Activities | Page 4 of 14 |

Case Study: The Impact of Switching to Cycling for Short Family Journeys

February 4, 2025 by Ryan

I’ve always been a fan of case studies. They are an excellent way for someone to visualise a situation and are incredibly relatable.

We’ve banged the drum about the importance of cycling to school for the children and parents alike. The data shows it benefits your kids hugely and I have two examples of my own children who couldn’t visualise any other way to get to school, whether via bike or on foot. Once the habits are ingrained they are difficult to break.

But what about specific numbers and outcomes, and how can we make YOU want to do the same? Introducing our case study series. These will document real-life & fictional families and the benefits of switching your lifestyle to one which is more active. These will look at the financial, social and health benefits of doing so. Not only that but the time angle where if you provide your kids with the tools for independence early, it’s something which will benefit you as adults too in the long run!

New Financed Car vs a Second-hand car – Why you should switch? (and cycle too!)

March 28, 2025January 28, 2025 by Ryan

As you may or may not have worked out I’m not a huge fan of car finance deals and PCPS’s. They trap many people into incredibly expensive finance deals and burden them with huge monthly payments. They are inflexible and unnecessary. Most of the recent tech with cars is tech for the sake of it! I’d much prefer to have the money in my pocket to shape my life in different ways.

In the years of low interest rates, you could argue that having a brand-new car with a monthly payment was worth it. I think those days are gone now. Your typical car finance is nearly 6.9% and many families face the burden of hefty car finance payments, often exceeding £400 per month. With rising living costs and the growing cost of living crisis, more people are questioning whether a new, financed car is truly worth the expense. I would recommend all families question the popular narrative and look at the difference it could make to their lives if they opt out of this.

Families can enjoy significant financial, health, and social benefits by opting for a reliable second-hand vehicle and incorporating cycling into daily routines.

Let’s explore this transformational shift in depth and provide several scenarios to help you make what I believe is a life-changing decision for your health and your wealth.

Best Places to Teach a Child to Ride a Bike in West Yorkshire

January 28, 2025January 27, 2025 by Ryan

Teaching your child to ride a bike is one of the most rewarding experiences you can share as a parent. It’s a rite of passage that builds confidence, encourages physical activity, and opens the door to a lifetime of adventures.

We taught our daughter in lockdown 2020. She had just turned 4 and we were able to take advantage of the quiet streets and car parks to teach her with ease. It’s a little more challenging in normal times.

With pavement parked cars, busy streets and traffic it’s a real challenge to give your child the wings of cycling unaided to set them free.

Finding the right place to start can make all the difference and since we have started to teach Barney we’ve realised these things need to be carefully thought through!

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best spots in West Yorkshire to help your child take those first wobbly pedals free from traffic and the pressures of other road users. We’ve tested many local spots to find the best places for beginners and the list we have below are just some of our favourites. You’ll understand the types of places we are looking at and maybe be able to find similar ones closer to your home. Most of these are within a 20-minute radius of our home and are regular, familiar places to get started.

The key? Flat, even paths and plenty of space to practice. Here are our top recommendations, along with tips to make it into an entire day of fun versus a grind for you and your child.

Spurn National Nature Reserve Review for Families

January 24, 2025 by Ryan

One of our hobbies as parents is to find all the awesome things to do within a radius of our home. We live in West Yorkshire which is geographically strong. It’s landlocked but is in the middle of the country meaning you can get places quite easily.

A place which has piqued my interest which we’ve never quite been able to get to is Spurn Point in East Yorkshire. It takes approximately 2 hours from home, which is too far for a day trip. Fortunately, over the Christmas school break, we stayed close to Beverley for a few nights and knew we had to take the trip to Spurn National Nature Reserve.

It’s one of those places when you look on a map you feel you have to go. It jets out from the East Coast and is a small slither of land. It’s quite a wonder, to be honest!

Spurn Point offers an unforgettable mix of natural beauty, history, and hands-on exploration that captivates children and adults alike. Here’s our full review based on our visit over the Christmas school holidays.

Scout Dike Reservoir Review For Families

May 6, 2025January 23, 2025 by Ryan

One thing we love about the school holidays is the new places we can visit. Whether that’s a significant car journey away or something a little closer to home; there are always new places to experience.

Over the Christmas school holidays, we visited Scout Dike Reservoir, a fantastic spot for introducing young children to the great outdoors. On the day of our visit, the wind levels were INSANE. Given its location in Penistone, it’s a considerable height above sea level so we certainly felt the wind!

