Not today, but only just reconnected back online, so I'm gonna tell you anyway
Last week, I finally got around to giving the bike a thorough wash, and ACF'd the living daylights out of it, so at last it was ok to get out on the road again.So on Sunday, with some calmer weather and a bit of sunshine,I decided to go and get my
fix. But first, I had to get out of flood-hit Carlisle. Tried the quick route on Warwick Road just out of the estate I've moved to; road closed due to flooding. Tried another main road, also just around the corner, comes out a bit further along Warwick Road, a bit further from the worst hit areas; road closed due to flooding. Not even 1 mile from home and already this is turning into an adventure! Sounds good, we like adventures, not giving up yet. Found a route out of Carlisle, got up to the A69 to head east; road closed due to flooding. Still not giving up, I need my Fazer fix! Went up the M6 one junction to the A689, at last can make some progress
I had planned just a short loop, Alston, Penrith and home. Good ride across to Alston, stopped for a coffee, then headed south towards Penrith. That took me over Hartside Top, so accidentally stumbled upon the Hartside cafe - I knew it was on one of these roads around here somewhere, but didn't know it's exact whereabouts, so that's one little bit of local orientation sorted
Cafe closed, and a foccing stiff, cold wind howling across the top, so just a brief pause to take in the view, then off again.
These roads will be fun come summer!
There were small streams running across many of the roads, bits of flood debris here and there, nothing serious, just some gravel, small twigs and leaves etc, just had to take a bit of care, a few larger puddles a few inches deep, but nothing unnavigable. Then, got to within 4 miles of Penrith; road closed due to flooding. Ah. Not sure about another route, that cuts me off from the M6 and A6. So out comes the map. B6412 will get me up to Lazonby, from where I can hopefully cut west again for a main route home. Nice twisty country road, but still taking it easy, lots of crap on the road here and there but not too bad. Turned left at Lazonby for Carlisle; road closed due to flooding
Finally managed to get home by following the 6412 all the way up to Brampton, then M6 back down one junction and in to home via the back route.
Last night, more strong winds blew two fence panels down, one of which fell onto the bike, but lifted the cover this morning to find it unmarked; phew!