Thursday 27 February 2020

In search of snow...


With fresh snow on the tops of the western Lammermuir hills i drove up to see if i could get on some snow for the first time this year, looked good for a loop around Meikles Says Law - highest hill in the Lammermuirs at 1755feet (535meters)...


Waterproof walking boots and gaits would be needed to ford the Fasney burn on the way up and possible hike a bike through drifts after the summit....



Through the water crossings ok that were wheel deep the snow was not that deep as we started to climb on the vehicle track...


 

Nearing the summit and several inches of dry fresh snow...



The strong headwind made for a tough climb and i walked two steep short sections to stop overheating as the wind was freezing and nearing the summit the track was scoured of snow as the wild wind blew snow around and small snow showers swept through...


Trig point - on top of East Lothian...



I planned to ride south across to the summit of Little Says Law to descend on the track down to Fasney burn, but the snow was real deep - waist deep in places where i went through the drifts walking across to get  onto rideable sections...


Under the snow it was frozen solid ice but rideable...



I missed the track down so make my own way down across the hill where the heather was low from grouse management burning and soon reached the Fasney burn and follwed the track to Fasney shooting lodge and returned to the van, the last crossing washing the snow off the bike
At the van i sprayed the chain with WD40 to stop it rusting-will rub it dry and re lube later in the evening. I was surprised how wet i was with sweating, under layers sweating from the hard work in the deep drifts higher up after the summit...


Home and a warm stove and a smile on my now rosy cheek face from the cold,
Another solo ride that could have been real hard and again missed meeting the Grim Reaper :)

Wee film, Song is `Open The Light` by Boards of Canada


Lammermuir`s Snowride; Meikle Says Law, Feb 2020 from coastkid71 on Vimeo.


More soon...


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