So this is a 26.6 mile round from home round trip but I go picked up in Ilkley. I think I can safely say that this has been my favourite ride so far. The route it quiet most of the way and the scenery is stunning.
From Holt Park along Otley Old Rd, past High Trees garden centre to the traffic lights, straight across Harrogate Rd, pass the Chevin Forest Park on the right and down a massive downhill where you hit speeds of 40/50 mph easily. I needed to use the brakes on and off. At the T junction with Gay Lane turn left and follow the road through Otley to the traffic lights at the cross roads and go straight on. Continue over the bridge which crosses the Wharfe, up the hill turning left into Weeton Lane. You follow this road all the way to Ilkley.
Through Weston and Askwith, eventually riding alongside the River Wharfe into Ilkley. When you reach the cross roads after you’ve passed the Lido on your right and the rugby club on your left, cross straight over onto Denton Road, alongside the park. You will come to a small island in the road, carry straight on, bearing next left along Nestfield Road. You will pass the golf course. Keep straight on. At a T junction keep right (West Hall Lane), eventually reaching Beamsley. Carry on and you will eventually meet the A59. Here turn left. You can bear off left onto a cycle way if you ride a hybrid or mountain bike which eventually takes you under the road and over the old bridge into Bolton Abbey. Otherwise go to the roundabout and take a right. Here is a cafe with some nice butties. However my next stop for refreshment was a bit further along in Bolton Abbey itself. Where I parked my bike and sat in the sun.
If you have never been to Bolton Abbey it is a beautiful place and certainly worth pushing your bike to have a gander.
From Bolton Abbey continue along the road to Barden Tower and just after bear right signposted Appletreewick. You will pass over a narrow old bridge and start to ascend a steep hill and you will need to take a sharp right onto a single track road signposted Storriths and Hazelwood. This is a fantastic ride although there are some mega steep climbs. The road basically runs alongside the Wharfe on the other side of the valley. With stunning views and a ford to whizz through. You will eventually meet the A59 again turn right and retrace your steps back to Ilkley, where I got picked up.
https://www.bradford.gov.uk/sport-and-activities/sports-centres-and-pools/ilkley-pool-and-lido/
Same day as I saw the waxwings a jay crossed my path too.
