WDCF Newsletter Spring 2026

Our Annual Forum Festive meal took place at the Counting House in Swales Yard Pontefract, a charming medieval half-timbered and jettied building built in 1609. So far as I know, no-one fell down the twisting staircases or banged their heads on the low beams. The meal was delicious, with sufficient choices to suit a variety of palates, and the atmosphere convivial. Neville presented his now traditional quiz with a medley of cycling related ephemera going to the winning team.

The photo shows them slapping on their high vis armbands. Sharon, who now collates the rides figures for WMDC, used the information collected to reintroduce the practice of giving out commemorative certificates for the most rides led etc. The certificates were handed out by our chair Meg and accompanied by medals to treasure.

Photos show a brief extract from the proceedings and a group of happy medallists.

In an early Russian invasion, rhubarb travelled from Siberia to the more hospitable cold damp area now part of West Yorkshire and known as …(pause for a spooky drum roll) ‘The Rhubarb Triangle’. These days the triangle is a 9-square-mile (23 km2) area between Wakefield, Morley, and Rothwell, and includes the villages of Carlton, East Ardsley, Kirkhamgate, Lofthouse and Stanley. Here both field and forced rhubarb is produced. Since around 2010 WMDC has held an annual rhubarb festival each February to celebrate this local delicacy and the products made from it, ranging from pies, crumbles, jams, chocolates and chutneys to liqueurs, spirits and beer, are on sale. Ruby Rhubarb was there but this year we’ve been forced to include a somewhat taller and slimmer friend. The Forum was there to offer a less fattening alternative to these delicacies and a friendlier way to get around. Our Facebook entries for the event show more of the team at different times over the three days.

The WDCF volunteers I’ve counted included Sandy, David K, Elaine, Lisa, Richard A, Meg and Neville so this is clearly a popular event.

Saturday was hot and sunny, Sunday was cold and very wet so we had little idea how our Nostell bluebell rides on the Monday 4th May would fare. The morning started chilly and overcast so Neville and I loaded up the tandem with full waterproofs and extra layers. We put up a small table for our information stand under a horse chestnut tree near the entry to the courtyard, so we could take shelter easily if the heavens opened. In the event, the only showers were of petals from the chestnut candles.

Despite the overcast weather, publicity for the Bluebell rides at Nostell NT meant there were sufficient interested riders for each of our three rides meandering through the bluebells, ably led by Andy and David K. Meanwhile, Graham and Steve serviced the forum bikes and those of some passing visitors and Neville and I gave out publicity about the Forum, the WoW, the Wheel, Holiday Wednesdays and where to find the loos and the adventure playground at Nostell. Certificates of achievement were presented to those who completed the ride and wished to mark the occasion, as you’ll see from the photo below.

We are planning to issue a new map of our iconic circular cycle route around and named after the Wonders of Wakefield. Sadly, whenever I think it’s complete, David Keighley and his co-conspirators at WDCF improve it yet again! There is now a circuitous route through the estate to avoid the busy main road at Crofton and, while Sandal Castle can still be viewed from Pugneys, the WoW now climbs to include this wonder.
The WoW is definitely a bit longer but, as the mileage travelled varies between Strava on the back of our tandem, Garmin in the middle and the Bosch E Flow on the front by anything up to half a mile (and the bike’s not that long!), I wouldn’t like to put a figure on its new length myself.
With the plethora of daisies looking like snow at the field edges, hoards (or should that be herds?) of cowslips, bevies of bluebells and the May blossoms festooning the hedges, it’s a lovely time of year to ride it yourself and find out. The map may not be ready but the new route signs are all up to welcome and guide you.

Since March 2026 we’ve reinstated our easy rides from Pugneys, initially braving the chilly spring weather and later enjoying the cherry blossom.

We’ve also introduced Bike Doctor sessions starting at 10am on the morning of each ride so if anyone needs some last-minute adjustments or suffers a puncture on the way, these can be dealt with before the ride starts. Malcolm and Neville remain on hand until 1pm so can assist passing cyclists or those who would be cyclists if they could get their brakes to work, the gears fixed or the saddle adjusted to a comfortable height.

At the same time, we’ve watched progress on a new active travel hub to be known simply as J’s. This will cater for cyclists, runners and walkers, selling cycles and appropriate clothing as well as hiring bikes out. If what your bike needs to get it back on the road is beyond the tools or parts our bike doctors have available or you’ve just missed them and don’t want to wait until next time to get back on the road, J’s will probably have the parts, tools and mechanics required to fix it, a new bike to replace it or one to hire in the meantime!

On the basis that in hot weather cycling can make you thirsty and there are plenty of bikes and cyclists on the label, your editor thought you might like to see a couple of bottles, sadly now empty, of Pedal Pusher golden ale. We purchased them from the beer shop at Queen’s Mill Castleford which is close to both our cycle storage unit and the starting point for our Castleford rides. Other beers, a tea room and stone ground flour are also available from Queen’s Mill.

On Wednesday 27th May, between 10:00am and 3:00pm, WDCF will be attending a Try Cycling Day at Thornes Park Stadium. The aim of the day is to provide families, young people and people with disabilities the opportunity to try cycling in a supportive, inclusive environment.

The day will showcase what is possible and what is available across the Wakefield District.

The Forum will be providing Bike Doctor sessions and leading short rides around the park as well as manning an information stand. Others will be bringing inclusive bikes and adult/family bikes for visitors to try and a pedal-powered music bike. Harry Wood will be there too with a bike trail for youngsters.