Ride with the WOW factor ( Wonders of Wakefield) Re-Run.
On probably the hottest day of the year so far eight intrepid riders met in the car park at Sandal Castle which sported some superb clear views over the surrounding landscape. As it was so hot everyone found themselves shedding layers prior to departure.
After the shedding we set off downhill following the fateful route that Richard, Duke if York (Father of Richard the Third) made when leading his army from the castle in 1460.
After crossing the busy Wakefield/Barnsley Road we followed the path leading from Sandal and Agbrigg railway station into Walton and over the busy Wakefield/ Doncaster road where Neville and Phil got separated at the traffic lights and unfortunately took the wrong track and rode into the local Gypsy camp where Neville took a bite on the leg from a Gypsy Woman's dog. Luckily then his Tetanus was up to date.Once again we rode through the pretty village of Heath before tuning left into some nice wooded single track down to the southern Washlands of the river Calder. Proceeding straight on and following the River Calder at the Stanley Ferry aqueduct we arrived back in habitation in Altofts, followed by a short down hill run over a field and back onto Tarmac to our lunchtime stop at Chaplins Cafe in Normanton Town Centre where a table for eight had been reserved for our lunch.
Feeling suitably refreshed after lunch we followed the gently uphill path alongside the Normanton Bypass road before crossing over the bypass by the footbridge to follow the track over the reclaimed old Sharlston Colliery site.
Crossing fields once again we headed into the second reclaimed old colliery site that was Crofton Colliery before emerging out at the far end of the picturesque Anglers Country Park lake. Following the path around the lake we arrived at the busy cafe at the other side of the lake which had just been saved from closure by Wakefied council following the many appeals and petitions made by the many walking and cycling groups including the RSF as the cafe is a very popular meeting and stopping point and today was no exception.
After a quick brew it was onwards again following the walled boundary of Walton Hall, now a hotel but previously the home of the eccentric Squire Waterton, a Naturalist (1782 - 1865) who made the area one of the first nature conservation parks in the country and where apparently he recorded 123 species of birds during his tenure at the Hall.It was then down onto the Trans Pennine Trail to follow the old, almost dried up Barnsley Canal towards Royston before turning sharply back onto the old Newmillerdam railway line, detouring deep through the attractive woodland and emerging out into the car park at the very popular and busy Newmillerdam lake.
From here it was down over the Ford in Slack lane which luckily was not in flood so feet were kept dry. From here it was a short run following a path behind Pugneys country park lake before turning right back up towards the castle which was now in full view again.
28 miles after setting off and once again back at our starting point our goodbyes were made following a few discussions relating to the next scheduled ride from Hollingworth Lake.
All in all a lovely circular ride in beautiful sunshine with good company.
Written by Bob Booth, Ossett.
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