Lancaster and South Lakes Cycle Touring Club Challenge Ride 7th July 2022

The ramblings of a PILOC(Pensioner In Lycra On a Cycle!)

I think it was in early February 2022 after the lockdown when I was lying in bed (don’t worry this isn’t anything like The Fifty Shades of Grey!), I was waiting for the night time tot of whisky to take effect (or had it already taken effect?) when I suddenly thought to myself I had researched the route from Carlisle to Lancaster which we were going to do in 2020 then Covid came along and it was cancelled and we couldn’t even do it in 2021 so why couldn’t it be done with a smaller group that seemed to be the normal now and as the restrictions had eased we could use the train to get to Carlisle.

I started looking at the train times and realised we could get up to 10 riders(just a good number) to Carlisle in time for a set off by 09.30.

The aim of the ride was to follow three rivers(but not in kayaks!), the Eden, the Clough and the Lune. Hopefully the ride would be a 100 mile challenge ride but in pleasant territory and in areas we don’t normally visit(and knowing my navigational skills we could end up anywhere).

Four of us booked on the 08.08 train to Carlisle(Mike C, Ian, Keith and myself). The very helpful Avanti staff decided to allow John’s bike on the 08.08 as well, so all 5 arrived in Carlisle at the same time. We used the time sensibly for coffee and grub! I have to admit I was a bit concerned about my fitness because four weeks ago I was soaking up the hot sun(and cheap beer) in Lanzarote so I wasn’t at my peak of fitness(and I had a few extra pounds to carry).

After suffering the main roads(and one way system) we eventually left Carlisle behind us. Despite having taken a wrong turn at the end of Montgomery Way we went through quiet country lanes and whizzed through Armathwaite then slowed down in Lazonby. After Lazonby it was Langwathby where we managed a refreshment stop, then we flew(opps I meant pedalled!) into Temple Sowerby. 

After Temple Sowerby our next place of call was Appleby which is where disaster struck. At this point my legs were feeling terrible and I made the decision that to carry on I would be holding the other 4 up so VERY reluctantly I decided to return to Lancaster by train.

So here ends my missive one of the other 4 can fill in the remaining miles.

We said “Bon Voyage” to Jim, whose train to Carlisle and thence back home would not arrive until quarter past three. The rest of us continued, going on a pleasant gradual climb followed by a roller-coaster descent via Soulby. The road offered long descents followed by short climbs, achievable with little efforts if speed was kept up. I guessed it would have been enjoyed (but thankfully was not) by motorcyclists.

From Soulby into Kirkby Stephen, the single width road ensured relative freedom from traffic, but with a few close passes.

Arriving a KS, signalled ahead by a short view of St.Stephens church tower, we pushed along the main street, looking for a suitable cafe. The main one was closed for the day and we fetched up at “The White Hare”. It was lucky for us and the owner, who said Thursdays were normally quiet.

We stocked up on cups of tea and filled baps and had a nice chat with our host, who graciously offered to top up our bottles.

Leaving KS, we set off for the Mallerstang Valley. This was generally a gentle, but very long  climb, past Nateby, under the green hills to the east and with views of Wild Boar Fell dominating the Western skyline. Reaching the bridge over the Settle-Carlisle railway, just north of its Aisgill Summit (The highest point on England’as railways). John and I stopped to take a breather and for John and Keith to catch up. We finished the rollercoaster descent down to the Moorcock with the infant river Ure invisible on our left, as it headed down Wensleydale and to the North Sea.

Now began our descent alongside the River Clough, passing Hawes Junction chapel and the railway station, now named after the hamlet, Garsdale, which we passed after numerous crossings and re-crossings of the river.

As the river levelled out on our left, the road started to leave it with a few climbs to manage. We crossed the river and climbed again from wooded country out onto a grassy pasture, above where Adam Sedgwick had done his geologising in the river.

Descending and passing Farfield Mill, we landed in Sedbergh where cafes were shut, but Spar was open, allowing us a break, and sandwiches and pop in the bright sunshine.

Now we were really on home ground. Riding south, we continued, crossing the river Rawthey and passing the wood-yard, going under the old railway bridge, then passing the Swan inn. After regrouping in Casterton, we continued past Devil’s Bridge car park, crossed the A65 and went down the A683 valley road. Mike (your writer of this part of the ride) chose to take off , allowing the other three a welcome gentler return. The caught me up as my chain came off just before Melling, but it was back on as they arrived and , wishing them a cheery goodbye, I continued all the way to Caton Roundabout, then the riverside path back to Lancaster, the station and home in Scotforth.

We’d taken 10 hours and about 20 minutes for the ride, with about 2 hours of breaks.

Thanks Jim!

Mike Codd, Lancaster and South Lakes CTC (CUK) rides secretary

Jim’s Postscript

Wow! What a fantastic ride this is was(or rather the bit I did) all rides should be like this a compact group of like minded(middle aged!!!) cyclists enjoying the fantastic scenery. This ride was super, absolutely stunning countryside and with a group who all got on well, it was well worth the hours spent on organising it. The pace set was steady and most of the route was easy to find. Were we shattered “of course we were”. Did we enjoy it “of course we did”. Will we do it again “mmmmm”. My thanks to those of you who came on the ride with me you made it enjoyable. I have to admit there is truth in what a friend once said “there is no sense in getting older if you can’t get dafter!”

For those of you thinking of joining us don’t be put off with this sort of ride we only do it once a year!

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.