Tuesday, 17 February 2015

Signs of Spring


Signs of spring appearing.  Last year we split and moved lots of clumps of snowdrops so we could spread them wider and enjoy them more.  Aren't snowdrops lovely!

Thursday, 29 January 2015

Tour de Yorkshire Ride

Tour de Yorkshire Ride

It’s not just professional bike racers who can take part in the very first Tour de Yorkshire, now non pro bike riders are being encouraged to sign up for a an exciting new sportive on Sunday 3 May.

The Tour de Yorkshire Ride will give cyclists the chance to ride the route just hours before the pros race, but unlike the pros, you get to choose your distance! Three distance options are available for the sportive, from 50km, 108km or 140km routes. A women-only Cycletta sportive will also take place along the 50km route. Thousands of spectators are expected to line parts of the route offering familiar and legendary Yorkshire support, and timings will be available online giving sportive riders the chance to compare their climb times to the pros. View the routes here.

The event is being supported by five-time Tour de France winner, Bernard Hinault, who will be giving sportive riders tips. Participants in the sportive will cross the same finish line as the pro riders and a winners’ ceremonies will take place on the Tour de Yorkshire podium.

The sportive will be held on the final day of the Tour de Yorkshire, Sunday 3rd May just hours before the pro race starts. After leaving Roundhay Park in Leeds those taking on the 140km long route will climb Pool Bank and head towards Sowerby Bridge. They will join the pro route at Mytholmroyd and up the 2014 Tour de France King of the Mountains Côte De Oxenhope Moor, which will be taken in the opposite direction, a real test of stamina with over 6.7 kilometres of near continuous climbing. Shortly after riders will travel through the quaint village of Haworth and over the cobble stones, one of the most iconic images of the Tour de France Grand Départ.

Riders will climb 150 metres from Laycock to Sutton-in-Craven, before reaching the villages of Addingham and Ilkley. Riders on the long and medium routes will take on the Cow and Calf Climb, before the East Chevin Climb, after which cyclists will need all their remaining energy to climb the short but very steep Black Hill Road. The Tour de Yorkshire Ride culminates back at Roundhay Park where cyclists will be presented with their medal.

Demand for places in the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire Ride is expected to be extremely high and people are encouraged to pre-register at letouryorkshire.com/sportive.

Entries will officially open on Thursday 4 February at 9am.

Sunday, 25 January 2015

More snowy pics




Snowy January

There has been quite a bit of snow in the last 2 weeks, but all the main roads have been clear.
The steep fields around Laykin are perfect for sledging.
Snow melted fast yesterday and temperatures were warm, but there is still a bit of snow on the tops.






Sunday, 11 January 2015

Happy New Year

Afraid that I have neglected this Blog for a while.  It is so much easier to use Facebook.  For those who enjoy the Blog I must resolve to keep it up to date a bit more regularly!

We are busy spring cleaning at Laykin and getting the cottage ready for a busy spell of bookings coming up.  It's been very windy outside but lovely and cosy inside.

What a gorgeous day it was yesterday after the rain the days before.


Monday, 20 October 2014

Thursday, 25 September 2014

Glorious Indian Summer

Haven't we had a most amazing Indian Summer?
Lucky lucky lucky.