Would you like to cycle to work / college / the shops?
Don’t know where to start?
"Easy Rides" is our programme of rides aimed at beginners and those returning to cycling. Rides happen every Saturday at 10.15am. Everybody who feels like a short, steady, friendly ride on quiet streets or cycle paths is welcome.
Many people would like to cycle to work, school, college, to see a friend in another area of Leeds or to the shops but are a bit worried about safety, how to cycle on the roads, how to find their way around Leeds etc.
Our purpose is to help people become confident cycling around their local area of Leeds, whether to work, the shops, meet friends etc. Confident cyclists are welcome too, but please remember the aim is to help new/returning cyclists so be ready for a slow, steady ride and be friendly/welcoming!
Clothes
We are not a cycling club! No special sports clothes needed! We don’t wear Lycra, have expensive sports bikes and costly clothing. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in – jeans and a shirt/blouse is fine.
Everyone welcome!
What Happens?
We cycle slowly and steadily a reasonable distance, typically 12-15 miles.
We always meeting at 10.15 am on Saturday mornings (after checking everything is ready we set off at 10.30 am).
If help is required, e.g. somebody has a puncture, we always stop to make sure the problem is fixed. Nobody is left behind.
We always have a nice café stop for refreshments, and to talk about cycling matters, near the end or at end of the ride.
Resources
Leeds Cycle Map by Leeds City Council (available at many shops, the Pedallers Arms etc.)
Guide to starting cycling (http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/how-to-start-cycling/)
Guide to cycling to work (http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/top-tips-for-cycling-to-work-29900/)
Where
We aim to serve all areas of Leeds equally, wherever you live in Leeds you should be reasonably close to an Easy Rides start point. Admittedly we haven’t always done this in the past.
We offer two weekly “Easy Rides” on Saturday mornings with two start points – a central one, meet outside the Art Gallery (by the chess boards) and one at Roundhay Park opposite the tennis courts. Both rides are intended to make cycling in the city and surrounding area more familiar and enjoyable for people who want to get into everyday cycling. We meet in small groups of between 6 and 15 riders on Saturdays from 10.15 a.m, setting off around 10.30 a.m.
The Urban Easy Rides help people to get to know the city and its cycling infrastructure and usually stay within the boundaries of the outer ring road. A lot of shortcuts, ginnels and new cycle paths are explored and there is always a café stop half-way through the ride. We particularly welcome new people who want to improve their confidence in getting around the city by bike for everyday journeys. For those who come regularly, we will also encourage people to train to lead rides if they wish to.
- We do cycle on quiet streets (yellow on the Leeds Cycle Map)
- We do use cycle paths wherever possible (blue on the Leeds Cycle Map)
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We don’t cycle miles in the hills.
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We don’t cycle on busy roads / any roads above 30mph.
For example we often cycle on the canal towpath – this is a cycle route with a good surface, is free of cars and is very pleasant too. It is an ideal way to get from one side of the Leeds to the other. We use the other official cycle routes too e.g. to Meanwood Park and Middleton Park (both have nice cafés).
Photos of Previous Rides
[Middleton Park]
[Armley]
[Bramley]
[Temple Newsam]
We ride at the pace of the slowest rider for a maximum of 15 miles - no-one is left behind, and there's a café stop either in the middle or at the end. No special sports equipment or clothes are needed.
See the rides calendar for more details of start location, route etc.
People gather from 10:15 and we start riding at 10:30. Allow a couple of hours for a gentle, social ride, with a cafe stop either about half way round the ride or at the end.
For more information have a look at the rides calendar, or contact the easy rides coordinator at easyrides@leedscyclingcampaign.co.uk.
Non-members are welcome to join in a couple of rides initially, but it's important for our insurance that most riders are paid-up members, please talk to your ride leader about joining Leeds Cycling Campaign, or join online here.
