A glorious morning it was for a ride. Ten miles drive to the starting point at Smithills near Bolton, and a 20 mile circuit which took me 2 hours 40. Only really got lost the once. The ride took me up through a wooded road alongside a stream where the old mill cottages had their own walkways going over the stream from their front garden to the road. Then along a bridleway, past a farm and heading out to the road. Some road riding swooping uphills and downhills, up a mental steep but short hill at Belmont. Very pleased to see at this point a signpost to public toilets, and having located these at the far corner of a field with not a soul in sight ... took the bike in with me. I take security just a little too seriously sometimes. Up, and up, and up along the road, past a bundle of fire engines checking out the moorland fires on Anglezarke, and onto a crazy paving style bridleway. Forget trying to pick a line, there was no line, just bumpity bumpity bumpity and avoid keeping your arse in contact with the saddle if you want to be able to sit down tonight. Twas wonderful fun. Bouncy bouncy bouncy and you come out to a panorama which makes the whole thing worth it.
The view duly admired, round the next corner this lovely building survives, Pike Cottage.
Not a clue what it's purpose is other than to provide good foreground for photographs for the millions of walkers.
Although from the cottage it was a descent, it was mighty tough, tough indeed. Pedalling like a woman possessed just to keep the momentum going over the rocky pathway, but also hampered on a downhill by the almighty head wind. It was a very very blowy day.
Lovely route, may do it again ... but then again there are so many other possibilities crying out to be tackled ...
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