It was unpromising start to the day this morning, with dark overcast skies with a hint of rain and James in a bad mood (sorry all for that!!)  Anyway, we planned a route out to Bolton Abbey.  We kicked off by heading out up beyond Beckwithshaw, before dropping down to Swinsty and along to Fewston, before climbing up through Timble and on to Askwith Moor.  By now the weather was showing signs of perking up and we descended quickly down into Askwith before heading towards Ilkley.

Soon after hitting the flat, we turned right up Carter’s Lane skirting the edge of Middleton Woods and a few amazing displays of bluebells.  From here it was onwards and upwards to Langbar, before we plummeted down to Bolton Abbey Tea Rooms, where we refuelled.  We reappeared into some gorgeous sunshine and then made back towards Ilkley through Beamsley and Nesfield.  Once in Ilkley we then continued back to Askwith and onto Otley, Pool and Castley before returning to Harrogate through Weeton and Kirkby Overblow and up through Burnbridge.

The ride ended with everyone agreeing that the route was a good one at just over 50 miles with nearly 3,000ft of climbing.

View the route: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/84349381