The weather is still being very kind around here, and I have a bike that needs a bit of riding, just so I don’t forget how. Take the fixed out and point it towards the Wharfe valley.
Of course it does not quite work like that, there are a lot of other places to ride to before that valley is in sight. Office Lock and the towpath to Viaduct Road takes me three miles from home, and I am still in South ( of the river ) Leeds. But only just. Cross the Aire and the way is up, through Headingley where I saw a sign advertising World No Car Day. With the date which I have forgotten. Ride up some more, passing, being passed and passing again another rider. No one had dropped the starter’s flag, just that with one gear only it is difficult to ride slowly uphill. Helps the fitness along though. In time the road levels and the right turn onto Church Lane is taken. This leads to Adel Dam, I must have a look at the history of this sometime, and then the left to Arthington Road. Which is uphill past the eastern side of Golden Acre Park and leads to Kings Road.
After rejoining the A660 in Bramhope I was slightly tempted to turn right again to descend Creskeld Lane. Too late now but maybe I should have. It is interesting. Anyway, settling for the less interesting option, through Bramhope and along to the Dyneley Arms and the twiddle down Pool Bank. Maybe because it is Saturday the traffic was sort of held up through here, the last left turn in the village is the A659 with little traffic at all. So pedal on to Otley and stop for a chew at the maypole. Sort of refuelled start again with a couple of left turns and the climb of Leeds Road. Six cyclists in three pairs passed me on the way up, and a couple of solo riders also. That seems a lot of riders in a couple of miles. That also seems good to me.
Bramhope next, but in the opposite direction to earlier. Quicker this way and the road was quiet too. One ditherer in front of me at the roundabout, eventually chose to go straight on. Seemed to take an age but I was not going to pass that car. Stay on the A660 all the way to Headingley. This was busy, a number of cars with Mum and / or Dad and student child trying to find where that student will be staying. An annual event, Leeds would be poorer without it. And a lot less fun. Still, a ride to complete for me. North Lane and further, to Kirkstall and the towpath back to almost the town centre. The last few streets to home, the door in sight thirty miles after leaving. A smile for the ride, and hasn’t the weather done well?
A map. And an elevation thingummyjig . . .
