Cycling
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Local events
Bike Week 2007 ran from 16th to 24th June 2007. Bike Week is an annual festival of cycling with a variety of short and long rides, both on- and off-road. Further information about local Bike Week events can be found at here.
Leeds Met Men's Health Week organises an annual bike ride (open to both men and women). This year it was on Thursday 14 June 2007, leaving Headingley Campus Helpzone at 5.05pm and Civic Quarter (outside H building by the bike boxes) at 5.25pm, for a ride along the Trans-Pennine Trail to Mickletown near Methley. The pace will be easy.
The Annual Otley Town Centre Road Race is a good evening trip out. The race is on a compact 3 mile circuit and always attracts several thousand spectators.This year the race was on Wednesday 20 June 2007, starting around 7.00pm.
The Great Yorkshire Bike Ride is the biggest participation event of the year. The 70 mile ride from Wetherby to Filey attacts over 1,000 participants. Places fill up quickly (2007 entry is now full).
The Wild Boar Challenge is an annual 50km off-road ride starting in Rothwell, just south of Leeds. This year it was held on the Sunday 14 October 2007.
Web resources
Leeds Cycling Action Group is a good place to start looking for infomation about cycling in Leeds.
Leeds University BUG (Bicycle User's Group) has lots of information about cycling, including a very good links page.
Leeds City Council is another useful source of local information.
Student resources
Staff resources
If you are a member of staff, the Cycle Network email list is a useful way of reaching other cyclists.
Several staff cycling events are organised as part of the Staff Development Festival.
Other occasional staff rides are advertised via the Cycle Network email list.
Cycle clubs
Cycle routes
Find your way round Leeds with the Leeds cycling map.
Cycle safely
Some useful pointers on safer cycling for both drivers and cyclists can be found here.
Cycle security
Cycle theft can be a problem in Leeds, as it can be anywhere else. West Yorkshire Police have some information on cycle security. Always lock your bike with a good quality lock, even if you are only leaving it for a minute. There are cycle stands at most Leeds Met buildings. If you don't use a cycle stand, lock your bike up in a well lit place to an immovable object.
The Police have 'postcoding' sessions every so often, where they will postcode your bicycle. This is useful if your bike is stolen and recovered - but it doesn't stop it getting stolen in the first place.
Cycle maintenance
Two useful cycle maintenance websites are Park Tools and Sheldon Brown.
