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Sunday 15th November |
The Club Run 12 of us left Dalton Sq, (John A, Hass, Adi, PB, Mark, Neil, Andy, Paul, James, Scott, Chris M & me) at a brisk pace down the A6. This pace was maintained as we crossed the River Wyre and started to head up to the side of Catshaw Fell and Cows Mouth; that first climb hurt, my legs either not awake yet, or still recovering from the 3hr ride the day before.
As we reached Marshaw, we said goodbye to Adi, who was back on the bike for the first time since his 6 week forced “break” through injury (i’d commented to James that I could do with a 6 week break if you can come back that fit). We turned right on the Trough Road, and met a group of Lancaster CC riders (Tim Norton i think); they rode with us briefly to Tower Lodge where we said goodbye as the gradient kicked in. This second climb was easier, though Andy & Scott powered up first (a trend that was to continue the rest of the day).
We climbed out of Slaidburn, our numbers now 9, and then turned left towards Stocks reservoir. We passed lots of parked cars and MTB’ers who were out to ride the trails in Gisburn Forest. After crossing the causeway, and taking the sharp right hander, we started the ascent through the Forest.
A decision was made to skip the cafe at Clapham, and instead ride on, via Clapham Old Road, to Bernies Cafe in Ingleton. Ok, it’s a Climbers Cafe, but it’s very cheap and cheerful! Whilst we ate and drank, a decision was made to extend the ride to get a few more ‘steady’ miles in, and instead of heading to Wray, we took the A65 to Kirkby Lonsdale. This stretch of road, although busy, is pretty fast, and we cruised along at 28/30mph towards Kirkby. Words & Pic's courtesy of Chris Atherton
The B Run The weather forcast for sunday was looking very promising, but as i approached Dalton square i was thinking that taking over as leader for today from geoff rushforth was not looking to good, i think geoff must have spoken to "michael fish", as i arrived in the square the B + riders were just leaving they looked to have a good groupe of about fifteen riders, so it was up the town hall steps for shelter as a another heavy shower started as riders arrived and joined the five riders already under cover, Queen victoria didn't looked to amused as the now 9 riders left the square with a magnificent rainbow overhead to see us on our way, good progress was made to bullbeck to pick up another four riders, so on to melling, hornby, greta bridge, and a right turn through cantsfield, burton in lonsdale, at the t junction of the A65 it was right & left in to ingleton over the river and a left turn on to the start of the old roman road to chapple-le-dale, now this lane is allways a tough climb but today it was a little tricky due to the leaves left by the recent heavy rain and strong winds, but it was steady away up the climbe and along under twisleton scar, this is the most delightfull lane and a nice change from going over the main road to ribblhead, with instructions for a regroupe once we reached the delightfull little church and the main road, then on to ribblehead and a right turn to Horton-in-ribblesdale, here we met up with another lune rider ian brez who had discovered a flat tyre when he went to get his bike out, so switched bikes and pedals and played catch up, so now with 14 riders it was time to start talking "Brews" it was decided to stop in clapham, so on to horton with a strong headwind and more steady showers it was up to the usual "regular riders" to take turns on the front, helwith bridg was soon behind us and on to austwick, and a brief 100 mts on the A65 and in to clapham and for well earned steaming brews and hot food, we were told service would be a bit slow due to staff shortage but it was made up with extra free brews "nice" when we came out of the cafe the sun had broken through, so on to bentham, with sun and even blue sky through wenington, wray, caton, this is the usual place were riders split for lancaster, with morecambe riders using the cycle way, i split at deny beck as i need to make sure mall bisby gets home ok now that he is a senior citizen Words by Howard |
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| Sunday 22nd November | |||
The Club Run I arrived at Dalton Square 5 minutes late, already wet, and a large group of riders were just setting off southbound. Given the forecast, I’d half expected to see just a handful of riders, but 14 had turned out for Ash’s run to Longridge and Waddington Fells; PB, Adi, Ash, Scott, Johns A & H, Neil, Andy, Paul, Ella, Nic, Clive, Matt & Me.
The wind had picked up, and for a second I pondered whether to take a more direct route home via the Trough, but when Neil, Andy, Clive and John caught me up riding at a steady pace, the temptation to sit on the back and ‘get a lift home’ was too much. I looked over my shoulder and saw Ash and Scott just behind, but by the time we passed the Inn at Whitewell, I never saw them again.
