An early start this morning to avoid the apocalyptic weather that was forecast for the middle bit of the day.
So, out at 6.45(!) on the Pro Carbon, into temperatures that were already warm and getting warmer by the mile. Bibshorts and a short sleeved top, plus arm warmers which were as much for UV protection as warmth.
A frequent wend up Coal Road, which a week after being surface dressed is at least rideable, then Red Hall Lane, the A58 and Whin Moor Lane into Shadwell and up to Slaid Hill lights, which aren't detecting cyclists again. I was about to get off and wheel my bike through
when a car approached and kindly tripped the lights for me.
Down Wike Ridge Lane and right onto Tarn lane across the ridge, before taking a right down Coal Road onto Bay Horse Lane, before the short sharp climb up to the A58, where it was straight across onto Carr Lane for the familiar twisty lumpiness to Thorner. Left in the village past the church and straight onto Milner lane for the inevitable climb onto the ridge and all the way along to Holme Farm Lane, staying left to Rigton Green and the lovely deserted Bramham Lane (still covered in mud in places) all the way across Jewitt Lane and up onto Thorner Lane.
Straight ahead for Bramham, powering through the dip and up the other side, before enjoying the largely downhill run to the top of the village, looping round onto Aberford Road and then Toulston Lane and out into the countryside towards Tadcaster.
However, before getting there it was right onto Garnett Lane, across the A659, then the bridge over the A64 and the always enjoyable descent down into Stutton.
There then follows the inevitable climb up the hill on the A162 - I'd originally set off thinking of just doing a metric half, but I was feeling good and the weather was too nice to waste so instead of going straight on into Towton as planned I turned left onto Raw Lane and the run to Ulleskelf.
A quick loop through the village and I stopped near the bus stop for a drink and a couple of photos - although I'd barely got off the bike when another rider turned into the road "You OK there mate?", "Fine thanks" was the reply. Quick drink and another rider appeared calling "Everything OK?", "Yes, all good thanks" - I must look even worse than I feel! Either that or Ulleskelf simply attracts a better class of cyclist
As you can imagine, the day was starting to heat up by now, so it was back on the bike and off again, but not before a third passing cyclist had asked if everything was OK...
Down Busk Lane past the airfield into the fringes of Church Fenton, then onto Brackenhill Lane for the 6.5 mile circuit around the airfield between the fields via Ryther, Ozendyke and Ulleskelf, eventually coming back into Church Fenton, where it was straight through the village this time, over the railway line and the long straight into Barkston Ash.
A quick wiggle on the A162, then on to Saxton and onto Coldhill Lane past the cricket ground, stopping at Lindas Bench for the final pit stop of the day:
It was getting properly hot now so off came the arm warmers, making this the first ride this year with all 4 limbs exposed to the sunshine
Anyway, along the lane , dropping down onto Copley lane for the gentle ups and downs to Lotherton Gates, where I decided I was definitely going to go for for an imperial half, so stayed on the B road past the gates and down towards Hook Moor Wind Farm and under the A1(M) bridge, heading for the M1 roundabout which was soon reached and navigated, before the largely downhill run into Garforth.
Over the railway bridge and subject to a punishment pass from a daffodil in a soft roader, who got close enough to touch should I have been so inclined. That said, that was the only dire pass of the day and up until that point the ride had been notable for the exemplary behaviour of pretty much every other motorist I'd encountered (apart from an overly ambition Audi driver - with three empty bike carriers on the roof
- who really should have known better but at least had the sense to accelerate out of the way...)
Moving on, it was right at the lights and under the railway line, back over the M1 and on to Long Lane for the climb into Barwick, which is rarely as bad as you remember, then left onto Leeds Road continuing the climbing almost all the way to Scholes before the long swooping downhill bend to the Coronation Tree.
Needing a few extra miles, I stayed on Main Street through the village, eventually popping out onto the horrible A64 for a short 'your life in their hands' blast down to Thorner Lane, where a nice motorist let me across, before a turn onto Skelton Lane, then Coal Road again (no supercars today, sadly).
A quick wiggle in a generally homeward direction on local roads and still short of distance, I carried on through to Manston, looping round via Church Lane and back up to home, powering past and scalping two kids on MTB's in the last mile up to home
(Childish, but it has to be done...
).
50.87 miles (81.86km) in a very pleasant
3h 32m at an acceptable average of
14.3mph, with
1,975 ft climbed - and an average temperature of
16.8°C, according to Mr Garmin. I'll be honest with you, it felt a lot hotter especially in the last half of the ride when the slight mist had burnt off and the sun was fully out. Apparently the maximum temperature was 22.0°C, but I'd bet you could add ten degrees to that in the sun.
Regardless, all good, great to get an imperial half in for the challenge and even with that early start there were still a lot of other cyclists out there making the most of the amazing weather. And, in a rare feat, I picked the right time to get out as since getting home we've had thunder, lightning, wind strong enough to blow next doors garden umbrella up the road and enough rain and hail to suggest that the end of days might be getting close!
And to end, a map:
Sat outside with the food and a bottle of vino. Cheered him up a bit and he's now lounging on the sofa watching more footy and eating a Cornetto 
) so I went up a knackered out gravel track to a photo opportunity, he didn't follow
.
