Only joking, I've been described by a friend as a "tackle tart" and I definitley have a bad case of upgrade-itis and for some reason I've been lusting after some campag cranks this week. Anyway I had road bikes on the brain so thought I'd do a bit of a road ride, didn't have the 6hours or so for a 90ish mile ride and as I left the house I still wasn't sure where to go but limited time meant I'd have to go for height instead of distance so I went for a road version of the 3towers route (sort of) Over chorley old road, the descent into horwich not only did I have my usual paranoid "what if my carbon forks break now at >30mph" but was now also scared of ice. Up sheep house lane there were warnings of road closure but everything was fine justy a bit of snow at the top. Belmont, tockholes no probs, the drop into darwen was a proper mince, really steep blind corners and loads of grit and that worry of snow/ice stopped me picking up too much speed. Up to blacksnape there was a fantastic view over darwen tower and winter hill was lit by a break in the clouds, very picturesque. More road closure signs heading toward edgeworth but it didn't seem to bother the car infront so I kept on too and just had to weave around some road works. Up to crowthorn and over broadhead then along the top road to haslingden, the road to rammy via helmshore is a regular but I was flagging a bit and couldn't keep the power on. Heading through hawkshaw I realised I'd only been out for 2.5hours so went over to chapeltown and back over to belmont. The temp was dropping and there was mist coming off the snow over the dry stone walls onto the road, with the snow laden trees it was all very wintery. I didn't feel like I'd punished my legs enough so went up scout road which was hard work and got me thinking that 39x26 will not be a low enough gear for honister if I ever do get around to doing the Fred Whitton route. Still not enough so went up matchmoor too then bombed home. Legs definitley a wee bit tired by the end but totted it up to be 58 mile and 5600ft climbing, bit dissapointed TBH especially the height, felt like quite a bit more. First road ride in ages and it was very refreshing to be able to get out the door in less than 20mins, no dithering over bike and kit and then just put bike away again as soon as I got back.
