Wray and Arnside ride on Thursday 18 January 2018.

Given the discouraging weather forecast, a surprisingly large number of riders met at Millenium Bridge for Neil’s ride to Wray and Arnside.

Wrapped in substantial amounts of waterproof clothing, anticipating the bad weather forecast being correct, the riders, numbering 12 rode along the River Lune towards Halton and took the Kellet Lane turn towards Nether Kellet. As we climbed steadily, and the weather remained fine and dry, although overcast, the views over Morecambe Bay towards the snow-capped mountains came into view. Wow! What a super start to the day! We rode through Nether Kellet and shortly after took the right turn. On reaching Swarthdale Road, taking the turn and riding through the hamlet of Swarthdale, the riders continued along, avoiding the many puddles and farmers’ debris on the road.

Upon reaching the T-junction onto the B6254 we continued past Redwell Fisheries all the way to the right turn to Gressingham along Rabbit Lane. Care was taken along here as it was mainly downhill and contained puddles and field flood debris, not ideal for a fast descent. We continued through Gressingham and through Hornby to Bridge House at Wray, where a warm welcome, hot drinks and super cakes awaited us. By now we were quite cold, although still dry, and it was nice to enjoy the fare in a nice warm setting. We were joined by another 2 cyclists, who had travelled independently to Wray.

Whilst we were in the café the sun had appeared, albeit briefly, and greeted us as 12 of us prepared to set off on the second part of the ride. We took the route back through Hornby, towards Gressingham crossing Loyn bridge on the way, after which the road showed substantial amounts of overnight heavy rain, although it wasn’t thought that the river had flooded. As we rode through Gressingham, we continued straight on this time rejoining the B6254, but taking the right turn down Sunnybank through Borwick and Priest Hutton.

We joined the A6070 towards Burton in Kendal, and just before reaching Burton took the left turn towards the Yealand’s, crossing the M6 and passing Burton services. We passed through Yealand Redmayne and Yealand Storrs, following the road past Leighton Moss towards Silverdale. We then followed the road past Waterslack and Gait Barrows towards Arnside.

3 riders had left the ride on the route to Arnside, but 9 of us arrived at Sheila’s Heron café where the second warm welcome of the day awaited us. After super refreshments in a very friendly atmosphere, the time came to leave for home. Unfortunately, the anticipated wet weather looked as though it wasn’t far away as we took the road out of Arnside towards the Knott and onto Silverdale, at which point the rain began to arrive. It was then decided to ‘cut for home’ so the rain didn’t spoil our day.

A good ride, in mainly dry conditions, although surrounded by wet and flooded fields, with wonderful views across the bay and of the snow-capped peaks of the Lakes, 47 miles in total.

Neil Westwell

Sunday 14th January -Old Holly Farm - Chipping

Four men started from the Boot & Shoe on a cold morning, and were soon joined by another as we crossed the A6 to ride along Ashton Road, over the Stodday hump and then a left up Tarnwater to get warmed up on the short climb, to take Highland Brow to Conder Green (another hump). Continuing the process of avoiding the A588, we crossed and took the back lane via Glasson to Higher Thurnham, staying thereafter on the A588 to turn left for the road to Old Holly Farm for a welcome warm, coffee and cakes and a meeting with three riders who’d made it there without our help.

After the break, we continued, with an extra one who’d joined us from Preston. Summarising a zigzaggy route, we crossed the A6 and took route 6 until we turned left to pass Claughton on Brock RC Church, with a quick L/R shimmy to bump down to Walmesley Bridge, where the leader got the map out for several lefts and rights through Whitechapel, ending up at the Cobbled Corner cafe and the Sun inn in Chipping for lunch. Our Preston rider sat in front of the church in a short spasm of sunshine, out of the wind, to eat his sandwiches, before he retired to join 3 of us in the pub.

After lunch we lost our Preston rider who escaped down Windy Street back home. Our route was now straightforward, taking us through Bleasdale, up Delph Lane, through Oakenclough and below Harris End Fell, to join route 6 for the return via Galgate and the University to Lancaster.

Mike Codd

Thursday 4 January Ride report

Six hardy men set off from the Boot & Shoe in heavy drizzle, which accompanied us for most of the day.

