Sunday 24th March St Bees by Michelle Pearse BEM
One a beautiful, sunny, spring-like day, the group comprising of John and Sue, Peter and Michelle, Deb and Kev, Dianne, Vic, Jonny and Stuart met at the Melbreak Hotel. After coffee and the usual crack, they set off on the cycle path towards Distington following it down into Whitehaven. We then went slightly off piste through an estate before joining Coach Road and climbing (hard) to get to the Sandwith turn. Phew! We then rode along there until we started climbing (again) to Rottington then down into St Bees. We were informed there was a half hour wait for food at the café, so did a quick reccy of St Bees village until we chose the Manor pub who were only serving crisps or full meals. Michelle and Peter had brought a picnic lunch with them, which they shared with Sue and John, Deb and Kev had meals and everyone else made do with crisps. We sat outside in the gorgeous sunshine in a sheltered beer garden at the back which was lovely. Jonny left us there to make his own way back via Eskett quarry.
We returned via a VERY lumpy cycle track to Rowrah, with tree roots every five paces, which was much worse than the last time we rode along there. Made for a really difficult ride with our bottoms taking the brunt of it. Ouch! We’ll give that a wide berth for a bit. We exited the cycle path at Rowrah, and rode along the A5086 which was surprisingly quiet but a lovely smooth surface after the cycle track. The lack of traffic was much welcomed too. We turned off into Ulock, then to Dean, where Dianne left us for home. We then turned left going the back way into Little Clifton dropping Michelle and Peter off at home with the rest of the group returning to the Melbreak. 35 miles and 2,200ft climb .
Wednesday 20th March 2024 Borrowdale. By Stewart Pike
A group of Solways met for coffee at Brewers Fayre and with extra calories from leftover croissants, 10 of us (Kev, Deb, Helen, Gail, Anita, Diane, Tom, John, Sue and Stuart P) set off along the Embleton road to Dubwath, cars were queuing on the A66 for a motorcycle accident and whilst pondering our next move a car slammed into the back of another, didn't appear anyone was hurt. Skirted the queue behind the old Braithwaite station and rejoined the A66 dual carriageway further along before turning off towards Thornthwaite and headed through Keswick and along the side of Derwent water to the Marymount Hotel for lunch, nice. After lunch continued along the side of Derwent water then through Grange and now on the road with the splendid view of Derwent water below Cat Bells. Past the Swinside pub and onto the foot of Whinlatter pass in Braithwaite. A nice challenging climb to the top and over the other side to Low Lorton. From there to Paddle School and back to the car park at Brewers Fayre. 34.2 miles, 2083ft of elevation. Weather overcast around 12C, calm, dry. Another great way to spend a day.
Wednesday 6th March Buttermere. by Tom Beck
On a lovely Wednesday morning 13 members met for coffee and chat they were Maggie, Dianne, Anita, Helen, Gayle, Maria, Sue, John, Peter, Paul, Steve, Joe and myself. With the clock rolling towards 11 o'clock the seven riders decided to make a move. With Gayle on the front setting the pace they headed for the Greenway to Strawberry How. They then joined the Lorton Road to the Buttermere turnoff, this was followed by the steady climb to the cattle grid where they regrouped, before continuing on to Buttermere. After a lovely lunch at the usual cafe where they were Anita joined them they set off back on the same route back to Hundeth crossroads. Here they turned left to Southwaite leaving Maggie to go in the opposite direction back home. The remaining six having crossed the river, was followed by the drag up to Paddle School to join the A5086 back to the Brewers Fayre having done 24 miles.
Sunday club ride 03/03/2024 Allonby. By Michelle Pearse BEM
It was a beautiful crisp day after a very wet day before. Deb, Kev, John, Sue, Dianne, Tom, Jonny, Gail, Paul, Michelle and Peter met at Brewers Fayre in ‘Athlete’s Corner’ for coffee. We set off for Allonby roughly on time with Paul and Peter electing to drive to Maryport and wend their own way at their own pace to the café. From Brewers Fayre to Brigham, across to Broughton Craggs through Gilcrux, Arkelby, Aspatria and a very wet West Newton, before finally getting to Allonby, an epic 19 lumpy miles before lunch. Gail had forgotten to charge her battery since the previous ride and it finally gave up the ghost on the approach to Allonby, so she was very happy to see an electric socket in the café she could plug into. No sooner had we arrived than Peter and Paul descended, so good timings all round (which for the Solways is no mean feat!) A good lunch including lots of bacon and lots of scrambled eggs followed, washed down with pots of tea.
