More Rides to report! (from Neil Westwell), 19th April, 2020
/More rides to report!
Since I last reported, more miles have been covered, different destinations visited. I have also changed chains on both bikes, and moved from Winter bike to Summer bike. This could have been thought optimistic, but my faith in the great British weather has been justified!
Having avoided leaving home over the Easter holidays, I was looking forward to my Tuesday ride.
In spite of my reluctance to visit possibly busy places, I decided that Kirkby Lonsdale might, in fact, be a good choice and set off from Hest Bank to Nether Kellett. Red Well, Arkholme, Whittington were conquered and Kirkby Lonsdale achieved in pretty good time. Coffee from my faithful flask and cake were consumed standing in the square avoiding any surface touching, whilst watching the surroundings in case social distancing guidelines were likely to be breached. The only signs of life, in the end, were a few people visiting Boots the chemist. The square, otherwise, was deserted.
Remounting and carrying on through the village towards Biggins the route was followed ‘over the top’ to Burton where coffee stop 2 was taken, albeit briefly. The way home was via Yealand Redmayne, Yealand Storrs and Silverdale. As I rode towards Warton, I chose to go over Warton Crag, as I had miles and time to spare. Just as I started the ascent, a young lady overtook me and spoke a friendly greeting. Then she disappeared in front of me as if I was stationery. Had I made the right decision? Anyway, her speed was soon forgiven and I carried on at my own speed, possibly described by some as leisurely. Encountering some old friends in Crag Bank, I stopped to chat for a while, then headed home, where I arrived in time for lunch.
The next ride, now on my Summer bike, I decided would be to Ingleton. I took the old quarry road from Nether Kellet, towards Aughton and onto Gressingham. Arriving in Hornby, I bumped into Roy and son Elliot. After a brief chat at a good distance, I carried on to Wray where coffee and cake were consumed in the little square by the river.
Departing Wray towards Bentham, I had the choice of turning towards Mewith Lane or carrying straight on. The latter choice was taken and after a fairly undulating ride, I arrived pretty quickly in Low Bentham. So I decided I’d chosen the right route. Through Low Bentham towards High Bentham, the road was essentially ‘up’, so maybe I hadn’t made the right choice? Never mind, ‘onwards and upwards’ literally! Calling briefly to say ‘hello’ to a friend in High Bentham, I carried on through the village, eventually taking the Ingleton turn.
The photo, with Ingleborough in the background shows how we have so many roads to ourselves in these trying times.
Arriving at the A65, I followed the main road for a few yards and took the left turn towards Barnoldswick, pausing briefly for coffee stop 2.
Home via Ravens Close, Wennington, Wray, Caton, in time for lunch.
Today’s ride, I decided, would include Kirkby Lonsdale, and my favourite destination, Arnside. Nether Kellet, Over Kellet and Capernwray was the route choice. Taking the right turn at the railway line I headed towards Docker. Whilst the weather was fine and sunny, there was a bit of a cold headwind, and when the sun went behind a cloud briefly, it felt quite chilly. The road undulated somewhat for a few miles towards Newton, and during that time I only remember being overtaken by one farm vehicle. These roads are certainly more friendly and welcoming to cyclists in the current circumstances. Through Newton, Whittington and onto Kirkby Lonsdale, arriving in the square there were quite a few cars parked there, but only a handful of people were spotted during my coffee stop. Through Biggins and over the tops to Burton was the route, then onto Yealand Redmayne, Yealand Storrs, taking the right turn and climb to pass Thrang End Farm. Arnside was soon reached and coffee stop 2 was taken on the pier. There was one cyclist already on the pier when I arrived and 2 more arrived during my brief stay. No other people were on the pier. The world is being taken over by cyclists!
Over the Knott, Silverdale, past Wolf House gallery, no Warton Crag this time, was the route home, again arriving in time for lunch.
115 miles this week, almost 9000 ft of ascent all on quiet roads in nice bright sunshine. I have seen a dramatic increase in the number of cyclists on the roads over the last month.
Neil Westwell
18 April 2020
