Ride on Thursday 17 August 2023

This is Jim’s description of the ride he didn’t lead. It was led by yours truly, Mike Codd and the bits in italics were written by me to reflect what actually happened.

A familiar start to the ride 09.15 at the Crook o Lune.

Easy ride today but with serious decisions on the way and a stiff headwind to Wray. Setting off we went up the cycle track until we encountered the first decision. Do we go over the roundabout in Caton dodging the cars? or do we carry on up the cycle track?

We put all our trust in the mad leader and we went over the roundabout(all got over safely) then we went through Brookhouse and over Caton Green. We now had to traffic dodge to get back on the main road but we all made it.

A right turn took us into Wray and a welcome break at the Bridge House.

Leaving Wray with a full stomach(some had a fuller stomachs than others! or rather bigger stomachs to fill!) we weaved our way into and through Wennington to turn left up Spout Lane to get us to Greta Bridge where we headed for Kirkby Lonsdale. At the Highway Man a right turn so we could head for Overtown.

Another serious decision here. Do we want to upset the woad decorated peasants? NO, so we carried on to the main road and turned left to dice with death for about a mile and a half before we could access the Roman road by turning right. Flying along the Roman road (togas flapping in the wind) a left turn dropped us down to Casterton Golf Club where with popular demand, we had our lunch and a pint. The staff were setting out the inside tables for an afternoon shindig for the golfers, so we sat outside in the sunshine where we were joined by the club Hon. Sec and Social Sec..

Fully rehydrated and well fed, we rode through Kirkby Lonsdale, crossed the busy main road and climbed up through Low Biggins. Plenty of climbing in front of us saw us, eventually on Dalton Lane and a pleasant fast descent to Burton in Kendal.

Left on the main road then right into the car park at Greenlands to see if any wanted a break or a cup of tea. None did, so we all dispersed to our various homes, most heading for Carnforth and two along Kellet Lane.

Now going past the Tewitfield pub and heading for the Kellets. Through Over Kellet at the cross road, passing the school and on a reasonably level stretch towards Nether Kellet. The two continued through Nether Kellet and back on Kellet Lane where yours truly (Mike) continued, our other rider descending at  Foundry Lane to return home to Farleton.

I rode down through Halton Road over Millennium Bridge round the railway station through Haverbreaks and Piccadilly and home.

Whilst I (Jim) didn’t do this fantastic ride with plenty of hills and plenty of miles(plus good food and a pint to boot!) which maintained my reputation of providing lovely fine weather, I am sure you all enjoyed it as much as I did thinking about it

That’s it for the next 8 weeks so see you sometime in November!

Jim Gardner and Mike Codd