A bit pushed for time this morning, but I reckoned that if I got my skates on (metaphorically speaking), I might just squeeze in a metric Half Century ride for the challenge.
Chilly, grey and overcast this morning, so longs, layers and overshoes again as I rode out on the Giant.
Coal Road, Red Hall Lane and the A58, then Whin Moor Lane to Shadwell and the grind up to Slaid Hill traffic lights, which were on green today!!!
Don't worry, I've noted this almost unheard of event in my diary...
Right, through the dip on Wike Ridge Lane and up onto Tarn Lane to loop back round to Scarcroft. A very funny noise from the front wheel / tyre area on Ling Lane and I feared the worst, but when I stopped there seemed to be nothing wrong - lifting the wheel off the ground and spinning it was near silent, nothing seemed to be catching and the tyre was still inflated. Possibly something had stuck to the tyre and scraped on the mudguard, before coming free as I'd stopped?
Anyway, on my way down to the A58 and full speed ahead down the hill.
It's a 30mph limit on here, so you can imagine my surprise when doing 29.5 mph
a white Audi decided to overtake me on the zig-zags through the pelican crossing...
Anyhow, on down the hill and just past the first sign for Bardsey, another sign drove a stake of fear into my heart - "Surface Dressing 200 yds - slow down".
At this point, the only alternative to carrying on would have been to stop, cycle back up the hill and take the lane towards Thorner up the pig that is Scarcroft Hill, so I pushed on to see how bad it was.
Turns out it wasn't bad at all -
because the works don't actually happen until tomorrow, but someone at the council had put all the signs out 24 hours early.
Worth noting if you're thinking of heading out that way tomorrow though,
@colly and others?
So, on the A58 to Collingham, the dog leg in the village and over the river into Linton, which is still full of ups and downs, eventually reaching Wetherby.
Around the town centre and out on Walton Road over the A1(M) and past the race course. A unnecessary loop around Walton village as I wasn't sure how my plotted route would stack up mileage wise, before heading down towards Thorp Arch, over the river and up the other side into Boston Spa and the usual sprint along Main Street to the Clifford turning.
Which took me, eventually, to Clifford. Down the hill to Bramham and up the hill back out of there, over the A1(M) and the steady climb up along Bramham Park where they are now preparing for the forthcoming horse trials in a few weeks. Not sure what the horses did, hopefully they'll get off.
Thorner Road, which becomes Thorner Lane and through the dip, up the other side and that slog up the long incline to the Jewitt Lane turning. Right there and back into the hinterland, again mainly up but only steadily so.
Quick time check and I looked to be doing OK, but picked the pace up a touch (relatively speaking) to make sure.
Onto Compton Lane and almost to Rigton Green, then doubling back on Bramham Lane to Jewitt lane and Thorner Lane again, where I continued on to Milner Lane.
Along the ridge between the hedges, before the plunge down into Thorner, then back out on Carr Lane for the long slog up to the A58 - the direct route is a sharper, but shorter climb but I needed the extra mile or so, so I just had to get it done.
Along the A58, up Coal Road and local roads down to home.
31.31 miles (50.38 km) in
2h 29m at an average of
12.6 mph with just
1,545 ft climbed
Slightly surprised at that average speed. Don't get me wrong, I know I'm not fast, but I felt like I was pushing on at times although it's only around my average.
That said, I did set my fastest time this year on a segment towards the end of the ride, and that on the "winter" bike too...
Happy to get another point for the challenge, especially after last Sunday's debacle, and every mile counts.
Not so happy with the number of idiot drivers I encountered today, far, far too many close passes and every single one of them totally unnecessary. It feels like the situation is getting endemic around here lately and I'm not sure what can be done about it
But we can't let that spoil an otherwise good ride can we?
Apologies, no pics as I didn't stop with being up against the clock, but here's the map:
but I did 26.8 miles @ 14.8 mph according to the trip computer. 
...ohhhhhkay.....
and some dry clothes doesn't solve.
midweek, it was nice to get out for a bimble.
