Thursday ride 26 November 2020 – Fox & Goose to Clapham (Yorks).

I set out with my companion in dry conditions heading for Bay Horse Road, via Blea Tarn Road.

A nice descent to cross the Conder, thne a stinky but fairly short thrutch (waking up the Alsatian on our left) followed by a steady climb to the junction, then offleft to Quernmore. We crossed and went our usual route to Wray, via Postern Gate and Caton Green.

The post office at Wray was selling takeaway tea and breakfast buns (bacon or 2 eggs), which we ate sitting at the shelter in the little park by the Hindburn. Off again and up the narrow lane beyond Millhouses to turn right at Old Moor Lane (I always think of his almanack!); left and right to ride to Mewith Lane which we kept on until just above Clapham station.

Yours truly had e-mailed Goat Gap Cafe but not received a response – or so I’d thought- the website said takeaways. However, when we reached Clapham I decided a bun in the hand was a good idea so we purchased food and tea at the village shop (womanned by volunteers). The sun had now reached Yorkshire (a quick call home informing me that Lancaster had been blessed from much earlier).

After, we crossed the A65 and diverted to Goat Gap to have a look, where we found the cafe shut –Whoops!

I hasten now to come to Goat Gap Cafe’s defence. Their reply to my e-mail came from a different address to the one I’d used to inquire, so I hadn’t got round to reading their advice and apology for being closed on Thursday; They are hoping to open up for takeaways after lockdown.

Thanking my stars for stopping in Clapham to eat, we continued through the Benthams and Wennington, stopping again at Wray PO for tea and cakes. We took the Millennium path off the A683, passing Caton. There were lots of walkers out, the weather being sunny. There were some people walking dogs, mainly well under control.

As we were descending the Lune Gorge opposite Halton, I saw a couple with two dogs, one on a lead, the other free-ranging up the left-hand bank. As I approached, I rang my bell and the couple reacted, moving to the left and calling the free-range dog, which came running down the banking and across the cycle path in front of my bike. I braked hard on the leaf-strewn tarmac; my front wheel locked and I fell heavily on my left elbow and left thigh.

The couple apologised and I said I would be OK, getting help from my companion who put my chain back on for me. We toddled back home another 4 miles, having completed about 50 miles and 3600 feet.

My house now stinks of “Deep Heat “

I wonder who the other phantom rider was, who seemed to be following us?

Mike Codd