Following lunch, Paul and Jonny made their own separate ways back from whence they came. Gail’s battery had recovered slightly but not enough for the ride home, so we all left to ride back to Maryport into a brisk headwind. It was clear Gail’s battery was going to be no match for Kev’s lumpy route, so she and Peter went back to his van and she got a lift back to Cockermouth. The rest of the Solways went up to Broughton Moor, and up, and up, and then up some more. Jeez! Eventually we stopped climbing and were blessed with the most beautiful view of snow covered Skiddaw and the surrounding hills. John commented we could have been in the Alps. Gorgeous. We arrived into Great Broughton then across to Papcastle where Dianne dropped off to join friends for an afternoon of tea and chat. Michelle dropped off in Cockermouth to make her way back through Brigham to home, with the rest going back via Parklands to Brewer’s Fayre having done 34 miles. Michelle did 38 miles and 2,000 feet of climbing in total, and her battery needed a serious charge when she got home, as did the one on her bike!!
Sunday 25th February Coldale Inn Braithwaite.
After the usual coffee and chat ten members set off from the Brewers Fayre heading for Braithwaite. They were Sue, John, Kev, Deb, Tom, Dianne, Gail, Paul, Pat and Johnny, also joining them was Roy who had just come for the crack. With the sun having made an appearance the group threaded there way through Cockermouth to join the road over Slate Fell. It was now into the wind as they headed towards Embleton with a splendid view of snow capped Skiddaw. On reaching Brathay Hill they forked left to Ouse Bridge, where they said goodbye to Paul, Pat and Johnny. The rest continued on past the boat club to join the A66 at Dubwath that was rather quiet for a change. Leaving the A66 they joined the old road through Thornthwaite before arriving in Braithwaite for their lunch stop at the Coldale Inn where they found Tracy and Brien.
Joining them for lunch were Maggie who had ridden from home and Roy who had done likewise. From a large menu choice most chose smaller portions from the lite bite menu mostly fish and chips. After a lengthy stay they set off leaving Roy to make his way home while the rest headed along A66 cycle path towards Crosthwaite to join the A591. Here they turned right to Applethwaite and Millbeck before joining the A591 again to Scarness. From Scarness they crossed the A591 into Bassenthwaite, only to join the A591 again to the Castle Inn where they turned left to Ouse Bridge. Turning right after crossing the river, brought the group back onto the outward route taking them past the Distillery and onto Embleton. It was along this stretch that Tom and Kev took off not to be seen again until Parkside where they said goodbye to Dianne, already having said goodbye to Maggie and Gail. That left five to make their way back to the Brewers Fayre to parked vehicles, having cycled 32 miles.
Sunday 18th February Allonby by Michelle Pearse BEM
The meet up was Brewer’s Fayre as usual where the main group were John and Sue, Dianne, Tom , Gail, Deb and Kev. The weather was mild with intermittent sun which was lovely. The group set off pretty much on time (!!) and made their way via Brigham to meet Michelle and Paul in Bridgefoot. Paul had decided he wanted an easy ride so he had set off earlier on his own. On meeting in Bridgefoot, Dianne made her way back home, and Sue phoned the café at Allonby with numbers. Setting off again, the group went on the back road to Great Clifton, and through Curwen park, before picking up the coastal cycle path with a gentle wind behind them. Meanwhile, Peter had gone to Maryport in the car, and had ridden back on the cycle path to Flimby hoping to meet up with the group there. Paul came along so the two of them rode back to the café. They arrived and about two minutes later the main group arrived too, along with Jonny who had done his own ride to get there – you couldn’t have made the timings up! We all sat down to a lovely lunch with toasties, cheesy beans, baguettes and scones of course, washed down with lots of tea and coffee.
We all set back off for home with what felt like a not so gentle headwind which had a bit of a nip to it. Paul had set off a bit earlier than the group. Jonny peeled off along the front at Allonby where his car was parked. We found the new boardwalk at Maryport which had a lot of interest from the locals who were out in force, and stopped for a photo. A member of the public got talking to us and having swapped numbers with Michelle is considering joining the group as he has just moved back to Cumbria and is a keen cyclist himself. Result. We dropped Peter off at Maryport and went via the gated road at Flimby, where we caught up with Paul, before rejoining the cycle path back the way we came. Michelle was dropped off at Bridgefoot and the group continued back to Brewers Fayre, ending what was a lovely but quite long ride. Peter did 15 miles, Michelle did 38 miles and the main group did 42 miles.
