We managed to get out as a family today on the recently opened Nidderdale Greenway, Sustrans's excellent new cycle route from Harrogate to Ripley via the old Railway line.
It was fantastic we rode for about 40 mins steadily zooming along on what was today a very busy cycle way. Its is Sustran's usual quality provision and to be honest they didn't have too much to do for most of the way. As the railway route is pretty good quality. Its lovely as it goes over the Nidd Viaduct. As you get out toward Ripley it bobs and weaves a bit through the trees by the banks of the river and then takes you over the main road and across a field and right into Ripley itself.
I made it around about 4 and half miles from Starbeck. We started at the top of the Avenue and I reckon maybe a shade less if you got on at the bottom end of the Asda car park in Harrogate town.
There were lots of people on bikes and loads of people just out for a stroll or walking with their dogs. Everyone rubbing along together and all getting some exercise in a nice car free environment, genius.
I only got one negative comment from another bike rider who said "There are too many ignorant pedestrians around." I thought there was one to many ignorant cyclists. I wish I'd had the thought quicker I would have told him.
We stopped for ice cream in Ripley (I still don't know what all the fuss is about Ripley ice cream is? Its nothing special). This was a questionably stupid decision as the east wind was now blowing and it, coupled with the ice cream cooled us all down just enough to make the journey back into the headwind a little bit of an endurance test. My four year old was pretty cold by the time we got back but the eldest had done his longest ever cycle ride starting and finishing at his house, brilliant.
All in all a grand day out. Myself and Mrs Cycle Harrogate were eye-ing up the Boars Head whilst we munched ice cream. The next time we get an evening out, it looks like beer and bikes and if you go to the Gardener's Arms on Bilton Lane a mini pub crawl seems possible.
Here are a couple more sketch maps of the route showing where to get on and off the trail
Great review and good news that this is open now. Wasn't sure when it actually opened but will certainly give this one a try.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Dave. We tried this yesterday, convincing my 6 & 9 year old that a picnic and ice cream in Ripley were worth the ride. After a brief visit to Halfords we set off down Knaresborough Road to pick up The Avenue in Starbeck.
ReplyDeleteThe ride was surprisingly easy, with only one slight incident as my daughter managed to drift off the raised tarmac path into some relatively loose soil that brought her to a rapid and unsteady halt.
There is clearly some work to be done in finishing off the route, and although right now it is far from pretty it is going to be fantastic.
Apart from two adolescent cyclists who shot past, dodging and weaving without warning, I can give only one warning.
Beware the dog walkers that are surprised that their free-roaming animals do in fact have no road sense!
And one other thing, cycle or walk your dog, don't try and do both, especially when you have your kids with you too... You simply cannot be in control, and you're asking for trouble.
Let's all be sensible and share considerately.
Spot on Steve I think some dog walkers ha ve a bit to learn and some cyclists too. Counldn't agree more that we need to share carefully.
ReplyDelete