Thursday Ride: Nether Kellet to Farleton View for Ian Roberts presentation and onto Casterton Golf Club
/CTC Lancaster & South Lakes Ride Report 26 Sept 2024
The only comfortable and dry moments were the coffee and lunch stops, interspersed with energy-sapping efforts against the rain-loaded strong northerly wind.
The CTC Thursday riders met at Five Lane Ends just as the promised precipitation began. Nine started, but this was down to seven by Over Kellet. The fortunate two had wisely guessed what was in store, and decided the fireside was preferable.
The light rain turned heavier as we made our weary way against the wind to Farleton View café via Burton and Holme. Squelching feet were quickly accepted as part of the experience.
Unsurprisingly, our group were the only customers at the café, and surprising was the fact that five members had made their own way there. This may have had something to do with the flagged-up presentation of a Cycling UK ‘Going The Extra Mile’ certificate to Ian Roberts. Julie Rand, a Cycling UK staff member, had cycled from her home in Kendal to make the presentation.
The rain had abated a little whilst we dined and speechified. This enticed the tandemists and four solo riders to continue to lunch at Casterton Golf Club, venturing into the hills south of Killington Lake via Gatebeck and the wind turbines (earning their keep today!). Thankfully at last we turned south on the Rigmaden Park route, being pushed along by the strong winds which had bedevilled progress all morning. Trending downhill was just a bonus.
More members were waiting for us at the golf club café, where we tucked into hearty cyclists’ fare. The relief of sheltering from the stormy weather enhanced the conviviality of the occasion as we put the world to rights and reminisced about cycle touring in the Ireland of the 1970s. After an hour of such nostalgic talk, we headed for home, still being pushed along by the wind and rain.
Perhaps with the passage of time the ride will be recalled as providing a foil to the perfect cycling weather we are used to in these parts, and memorable for the battle against adverse conditions. Variety is the spice of life, as they say. Cyclists contemplating riding with our group should probably be advised to choose a calm and dry day lest they are put off!
Our rides and social events can be found on our website www.ctclancaster.org.uk. New members are most welcome.
