Well, today I went out on my Claud Butler fixed, up the A68 from Darlington, lots of little climbs around here... I felt quite strong, so I thought I'd go up Harthope Head - reputedly the joint highest road in England. I've not been up here on fixed before, funnily enough...
A-roads all the way, then from the village of St John's Chapel in Weardale it's a two and a half mile climb to the top. I did nearly all of it (on a 68" gear) until I had to walk the last couple of hundred yards. At that point I was pedalling scarcely quicker than walking pace anyway
At the top it was clear and sparkling - a hail shower had just passed, and the road glittered. The views are special - to the west Cross Fell was still covered in snow, and a thick cloud was obscuring its flank, to the south lay the grand panorama of Teesdale, where the river flows out of Cow Green Reservoir and curves around craggy Cronkley Scar, with snow-speckled Mickle Fell behind it.
Then there was the drop down the pass - that was interesting. I overtook a car, and then had to stop because my right hand was beginning to cramp (must fit a rear brake...). I rode the brake all the way down until the last dip before the Langdon Beck, when the road rises again. There, I let it go and span the cranks like a good un
And I saw about half a dozen ring ouzels - spring must be here!
It was my longest ride of the year - about 80 miles. Absolutely fabulous.
