Sunny, cold, icy and windy ride upto Consett n back

Yesterdays ride was a cold but sunny ride. I got out a little later than I wanted but the old railway line was still mainly frozen on the way up to Consett. On some sections the top 1/2" was starting to thaw and thought this is going to be a right old slop feast coming back down. Once I reached Knitsley the sections of sheet polished ice were getting wider and longer. By the time I was at Delves Lane and on to the last section towards Consett it was un ride able. I was hoping to turn left over Hownsgill viaduct and further up the Waskerley but it was far too icy and could not even walk / push the bike.
Time for Plan B. I took the single car track lane from the café past the car park and out on to the cycle lane from Moorside/The Grove to Consett. I had planned to drop back on the cycle route to Delves Lane but it was too bad so had to take the main road down through Delves Lane and join back on at Knitsley Farm Shop. From there it was a slop feast as the frost/snow/ice was melting in the sun. By the time I got back to Broompark end I was sprayed from head to foot in horrible freezing cold brown water. |I was up the eyes and so was the bike. Time to hit he roads / cycle lanes again! Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon -