Sort of cloudy out there this morning. Never thought to check the forecast, I wonder why? So, extract the fixed from the shed and off I went, vaguely southwards with the intention of changing direction at Castleford.
All on roads this morning. It was tempting to ride down the riverside to Woodlesford, two options then. To Allerton Bywater passing St Aidans. Mud potential high, no thank you when riding the fixed. Ride through Oulton itself, narrow road, busy, blah, no. Through Hunslet, up to John o’ Gaunts and down the hill to the Oulton roundabout. Not much to distract me so far.
Follow the A639 through Mickletown and Methley Junction, cross Methley Bridge and turn left at the traffic lights. This road has the river on my left and Castleford to the right, the river is invisible until I reach the bridge across it on the A656. A very straight road, the OS has it as a Roman Road. Very kind of them to build it, the winners of the battle of Towton are said to have used it on the way to the fight.
It also rises a bit, on the way to Peckfield Bar, where I turned right on to the A63. Not for any great distance, the next roundabout is less than two miles away and has a left turn to Micklefield. Memory tells me this was once the A1. Going north the road went through Micklefield, Aberford, and Bramham. I do not recall that it went through Wetherby, somewhere north of Bramham it changed from a single to a dual carriageway. And went around the eastern side of Wetherby. Anyway, I rode into Aberford on it today.
And out of Aberford on Cattle Lane, for the lumpy road to Barwick in Elmet. What happened to crop circles? At one time you could hardly pick up a newspaper without reading of the things. Fields on each side of the road along here have channels carved through the crop. As if someone carrying too much beer drove a tractor randomly around each field along the way. Of course, from above they may look beautiful. Please allow me my doubts.
Barwick was quiet. Riding through Scholes a truck appeared behind me. I pulled in to a side street, truck, two cars and one cyclist went past. The cyclist stopped a bit further on, mobile to ear, I said good morning as I passed. A bit of A64 to Thorner Lane, one hundred yards and the rider passed me again. Only for another call to stop him. A very patient person.
I turned left at the Mexborough for the last climb of the morning, I thought. The A58 back to Leeds, twiddle down Boot Hill, to the warning signs that Wetherby Road is shut at the Oakwood Clock. OK, Easterly Road, travelling west, has one more hill to exercise on, and then it is easy riding to home. Thirty seven miles, 1335 climbing feet and a big grin. Mind, I was tired too.
And the garthing doodles . . .
