Sunday ride to the Cross of Greet and Wray(16/08)

It was Ian’s turn to lead.  His description was along the lines “first left at Newton, Slaidburn, and then Wray”.  We set off from Broughton, heading via Goosnargh and Chipping to Whitewell and Dunsop Bridge.  Just before Newton, we took a left on the back road that leads passed the southern end of the Salter Fell track to enter Slaidburn past the “Hark to Bounty”.  This alternative provides interesting views and an alternative climb.  We turned left at Slaidburn War Memorial for the well-known road to the Cross of Greet, pausing to enjoy the views on route.

As ever, the views from the top were wonderful.  The route after was equally so, since we took a slightly different way to get to Wray.  The second junction on Tatham Fell, after the summit, takes you off Route 90 past Lythe and (left again) to Ivah and Lowgill.  We rode as far as Ivah and turned left again at Ivah on to Mill Brow and Helks Brow, which follow a magical glen of an undulating route up to White Moss.  Again, the views were wonderful.  This road of course winds its way over the moss and down into Wray, emerging opposite Bridge House.

The low level final sections of the route took us through Lancaster via Brookhouse, Caton and the Lune cycleway with its flood defense deviation.  We had our final break at Conder Green before following Route 90 to Cartford Bridge, then via Inskip and Traeles to Clifton.  We parted at the westernmost point of the Preston Guild Wheel and headed for home.  It had been another great ride, resulting in about 93 miles for me.

Mike Bridges