March 6th

The first Sunday in March began with clear skies and the promise of favorable conditions for cycling. Although rather cold the roads were dry and there was no sign of ice. Mike Hutchinson, the club secretary, had planned a ride to Kendal with a coffee stop en route at the Garden Centre in Beetham.

Meeting by the Millennium Bridge at 09:15 the riders rode under Skerton Bridge and through the estate to Halton Road. They then rode up the long drag to the Kellet transmitter before riding through the Kellets, Holme and Burton in Kendal.

They arrived at Beetham in good time to meet several other members of the club, from the north of Lancaster, who had ridden straight out to coffee.

After refreshments those continuing for the full day’s ride rode through Ackenthwaite, Woodhouse, Hincaster, Sedgwick and Natland before crossing on to the cycle path taking them into the centre of Kendal. After a brief walk into the shopping centre they headed for Wainwright’s Yard and lunch.

The initial route back retraced the outward route until Sedgwick where they headed for the tunnel under the bridge traversing the River Kent by the Salmon leap. From Levens Bridge they took to the Cumbrian Cycleway across the marsh to the B5282. Immediately after Sandside they climbed through Storth before continuingpast Waterslack and Silverdale Golf course to Leighton Moss. Here all but the leader elected to continue straight home whereby Mike had a hot chocolate before returning to Lancaster.

The ride has been just over 55 miles on one of the best days of the year so far.

The views of the surrounding countryside were especially clear in the sun. With a backcloth of snow on the Lakeland hills and the blue sky interrupted only by white clouds.