Will wearing a bike helmet save your life

These are my children's heads unsurprisingly I want to do everything I can to protect them. I got to debating helmets yesterday with Richard from the excellent Ride Harrogate on the back of this Telegraph article. "It's a no-brainier and common sense," says Richard "helmets protect your head, it should be law to wear one." At face value it seems obvious protect your head and live longer. Lord Bradley Wiggins of Modshire is calling...

We ned your help - extend the Nidderdale Greenway to Hampsthwaite

Plans are afoot to extend the marvellous Nidderdale Greeenway through Hollybank Woods to Hampsthwaite. This is a beautiful broad leaved wood and if you haven't been you should, its cool. It's a right of way at the moment but its not in the best of states for bikes. This from Malcolm Margolis ....This is the lane which leads west of Ripley Castle over the little bridge with the waterfall next to it, through Hollybank Woods for a mile or...

The Cycle to work Scheme

Cycle to Work Schemes I was promoting cycle to work schemes at the hospital the other week. They could use some further explanation I think. Firstly your employer has to be signed up with one of them before you can benefit. If they aren't ask them to, its not hard. In Harrogate the Hospital and North Yorkshire County Council are signed up and if any other employers want me to publicise their participation let me know, I will be happy to. How...

Good Fettle and riding your age

It was my youngest boy's first proper cycle ride on Thursday. He has been threatening to be a fully independent cyclist for a while. We bribed him with the threat of cake and headed off from Starbeck down to Bilton on the cycle way. We cut back towards Asda on the start of the Nidderdale Greenway. Just after you cross the railway at Grove Park is the new and charming Good Fettle cafe. We had tea, cake and a chat. I had been twittering away...

Harrogate Hospital promote Cycling - Rejoice

I spent my lunchtime in the restaurant at  Harrogate Hospital yesterday. The HR department at the hospital have put together a leaflet with a bit of input from Cycle Harrogate. It details the cycle facilities on offer for bike riders at the hospital and gives some advice on commuting to work in Harrogate. Katy Ward and Craig from HR were there to promote the cyclescheme. This if you don't know is the government backed initiative where you...

Beryl Still in Peril- Moutainbiking in Harrogate

I rode the Beryl Burton last night, I was off to the pub. The rather excellent half moon in knaresborough. Its been done up in the recent past. I recommend it if you fancy a swift half in calm but convivial surroundings. Anyway back to the  Beryl Burton, its really rutted in places and seems to be deteriorating rapidly. It made for quite good fun on my mountain bike. I wizzed in and out of the potholes. Thing is it supposed to be a cycle...

The reluctant Cycle Activist

I just spoke to Harrogate labour party who asked me along to talk all things bike. I hope nobody was so bored they had to chew their own arm off. Here is the transcript of what I said. Can I start with an apparently ludicrous claim and a few facts? I can save your life, well perhaps. Half an hour of moderate exercise five times a week is easily the single most important health intervention you can make if you are currently inactive. The...

Come to the pedal on fun day at Ripley Castle 2 Sept

This just in from Gia Margolis of Wheeleasy and Harrogate Cycle Action, sounds like a great occasion and Sustrans are rattling the tin too, I can think of worse places to give my hard earned too. Pedal On UK Family Fun Day, Monday 2 September at Ripley Castle 3pm-6pm.The 144 mile North West and Yorkshire leg of the Pedal On UK Ride will end at Ripley. Details at http://www.sustrans.org.uk/events/pedal-uk-ripleyThe last day ending in Ripley...