CTC Ride to Bowland Bridge, Sunday 7th August 2022
/Bowland Bridge was the destination for the Cyclists Touring Club ride on Sunday 7th August. Responding to a very promising forecast, seven riders arose early to make it to the gates of Beaumont College for a 9.15 get-away. Another member joined the ride at Bolton le Sands, and we continued to Carnforth, Warton, and up the long climb beneath the welcome shade of Hyning woods to the Yealands.
The coffee stop at Beetham Garden Centre café was quickly gained via Cinderbarrow, Hilderstone and the ditch-defined flatlands of Holme Moss. Numbers were swollen at the cafe, with a number of members arriving for the social gathering.
Eight riders continued northwards, of which two peeled off at Ackenthwaite, and we continued via Woodhouse and Heversham to Levens .
Increasing cloud cover kept the conditions satisfyingly balmy, with the bonus of a light breeze at our backs. We relished the rapid descent through Brigsteer Woods and on to Underbarrow, then knuckled down to the slow grind up to Crosthwaite. Onto the narrow lanes now to sinuously descend sharply to the bottom of the Lythe valley and the even narrower lane from Tarnside which avoids the steep hill on the main road.
At Bowland Bridge, some picnicked at a favourite bench by the heavily- laden fruit trees and enjoyed once again the magnificent views up the Winster Valley. Others enjoyed al-fresco dining outside the village pub.
Eventually the time came to move on. Ian from Grange tackled the severe climb up Strawberry Bank, whilst the rest headed south down the valley, past Thorphinsty at the foot of Newton Fell, then via the wooded craggy undulations to Witherslack and the old A590. Safely across the dual carriageway, the bridleway took us traffic-free to Sampool, and then to Levens Hall and across Heversham Moss. Afternoon tea at Leighton Moss beckoned, reached through Dallam deer park and Storth, and after another pleasant interlude we steered towards home, stopping briefly to sort out a loose screw on the tandem. For most of us the ride was about 55 miles, one of the highlights of the summer calendar ridden in perfect conditions.
The Club welcomes new members, and our website gives details of our various rides, Sunday and midweek. www.ctclancaster.org.uk
