Someone suggested a ride out to Thorp Arch, ‘what a very good idea,’ thought I. And the Spa is still something to learn about, today’s lesson is to lower the bars, flip the stem anyway. So away I rode on it, roughly north to the bit where Leeds turns into fields.
And the three of us set off along Wike Ridge Lane, but not for long. Turn onto Tarn Lane, it is downhill through Scarcroft, straight over the A58. What goes down rises again, in this case to Milner Lane. Along this for a while then onto Holme Farm Lane, to the turn for Jewitt Lane. Which we rode along to Collingham. A bit of a squiggle through here leads to Linton and across the River Wharfe, just a little further on are the outskirts of Wetherby. More lefts and rights lead to the bridleway made from a Beechammed railway line. Yes, it is a word!!
This is the first time I have encountered horses on this bridleway. They were well behaved. Soon, Thorp Arch was reached and we stopped to refuel and warm up too. That wind from the north was aye cold. Cross the Wharfe after leaving the café, then turn right on the A659. A short way along here is the left to travel into Clifford and out again past the former convent. Clifford is a really tiny place that might have suffered worship overload in days of old, as the convent and two churches possibly indicate.
Bramham next, and Thorner Lane to that village. Usually, this bit is decorated with a headwind, but not today. Ride up Carr Lane and cross the A58. The road descends to the bottom of Shadwell Main Street, so you have to ride up it. But for me, only as far as Gateland Lane where we parted ways. I returned to the A58 for the wheeee!! down to the junction with Easterly Road. Wend my way past the Oakwood Clock and through town to home. A big grin for the hot shower waiting, and a very entertaining 41 miles riding. And more than 2000 feet ascending. It is good how this happens.
It was flat from above,
But lumpy from the side
And the three of us set off along Wike Ridge Lane, but not for long. Turn onto Tarn Lane, it is downhill through Scarcroft, straight over the A58. What goes down rises again, in this case to Milner Lane. Along this for a while then onto Holme Farm Lane, to the turn for Jewitt Lane. Which we rode along to Collingham. A bit of a squiggle through here leads to Linton and across the River Wharfe, just a little further on are the outskirts of Wetherby. More lefts and rights lead to the bridleway made from a Beechammed railway line. Yes, it is a word!!
This is the first time I have encountered horses on this bridleway. They were well behaved. Soon, Thorp Arch was reached and we stopped to refuel and warm up too. That wind from the north was aye cold. Cross the Wharfe after leaving the café, then turn right on the A659. A short way along here is the left to travel into Clifford and out again past the former convent. Clifford is a really tiny place that might have suffered worship overload in days of old, as the convent and two churches possibly indicate.
Bramham next, and Thorner Lane to that village. Usually, this bit is decorated with a headwind, but not today. Ride up Carr Lane and cross the A58. The road descends to the bottom of Shadwell Main Street, so you have to ride up it. But for me, only as far as Gateland Lane where we parted ways. I returned to the A58 for the wheeee!! down to the junction with Easterly Road. Wend my way past the Oakwood Clock and through town to home. A big grin for the hot shower waiting, and a very entertaining 41 miles riding. And more than 2000 feet ascending. It is good how this happens.
It was flat from above,
But lumpy from the side
