Edgar Phillips Ride 2007: An annual event for members of the Lune RCC is the Edgar Phillips ride to Buttermere which is always held mid season. Edgar was a member of the Lune RCC almost from its foundation and the ride’s route usually follows that of the first ever club-run on the 9th of January 1949 which went up to Ambleside via the Lythe Valley then on to Keswick, Whinlatter Pass, Buttermere, Honister then back to Keswick and retrace home. This year three riders set off in the rain from Lancaster at 8am and with two more joining at Bolton-le-Sands it was a group of five who breezed northwards up the A6 through Milnthorpe and onwards to Levens. After a brief stretch along the A590 it was onto the Lythe Valley road towards Bowness and with the rain having ceased capes were dispensed of before Winster village. With the group consisting fully of racing cyclists the pace increased through Bowness and didn't let up all the way to Ambleside where the first big sprint was taken by reigning club champion Matt Cronshaw. Five more riders were waiting in Ambleside including current North West Ladies Road Race Champion Leanne Thompson as the reinforced group of ten headed onwards towards Grasmere where three more ‘Lunies’ were picked up including Super Grand Veteran Pete 'Dobby' Dobson. Up the first major climb of Dunmail Raise veterans Gordon Helme and Mal Bisby set a steady pace so that the bunch remained intact over the top before taking the left turn for the quiet road behind Thirlmere. With the sun now breaking through spirits were high as the group carried on northwards to Keswick where a regrouping was required after a typical Lune mix up.
Once through Keswick the usual loop of Whinlatter followed by Honister Passes was discarded for an alternative loop as the riders headed through Portinscale and up some short climbs to join the Newlands Pass road. The steady gradient gave the riders chance to enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Derwent Fells despite Trevor Page coming a cropper on a gravel-strewn bend before the road kicked up steeply to the top of Newlands Pass where Matt took the summit first. As the climb had split the group over a few miles the younger riders had a good few minutes rest as they awaited the arrival of the veterans. Once regrouped it was down the exhilarating descent to Buttermere where speeds of 50mph where clocked before heading north again past Crummock Water and on to Lorton for the return to Keswick over Whinlatter Pass. Once out of Lorton the gradient is such that the first group raced up in the big ring with Matt once again taking the summit at the Forest Park Visitor Centre. With the sun now beating down another regroupment took place before the twisting descent to Braithwaite where Ian McVety gave everyone a lesson in cornering having spent the previous week in the Alps following the Tour de France. Once back in Keswick it was straight to the nearest cafe for refuelling and a rest before starting the ride back to Ambleside. Retracing the outward route meant a stiff climb out of Keswick but the pleasure of the fast descent down Dunmail towards Grasmere and the hotly contested sprint which Matt took once again.
Once back to Ambleside the five early starters had a fast run through the Lythe Valley aided by Lune sportif hero Howard Hirst and Allan Jones who left them at Gilpin Bridge for their return along the A6. Foregoing the usual refuelling stop at the Spar in Milnthorpe the pace was kept high until reigning North West Cyclo Cross Champion Adrian Dalgleish succumbed to a combination of fatigue and dry chain syndrome. With Matt and Adrian peeling off in Carnforth it was just three riders who returned to Bolton-le Sands where Paolo Bruccianni and Rob Ford turned off leaving Gary Vose to return alone to Lancaster to take the all important final sprint unopposed. With the time on the Town Hall clock reading 5pm it had been a memorable 130mile ride.

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