Taking the cycle route over the “Col de Piccadilly”, we descended the wet leaves of the Royal Albert Playing Fields and joined the A588 at the Islamic College, traversed Haverbreaks, passed the rail station and crossed the Millennium Bridge. Riding to the end of Morecambe Prom, we continued northwards.  Although it was not going our way, the north wind accompanied us all the way to Milnthorpe.

We avoided the canal path and continued along Coastal Road, to take a left turn to traverse Red Bank, where 10 minutes’ trainspotting ensued at the Bolton-le-Sands level crossing, before a wiggly ride through the houses to turn left to “Allium Cafe” at Bay View Garden Centre for our coffee and cakes (a bit early for onions!).

There, we joined another half dozen of our riders for socialising and a mini committee meeting. Leaving some of the early party behind, we picked up others for our onward voyage through the puddles, punctuated by occasional bits of wet road.

Some started to peel off after Over Kellet and when we reached the Burton Road, 4 riders continued, in drying conditions, via Burton in Kendal and Holme to whizz down in the rain into Milnthorpe for our lunch at the Cross Keys. A straggler, who’d missed our embarkation from coffee, met us there, having taken a short cut.

Avoiding the flood tide on the Sandside road, we ascended through Dallam Park. Stopping to attend to a “mechanical”, we encountered several cars, rat-running this narrow road to avoid high tide. We continued above Storth and passed the RSPB, splitting off to return home.

Riding along the A6 north of Bolton-le-Sands, one of our riders fell off after hitting a deep pothole hidden by a puddle, and fell into the road, gladly, not under a vehicle. Fortunately, his football-sized knee is now back to normal size.

LCC’s money-saving seems to be putting lives at risk these days.

Returning through Lancaster a sudden spasm of sunshine woke up gusts of southerly headwind for the last 3 miles. But we all, falling off excepted, enjoyed the ride and were glad to get out.

Mike Codd

Ride Report – Sunday Impromptu, 31st December 2017

Eight riders, Anne and Mike, Len and Patience, Neil, Mike C, Matt and Frank assembled at Millennium Bridge, hoping that the cataclysmic forecast of gale force winds was a touch pessimistic.  As it turned out, conditions were near-perfect for a mid-winter’s ride, especially when the wind was at our backs.

Anne had only to mention the fact that Brucciani’s were doing a two-for-one coffee offer for us to leap on our bikes and follow her and Mike to Morecambe via Salt Ayre, Middleton and Heysham.  The exceptionally high tide meant that we couldn’t take the usual cycle route past Snatchems, so we had to brave the first part of the main road to Heysham.  Fortunately the Sunday traffic was light and we reached the turn-off towards Middleton without mishap.  The ride along the promenade from Heysham to Morecambe was an absolute pleasure, with the wind at our backs, the sun shining and some splendid waves being blown into the shore.

After an extended coffee break, four of the riders decided to make the most of the fair conditions, and continued north along the Promenade, further marvelling at the impressive seascapes.  Lunch was taken at an expectedly busy Leighton Moss, where Ruth joined us.  On the way there Patience and Len met our President Ray Moss quite serendipitously, at the entrance to the Warton Crag Quarry car park, from where he was setting out for a walk.

The light began to fade as we took our separate routes home, most of us just managing to avoid the onset of rain at 3pm, an hour earlier than forecast.

Len and Patience

Christmas Eve Ride - Sunday, 24th December

A short ride was the order of the day last Sunday, but it was very well supported. Nine riders turned out at Millenium Bridge for the ride to Carnforth. The day was bright and cold, and with a brisk tailwind for help, we rode out through Ryelands Park, over Cross Hill to Torrisholme and Bare, and then onto the prom, newly surfaced with an ultra smooth, resin bonded finish. The wind blew us up to Crag Bank and then we took the shore road to Millhead and Carnforth.

At the Royal Station Hotel, we were pre-booked in for coffee, tea, mince pies, cake and scones. A nice fire completed the welcome, and Ray, Pauline, and Miles arrived to join us. We could even bring the bikes in to keep warm!

After a good chat, everybody made their ways home by various routes, the ones going to Hest Bank or Lancaster, going via the Kellets, and some via Halton.

Thanks All for coming.

Dave Hugill

Ride Report: Thursday 28 Dec 2017

The Christmas week ‘ Impromptu’ ride offered Thursday Riders a great opportunity to work off those extra calories. The sun was out, the sky blue, but only three riders gathered to enjoy the view from Millenium Bridge. Nick, Tony and Len rode gingerly across the ice-encrusted bridge and headed down the Lune cyclepath for a short ride to Glasson Dock. The frozen mud crunched under our wheels, and the iced-up tree and shrub branches twinkled like Santas Grotto.