One a beautiful, sunny, spring-like day, the group comprising of John and Sue, Peter and Michelle, Deb and Kev, Dianne, Vic, Jonny and Stuart met at the Melbreak Hotel. After coffee and the usual crack, they set off on the cycle path towards Distington following it down into Whitehaven. We then went slightly off piste through an estate before joining Coach Road and climbing (hard) to get to the Sandwith turn. Phew! We then rode along there until we started climbing (again) to Rottington then down into St Bees. We were informed there was a half hour wait for food at the café, so did a quick reccy of St Bees village until we chose the Manor pub who were only serving crisps or full meals. Michelle and Peter had brought a picnic lunch with them, which they shared with Sue and John, Deb and Kev had meals and everyone else made do with crisps. We sat outside in the gorgeous sunshine in a sheltered beer garden at the back which was lovely. Jonny left us there to make his own way back via Eskett quarry.
We returned via a VERY lumpy cycle track to Rowrah, with tree roots every five paces, which was much worse than the last time we rode along there. Made for a really difficult ride with our bottoms taking the brunt of it. Ouch! We’ll give that a wide berth for a bit. We exited the cycle path at Rowrah, and rode along the A5086 which was surprisingly quiet but a lovely smooth surface after the cycle track. The lack of traffic was much welcomed too. We turned off into Ulock, then to Dean, where Dianne left us for home. We then turned left going the back way into Little Clifton dropping Michelle and Peter off at home with the rest of the group returning to the Melbreak. 35 miles and 2,200ft climb .
Wednesday 20th March 2024 Borrowdale. By Stewart Pike
A group of Solways met for coffee at Brewers Fayre and with extra calories from leftover croissants, 10 of us (Kev, Deb, Helen, Gail, Anita, Diane, Tom, John, Sue and Stuart P) set off along the Embleton road to Dubwath, cars were queuing on the A66 for a motorcycle accident and whilst pondering our next move a car slammed into the back of another, didn't appear anyone was hurt. Skirted the queue behind the old Braithwaite station and rejoined the A66 dual carriageway further along before turning off towards Thornthwaite and headed through Keswick and along the side of Derwent water to the Marymount Hotel for lunch, nice. After lunch continued along the side of Derwent water then through Grange and now on the road with the splendid view of Derwent water below Cat Bells. Past the Swinside pub and onto the foot of Whinlatter pass in Braithwaite. A nice challenging climb to the top and over the other side to Low Lorton. From there to Paddle School and back to the car park at Brewers Fayre. 34.2 miles, 2083ft of elevation. Weather overcast around 12C, calm, dry. Another great way to spend a day.
Wednesday 6th March Buttermere. by Tom Beck
On a lovely Wednesday morning 13 members met for coffee and chat they were Maggie, Dianne, Anita, Helen, Gayle, Maria, Sue, John, Peter, Paul, Steve, Joe and myself. With the clock rolling towards 11 o'clock the seven riders decided to make a move. With Gayle on the front setting the pace they headed for the Greenway to Strawberry How. They then joined the Lorton Road to the Buttermere turnoff, this was followed by the steady climb to the cattle grid where they regrouped, before continuing on to Buttermere. After a lovely lunch at the usual cafe where they were Anita joined them they set off back on the same route back to Hundeth crossroads. Here they turned left to Southwaite leaving Maggie to go in the opposite direction back home. The remaining six having crossed the river, was followed by the drag up to Paddle School to join the A5086 back to the Brewers Fayre having done 24 miles.
Sunday club ride 03/03/2024 Allonby. By Michelle Pearse BEM
It was a beautiful crisp day after a very wet day before. Deb, Kev, John, Sue, Dianne, Tom, Jonny, Gail, Paul, Michelle and Peter met at Brewers Fayre in ‘Athlete’s Corner’ for coffee. We set off for Allonby roughly on time with Paul and Peter electing to drive to Maryport and wend their own way at their own pace to the café. From Brewers Fayre to Brigham, across to Broughton Craggs through Gilcrux, Arkelby, Aspatria and a very wet West Newton, before finally getting to Allonby, an epic 19 lumpy miles before lunch. Gail had forgotten to charge her battery since the previous ride and it finally gave up the ghost on the approach to Allonby, so she was very happy to see an electric socket in the café she could plug into. No sooner had we arrived than Peter and Paul descended, so good timings all round (which for the Solways is no mean feat!) A good lunch including lots of bacon and lots of scrambled eggs followed, washed down with pots of tea.
