Sunday 21st May The Boot and Shoe to Calder Vale via Fleetwood

A goodly number of riders turned up for the start of what was to be an unusual day out, involving a ferry and a bluebell tea! The route to Knott End was straightforward, due to the need to catch a ferry before the tide was too low to permit access to the boat. A good pace was set along the road to Cockerham, before turning off on Crimbles Lane to Moss Edge and from there to Pilling, following Fluke Hall Lane and onto the sea wall. Reserved seating was very welcome and three other rides met us there having made their own way out from Lancaster and Scorton. 

After a welcome second breakfast for some, an earlier than expected ferry was available, with the news that a bus pass no longer afforded a reduced fare!! Setting off along the promenade the leader was unaware that before Rossall School their way would be blocked due to updating of the surface, and a detour was made along the road running parallel to the sea wall. The original route was soon rejoined, and from there the roads were in turn very quiet, or much more busy in equal measure, but after ten miles or so, and some fairly complex navigation, the lunch stop was made at Stanah Country Park.

After a convivial half hour, two of the group opted for a road route to Shard Bridge, whilst the rest went ‘off road’ following the Wyre Way to Skippool. The scenery along this section is very unusual and caused much interest for those who hadn’t been this way before. All met up before the bridge to ride across it and then along pleasant lanes through Out Rawcliffe and Nateby to Garstang. At this point one of the group living near Garstang introduced everyone to a canal link which got us safely under the very busy A6. On reaching Dimples Lane, what had been a very flat ride until this point suddenly got very hilly, over Ringing Hill and Sullom Side - almost two miles of steep climbing, but worth the effort as the Bluebell Teas provided by the good folks of Calder Vale were delicious and prepared everyone for the climb through the splendid bluebell woods and up to the school and church.

Harris End Fell then had to be tackled from Oakenclough, but is a much easier proposition in this direction and the riders were soon on the downhill section and on their way back to Galgate and home - 56 enjoyable miles on some roads not often ridden.