Bananaman
Guest
Mrs Bananaman and I went for a nice trip out and a picnic yesterday, ended up coming down into Hawes past Wether Fell and into the little hamlet of Gayle. 
Sun shining all was well with the world when coming round a bend I spotted the ford in Gayle and decided to go through it. Having done this before on a bike and a car, albeit a few years ago I knew it was quite shallow and cobbled all the way across and I could see the bottom clearly. It was flowing gently so all seemed safe.
Got half way across then front wheel went,
..........the bike was gently rotating on the crashbar and we both had an unexpected bath.
I hit the kill switch in the second revolution I think, asked if MRS B was ok and she was shaken but not stirred. I was surprised
Standing up we both nearly fell over again, underfoot was like sheet ice from light covering of algae. Between us we managed to get the bike upright and extricate it from the water inch by inch. If you moved slightly off vertical or more than an inch at a time your feet went, and I was convinced the bike would slide over again. It took time and effort to get it safely across I can tell you.
Mrs B took it all very well in the end and even said I don't blame you because I would have done it as well, it looked too good not to.
My point is really to warn anyone else who might be contemplating doing the same thing, please don't. Beware the algae!
Fortunately the only damage was a paint scrape about 1/8th inch wide by 6 inches on the crashbar. The bike just gently rotated atound the crashbars, not a mark elsewhere on pannier or anywere else as far as I can see. I was very lucky it was so smooth I suppose as far as damage went.
With hindsight I should have got off and checked the ground, but I didnt as it looked OK, anyway I don't think the slightly brown colour of the cobbles would have registered in the tiny little grey cells anyway, (BUT IT WILL NOW)We headed home and didn't call into the cafe in Hawes, as we were very soggy, and a little embarrassed
Well I feel better for that, they say forewarned is forearmed.
Sun shining all was well with the world when coming round a bend I spotted the ford in Gayle and decided to go through it. Having done this before on a bike and a car, albeit a few years ago I knew it was quite shallow and cobbled all the way across and I could see the bottom clearly. It was flowing gently so all seemed safe.
Got half way across then front wheel went,
..........the bike was gently rotating on the crashbar and we both had an unexpected bath.I hit the kill switch in the second revolution I think, asked if MRS B was ok and she was shaken but not stirred. I was surprised
Standing up we both nearly fell over again, underfoot was like sheet ice from light covering of algae. Between us we managed to get the bike upright and extricate it from the water inch by inch. If you moved slightly off vertical or more than an inch at a time your feet went, and I was convinced the bike would slide over again. It took time and effort to get it safely across I can tell you.
Mrs B took it all very well in the end and even said I don't blame you because I would have done it as well, it looked too good not to.
My point is really to warn anyone else who might be contemplating doing the same thing, please don't. Beware the algae!
Fortunately the only damage was a paint scrape about 1/8th inch wide by 6 inches on the crashbar. The bike just gently rotated atound the crashbars, not a mark elsewhere on pannier or anywere else as far as I can see. I was very lucky it was so smooth I suppose as far as damage went.
With hindsight I should have got off and checked the ground, but I didnt as it looked OK, anyway I don't think the slightly brown colour of the cobbles would have registered in the tiny little grey cells anyway, (BUT IT WILL NOW)We headed home and didn't call into the cafe in Hawes, as we were very soggy, and a little embarrassed
Well I feel better for that, they say forewarned is forearmed.
Luckly there was someone there to help 
Gave the local farmer who'd just gone through it on his quad a good laugh anyway. 
