Yuk!! What a horrible morning it was in Harrogate as we met out side St Aidans. Eight of us had decided to brave the cold and wet morning and the first call was to keep it local and see what the elements were going to do. We made off up the Otley Road and out to Beckwithshaw, and on to Little Almscliffe at a fairly brisk pace.
From there we continued down to Norwood and past the Sun Inn and over the A59 towards Dacre. Before dropping down the main hill we hooked a right down a steep back lane into Darley and continued along the riverside to Birstwith, up the short, sharp 17% of Meg Gate and down into Hampsthwaite.
From Hampsthwaite, we went up to Hollins Hall and returned to Harrogate via Knox Mill Lane, before diving into Cafe Rosso for some hots drinks. This was were everyone had decided that they had had enough and we all headed for early baths.
It was nice to stretch the legs, but the cold and wet got the better of us!!
View the route: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/68074172