The Great North Road

[Richard A Thackeray]

I remember that where you go straight across the roundabout into Wetherby, having left the A1, and travelled along Boston Road, there was one of the old black and white signs, square, with reflectors around the edge, I can't recall the exact wording but it was something like "A1 Great North Road Wetherby" it was still there in the late '80's

There's a couple on the car-park, where Wetherby Station used to be; https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/the-rail-enthusiast-thread.130375/page-147#post-5881829

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Page 1/photo 3; remnants of the southbound flyover banking can still be seen to this day

Page 2/photo 7; the old 'Crossroads Inn' is still there, as are the kerbstones/road layout of 'Bramham Crossroads'
(only seen from the eastbound 'on' sliproad, from the roundabout, not from heading northwards on the A1)


https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/her...-has-changed-in-a-century-of-motoring-3648961

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

I ought to have mentioned this book straight away, it's a marvellous resource

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9781870067799/Great-North-Road-Now-Cooper-1870067797/plp

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

I ought to have mentioned the Then & Now straight away, it's a marvellous resource


https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9781870067799/Great-North-Road-Now-Cooper-1870067797/plp

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Tuesday 20th

Purchased in the Wakefield branch of Waterstones this morning

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Thursday 22nd

During this mornings ride, I crossed 3 incarnations of the road

Firstly, a short section of The Great North Road, only about 25 yards, by the 'Wagon & Horses' pub
Drunks could once stagger out of the door straight onto the 'GNR'; https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7833526
The old 'GNR' is the road by the houses, photo looks south;https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/20678

Then, over the 'old' dual-carriageway A1 (as seen in link above)
There used to be a bridge over it for vehicles, & a footbridge slighly further south; https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1620322
The vehicle bridge was where the roundabout is, using blue slider; https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17.3&lat=53.74651&lon=-1.28581&layers=168&b=ESRIWorld&o=93

Next, was to cross the 'new' A1, whilst riding along Rawfield Lane, towards the 'Selby TurnPike'; https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3035201

After a cuppa at 'Squires', it was back, crossing over the 'new' A1 again; on the B1222/Newthorpe Road; https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7066821
Passing under the 'old' dual-carriaeway A1, en-route to drop into Ledsham (I headed towards the camera) https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7066823

 

[wakemalcolm]

Tuesday 20th

Purchased in the Wakefield branch of Waterstones this morning

View attachment 825088

Also got this on my list. Unfortunately I've got Red Sauce Brown Sauce to finish first and I just can't seem to clear my plate.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Also got this on my list. Unfortunately I've got Red Sauce Brown Sauce to finish first and I just can't seem to clear my plate.

Is it due to being a long distance 'diary'?
Or, the subject matter?
If so The Great North Road : Then & Now is a damned good book (shown above, a few posts ago)

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

I remember when I first got in to cycling and lived in Leeds I would cycle across to Hull to see my mate. I used to cycle down a bit of the A1 East of Garforth so as to get to Selby. Which must have been crazy.

I'd presume; A63, from 'Old George roundabout', past 'Gaping Goose', up to Peckfield Bar
Then, down the A1, from 'The Boot & Shoe' to 'Selby Fork', then on towards Selby (through Monk Fryston)

 

[Webbo2]

I'd presume; A63, from 'Old George roundabout', past 'Gaping Goose', up to Peckfield Bar
Then, down the A1, from 'The Boot & Shoe' to 'Selby Fork', then on towards Selby (through Monk Fryston)

I recognise those road numbers but your stuff in italics but your means nothing to me.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

I recognise those road numbers but your stuff in italics but your means nothing to me.

'Old George' is the pub on the roundabout, where the A63/Selby Road crosses the A642/Aberford - Wakefield road
The 'Gaping Goose' is another pub, just east of the 'George'

'Peckfield Bar' was quite literally that, in the turnpike era/where the toll was collected
(where the Selby Road intersected with the Castleford - HookMoor?Aberford road

The 'Boot & Shoe' was where the A63 met the A1, then 'Selby Fork' (it looked like one) was where the A63 left the A1

The A63, at 'Peckfield' can be seen here, then the 'Boot & Shoe'/'Selby Fork' can also be seen;
https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=13.3&lat=53.77645&lon=-1.34199&layers=10&b=ESRIWorld&o=100

 

[wakemalcolm]

Also got this on my list. Unfortunately I've got Red Sauce Brown Sauce to finish first and I just can't seem to clear my plate.

I've kind of moved into podcasts and audiobooks of late and never seem to make the time to sit down with an actual paper one. Winter's almost here so maybe I'll try again.