I don’t really like riding in torrential rain and my beautiful Bianchi likes it even less so, since the ADV is awaiting a trip to its favourite Halfords mechanic, the recent torrential rain had prevented me taking her out into the fresh air. Last week I even had to join a 16 miles LDWA walk to keep my heart ticking over. The walk was in the rain but just walkin’ in the rain is good. Or so Johnnie Ray sang in 1956.*
But for Monday there was a promise of some blue sky, blue sky - celeste bike, surely some serendipity there? – and so the Campagnolo could emerge to seek some Italian sunshine.
Since 2020 and Covid I have averaged over 3000 miles/ year and since I knew I would achieve 3000 miles for this year on Monday I thought my bike deserved a trip into Yorkshire’s finest. So Bolton Abbey - Buckden - Kilnsey - Conistone - Grassington - Threshfield - Cracoe - Rylstone.
Although it was Monday morning I was surprised how many riders were out in the dales - obviously others look at weather forecasts – and it was just a lovely ride. Of course streams in full flow had appeared across the tarmac roads as they sought to return to Mother Wharfe but that was all just part of the fun of 40 miles and 2700 feet.
• Although Ray’s record reached #1 in the UK and #2 in the USA and sold over a million copies it was composed by two inmates of Tennessee State Prison, Nashville Tennesee and released by the Prisonaires on Sun records in 1953. It sold around 30,000 copies. It is the version of the song that I have. Well naturally.
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