Thursday ride: Millennium Bridge to Kendal via Beetham Garden Centre on 19 September 2024

With a fine forecast in this Indian Summer there was a good turn-out for Thursday’s club ride.  From our start at Lancaster’s Millennium Bridge we left town via Skerton towards Halton army camp, then up to Nether Kellett, enjoying fine views across to Morecambe Bay from the road’s high point.  We climbed through the village, then swooped down to Carnforth to go through the villages to the west of the A6, initially.  The long, steady climb from Warton to Yealands Conyers and Redmayne was in wonderful dappled light conditions under the trees.  At Cinderbarrow we crossed the A6 again and continued via Holme Mills to Holme, then on to Beetham Garden centre via the back lanes.  More members were waiting for us at the Garden Centre café, with many choosing to sit outside, for possibly the last time this year.

After a relaxed coffee break, the onward route to Kendal was via Ackenthwaite, Hincaster, Sedgwick and Natland.  On approaching Kendal, local man Paul offered to guide us along the cycle track which initially follows the old route of the canal, missing the town centre traffic, coming out to cross the river on the new bridge by Little Aynam.  A short section of one-way traffic then led to the market square where we split up to have our lunch break.

Leaving town via Oxenholme we had to gird our loins for the long climb up the B road to Middleshaw, a cruel route choice straight after lunch for those without power assist on their bikes!  At Middleshaw we took a detour via Popplemire Lane to Holmescales, to avoid a couple of nasty climbs on the B road, which we rejoined just before it crossed under the M6.  

A welcome break for ice cream or cups of tea was held at Kitriddingcafe before we continued on the little lanes to Lupton church and then a brief few hundred yards on the A65 to take more little lanes via Badger Gate to Hutton Roof.  We continued on to Johnson House, where we turned right for Burton-in Kendal, then back towards Lancaster via Priest Hutton, Borwick, Capernwray and the Kellets.

What more could a cyclist ask for, than good company, fine weather and fantastic countryside, along with around 55 miles of undulating, mostly quiet roads?

Find out more details about our club by visiting our website:  www.ctclancaster.org.uk.  New members are always welcome.