Morning Ride to Cartmel - Mike Codd – 16 July

Starting out at 5:40 meant lights for the frantically fast, half asleep drivers at that early hour. Even so, I set off from Piccadilly along the A6 until Millennium Bridge, through sleepy Skerton, Kellets (lights and a clothes layer off at Kellet M6 bridge), Burton, Holme, Ackenthwaite, rejoining the A6 at Leasgill for the 1/2mile to Levens Hall. I took the flat route across the moss to Gilpin Bridge, taking the lumpy ride through Witherslack to Lindale. My biggest hill of the day was Lindale hill and over the short cut to meet the descending road from High Newton, leading southwards to Cartmel, where I stopped in the square.

The cafe lights were on, the door was open, there was someone working inside and it was 8:05. Since opening was not until 10:00, I sat on a pub table next door, ate a banana and had a sip of cold, sweet black coffee.

Continuing to Allithwaite, I took the main road to Grange, taking a left before the bottom of the hill, to stop at the bakery (recommended by John Jackson) where I sat and enjoyed a generously filled bacon bun and a cup of coffee. I was tempted to take the train back but discovered the next rain would be 50 minutes away, so I continued past the golf course and Meathop to Matt’s tunnel, where I reversed my outward route at far as the leasgill turn, but turning right across the moss to ascend to Storth and Silverdale.

As I was passing Silverdale Golf club, just past the RSPB turn and followed by a vehicle waiting to overtake, I saw 4 cyclists coming towards me. At least one was in the same colours as mine. It was Len Howard with Patience, Nick and another. I shouted a greeting, but I couldn’t stop at that point, because of the road junction and the following traffic. Hopefully we’ll meet on Zoom next week!

I continued home on the conventional route, staying on the A6 to Bolton-le Sands, then Ancliffe Lane, Kellet Lane and past Preston station and Haverbreaks back to home.

It was thoroughly enjoyable. Later, the wind had got up from the SW and helped as far as Levens, but was a nuisance across the moss to Sandside. I’d stopped about 4 times for various reasons but managed to get back for 11:35. (Written after a half-hour’s nap. I’m getting past it!).

68 miles and 4100 feet.      Mike Codd