Three Stops at the Same Cafe in One Day 23rd September 2021

Often when planning a ride I like to have some quirky reasoning behind my route choice. One recurring thought of late has been the idea of taking coffee, lunch and afternoon tea at the same establishment. Which of our many cafe stops would afford two good cycling routes without the morning and afternoon legs overlapping one another? I opted for Bridge House Farm Tearooms at Wray – always a cheery and pleasant welcome from the proprietor and staff.

It was just four of the current 'regular' Thursday riders that met at Halton Station, departing at 09.20 for a brisk ride up the Lune Valley, arriving some two minutes before the cafe opened at 10.00.

In the cafe we were joined by three other riders plus a social visit from an injured regular, arriving by campervan.

We 'girded our loins' for the days effort at 10.45 prompt to ride back through the village and turn towards Wennington. Once across Meal Bank Bridge (the lowest bridge on the R. Hindburm) we took the first right to climb Agnes Ing Lane then descend to Mill Houses to ascend the 1:7 slope on the lower section of Mewith Lane, following this as it took a right turn at the first junction then forsaking its upper section at the next left turn we kept straight ahead to climb Spen Brow on to Fairheath Road and through the village of Lowgill to the hamlet of Ivah where we turned right to descend over Stair End Bridge (the highest bridge on the R. Hinburn) which led us to the long 1:7 ascent up Helks Brow, including two rideable diversions around concrete barriers stopping motor traffic from traversing a section of collapsed road, followed by a steady contour along the eastern and northern flanks of White Moss. At the next junction we made a right turn to descend between the buildings of Park House Farm then a left fork over a cattle grid on to an unfenced lane through Birks Farm, Cragg Hall and Higher Broadwood farms to rejoin and descend the lower section of the White Moss road to emerge directly opposite the Bridgehouse Farm Tearooms at 12.15, having completed a full circuit of the Hindburn Valley. Four of us patronised the tearooms, two headed for the George and Dragon, the seventh member made directly to Lancaster for an afternoon appointment.

We regrouped at 13.00, one member heading directly for home whilst five of us once more headed for Wennington, with one very local member peeling off, for home, before we exited Wray. Approaching into Wennington, one member bid us farewell as he headed for home via Melling    and the A683, with domestic responsibilities to fulfill. The remaining three made a right turn to ascend the full length of Old Moor Road. At the Give Way, a left then immediate right took us along Cross Road to join the upper section of Mewith Lane which was followed through the cross roads at Green Smithy then to the third left turn down Buffet Hill Lane to cross the railway bridge and Greystonegill Bridge across the River Wenning (the top bridge across the Wenning at Clapham Station, being currently denied to us by major road works beyond Mewith Head). Another long, demanding 1:7 ascent, up Greystonegill Lane, brought us to the S bend on the B6480 with the offset cross-roads to Nutgill Lane which was followed to a left turn then a right turn along Tatterthorn Road and a left turn down Dumb Tom's Lane. Straight ahead through the next two cross-roads had us descending Raven Close to Wennington where a right turn was made for Melling then left along the A683 for Hornby. Entering Hornby one member bid us farewell as he turned for home via the Loyne Bridge; he had already covered the next section earlier in the day, riding out to Wray. The remaining two crossed Hornby Bridge (the lowest bridge on the R. Wenning) then turned left for Butt Yeats and left again for Wray to complete a circuit of the Wenning Valley at 15.15. A well deserved coffee break plus warmed cheese scones was thoroughly enjoyed at the cafe before heading down the valley against a demanding head wind.

I arrived at our front door at exactly 17.00 with 56.26 miles on the Garmin …... not to mention a good deal of demanding climbing in the legs.

Ian Roberts.