A very warm welcome greeted us at the Lantern o’er the Lune café and bistro, where we tucked into scones and ‘posh’ ginger cake before again taking to our wheels to return along the eerily quiet main road to Lancaster and beyond.

All in all, a perfect mid-winters day to be ‘awheel’, and still time to fit in a  bracing walk before losing the sunshine.

Thursday 21st December 2017 (Led by Patience and Len)

One of the most soggy and dreich shortest days for years saw 7 enthusiastic (or masochistic!) Thursday Riders assemble at Millennium Bridge for a ride of 35 miles to Arnside Heron café and Greenlands Farm Village (changed from Wray in view of the conditions).  The leaders unfashionably garbed in old fashioned oil-skin capes attracted the usual banter but they stayed drier underneath than their fellow riders.

Neil, Dave B, Tim, Nick and Mike H set off with the leaders through Ryelands Park to Torrisholme, Hasty Brow, Hest Bank, Bolton le Sands, Crag Bank and Silverdale Village.  Miles was also ”enthused” by the weather, and met us at Heron café, where we gazed through the window into the mist.  It was remarked that days like this encourage us to appreciate the fantastic landscapes of the area when they are visible.

Only Neil and Tim joined the leaders in seeking a direct route to Greenlands café via Dallam Park, Beetham and Holme.  The café staff had done us proud, providing party poppers and Christmas crackers for the remnants of the group.  We reluctantly went back out into the unrelenting drizzle to ride the final few miles to our respective homes.

Thursday 30th November: The Boot and Shoe to Beacon Fell

Last Thursday's ride (30th November) was to Beacon Fell via Garstang Arts. Twelve of us set off on the route planned by Dave Butterfield who was with us in spirit if not body. I had loaded the ride into my Garmin but by the morning it was drained of energy. But we set off via Condor Green and Cockerham with a couple of kinks on the way down through Winmarleigh - I had to stop to check Dave's notes. There was the usual excellent service and cakes at Garstang and then a rather smaller group of five set off for Beacon Fell - the Garmin was also refreshed from an external battery. Although it was a bright sunny day we were all cautious about black ice that might have stayed in the shadows. Sure enough, the road round Beacon Fell caused a few back wheel skids but no one fell on the Fell. The return after lunch was into the wind which had got up and although the route was direct it seemed to take ages. Keith and Neil stopped off at the Barn for mince pies and cream - and to get warm. Tim, Phil and Mike made straight for home, worried that as it got dark, the surface might freeze. A good ride for this time of year - thanks Dave and hope to see you on the road again soon.

Milnthorpe to Casterton

Ride Report – Sunday 19th November 2017 – Milnthorpe and Casterton
- from Len Howard

Ten riders met at Beaumont on a clear but frosty morning for a 50 miles meander along mostly quiet lanes. Milnthorpe was the first stop, reached via Silverdale Station, Carr Bank and Sandside. Two riders who were more “fleet of crank” took a hillier route to warm up. Another six riders joined the group at Number 17 café for a leisurely coffee break as they waited for the outside temperatures to rise.
A group of 10 continued to the lunch stop at Casterton Golf Course. The leaders chose a little-used balcony route with stunning views across the Kent valley to the Lakeland hills, cycling via Black Yeats, Warth and Tarnhouse Tarn to get over the fell to Old Town and Mansergh. The Lune valley was resplendent in the winter sun and the lanes through Rigmaden Park provided stunning views across the valley to Barbon and Casterton fells.
The convivial lunch gathering at Casterton Golf Course was extended to 2.30pm, leaving enough daylight for a leisurely return via Kirkby Lonsdale, Docker Park, Capernwray and the Kelletts.

