After a week off the bike due to weather I finally caught a break today, no frost this time so I could use my back roads again! The temp was around 5C with a bitterly cold 20-25mph northerly wind blowing so I decided to make my way out to Avonbridge and head south for around 30 miles to Thankerton! I picked the perfect route thankfully, lots of climbing and descending to enjoy! On my way to Avonbridge I passed the Black Loch at Limerigg!
Then I had this amazing view of the Ochil Hills and the snow capped mountains to the north on the way to Avonbridge!
I was very glad to reach Avonbridge and turn south with that chilly wind at my back helping me up the big climbs, I stopped for this photo before the awesome descent down into Armadale! Almost 43mph with that strong wind at my back!
I also had this amazing view of the Ochils from the same spot!
From Armadale I continued south through Whitburn and up the climb to Longridge, I then had this awesome descent before the massive climb in the distance up past the wind turbines!
The view from near the top of the climb looking north!
I then joined one of my favourite roads that makes me smile from ear to ear everytime I ride it, Wilsontown to Braehead! After many twists and turns and amazing descents I had the climb into Braehead, then this cracking descent down into Carnwath!
The next descent before arriving in Carnwath with Tinto Hill in the background!
From Carnwath I turned west towards Carstairs where I was intending to take a quiet back road, only to find the road closed! I did a loop back to Carnwath and then headed south towards Libberton, another awesome descent to enjoy!
From Libberton I continued south towards Quothquan and down another awesome descent into Thankerton, stopping for some photos on the way down!
The River Clyde!
Very close to Tinto Hill now!
The bridge into Thankerton over the river!
After enjoying 31 miles of lovely tailwinds it was time to turn north towards Petinain into a bitingly cold northerly wind, then west towards Hyndford Bridge and up the big climb into Lanark! I stopped in Lanark for lunch before heading down the big descent into the Clyde Valley at Kirkfieldbank, then through Hazelbank and Crossford where I crossed the very fast moving river!
Now it was time for the very steep climb up to Carluke, I stopped part way up for some photos of the Clyde Valley!
From Carluke I continued north on the back road to Allanton and up the big climb to Hareshaw and on to the main road to Newhouse and north to home! I did get caught in a few rain showers but they were short lived thankfully, it was so good to get out again!
