Wind, Water and… Whoa! the A1079
Sancton Hill Wind Farm
On Sunday the frost was replaced by strong winds from the west. So I headed in that direction to take advantage of a tailwind on the way home. I really struggled into the headwind and the gradual drag up to the highest point of the southern edge of the Wolds. Four weeks of man flu have been difficult to shake off.
I had to take an unschedulded stop in a bus shelter in Hotham, where I was joined by a dozen or so elderly ladies out on a walk to South Cave. My flapjack provided some nourishment, but just a few miles away I sadly had to take refuge in well-regarded pub.
Fortunately, I had brought a lock and enough money to order food and a refreshing drink. The Star @ Sancton has a chef who has twice won the Yorkshire Pudding Challenge, but I would be having Sunday lunch later so limited myself to the excellent steak and ale pie and Wold Brewery bitter. An hour or so later I was suitably rested and crossed the busy B road and made my way towards Sancton Hill. I hadn't passed the wind turbines since they were built some time this year. I couldn't manage to capture their rather eerie presence. Wind turbines on the Yorkshire Wolds have become a divisive issue. Apparently, the locals were compensated with a renovated village hall.
With the wind behind me I was pushed along and quickly came to the A1079, a very fast and busy route between Beverley and York. I crossed the main road close to Arras Hill and dropped down the two miles to Kiplingcotes Valley. I was running behind schedule and wasn't expecting the sight that greeted me at the bottom of the hill. Apparently, there was a sign at the Market Weighton end of the valley warning that the road was closed. Another cyclist, pictured below, told me this. We looked at the water beneath the bridge – about a foot deep he reckoned – then looked at his map before taking the inevitable decision to go up the hill to the main road. I took the photograph above below and then my camera battery died.
I've written before about cycling between Beverley and York along the A1079. I thought nothing of it in years gone by, but neither of us was keen on Sunday to ride the few miles to Bishop Burton along what is now a very busy road, even at weekends. Back in the late 80s I stayed at York Youth Hostel one night and arrived there very late – too late, actually – but was allowed to have a bunk for the night. The following morning I had an uncomfortable conversation with a Scottish man and a young German fellow. I remember that one of them had asked when I had left Hull the previous day. When I replied that I had left home at eight o'clock the two of them gave a little chuckle. I then clarified that it was eight o'clock at night. I doubt I could cover the same disance so quickly these days. "What a bald chest", exclaimed the Scot (he rhymed the word 'bald' with 'lolled' so I politely asked him to repeat himself). Then he started talking to the lad in German. I was glad I was only stopping the one night. But I digress...
At the top of the hill I put on my bright pink tabard and we switched on our flashing lights. I left a message on Mrs Bailey's message service and we set off with the consolation of a strong wind behind us. Adrenaline and that wind had us shifting along uphill at 17mph and we topped 30mph on one of the downhill sections. The other chap was not keen on main road cycling either and we parted on the quiet road near Walkington. My shortest, and slowest ride in ages. The street lights were coming on as the batteries in my front light died. Appropriately, I was completely drained too.
Water under the bridge. Kiplingcotes Valley is flooded
The speed limit on rural roads
There has been some discussion about whether the speed limit on rural roads should be lowered. I was surprised to hear that rural roads are statistically more dangerous for cyclists when compared to those in urban areas. I am acutely aware of the threats from close, fast-moving traffic in towns, but rarely do I feel threatened in the country. Perhaps I have been spoiled by living fairly near to so many quiet country lanes that criss-cross my part of Yorkshire. I certainly wouldn't fancy being passed at 60mph on some of these narrow roads. On the whole drivers tend to be considerate. At least that's what I find. Perhaps I'm spoiled again.
60mph seems a bit too quick for road such as this one near Walkington
I don't know how you do it Chris! I find cycling uncomfortable after a big eat (half a sandwich and a sip of tea will do for me).
Wind farms... the more I see massive windmills scattered over the hills the more I hate them. When one or two began to appear I thought they were quite virtuous but I've changed my mind. At least pylons go in straight lines. These things are just plonked down all over the place. They are better out on the sea, I think, where they can be arranged in elegant rows and don't spoil the landscape.
An architect friend of mine reckons wind farms are pointless anyway. I don't remember his exact argument but it's something to do with them not actually reducing the production of energy by traditional methods. I vote for nuclear energy and lowering the speed limit on
ruralall roads.December 13th, 2012 at 11:20 pm
Hmmm ... Kiplingcotes Valley is flooded in the north, the Newport to Sandown cycle path is flooded in the south ... is all of Britain in a depression
?
December 14th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Windfarms are a big issue here too. It seems hardly a week goes by without a proposal to stick one somewhere on the island. So far they have all been turned down. Vestas, who make blades for wind turbines, used to be one of the largest employers here but last year they upped sticks and moved to somewhere cheaper.
Lower speed limits on all roads – excellent idea. The Chief Constable of the Isle of Wight once said that there are no roads on the island on which it is safe to drive above 40mph and I certainly agree. Drivers here are generally considerate but there is always the odd idiot – the number of roadside memorials is testament to that.
December 14th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
It's been raining since April, Kern. Prior to that it was drought.
December 14th, 2012 at 11:49 pm
But strangely enough there are daffodils in flower today by the Wayfarers' favourite bus shelter in Mottistone – the earliest I have ever seen them!
December 15th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
I'm confused by the two bikes featured. Who is riding the Coppi?
December 16th, 2012 at 7:59 pm
The Kinesis T2 in the first and last photograph is mine. I was on my own when I took both photographs.
The Coppi was ridden by a chap called Phil (I think) who I came across next to the bridge in that photograph. He had ridden from Market Weighton – see Garmin Connect map above. You can see from the map where I had to stop and turn round – the northernmost point of the red line – and retrace my route to the A1079. We rode together to just south of Bishop Burton then went our separate ways.
December 16th, 2012 at 11:24 pm
Ahhh....
Ive got the same bike which sparked my interest.
Funny how you meet somebody on a bike and you end up riding together. How often does that happen on a walk?
December 17th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Yes, I suppose it would feel a bit odd meeting up with another walker and going along with them. So why not similarly odd on a bike? Dunno.
Anyway, to be fair we didn't have a lot of choice. The other chap had arrived from the west and the way east was blocked. I had arrived from the south, and west was in the wrong direction for me. There is no way north from the bridge.
We really didn't fancy riding on the A1079, but decided that we would make a more visible presence as two rather than one. I shan't be riding that way again if I can avoid it
December 17th, 2012 at 9:39 pm
So are cyclists allowed on the A1079? Planning on cycling from Hull to York and this seems the shortest route
February 4th, 2013 at 2:31 pm
Hi, Mike. Although cycling is allowed on the A1079 – and it is probably the shortest route between Hull and York – I would strongly advise against it. Depending on when you are planning to go I could sort you out a much more suitable route.
February 4th, 2013 at 3:30 pm