Following lunch, Paul and Jonny made their own separate ways back from whence they came. Gail’s battery had recovered slightly but not enough for the ride home, so we all left to ride back to Maryport into a brisk headwind. It was clear Gail’s battery was going to be no match for Kev’s lumpy route, so she and Peter went back to his van and she got a lift back to Cockermouth. The rest of the Solways went up to Broughton Moor, and up, and up, and then up some more. Jeez! Eventually we stopped climbing and were blessed with the most beautiful view of snow covered Skiddaw and the surrounding hills. John commented we could have been in the Alps. Gorgeous. We arrived into Great Broughton then across to Papcastle where Dianne dropped off to join friends for an afternoon of tea and chat. Michelle dropped off in Cockermouth to make her way back through Brigham to home, with the rest going back via Parklands to Brewer’s Fayre having done 34 miles. Michelle did 38 miles and 2,000 feet of climbing in total, and her battery needed a serious charge when she got home, as did the one on her bike!!
Sunday 25th February Coldale Inn Braithwaite.
After the usual coffee and chat ten members set off from the Brewers Fayre heading for Braithwaite. They were Sue, John, Kev, Deb, Tom, Dianne, Gail, Paul, Pat and Johnny, also joining them was Roy who had just come for the crack. With the sun having made an appearance the group threaded there way through Cockermouth to join the road over Slate Fell. It was now into the wind as they headed towards Embleton with a splendid view of snow capped Skiddaw. On reaching Brathay Hill they forked left to Ouse Bridge, where they said goodbye to Paul, Pat and Johnny. The rest continued on past the boat club to join the A66 at Dubwath that was rather quiet for a change. Leaving the A66 they joined the old road through Thornthwaite before arriving in Braithwaite for their lunch stop at the Coldale Inn where they found Tracy and Brien.
Joining them for lunch were Maggie who had ridden from home and Roy who had done likewise. From a large menu choice most chose smaller portions from the lite bite menu mostly fish and chips. After a lengthy stay they set off leaving Roy to make his way home while the rest headed along A66 cycle path towards Crosthwaite to join the A591. Here they turned right to Applethwaite and Millbeck before joining the A591 again to Scarness. From Scarness they crossed the A591 into Bassenthwaite, only to join the A591 again to the Castle Inn where they turned left to Ouse Bridge. Turning right after crossing the river, brought the group back onto the outward route taking them past the Distillery and onto Embleton. It was along this stretch that Tom and Kev took off not to be seen again until Parkside where they said goodbye to Dianne, already having said goodbye to Maggie and Gail. That left five to make their way back to the Brewers Fayre to parked vehicles, having cycled 32 miles.
Sunday 18th February Allonby by Michelle Pearse BEM
The meet up was Brewer’s Fayre as usual where the main group were John and Sue, Dianne, Tom , Gail, Deb and Kev. The weather was mild with intermittent sun which was lovely. The group set off pretty much on time (!!) and made their way via Brigham to meet Michelle and Paul in Bridgefoot. Paul had decided he wanted an easy ride so he had set off earlier on his own. On meeting in Bridgefoot, Dianne made her way back home, and Sue phoned the café at Allonby with numbers. Setting off again, the group went on the back road to Great Clifton, and through Curwen park, before picking up the coastal cycle path with a gentle wind behind them. Meanwhile, Peter had gone to Maryport in the car, and had ridden back on the cycle path to Flimby hoping to meet up with the group there. Paul came along so the two of them rode back to the café. They arrived and about two minutes later the main group arrived too, along with Jonny who had done his own ride to get there – you couldn’t have made the timings up! We all sat down to a lovely lunch with toasties, cheesy beans, baguettes and scones of course, washed down with lots of tea and coffee.
We all set back off for home with what felt like a not so gentle headwind which had a bit of a nip to it. Paul had set off a bit earlier than the group. Jonny peeled off along the front at Allonby where his car was parked. We found the new boardwalk at Maryport which had a lot of interest from the locals who were out in force, and stopped for a photo. A member of the public got talking to us and having swapped numbers with Michelle is considering joining the group as he has just moved back to Cumbria and is a keen cyclist himself. Result. We dropped Peter off at Maryport and went via the gated road at Flimby, where we caught up with Paul, before rejoining the cycle path back the way we came. Michelle was dropped off at Bridgefoot and the group continued back to Brewers Fayre, ending what was a lovely but quite long ride. Peter did 15 miles, Michelle did 38 miles and the main group did 42 miles.