Sunday October 29th Tour de Lancaster

On Sunday Richard Trevitt led some 14 members of Lancaster Cyclists Touring Club for a ride of some 45 miles around the Lancaster area, starting from the Millenium  Bridge. In perfect weather conditions and in brilliant sunlight the riders set off along the cycleway alongside the River Lune towards Glasson Dock, then along Dobbs Lane and up to Briggs Brow. There they joined the Cockerham Road, making for the Pudding House for a welcoming coffee stop before continuing along the lanes, across the motorway and past Blea Tarn for the undulating route along Happy Valley to Knott Wood, before being finally rewarded with an extended descent to Caton. Crossing the Lune to the cyclepath, the cyclists made for Halton Green before veering off on to the steep and seemingly endless ascent,  past Monkley Gill towards the Kellets. From there they were rewarded with a beautiful view across the Bay before plunging down to the coastal road and a welcome lunch stop at Red Bank Farm.

Suitable refreshed, the riders headed back for the coastal road, some to follow the canal path towards Morecambe whilst others continued along the road,  rejoining at Sandylands.  From there the route took them towards Heysham and across the Moss to Snatchams and the cycleway, returning to the Millenium Bridge after an exhilerating and varied "round tour" of Lancaster and district, to complete a great day out.

Salter Fell ride Sunday June 26th

Patience and Len led a ride of off-roading stalwarts of the club on 25th June.  The objective being the 8 miles crossing of Salter Fell from Slaidburn to Littledale.  It was completed in the chillier breezes of the weekend, with fantastic visibility, by five members, two of whom came along on mountain bikes.  Four other members rode to coffee at Dunsop Bridge village hall and opted to return on tarmaced alternatives.

The Salter Fell track, also known as Hornby Road, is classed by the OS as an “other route with public access where exact status is to be checked with the Highway Authority”.  There is no access for vehicular traffic, but it is widely used by off-road cyclists and walkers. 

After gorging themselves on the wonderful home baking at the village hall, the cyclists delighted in the beauty of the Hodder valley in the clear conditions, turning off at Newton to get to the start of Hornby Road via Back Lane.

Some sections of the track south of the watershed (topping out at 416 metres) had to be walked, even by the mountain bikers due to the loose and rocky surface.  We stopped briefly at the sculptural “milestone” telling the story of the Lancashire Witches, who were marched this way in the 16th Century when it was the main route from north-east Lancashire to Lancaster Castle.  A picnic lunch was taken at the south facing shooting hut, where we were paid an unexplained and menacing visit by two people in a Range Rover, presumably the gamekeepers.  They didn’t speak but drove around us, passing close to where we were sat, before moving on.

Once over the watershed, the wonderful panorama across Morecambe Bay and to Yorkshire’s Three Peaks provided good excuses to dismount and stare, particularly whilst the only puncture of the day was attended to.

The tarmac was thankfully regained at High Salter Farm, and we rolled down into Wray for afternoon tea, where we rendezvoused with two of our members who had opted for the on-road alternative via Wigglesworth and Rathmell.

With a distance of 50 miles, it was not one of our longest summer rides, but the challenging surfaces made it feel like a most enjoyable epic.

Sunday 21st May The Boot and Shoe to Calder Vale via Fleetwood

A goodly number of riders turned up for the start of what was to be an unusual day out, involving a ferry and a bluebell tea! The route to Knott End was straightforward, due to the need to catch a ferry before the tide was too low to permit access to the boat. A good pace was set along the road to Cockerham, before turning off on Crimbles Lane to Moss Edge and from there to Pilling, following Fluke Hall Lane and onto the sea wall. Reserved seating was very welcome and three other rides met us there having made their own way out from Lancaster and Scorton. 

After a welcome second breakfast for some, an earlier than expected ferry was available, with the news that a bus pass no longer afforded a reduced fare!! Setting off along the promenade the leader was unaware that before Rossall School their way would be blocked due to updating of the surface, and a detour was made along the road running parallel to the sea wall. The original route was soon rejoined, and from there the roads were in turn very quiet, or much more busy in equal measure, but after ten miles or so, and some fairly complex navigation, the lunch stop was made at Stanah Country Park.

After a convivial half hour, two of the group opted for a road route to Shard Bridge, whilst the rest went ‘off road’ following the Wyre Way to Skippool. The scenery along this section is very unusual and caused much interest for those who hadn’t been this way before. All met up before the bridge to ride across it and then along pleasant lanes through Out Rawcliffe and Nateby to Garstang. At this point one of the group living near Garstang introduced everyone to a canal link which got us safely under the very busy A6. On reaching Dimples Lane, what had been a very flat ride until this point suddenly got very hilly, over Ringing Hill and Sullom Side - almost two miles of steep climbing, but worth the effort as the Bluebell Teas provided by the good folks of Calder Vale were delicious and prepared everyone for the climb through the splendid bluebell woods and up to the school and church.

