Snowy bliss

300 mile in a month challenge - 21% complete
MONDAY
Seeing the weather was snowy and gorgeous, I just had to get out and play while everyone slaved away at work!
So off I went - first to Clayton Vale as I knew that other than dog walkers, nobody else will have been there, so I had it all to myself and I'm so glad I did as it looked amazing and felt great to be out riding in the snow. Once I'd ridden the length of the Vale, I headed out to another spot I knew would be deserted - Coal Pit Lane on the Ashton/Oldham border. I headed up along Ten Acres Lane, onto Briscoe Lane and into Newton heath where I went for little slide as my bike decided it wanted to take a corner sideways and at a rather odd angle to the ground! Carrying on through Failsworth and past the huge Tesco and I was getting close to where I wanted to be.

Onto Ashton Rd East, over the motorway, round a corner and, aaaah bliss! I had Coal Pit Lane all to myself. I pootled along here really slowly savouring the noise of my wheels in the snow and admiring some of the most beautiful views that nature can gives us whilst barely trying. And to make it even better Mother Nature decided it should start snowing again!

I really didn't want to leave this place, but as I was freezing my ass off, I thought I'd better get a wriggle on. So, after taking a few pics, I got back on Everest - even she didn't want to leave - and grudgingly made my way to Bardsley so I could begin the return journey.
I took Ney Lane with its odd mix of sixties council houses and cute cottages with pathways leading to Daisy Nook and enjoyed the little dip and climb at its junction with Downing St, before getting onto Newmarket Rd and saying hello to some very cute horses that live alongside.

Glare greeted me as I turned the corner in Littlemoss and stayed with me the majority of the way back to Droylsden. It made for some very interesting riding as I was either blinded by it, or seemed to be following a glarey blob! Either way, I got home OK without any spills, so I'm not too worried about it.

Boring bits -
Cold (-1), snowy, stunningly bright and beautiful
Maximum mph: 27.1

Average mph: 12

Distance: 10.83 miles

253ft climbed.