WAY OF THE ROSES DAY 2

PATELEY BRIDGE TO DUNNINGTON

In the words of Sir Freddie as he'd probably be known by now, " Thunderbolt & lightening, very very frightening me". This was a day I'll not forget in a while, it shall be remembered as "Two Thunderstorms, One crash & One stupid pedestrian".

I awoke in the B&B and my hosts prepared me an award winning full English. Magnificent local Yorkshire produce lovingly prepared. I set off at 9.30 into the mists and had to put my lights on.
It was 10am in June,however I had 15 miles of climb then it was downhill from there.

Despite the warnings of poor weather the previous day I was gladened to see it had blown through overnight and looked promising. As I climbed higher the sun broke through and all was well. The route took me through Ripon and the grounds of Fountains Abbey through some pretty villages, then under the A1 and onward to York.I was making great time and looking forward to a stop in York and perhaps a Sam Smiths by the river if the weather held

As I neared Linton on Ouse and the RAF base there, the clouds darkened and wind picked up.
I was exposed out in the sticks and tried to quicken up. It was too late, the heavens opened and an almighty thunderstorm unleashed above me. I dived into a nearby hedge to take shelter as lightening struck the ground half a mile away. I got soaked and had to wait 10 minutes for it to pass. I checked the map to see I was about 15 miles from York, apart from the weather,the plan was looking good and hopefully I'd be there mid afternoon. I sent a position update just outside York, little did I know this would be  the last of the day.

As I approached the village of my surname I turned  a corner to see a tunnel underneath the main east coast rail line. As I got to it, the recent rain had flooded the tunnel, as it was on a slope. I slowed and rode on the crown of the road, as this would be the shallowest point. BANG, I hit a brick or stone which was submerged under the water, the next thing I knew was I was sent flying over the handlebars face first into the water. Taking my front pannier with me, it's contents including my iPhone and wallet thrown into the murky water. At the time a couple walking nearby saw me and helped. I had to forage for my phone , wallet and glasses  like some crazed fisherman. Unbelievably both me and the bike were fine. As I was sorting myself out, another cyclist came under but I managed to stop him before he went A over T.

I gathered my composure and rode on, again watching the storm clouds gather.Caught in another thunderstorm again and another soaking as I rode along the Ouse. I may as well have swam this bit.. After winding my way around into rush hour York, deciding my drink by the river would have to wait until another time. I rode through the city centre chaos using the cycle lanes, some daft cow ran across in front of me because it was raining and the traffic was held. I slammed on and nearly went over the the handlebars for a second time that day, she apologised, when she took the fag out of her mouth.....Muppet . I was diverted due to a cycle path closure just outside York, taking me a few minutes to check the map in the rain I eventually reached Dunnington at 4.30pm . A bizarre B&B.

The iPhone had suffered a dunking and is now playing up. It's on  radiator in the room drying out.
So if you waiting for an update that's why. Fingers crossed it will have dried out in a few hours.