After setting off for a ride yesterday and being blown and buffeted around by that wind, it took me less than a mile to decide to retrace the tracks of my tyres. Thank you Smokey Robinson, even though I did not like the song. So this morning, sunshine, showers and less wind, off I went in the hope of more of a ride.
It took some doing. Down into Holbeck, reasonable. Onto the canal towpath, when did someone make that uphill? And the rain really was bouncing. Reached Viaduct Road, but carried on along the towpath, past Kirkstall and Bramley to Rodley. My jacket was doing a great job of keeping me dry and warm, so I pedalled on, still felt like it was uphill. Apperley Bridge is next, and a decision to make.
And change, ‘cos after going up the side of the lock there the surface changes for the worse, not fun to ride on, been there, burnt the T shirt. Back down to the swing bridge, turn right and up that hill to the George, which might just be in Idle, yup, checked the address. Turn left, heading homewards. Greengates is suffering road improvements, like almost everywhere else it seems. Victoria Park in Calverley was wet, windswept and deserted, but I did not mind. The wind was at my back. Cross Leeds Ring Road and I am back in Rodley, but on the road this time.
Stay on the roads, there are a couple of hills before reaching Leeds and Bradford Road, which then descends all the way to Kirkstall. And I remembered to ride to Woodrups, there was a queue outside. It’s a good job the bits I want are not urgent, I can keep on riding and stay warm. Through the town centre, and to home. The rain stopped as I reached the end of the street, but I had a grin anyway. Twenty three miles, just over a thousand feet going up, though it felt like a lot more. A good ride, a bit of wind adds to the fun. Once in a while.
The shapes of things today.
