Autumn Tints Wednesday 28th August 2019 Brewers Fayre by Maurice Cowley
On this day with the weather threatening rain 5 members assembled at the Brewers Fayre, Cockermouth for the Autumn Tints Wednesday run, they were Roy, Clive, Tom, Maurice and Robin. Robin having a trial day with the club prior to joining.
After the obligatory coffee/tea and chat the group started off into cockermouth and took the greenway cycle track to the Strawberry How road where Roy found he had a puncture. After fixing it the group set off once more over the A66 and turned right towards Hundith Hill and then turned left down Armaside to the B5292 and then turned left down to the B5289 and down Lorton Vale through Low Lorton. Just prior to the turn off to Buttermere the group stopped to wrap up because the rain now was getting much heavier, then they carried on over Scale Hill. Just after the bottom of Scale Hill and alongside the Jenkin Gap a right was taken to climb up to the Thackthwaite road to turn right once more and pass such places as Oakbank Farm, Longlandsgill Wood, High Latterhead Cottage, Crofthill Wood, and Thackthwaite Village. At Lorton Bridge a left was taken to take the group to Rogerscale and up to Eaglesfield Paddle Scool road end where a right along the A5086 was used to get them back to the Brewers Fayre and the finish of the run. Here Clive for home and left the rest to have their lunch.
Sunday 25th August Wheatsheaf Inn Lorton
Leaving Braithwaite on a warm morning were Sue, John and Roy all on e-bikes heading in the direction of Keswick to join the A591.
Once on the A591 and away from the busy A66, they made their way past Mirehouse before turning left to Scarness and into Bassenthwaite.
After joining A591 again they turned left at the Castle Inn to Ouse Bridge and on through Embleton and over Slate Fell to join greenway to the Lorton Road.
Now into a slight breeze but still warm they made their way to Hundith crossroads for the quick descent towards Lorton, to arrive at the Wheatsheaf as Maggie and Stewart arrived. They had left Trough Bridge heading up the hill to Wythop Mill then onto Southwaite Mill and round Rodgerscales into Lorton
Over lunch Dave appeared having driven to the pub hoping to go for a ride to Buttermere in the afternoon.
After a good lunch Maggie and Stewart left first, leaving the rest to decide where to go, eventually Dave left for Buttermere.
The Braithwaite trio decided to go back via the A66 to get a few extra miles in, catching up with Maggie and Stewart just before the A66.
A short ride together before saying goodbye, the Braithwaite trio continued to Dubwath to join the A66 back through Thornthwaite to home.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 21st August. Eskdale
Six members made their way to Seascale on four wheels they were Sue, John, Maurice, Tom, Roy and John R.
Tom and Maurice who had arrived first were found drinking tea and coffee in Pudding Lane cafe, the rest after unloading bikes joined them.
John R having done a route the group left heading for Holmrook, there they joined the A595 for a short distance before turning left to Irton Hall where Maurice said goodbye leaving the rest to continue onto Eskdale Green.
On approaching Eskdale Green one could hear the sound off a train on the La'al Ratty winding its way from Ravenglass to Dalegarth.
At the King George IV Inn they turned left down the valley following the La'al Ratty towards Boot. Just before Dalegarth they turned right down a narrow lane that eventual turns into a track to Birker Fell, where John R was keen to show them a deep rocky pool.
This was followed by more site seeing to St Catherine's Church dating back to the 6th century, situated down a long lane close to the River Esk.
After an interesting guided tour by John R it was back to Dalegarth Station for lunch to watch the trains come and go.
Each train that arrived at the station was full of passengers most of them heading for the cafe or picnic area before returning back to Ravenglass.
Lunch over it was back down the valley road to Eskdale Green this was followed by a steep climb towards Irton Pike that saw those on e-bikes disappear.
Having regrouped at the top they continued onto Santon Bridge then along a more flatter road to Gosforth where the crossed the A595.
Away from the traffic it was along the new cycle path back to Seascale and parked vehicle on what had been a very pleasant day out.
Sunday 18th August Club Run Wheatsheaf Inn Abbeytown
On a very windy morning with gusts of forty miles per hour forecast, eight members made it to the Melbreak, they were Maurice, Sue, Anita, Tom, Roy, Paul and the two John's.
After tea and coffee and with a following wind seven members set off leaving Maurice, who had already decided to drive to Allonby and do his own thing.
Having decided on a route the group made their way to Great Clifton and over the river to Camerton this was followed by the steep climb as rain began to fall.
On reaching the Seaton Road Paul just out for a ride said goodbye leaving the rest to continue onto Flimby to join the usual route to Maryport Marine.
