road traffic calming measures are a danger and if you don't slow down you could be in for a nasty accident.
Bretton Country Park is a beautiful landscaped country park designed in the style of Capability Brown in the 18th Century when it was part of the Bretton Hall estate. The park offers self-guided trails, as well as a number of sculptures by Henry Moore. It is situated next to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Bretton Lakes Nature Reserve. The Yorkshire Sculpture Park has both permanent and temporary displays showing modern and contemporary work by leading UK and international artists. A vibrant, changing programme of exhibitions, displays and projects is held throughout 500 acres of eighteenth century landscaped grounds and in two indoor galleries. A pleasant way to spend an afternoon. From the Sculpture park carry on A637 through Flockton - Emley Moor mast is visible on your left. Turn right at the roundabout, signposted for the National Coal Mining Museum (A642). Here you can take an underground tour which traces mining techniques and conditions through time. It starts in the 19th century when women and children were allowed to work underground, in family based teams. Then see how pit ponies were used before mechanical systems were implemented. The end of the tour concentrates on modern methods of mining. A lot of bikers also like camping, and carrying on past the mining museum, you will reach Mitchells Camping Centre. They now have a burger bar, run by a biker, and are hoping to get bikers to visit on summer evenings. Other nearby attractions from this route include, Kirklees Light Railway at Clayton West and the Shepley Bridge Marina in Mirfield , so there is plenty to do. An excellent area to explore on your bike.
Scammonden run. Map of the A640 This is one of the areas I love to ride, but always gives me a dilemma or two. The Run starts from the roundabout of the M62 J23, near Huddersfield. Take the A640 towards Rochdale. This is excellent road, taking you past Scammonden Water, over the moors. The first dilemma is Nont Sarah's pub - This is a great stopping off point, but the run has only just started. I always decide to call in on the way back, but inevitably I always end up on another route. The A640 is a 60mph road, which undulates on long stretches, with deceiving bends and adverse cambers. You need to take into account sheep which wander into the road. This is not town riding (it is open roads with not much traffic), but you have different hazards, which can catch you out.
At the junction with the B6114, (the Saddleworth road back towards Elland) is a View Point. In summer there is usually an ice cream van, and paragliders are often in the air. Occasionally people fly remote control aeroplanes from here. This photo was taken here. I usually like to carry on the A640 from here, but you could easily take the road towards Elland. This is the beauty and the dilemma of this run - you have so many choices of alternative roads, you probably don't take the same route twice. Carrying on the A640, you will come to a 5 lane junction at Denshaw. From here you can carry straight on towards Rochdale; turn left towards Oldham; turn sharp left, to Delph; or right towards Halifax. Decisions, decisions. They all have their merits (except Oldham!). Today I'll take the road to Delph. This brings you on to the A62, back towards Huddersfield. (Or alternatively aim for the A635 which is another favourite road). When you reach Huddersfield, turn left onto the ring road. Take the A640 towards Rochale, which leads you back to the M62 J23, and you are back at the beginning (and not far from Nont Sarah's for a pub meal and pint of shandy!).
A43 Northamptonshire Map of the A43 This is a nice run from the A1 to Rockingham Motor Speedway. From the A1 take the A43 junction (signposted Kettering). It is mainly 60mph road. Good quality, open road with sweeping bends, though there are a few places where the speed limit is reduced, so watch out. It has been relatively quiet when I've been on it, even though there are major events at Rockingham, such as Rockingham's Days of Thunder 
 "The journey back" B1258 North Yorkshire Map of the B1258 Instead of taking the A64 all the way to Scarborough, why not take a little detour? From the A64 (Leeds to Scarborough road) take the B1258 to Swainton. This is a failrly narrow, good quality country road, with plenty of bends, and was very quiet after the busy A64. Then turn right onto the A170 to Scarborough - still has some 60mph sections. Fast bends and undulating road make this a very interesting road to ride. A170 Scarborough to Thirsk Map of the A170 What a fun road! Fast bends, undulating roads, varying traffic conditions - not one to get bored with. You sometimes have to hold back to be safe as you can come across a car doing 40mph in a 60mph (apparently have some difficulty negotiating the bends!), and with the double white lines, you can't overtake. Leave Scarbororough on the A170 towards Pickering. Carry on through Kirbymoorside and Helmsley, (there are usually a lot of bikes around). After Helmsley take a right towards Thirsk staying on the A170. (A popular biker route here is to take the B1257 - heavily policed due to idiots and accidents - ride with care. A lot of cars ignore the speed limit - don't get sucked in). 
A53 Leek to BuxtonMap of the A53 This route takes you into the Peak District National Park, with superb views as you pass through. It is another of my good roads, away from city traffic, with 60mph speed limits, and sweeping bends as you take in the scenery. As you progress on the A53, one of the superb views is a rock formation known as the The Roaches where you will see rock climbers enjoying their sport. 
A171 Scarborough to WhitbyMap of the A171 
Big hills, open moorland, sharp bends.Unfortunately there are often cars struggling to pull caravans, which cause big tailbacks, and slow you down. Carefully pick off the cars one by one, and when you finally pass that caravan it's fun all the way. Take care though as the steep downhill sections and blind summits followed by sharp bends, can catch you out even though you are well under the speed limit. Park up in Whitby, and enjoy a stroll round an old fashioned coastal resort, with fresh crab available from the docks, and tasty fish and chips. A3055 Isle of Wight Map of the A3055 If you ever get to across to the Isle of Wight, this is a good place to go biking. Wherever you go on the island, using A or B roads between any two places, you get good roads and different views, whether countryside, coastal cliffs, villages with thatched cottages or seaside resorts. The A3055, to choose one road, runs most of the way round the island, along the coast, from Ryde, through Sandown and Shanklin, to Ventnor and Blackgang. The section from Blackgang through to Freshwater has some spectacular views of chalk cliffs on one side, as you meander along the jagged coastline, and countryside on the other. Even in peak holiday season the road isn’t that busy as you are on the south coast of the island away from the main holiday resorts. 
Abergele to Harlech Map Abergele to Harlech Much as I like bikes, practically speaking, with a family, most journeys are by car. In the course of getting from getting from A to B, you sometimes come across part a route that would be brilliant on a bike (you also don’t have a camera handy). This is one such route – It is here more as reminder to me to go back at some point on the bike, with my camera. The journey takes you from Abergele via Llanwrst/Betws-y-coed to Harlech (a little further on is the beauty spot Shell Island, though for some reason motorbikes aren’t welcome). You are travelling along beautiful scenic routes – through Welsh countryside with sheep and goats. There are excellent views of the mountains of Snowdonia, and you will pass by the Slate Caverns of Llechwedd, a popular tourist attraction. All the while, the roads are twisting and turning – not much traffic, but cars are well below the speed limits, due to narrow roads in places (for cars) and the taking the view. It is easy to pass on a bike if you want to.
Great Ormes Head Map of Great Ormes Head If you are in the Llandudno area this is a short coastal run round the Great Ormes Head. You will need to pay a toll (£1-50 bike/£2-50 car in 2005). Start near the pier at the toll road. The road is one way apart from the detour to the summit of the Great Orme, where you can park and enjoy refreshments. As you ride through take your time and take in the views- on your left you have the cliff face of the mountain, and on your right beautiful sea vistas. It is only a short road, about 3 or 4 miles, but worth the view. (It is not far from Abergele, another of my routes). |
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