Clear blue sky this morning and not much breeze to judge by looking out of the window. Time for a ride, there were two in mind, one for each bike. Difficult to choose, ended up on the geared bike yet again ‘cos I fancied a bit of uphill riding.
Of course, the real joy of riding uphill is the payback the terrain gives after the downhill starts, so the route goes through Holbeck, for no change at all, along the towpath from Office Lock to Viaduct Road, across the river and then the up starts. The garthing reports that minimum elevation is about 22 metres just after crossing the river, rising to 202 metres by the side of the water tower at Cookridge, which also happens to be the highest point of the whole ride. Not very impressive, but my legs would disagree. Still in suburbia here, complete with golf course and rugby club. Members of both seem to be bound by a ‘no indicators’ rule. Doesn’t bother me at all but some drivers of the following cars were not applauding roadcraft . . .
Into the green at last, and a choice of Otley or Bramhope for the next village. Do not turn left, ride on to Bramhope. The road is up and down a bit, finally reaching the A 660 at the bottom of a steep bit. This time turn left, along to the Dyneley Arms and then turn right for very good descent to Pool. Through the village and turn left for Otley, also discovering that the camera did not turn on at the top of the hill. Stop by the maypole, while munching a group from Wetherby Wheelers passed, at least three of them wearing the club top. Don’t think they saw my bike.
Suitably refuelled, Leeds Road away from the town was the next bit of the journey. After the climb the ride through Bramhope is a good rest, cut short by turning left at the roundabout at the south end of the place. This is King’s Road and before Arthington Road is reached there is a bit of uphill. Turn right, and attempt to turn the camera on again, ride past Golden Acre Park’s eastern access down to the T junction, right again and cross Adel dam on the way to the church and the right turn back to the A 660. Camera still unwilling to play, relegated to things I might fix at home. Return to Headingley, that right turn for Kirkstall and the easy way to miss traffic lights, ride along the canal towpath. Home after twenty eight and a bit miles, sure it should have been further than that. Dumb technology wins every time, but cannot stop me enjoying the ride.
Oh aye, SD card error said the camera. Formatted the tiny little thing and it seems to be happy now.
The map, trying to miss most of the A 660
Of course, the real joy of riding uphill is the payback the terrain gives after the downhill starts, so the route goes through Holbeck, for no change at all, along the towpath from Office Lock to Viaduct Road, across the river and then the up starts. The garthing reports that minimum elevation is about 22 metres just after crossing the river, rising to 202 metres by the side of the water tower at Cookridge, which also happens to be the highest point of the whole ride. Not very impressive, but my legs would disagree. Still in suburbia here, complete with golf course and rugby club. Members of both seem to be bound by a ‘no indicators’ rule. Doesn’t bother me at all but some drivers of the following cars were not applauding roadcraft . . .
Into the green at last, and a choice of Otley or Bramhope for the next village. Do not turn left, ride on to Bramhope. The road is up and down a bit, finally reaching the A 660 at the bottom of a steep bit. This time turn left, along to the Dyneley Arms and then turn right for very good descent to Pool. Through the village and turn left for Otley, also discovering that the camera did not turn on at the top of the hill. Stop by the maypole, while munching a group from Wetherby Wheelers passed, at least three of them wearing the club top. Don’t think they saw my bike.
Suitably refuelled, Leeds Road away from the town was the next bit of the journey. After the climb the ride through Bramhope is a good rest, cut short by turning left at the roundabout at the south end of the place. This is King’s Road and before Arthington Road is reached there is a bit of uphill. Turn right, and attempt to turn the camera on again, ride past Golden Acre Park’s eastern access down to the T junction, right again and cross Adel dam on the way to the church and the right turn back to the A 660. Camera still unwilling to play, relegated to things I might fix at home. Return to Headingley, that right turn for Kirkstall and the easy way to miss traffic lights, ride along the canal towpath. Home after twenty eight and a bit miles, sure it should have been further than that. Dumb technology wins every time, but cannot stop me enjoying the ride.
Oh aye, SD card error said the camera. Formatted the tiny little thing and it seems to be happy now.
The map, trying to miss most of the A 660
and it was !! . Left Leicester at 0600 to drive down . Got to the start at 0830 a hour to kill so a coffee and chatting to other riders about 30 minutes before the start it begins to rain and never stopped all day 
with all the wet and me struggling to see due to being a glasses wearer . Mile 28 is decision time first feed station and route split short or long ?. Didn't stop didn't want to get cold obliviously went long 
. Soon found myself all alone I don't think many did the long today 
. Second big climb at 40 miles again not too bad but required bottom gear . On the descent from here I had moment 
. Finally back on the shared route only saw 6 riders on the long route . The biggest climb of the day came at 60 miles Wentwood hill started steady then got steeper were you pass a 16% sign 
and it was . Seemed to go on forever but ground my way up . From here it was basically downhill to Newport . Which was very busy but made it back to the finish .69.55 miles in 4 hrs 36 mins and I got properly drenched the rest of the weekends weather looks better thank goodness . A ride to be endured not really enjoyed . Tomorrow the tumble awaits 
after a nice warm shower
. I think he'd come off on a damp patch under some trees on an otherwise dry road had me descending carefully again . Through the countryside to Usk just afterwards the first feed station which today I took full advantage off ,warm sausage rolls 
. We all knew what was next the Tumble . I had been periodically been riding with 3 Scotchmen I was quicker up the hills but they kept reeling me in on the flat we had a good bit of banter . But they sorted my tactic out for the Tumble I decided to sit behind them for the start to stop me going to hard early . At the cattle grid halfway up I moved past them and rode my pace to the top I really enjoyed the climb . It's a steady 10% gradient at the bottom which you just pick a gear and tempo and get over it . It then flattens out and drags on and on to the top took me 25 mins so a proper climb
elbow awaits 
