Ha ha. I rode up yesterday afternoon to check on the security arrangements. A rider followed me up and "discussd" why the road to the bridleway to Thuscross was blocked off with the security man.
Then the rider followed me down.
In the time it took me to ride up the couple of miles of climb at least a dozen cars went past me ignoring the Road Closed signs and swerving through the half-way chicane nominally blocking off the road.
Then, having reached the steel wall and the security guard, they all came back down again. Why do these people ignore the Road Closed signs? Do they think they are cyclists?
I then went off to Storiths - Appletreewick - Burnsall. Only a 30 miles ride (2600 feet) but it was freezing in the afternoon. As you know that back road under Simon's Seat and above the Wharfe and Bolton Abbey is heaven on earth (if you overlook the broken road surface, natural detritus and occasional vehicle).
Oh and of course there is the ford with its sloping uneven stone bottom which yesterday was quite forceful. I did stop and look before I splashed through. That'll now be another bottom bracket needed soon.
It was the first time I have ridden that way since the landslip was repaired and I must say I was impressed with all the new fencing and smooth resurfaced road surface.
I started to ride down one of the steep descents, after just being overtaken - quite civilly - by a Land Rover to see a man pushing a bike up the hill - which I saw to be a tandem. Twenty or so yards further down the hill I met his wife who shrieked at me "and the only reason we are pushing the bike is because we have been ridden off the road by that f****** Land Rover".
I smiled with empathy but since she seemed a tad distraught I decided not to stop and commiserate fully.
Probably tourists.