 |
| Near a footbridge over Holden Beck |
The ascent was generally easy-going although with twists and turns through farms and their associated land. The view from the moor wasn't great due to low laying mist, which persisted all day. From the old bathhouse I descended into the town for a coffee and to buy some fresh socks as, for some reason, the right sock seemed to be at risk of causing a blister. I suspect that my brisk descent of the steps initiated an ankle problem that I noticed later.
After a break and a spirited march back up to the moor I crossed the potentially wetland without problem. Lengths of stone pavers have been laid making the walk far less swampy than one might expect. Even the gloriously named Yellow Bog was dry underfoot.
 |
| Pavers and grass on Yellow Moor |
There was more road time than I'd have liked to reach the canal in the Airedale valley but the historical development of industry and housing has built a border between the moor and valley. The canal path has been opened up as a national cycle path which means it's well maintained, but one must keep an eye for cyclists at speed.
 |
| Autumn appearing along the Leeds-Liverpool canal |
After a few, again easy, kilometres I turned off to retrace my way to the car in Steeton. The last 10km were uncomfortable as I'd noted a gradually worsening pain in my right ankle, or perhaps shin. As mentioned earlier, I wonder if the steps between Ilkley Moor and the town had overload something. I've no better explanation. Ironically, I'd decided to walk rather than slow-run so as not to tire myself before a potential Saturday run. I've not done that, instead taking it easy with ibuprofen gel applied liberally.
It was a lovely 31km walk with a range of terrain and landscape, probably not what many people imagine for the outskirts of Bradford.
No comments:
Post a Comment