WDCF Newsletter Spring 2025

Although the Agbrigg rides have only been going since 2022, they are now often our most popular guided ride, apart from the iconic WoW. This is a testament to the commitment of Sandi Kinkead, the principal ride leader for the venue, and her willingness to reach out to groups who do not generally cycle or are unaware of the opportunities on their doorstep to access the open countryside. Our Agbrigg rides have helped introduce a more diverse section of the community to the joys of cycling. The photo  a recent ride from Agbrigg  to the splendid ruins of Sandal Castle. David Keighley is progressing plans to include the castle in the official WoW route, so we all hope to be storming it soon.

This year we agreed with Wakefield MDC to put on a number of rides from the Fitzwilliam area of the district. We were assured that there would be bike storage facilities available so that we could provide loan bikes for new rides and we had hoped that the improvements proposed for the route from Dando Way Ackworth to Fitzwilliam station would be completed by then.

Sadly, procedures and the nesting season intervened. Undaunted, six stalwarts turned up for the inaugural ride in March starting from Hemsworth Water Park. As the Hemsworth café was still being refurbished, we cycled to Ackworth along cart tracks to the Born and Bread café – small and friendly with cheap bacon sandwiches and some outdoor seating, so we could keep an eye on the bikes. Access did mean crossing a busy road, however, there are no loos and the coffee didn’t suit everyone’s taste, so we are not likely to be regulars. Avoiding a quagmire on the path required a sharp, steep left turn uphill, followed by a bend. We spaced ourselves out a bit to avoid a pileup but no-one faltered and all made it up successfully. It was an encouraging start.

The subsequent April ride proved even more select, with just 4 of us. We did take a different route round Fitzwilliam Country Park, where the sun had baked quagmires into ruts, and this time ate at The Sandwich Bar, which isn’t far from the Water Park.

We’re continuing to talk to anyone who comes in range and hope to persuade some locals to join us.

Our first bike mechanics’ event of the year was a Bike Care and Repair session on the 9th March at Anglers Country Park. The weather was fine and those who attended had an interesting presentation with lots of props, as the photo of Malcolm, Sue and Phillip demonstrates.

On Sunday 27th April we attended a Rycroft Bike Hub Event in the top field of the Rycroft Leisure Centre, adjacent to the main entrance.  The weather was warm & sunny but not too hot. Harry Wood, from ‘The Right Track Outdoors’, set up a cycle skills course, Malcolm geared up for the Bike Doctor sessions and Neville filled in with Bike Registration. 

Meg & Sharon provided help where it was needed, including admin and moving bikes and tables.We had six pre-booked half hour Bike Doctor slots but sadly, only two of those turned up. However, Malcolm was kept busy trying to solve the impossible problem that was the new mudguards for Sharon’s bike.

We did manage to get nine bikes registered – seven of those for the same couple, one for Tillie Davies our new WMDC Physical Activities Team Programme Officer and one for Geoff who has previously been with us at the Fitzwilliam ride.

I believe Harry had five entrants for his skills course. Although not a roaring success, I believe that we all thought it was worth the effort and for next time an email reminder will be sent to those who book a Bike Doctor slot the week before to confirm.

To celebrate Earth Day on Sunday 27th April, Transforming Wakefield offered WDCF a stand at The Hepworth, Wakefield to promote our cycle rides and events. David Keighley quickly assembled a small team to cover the day, consisting of himself, Sandi, Andy and me, and a selection of leaflets and literature. Neville was unexpectedly able to join us, as the Bike Hub Event at Ryhill had finished away sooner than expected. This allowed me to wander round see what was on offer.

Most of the stalls there were, like us, promoting active travel as a wonderful way to cut pollution, reduce road deaths and improve the health and wellbeing of those involved.

Ruth Love of Just Transition Wakefield  spoke enthusiastically about the canal/river towpaths in the region and how walking and cycling on these is safer and healthier than the roads.

