Three of us (Rob, John & James) met up at the New Inn at 8am to head out towards Pateley Bridge. Our route took us out past Beckwithshaw to Little Almscliff before heading past the Sun Inn, and over the A59 before start the long steady climb up to the top of Greenhow Hill.
It was a chilly start to the day, but the views from the top of Greenhow were as rewarding as ever before we plunged at speed down in to Pateley Bridge. We arrived in Pateley at 9.45 to find that most of the tea rooms were shut, however we found the Lemon Meringue Tea Room was open so in we piled. Rob had one of the largest custard tarts you have ever seen and after supping our tea, we head back out.
We left Pateley heading for Brimham Rocks via the Ripon Road. The climb had been under-estimated by James, but we eventually got to Brimham and then had a very quick descent all the way back down to Hampsthwaite before we returned back to Harrogate.
A very enjoyable ride of 41 miles with 3,300ft of climbing.
