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We started from the station in Ilkley, with a mixture of folk arriving by train or driving. \u00a0There were six of us which was a really good number, small enough to stand a chance of name-remembering (although I was the only newbie and several of the others already knew each other). \u00a0The first section was familiar, past the golf course and then Bolton Abbey. \u00a0It had been raining, albeit lightly, from the minute I left the house, but it was warm and I was in shorts and short-sleeved jersey all day. Waterproof socks and a cap kept me happy.<\/p>\n
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The planned route was longer but given a slightly delayed start and the weather we cut it short, and Pateley Bridge was our lunch stop and turning point. \u00a0I had sworn never to ride through here again after the Way of the Roses<\/a>, but I couldn’t ride around the Dales for too much longer without a visit. \u00a0It was fine, although a little scary on the descent when I saw Dean in front me having a rear wheel skid on a bend. \u00a0The section after this was new to me but soon joined up with previously ridden roads…nice to be there in the daylight in some cases.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Downhill to Ilkley and we found an ‘informal’ pub for a pre-departure pint. \u00a0As the ride had been shorter than originally planned I was keen to ride home (which made it over 100 km), so in retrospect I should have avoided beer. \u00a0As it was I had to stop about a third of the way up Otley Chevin for a wee, a mouthful of water, and my emergency rations (a Boost bar). \u00a0After that I was fine.<\/p>\n
![\"Bike](\"https:\/\/www.sloeburn.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/ODL1-150x150.jpg\")
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