CTC Ride Report 31st March 2024

The Lancaster CTC Easter Sunday ride attracted 10 members, some new faces and the welcome reappearance of some more historic ones. Perhaps it was the later start in Carnforth, or a spring in the step following the springing forward of the clocks, or more likely the prospect of a warm sunny ride through the unparalleled scenic beauty of north Lancashire to a coffee stop at Levens Hall.

The ride quickly settled into a tale of two groupings, and so it was that the faster riders chose a more challenging route via Thrang End and Hale Moss. The more sedate group settled for a slightly easier ride via Cinderbarrow. Both groups coalesced naturally at Woodhouse for the final run into Levens.

Table 29 in the Levens Hall courtyard resounded to cyclists’ babble, and hats were donned to protect the more follically challenged from the fierce sun. Eventually it was time to move on, and the group again divided equally between the homeward bound and the Grange-over-Sands contingent, keen on making hay whilst the sun shone. Quickly seeking the level byways of Sampool, and pushed along by a helpful easterly breeze, the five ‘continuers’ were nevertheless hard-pressed to find gaps in the bank holiday traffic on the A590. The cyclists haven of the old main road led on to Witherslack and the heart-rendingly scenic craggily-wooded byway to Tow Top foot. Newton Fell tracked our progress along its lower slopes, and we looked down on still-flooded levels till we rolled into Lindale.

A fitter trio tackled the steep School Hill ascent, whilst the rest chose the main road, regrouping for sandwiches at the picnic tables in the park overlooking the lake.

It was suggested that the return trip include early afternoon tea and cake at Levens Village shop, a cyclists’ mecca in these parts. The Meathop route was explored and the floods by the railway deemed passable, except for the electric-assist which decided to play safe via the main road route to Meathop.

Yet another regrouping at Levens shop, and yet more chattering amongst the cycle-touring class, before a sedate return via Dallam Park, Storth, and Leighton Moss. A cracking Bank Holiday outing of 60-odd miles for most in glorious spring weather, along scenic byways in north Lancashire and south Cumbria. Our varied programme of Thursday and Sunday rides and social events can be found on our website.