Ian R's Belated Report for Thursday 26th March
/
This was to have been Sandra's ride to Bentham for coffee and Casterton G.C. for lunch; so I thought that I would head in that general direction with two bidons of water, a couple of sandwiches.and two bananas, knowing that all regular refreshment stops would now be closed.
I gained the riverside path via the canal and Caton Road. Once across Denny Beck Lane I was aware of another cyclist about to overtake me; lo and behold, none other than Graham, making for Kirkby Lonsdale. We cheerily rode along with the appropriate 2 metres of separation as far as Forge Weir, where Graham had “to do a Ken” and I continued alone via the Crook o' Lune car park and an ascent of Halton Park – easy enough with the winter bike's full MTB drivetrain – to continue around the Aughton loop on a chilly but gloriously sunny spring morning.
Once through Gressingham and Hornby, a left turn at Butt Yeats saw me heading towards Wray. In the dip, before the climb, being on the correct bike for the job, I decided to indulge a longstanding curiosity and explore the bridleway to the left, initially on strips of broken tarmac turning to strips of well compacted gravel; all very straightforward, to arrive at the sewage works with the 'good' path heading-off right to the village, some 100 metres away. Straight ahead was a 'lumpy' grassy path with muddy ruts, which I knew would lead out onto Wennington Road by the bridge over the Hindburn. After maybe 500 metres of more pushing than riding I arrived by the bridge! One “bucket list” bridleway fully explored – turn right at the sewage works next time!
Riding through Wray and Millhouses, at the righthand bend I opted for the second junction on the left. After half a kilometre, by a lane on the left to Old Bottom Farm, the long defunct milk stand provided an ideal seat to eat a banana and drink some water whilst allowing the wondeful sunshine to warm my face. Girding my loins I continued up the climb to fork right at the junction then tackle the mischievous 14% climb to the Give Way. Turning left then immediately right into Cross Road soon had me on Mewith Lane heading up towards Green Smithy cross roads where a right turn had me ascending past the Great Stone of Fourstones to turn first right into Aikengill Road, later forking right along Whitepits Lane. Passing Maiden Bridge Gallery on the left, a further half kilometre brought me to the private lane down to Tunstall House, immediately past which a widening of the grass verge provided an ideal spot for lunch.
At the four way junction turning right to descend Spen Brow took me down to a left turn into Furnessford Road with its steep twisty descent to cross Furnessford Bridge and an equally steep ascent up Parkhouse Lane to find the acute turn right and cross a cattlegrid to descend an idyllic little road through the farms of Birks, Cragg Hall and Higher Broadwood, to join the road from Botton with its steep descent to the Give Way junction opposite Bridge House Farm tea rooms in Wray.
The afternoon was yet young, thus I retraced my morning's route through Hornby and across Loyne Bridge to ascend through Eskrigge to rejoin the road to Aughton but immediately turning right on to another “bucket list” bridleway which was initially good going for half a kilometre on compacted gravel, over a brow to a makeshift stable complex. The gravel gave way to a quad track up a steep field – pushing to the next gate where the Redwell Inn came into view at one o' clock. The next downhill field was very boggy and only just ride-able to enter a paddock – straight ahead- containing two lively looking horses which proved placid enough. This paddock exited into a stable yard on the far side of which a pleasant young lad was repairing the gate on to the highway – he held it open for me, along with a cheery greeting. This second bridleway is not to be recommended!
Whence I rode along the top road to descend Halton Green Lane, turning right into Halton then left over the bridge to regain the cycle to the Holiday Inn, Caton Road, the canal, Quarry Road, Prospect Street and Bowerham Road for home. Not a huge mileage but an interesting route in quiet surroundings with minimal human contact and two “bucket list” bridleways to boot.
Ian Roberts.