Harris End Fell then had to be tackled from Oakenclough, but is a much easier proposition in this direction and the riders were soon on the downhill section and on their way back to Galgate and home - 56 enjoyable miles on some roads not often ridden.

Sunday 16th April Beaumont to Bowness

Three other riders joined ride leaders Patience and Len at Beaumont in drizzly conditions for Sunday’s ride to Bowness.  The intermittent light rain accompanied the group via the Kelletts, Holme and Heversham to the coffee stop at Levens Hall.  Unsurprisingly no further club members turned up there to swell the numbers, and only 4 continued to Bowness.  At the bend by the entrance to Levens Hall the riders were brought to a halt by police, marshalling the aftermath of a head-on car crash and forcing all motorised traffic to turn around.  Fortunately the riders were permitted to walk past the accident site to get to Foulshaw Moss.  

The poor weather prompted a change of route plan and the riders cycled up the Lyth Valley instead of the Winster Valley and called for bowls of soup at the café at Blackwell, rather than having a soggy picnic down at the pier head.

Conditions brightened a little for the return journey via Crook, Underbarrow, Brigsteer and Levens, where the A6 was still closed after the morning’s accident.  We were relieved to hear that there had been no serious injuries, thanks to air bags in both vehicles.  Clouds returned as we cycled over the Moss and 3 of the group took brief refreshment at Leighton Moss before braving more rain for the final leg home.

Sunday 12th February The Boot and Shoe to Chipping

A small group gathered at the Boot and Shoe on this cold morning. Some had read the forecast which explained why the group was so much smaller than in recent weeks. Nigel had even read the forecast for Chipping and warned us that it was expected to be at the edge of a band of snow crossing from the East.

Most of us set off up Bowerham Lane and Blea Tarn Road but some chose a more direct and less up-and-down route to the Applestore. The main ride followed Proctor Moss Road across the valley of the River Condor and then along the side of the valley above Damas Gill for the first views of Harris End – the sun was shining and much of the sky was blue. We went through Dolphinholme on Wagon Road and around Tinker’s Lane to Long Lane and then a left turn onto Brewer’s Lane to run parallel with Harris End away to our left. Over the footbridge at the ford and then around the bottom of Nicky Nook until we dropped down to the Applestore past the parked cars of Sunday walkers. At the Applestore we found Anne and Mike enjoying bacon sarnies and we joined them to dally over coffees, teas and cakes. The warmth indoors was welcome and there was some reviewing of routes and weather before four of us (Patience, Len, Geoff and Tim) set out for Chipping. Nigel stuck to his forecast and went homewards with Anne and Mike.

To begin with, as we picked up Higher Lane again, the weather was good – still some sun although the views westward across the Fylde included bands of grey cloud. The ups and downs as we rode along the valley side parallel to the motorway didn’t seem too onerous but in places were rather muddy where tree felling had been going on. A familiar route along Sandholme Lane led us to less familiar territory up towards Claughton. The dip to cross the River Brock on Walmsley Bridge Lane was not as pronounced as Brock Bottom, but as we rose on the other side we were met with blasts of wind from the gaps in the hedge just as cars were passing and there was a steep drop to our left. Slowed by the headwind, we made our way to Whitechapel and along Church Lane to Syke House Lane. By now Harris End was way behind us and the dominant landmark was Beacon Fell. We turned almost towards it and then turned away, and by the time we were going up Loud Bridge Lane the wind was getting stronger and began to have rain in it. The weather was coming from east-north-east and that was exactly where we were heading; could we get to Chipping before that mass of grey cloud reaching to the land was upon us? Not quite. The rain was never heavy but was getting wetter as we rode into the village. Our hands and feet were cold and getting inside the Cobbled Corner was a relief from the wind chill and damp. It was not too busy and teas and plates of beans, eggs and sausages were not long in coming; the ‘Paris-Roubaix’ special was popular although we hadn’t ridden quite as far as that…

