Ride from Millennium Bridge to Barbon via Bentham and Ingleton - Thursday 10th January, 2019

Following Neil’s alternative ride to Staveley, last week, it was suggested I might lead a longer ride, alongside Ian’s planned ‘short’ route. I agreed as long as there was sufficient interest at the start. Instead of my expected 5 or 6, there were 12 of us who climbed to Nether Kellet. We then rode via the Red Well on route to Gressingham. We followed the lanes to Wray and onto Bentham where we met up for coffee with Ian’s party.

From Bentham we made our way to Ingleton before starting to leap frog the A65.Our first leap took us from the Thornton in Lonsdale lane end to Lower Westhouse. We soon turned north towards Ireby which we reached across the A65. Once beyond Leck, we jumped the main road at Cowan Bridge to reach the small bridge over Leck Beck. Once back over the busy main road we followed the Roman Road north towards Barbon. We diverted round Whelprigg onto the delightful high fell road. A fast decent led us to Barbon. There was no room at the inn (cafe) so we continued to the cafe at Casterton Golf Club.

Sustained, we pedalled into Kirkby Lonsdale before crossing the A65, for the last time, at Biggins. Our route then led us over to Burton via Nanny Hall. Familiar roads took us back home via Over Kellet.

55 miles for me, 60+ for the rest and at least 1000m of climbing.

Brian Greenwood