Return to Cove Road

With very little possibility of long weekend rides this month I thought I'd better do something about it, so went this morning instead. Earlybird set off at 06:30 - 2 others in attendence for a Thursday morning Langbar. I carried on after the Cavendish up the back road to Appletreewick - Hebden - Arncliffe - Malham - Hetton - Paps of Thorpe - Burnsall - home. 57 miles and 5700 feet of climb which is not bad for a Thursday morning!
Climbing out of Arncliffe was quite a challenge as I am still riding the old bike, but it'll do me good I'm sure.
I love the section from Arncliffe to Malham. The countryside is stunning and it feels very remote. It was especially beautiful this morning in the sunshine with clear blue skies.
Then I came to the end of that section and had the descent of Cove Road into Malham to face, the site of my spectacular crash early last September when the rim of my front wheel snapped. Today was the first time I've been down there since, and I have to admit to feeling pretty nervous about it. Even though I've been down much steeper descents since (Hardknott for example) this one felt scarier. Got down ok, glad I was on my own though, as I took it very gingerly especially at crash corner.
After that there was a strengthening easterly wind which made that unpleasant up and down section between Airton and Hetton just that little bit worse.

Anyway here are some photos:
Burnsall bridge

Lower Littondale

Upper Littondale

Climb out of Arncliffe

Limestone causeway above Malham Cove