Sunday Ride: Beaumont to Grange over Sands on 6 October 2024
/CTC Lancaster & South Lakes - Ride Report
It was a fine autumnal start the for Lancaster Cyclists Touring Club’s Sunday bike ride to Grange-over- Sands, with the Wood Fired Oven at Beetham Garden Centre being the venue for the coffee stop.
There was a good turnout of members, ten meeting at Beaumont College gates, and picking up two more en-route through the Kellets. A weak autumn sun illuminated the distant fells towards Kirkby Lonsdale as we rode via Capernwray and Borwick, trying to pick lanes less likely to be affected by hedge trimming, which is a problem for us cycle tourists at this time of year. Luckily, everyone made it to Beetham with inner tubes still intact.
Half of our group chose to return home after the extended socialising, leaving six to to continue to Grange. The forecast of rain from early afternoon may have played a part in the early departures!
Avoiding the pot-holed and thorny lane to Whasset, progress was made to Heversham and Levens village via Milnthorpe and Woodhouse, and across the lower Lythe Valley to Gilpin Bridge and the cyclists’ haven of the old A590 to Witherslack. The massive buttresses of Whitbarrow standing sentinel over the estuaries northern shore.
The lanes across the lower Winster Valley gave us the usual and delightful glimpse of Southern Lakeland scenes; small woodlands, sheep-populated small crags and views over nature-rich wetlands and meadows at the foot of Newton Fell. At Lindale, the ride leader chose the flat route into Grange whilst the others grasped the chance to tone up their leg muscles on School Hill!
With the sky darkening, we gathered in the ornamental gardens at Grange for sandwiches, before hastening to begin our return journey. The electric-assists led the way over the wood-shaded undulations to Meathop. At this stage, some welcome brightness re-appeared over the Bay as we crossed Meathop Moss. Safely across the A590, we encountered the more exposed routes across Sampool and then Heversham Moss. But our luck ran out at Storth, with a rain shower lasting until we got to Gait Barrows. We were largely dried out before we reached home. One of our number had ill-luck, with a front wheel puncture at Crag Bank, only three miles from home.
A very pleasant 60 mile ride for most of us, and home before 5 o’clock.
Our Club welcomes new members on our range of rides, which you can find out about on our website. www.ctclancaster.org.uk
Meeting up at Nether Kellett En-route to Grange over Sands