The odd bit of visible blue sky, being shifted around by the breeze, seems a good time to pedal the geared bike away and see where I end up.
That said, the route was decided as much as it ever is before starting out. But on the way through Holbeck I remembered the towpath to Viaduct Road can be busy, I dunno if it still is, not been that way for a while. So, turn left onto Victoria Road from Water Lane and ride under the arches in search of a way to Kirkstall. Already found this, of course, ridden it once before. But I never know what might be found . . .
A better way to turn right onto Cardigan Road, for starters. If traffic returns to previous levels that might not be the way I would choose though. Begin the uphill now, none of it steep and the very occasional bit of flat but by the time the water tower at Cookridge is reached the legs are ready for a rest. And happily, the road descends a bit from here. And before it reaches Bramhope it crosses the railway line to Harrogate. The only evidence is the tops of a couple of airshafts from the tunnel.
Straight through the village and back on the A660 to the Dyneley Arms. When do we stop calling a junction by the name of the pub that used to be there? Anyway, down Pool Bank quite quickly, and through the village. The temptation to cross the Wharfe and climb to Farnley was only just resisted, honest! So turn left onto the A659, next stop the maypoles in Otley.
And after refuelling, and a bit of a well separated chat with someone, Leeds Road awaits as the first bit of the homeward journey. The breeze really did give a shove up that bit, turn left at the only roundabout in Bramhope for more wind assistance up Kings Road. Turn right at the top and it is downhill past that side of Golden Acre Park. That park is odd, the road at the opposite side of the park goes uphill. Something to ponder, sometime.
For now, pass the church at Adel and soon rejoin the A660 to ride all the way back down to Headingley, with further down to Kirkstall after that. And then take to the bike tracks into the town centre. Familiarity makes these easier, as you might expect, and lack of traffic easier still. Back under the arches, across the Aire and through that bit of Hunslet to home. Thirty miles, fair weather and a grin.
Wandering . . .
That said, the route was decided as much as it ever is before starting out. But on the way through Holbeck I remembered the towpath to Viaduct Road can be busy, I dunno if it still is, not been that way for a while. So, turn left onto Victoria Road from Water Lane and ride under the arches in search of a way to Kirkstall. Already found this, of course, ridden it once before. But I never know what might be found . . .
A better way to turn right onto Cardigan Road, for starters. If traffic returns to previous levels that might not be the way I would choose though. Begin the uphill now, none of it steep and the very occasional bit of flat but by the time the water tower at Cookridge is reached the legs are ready for a rest. And happily, the road descends a bit from here. And before it reaches Bramhope it crosses the railway line to Harrogate. The only evidence is the tops of a couple of airshafts from the tunnel.
Straight through the village and back on the A660 to the Dyneley Arms. When do we stop calling a junction by the name of the pub that used to be there? Anyway, down Pool Bank quite quickly, and through the village. The temptation to cross the Wharfe and climb to Farnley was only just resisted, honest! So turn left onto the A659, next stop the maypoles in Otley.
And after refuelling, and a bit of a well separated chat with someone, Leeds Road awaits as the first bit of the homeward journey. The breeze really did give a shove up that bit, turn left at the only roundabout in Bramhope for more wind assistance up Kings Road. Turn right at the top and it is downhill past that side of Golden Acre Park. That park is odd, the road at the opposite side of the park goes uphill. Something to ponder, sometime.
For now, pass the church at Adel and soon rejoin the A660 to ride all the way back down to Headingley, with further down to Kirkstall after that. And then take to the bike tracks into the town centre. Familiarity makes these easier, as you might expect, and lack of traffic easier still. Back under the arches, across the Aire and through that bit of Hunslet to home. Thirty miles, fair weather and a grin.
Wandering . . .
