Possibly my last chance for a decent ride this month - tomorrow is definitely out and Mondays plans are yet to be confirmed, so I decided to squeeze in a final metric half for May.
Although the Pro Carbon is back on the road, I chose the Giant due to it's mudguards as it had rained overnight and showers were forecast for while I'd be out and decided to head for Otley.
It was a bit chilly first thing, so I added knee and arm warmers, and before I knew it I was off up Coal Road, then the usual left right left to Shadwell and on and up to Slaid Hill lights. It was surprisingly breezy too - the forecast was for 10-12mph winds but it felt like more - swirly-er too, if you know what I mean.
Through the lights and onto Wigton Lane to Alwoodley Gates, across the A61 and the climb up Alwoodley Lane to King Lane, which leads to more lumpiness past the golf course and Golden Acre Park, before dropping down onto the A660 at Bramhope.
Paused to let an ambulance through (we were going to get to a pinch point at the same time) and then on with the steady climb through the village to the lights at the Dyneley Arms. Quite a few close passes on here again today, pick of the lot was an oaf in an Audi Q7 who also gave me a blast on the horn, presumably for not riding in the gutter while head butting the overhanging foliage...he looked quite concerned in his mirror as we both approached the red traffic lights, but it's probably for the best all round that the lights changed and he was off never to be seen again
The long descent into Otley was fun as always, no records set today in the breeziness, and across the roundabout and into the town and on across the river to my regular stop at Wharfemeadows park for a stretch and a Snickers.
After a breather it was arm warmers off and back on the bike and up the hill for the climb to Farnley, which is never easy, but perhaps isn't
quite as hard as it used to be.
Anyway after the long up, the reward is a long swooping down back into the valley, today on an almost traffic free road. Despite the breeze feeling like it was right in my face, I still managed to top 40mph on the descent so I'm happy enough with that.
Over the River Washburn and then the long run against the valley floor to the Harrogate Road, over the bridge into Pool-in-Wharfedale and back along the opposite side of the river into Otley.
Not sure what was going on in Otley, but I got cheered along the road passing the garden centre by a group of guys in Otley Town FC shirts
A wiggle through the back streets and onto Gay Lane, to start the climb back out of town - just drop the gears and keep spinning.
More closes passes, unfortunately, but eventually the top was reached and the descent through Bramhope was quick as always.
From there I simply retraced the outbound route to just before Slaid Hill lights, but added on an extended loop via Tarn Lane, before dropping down on the very fringes of Shadwell and climbing up onto the A58, then Red Hall Lane and onto Coal Road, where the "Your Speed Is..." sign might have frowned at me
Local road down to home, setting a wind assisted fastest time this year on a silly segment I've created for the last mile or so.
35.09 miles (56.47km) in
2h 38m at an average of
13.3mph with
1,847ft climbed
Another point in the bank for the Half Century Challenge, and an enjoyable ride despite a handful of motorised idiots.
A special place in hell is hopefully reserved for the three drivers who gave me a close pass despite having bike carriers on their cars - they should know better and for that there is no excuse
As is usually the case with a ride out to Otley, there were loads of cyclists out.
Needless to say, as I took the bike with mudguards the roads were dry throughout and the forecast showers never materialised
And to end, the map complete with ups and downs: