Kirkstall forge to Gargrave 2025

The day of the ride arrived, the plans were for us all to meet at Bishop train station, except Colin N who would get on two stations along, and Dave and Glen were to travel with Ian in the van.
We had two changes to negotiate one at Darlington one at Leeds, this time I knew Connor was very good at negotiating the trains so we relied on him to get us from one platform to the next for the correct train. Darlington was no problem as it’s a small station and our connecting train was to arrive at the same platform we arrived at. Leeds is a large station, so while Conner was sorting it out and getting our bearings some went for food and I went looking for a toilet, the signs took me all the way to the far side of the station. where it was a disabled toilet for which you needed a radar key, which I don't have, oh well I will just have to wait, so much for saving time and being comfortable.

When we all met back up Connor had it sorted. So we all followed him all the way back to where I had just been on the far side of the station, right past the toilet I had been unable to use.

I bemoaned the fact I didn't have a key, luckily one of the lads did so I borrowed that, and guess what, it wasn't even locked.
So I could have used it as it was open to all while there was a problem with the main toilets,

Well onto the connecting train for the short journey to the start of the ride at Kirkstall Forge.

Kirkstall Forge not the station but office block across from the trains	Getting the bikes unloaded and ready
Ready for the off , the usual start of the ride picture	The sign for the canal, we are on our way.

It was raining at Kirkstall and windy, A friend who lives close by had intended joining us for the first few miles of the ride but never showed I guess the weather was enough to put most people after, such a shame after the long dry summer we had had this year as we were prepping the bikes a chap walking a dog stopped to chat, he took great pains to tell us the route was not as easy as most people expect.

We assure him we will be fine as we are experienced cyclists and also have a back up van if required. To get onto the canal side we have to cross the railway line, the only way to do this is to use a footbridge, so we start the ride by carrying the bikes up and down a flight of stairs. then we join the path leading towards the canal, Graeme is leading and only sees the part of the sign that says Leeds, so he turns right, I have to call him back and point out the rest of the sign. The path leads us down onto the canal side, it is wide flat and very scenic with locks and wildlife, so after the little difficulties at the start we are happy and on our way. passing nice canal side properties and old mills. All of which we find very interesting

The weather improves and we come to our first of a series of locks, unfortunately they are all a climb as we are heading towards the Pennines, however not too steep or too long so we easily cycle up them.

The bad weather comes back with the wind and rain in our faces, there is a Wetherspoons at Bingley and as its lunch time we decide have a break before tackling the worst hill of day one ride,

Fortunately the pub is not too far off the canal path even had an overhang to keep our bikes dry, so a little detour was all it took. Getting back out into the rain took more of an effort after we had got comfortably warm and dry. Suitably refreshed and its time to tackle the five locks.

We carry on along the canal side which is winding along and flat, however this means that the wind is sometimes in our faces and sometimes from the side, we are in danger of being blown into the canal at times, so we are grateful for the shelter the trees, hedges and buildings occasionally afford us. However it is not long before we find another problem from the wind and another first for the multiday men.

A tree is down across the path, with no way around it we have no option but to lift the bikes through. Just as we have lifted the last of the bikes over and through the obstacle am local arrives with a saw to cut the fallen tree away , just too late for us.

Top of the locks nice way ahead, just a shame about the weather	The fallen tree
We start the process of listing the bikes through and over	We soon have a system going
The last one to lift through Good job we don't have panniers on now	Last bike through and the local lad turns up with the saw

Back on track and with the wind and the rain Graeme gets close to the edge of the path and the edge gives way and down he goes. Fortunately he is on the edge away from the canal side, however it is a steep bank so he is lucky he landed on the path and did not disappear down the bank side.

Then into Saltaire and we meet up with Ian, all OK except nothing is open on a Monday in Saltaire, so Ian is unable to do his touristy bit. As usual he has a smile on his face, he just loves touring and history. Its a shame because Saltaire is a lovely place with lots of interesting history about Victorian Mills.

While we are stopped three ladies on cycles come along the path, they stop for a chat and warn us about the route after Gargrave as being very rough and uneven with a bad surface, we thank them for the advice and tell them about our cycling holidays and the multidaymen web site that chronicles all our rides. They say they will have a look at it.

Coming into Saltaire and the sun comes out	Saltaire is an important place on the canal
Ian smiling as usual well he is in a nice dry warm van.	One of the trip boats.
There is also a sculpture trail	It is well signed, along the canal although it would be hard to get lost on this route.

Onwards towards Skipton and then to Gargrave for the overnight stay. As we are coming into Skipton on the outskirts we pass a canal tour trip boat, it is full of tourists and as is the way we all wave at each other, I feel sorry for them as the windows are all steamed up so the view would not be great. They probably feel sorry for us cycling into a head wind in the rain.

Only five miles to go to Gargrave we decide to stop at Skipton for a refreshment break, the cafe we choose is a dog friendly cafe that is set up for dogs more than humans,
some of us cram into a doggy corner, not the most comfortable but nice drinks and cakes.

Heading along the canal Graeme is leading and turns off the route a little bit too early, this means we cycle through the village of Gargrave to get to the Hotel, Its getting dark with the rain clouds and its raining quite heavily, so we get to the Hotel at 6.45 cold and wet.
Ian is in car park van open already for the bikes to be loaded in. Then the slow check in process, each room has to be checked in and paid separately, then onto the next room. It is a slow process.

After we all have a shower and get changed its down to the pub next door and most of us wear our shirts for this years ride.

Poor Bob had limited choice of clothing that night, due to the van we hired had a leaking roof and all the rain had come into the inside of the load area.
Unfortunately Bobs bag was the one that was sitting in the pool of water. All his clothes in the bottom of the bag were soaked and dripping wet,

Colin and Dave and what has become their traditional pose in the ride shirts.

The next little problem was that the card payment machine was not working in the bar it meant that we all had to put the costs onto the room and sort it out at reception or pay cash, Dave elected to pay cash for his and mine drinks, however the price came to a rounded off figure and a few coppers, so I said I had some change and if he put down the note I would pay the rest. I dug the loose change out of my pocket only to find it was Euros from my last holiday. I had to sort through them all to find enough English money to settle the bill.
Over the meal we sat chatting about the days ride and we all agreed it had been tough with the wind and rain in our faces, but thoroughly enjoyable. All in all a great ride to date.

Then when our meal was over we sprung our surprise on Trevor, the most senior member of our cycling group, who was 80 this year.
We wanted to celebrate his fantastic achievement in style so gifts, cake and card signed by us all.

Trevor with a gift of fine whisky	Trevor's personalised cake
Trevor with his personalised card	Lots of cycling memories on the card.

Suns out time for a photo stop	View from the top
These locks are very deep	Just a nice gradual climb to cycle up