Not a patch on the one above ^^^^^, but here is my bit.
A grey morning but that is no hindrance to riding a bike. Which bike? Let’s take the Spa today. Where to? Difficult, that one. But go north.
And it was cool this morning too. A brisk pedal into Holbeck and out again warmed me up, cross the Aire and it is a long way up to Slaid Hill. From there to Wike and turn left to return to Harrogate Road, aka the A61, and ride to Harewood. North, that is. Take the quiet way down the hill, through the estate and multiple dog walkers. All friendly today. Had to wait for traffic when I reached the A659, I was turning right. A couple of lasses rode past going the way I intended to. They were a fair bit ahead when I could start moving again.
Cross the Wharfe, oh, did I mention the first rain shower? The road rises a bit to the right turn onto Swindon Lane. The two in front had the space to turn, I had a solid line of traffic to wait for. By the time I / we reached the bottom of the climb to Kirkby Overblow I had caught up. A phone rang, they stopped and I carried on. The views leaving the village, on the way to Sicklinghall, were really good this morning. You could see the rain approaching. At the top of Sicklinghall, the village is built on a hill, I stopped for a munch, and was passed by those two again.
Carry on, the road leads to Wetherby, and I took the right turn to Linton. That couple did also, but far enough in front of me that I did not see them turn. By the time Linton Main Street was reached I had decided to turn whichever way they did not. Wetherby it was, for me. From there, Collingham put me back on my intended course, go up Jewitt Lane.
And it was busy! Yes, Bank Holiday and various road closures locally will change traffic patterns, but Jewitt Lane goes nowhere from nowhere. Ah well. A bit short of the top I turned onto Compton Lane, which was relatively quiet. All the way to Rigton Green when things slowed down again. Police (Yes, police!) were directing drivers away from Holme Farm Lane. Odd, and I was waved through. Good. Two more checkpoints on the way to Thorner, leave there on, you guessed, Carr Lane and one more spy movie checkpoint on the way to the A58.
Turn left for the easy way home from here, in fact unless I want to ride back to Slaid Hill it is the only way home. Back across the River Aire on Crown Point Bridge, out of Hunslet by riding along a bit of Jack Lane and turn left for the flyover. Soon home after thirty eight miles of pedalling enjoyment, with 2116 feet of upness in the recipe. Worth much more than a grin.
The garthing did its usual excellent job,
A grey morning but that is no hindrance to riding a bike. Which bike? Let’s take the Spa today. Where to? Difficult, that one. But go north.
And it was cool this morning too. A brisk pedal into Holbeck and out again warmed me up, cross the Aire and it is a long way up to Slaid Hill. From there to Wike and turn left to return to Harrogate Road, aka the A61, and ride to Harewood. North, that is. Take the quiet way down the hill, through the estate and multiple dog walkers. All friendly today. Had to wait for traffic when I reached the A659, I was turning right. A couple of lasses rode past going the way I intended to. They were a fair bit ahead when I could start moving again.
Cross the Wharfe, oh, did I mention the first rain shower? The road rises a bit to the right turn onto Swindon Lane. The two in front had the space to turn, I had a solid line of traffic to wait for. By the time I / we reached the bottom of the climb to Kirkby Overblow I had caught up. A phone rang, they stopped and I carried on. The views leaving the village, on the way to Sicklinghall, were really good this morning. You could see the rain approaching. At the top of Sicklinghall, the village is built on a hill, I stopped for a munch, and was passed by those two again.
Carry on, the road leads to Wetherby, and I took the right turn to Linton. That couple did also, but far enough in front of me that I did not see them turn. By the time Linton Main Street was reached I had decided to turn whichever way they did not. Wetherby it was, for me. From there, Collingham put me back on my intended course, go up Jewitt Lane.
And it was busy! Yes, Bank Holiday and various road closures locally will change traffic patterns, but Jewitt Lane goes nowhere from nowhere. Ah well. A bit short of the top I turned onto Compton Lane, which was relatively quiet. All the way to Rigton Green when things slowed down again. Police (Yes, police!) were directing drivers away from Holme Farm Lane. Odd, and I was waved through. Good. Two more checkpoints on the way to Thorner, leave there on, you guessed, Carr Lane and one more spy movie checkpoint on the way to the A58.
Turn left for the easy way home from here, in fact unless I want to ride back to Slaid Hill it is the only way home. Back across the River Aire on Crown Point Bridge, out of Hunslet by riding along a bit of Jack Lane and turn left for the flyover. Soon home after thirty eight miles of pedalling enjoyment, with 2116 feet of upness in the recipe. Worth much more than a grin.
The garthing did its usual excellent job,
.. this is a section from the illuminations .... The prom is closed on Tuesday for a cycle through along the length of the illuminations.
