Chapter V

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

an affluent person; a person who is financially well off

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

anew

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

affected manners intended to impress others

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

a river in southwestern England rising in Gloucestershire and flowing through Bristol to empty into the estuary of the Severn

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

in a beautiful manner

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

next to; at the side of

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

past events to be put aside

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

pleasing or delighting

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

the job of a professional coach

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

a person who rides a bicycle

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading It is, indeed, a terribly difficult road, exposed, and very trying in its long rises.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

being one more than seven

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

serving in or intended for exploration or discovery

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

with no protection or shield

From this reading It is, indeed, a terribly difficult road, exposed, and very trying in its long rises.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

plural of “gradient” — a graded change in the magnitude of some physical quantity or dimension

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

causing or marked by grief or anguish

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It is, indeed, a terribly difficult road, exposed, and very trying in its long rises.

plural of “incline” — an elevated geological formation

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading It is, indeed, a terribly difficult road, exposed, and very trying in its long rises.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

an intervening period or episode

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It is, indeed, a terribly difficult road, exposed, and very trying in its long rises.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading It is, indeed, a terribly difficult road, exposed, and very trying in its long rises.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

most frequent or common

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

on the contrary

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

change to the contrary

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

plural of “rise” — a growth in strength or number or importance

From this reading It is, indeed, a terribly difficult road, exposed, and very trying in its long rises.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading It is, indeed, a terribly difficult road, exposed, and very trying in its long rises.

the capital and largest city of Zimbabwe

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

used as intensifiers

From this reading It is, indeed, a terribly difficult road, exposed, and very trying in its long rises.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

in or at that place or location

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

being eight more than thirty

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading THE OLD COACH-ROAD: SALISBURY TO BLANDFORD IT is thirty-eight and a half miles from Salisbury to Dorchester, the “Casterbridge” of the novels, along the old coach-road to Exeter.

a person who changes location

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

hard to endure

From this reading It is, indeed, a terribly difficult road, exposed, and very trying in its long rises.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

precisely as stated

From this reading It is, indeed, a terribly difficult road, exposed, and very trying in its long rises.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

toward the west

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

toward the west

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At eight miles’ distance from Salisbury the old Woodyates Inn, long since re-christened the “Shaftesbury Arms,” stands in a lonely situation beside the road, looking regretful for bygone coaching days.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading One charming interlude there is, three miles from Salisbury, at the beautifully situated little village of Coombe Bissett, set down in the deep valley of an affluent of the Wiltshire Avon; but it is heartbreaking work climbing out of it again, up the inclines of Crowden Down.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Speaking as an exploratory cyclist, I would ten times rather go the reverse way, from west to east, for the gradients are all against the westward traveller, and westerly winds are the prevailing airs during summer and autumn.