Ride to Beacon Fell via Coble Hey, Sunday, 23rd February 2020
/Six members of CTC Lancaster and South Lakes met at Boot and Shoe on a blustery, damp morning for the ride to Cobble Hey for coffee and Beacon Fell for lunch. After the torrential rain and stormy winds, it was the first opportunity for some time to get out on the bikes.
A brisk north westerly wind blew us towards our morning destination, but with low clouds and frisky winds the leader decided to avoid the high route over Harris End Fell and kept to the valley roads over to Scorton. The recent heavy rains were very evident with frequent patches of standing water on the roads, and a lot of muck and gravel washed onto the tarmac by the run-off. Fortunately the roads were not too busy as those cars we did pass, generally anointed us with further spray, thrown up by their tyres.
As we approached Cobble Hey tea rooms the forecast 11am shower duly arrived and we were glad to sit in the warmth and refuel with hot drinks, scones and tea-cakes whilst it passed over. At this point we had an exchange of Mikes, with Mike C heading back home after coffee and Mike B joining us from Preston.
We circled part way round Beacon Fell, to approach it from the East and felt our first taste of the head winds that were to be our companion for the rest of the ride. Fortunately the café on Beacon Fell was fairly quiet when we arrived, and we were able to get an indoor table. Even on top of the hill the café had endured overnight floods and half of the seating area was closed, with de-humidifiers humming away.
The day now brightened up considerably and we were blessed with gorgeous sunshine for the afternoon. After lunch we headed towards Garstang, saying farewell to Mike B at the turn to Inglewhite, where he turned southwards and home-bound. At the turning for Walmsley Bridge we passed the remains of a road barrier which had presumably been blown away in the wind. We proceeded cautiously and found that just before the stream crossing part of the road had collapsed towards the stream. There was plenty of room for cycles to get through, but as we began the climb out of the valley we encountered a more substantial road barrier for traffic approaching from the north and we had to walk through ankle-deep slurry to get around it.
Further puddles on the road surface helped to sluice some of the worst of the muck off our feet and bikes as we pushed our way against the wind through Garstang and Cockerham. Continuing northwards to Conder Green we paused to look at the fire-damaged Stork Inn before continuing to Lancaster via Stodday and Aldcliffe. The ride from Bolton le Sands was only 53 miles, but in the weather conditions it felt like a strenuous day-out and a hot shower was very welcome.
CTC Lancaster and South Lakes welcomes new riders. Please see our website for further details and rides lists: ctclancaster.org.uk