We reached Chipping, and rode straight past the Cobbled Corner, “gutted”. I was really ready for a coffee. Clive later admitted that the thought of a brew there had kept him going. Words and pics by Chris Atherton The B Run Warm sunshine was not expected for last Sunday’s Lune club runs after daily consultations with long range Internet predictions, what had been forecast however was torrential rain & gale force wind, luckily (for the riders at least) the worst of it hit Cumbria during Thursday. Still, as the riders ventured out into the early morning there was plenty of rain about, although as they assembled in Dalton Square this largely petered out but no-one was under any illusions! Six hardy, or should that be foolhardy, riders left the gaze of Queen Victoria & set out towards Cockerham picking up another one on the way & large puddles were almost immediately encountered but no surprise there, from Cockerham they wended their way to Garstang & through quiet country lanes to Inglewhite & Longridge. Once arriving at the periphery of Longridge it was a left turn towards Chipping, at this point a bunch of other cyclists were approaching from the opposite direction & watery acknowledgements were exchanged as the rain began to fall in some anger. As they made their way towards Chipping the grey clouds over their next objective, the Trough of Bowland, initiated some quick decision making & for the majority this was to miss that part of the route out & go on for lunch at Scorton Priory, however Alastair & John were made of sterner stuff & elected to negotiate ‘The Trough’. The Scorton decision had minimal foundation in ensuring that the 5 riders on their way there would be enjoying warm tea & toast well before their Trough bound club mates, however this is what inevitably occurred. Once refreshed the 5 bade the Trough latecomers adieu & set off to extend their ride along Quernmore, or ‘Happy Valley’ as it is referred to in Lune parlance, by now the clouds were gathering again & began to pelt the riders with some virulence causing some to turn off early into Lancaster whilst the remainder advanced onto the cycle path in Caton for their return back to Lancaster, around at least 60 miles covered for everyone & all were in agreement that it could have been much worse!
The Club Run The forecast was heavy rain and sleet for most of the day; what a surprise. As we waited for ride leader James to arrive, discussions were already being held to swap or amend his planned “Airton Loop”. Ten of us left Dalton Square, James, Matt, PB, Adi, Ella, Nic, Chris M, Clive, Terry (Clive’s ‘fell running pal’) and me, and headed north, up to Caton, and then Wray.
Someone remarked it was ‘easy’ from this side, and I looked at Chris and we quizzed how it could be ‘easy’ when you hit speeds of 40-50mph descending this side. We rode at a sensible pace and it was only on the last third of the 4mile climb where Matt and James pulled away leaving the rest of us to get up to the summit as best we could.
We carried on through the Forest (Adi bailed out on one of the fast 90 degree right handers) and headed towards Slaidburn; talks of a cafe stop began. Upon reaching Slaidburn, we passed the cafe, and instead of taking the normal left turn onto the main B road to Newton, we carried straight on with the promise of missing the big pull out of Slaidburn. Instead, we took a loop to Newton, thats about 3 times the distance and probably has just a similar amount of ascent as the B road! Happy times! It was here that Chris M discovered that his front mech was playing up, and was unable to shift onto the little ring.
We were still wet and cold as we left Puddleducks, and headed towards Whitewell. I wanted to get my heart rate up to try and generate some heat, so we turned right and took the climb up past the Wild Boar Park, and then dropped down into Chipping. From Chipping, we took the normal route home, round Parlick and through Bleasdale and then over Oakenclough and Harris End. At five land ends, Nic and James turned off into the happy valley towards Quernmore, whilst the remaining 3 of us headed to Galgate and then the direct route to Lancaster on the A6. Words and pics by Chris Atherton The B Run Five hardy souls watched the racing boys & girls depart Lancaster Town Hall into rapidly greying skies. As the town hall clock chimed 9.15 they themselves set off on the road to Grange over Sands... At Bolton le Sands 3 of the club stalwarts, Mal Bisby, Brian Greenwood and Ian Mcvety were waiting and they were heartily welcomed into the group. The eight then carried on through the deepening puddles and into a stiffening north easterly wind on quiet lanes towards Levens Village . Here amidst discussion’s about the quality of waterproof clothing and Mal’s new rain jacket it was decided to take the most direct route to the tea stop and Grange over Sands. After the traditional cyclists fuel of tea & teacakes the group left Grange in an easterly direction and soon upon reaching Lindale village picked up the back o’ the fell road which after a few miles led to a right turn to Witherslack. A speedy few miles down the A590 brought them to Levens Hall and thankfully the wind on there backs. Here Ian & Mark got on the front and a brisk pace was soon set across the marsh road and through the lanes and the group soon found themselves at Warton regrouping following this injection of pace. A steadier pace was then set to Lancaster where goodbyes were said and a steady 58 miles in inclement conditions was in the legs Words by Kevin Hodgson |
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Sunday 29th November |
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| Copyright Lune RCC 2009 | |||
through halton over the motorway, bridge this is were brian greenwood turns to kellet, on to slyne here i left mall but he promised me he would go straight home, for me it was hasty brow, and torrisholme, a great ride in good company, and 61ml onthe clock.
