Patience and Len’s Sunday Trip to Holker (by mistake!) 14th June.

Having spent the last two months doing half day rides of 30-40 miles, we thought we had better start to get fit for the restart of Club rides (whenever that may be!). Like a lot of members, we have got used to visiting favourite takeaways, in our case the village shop at Levens and Casterton Golf Club.  We have been lucky enough to have met Club members (such as Neil, Keith and Helen, and Nigel) serendipitously and have a welcome natter. In recent weeks we have also been fortunate in being accompanied by some members on our rides. Thanks Bob Cross and Chairman Nick!  Bob even brought along one of his collection of stoves so we could enjoy a cuppa whilst having a picnic on the fell road above Barbon.

Anyway, back to our Sunday trip. Like most people, we have got used to a lower level of activity and can’t seem to get started before 10.30.  So it was that we opted for the A6 to get a head start. It’s surprising how far you can get doing this, as some of our more established members know as they have been doing it for years. The A6 is a lot safer now, or at least a lot quieter. Patience was feeling enthusiastic, so we averaged 16 mph to Levens. But I don’t think the twenty- somethings who flew past us were at all impressed!  I was surprised to see a field with about 100 cars attending a car boot sale near Hale - wonder how they got permission?  We took to the footway to get past the TTLs at Levens, which turned into an off-road adventure as it takes a circuitous and tree-rooted line through woodland between the road and river. Just made it to the shop before closing time at 12.00 and chatted to a Lune rider with a Paris Brest Paris vest on. Very good machine coffee and scrumptious cakes and a chance to cool down in the hot and muggy conditions.

By this time the sun was out and temperatures climbing, and the gentle breeze hastened us to Grange via Meathop, which we hadn’t seen since last autumn due to the floods (followed by storms and now the plague!). We settled onto a shaded bench in the park for phase 1 of our picnic, noting with regret the disappearance of our old foul weather friend the pavilion.  Perhaps it was torched by the young hooligans of Grange.

It was here that we made the strange decision to continue to Cark, thinking that it was largely flat (which it isn’t). At Cark we missed the turn to Cartmel and ended up at Holker, so retraced. Too early for lunch phase 2 at Cartmel, so we eschewed a bench in the Priory and continued up the valley to High Newton, enjoying the crystal-clear views of Lakeland. A small park in the village provided an arborially - shaded setting for our quiche and tomatoes. At this stage we were getting concerned at our hydration levels, so we approached a kind lady who was gardening nearby and who filled our bottles.

Up onto the ridge with panoramic views over the bay and to the Three Peaks, we decided not to wear out our brake blocks and finger muscles on Tow Top, and dropped down to Thorphinsty instead. Down the Winster Valley and on to Witherslack, then taking the scenic hilly route which reappears at the crossroads near the cattle grid. Crossed the A590 at Gilpin Bridge and along the gated bridleway to Levens Hall, over Heversham marsh and stopping at Dallam bridge for lunch phase 3 (an apple).  The usual route back via Leighton Moss.

60 miles as near as damn it, home by 4.30, and Patience disappointed that the average had reverted to our usual 12-13 mph. But we are now a bit more able to cope with full day rides (whenever that will be).

Len Howard