Swaledale

Today was with thanks to Earthdreamer, who handed me this food for thought ride a while ago.  It's been mentally eating away at me like chocolate in the cupboard ever since.  

It was my turn for a day out today.  I wasn't sure whether I'd make it or not but it looked cool and dry with a light tailwind for the return home.  So I thought I'd give it a go.  This morning, I realised I'd planned to save the biggest hill 'til last, so with that rapidly and later in the day, thankfully reversed, I headed off.

It was one major outing for my little legs but there's no question life is more pleasant on little blue bike.  I've thoroughly enjoyed myself.  The roads were remarkably quiet for a Saturday in June and many of the roads I've had to myself.  The views as I began dropping down into Swaledale gave me a great feeling although passing a sign for Crackpot on the way downhill did make me wonder how much of one I was at only half way round.  

After perusing the cafes and much to the amusement of the people sitting outside when I found myself muttering to the menu, "There's not a single jacket potato for sale in Reeth."  I found one in a pub and plonked myself outside.

Getting home was psychologically, even if not physically, easier knowing the hills were getting lower each time and, on top of that, they weren't as steep either.  I'm glad I'd become a veteran of 'just keep going' on my heavy bike on the Cow & Calf because I used my superlative 'how slow can you go' skills as I trundled up the last incline.  And just when I needed it most, on the last 50 yards to the top of Kidstones, a couple of older chaps in a little white van had their window down and shouted, "Go on, you're doing well!"  I knew that clearly meant I wasn't but it did make me grin and without doubt gave me a little boost.

Egg and chips wasn't the ideal choice in Kettlewell but I needed some food and that was the only gluten free stodge available.  It took a while to get it down but it definitely helped me home.

I've even decided I'd like to go back on a sunny day for some even more magnificent views - just maybe not this week!

As for my new saddle, I can only sing Glad Tidings :-)