Ride Report, Sunday 28th January 2018

………and the wind blew !

A goodly crowd of CTC members for the time of year gathered outside Beaumont College on Sunday for a 50 mile ride to Kendal via Arnside, led by Patience and Len.

An easy wind-assisted start took us to Carnforth , followed by a more tranquil leg through the sheltered woodlands of Warton and the Yealands, past RSPB Leighton Moss and around the coast to Arnside. At the Heron Café , Ray, Linda and Bob from Carnforth were already enjoying coffee, having tried their luck and got through the road closure at the level crossing.

Continuing with nine riders, another wind–assisted stretch was gratefully taken advantage of, going via Sandside and Levens village to Brigsteer. The huge pull up Helsington Hill was rewarded by a fast ‘swoop’ into Kendal, and a welcome lunch and natter at Booths Café.

Eventually the time came to face into the strong southerly, which had up to now endowed us with a false sense of ‘speediness’. A direct return route, at times sheltered and at others not, was chosen as the best option, taking us through Natland, Sedgewick, Ackenthwaite, Holme and Burton. A final scenic diversion was taken to examine the bridge closure at Capernwray before once more heading into the wind back to Lancaster via the Kellets.

A memorable ride in blustery conditions, with a demanding return leg against the wind.

Len Howard