20/06/2026
Thursdays Wellbeing ride 😁
A warmer day sees the return of Noreen and Andrew from their various breaks and activities over the last few weeks as well as David joining us again. Easing back into things we decided a route along the valley to Sowerby Bridge would be perfect for the morning’s ride. Setting off towards the canal towpath we had not gone far when we needed to stop and make some adjustments to Noreen’s e-bike as “it just didn’t feel right” - it’s always best to stop and check things out to make sure every rider happy and safe rather than just keep going, it only takes seconds and ensures all ok. Once on the towpath with Andrew leading the way we made steady progress to Salterhebble Junction Basin - Salterhebble means ‘salt-sellers foot bridge’ - passing Canal & River Trust volunteers maintaining the numerous locks, towpath and surroundings. A bumpy ride over the cobbles by the lock keeper’s cottage and an even bumpy ride along the section of towpath where tree roots have raised the tarmac in places brought us to Copley. Copley was an early Victorian ‘model village’ for the local mill and pre-dates the more famous Saltaire model village. Continuing alongside the tranquility of the canal we eventually came to Sowerby Bridge Wharf. The Wharf was originally a vital link connecting waterways from the Humber to the Mersey. Here, cargo used to transferred from long boats called Mersey flats to the shorter Yorkshire keels because Mersey flats were too big for the locks on the Calder & Hebble Navigation. Riding around the Wharf we dropped onto Old Causey, the old packhorse route through the town, and across the bridge over the river towards the railway station joining Holmes Road for our return trip. Following the road past various industrial units and businesses we rejoined the towpath at Hollas Lane. Back around Salterhebble Basin and through the short tunnel we took a right turn to join the cyclepath alongside Halifax Road. Passing some brilliant wild poppies growing along the edge of the path we rode back to Elland Bridge and the end of another great ride by all our riders - well done all.
Staying Active Calderdale with Project C**t supported by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Cycling UK Yorkshire and the Humber encouraging Staying Well Calderdale with Calderdale Forum 50 Plus
