Ride 11th May 2023 Lancaster and South Lakes Cycle Touring Club

We gathered at the Boot and Shoe for a straight forward run round the Trough of Bowland.

Heading through the University for Galgate then up Stoney Lane passing the Fleece Inn at Dolphinholme.

At Street we turned left just to cut off a corner so we could join the Trough road. We were now heading for the hills and the climbing started straight away. The first real interesting climb was Cam Brow(or Cows Mouth as some people call it). This is a sharp 1 : 5 with sharp bends on it but it is only a short climb. This was followed with a steady descent to turn right at the junction, we were now heading for the “true” Trough.

The actual trough is the main long drag up to what used to be a county boundary and once over the top a tricky descent was made to coffee and Dunsop Bridge. Unfortunately whilst I checked the web site for the opening hours I should have confirmed it with a phone call because Puddleducks was closed(a lesson learned the hard way!). A brief discussion took place and we decided to alter the route and see if the Inn at Whitewell has coffee, it did and WOW what coffee fantastic(it also did scones but not sausage butties).

We then followed the road to pass Little Bowland and Leagram to drop into Chipping.

In Chipping we had lunch in Brabin’s (and a bottle of Peroni!) before we girded(!!!!) our loins for the return journey via Jack Anderson’s Bridge(don’t know who he was but the road is steep so we cursed him soundly). We then went via Sandholme Mill and into Scorton(for yet another coffee stop).

Easy now back through Galgate then student dodging and home.

Great day, great scenery, great coffee and oh yes great company.

Jim Gardner