Up to the Dales

Got a few jobs given me to do in the garden by the Mrs, but I reckon its too wet for that so I'm off out on my bike for the day.
Its me last chance for a few more Round Britain points before it finishes at the end of October so a few today and I'll qualify for a bronze. So its up to Keighley first then into the dales proper.
Now you remember I said it was too wet for a day in the garden? Well I should have looked at the weather forecast as they've had some rain up north and the rivers are brimming.

Outside the Tennant Arms at Kilnsey Crags waiting for the tide to turn!

Watched a few cars go through and I reckon about a foot deep on the left, but only 4 inches or so along the right hand kerb line, which is where I went.

There were a few more sections of the road in a similar state but none as deep, so I carried on.
Whilst waiting outside the pub I spied a poster for next years Tour de France which is coming along this road on the Grand Depart on 5th July. This has given me an idea for another ride sometime soon which is to follow the route. I'll choose a drier day.
The RBR quest for the day gets me to turn off at Buckden and go along Langstrothdale to Oughtershaw. This is where I meet another road part timing as a stream, this one probably about 150 yds under water but only 2 or 3 inches deep.

I arise from the surf and look back. I followed a post van through so he cleared it a bit and I followed in his wake, but he turned off here so I'm on my own but only short stretches flooded until the road rises and gets some altitude.

Up and over the fell, and I'm heading for Hawes and the Pen-y-Garth cafe for egg & chips.

Looking down Sleddale on the road to Hawes - bit breezy up here.

Heavy showers coming in as I leave the cafe, so the original plan to turn off at Wensly and go along Coverdale towards Kettlewell, Skipton and back towards M62 gets scuppered as it means going past Kilnsey again, so I settle for Leyburn, Bedale and the A1.
As it happens I've always meant to have a look at Marston Moor next time I pass, and the route home on the A1 means I only have to turn off at the Wetherby services and its only a few miles from there.

 

I get home about 6pm just as its getting dark. Done about 290 miles riding today, 2 miles or so under water!