Day off today and the sunshine was out so I'd decide I was going out on the bike.
I wanted to do a little more than my usual 20 miles or so and I planned a bit of an extra loop on Strava before setting off and synching to my Garmin.
It was a bit chilly when setting off (especially out of the sun) but I braved it with my shorts on and no leg warmers for the first time this year!
As always, the first couple of miles are up hill and always involve my legs grumbling and my lungs not being far behind! Once up on th stops past the quarry, I settled into my pace and then headed on Whitley Road past all of the windmills, up the steep but short road to the Royds viewing platform before double back on myself on the other side of the windmills and then down past Ingbirchworth and Scout Dike reservoirs.
The road up to Hoylandswaine roundabout has been resurfaced now and is soooo much nicer to ride on- before it was like cobbles but not as comfy!
At the roundabout I would normally come back on myself or head right into Penistone. This time I turned left over the brow of the hill then a lovely decent on the country roads down into Cawthorne. I got my bearings wrong for a moment and started to head into the village centre before remembering that I needed to have turned left!!
Past the garden centre and country park, the road heads up to Cannon Hall Farm and I've never ridden this before and the 14% and 17% were a bit tough!
Coming through High Hoyland another friendly cyclist past me and we exchanged comments about the hill we'd just come up. I then headed down past Cawthorn Park and into Darton before stopping for 10 mins mohave a drink and a snack bar. It was getting quite warm so I removed my hat from under my helmet as well as my gilet but was still glad of the long sleeved top I had on!
Down to the motorway before heading up past Bretton Park and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park then on into Flockton which is always a little tricky as it is a very busy road but narrow. Lots of considerate drivers today, all getting a thumbs up or a wave of thanks from me as they held back until safe to pass.
A left turn took me off the main road and back onto the country roads past Emley mast and a long way around to head home.
36 miles and 2,943ft of climbing
https://www.strava.com/activities/552294954
I wanted to do a little more than my usual 20 miles or so and I planned a bit of an extra loop on Strava before setting off and synching to my Garmin.
It was a bit chilly when setting off (especially out of the sun) but I braved it with my shorts on and no leg warmers for the first time this year!
As always, the first couple of miles are up hill and always involve my legs grumbling and my lungs not being far behind! Once up on th stops past the quarry, I settled into my pace and then headed on Whitley Road past all of the windmills, up the steep but short road to the Royds viewing platform before double back on myself on the other side of the windmills and then down past Ingbirchworth and Scout Dike reservoirs.
The road up to Hoylandswaine roundabout has been resurfaced now and is soooo much nicer to ride on- before it was like cobbles but not as comfy!
At the roundabout I would normally come back on myself or head right into Penistone. This time I turned left over the brow of the hill then a lovely decent on the country roads down into Cawthorne. I got my bearings wrong for a moment and started to head into the village centre before remembering that I needed to have turned left!!
Past the garden centre and country park, the road heads up to Cannon Hall Farm and I've never ridden this before and the 14% and 17% were a bit tough!
Coming through High Hoyland another friendly cyclist past me and we exchanged comments about the hill we'd just come up. I then headed down past Cawthorn Park and into Darton before stopping for 10 mins mohave a drink and a snack bar. It was getting quite warm so I removed my hat from under my helmet as well as my gilet but was still glad of the long sleeved top I had on!
Down to the motorway before heading up past Bretton Park and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park then on into Flockton which is always a little tricky as it is a very busy road but narrow. Lots of considerate drivers today, all getting a thumbs up or a wave of thanks from me as they held back until safe to pass.
A left turn took me off the main road and back onto the country roads past Emley mast and a long way around to head home.
36 miles and 2,943ft of climbing
https://www.strava.com/activities/552294954
...can i come ?
...ill just go tell mum.
This meant I was in serious need of a chill out this evening and so got out for the warmest ride of the year so far, with just a t-shirt needed on the upper body 
. It's bound to change, as I'm off on holiday with 
already. Of minor significance, todays ride saw the Planet X RT-58 hit just over 1000 miles. Quite enjoying my spur of the moment buy which I blame entirely on this forum.
