Ride around Lancaster on Thursday 16th September 2021

A nice group of 9 riders and 8 bikes gathered at our meeting point at the old railway station at Halton for our circuit of Lancaster.

We left 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. Then we turned left to head to Quernmore cross roads and the start of “Happy Valley” (really an incorrect name!!)

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 on the Wagon Road and turned left onto Tinkers Lane leading to the Trough road where we turned right to descend to Scorton (ignoring the Barnacre Loop) 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 wanting a chocolate biscuit [What Jim fails to mention is that the lad had the choice of either a Landrover ride or a helicopter ride. By his choosing the Landrover, Jim missed his only opportunity to ride in a a chopper! Ed.]

We decided to stop at Daisy Clough for refreshments and, suitably refreshed, we set off for lunch at Glasson Dock.

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 turned 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. Here we had problem the bistro was shut so me and Mike decided to go to the pub; but that wasn’t serving meals so back to the shop to get something to eat then back to the pub to get something to drink(it’s a hard life being retired!).

Now all the hills were behind us and suitably refreshed we took the old railway line into Lancaster and crossed the Lune at Millennium 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. At this point out numbers had been reduced to 4 because people wanting to get home as they lived near the route.

Going back through Heysham we zigzagged along the prom dodging walkers, cyclists 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 serious climbs and putting the miles in as well. This enabled us to keep the mileage up in readiness for a challenge next year (which will be on a reduced scale with only a few riders taking part) but it enabled riders who didn’t feel up to the miles to escape home early, in fact with people joining us and leaving  only Ian and myself got back to Halton Station. A 50 mile round trip from the station and 60 miles for me and Ian to and from 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: www.ctclancaster.org.uk.