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Otley chevin forest park.

What one does on +28 degree Sunday afternoon? 
Any sane person would be looking in the freezer for some ice to add in their drink. Or just chilling in shadow. 
I on the other hand decided to grab big bottle of water. Few bananas and my sunglasses. Jumped on my bike and headed towards where wind blows from. It's a thing that I learned not too long ago.
 
The idea is to pick your route that faces the wind. So when you'll be coming back then the wind will help you get home easier. 
This time I had to go towards Leeds Bradford airport. Not my first choice but what can I do .. I have an itch and I have to ride and let the mother nature dictate the way. 

Ride starts pretty simple. I live in Bramley so that's where I set of from .. headed towards canal path and then rode it up to Kirkstall forge. 
They have recently built a train station there so all the paths and stuff is pretty new.

From the Kirkstall forge I joined the Abbey road all the way to Rawdon. That's where I don't particularly like to cycle. It's very busy road and you have fast cars and big lorries going by. Which can be scary at times. And it's all up hill. 

Probably not the best advice but I use headphones for such roads. The music distracts you enough so you don't get startled easy by noises and the beat helps you keep a steady pace .. because it can get in your head that it's too difficult at times. 
But if you feel like you need a rest. That's not a problem. Just stop at the side and have a look at the views near Rawdon. I am not quite sure but I think you get to see the side of Bradford there from that hill. 
Have some water. Don't let the sweat get in your eyes like I did and then get back on. Check for traffic and join the road. 

In Rawdon go right on Harrogate road. Towards the airport. You'll go under the landing strip at the airport. If you wait long enough you might catch a plane landing right on top of you .. you can't see it but you definitely can hear the massive metal tube with wings hitting the ground. One thing will go through your mind at that moment "was this a routine landing?" 

After the tunnel just head straight until you hit the wild traffic lights. You are almost there. Take a left on Otley road. And about mile later you have arrived at the Otley chevin forest park. 
They have Caffe on your left .. I didn't get to sample their brew that time because it was just simply too hot to have coffee that will dehydrate me even more. 
And on your right is where the park is. They had ice cream van there on Sunday so I am assuming that it's there often. 
So yeah. You have arrived. Congratulations. 

Have a drink. A breather and head in the woods. The fresh air and scenery will calm you down and lift your mood.  
Below as always I'll slap together a rote on a map. 
Thanks for reading. Be safe out there. 

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