More blue sky! It would be a shame to waste blue sky on a Wednesday so I adjusted the chain on the fixed and off I went.
It was early too, for me. Normal start time is about 9:30, misses the school run nicely, this morning was about 8:00. In ordinary times rush very slowly hour. Today quiet indeed, as I suspect most places are. This does not change some habits of course, still ride through Holbeck to miss that awkward right turn. Through Hunslet and up the hill to John o’ Gaunts, then a left turn to Woodlesford. Down the hill, left to cross both waterways and up to Swillington.
Garforth next, and I did not notice the turbines at Hook Moor. Soon remedied, ride around the northern edge of town, cross the railway line and continue to the roundabout over the M1. Turbines in sight, and not spinning at all. I was spinning though, no choice with no freewheel, and the road is sort of quick. The gates at Lotherton Hall were open, but decorated with signs, ‘No Admittance’ they read. Not a problem, turn left to Aberford.
That left turn onto Cattle Lane really tees me off, three big lumps of ironmongery right on the line you want to ride. Yup, go wide and miss them. It is a bit up and down to Barwick, from Cock Beck to the maypole can work the legs and lungs a bit. Which is what this bike riding is about, yup? Another crest before Scholes, then after the former railway bridge things level nicely. A brisk pedal along a short stretch of A64, a right turn onto the first of three lanes, Thorner, Skeltons and Red Hall, barely a gradient to share between them.
Reached the A58 and on a vagrant whim went straight across onto the other bit of Red Hall Lane. I could not remember if the road went anywhere. Seemed not, when I reached the end, but looking at the map now, maybe it does. Next time. Back to the Wetherby Road, turn right to the Ring Road, and when there turn right again. Must have had my exploring hat on, I have not ridden on the Ring Road in a long time. Crossed it aye, you cannot escape Leeds without doing that. Although there is a gap, sort of Colton to Middleton, I suppose. Anyway, riding towards the A61, cut a corner and then onto Street Lane and back to the Oakwood Clock.
For once, I crossed the Aire on Leeds Bridge as a slightly more direct route home. This involved riding through Leeds centre, just to see how busy it was not. The corner of Hunslet often ridden through had a day off, it might have added another mile to the total of thirty three covered this morning. But it did not subtract from the smile as I reached home.
Edit to correct a spelling mistake. eejut!!
Wandering around invisible contours . . .
