Liverpool to Leeds canal ride

[Venod]

Hi Venod, i'm new to the forum and i have read your post with interest as i live near to Steeton. Me and my wife cycle to Woodlesford on the Leeds Liverpool canal and the Aire Calder navigation now and then and take the train back, a route in sure you know very well.
As you live near to Woodlesford and you will know the area inside out could you tell me is it possible for us to carry on cycling past Woodlesford locks straight into Castleford town centre (train station) using the cycle path if one exists.
I have looked at a few maps and most seem to have us leaving the path at Methley and cycling 3 miles on main roads to Castleford, something my other half will not do.

Hi Teetee

You have a couple of options, you can carry on round the edge of St Aidens RSPB reserve, you can even go through the reserve, there are bridleways through, then pick up a short section of The Linesway, which is a cycle path from Allerton Bywater to Garforth, from Allerton Bywater there is a path at the side of the river to Castleford, unfortunately there is a short road ride to the Station.
Alternatively come off the Canal at Mickletown and take a short road ride to Methley Junction, where there is a good cycle path to Castleford, from here a short road ride to Castleford Station or a better option a cycle path down the South side of the railway to Glasshougton/Junction 32 retail park station.

 

[Teetee]

Hi Teetee

You have a couple of options, you can carry on round the edge of St Aidens RSPB reserve, you can even go through the reserve, there are bridleways through, then pick up a short section of The Linesway, which is a cycle path from Allerton Bywater to Garforth, from Allerton Bywater there is a path at the side of the river to Castleford, unfortunately there is a short road ride to the Station.
Alternatively come of the Canal at Mickletown and take a short road ride to Methley Junction, where there is a good cycle path to Castleford, from here a short road ride to Castleford Station or a better option a cycle path down the South side of the railway to Glasshougton/Junction 32 retail park station.
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Thanks for that Venod, i really appreciate it.
Looking at those options i think that carrying along the edge could be the best option.
I was originally looking at cycling on to the Green House cafe and on to Pit Lane, then Pinfold Lane and Barnsdale road and join up with the River Calder towpath at Methley Bridge into Castleford and come off by Church Street and then taking Bank Street to the station using the roads/pavements along the way as those roads seem reasonably quiet, plus it's only about 1 3/4 miles. What do you think?

 

[Teetee]

Just to add i looked at the Methley Junction option and cycling down to the Junction 32 station which sounds like a brilliant idea but i cannot for the life in me find where the cycle path starts in Methley.
Does the path start at Green Row and carry onto the private road where i found the path but nothing is sign posted.
The second image is where the red circle is on the first image.

 

[Venod]

Just to add i looked at the Methley Junction option and cycling down to the Junction 32 station which sounds like a brilliant idea but i cannot for the life in me find where the cycle path starts in Methley.
Does the path start at Green Row and carry onto the private road where i found the path but nothing is sign posted.
The second image is where the red circle is on the first image.
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Yes that is the start of the path, if you want to use Castleford Staion (more Leeds trains than Junction 32 then as soon as you cross the river Calder on the cycle path turn left on a cycle path that will take you to Castleford near the bottom of Bank Street, if you turn right just after crossing the river this path will take you to Wakefield and comes out near Kirgate Station.

 

[Venod]

This is the path to Wakefield where my track turns right just South of Stanley to use a cycle path at the side of the road, if you don't turn right you can carry straight on through the words but there is a bridge with steps, with channels for bike wheels.

If you fancy a longer ride you can always loop back to the canal at Rothwell the back to Leeds Station or carry on to Pontefract where Tanshelf station is close to the park (trains to Leeds via Wakefield) of road ride ti Monkhill Station (trains to Leeds via Castleford.

 

[Teetee]

Yes that is the start of the path, if you want to use Castleford Staion (more Leeds trains than Junction 32 then as soon as you cross the river Calder on the cycle path turn left on a cycle path that will take you to Castleford near the bottom of Bank Street, if you turn right just after crossing the river this path will take you to Wakefield and comes out near Kirgate Station.

That's brilliant, thank you very much for your help and advice.
As for longer rides i think this is long enough for the time being as we are fairly new to this longer distance riding.
All we need now is a nice day with a westerly wind to push us along.