Millennium Bridge to Leighton Moss on 30 November 2023

It was a cold day for the start of Neil’s ride to Leighton Moss with a coffee stop at Bay View Garden Centre in Bolton-Le-Sands. In fact, it was a very cold day, nevertheless 4 brave souls assembled at Millennium Bridge for the start. Needless to say, we were all clothed in many layers to keep out the cold. Dismissing the originally intended route along the cycle path towards Snatchems, we decided to stick to the main roads which were more likely to be gritted and free of ice. We followed the River Lune towards Halton but took the left turn up Kellet Lane towards Nether Kellet. The downside of the weather was the persistent cold, the upside was the sun shone brightly and continued all day. Through the Kellet’s we made our way to Borwick, onto Warton and towards Crag Bank where we encountered the first ice of the day, probably where the tide had flooded the road during the night. We rode carefully over it and it proved no problem. We took the A6 to Bolton-Le-Sands then turned off round the shore to our coffee stop. We left the Garden Centre after a pleasant time in the warmth, but the sun continued to shine as we made our way through the village and onto the 2 Kellet’s once more. This time we took the Capernwray road, skirted Borwick and passed through Priest Hutton. The route was chosen so we were never far from home in case inclement weather arrived and we needed to ‘escape’. No ‘escape’ was necessary and we cheerfully continued our journey towards Burton. Taking the Neddy Hill turn off in Burton we crossed the motorway, via the bridge, of course, but then turned left at the bottom of the hill and continued until we reached the main road. We turned right and followed the main road briefly, turning left past Wild Oasis and onto Yealand Redmayne. We then followed the road all the way round to Silverdale and our destination of RSPB at Leighton Moss. We took our time in the cafe, which was surprisingly busy given the cold day, perhaps, in colder weather, cake eating takes precedence over bird watching. No such luck for the birds! No tables were occupied by birds! Leighton Moss is, generally, a short journey away from home, so we were home in pretty quick time. Just 4 of us enjoyed the all day sunshine, a shame more didn’t join us , it doesn’t always pay to be put off by the weather forecast. We managed 42 miles and 2000 ft of ascent and home long before dark. We ride twice a week on Thursday and Sunday, if you fancy joining us, look at the rides diary on www.ctclancaster.org.uk.

Neil Westwell