Ride Report – Lancaster and South Lakes CTC – Sunday 21st August 2022 -Dent via Kingsdale
/The challenging climb over to Dent via Kingsdale attracted a good number of riders last Sunday. A forecast of dry weather and light winds, along with the prospect of superb views, did not disappoint. From our starting point at Lancaster’s Millennium Bridge, we took the riverside cycle track out to Bull Beck, which was fortunately fairly quiet. Our outward route took us through Wray and Wennington, then over Ravens Close to Burton in Lonsdale. Morning coffee was at Ireby Green, where we met up with additional members who had made their way to the café independently.
After a convivial break, we headed back towards Burton, turning sharp left before the village, then out through Far Westfield, before crossing the A65 and beginning the long ascent up Kingsdale, which was blissfully quiet apart from just one pair of motorcyclists and a couple of cars. The views from the top, looking down Deepdale to Dent were splendid and a just reward for all that climbing. The descent was taken steadily as some of the steeper sections had loose grit on the surface following recent heavy rain. We all managed to reach Dent safely, apart from one snapped chain, which was quickly repaired.
Most of the group chose to have a relaxed lunch at the farm café just beyond the village centre, with the remainder having a picnic lunch on the benches outside the church.
Returning to the saddle, with hunger satisfied, we took the less-used by cars route on the south side of the River Dee, via Gawthrop to the fell overlooking Sedbergh, before veering left to join the Sedbergh to Kirkby Lonsdale Road. By consensus the planned tea stop at Barbon was cancelled, with most members of the group preferring to carry on to Kirkby Lonsdale, then home, for the majority, via Whittington, Arkholme and Halton.
CTC Lancaster and South Lakes welcomes new riders and we have a range of rides on Tuesday, Thursday and Sundays. For further information, please see our website: www.ctclancaster.org.uk.
Patience Cooper
