Another battle to drag myself out on the bike this morning.
Eventually out just before half eight, adding arm warmers to the long sleeved compression top, short-sleeved cycling jersey, long sleeved
Altura winter jersey, neck buff, helmet liner and winter bib tights that have become necessary over the last couple of weeks. Need to sort some warmer socks out for next time too - and find the merino baselayers.
Has it got colder sooner this year, or have I just got soft over the summer?
Anyhow, a largely familiar route, but at least if I nod off the bike will know where to go...
Scholes then Barwick and down Long Lane to Garforth. Pause for a drink, then on to Aberford, up the hill to Lotherton Gates and then to Saxton, where I was passed by a friendly peleton of 10-12 riders all pushing on, so I let them get on with it.
From Saxton to Barkston Ash then Church Fenton, then the back lane to Ryther.
Left at the T-junction through Ozendyke and then Ulleskelf, before the long drag along Raw Lane back out to the A162.
Right towards Tadcaster, getting passed by a solo Wetherby Rat just before the hill, turning off at the bottom into Stutton.
Through there and the climb up Moor Lane to Garnett Lane where there was quite a bit of farm mud on the road and the back wheel lost grip a couple of times up the hill, which was "interesting".
(reported via fixmystreet)
Over the A64 bridge and across the A659, passing a couple on horseback before taking a left onto Toulston Lane for the run to Bramham.
Right at the top of the village to tackle the Windmill (max speed 41.4mph
) and on to Clifford, then the climb up Main Street and the descent back into Bramham, before the climb back up towards the A1(M) bridge, stopping just before it for a drink, a stretch, an energy bar and a couple of pics:
While I was stopped I was passed by a less cheery peleton, not one of whom said hello
and then just as I was getting back in the saddle by a family group - mum, dad and lad on a tandem with a ride along attached and daughter on her own road bike.
Over the A1(M) bridge and the climb up to fork onto Thorner Lane, through the dip and the leg sapping slight but persistent climb almost all the way to Milner Lane and the scenic run along the ridge, before the descent and climb into Thorner village (and past more horses!).
Through the village and the inevitable climb up Van Zyl Hill, where despite it being bloody hard work I managed to set a 2nd PB, which I was quite pleased with at this stage in the ride!
Along Skeltons Lane, then Coal Road, before local roads down to home.
38.15 miles (61.39 km) in
2h 32m at an average of
15.0mph, with a respectable
1,621 ft climbed - and a chilly average temperature of just 6.6°C
Another entry in the half century challenge completed!
To be fair, as usual I enjoyed the ride when I got out there and apart from a brief unforecasted shower near the start of the ride it was pretty good cycling weather - grey skies early on but with the sun making an appearance eventually and only a light breeze to contend with. I just need to sort my legs out!
Lots of cyclists of all shapes and sizes on all sorts of bikes out today too, which is always a good thing.
they flew up the hill .Back home 51.7 miles in the bag at 17 mph according to bike computer strava has me at 16.2 and the tide taking 10 mins more not sure my auto pause is working . Lovely ride in nice conditions if a tad windy in places