Unfortunately, the towpath at Thornes Lane Wharf is still suffering the long-term aftereffects of the city centre floods in 2008 and is now blocked, requiring convoluted on road diversions. Just Transition is one of a group campaigning to remove the blockage and lists WDCF as one of their supporters.  We feel that that the cheapest option is the one most likely to be completed with the shortest delay and would support that choice.  To offer support or enquire you can email: ruth.alex@valleycreations.org.uk

Everybody’s Cycling, a Charitable Community Benefit Society, aims to encourage people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the benefits of Cycling by providing fun and practical cycling events across the UK.

They have a fleet of adapted cycles for people with disabilities and offer cycle try-outs. Cathy Chadwick-Rayner is the Project Co-ordinator carrying out an audit of disability cycling facilities in the combined authority area, so if you’re aware of anything new, please get in touch.

Email: cathy@everybodyscycling.org

Cathy is already aware of our old friends Open Country and also Get Cycling, which has recently introduced its Pathway to Pedals scheme.

This aims to increase access to inclusive cycling for disabled people. They offer month-long loans of specialist cycles to qualifying individuals as well as running social cycle sessions for them, their family and friends.  They can be contacted at Getcycling – Pathways-to-Pedals

On the May bank holiday, 5th May, Nostell NT hosted events to view the splendid array of bluebells there.  Walks were signposted through the flowers while we were asked to put on three rides at designated intervals along the cycle trails leading down from the obelisk.  David K organised a short rota of ride leaders and he and Sandy Clarke sorted out publicity and bikes. Neville and Meg did the ride leading while Lisa, Sharon and Sue turned up too to show willing and assist David back marking the rides. 

The first ride at 11am was the most popular. We chose the right-hand trail as its more sweeping bends are easier for a tandem and we’d checked it the day before. Unfortunately, early in the ride, before they’d got started on the woodland paths, a tyre came off one of our loan bikes so Jack and his mum had to abandon the ride, with a promise that if they came back after lunch, we’d have a bike ready for them. 

The path up to the obelisk is straight and steep whilst the path down is curvy with steep bits going both down and up.  We assured people that there is no shame in getting off and walking a bit.  Nevertheless, it was a relief to stop for some photos of bluebells.  One little girl needed some encouragement to get back on her bike so Neville demonstrated how easy it was to ride.

She did set off determinedly with Lisa’s close encouragement, although a brush with the gate as she left the trail was disheartening.

We nearly cancelled the third ride as it didn’t look as though anyone was coming, despite Neville having spent the break replacing the defective tyre. Jack and his mum turned up, however, and his enthusiasm was rewarded by us taking them on both the blue and the green trails, even though this meant ascending to the obelisk twice.  Their smiles show it was worth the effort. 

It was heartening to see that the safety barriers on both trails were created using natural materials, like brushwood and logs, rather than garish orange plastic. Admittedly, the former won’t last as long but the replacements are already growing! 

After completing a few damaged patches in Nostell Estates, we are finally set to return to repairing the trail from Waterton Park Golf Club to Navvy Lane along the old Barnsley Canal towpath. Bearing in mind that this route was installed in its present form around 30 years ago its hardly surprising that, whilst it is generally safe, with the passing of time edging etc have rotted in places and the surface become worn.

WMDC have given us the go ahead to recommence repair works and have supplied us with edgings, stakes and planings so we have the materials. It’s bodies we need now. We have a core work team of three at present. Whilst this may not seem a lot, we cannot over man the work as we have to keep the route safe and operational. The work in itself is quite heavy in nature excavating short stretches, installing edgings, stakes and geotextile and backfilling. All of this is in a relatively isolated location so all the materials and equipment have to be walked in, albeit with the help of our electric barrows.

It is our intention to hold a couple of workdays each month usually on a Tuesday, dependant on the weather. Duration on the day will be to suit the particular repair in hand but we aim to start at 10.00 on site and finish around 13.00. Tools and equipment are provided. Ideally, we could do with a couple of additional volunteers who are prepared to commit the time on a regular basis. It’s a good workout so, if you feel that you are up to it, please get in touch via our website and we’ll take it from there.

Email: info@cycling-wakefield.org.uk

Finally, a note of thanks to Waterton Park Golf Club who have kindly agreed to store our edgings in their compound. This is a great help as we had been struggling to find a suitable, convenient location so what they have been able to provide is ideal.

That’s it for now, enjoy your summer cycling,
Andy Beecroft (Workgroup Coordinator)