The rain was still in the air when we left the café for a direct ride back, thankful for having the wind behind us now. And then, as we left Chipping, the rain became sleet and eventually thin snow. Len had a little trouble getting both his feet heaters switched on but we all whizzed along enjoying the descents but wary of the occasional side blasts and the wet road surface. The haul up Delph Lane was not pleasant with the snowy wind blowing through the thin line of trees to our right and the descent to Oakenclough wasn’t the usual freeride pleasure because of road works with reluctant traffic lights. As we rode up beside the Barnacre and Grizedale reservoirs, there was Harris End again with the wind whipping down the gaps between the fells (Hazelhurst, Stake House and Harris End). The damp road suggested caution for the approach to the cattle grid at the bottom – but there wasn’t any of the traffic that gathers there on a fine day. Once round the bottom of Harris End, the weather seemed to lighten a little and the prospect of Lancaster to the north west looked better. But even was we zipped down through Street and across the Wyre, it was still damp and windy and the slog up past Wyreside Lodge was accompanied by half a dozen cars who all seemed able to see around blind corners. The wind blew us along towards Galgate and the gentle downhill meant there was not too much peddling to do. Up through the University, we rode back to Hala and at the Booths crossroads split up. A ride with not many miles or miles per hour and rather more weather than we would have wished for – I’m sure we were all glad to get back to warm houses.

Sunday 8th January 2017 Beaumont College to Leighton Moss

Seven riders set off from Beaumont College heading back to Lancaster because a damaged bridge meant that the usual Green Lane route to the Halton Road was closed. The lump in the middle of Whalley Road began to warm everyone up but the pull up the Kirby Lonsdale road included stops to divest; a few of us were dressed for colder weather! The day was dank with mist and heavy cloud but very mild for the time of year. As we rode upwards we seemed to be in low cloud which oozed droplets meaning that the normally delightful descent down Sunny Bank was on a road slick with damp that required cautious cornering.

Numbers swelled at Greenlands – a particular pleasure was to see Ray Moss tucking into a scone – and as we set off for Cinderbarrow and Holme there were twelve riders (though Ray couldn’t be persuaded to join us; he had shopping to do). The group kept well together as we crossed the valley on the Pye’s Bridge Road over the A6 and up through Hale into the familiar roads around Arnside and Silverdale. Ken wasn’t hungry enough for his second scone so a detour through Silverdale towards Jenny Brown’s point was added. Leighton Moss was a pleasant lunch stop – they always get through a queue very quickly and have the right sort of light meals – though we lost a few who preferred to eat at home (it was good to see Miles on this leg of the ride).

The weather was still fairish and the ride so far had been shorter than usual, (even for a short day), so the final leg back to Lancaster was improvised for a smaller group of seven who agreed to go up Warton Crag and back to Borwick and through Over Kellet. A split at Nether Kellet (we’d lost one or two on the way…) between the Lancaster and Morecambe riders meant that four were left to return through Halton and cross over onto the cycle path back into the city. I recorded only 43 miles all told out and back from Aldcliffe but we’d had a pleasantly sociable ride in reasonable conditions.

Sunday November 27th Beaumont to Ingleton

Sunday’s CTC ride to Ingleton explored a new “lane” soon after setting out from Beaumont.  The cycle lane by the side of the new Heysham link road took the riders smoothly down the new cutting to Halton.  It felt strange to be cycling on the right side of the road adjacent to speeding traffic and this section of the new road has no views to speak of, so curiosity was satisfied but this may be the only time we use it!

From Halton they climbed up through Halton Park and on to Gressingham, towards an early coffee stop at Hornby Post Office.  Meeting up with 4 more club members who had cycled independently to Hornby, the enlarged group continued via Wray, Ravens Close and Burton-in-Lonsdale to the lunch stop at Ingleton.

Cognisant of the ever-decreasing daylight hours a fairly direct route was chosen for the return trip, via Bentham, then turning left at the Punch Bow Inn to gain the high level route down to Wray and along the Lune valley to Lancaster.  For the time of year 45 miles was a respectable distance and they were grateful for a lull in the freezing conditions experienced earlier in the week.

Sunday 20th November Lancaster Circular

Given the time of year a “Lancaster Circular” ride was good idea - never more than ten miles from home, it allows a speedy return to base, should the weather take a turn for the worse. Torrential rain the day before must surely have put some riders off, and indeed those who did turn out experienced some minor flooding and muddy patches.

However the weather was superb. Although chilly, it was bright and clear for the whole ride. The leader took the group out through Hala and onto the ‘back’ road to Caton, before turning off towards the university and Galgate. They were warmed up a little by the gradual climb to The Fleece. Here they followed the route to Street and from there a little known road leading to the bridle path through Wyresdale Park and the coffee stop at The Apple Store. Here they were joined by a rider from the Preston area.