A brief stop by the Aquarium for Sue to put on her helmet cover as rain threatened again, this was followed by negotiating the dog walker’s along the promenade.
Once passed the golf course the speed picked up reaching nineteen miles per hour as they made their way into Allonby.
At Dubmill Point they turned right, away from strong cross wind to Mawbray, where they followed the lanes pass Tarns to Abbeytown, arriving in good time for lunch.
Being early the pub was empty and were soon tucking into the roast off the day as the pub began to fill up.
Lunch and chat over it was time to leave the warm surrounds of the pub, for the strong wind blowing outside that was going to be against the group.
Leaving Abbeytown they made their way up the main road where they tuned left towards Highlaws hoping to find shelter from the hedgerows.
This was not to be as John on his e-bike set the pace on the front past Tarns and onto Westnewton and Aspatria.
With the occasional spot off rain and trying to dodge the wind they continued on to Arkleby, Gilcrux and Tallentire where they stopped to regroup.
Back in the saddle and with the headwind that seemed to follow them they made their way pass Broughton Craggs before crossing the A66 into Brigham.
With road close signs all over the county it was no surprise to see the road through Low Brigham littered with signs that the group negotiated their way around.
Approaching Bridgfoot dark clouds could be seen in the direction of Workington and as expected they encountered the tail end of the storm.
Wet but not soaked they managed to get back to their vehicles, on what had been a mixed day with a tail wind out and a headwind back having done 42 miles.
(Just for the purist Sue, John and Roy were on e-bikes. While Anita, John and Tom were on your normal bikes)
Autumn Tints Wednesday14th July Threlkeld Cafe by Steve Lunt
Today's group meeting up at Roy's place in Braithwaite were Roy, Tom, Steve L, Mo, John and Sue M.
Mauice having parked his car at Threlkeld and ridden to Braithwaite had done half the ride at Roy's house.
Disappointing, miserably wet and grey, we decided it was time to go after having taken our tea, the Braithwaite cycle track into Keswick then the pull uphill on the Penrith Road to take the cycle track up to the road eastwards to pass the Burns Farm. Then the swoosh downhill that led us to the A66 main crossing into Thelkeld village and the cafe shop lunch stop.
After lunch and an easing of the weather condition – Mo to collect his car(neatly boxed in by contractors vehicles working on some new houses) and the rest of us in debate whether a slightly longer ride down St. Johns in the Vale (which had a road closed sign erected!) would be rather nice. So we took it and finally well down the Vales river we found the reason for the closure: high hydraulic crane with hydraulic hammer head knocking metal interlocking barrier piles into the river bed, so we had a break and interesting view of the work on the river bank. We were allowed access after a while, walking only with the bikes.
Latter end of the Vale road joins the Thirlmere A591 road; here we crossed directly and onto the dam road with a superb view down the lake. At the far end of this dam crossing the only way allowed was a right turn at the junction with a cross country yellow road to meet the A591 road again for us to turn north and a long uphill pull up the “Nest” to the top for a great run down into Keswick.
Leaving Keswick the return route was the same as the way out only in reverse: along the A66 cycle path and final entrance into Braithwaite, leaving John and Sue here, Steve L, Roy and Tom to end up at Roy's house and our transport home. 21.8 miles
Sunday 11th August 2019 Ennerdale Brewery, Rowrah by Roy Jackson
On a very wet morning, Tom and Roy abandoned their plan to ride over Whinlatter on their E-bikes and took their bikes, by car, to Ennerdale Brewery. They were joined for lunch by Maurice and Shirley, Stewart and Maggie, Sue and Paul, Steve L and Dave Swift, all arriving by car.
After hearing about Maggie and Stewart's enjoyable trip to Norway, and a good lunch,, the rain stopped and Roy and Tom got their bikes out, and everyone else returned home on four wheels.
Roy and tom followed the cycle track up to Kirkland then down to Ennerdale Bridge and onto Wath Brow and Cleator Moor, past Parkside and Winder and back to Ennerdale Brewery, luckily having missed the rain. 14Miles.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 7th August Woodland Cafe. Santon Bridge by Roy Jackson
On a warm, dry morning Maurice, Tom and Roy met at Seascale. After coffee in Pudding Lane Cafe the trio turned left up the hill and over the railway bridge to Drigg then Holmrook, then turning right right past Carleton Hall to the end of the tarmac road at Saltcoats, then along the gravel track above the beach, then over the viaduct to Ravenglass. After a visit to the Roman Baths, the trio returned over the viaduct. Then turning right just after Carleton Green, crossing Irton Flatts to Santon Bridge for lunch at the Woodland Cafe, where Tom generously shared the jam on his scone with a number of wasps.
