Mike Codd' s Solitary ride to Baines Crag and Applestore Sunday 22 March

I set off from Boot & Shoe lights at about 8:15 on bright but cloudy Sunday and decided to get some hills in. Took the route through Hala to Newlands and onto the top road to Caton then doubled back onto Little Fell Lane and down (20%) Stock-a-Bank, Heading for Littledale. The sun had now appeared and the views were lovely, but the contrary E wind was a bit colder then expected. Having a clear view both ways above the Postern Gate Road, I kept up my momentum to shoot across onto the Littledale Road.

Going down into granny gear occasionally on the lumpy-bumpy ascent I continued past the Rigg Lane turn. In the distance I could see brightly clad people coming down the narrow, steep road from Baines Crag. Arriving at the bottom of the hill, I was met (at a safe distance) by by 4 excited children, enjoying just being able to run fast down a steep incline. They were shortly followed by an older boy and two sets of parents, who greeted me and warned me about the steep hill.

I soon regained the feeling in my cold hands as I rode up the 230 foot hill, past Baines Crag and up to the summit above Littledale. What a glorious viewpoint on such a fine day!

The Lakeland Hills, Yorkshire peaks and the Howgill Fells were in clear view, with Ward's Stone and Clougha nearby across the valley.

I returned the same way, then going down Rigg Lane, where motorists were already parking and unloading their passengers. Continuing through Quernmore, along Bay Horse Lane I took a left at Five Lane Ends, heading towards Scorton. Greeting the usual barking dog at Street farm, I kept on to the turn to Scorton where I went downhill and then left to cross the foot bridge at the ford near Sykes farm, up the hill and below Nicky Nook to fetch up at Applestore for coffee and scone takeaway.

They had taken no chances. Firstly, there was an instruction to wash hands then direction to an outdoor washbasin with liquid soap and paper towels. Hand sanitiser was available nearby. At a hatch, I was greeted by a smiling young lady and I ordered a scone with butter and a black americano, paid contactlessly.

I sat below the trees at one of the many empty outdoor tables, listening to the birdsong. I was called to collect my coffee and scone - a paper cup for the coffee and a cardboard carton for the takeaway scone.

Freewheeling down Snow Hill, I stopped at Scorton post office (at a safe distance) for a nice chat with two cyclists who'd driven over from Manchester with their bikes to enjoy our local lanes. I Then headed for home in Piccadilly, having had an enjoyable ride, a nice coffee break and enjoyable encounters with other human beings (at a safe distance). I washed my hands and got lunch ready.