Lancaster and South Lakes Cyclist Touring Club Ride Report –Sunday 28th November

Looking at the forecast on Saturday, we were expecting sunshine, cold conditions and a respite from the strong winds of Storm Arwen for our club ride on Sunday.  However, on getting up, the forecasters had changed their minds and were promising snow from mid-day;  so we decided that we would ride to morning coffee at Beetham Garden Centre, and review our plans there.

In the aftermath of the storm on Friday night there had been notable damage locally, including a tree down in Bolton le Sands churchyard and damage to buildings in Morecambe, so it was not surprising that there was a modest turnout of just four riders who left Beaumont.  We picked up two more members in Carnforth, before heading up to Warton and the long, gradual climb up to Yealand Conyers, dodging tree debris from the storm.  The skies were still clear at this point and we had great views across to Farleton Fell. 

As we cycled through Yealand Redmayne we encountered the first few snow flakes of the season, which increased rapidly as we carried on up Fell End to Slackhead and the swoop down to Beetham.  Snow was now settling on the side roads and we gratefully ensconced ourselves in the garden centre café at Beetham, meeting up with another club member who had got there ahead of the “peloton”.

We enjoyed hot drinks and scones, before deciding that it would not be a good idea to carry on further from home in the conditions.  We steered our wheels southward on the A6, which had been gritted, although we were forced to ride over snow at the edges of the road for much of the time.  The gentle wind was against us, so we had to cope with snowflakes stinging our eyes, but arrived safely back at Carnforth without mishap.

“Crazy weather” offered an overtaking cyclist, and “Not such a good idea” said another going the opposite way, sharing the camaraderie of the road.  We concluded that maybe it wasn’t the weather that was crazy, but us!

We only completed 23 miles, but had enjoyed the challenge.  A mountain bike or gravel bike would have come in handy for this one!

Our programme of rides is on our website:  www.ctclancaster.org.uk.   New members are very welcome.

Len Howard