Refreshed, back in the saddle and over the bridge back into Otley, taking a left through the old cattle market and threading through the back streets and onto the A659 towards Pool-in-Wharfedale. Through there and on towards Arthington, with an idea to take a right up Creskeld Lane to climb back up to Bramhope.
However, I missed my turn and after a little way saw a right turn for Black Hill Lane which seemed to be heading in the right direction, even if it did look a bit steep (stop laughing if you know this route...)
.
The first bit was OK, steadily uphill but the hill in front of me was getting taller at an alarming rate. I can only compare it to standing at the bottom of the Matterhorn and looking up... Anyway, here I was and on I pushed. Up it went, steeper and steeper, as slower and slower I went.
On the granny ring approaching what turned out to be the first false summit, where the road curved slightly, then got even steeper. I think I hit 2.3mph at one point before I stalled and had to get off and push for a couple of hundred yards. Even walking was hard work...
Eventually it went from near vertical to a point where I could remount the bike and get riding again.
Anyway, back on the move and with my speed approaching double figures I finally crested the hill, for a gentle descent past Golden Acre park and then retraced my route as far as Wigton Lane where the heavens well and truly opened.