Huttons Ambo Bridge
(Posted 30/01/099)
Our colleagues in North Yorkshire inform us that Huttons Ambo footbridge is currently closed for repairs (Closed signs appear at either side of the footbridge). How long the bridge will remain closed is currently unknown.
This footbridge tends to be used by the York Social Group and the Wednesday Wheelers from time to time on the way back from Malton. It's a bit far at this time of the year for rides from Leeds, but just in case you were thinking of a ride in the Malton area we thought it worth posting. Thanks to Andrew Kirby for the information

When further details become known they will be posted on the CTC North Yorkshire web-site.

Leeds Cycle Consultation Meeting
(Posted 18/01/09, updated 29/01/09)
The Cycling Consultation Meeting is a forum for discussion of matters related to cycling in Leeds. It is open to interested members of the public and is attended by elected members and officers of Leeds City Council. It does not replace or supersede other consultation processes operated by the Council. Nevertheless, it's a good way of finding out what's happening in respect of cycling facilities in Leeds, and of making contact with other cyclists with an interest in improving cycling conditions in the city.
At the last meeting on 21st January 2009 the matters presented and dicussed included progress on a bid to the Regional Transport Board for cycling infrastructure in Leeds; provision of an improved cycle route from Kirkstall to the central universities sites; a proposal for an inbound cycle lane on Easterly Road; the cycling facilities associated with the new link road from Cross Green to the M1 (formerly Pontefract Lane), and the perennial issues of cycling on the A660.
Official minutes will be published in due course, and made available, inter alia, through this site. In the meantime you can see or download a short report here.

The next Cycling Liaison meeting of Leeds City Council has been provisionally arranged for 6:15pm on Wednesday 29th April in the Civic Hall.

Cafe closures
(Posted 29/12/08, updated 29/1/09)
A couple of cafe closures have reached our notice - not, like Woolies, casualties of the credit crunch, but for more normal reasons.
The Stables cafe at Lotherton Hall, east of Leeds, is closing from 5th January until 28th February, re-opening on 1st March, for refurbishment. The nearest alternatives would seem to be the 'motorbike' cafe near Sherburn, or the garden centre on the A63 at the top of the hill to the east of Garforth.
The cafe in Spa Gardens, Ripon, is now closed for a well-earned winter break, and will re-open on 14th February. There are alternatives in Ripon, we'd recommend the Warehouse, near to the west end of the minster.

Bike Theft
(Posted 29/12/08)
We've recently been told of a bike theft, and would be grateful if you could keep an eye open for the machine.
It's a bit of an odd one as it is a MTB frame with drop bars. Giant 'Iguana', Time ATAC pedals, bar-end shifters, mudguards, dynamo, B&M lights, old blue Cateye Vectra speedo, Ozzo saddle pouch, Blackburn rear rack. Almost as per the photo (stem is now a higher rise).
If you should spot it, the relevant crime number for the police is 13080511179, PC N Loryman (id 1659). If you also let us know, we'll pass on the details to the owner.


















Bench in memory of Peter Gray
(Posted 29/12/08)
A bench in memory of Peter Gray, whose multiple cycling activities and interests will have touched the lives of many cyclists in Yorkshire and beyond, is to be installed on the cycle path close to the Rawcliffe Bar Park and Ride in York on Tuesday 23rd December. If you would like to take part please meet at the rear of the P&R offices by 10am. There's a little work to do to install the seat, and the odd spade would be useful.
Peter would have been pleased with all the work which has been done repairing and surfacing this section of the cycle track by volunteer and professional work during this year. The work was funded by York City Council, and carried out by Sustrans and the York Wednesday Wheelers Tuesday volunteers.

A1(M) tunnel
(Posted 8/12/08)
For those not yet aware, the underpass beneath the A1(M) at the start of the cycle path east from Wetherby to Thorpe Arch has now re-opened, after being closed for several months for the construction of the new motorway. This is a welcome return; no more muddy diversion round the side of the racecourse.
The re-opening was delayed for some weeks as the lighting in the underpass had not been installed.

Seat to commemorate Gordon White
(Posted 6/12/08, updated with links to photos 19/12/08)
Gordon White, who died in October 2007, was a formidable cyclist and a great companion, with a lifetime of involvement with cycling in Leeds and with the CTC in particular. Following his death many friends and colleagues contributed towards a commemorative bench, and after much searching a suitable spot was identified by his widow, Kathy.

So on Sunday, 30th November 2008 around a dozen of Gordon's friends met in the churchyard at Arncliffe, in Littondale, for a short ceremony to dedicate a seat to Gordon's memory. Despite a very cold day, many had cycled to this peaceful spot in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, a place Gordon knew so well and valued so much.

If you would like to visit, the bench is easily found to the right of the door to Arncliffe church. Like those assembled for on the day, you will surely remember Gordon as a valued friend and a great cyclist, with a natural inclination to help and support others.

You can see some more pictures here, courtesy of Chris Crossland, or read an obituary here.










(photos: Melita and Allan Luxton)

CTC in West Yorkshire reorganises
(Posted 6/12/08)
At the Annual General Meeting of the West Yorkshire DA of the CTC, held in Meltham, near Huddersfield, it was agreed that the existing District Association be re-formed as two member groups under the CTC's new arrangements for local members. The area covered by Kirklees and Wakefield districts had already formed a new member group, to be called CTC Huddersfield and District, and it was agreed that the remaining geographical districts of Calderdale, Bradford and Leeds would be covered by a group to be called CTC West Yorkshire District Association, which would have the member group CTC Halifax as a constituent group. Chris Crossland is the President of the new group, with Jennifer Crossland as Secretary. The strategy to be adopted by the group is under discussion, but it will certainly wish to encourage any activities by members within the area, either for themselves or in pursuit of the CTC's aim of encouraging wider participation in cycling.
The assets of the former West Yorkshire District Association have been split by agreement between the two new member groups, who will co-operate closely with one another. Any CTC member is, of course, welcome to participate in the activities of any member group.