Fifteen riders met at the Boot & Shoe for the CTC Lancaster and South Lakes ride to Beacon Fell Park led by Nigel Cole. 

Setting off on a bright but slightly chilly late summer morning, they crossed the A6 and made for the tranquillity of the Lune Cycle Path at Aldcliffe via the Canal path at Deep Cutting. Heading South past Condor Green and along Jeremy Lane, then briefly back on the main road to Cockerham but soon happily returning to the quieter lanes around Forton and quickly re-crossing the A6 at New Holly heading for Scorton and along the NCN 6 to Sandholme Bridge where they climbed up the hill to for a welcome coffee stop at Cobble Hey. Sitting outside in the sunshine, enjoying the views and being entertained by the activities organised for visitors to the farm centre.

Ten riders then continued on an anticlockwise circular route to Beacon Fell Park. Now in warm sunshine, along Oakenclough lane, past the gliders taking off from Bowland Fells Gliding club and having the pleasure of extensive views towards Bowland, Pendle and Longridge fells. They then turned back West, riding up Rigg lane and around to the visitor centre for the lunch break, enjoyed once again outside, with distant views looking over the Fylde and in the company of many other visitors making the most of the day.

After lunch they descended back to Garstang via Walmsley Bridge and Claughton and then headed out North West once again, along quiet lanes all looking particularly beautiful with trees showing their early autumn colours in the bright sunshine. At Winmarleigh a sharp right turn headed them back East to Scorton for final refreshments before a return to Lancaster, up Cleveley Bank and along Miller’s Brow for last vistas of the fells. Then dropping back down to Galgate and through Lancaster University and the cycle track back to Scotforth, ending a most enjoyable and varied ride of 54 miles in glorious late summer sunshine.