The weather was too good to waste today, so I was out early(ish) with a plan to bag a metric half and keep the challenge rides going for another month while the going was good.
While the sun was out it was still chilly, so I was glad I'd layered up. Up Coal Road where the traffic lights have stopped detecting bikes again - and cars too it would seem as we sat there looking at each other...
Anyhow, I was soon underway again and onto Skeltons Lane where I was thrilled to receive my first and second close passes of the morning in under a mile.
Then down the hill into Thorner - a mile of mainly downhill isn't to be sniffed at, then through the village and the climb up Milner Lane onto the ridge with a bit of reluctance to change into the lowest gears (from the bike, not me - I
never need any encouragement to use the lower gears), so that needs a tweak.
Along the ridge and on to Rigton Green, then the normally deserted Bramham Lane between the fields - except this morning it was the busiest I've seen it in a long time with a dog walker and two joggers. Blooming fair weather outdoorists
A short climb up Jewitt Lane and onto Thorner Lane heading for the lesser Wothersome dip where I gave it full beans into the dip (hitting just over 35 mph) which carried me up the other side without too much effort. Straight on at the junction and the steady drop to the A1(M) bridge at Bramham, the the drop and climb on Paradise Way and onto Aberford Road around the top of the village and onto Toulston Lane back out into the countryside.
Over the county line into North Yorkshire, then a right onto Garnet Lane, over the A659 and then the bridge over the A64, before dropping into Stutton.
Through there, over Cock Beck, and up the otherside onto the A162 with the climb up to Raw Lane, then left for the run down to Ulleskelf.
A scoot through the village and then stopped at Party Central (aka the bus stop) for a breather and an oaty bar and a couple of pics:
Last night was clearly a big night in da 'skelf as the bin was full of Burger King wrappers and beer cans this morning. Rock and roll.
Anyhow, back on the steel and on towards Church Fenton, past the Airport where someone has crashed into the entrance gates and they are still covered in "Fire Service - Keep Clear" tape. Oh for the happy days when we had a Fire Brigade...
Into the village, getting another close pass (from a driving instructor!
) and eventually over the railway bridge, dropping down onto the long straight run to Barkston Ash, with the merest hint of a tailwind which is unusual on here to say the least. Through there and back onto the A162 and the long way round to Saxton.
A quick scoot along Main Street and out past the cricket club and Linda's Bench on Coldhill Lane, before dropping onto Copley Lane for the run up to Lotherton Gates. A quick left / right there saw me on the road to Aberford, which drops down into the village.
Back out of there on the roller coaster of Cattle Lane, dropping down to the bridge over Cock Beck, before the climb up into Barwick, followed by yet more up towards Scholes before the drop down Leeds Road, up the other side and then local roads to home.
33.09 miles (53.25 km) in
2h 39m at a steady
12.5 mph with
1,548 ft of ascent and an average temperature of just
7.6°C despite all that sunshine
Really enjoyed that, despite the efforts of a few too many motorised muppets.
Good to get the Half Century Challenge ride in the bag for April keeping that rolling, and even better to get home from a ride and not feel entirely done in. Still much to do fitness wise, but it's a start.
Loads of cyclists out today, and who can blame them making the most of the weather? It was noticeable just how many people the sun had brought out today - even just walking about in villages where I've hardly seen anyone for months over the winter.
And to end, the map:
and windier than expected . @Supersuperleeds lead through the cycle route through watermead park and abbey park to pick up the traffic free great central way to get south of Leicester . Then in to the rolling countryside of southern Leicestershire into Northamptonshire no big hills but constantly rolling . At Cold Ashby we stopped and consumed some snack at the side of the road . @Supersuperleeds offered me a very squashed double decker but it was still scoffed 
. Refuelled we pressed on in the next village @tallliman hit a lot hole a suffered an instant puncture . Teamwork soon had us on our way at least I now know who to use my new co2 inflater . On to Northampton . The traffic was quite bad and lots of queues which we filtered past 
. Found the cricket ground with 10 mins before start of play . Leaving @tallliman me and @Supersuperleeds headed home .The wind now being troublesome we did a couple of there and back route to grab VV squares and the terrain was very much up and down . Then something rare happened @Supersuperleeds asked if I was bothered about doing a 200km ride as he wanted cut it short he is human after all I was quite glad 
back into southern Leicestershire . At Cosby we parted company leaving me 12 hilly miles back home the legs feeling it glad we cut it short . Home with 111 miles in the bag another month in the challenge and the rare event of me doing more miles than @Supersuperleeds 106 for him . A strange day weather wise chilly to start with with a cold wind which seemed to blow in every direction but enough warmth in the sun to make you feel overdressed at times . A tough but enjoyable ride in great company and its good to see @tallliman regaining his fitness slowly
. I even threw in a few hills , well what most on here would probably call gentle inclines...
