Almost a re-run of last weekend’s ride but with one of the area’s more testing climbs added.
Seven riders gathered at St. Aidans for a cold and damp start including Rosie, along for the first time. The route took us through Burn Bridge and up Brackenthwaite Lane where Martin P started the fun by coming off on black ice at the top. Nothing injured except pride. Flew down into North Rigton, up again past Almscliffe Crag and on to Leathley and Farnley before the big pull up Norwood Edge.
More leg punishment awaited on the climb to and beyond Timble before some refreshing downhill to Askwith and flat road along to Ilkley.
Avanti Coffee House once again provided a welcome stop before heading back to Otley via Askwith and Weston. After crossing the bridge at Pool we pushed on to Castley and Weeton where Luke snapped his rear mech cable and was stuck in a high gear. With the help of Jonathan’s deft mechanic skills we were all off again in no time up to Kirkby Overblow before returning to Harrogate past Rudding Park.
The consensus of those with computers was that we’d done around 55 miles with some interesting climbs thrown in.
So that’s half an Etape!!