CTC Lancaster and S Lakes ride to Staveley. 4th July

It was a less than encouraging forecast and as I set off for the start at “Kellet Crossroads” I was expecting a smallish turnout. Shame on me; I had underestimated the spirit of our band of bikers. Our optimism was rewarded with a pleasant morning of cycling in quite balmy conditions. 

We followed a fairly direct route via the Kellets, Tewitfield, Cinderbarrow and Holme to reach our morning coffee stop at Farleton View. There were a few predictable remarks as we sloshed through the permanent “mud” patch outside the farm near Cinderbarrow, but hey, cyclists love to clean their bikes! Once at the cafe we met a few more people out for shorter jaunts. There was a moment as we sat outside sipping our coffees when the skies darkened and a damp chill spread through the air. “Now we're for it” we thought and conversation turned to who was going on and what were the alternatives.  

In the end a group of seven set off for the second leg, to Staveley, some saying they would see how the weather turned out. It turned out very well, tempting us ever onwards along NCN route 6 to Natland. Then we went up the Helm road and along the delightful lanes which lead across the fellsides towards Meal Bank, sweeping views over Kendal buoying our spirits. By this stage of the ride I was well and truly leading from the rear. I'd have done well as a General in WW1. Len did an excellent job at the sharp end.

At Meal Bank there was a steep descent with a rough surface near the bottom before we made our way via Bowston and the lovely back lanes which undulate at the fells edges to bring one to Staveley's back door. In Staveley some went to eat sandwiches whilst the less well prepared headed for Wilf's cafe, where all assembled a little later. The weather was still reamarkably good as we all sat outside, chatting to a lady who had approaced us with a view to joining the club. What had gone wrong with the forecast? 

Er, nothing was wrong with the forecast: as we pedalled up the hill that leads past the station the skies developed substantial leaks. It chucked it down, buckets, hoses, persisting it and other expletives. Actually, once you got over the surprise it was quite pleasant as it was warm and not at all windy. Susan differed with me on this point and turned tail to take her chances with the cycle friendly policies of our railway system. She got home the same day. 

The rest of us, mistrustful of the railway system, continued over through Underbarrow and Brigsteer, the weather improved enough for us to take off waterproofs. The ever more familiar miles rolled beneath us as we headed via Storth to a welcome cup of tea at the RSPB Leighton Moss, before wending our various ways home. 

It was a lovely day out despite a poor forecast. If I hadn't been the ride leader, I probably wouldn't have bothered. It just goes to show.

Andy Gordon