Ride to Arnside via Barbon, Sunday 15th July 2018
/Once more sunshine was the order of the day as 11 riders met at Beaumont for Neil’s ride to Arnside with a coffee stop in Barbon.
Given the number of riders, it was decided to split into 2 groups with safety in mind. Len kindly offered to lead the second group, so after a short briefing we headed towards Halton, and took the turn up Kellet Lane. At this point the roads were pretty quiet and it made for relaxing cycling as the panorama opened up before us. Passing through the Kellet’s and onto Capernwray where we paused to re-assemble, the group took the turn off towards Docker Farm. We took the turn off along Keer Holme and the turning past Wash Dub Wood, the intention was, of course, to include a few extra hills, and this was serving the purpose admirably! We came out on the Burton to Kirkby Road and continued as far as the Hutton Roof turn off where we, once again, re-grouped.
Through Hutton Roof and taking the right turn to arrive at Kirkby Lonsdale after riding through High and Low Biggins, we headed for Devil’s Bridge, encountering dozens of motor bike riders, some young, some old, some even older than us! We then took the narrow track past the caravan site and onto the old Roman road, along Barbondale to the Church Mouse at Barbon, where the first group were surprised to find the second group had already arrived. We also met up with several other riders who had arrived independently. A very leisurely break was taken as we all sat outside sheltering from the hot sunshine.
A couple of riders had planned to return home after coffee and an extra rider joined us for the second leg to Arnside. Again in two groups we went back through Kirkby Lonsdale, the Biggins’s and onto Burton in Kendal.
Heading through Yealand Redmayne and Yealand Storrs we passed RSPB at Leighton Moss, Silverdale Railway Station and Waterslack before arriving at Arnside The majority of the group had sandwiches and enjoyed them on the jetty on the bay. The remaining three had their lunch in the Heron, where, once again, we were given a warm welcome. The rest of the party made their way ti the Heron for coffee and cakes, before we took our leave and headed for home via the Knot and Silverdale.
A wonderful ride on a typical (?) hot British Summer’s day in excellent company and a few marvellous quiet, hilly roads in the area which suits cycling so well! 54 miles and 4500 feet of ascent.
Neil Westwell
