Lancaster and S. Lakes CTC - Thursday ride around Lancaster's countryside

We left the old railway station at Halton and went along the cycle track to Caton where we crossed the busy main road and weaved our way out of Caton on to the Postern Gate road. At Postern Gate we turned left to head to Quernmore cross roads and the start of “Happy Valley”. (Looking to our right, we could see the I.o.M Ferry coming into Heysham. Ed.).

At Five Lane Ends we took a hard left to go up the long drag on Starbank Lane before dropping down into Dolphinholme. We left there on the Wagon Road and then turned left onto Tinkers Lane leading to the Trough road where we turned right to descend to Scorton and refreshments at Daisy Clough cafe. As we descended, looking back left across to Haythornthwaite Fell I remember the night I spent up there with my search dog looking for a missing little boy who was found safe and well about 7.00 in the morning 

We decided to stop at Daisy Clough for refreshments and after we were all suitably refreshed the more adventurous of us set off. We crossed the A6 and headed down Cabus Nook Lane. At the end we went right onto Park Road into Cockerham then on towards Conder Green. At Thurnham we turn left on Moss Lane then right on Jeremy Lane to finally go left round the back of Glasson Marina to get to the Bistro and dinner.

Now all the hills were behind us and we were suitably refreshed so we took the old railway line into Lancaster and crossed the Lune at Millenium Bridge. Continuing along the cycle track till a left turn let us skirt the cycle race track to get to the road leading past Snatchems (I had checked the tide times). We sailed (I did mention the tide was out!!) through Overton then into Middleton and took the narrow lane to Half Moon Bay cafe for an afternoon break.

Leaving the cafe and going through Heysham we zigzagged along the prom dodging walkers, cyclist and dogs to get to Bare. Going up the hill we turned  right at our usual place and weaved our way through the lanes to end up on Manor Lane so we could cross the A6 onto Bottomdale Road then Foundry Lane into Halton to go across the Bailey bridge to our starting point at the old railway station.

All in all I considered it an interesting ride not moving far from Lancaster, involving some climbs and putting the miles in as well but enabling riders who didn’t feel up to the miles to escape home early in fact with people joining us and leaving I was the only one to make it back to Halton station. A 50 mile round trip from the station and 60 miles for me from and back to home.

Jim Gardner

Anyone who is interested in joining us can find information about our regular club rides on Thursdays and Sundays on our website. ( You don’t have to do the whole ride but can join and leave at the refreshment stops.) :  www.ctclancaster.org.uk.