After lunch turning left up the hill from the cafe the trio rode past Bolton Hall to Gosforth then along the new cycle track back to Seacale.
Sunday 4th August 2019 Stag Inn. Crosby by Steve Lunt
Seems strange with pen in hand poised ready to write and tell you of our Sunday outing, having been out commission due to a knee injury – but really sinister when when the last ride out of decent length for me was last October 31st 2018 to “guess where” - the Stag Inn, Crosby.
Because of uncertain weather this weekend and there only being 5 of us to start from the Mealbreak Inn! Sue and Paul Cumella, Roy, Mo, and Steve L; Everyone else in the SCC away or busy doing something else,
With a following wind the ride from the hotel, Great Clifton and so into Workington and Curwen Park, the going was really good. On the way north we took the usual cycle pathway past the Siddick Wetlands and over the A596 and through Siddick and then using the cycle path near the railway up to Maryport Aquarium. A brief break and then onwards to the long promenade passing some recently patched up rough areas of concrete surface. Past the Golf Course and then we joined the Maryport/Allonby section of cycle path and on reaching the Crosscanonby junction Paul and Sue decided to cut base and head for Allonby Tea Shop. So now the remaining 3 of us took the right turn and some deep breaths and the last part of the ride to Crosby was flat no more. 3 initial gradients not too steep – and when you think its all over 2 more steep pulls through Crosscanonby Village, church and the last one delivered us hot and panting to Crosby on the A596 with the Stag Inn nearby just a few hundred metres away.
At lunch we happily anticipated the way home knowing it to be downhill all the way back to the coast road – fantastic!
One deviation on the way back was that when we reached Flimby Village – instead of takinf the prescribe route behind the village and round the fields to rejoin the main road close to the woodmill – we decided on the more direct passage of the main road along Flimby's pavement(!) to avoid horrendous traffic (even on a Sunday); altogether not a good idea I think. As we neared the bridge that would take us to the Siddick Ponds, an alternative branch of the cycle path network just here took us alongside the railway to the main road roundabout with a path for us to travel alongside the River Derwent to Curwen Park and out along the main A66 departure road eastwards to Stainburn with some tiring gradients until the BP filling which at the top promised an easy ride back to Clifton Roundabout and the parked cars at The Melbreak Hotel.
Lovely ride with only a light shower of rain. (Mileage 28.6 miles)
On this day with the weather threatening rain 5 members assembled at the Brewers Fayre, Cockermouth for the Autumn Tints Wednesday run, they were Roy, Clive, Tom, Maurice and Robin. Robin having a trial day with the club prior to joining.
After the obligatory coffee/tea and chat the group started off into cockermouth and took the greenway cycle track to the Strawberry How road where Roy found he had a puncture. After fixing it the group set off once more over the A66 and turned right towards Hundith Hill and then turned left down Armaside to the B5292 and then turned left down to the B5289 and down Lorton Vale through Low Lorton. Just prior to the turn off to Buttermere the group stopped to wrap up because the rain now was getting much heavier, then they carried on over Scale Hill. Just after the bottom of Scale Hill and alongside the Jenkin Gap a right was taken to climb up to the Thackthwaite road to turn right once more and pass such places as Oakbank Farm, Longlandsgill Wood, High Latterhead Cottage, Crofthill Wood, and Thackthwaite Village. At Lorton Bridge a left was taken to take the group to Rogerscale and up to Eaglesfield Paddle Scool road end where a right along the A5086 was used to get them back to the Brewers Fayre and the finish of the run. Here Clive for home and left the rest to have their lunch.
Sunday 25th August Wheatsheaf Inn Lorton
Leaving Braithwaite on a warm morning were Sue, John and Roy all on e-bikes heading in the direction of Keswick to join the A591.
Once on the A591 and away from the busy A66, they made their way past Mirehouse before turning left to Scarness and into Bassenthwaite.
After joining A591 again they turned left at the Castle Inn to Ouse Bridge and on through Embleton and over Slate Fell to join greenway to the Lorton Road.
Now into a slight breeze but still warm they made their way to Hundith crossroads for the quick descent towards Lorton, to arrive at the Wheatsheaf as Maggie and Stewart arrived. They had left Trough Bridge heading up the hill to Wythop Mill then onto Southwaite Mill and round Rodgerscales into Lorton
Over lunch Dave appeared having driven to the pub hoping to go for a ride to Buttermere in the afternoon.
After a good lunch Maggie and Stewart left first, leaving the rest to decide where to go, eventually Dave left for Buttermere.
The Braithwaite trio decided to go back via the A66 to get a few extra miles in, catching up with Maggie and Stewart just before the A66.
