Cyclists Touring Club Ride Report Sunday 13th November 2022

 A sunny and calm Sunday enticed a goodly gathering of Cyclists Touring Club members to gather at Beaumont Gates for a ride to Casterton near Kirkby Lonsdale.

The well-worn route along Kellet Lane rewarded us with views down across the bay to Grange. Further on, the impressive crags of Green Hill captured our attention before we briefly joined the Kirkby Lonsdale road and diverted around Whinney Hill, this time savouring the crystal-clear panorama along the Lune, against the backdrop of Ingleborough. Across the main road again, to enjoy the swooping descent of Sunny Bank to Borwick and our morning coffee stop at the busy Greenlands café.

After a long natter, our numbers swelled to twelve for the onward journey. It was a late regrouping for the main leg of the ride to Casterton Golf Club café, and quieter lanes were sought from Burton for a diversion around Holme. Then it was back on the main road before again escaping the fast traffic on the lane to Millness and on to Preston Patrick.

Sheep safely grazed on the sun-drenched hillsides on both sides of the Gatebeck road. The thorn -threat was left behind as we sought out the steep stone-walled-in lanes leading up to Crosslands Farm on the B6254. Further climbing attained Old Town, the reward being the long downhill into Kirkby Lonsdale, where we weaved slowly around the Sunday visitors .

A convivial lunch stop stretched to almost an hour. At 2.15 we decided to bestir ourselves and head down the valley, some choosing the Arkholme road and others the more elevated scenic route via Docker Park, Capernwray and the Kellets. All arrived home well before the sun faded on an excellent day out, with about 50 miles covered and legs fortified by a few hills.

CTC welcomes new riders.  Visit our website to find out about our weekday and Sunday rides.

Len Howard

www.ctclancaster.org.uk