Give and take

That's all it needs - a little understanding about sharing the road. Some people don't get it.

Compare and contrast

January 2010

January 2014

Whilst North America experiences one of its worst winters, the effect of the large storms here, the other side of the Atlantic, is repeated bashing from south westerly gales bringing rain and coastal flooding to the UK. Despite this, so far, our winter has been mild. There have been only a few days here in Lancashire when the mercury has been below zero, unlike the past three winters during which there were a number of periods when the temperature never rose above freezing - result: less salt on the road and consequently less bike cleaning, corrosion and therefore safer riding.

Adverse conditions require a lot more effort to cope with. Compared to a summer commute when we can just get on a bike and go, winter commuting requires more preparation especially if ice and snow are involved.

Winter has a long way to go, so having made this comparison, we'll probably get loads of snow before spring!

Lonely road

Most commuters weren't around as I rode down empty streets on the way to work this morning. It was a pleasure not only to feel safer because of less traffic but also because the weather was bright and cheery unlike the stormy weather we're currently experiencing every couple of days.

Times they are a changin'

Come early January, increasing daylight is quite noticeable but what always surprises me is how much this contrasts with a few days ago in late December when we were lurching headlong into endless darkness. Just before seeming inevitable it would become depressingly gloomy, brightness now hints through wintery skies. I probably sense it more at this time of year because my morning commute is at dawn when the change is happening. Cycling at any time of year heightens riders' senses to seasonal change. For me, this is one of the plusses of riding at dawn and dusk.

Way of the Roses review, part 3

Day Three, Ripon to Driffield

Cake at Beningborough Hall

Leaving the big hills behind, day three rolled us down to York via Boroughbridge and Linton-on-Ouse, through the grounds of Beningborough Hall where we had elevenses at the National Trust cafe and picked up sandwiches for later.

York Minster

Then on to the minster in the ancient city of York via the riverside cycleway along the ings of the Ouse. Out of York on the disused railway line, we headed for the wolds and encountered our first bridleway of the day, east of Dunnington.

Following the bridleway to Stamford Bridge

Having had a picnic on the way to Pocklington, we stopped there for coffee before tackling the only significant hill of the day as we climbed through the Yorkshire Wolds in Millington Dale.

Pasture Gate in the Wolds

Possibly the best descent of the whole Way of the Roses route for me was from the top of Pasture Dale where Pocklington Lane starts a 500ft descent through Huggate becoming Driffield Road and ending in Kilburn some seven and a half miles later. It's the sort of hill you can pedal down and really enjoy. From there, the lanes took us to Driffield where accommodation is available, but not easy to find.

Day three stats: 79 miles in around 8 hours and 1920ft of climbing.

Day four consisted of the remaining 23 miles that included a detour via Rudston and Boynton because of works on the roman road Woldgate. We had a brew on the front with a number of other groups that had just completed the route and then made our way to the station, picking up fish and chips just before departure - sweet reward for a great few days cycling.

Bridlington Station buffet

Way of the Roses is a superb route with plenty of variety, challenges and interesting scenery - highly recommended!