Another Monday. And a little cooler than the weekend, which is no problem at all. Out with the gears again, thirty one point eight miles done in very amenable weather.
The mind, such as it is, was less amenable. Normally I can leave the house with a rough idea of where I intend to go. Not today. Not even a direction. So I fiddled with lights, counted the links in the chain, scratched one side, Oh! And worked out how to start the Ordnance Survey app on the phone. Which did record the route. South and East was decided on, somewhere in that lot, so off I went giving Holbeck a miss ‘cos Tunstall Road and into Hunslet past the Parish Church is easier. Stourton and up to John o’ Gaunts then down through Woodlesford and cross both canal and river on the way up to and through Swillington. Take the road around the northern side of Garforth and across the motorway, past Lotherton Gates and straight on. The next landmark of note is the Crooked Billet pub. Yes, sure, there are other things to see, but, you know, landmark. Ignore the first two right turns marked Saxton and take the third, which provides a nice drop into the village.
Out on Cold Hill Lane, eventually turn right at the T junction, lo and behold, back to Lotherton Gates. There must be a pair of self generated ruts in the road for the rest of the ride now, both bikes have done it so many times. As ever, each time is different. In Aberford, turning left onto Cattle Lane, something made a tinkling noise as it skittered across the tarmac. Totally out of character I stopped and looked. It was the clamp screw from the camera mount, which made me happy I had looked. Barwick, Scholes and that bit of the A 64 to Thorner Lane, Skeltons and Red Hall Lanes to the A 58 and the wander back home across Leeds. Legs feeling it, usual grin. All good.
As ever, I know where I pedalled, but may need a reminder
The mind, such as it is, was less amenable. Normally I can leave the house with a rough idea of where I intend to go. Not today. Not even a direction. So I fiddled with lights, counted the links in the chain, scratched one side, Oh! And worked out how to start the Ordnance Survey app on the phone. Which did record the route. South and East was decided on, somewhere in that lot, so off I went giving Holbeck a miss ‘cos Tunstall Road and into Hunslet past the Parish Church is easier. Stourton and up to John o’ Gaunts then down through Woodlesford and cross both canal and river on the way up to and through Swillington. Take the road around the northern side of Garforth and across the motorway, past Lotherton Gates and straight on. The next landmark of note is the Crooked Billet pub. Yes, sure, there are other things to see, but, you know, landmark. Ignore the first two right turns marked Saxton and take the third, which provides a nice drop into the village.
Out on Cold Hill Lane, eventually turn right at the T junction, lo and behold, back to Lotherton Gates. There must be a pair of self generated ruts in the road for the rest of the ride now, both bikes have done it so many times. As ever, each time is different. In Aberford, turning left onto Cattle Lane, something made a tinkling noise as it skittered across the tarmac. Totally out of character I stopped and looked. It was the clamp screw from the camera mount, which made me happy I had looked. Barwick, Scholes and that bit of the A 64 to Thorner Lane, Skeltons and Red Hall Lanes to the A 58 and the wander back home across Leeds. Legs feeling it, usual grin. All good.
As ever, I know where I pedalled, but may need a reminder
came out so bad timing on my part
Returned to the bike racks to find my saddle was sopping wet - hardly surprising, but had a good laugh about it with another lady cyclist who'd been on my train. 
Smart girl had put a placcy bag over hers. No traffic whatsoever on the run home, but it was distinctly foggy.
Sure, I was totally kaput and had to stop to get my breath back, but man, what a feeling. 
Just had enough legs to get me the remaining four miles home... 
Was nice riding in short sleeves in the sun, Back home now doing choirs,
