A south yorks and north notts pootle

Weather forecast for Sunday is terrible so decided to make the most of todays weather instead. Headed up to Old Moor wetlands centre for a start following a combination of the TPT and the minor roads. The cafe was empty when I got there at about 9.50ish. Big pot of tea and a hunk of fantastic spiced apple cake. Lovely. Still cloudy and grey at 10.15.

Followed main roads to Mexborough and Conisbrough. Consibrough is actually quite nice and of course you've got the castle there. Mexborough, however, is really quite depressing. Apologies to any natives of there reading this. Obligatory photo of the castle and then on through Braithwell and Maltby. Sun makes an appearance and out come the shades.

From Maltby its on to the quiet rural roads through Hooton Levitt and Slade Hooton towards Laughton. There is quite a sharp climb up to Laughton. Its not long but it was about the first time I'd been out of the saddle. More lovely rural roads now through Firbeck, Gildingwells and Woodsetts. This area reminds me of cycling on the Lincolnshire Wolds. Undulating roads, never what you would describe as hilly and nothing but skylarks for company.

Then its back on to route 67 through Shireoaks, Thorpe Salvin and Harthill. Tempted by a pint at the Beehive but press on. Its getting quite hot now as well. From Harthill take my usual route via Killamarsh and Mosborough back to Sheffield. Start to hear annoying creaking from bottom bracket area. Its only there when I pedal hard and not when I coast. Methinks the bottom bracket is giving up the ghost. Thankfully Campag BB's are relatively cheap.

61.5 miles at 15.1 mph.