Absolutely glorious around here this morning, with the sun out, blue skies and a fairly light breeze - it could still be summer if it wasn't for the temperature!
Like
@postman I headed for Otley, mainly as I haven't been there in what feels like an age but is probably just a couple of months. Today was a first ride out on the 'winter' Giant bike since July and within a mile the slick changing gears rammed home just how poor the gears have got on the Boardman - need to get them sorted, might be time for some new cables.
The usual combination of roads got me to Shadwell, then the gentle climb to Slaid Hill lights (on red, as is the law), then a right and left onto Wigton Lane and the run to Alwoodley Gates, where the lights changed just as I got to them. Feeling a bit chilly too at this point, but the climb from Harrogate Road all the way up to King Lane generated a bit of heat. The drop down the other side past the golf course and to Five Lane Ends, then beyond and the climb up past Golden Acre Park to Kings Road and the drop down to Otley Road - interrupted today by some temporary traffic lights half way down.
Anyhow, onto the roundabout and the steady ascent through Bramhope starts and within half a mile I remembered why I've given Otley a miss for a while as it's close pass central along here
Anyhow, through the village and round the S-bends past the church and eventually the road drops down to the traffic lights at the Dyneley Arms (red) and once through there it's a couple of miles of downhill all the way into Otley. With a couple more close passes.
Through a still quiet Otley town and down over the river and into Wharfmeadows park for a stretch, a flapjack bar and a couple of pics:
View attachment 432138
View attachment 432140
Back on the bike and I retraced my route back into Otley, turning onto Cattle Market Street (I wonder what used to happen there?
) where I briefly stopped for a couple more pics for the "Bike in front of a church" thread, but I'll include one here:
View attachment 432142
Then a wander round the back streets of downtown Otley to avoid the building traffic, popping out by Chevin Cycles to start the climb out of there.
As I approached the junction with East Chevin Road, I did briefly toy with going that way, then decided that would not be a sensible idea, so headed for Leeds Road instead and the steadier climb up there.
This was considerably slower than the early descent had been, but I kept it spinning and with the occasional adrenaline boost courtesy of a motorist or two
was eventually at the top.
More route retracing through Bramhope, although pleasantly downhill now, up Kings Road and down past the park, then the climb to King Lane with the final idiot pass of the day from a Merc SUV (who'd have thought it..?)
The run to Alwoodley Gates was mainly downhill, and the climb up Wigton lane restored some warmth.
At Slaid Hill I could see I was going to be a tad short on miles, so looped round via Tarn Lane to Scarcroft, dropping down the hill into Shadwell and climbing up to Wetherby Road and onto Coal Road, where local roads would normally take me home, but still a bit short on miles I added an extended loop on to push me over the mark.
31.25 miles (50.29 km) in
2h 22m at an average of
13.3mph with
1,650ft climbed and an average temperature of
8.5°C
I enjoyed that, despite the number of murderous drivers out today. It's another point in the Half Century Challenge and I got the layering about right too - slightly chilly initially, but avoided overheating on the long climbs, so an achievement of sorts. I need some warmer shoe covers though.
The Giant rode like a dream too and reminded me why it might be my favourite bike. The hybrid discs might not be
quite as sharp as the full hydros on the Boardman but they work well and the bike makes up for that tiny flaw in so many other ways.
And to end, the map:
View attachment 432137
.thirty one years i have had that,well i am going to see if the local garage can do me a weld job on it a splint or collar.i will not give it up without a fight.Cycling wise it was great loads and loads of energy.I put that down to a large bowl of porridge and lashings of honey before setting off.a short 24 brilliant miles.
.
But I did see an increase in my FTP which actually was more worthwhile!
