10. Ilkley, Askwith, Timble, Fewston, Farnley, Otley, Askwith, Ilkley
29.7 miles, 2418 feet of ascent (47.9 km, 737 metres of ascent)
A ride down the Wharfe Valley to Askwith, a climb up on to Askwith Moor, then passing through Timble and downhill to cycle past the 3 reservoirs of Fewston, Swinsty and Lindley Wood before dropping down to Farnley and back by the River Wharfe through Otley, Askwith and Ilkley.
Started by riding down the village and then following the old Addingham to Ilkley Road towards Ilkley. At the end of the old road it is necessary to join the main Ilkley Road for approximately 1 mile. Entering Ilkley turn left to go over the old bridge with views up and down the River Wharfe. Cycle along Denton Road past Ilkley RUFC, Ilkley Lido and out towards Askwith.
Turn left just past The Askwith Arms and cycle uphill until arriving at a crossroads. Go straight across here and follow the road round through Low Snowden. From this road there are good views down towards Fewston & Swinsty reservoirs and across the valley to the "golf balls" of Menwith Hill. Continue until reaching a T-junction and take a right turn, following the road until coming to a right turn signposted to Timble. Take the right turn and after a few hundred yards take another right turn to cycle into Timble. In the village you will find The Timble Inn if you wish to stop for an upmarket lunch.
Cycle through Timble and follow the road downhill to Fewston Reservoir. Just before reaching the reservoir there is a car park (and public toilets) on the right where a Dales Ice Cream van often sets up, doing ice cream and hot and cold drinks. Continue across the damn road with Fewston Reservoir on the left and Swinsty Reservoir on the right (there are lots of walks to do here if you fancy a change of pace). Follow this road round keeping Swinsty Reservoir on your right and then climb uphill to a T-junction. Turn right here and follow this road all the way to Farnley, passing through Stainburn Forest at Norwood (where there are more walks and challenging mountain bike trails), then over Lindley Wood Reservoir before dropping down to Farnley. In some places this road gets quite narrow and the traffic speeds along it.
At the T-junction in Farnley take a right to follow the road into Otley. Arriving at another T-junction turn right up the hill and then take the first left back towards Askwith. Otley has many pubs and cafes if you wish to take a left at the T-junction and spend some time in the town. There is also a very nice river area where you can walk or just sit and enjoy the River Wharfe flowing past.
Contiinue on this road all the way back to Askwith to arrive at the junction that you passed earlier in the ride. After leaving Askwith follow this road all the way back into Ilkley, where just past the rugby club on the left, you arrive at a crossroads. Go straight across here until on the left, by a traffic island, arriving at the old bridge across the river. Cross the bridge and go up the hill to the A65. Turn right onto the A65 and follow this busy road for about one and a half miles, to a right turn which follows the old A65 by the river all the way into Addingham.
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