I normally go out for a ride first thing (before too many motorists have woken up), but with the forecast being for a hard frost overnight that wouldn't clear until mid-morning that went out of the window.
It was the right decision as it was very slippery underfoot walking the dog first thing, with patches of black ice lurking, so other stuff was done and I finally got out on the Giant just before 1pm.
Three close passes in the first couple of miles reminded me why I normally go out early - including one plum in a Peugeot who simply had to get past before we reached some cars parked on the opposite side of the road, which he totally misjudged so just swerved back in across me to avoid crashing into them. Fortunately I was wise to the idiot and had already covered the brakes, but it was still a bit too close for comfort...
I almost caught up to him at the lights but he accelerated through as they were changing. Probably for the best.
Anyhow, Coal Road led to Skeltons Lane which led to the long lumpy descent into Thorner and by the end of that the cold was starting to sneak in through my many layers. While the roads were nicely clear of ice by now there was still some about in the fields and on the verges, along with the last remnants of the snow we had earlier in the week.
Up Main Street and I stayed on for the climb up Church Hill, which then rewards with gently downhill for the next mile or two all the way to Bramham Park and the dip at Wothersome, where I took it steady as it's in the shade and there were frozen puddles at both sides of the road. After the down comes the inevitable climb back out, which at least provided some warmth.
Left at the top onto Thorner Lane, through the smaller dip and then it keeps steadily climbing all the way to the Jewitt Lane junction, before a slight drop to Milner Lane and the run between the ridgetop hedges.
A special mention to the wind today, which was one of those special ones that seemed to be in my face no matter what direction I was riding in.
Down the hill and the little climb back into Thorner, stopping at St Peters Church for a photo:
Back in the saddle and along to the Mexborough Arms, where I turned right onto Carr Lane for the rollercoaster to the A58.
There it was left and a quick run, conscious I was riding into the low sun on a 50mph road, to the Coal Road junction and a huff and puff up the hill, followed by a spin along the flat section before dropping down onto local roads towards home, but adding a long loop on to push the mileage on towards respectability.
15.4 miles (24.8km) in
1h 10m at a sensible
13.2mph with
787ft climbed and an average temperature of
2.6°C which is approaching tropical compared to last weekend.
Glad to get out, even for a time limited ride, and I won't let a few motorised muppet spoil that. Spring really can't come soon enough though
Tomorrow is looking like a wash out with sleet in the morning becoming heavy rain later, so it looks like any Sunday Cycling will be indoors.
And to end, the map: