Bright again, and dry this morning. No reason not to ride, yet again on the geared bike ‘cos my fitness is lacking. Yup, the fixed should make me fitter faster but the hills. Hmmm. Maybe next week.
Even with the geared bike, the route was to the flatter bits locally today. Still 1100 feet of up in the ride though. Around a bit of Holbeck and then out through Hunslet, the next hilltop is John o’ Gaunts. A bit of a rest after a left turn to Woodlesford, the drop past the station leading to the A 642. Turn left, then cross the Aire and Calder canal, then the river and the uphill starts again and keeps company all the way through Swillington and beyond. Eventually, a descent to the roundabout on the edge of Garforth, and instead of straight on, staying on the A 642, I turned right. Around the southern edge of the town on the A 63. And up one half of Garforth Cliff. Walked the other half, the legs were not doing well. Back on the bike and carry on past Peckfield Bar to the next roundabout. I do not have a name for it, but it has a left turn that goes to Micklefield, and that is the way I went. After riding through the village the road rises a bit, there seemed to be more help from the light breeze than usual, maybe it was a little more southerly than most days. So, to the crossroads with the B 1217 and turn right, the road leads past the gates at Lotherton Hall, and it is a quick bit of road. Sort of quick anyway. By the gates turn left, up and then down, under the A 1 to Aberford and the road that once was the A 1, just like Micklefield Main Street. Right turn, then left and after a few lumps and bumps there is Barwick on the horizon.
But still more uphill to reach the place. Past the new Tea Rooms or whatever they are called, further along what used to be a vehicle repair shop, three months ago, now seems to be a garden centre. To the maypole and go left. The road flattens out for a while, gives the legs a rest, then gradually increases in gradient. Oh the joy! Especially when the gradient goes the other way. Scholes, a quiet Wednesday here. To the A 64 and turn left, escape by turning right a bit further along onto Thorner Lane and take the next left onto Skeltons Lane. This has sprouted a few new build houses, a lonely spot really. Red Hall Lane to the Wetherby Road and another left turn for the whizzzz down Boot Hill. The way home now, once past the Oakwood Clock, goes down Roundhay Road, with a left turn leading to the edge of the town centre. Before home is reached the river has to be crossed again and that small edge of Hunslet leads to the street where I live. A big grin ‘cos the weather has been kind for the whole thirty one miles.
The map,
