Dry & sunny today, but trails filthy after yesterday's rain. Took the SS gravel bike out, the aim was to keep it mostly on quiet roads out from NW Leeds, but I ended up doing what I usually do and just turning it into a mixed road/off road ride, so the bike ended up filthy anyway! Nice way to while away 90 minutes/30km ...
Great afternoon's ride out of the front door in watery winter sunshine; stayed below the treeline on the outward leg into the wind before putting it at my back for the return leg over the tops. Two pints in a couple of fine hostelries along the way, job's a good'un.
After the weekends rainmageddon, I took advantage of a sunnier, drier day and headed to Rostrevor trail centre. All-weather trails are a wonderful thing to have at times like this. Tons of standing water of course, but thank goodness for waterproof clothing!
First proper off-road ride for a little while due to a niggling injury.
Just a loop round on some of the GT trails to see how it felt and check out yesterday's storm damage.
Both were worse than expected.🤔
Falla Brae is already closed and being worked on and I bumped into Shay out making a report on the rest of the damage.
 
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A short local loop at lunchtime. The Vandal is set up with rigid forks and fast tyres, so kept away from the worst slop. Still got filthy though; I need to find a front mudguard option for the rigid fork ...
A quick blast of fresh air ...
And a long blast of water afterwards, to celebrate the lifting of the Yorkshire Water hosepipe ban!
Bit drier today, which is a relief. Earlier in the week, I was riding through streams that had burst their banks. No soggy feet this time
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Not on the bike for eight days, felt the need for some miles. Over the hill to Colne, then Leeds Liverpool canal to ...Leeds; irritatingly 2k short of 100! Meal deal in Gargrave, coffee and cake at Bingley, train home to Hebden. Nice dry day for a change! 
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