Despite the blustery weather, it turned into a memorable trip that both our children, Matilda and Barney, enjoyed. Here’s a breakdown of our experience and everything you need to know before planning your visit.

Cycling the Trans Pennine Trail: Denby Dale to Skelmanthorpe Route Review

January 29, 2025January 16, 2025 by Ryan

As a Wakefield-based user of the Trans Pennine Trail, we wanted to explore some areas outside our home patch. We’ve always liked Denby Dale and Skelmanthorpe. They feel like a throwback to the traditional past of the area. Imagine my delight when analysing the local Trans Pennine Trail routes and I noticed that there’s a connection between Denby Dale and Skelmanthorpe and it’s largely all off-road.

This small section of the Trans Pennine Trail connects the two villages nicely and we couldn’t wait to try it out. We used the car for this one to transport our bikes to the area as we were short of time and we are firmly in the ‘leisure cyclist’ camp.

Starting at Gilthwaites Lane in Denby Dale (Next to Denby Dale Primary School), the route follows a trail winding through a serene mix of open fields and woodland before arriving in Skelmanthorpe. The mast at Emley Moor is always in your eyesight on this trip and although short it’s a nice simple route.

While only a short stretch, this portion of the trail provides a valuable link for locals, offering a practical walking route, enjoyable leisure rides and a way for students of Shelley College to walk independently and safely to school.

Knaresborough Leisure and Wellbeing Hub Play Area Review

January 15, 2025 by Ryan

We’ve visited Knaresborough a lot over the last couple of years and we’ve eagerly watched the development of the new leisure centre. Upon a previous visit on the way home, we noticed the leisure centre had indeed opened and included a play area for the kids. We knew we had to check this out!

We recently visited during the Christmas school holidays and discovered a fantastic play area that our children, Matilda (8) and Barney (4), absolutely loved.

The great thing about the play area is its proximity to the centre of Knaresborough. We’ve gone into a little more detail for you below but it’s worth a visit!

Cycling the Trans Pennine Trail: Sandal Train Station to Anglers Country Park Route Review

January 29, 2025January 14, 2025 by Ryan

I am fortunate to live close to the Trans Pennine Trail. I can easily reach the Wakefield sections from my front door and other sections within a short drive. This section is the link from my daughters’ school to Anglers Country Park (and beyond for those with more time).

I try to focus on rides of approximately 60-70 minutes. These are more convenient and consistent and can be part of an everyday exercise routine. Sandal Train Station is not part of the Trans Pennine Trail, but a multi-use section has been authorised for use and it links nicely with Oakenshaw Lane in Walton to create a mostly off-road cycle experience.

Exploring the Trans Pennine Trail is always a delight, and the route from Sandal Train Station to Anglers Country Park via Walton offers a perfect mix of history, nature, and cycling fun.

This stretch provides a stable and scenic ride suitable for beginner to intermediate cyclists, with a few narrow and uneven paths to challenge your balance and concentration. Here, we’ll delve into the route details, its history, and why it’s worth considering for your next adventure.

Cycling the Calder & Hebble Navigation: Wakefield to Dewsbury Route Review

January 29, 2025December 19, 2024 by Ryan

The Calder & Hebble Navigation towpath is a route I’ve taken a few times but never written up here but it’s one many would enjoy. It’s flat, easy to navigate (it’s a canal so pretty straight!) and suitable for varying ability levels.

If you are looking for a relaxed jaunt on your bike with nice scenery and a flashback to Wakefield’s industrial past, this is a cool route. I took the route from the Navigation in Calder Grove to Dewsbury. This route spans approximately 6.5 miles (10.5 km), making it an ideal choice for cyclists seeking a manageable yet rewarding journey.

Am I too old to ride my bike? – What age can I start cycling?

April 23, 2025December 16, 2024 by Ryan

‘Isn’t cycling something you do when you are a kid?’

I’ve heard this a lot, and it’s a common reason people don’t cycle. People forget that it’s the most efficient mode of transport available (in more ways than one) and unrivalled for their mental well-being. But what age is too old to stop cycling or to start cycling? Is this a case of if you missed the window of opportunity it’s gone? Of course not!

Cycling is a timeless activity, enjoyed by people of all ages around the world. Whether you’re a child taking your first spin on two wheels, a young adult commuting to work, or a senior rediscovering the joy of riding, cycling offers something for everyone. The benefits extend far beyond the physical, touching every aspect of health, well-being, and daily life.

The world has also changed so much that the barrier to entry couldn’t be better. With eBikes, inexpensive second-hand bikes and the ability for anyone to repair; it’s something which should be encouraged and enjoyed by those of all ages.