Soon after I went past the next sign for, 'No Through Road' I worried that maybe it was a mistake, as there appeared a car here and there. But then the Pennine Bridleway started. A section hidden away between other traffic roads and one that I'd hardly visit on the mountain bike. Eventually this is what prompted me the new name for the potential hobby business idea
To top it off, I was perfectly within my square. No bog trotting needed and just some careful consideration. Of what was and wasn't rideable (by me) on 25c tires and clipped in. Breaking of the face isn't good business sense when you're trying to outrun the delivery services and do a drop off before they'd ever manage. Unless of course you wanted to pay an arm and a tyre!
It was not long before this that I'd taken that photo shown in the introduction. One thing to add is about the midges. Before I put my specs on during stopping the fast descent, they'd been trying to take out my eyes. I wasn't actually what it was at the time but later it became evident.
Gorgeous!
In my new VeloViewer square during my Pennine Bridleway traffic-free time. This person in the Audi had maybe taken a wrong turn, possibly not believing the signs about , 'No Through Rd'.
After dropping off the good their rightful owner, I was now making my way back. Again through the Peaks but a different route back. I always try to make my loops anti clockwise as it's the way we circumambulate the Ka'Ba. There it happened.
Not long before the sharpest section of the route and the one I wondered, 'hmmm, what could it be'. Surely I'd not dialled in the back side of Holme Moss into the loop. I hate that road, especially coming back northbound. Traffic I find to be scary and I always tend to avoid driving up it... Vertigo!!
That's where I saw this epic scene - before the sharpest/longest rise that is. Had to look it up and it seemed to be Holme Moss. But my mapping skills told me otherwise.
Could it be West End Moss, as it's the highest section of what I could probably see from where I shot the pic!? Dunno, but it was long bwfore I relaised the sharp rise was indeed the backside of Holme Moss. Tried to not let it disorientate me too much and I put on my tough face and arms - to fend of the silly traffic that tries to drive you off the narrow road.
The snaps taken riding the ascent. Was indeed beautiful and I managed to keep moving 'forth'. If you look towards Holme Moss Mast (at least that's what it muat be called), the last rise to the top can be seen. Turned out it wasn't too tough, so maybe the training had been doing me good.
After the top of Holme Moss and another legendary pic full of old memories. Reminded me of the day we'd mountain biked up and then Swaza told us which route we'd be DownHilling back down. Me and my little bro rode back down the road and almost froze to death. Only slightly worried about the other two that had decided to take the off road that wasn't there (according to OS). Especially since we barely survived ourselves and they were adamant that it was all good and safe!!
Prayer time where I made ablution and spoke to the (what I thought was) farmer. Told him that it'd take an awefully long time cutting the field with his tiny petrol lawn mower. Turned out he was only the owner and during most of the year the sheep manage to length. He waa only cutting a square big enough for the grandson to show off the footy skills during an upcoming party.
Rest of the year the lady that owned the sheeps would hire the proper equipment and give it all a good final cut before the winter! Then was the ride home ater fighting the midges. Never met em in such force before but what I've learnt in these pages over the years somewhat helped.
Did one unit of prayers. Quickly moved myself to confuse the little 'horrids', then offered the other unit of prayers before moving yet again to quickly pack up and ride...
THE END (for now).
NB. The new owner did get his gear and does seem happy with it. £105 raised
Alhamdulillah
) using the bikepacking gear method. The collection was only in Barnsley and its 15 miles away.
Maybe I'll give up mtbing if it doesn't fit.