A short ride together before saying goodbye, the Braithwaite trio continued to Dubwath to join the A66 back through Thornthwaite to home.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 21st August. Eskdale
Six members made their way to Seascale on four wheels they were Sue, John, Maurice, Tom, Roy and John R.
Tom and Maurice who had arrived first were found drinking tea and coffee in Pudding Lane cafe, the rest after unloading bikes joined them.
John R having done a route the group left heading for Holmrook, there they joined the A595 for a short distance before turning left to Irton Hall where Maurice said goodbye leaving the rest to continue onto Eskdale Green.
On approaching Eskdale Green one could hear the sound off a train on the La'al Ratty winding its way from Ravenglass to Dalegarth.
At the King George IV Inn they turned left down the valley following the La'al Ratty towards Boot. Just before Dalegarth they turned right down a narrow lane that eventual turns into a track to Birker Fell, where John R was keen to show them a deep rocky pool.
This was followed by more site seeing to St Catherine's Church dating back to the 6th century, situated down a long lane close to the River Esk.
After an interesting guided tour by John R it was back to Dalegarth Station for lunch to watch the trains come and go.
Each train that arrived at the station was full of passengers most of them heading for the cafe or picnic area before returning back to Ravenglass.
Lunch over it was back down the valley road to Eskdale Green this was followed by a steep climb towards Irton Pike that saw those on e-bikes disappear.
Having regrouped at the top they continued onto Santon Bridge then along a more flatter road to Gosforth where the crossed the A595.
Away from the traffic it was along the new cycle path back to Seascale and parked vehicle on what had been a very pleasant day out.
Sunday 18th August Club Run Wheatsheaf Inn Abbeytown
On a very windy morning with gusts of forty miles per hour forecast, eight members made it to the Melbreak, they were Maurice, Sue, Anita, Tom, Roy, Paul and the two John's.
After tea and coffee and with a following wind seven members set off leaving Maurice, who had already decided to drive to Allonby and do his own thing.
Having decided on a route the group made their way to Great Clifton and over the river to Camerton this was followed by the steep climb as rain began to fall.
On reaching the Seaton Road Paul just out for a ride said goodbye leaving the rest to continue onto Flimby to join the usual route to Maryport Marine.
A brief stop by the Aquarium for Sue to put on her helmet cover as rain threatened again, this was followed by negotiating the dog walker’s along the promenade.
Once passed the golf course the speed picked up reaching nineteen miles per hour as they made their way into Allonby.
At Dubmill Point they turned right, away from strong cross wind to Mawbray, where they followed the lanes pass Tarns to Abbeytown, arriving in good time for lunch.
Being early the pub was empty and were soon tucking into the roast off the day as the pub began to fill up.
Lunch and chat over it was time to leave the warm surrounds of the pub, for the strong wind blowing outside that was going to be against the group.
Leaving Abbeytown they made their way up the main road where they tuned left towards Highlaws hoping to find shelter from the hedgerows.
This was not to be as John on his e-bike set the pace on the front past Tarns and onto Westnewton and Aspatria.
With the occasional spot off rain and trying to dodge the wind they continued on to Arkleby, Gilcrux and Tallentire where they stopped to regroup.
Back in the saddle and with the headwind that seemed to follow them they made their way pass Broughton Craggs before crossing the A66 into Brigham.
With road close signs all over the county it was no surprise to see the road through Low Brigham littered with signs that the group negotiated their way around.
Approaching Bridgfoot dark clouds could be seen in the direction of Workington and as expected they encountered the tail end of the storm.
Wet but not soaked they managed to get back to their vehicles, on what had been a mixed day with a tail wind out and a headwind back having done 42 miles.
(Just for the purist Sue, John and Roy were on e-bikes. While Anita, John and Tom were on your normal bikes)
Autumn Tints Wednesday14th July Threlkeld Cafe by Steve Lunt
Today's group meeting up at Roy's place in Braithwaite were Roy, Tom, Steve L, Mo, John and Sue M.
Mauice having parked his car at Threlkeld and ridden to Braithwaite had done half the ride at Roy's house.
Disappointing, miserably wet and grey, we decided it was time to go after having taken our tea, the Braithwaite cycle track into Keswick then the pull uphill on the Penrith Road to take the cycle track up to the road eastwards to pass the Burns Farm. Then the swoosh downhill that led us to the A66 main crossing into Thelkeld village and the cafe shop lunch stop.
