Another attempt at getting a few minutes (hours) freedom up to go get some of the grid refs at least. Probably best to report here than my Ramadhan Riding thread as I don't think I'd have attempted this ride had it not been for the grid refs and the time spent by Phil to draw them up. Besides, the NAWE always help me find much more riding in my local area that I'd never have attempted before.
In a rush (as always) I had to draw up another route as I (thought I) lost the previous one. In between that I needed to do some more work on the decorating in the living room as well as get some electrolyte tablets to my dad. So, as quick as I could I logged into the forum and the messages. Thought before I open the grid refs email, I best have a little clear up of my inbox.
Mistakenly and like an idiot I deleted the message from Phil with all my gridpoints!! 'What to do', well I knew there was that dyke; Cheese Gate Nab; a reservoir and just round from it Phil had chosen me a point called Castle Hill. An imposter Castle Hill, or duplicate of our one that's actually at top of the hill!
I had to explore and figure this out but before that a bit of decorating and then drop the tabs off for dad. Hoovered out the hole in the wall where the curtain rail once stood. Crumbling plaster under my wife's favourite wallpaper. I won't explain what special tricks she wants me to pull off being an ex painter and decorator, all without disturbing her precious paper!
Hoovered the hole and started filling with some trade filler, but it was just too deep and the precious paper was taking a hit. Cut it off (the paper) and washed the filler off of it. Hopefully the wife won't scorn at me when she comes down (time of writing: she's fine with it, kind of). Filling done, next up, trip to my dad's.
It was via my Everesting climb (you go up a hill enough times to reach the elevation of Everest proper, this gnarly Back Lane Path was my precious attempt) and no food, could I clear it! Well, the 1 litre of water I'd drank the hours prior to starting the fasting, must've done something for me.
The North Face, cleared it. Kept deep breathing and regulating the pedal strokes and next was Advanced Base Camp which I made it up to. Just needed to focus and with the thin air (or that's how it feels when you're running out of gas) at this final rocky end, I just needed to keep breathing and land both tyres correctly. Made it, and at this point it was a 'life complete' moment. I hardly make this climb when I'm fully fed, never mind fully fasted!!
Next was some easy sections and along to my dads. Before that though, the rushing water feature in Huddersfield of which I snapped with my 108mp camera on the new (to me) Galaxy Ultra S22.
One of the hidden gems of Huddersfiled in my honest opinion and not something you'd come across in your car (or if you're not looking).
10 miles done, I'd done prayers at mum/dads and dialled in the route. 30 miles to home via them 4 grid references. Long story short, I was bordering on being out for too long. Managed to grab at least one grid point of Cheese Gate Nab. Found a secret (said private for Anglers, but seemed freemasonic to me, so stayed away) little wooden tipi and big barns village in the middle of the woods.
Rode over the bridge of a dyke, but not my grid ref - I rode over Ludhill Dyke, but the grid ref I missed out was Beldon Brook, bet it's gorgeous up there too - met my old bus driving route up in Scholes; took lots of pictures; saved a barbed wire fence from a stray cement bag; metal chap called Steve on a Moxie with massive Fox forks, who's working locally for the next 4 months; grabbed some Giant Skittles and opened the fast enroute just before home; cancelled off 3 of the total 4 grid references I'd planned for.
Oh, and had an utterly brilliant time without my fingers falling off from the cold (and lack of internal combustion). Pics linked here and I did get Castle Hill, just not the imposter one. The other structure is Emley Moor Mast and my riding almost always takes in views of both. They can be seen for miles around here.
[Hmmm, IMGUR doesn't seem to be letting me make my album to post here, but when it does I'll post the link].
Thanks again Phil for the excellent grid refs. I'll be back down them ends exploring. Abut more and definitely want to take a look at that Beldon Brook. On a side note, the bit where I used to drive my bus, is the exact point where the waterfall is on OS. What a lovely piece that was/is.
