Sunlight and brrrr! again this morning, not a bad way at all to start a ride. So me and the fixed did just that and aren’t we glad we did. OK, the bike may not have enjoyed it . . .
But I did. Though it took a while before I felt any benefit. After plumbing the depths of Holbeck I rode to the Armouries and the way onto the path downriver. Very quiet along there, a couple more cyclists, few walkers and even fewer dogs. Pass Thwaites’ Mill, cross that bridge with its flight of steps to descend and the river is to the left, canal on the right. On the far bank, just by a little weir, I saw some fencing and what might be a low building or two, not noticed these before. Might just remember to check the map. Cross the Aire and Calder canal at Fishponds Lock and the path goes through some woodland before reaching Woodlesford Marina. And a sight of duck.
It is time to go back onto the road now and after crossing both waterways the road rises towards Swillington. And at last my fingers begin to warm up, blaming the gloves, I was. Rather than the easy downstream riding of the last six or seven miles. Still, once warm things are better, climbing gently towards that last descent into Garforth. And up again to find the B1217, the road to the gates of Lotherton Hall. The road goes further but I do not. Left turn towards Aberford and before reaching the place there is a bench at the side of the road, convenient for munching and photography.
Out of Aberford on Cattle Lane. The roadside hedges are high along here, but the surrounding countryside looked wonderful in hazy sunlight and bright autumn colours. It was that way most of the ride, this stretch was that bit more so. Even Barwick looked good, for the most part. Scholes next, and my wondering if it will be possible to ride along Thorner Lane. Yes it was, after lifting the bike over a high kerb with a ditch at the far side. Work is continuing here, maybe the promised bike access will appear. Sometime.
Looked a bit light on mileage, but straight on is a big block to ride around. Thorner it is, ride there and out on Carr Lane to add two or three miles onto the total. Already on the A58, turn left to Leeds and ride down and a bit up to the clock at Oakwood. Easy home from there, more downhill, back across the Aire and through a bit of Hunslet to home, with the grin happily in place. Thirty two miles and 1601 upward feet made for a grand pedal around.
Geography in three dimensions. Sort of.
But I did. Though it took a while before I felt any benefit. After plumbing the depths of Holbeck I rode to the Armouries and the way onto the path downriver. Very quiet along there, a couple more cyclists, few walkers and even fewer dogs. Pass Thwaites’ Mill, cross that bridge with its flight of steps to descend and the river is to the left, canal on the right. On the far bank, just by a little weir, I saw some fencing and what might be a low building or two, not noticed these before. Might just remember to check the map. Cross the Aire and Calder canal at Fishponds Lock and the path goes through some woodland before reaching Woodlesford Marina. And a sight of duck.
It is time to go back onto the road now and after crossing both waterways the road rises towards Swillington. And at last my fingers begin to warm up, blaming the gloves, I was. Rather than the easy downstream riding of the last six or seven miles. Still, once warm things are better, climbing gently towards that last descent into Garforth. And up again to find the B1217, the road to the gates of Lotherton Hall. The road goes further but I do not. Left turn towards Aberford and before reaching the place there is a bench at the side of the road, convenient for munching and photography.
Out of Aberford on Cattle Lane. The roadside hedges are high along here, but the surrounding countryside looked wonderful in hazy sunlight and bright autumn colours. It was that way most of the ride, this stretch was that bit more so. Even Barwick looked good, for the most part. Scholes next, and my wondering if it will be possible to ride along Thorner Lane. Yes it was, after lifting the bike over a high kerb with a ditch at the far side. Work is continuing here, maybe the promised bike access will appear. Sometime.
Looked a bit light on mileage, but straight on is a big block to ride around. Thorner it is, ride there and out on Carr Lane to add two or three miles onto the total. Already on the A58, turn left to Leeds and ride down and a bit up to the clock at Oakwood. Easy home from there, more downhill, back across the Aire and through a bit of Hunslet to home, with the grin happily in place. Thirty two miles and 1601 upward feet made for a grand pedal around.
Geography in three dimensions. Sort of.
at the cross roads i should have gone straight over but took a left and the next thing i was almost in Sedgefield which i was trying to avoid... its an AGE thing 
That was a relatively minor annoyance though and I soon got back into enjoying the riding through Condover and on my way to Ryton then Stapleton. The new panniers don't fit as well on the rack on this bike so I had a pause before Exford's Green for adjustment and to wrap some tape round the rack uprights to stop a rattle. I'd be riding into the wind for a while (north westerly, shifting round to a northerly later) so had to pace myself a bit on this heavy bike to make sure the legs would still be good for later - it made the riding feel really slow, but I was enjoying it regardless.
With my speed being a bit slow this time I thought I'd take the hillier but quieter road through Asterley to get to Westbury, which provided a nice change of scene from the way I usually take. Not much traffic when I crossed the A458 at Halfway House but I did see a Rolls Royce, a Triumph TR7 and a mk2 Ford Escort.
Fortunately the front hanger stayed on the rack and the rear hung up on my homemade lamp bracket otherwise it could have been bouncing down the road. I refitted it carefully making sure the catch was secure and checked it at every stop thereafter.
Sure enough there was a thorn deeply embedded. This time I just removed the twig and left the thorn where it was in the hope it would plug the hole and that I could make it home.
