There are some roads and tracks quite close by that I’m aware of from the map, but have never tried. Today, I decided to try out several, hoping to open up some new route possibilities. Colette wasn’t able to join me, so consequently there are no pics, but I thought I’d write this one up all the same.
It looked like a reasonable day, with occasional sunny intervals, but as I started out, I realised that we have been spoiled of late with light winds. The wind today was quite noticeable and made it hard going at times. So I slowly made my way up to Gladhouse Reservoir, then after the dam, turned right for the short-cut along the farm roads. After that, I took the B6372 to the Mount Lothian crossroads, making good time along that section with the only bit of useful wind assistance I was to get all day.
I turned left at the Mount Lothian crossroads heading roughly south. It was a slog against the wind, making my way to the entrance to “Millenium Wood”. I had never gone beyond that point, and there is a notice effectively tellling cars to go no further, as there is no turning ahead. In my naivety, I just assumed that meant the road was narrow. The map shows the road carrying on past a few farms till it reaches the A703. May be tricky for cars, but my bike can go places where cars can’t!
So I carried on past Cockmuir farm where I said hello to someone as I passed, and a small dog decided to tag along. I tried to outrun him, which wasn’t a great idea, as I’ve never been able to outrun a dog before. After a while he gave up and I stopped to catch my breath. I had apparently reached the end of the road. The turning to the right that I was looking for was actually just a farm track that looked like it may have been paved in an earlier era but was now returning to the wild.
I didn’t really want to back track, especially as I would be embarrassed to go back past man and dog, so I thought about opening the gate and going on. The road was fairly flat for a while before turning to a grass track leading gently uphill. In between, there was a long stretch of puddle. I decided to go through the water, as it was a fairly manageable 4-6 inches deep. However, by the time I had got halfway through it started getting deeper. There was no way I could turn back without putting my feet down so I went on. But the water just got deeper and my feet got wet just pedaling anyway. It went up over the bottom bracket (that’s the spindle that the cranks are attached to) and the wheel hubs.
I jumped off at the side of the road and lifted the bike up, only to realise that I was standing on reeds in the middle of a bog. My feet were already soaked and the bike was as wet as it could be, so there was nothing for it but to get back on and pedal until I hit dry land again. I now felt dafter than if I’d turned around in the first place, but in the spirit of discovery, I ploughed onward.
The track post-puddle was quite manageable, which made me think that this whole venture would be so much better if repeated during the summer (that is assuming we have a dry one). Trying not to be disheartened, I ignored the muddy bits as much as possible and completed the off-road section by turning left at Kingside farm and along the potholed track to the A703.
There I turned right onto the main road, and then left a short while later. This took me to the start of a straight section of road that I had noticed on the map, which would take me onto a network of small roads as an alternative to cycling along the A703. As it turned out, there was a gate with at least three signs making it clear that entry was a no-no. Unusual for Scotland, but it was apparently due to Bio-Hazard. That was quite worrying, making me think of secret government weapons testing, as per Gruinard Island, but I think the reality is more likely to be intensive factory farming.
In the opposite direction from the danger area lay a section of woodland planting with a circular walk. I went part way into there and stopped for a sandwich. My feet were now starting to get cold, so I decided not to explore there any further and headed back to the A703. I headed south in the direction of Peebles and straight into the face of the strengthening wind. Even on the downhill bits I felt like I was crawling, so I was pleased when I was able to take the left turn for Gorebridge. This road climbs quickly in a gently sweeping switchback, making me search for the lowest gear, but wasn’t steep enough to stop me altogether. Soon after that I reached the access gates for Portmore Reservoir, where I stopped and scoffed the other half of my sandwich.
From Portmore to home is usually quite quick, but the wind had other ideas, blowing either from the side or into my face. I was getting slower all the time; my feet were now like blocks of ice and my muscles sore, and to cap it all, the bike was making an unhealthy squeaking sound. Finally I got home, having made the 26 mile trip feel more like 56. A long soak in the bath brought my feet back to life, but reviving the bike is going to take a bit more effort!