Suitably refreshed in the warmth of the newly restored glass house, the group descended into Scorton, and from there they crossed the A6 making their way along Wallace Lane before crossing the A6 once more. At Five Lanes End the first opportunity arose to make a hasty return home, but all carried on along the route known locally as ‘Happy Valley’, an undulating ride affording fantastic views of Clougha, Lancaster and the Lakes. Some did take advantage of the escape routes back to home, but the bulk of the riders reached Caton and the cycle path back into Lancaster. Here some did indeed return home but the remainder of the group enjoyed homemade soup at the newly reopened Red Door Cafe in Halton. All in all a ride of around thirty five miles was enjoyed by everyone.

Sunday 23rd October Beaumont to Barbon

Nine riders set off in sunny but cold conditions from Beaumont College on Sunday for the programmed ride to Barbon, led by Mike Bridges.  A cold north-easterly wind blew as the group climbed towards and through Nether and Over Kellet.  The cold clear atmosphere led to wonderful views in every direction as they continued northwards to Burton in Kendal, where the headed west to cross the A6.  This enabled the group to join NCN Route 6 break for the last stretch to coffee at the Garden Centre in Beetham.

There was a typical swapping of additional members going onwards and some returning towards home, resulting in about 7 members following the leader and 3 making their own way to lunch.  After Ackenthwaite, Route 6 was re-joined by the riders and followed through Woodhouse to Stainton, where a right turn took them to Halfpenny for a loop north then east on the seldom ridden (by the Lancaster and South Lakes group!) Low Park Lane, continuing east on Gatebeck Road.

This section marked the one major climb of the day, with an initial section marked on the maps with one arrow and passing under the M6 on the way past the northern slopes of Warth Hill before joining the B6254 at Barkin House.  A short pause allowed the riders to regroup before the descent to Old Town, continuing on minor roads, still downhill, via Mansergh into the Lune Valley.  Here, the riders turned left along the valley, to cross the Lune near Rigmaden Park and approach Barbon via the A683.  Lunch was taken at the Churchmouse in Barbon, while some members ate sandwiches before using the café for a warming drink.

After lunch, the sun still shone but the fresh wind was chilling, although helpful since it was now following.  The riders headed south to Kirkby Lonsdale, crossing the Lune again to reach the road to Whittington and Arkholme.  There was the usual reduction in numbers as a few members turned off to reach their own homes, but the last of the group continued their appreciation of the fine views along the road as far as the turning at the Red Well, turning again and descending at the minor road past Halton Park and using the Lune Cycleway to reach the City.

It had been an enjoyable ride, completed via some seldom cycled (by the group) roads in clear but cold weather.

Beaumont to Barbon Sunday July 10th

CTC Lancaster and South Lakes members met at Beaumont for a 55 miles ride to Barbon via Beetham Garden Centre café, led by Patience Cooper and Len Howard.  By and large they dodged the showers, except for a very wet patch just before the lunch break.

Heading north out of Lancaster the riders paused on the new A6 flyover to take in the extensive view from the top before continuing to Carnforth via Bolton-le-Sands and the canal towpath.  Beetham was approached via the villages of Warton, Yealands and Slack Top, with a few climbs to work up an appetite for the coffee stop.  Numbers were swelled here by members who had travelled separately from the Carnforth and Kendal areas.  We also shared the busy café with several tandem crews who had picked the same destination.

A goodly number proceeded, under threatening skies, to Crooklands then on quiet lanes past Preston Patrick to Gatebeck where we turned eastwards up a long climb to the B6254 at Crosslands Farm.  We turned onto the B road, swooping up and down several undulations to Old Town, where the forecast rain put in its appearance.  Having put on our waterproofs we continued via Mansergh and Rigmaden Park to the bridge over the Lune.  We then joined the little lane, known to cyclists as “puncture alley” and arrived in Barbon a little sodden, but not downhearted.  A sociable lunch was enjoyed at the Church Mouse café whilst the skies cleared and then the group divided as some chose the east and some the west side of the Lune for the homeward leg.  Those on the eastern route had a further stop at Hornby Post Office for some welcome tea and cakes to round off a good day “a-wheel”.