Thursday 14th November 2024

It was an unusually good turnout for the Lancaster CTC Thursday ride in mid-November.  This may have had something to do with the sunny and calm outlook, but also with the choice of rides on offer, catering for both the faster riders heading for Settle and those seeking a slower ‘amble’ along the lanes to Ingleton.

Heading up the Lune Valley Cycleway, the warming sun kept extremities happy once we escaped the chilly air of the temperature inversion by the river.  The vistas from the Crook-o-Lune were enlivened by patches of grey mist hanging on the hillsides.  Good progress was made to Wray, where the ’amblers’ decided to take an unscheduled coffee stop at Bridge House.

The faster group had chosen the direct route to Settle via Bentham, Clapham, Austwick and Lawkland, with a sting-in-the tail climb over the southern edge of Buck Haw Brow to Giggleswick.  There was a brief delay in Bentham as one rider had to remove his rear wheel to fix a loose mudguard.  The planned lunch stop at the garden centre café was changed on learning that only coffee and cakes would be available at this time of year.  This turned out to be serendipitous as the alternative choice of the market square cycle shop and café provided ideal cyclist lunches and shopping temptation.

The slower riders meanwhile continued to Mill Houses where the warming coffee was reinforced by body heat generated by the steep climbs leading to Mewith Lane. This charming balcony route afforded pin-sharp views across to Ingleborough, framed against an autumnal blue sky. A little-used route off to the left dropped us to Waterscale and the bridge crossing the railway and the River Wenning, followed by a steep pull which deposited us near the top of Newby Moor. Our route trended downhill along Nutgill Lane to Tatterthorn, and an early lunch at Inglesport, where we tucked into cyclists’ fare.

The extended convivial meal eventually came to an end, and we turned our wheels towards home, via Thornton-in Lonsdale, Lower Westhouse, and Burton. We couldn’t escape the climb back out of the Greta Valley, but chose the more layered ascent onto Bentham Moor via Clifford Hall. This took us to the mind-focussing fast descent to Ravens Close to regain the Wenning Valley and Wray.

Unknown to us, we were passing through Wray at the same time as the faster group were enjoying an unplanned afternoon brew at Bridge House after their return from Settle through Eldroth, Keasden and along glorious Mewith Lane.

A very pleasant 40-odd miles for the amblers, whilst the faster riders clocked up 58 miles. Both groups home well in advance of the sun going down.

CTC welcomes new riders. You can find our rides and social events on   www.ctclancaster.org.uk