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The delights of winter
18 December 2009 - 7:06pm — PW
I got up at 4am to avoid using the icy roads. So to get to Halfway from Newbold I took the long way round via the canal and the Transpennine Trail. (Usually my return route mid afternoon).
In the dark, on maybe an inch of fresh powder snow, with a Busch und Muller LED headlamp powered by a Schmidt hub and only the paw prints of an occasional fox, it was superb. The snow sparkled in the headlamp glow, the stars shone and the grip was fine even on 32C touring tyres.
Unfortunately by the time I get chance to do it again the snow will be ice and I don't fancy swimming in the canal!
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Update
The TPT has become hard work since yesterday's heavy snow. Mountain bikes seem to be ok but I won't be using the tourer for a while. Beware of ice around the Bilby Lane bridge and for most of the Hollingwood-Staveley stretch, especially the latter now it's hidden under snow, the underlying puddles were frozen right to the floor and shiny on top, lethal!
This morning I set off along the Whittington-Eckington road, reaching Nether Handley before a phone call from work sent me home again. The main road was fine within the street lit stretch. After that some half frozen slush made it advisable to ride slowly and walk the steeper downhill bits.
Edit, (Thursday) the drop from the top of Nether Handley into the "Happy Valley" going towards Eckington is a skating rink, and steep, get off and walk downhill!.
Be careful folks.
Bluebell route
I thought I'd have a go along the Bluebell route, parallel to the canal, on Sunday.
I thought I could cycle on sheet ice if I took it steady.
Fortunately I landed well, just a bit of a bruise at the bottom of the back, bike unhurt and nobody saw me.
I turned for home via the new Tesco. Approaching from the north, I was unable to find the cycle lane. I made my way to the entrance and found the bike rack. A quick visit to the gents then home - I won't be going there again.
By Wednesday...
The trail is just about rideable. I came home from Killamarsh via Wheeldon Mill without any mishaps. The few icy bits can be circumvented with care and the worst of the post frost bogginess has gone. It's an idea to rinse the grit off the wheelrims every so ften though, if it gets in the brakes you'll soon have no rims left!
It's easier than the Eckington Staveley road past Renishaw Park Pit as was anyway!