Well five of us braved the elements. Me, Bokonon, Calum, ColinJ and Bill, Colin's mate over from Tenerife.
Colin and Bill arrived from Halifax on time at Leeds Station. I was waiting for them and we got to the start at Golden Acre Park around 10.15. Calum had texted to say he had some problems and would meet us en route at Otley.
So we set off around 25 past 10 in a light shower. That lasted all of about 10 mins, if that, and apart from that we had no rain all day. Sunny and cloudy in equal part I'd say.
We got to Otley at ..............?? don't know what the time was, and pulled over at the bottom of the climb to wait for Calum, who, right on time, turned up no more than a minute after we did.
Cue the long slog up out of Otley. Not really so bad but it starts off kind of steep and then eases a bit with a couple of kinks on the way up. Just under 3 miles and 700 ft of climbing from the bottom of the climb to where we waited to get back together. Just enough to get us nicely warm.
All together again we crossed the moor passing Timble and Clifton and dropping down to Blubberhouses. Nipping across the A59 we started the climb up to the turn to Thruscross Reservoir.
1.7 miles and 320 ft later we again waited so as to re-group. The mapping says the climb has a maximum gradient of 11.1% but I am pretty sure we all know that there are a couple of sections nearer to 25%. It's a real leg breaker.
So together again we dropped down to cross the dam wall of the reservoir and haul ourselves back up the other side. Thats another 200+feet of climbing in less than a mile with sections around 14%
From there it was a nice steady more or less downhill to Summerbridge where we turned towards Harrogate and eventually pitched up in Rilpey where we stopped for a break in the Castle Tea Rooms.
On to Knaresborough some 7 miles away where I stopped to see why I had some odd rattling on my bike. I thought it was a loose bearing on the front hub but after finger tightening it as best I could, it made no difference.
Just the other side of Knaresborough I stopped again and discovered it was my cassette that had come loose. A bit of fettling and we were on our way again down to Wetherby, out the other side to Linton and through East Keswick.
By this time Colin was having problems with a long standing injury and was suffering big time so he was looking forward to the end of the ride. Sadly the road from east Keswick into North Leeds has some short sharp climbs on it and by the time we stopped shortly before the turn to Eccup Reservoir Colin was looking the worse for wear.
Anyhow not being one to wimp out Colin put a brave face on things and stayed cheerful all the way back to where he and Bill, Calum and Bokonon broke off and took the thankfully downhill roads back into Leeds and the station.
I rode back to the car park at Golden Acre Park and collected my van.
Colin and Bill had another 8 miles to ride on to Hebden Bridge after arriving back at Halifax Station.
Around 56 miles in all with Colin and Bill doing a a few more.
Thanks guys. See you all soon.
ps. Anyone who couldn't make it ....not to worry. I'll sort out another ride for the end of September so maybe you could pitch up and tag along. You'll be more than welcome.
PPS Andyfromotley................was it you we saw when were dropping down into Otley from Farnley? It looked like you but by the time I had put face and name together we had passed.
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