Thursday Rides: Car Assisted from Sizergh to Staveley and leisurely ride from Millennium Bridge to Arnside on 10 July 2025
/Car assisted ride to Staveley
We met at the slightly later time in the parking area just before the Strickland Arms on the road to Sizergh Castle. Not many of us but we were up for the challenge of the undulating hills our leader had planned, not unlike the Tour de France! We immediately broke our first record of the day, when our only e-bike participant exhausted the battery after 200yds and returned to the car. Our next record was set when we arrived at the coffee stop after less than half a mile of cycling, this was Sizergh Barn where we took advantage of the outside catering van and seating.
The route was obviously going to get harder and the next cafe further away than the first. We made our way through Sedgwick and Natland and arrived at the bottom of the Helm. We climbed the Helm and the view over Kendal opened up before us, although a morning mist didn’t improve it. Onto Oxenholme and a very long route on really quiet country lanes to Burnside and into Staveley over the river.
A pleasant time eating our lunch in the sunshine outside Wilf’s and an equally pleasant time in Wheelbase admiring all the shiny new bikes.
Another undulating route took us back to the cars via Crook, Underbarrow and Brigsteer.
Not many miles, lots of hills, nice cafes, good company and oh those shiny new bikes!
Alternative ride to Arnside
This was an alternative ride to the car assisted ride, it was for the old and infirm or those not able to car assist(meaning not owning a car!).
We gathered at Millenium Bridge ready to ride towards Halton but once over the canal we turned left and followed Kellet Lane to Nether Kellet then Over Kellet so we could have a break in Greenlands at Tewitfield.
Leaving Greenlands before it got too busy we followed the busy road to Burton then opted for quieter lanes to Holme. Now we were on busy twisty roads through to Ackenthwaite where we took the quiet road to Woodhouse then Heversham. Once over the A6 the moss road to the deer park was a pleasant interlude from busy traffic but now we had traffic all the way into Arnside.
After a lovely break in Arnside it was the slog up the hill then instead of the speedy level to Far Arnside we had to detour because of road works however we eventually found Silverdale railway station. We were strong willed enough to forgo the delights of the RSPB and skirted the crag to go over the wooden bridge then a left took us into Carnforth and Brief Encounter.
Back tracking after our break we cycled the quiet coastal road to Crag Bank then joined the busy A6 to Bolton le Sands. It was straight forward from here Arncliffe Lane, Kellet Lane, Halton and Lancaster soon fell behind us as we went round the railway station and home.
A pleasant leisurely ride in good company may our pensions (and legs) let us do many more.
Anyone who is interested in joining us can find information about our regular club rides on Thursdays and Sundays on our website: www.ctclancaster.org.
