Sunday Ride up the Ribble Valley, 07/06/20 Mike Bridges

The two of us met at the junction of the Guild Wheel and Route 6 at the north end of Midgery Lane at 9.  Since I had led last week’s route to Downham, it was Ian’s to lead today’s ride.  We followed Route 6 via Haighton Green to Longridge, in weather which was bright with a northerly breeze.  The first slight hills were along the north slope of Longridge, looking over Chipping as we continued towards Chaigley Hall and Higher Hodder Bridge.  Joining Route 90, we continued via Waddington, West Bradford and Grindleton, turning left at Sawley.

The well-known course of Route 90 starts some more serious climbing after the Copy Nook pub, near Bolton by Bowland, and so it was from here we resorted to lower gears, ascending into wider ranging views as we headed for the B6478, reaching it between Slaidburn and Tosside, south west of Stephen Moor.

However, instead of descending into Slaidburn, we took the next turn on the left, followed by a right turn through the hamlet, not much more than a few buildings, of Easington.  We were surrounded by the beautiful Bowland Fells here, with next to no traffic.  The lane through the village continues in a south westerly direction, crossing the Newton/Waddington road on its undulating route to Cow Ark (there are three single-arrow sections to climb between the B6478 and Cow Ark).

We turned right here to descend to Whitewell, but just before the descent, took lunch at a bench seat with a fine view over the Hodder Valley and Dunsop Bridge, and enjoyed a socially-distanced chat with another rider before continuing into the valley.  Our route took us over the Burholme Bridge, then left to climb again, passing Lickhurst Farm, the Wild Boar Park and Leagram Hall on our way to Chipping.

The last leg took us through some of Chipping’s “quiet lanes” west and south to reach Little Town, then Halfpenny Lane to reverse our route from Longridge to Preston, separating as we reached the Guild Wheel.  For us both, an excellent ride in the region of 65 miles, taking in some fine scenery.

Mike Bridges