After lunch and an easing of the weather condition – Mo to collect his car(neatly boxed in by contractors vehicles working on some new houses) and the rest of us in debate whether a slightly longer ride down St. Johns in the Vale (which had a road closed sign erected!) would be rather nice. So we took it and finally well down the Vales river we found the reason for the closure: high hydraulic crane with hydraulic hammer head knocking metal interlocking barrier piles into the river bed, so we had a break and interesting view of the work on the river bank. We were allowed access after a while, walking only with the bikes.
Latter end of the Vale road joins the Thirlmere A591 road; here we crossed directly and onto the dam road with a superb view down the lake. At the far end of this dam crossing the only way allowed was a right turn at the junction with a cross country yellow road to meet the A591 road again for us to turn north and a long uphill pull up the “Nest” to the top for a great run down into Keswick.
Leaving Keswick the return route was the same as the way out only in reverse: along the A66 cycle path and final entrance into Braithwaite, leaving John and Sue here, Steve L, Roy and Tom to end up at Roy's house and our transport home. 21.8 miles
Sunday 11th August 2019 Ennerdale Brewery, Rowrah by Roy Jackson
On a very wet morning, Tom and Roy abandoned their plan to ride over Whinlatter on their E-bikes and took their bikes, by car, to Ennerdale Brewery. They were joined for lunch by Maurice and Shirley, Stewart and Maggie, Sue and Paul, Steve L and Dave Swift, all arriving by car.
After hearing about Maggie and Stewart's enjoyable trip to Norway, and a good lunch,, the rain stopped and Roy and Tom got their bikes out, and everyone else returned home on four wheels.
Roy and tom followed the cycle track up to Kirkland then down to Ennerdale Bridge and onto Wath Brow and Cleator Moor, past Parkside and Winder and back to Ennerdale Brewery, luckily having missed the rain. 14Miles.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 7th August Woodland Cafe. Santon Bridge by Roy Jackson
On a warm, dry morning Maurice, Tom and Roy met at Seascale. After coffee in Pudding Lane Cafe the trio turned left up the hill and over the railway bridge to Drigg then Holmrook, then turning right right past Carleton Hall to the end of the tarmac road at Saltcoats, then along the gravel track above the beach, then over the viaduct to Ravenglass. After a visit to the Roman Baths, the trio returned over the viaduct. Then turning right just after Carleton Green, crossing Irton Flatts to Santon Bridge for lunch at the Woodland Cafe, where Tom generously shared the jam on his scone with a number of wasps.
After lunch turning left up the hill from the cafe the trio rode past Bolton Hall to Gosforth then along the new cycle track back to Seacale.
Sunday 4th August 2019 Stag Inn. Crosby by Steve Lunt
Seems strange with pen in hand poised ready to write and tell you of our Sunday outing, having been out commission due to a knee injury – but really sinister when when the last ride out of decent length for me was last October 31st 2018 to “guess where” - the Stag Inn, Crosby.
Because of uncertain weather this weekend and there only being 5 of us to start from the Mealbreak Inn! Sue and Paul Cumella, Roy, Mo, and Steve L; Everyone else in the SCC away or busy doing something else,
With a following wind the ride from the hotel, Great Clifton and so into Workington and Curwen Park, the going was really good. On the way north we took the usual cycle pathway past the Siddick Wetlands and over the A596 and through Siddick and then using the cycle path near the railway up to Maryport Aquarium. A brief break and then onwards to the long promenade passing some recently patched up rough areas of concrete surface. Past the Golf Course and then we joined the Maryport/Allonby section of cycle path and on reaching the Crosscanonby junction Paul and Sue decided to cut base and head for Allonby Tea Shop. So now the remaining 3 of us took the right turn and some deep breaths and the last part of the ride to Crosby was flat no more. 3 initial gradients not too steep – and when you think its all over 2 more steep pulls through Crosscanonby Village, church and the last one delivered us hot and panting to Crosby on the A596 with the Stag Inn nearby just a few hundred metres away.
At lunch we happily anticipated the way home knowing it to be downhill all the way back to the coast road – fantastic!
One deviation on the way back was that when we reached Flimby Village – instead of takinf the prescribe route behind the village and round the fields to rejoin the main road close to the woodmill – we decided on the more direct passage of the main road along Flimby's pavement(!) to avoid horrendous traffic (even on a Sunday); altogether not a good idea I think. As we neared the bridge that would take us to the Siddick Ponds, an alternative branch of the cycle path network just here took us alongside the railway to the main road roundabout with a path for us to travel alongside the River Derwent to Curwen Park and out along the main A66 departure road eastwards to Stainburn with some tiring gradients until the BP filling which at the top promised an easy ride back to Clifton Roundabout and the parked cars at The Melbreak Hotel.
Lovely ride with only a light shower of rain. (Mileage 28.6 miles)