Ride to Knott End via Garstang, Thursday 25th October 2018

A few of us met at Crook O Lune for the ride to Knott End with the coffee stop at Garstang.
Leaving the car park we went up the cycle track to Caton and crossed the main road at the roundabout. Heading passed Gresgarth Hall we went up Postern Gate and turned left on to Littlefell Lane. At the second cross roads we descended Hazel Rigg Brow to go behind the Uni and turned left on to Chapel Lane. After going over the Conder and passing Silk Mill Cottages we turned left on to the flat lands of Kitt Brow Lane then Langshaw Lane eventually joining the "happy valley" road. I said eventually because Geoff managed the first of his numerous punctures along Langshaw Lane.

The following group led by Mike Codd caught us up and I told then to carry on and we would meet up at Garstang, little did I know.
As time was getting tight when myself, Geoff, Tracey, Ken, Brian and Graham got to Five lane ends we decided to go straight across to Whams Lane then through Bay Horse to Garstang. Whams Lane was too much to Geoff's rear tyre and another puncture was mended. At this point Graham and Ken went on whilst we stayed helping Geoff!
New tube in and set off only for the air to leak out somewhere so Geoff and Brian stayed to sort the bike out whilst Tracey and myself decided the quickest way to Garstang was through Bay Horse to join the A6 the straight down the A6 to Lancaster road and into Garstang.
Arrived to meet all the others so managed a cup of coffee and just got a surviving piece of chocolate cake before we left for Knott End.
Geoff managed to arrive before we set off but he was certainly having a brew before he carried on.
We crossed the A6 at the lights went down Croston Barn Lane to join the road leading to Nateby. After Nateby we turned right to climb up and over Eagland Hill (thanks Ken) into Scronkey then Pilling. Heading along Head Dyke Lane then right which took us into Knott End.
Lovely meal (and a pint) in the squash club then at 13.30 off we set down Grasmere Road to the sea wall at Pilling then over the moss to Gulf Lane, Crimbles Lane and finally The Pudding House.
Five of us decided to return via Proctor Brook to Uni which was unfortunate for Ken because punctures are infectious and he caught the disease. Whilst mending Ken's puncture who should turn up but Ian after suffering the same.
No further incidents after this and I was home for about 16.15 just as it started to rain.
All in all a good ride of 54 for me and a dry one as well.

Jim Gardner