Aye, the sky was blue and the sun was shining. And it was perishing cold too! I took the Spa out today, and said to myself ‘If my hands are still cold at the Oakwood Clock I turn around and go home.’
And I cheated. My hands were still cold when I reached that landmark, but less cold than they had been. So I kept on and by the time I had turned right onto Harrogate Road things were actually comfortable, as far bodily warmth was concerned. There had been a couple of, hmm, slithers I guess. Not full on skids, just an inch or two of unexpected sideways. Enough to make me alter the intended route and ride the roads more travelled.
So instead of turning left to go to Eccup reservoir and village, I pedalled straight on to Harewood. And down Harewood bank for the first time in quite a while. One of the pieces of the A659 starts at the bottom, and I followed that familiar road. Ride past the left to Weardley, and the next left to Rawden Hill (and Weardley). Arthington is next, it straggles along the road for almost two miles. Row of cottages, village hall, more cottages, a few larger houses. Big gaps between all of these, then under the viaduct and there is Pool.
Not going to Farnley today, there is often water flowing across the road, almost at the top of that hill. Stick to the bottom of the valley and ride on to Otley for a sandwich break. Then Leeds Road out of there, the old Chevin would have generated more warmth but I persuaded myself I would just try harder on the easier hill.
The warmth stayed all the way, through Bramhope and Lawnswood, and down the hill to Headingley. In Kirkstall I decided to take the road instead of the towpath. The weather decided to chuck sleet at me. And my f-f-f-f-fingers f-f-f-froze. Still, soon home and warming up. Thirty five miles is worth the grin, for sure. And a relaxed 1683 feet of climbing. Another good one.
Roughly where the bike took me,
And I cheated. My hands were still cold when I reached that landmark, but less cold than they had been. So I kept on and by the time I had turned right onto Harrogate Road things were actually comfortable, as far bodily warmth was concerned. There had been a couple of, hmm, slithers I guess. Not full on skids, just an inch or two of unexpected sideways. Enough to make me alter the intended route and ride the roads more travelled.
So instead of turning left to go to Eccup reservoir and village, I pedalled straight on to Harewood. And down Harewood bank for the first time in quite a while. One of the pieces of the A659 starts at the bottom, and I followed that familiar road. Ride past the left to Weardley, and the next left to Rawden Hill (and Weardley). Arthington is next, it straggles along the road for almost two miles. Row of cottages, village hall, more cottages, a few larger houses. Big gaps between all of these, then under the viaduct and there is Pool.
Not going to Farnley today, there is often water flowing across the road, almost at the top of that hill. Stick to the bottom of the valley and ride on to Otley for a sandwich break. Then Leeds Road out of there, the old Chevin would have generated more warmth but I persuaded myself I would just try harder on the easier hill.
The warmth stayed all the way, through Bramhope and Lawnswood, and down the hill to Headingley. In Kirkstall I decided to take the road instead of the towpath. The weather decided to chuck sleet at me. And my f-f-f-f-fingers f-f-f-froze. Still, soon home and warming up. Thirty five miles is worth the grin, for sure. And a relaxed 1683 feet of climbing. Another good one.
Roughly where the bike took me,
